1
|
Viral proteases as therapeutic targets. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101159. [PMID: 36459838 PMCID: PMC9706241 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Some medically important viruses-including retroviruses, flaviviruses, coronaviruses, and herpesviruses-code for a protease, which is indispensable for viral maturation and pathogenesis. Viral protease inhibitors have become an important class of antiviral drugs. Development of the first-in-class viral protease inhibitor saquinavir, which targets HIV protease, started a new era in the treatment of chronic viral diseases. Combining several drugs that target different steps of the viral life cycle enables use of lower doses of individual drugs (and thereby reduction of potential side effects, which frequently occur during long term therapy) and reduces drug-resistance development. Currently, several HIV and HCV protease inhibitors are routinely used in clinical practice. In addition, a drug including an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease, nirmatrelvir (co-administered with a pharmacokinetic booster ritonavir as Paxlovid®), was recently authorized for emergency use. This review summarizes the basic features of the proteases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and SARS-CoV-2 and discusses the properties of their inhibitors in clinical use, as well as development of compounds in the pipeline.
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen XX, Tao T, Gao S, Wang H, Zhou XM, Gao YY, Hang CH, Li W. Knock-Down of CD24 in Astrocytes Aggravates Oxyhemoglobin-Induced Hippocampal Neuron Impairment. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:590-600. [PMID: 34665391 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), as one of the most severe hemorrhagic strokes, is closely related to neuronal damage. Neurogenesis is a promising therapy, however, reliable targets are currently lacking. Increasing evidence has indicated that CD24 is associated with the growth of hippocampal neurons and the regulation of neural stem/precursor cell proliferation. To investigate the potential effect of CD24 in astrocytes on neuron growth in the hippocampus, we used a Transwell co-culture system of hippocampal astrocytes and neurons, and oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) was added to the culture medium to mimic SAH in vitro. A specific lentivirus was used to knock down CD24 expression in astrocytes, which was verified by western blot, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescent staining. Astrocyte activation, neurite elongation, neuronal apoptosis, and cell viability were also assessed. We first determined the augmented expression level of CD24 in hippocampal astrocytes after SAH. A similar result was observed in cultured astrocytes exposed to OxyHb, and a corresponding change in SHP2/ERK was also noticed. CD24 in astrocytes was then downregulated by the lentivirus, which led to the impairment of axons and dendrites on the co-cultured neurons. Aggravated neuronal apoptosis was induced by the CD24 downregulation in astrocytes, which might be a result of a lower level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In conclusion, the knock-down of CD24 in astrocytes suppressed hippocampal neuron growth, in which the SHP2-ERK signaling pathway and BNDF were possibly involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Xin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sen Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Southern Medicine University (Guangzhou), Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong-Yue Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Chun-Hua Hang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Coggins SA, Mahboubi B, Schinazi RF, Kim B. Mechanistic cross-talk between DNA/RNA polymerase enzyme kinetics and nucleotide substrate availability in cells: Implications for polymerase inhibitor discovery. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:13432-13443. [PMID: 32737197 PMCID: PMC7521635 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.013746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzyme kinetic analysis reveals a dynamic relationship between enzymes and their substrates. Overall enzyme activity can be controlled by both protein expression and various cellular regulatory systems. Interestingly, the availability and concentrations of intracellular substrates can constantly change, depending on conditions and cell types. Here, we review previously reported enzyme kinetic parameters of cellular and viral DNA and RNA polymerases with respect to cellular levels of their nucleotide substrates. This broad perspective exposes a remarkable co-evolution scenario of DNA polymerase enzyme kinetics with dNTP levels that can vastly change, depending on cell proliferation profiles. Similarly, RNA polymerases display much higher Km values than DNA polymerases, possibly due to millimolar range rNTP concentrations found in cells (compared with micromolar range dNTP levels). Polymerases are commonly targeted by nucleotide analog inhibitors for the treatments of various human diseases, such as cancers and viral pathogens. Because these inhibitors compete against natural cellular nucleotides, the efficacy of each inhibitor can be affected by varying cellular nucleotide levels in their target cells. Overall, both kinetic discrepancy between DNA and RNA polymerases and cellular concentration discrepancy between dNTPs and rNTPs present pharmacological and mechanistic considerations for therapeutic discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si'Ana A Coggins
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bijan Mahboubi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Raymond F Schinazi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Baek Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Center for Drug Discovery, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ramos JC, Ruiz P, Ratner L, Reis IM, Brites C, Pedroso C, Byrne GE, Toomey NL, Andela V, Harhaj EW, Lossos IS, Harrington WJ. IRF-4 and c-Rel expression in antiviral-resistant adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Blood 2007; 109:3060-8. [PMID: 17138822 PMCID: PMC1852214 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-07-036368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2006] [Accepted: 11/11/2006] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a generally fatal malignancy. Most ATLL patients fare poorly with conventional chemotherapy; however, antiviral therapy with zidovudine (AZT) and interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) has produced long-term clinical remissions. We studied primary ATLL tumors and identified molecular features linked to sensitivity and resistance to antiviral therapy. Enhanced expression of the proto-oncogene c-Rel was noted in 9 of 27 tumors. Resistant tumors exhibited c-Rel (6 of 10; 60%) more often than did sensitive variants (1 of 9; 11%). This finding was independent of the disease form. Elevated expression of the putative c-Rel target, interferon regulatory factor-4 (IRF-4), was observed in 10 (91%) of 11 nonresponders and in all tested patients with c-Rel+ tumors and occurred in the absence of the HTLV-1 oncoprotein Tax. In contrast, tumors in complete responders did not express c-Rel or IRF-4. Gene rearrangement studies demonstrated the persistence of circulating T-cell clones in long-term survivors maintained on antiviral therapy. The expression of nuclear c-Rel and IRF-4 occurs in the absence of Tax in primary ATLL and is associated with antiviral resistance. These molecular features may help guide treatment. AZT and IFN-alpha is a suppressive rather than a curative regimen, and patients in clinical remission should remain on maintenance therapy indefinitely.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Ramos
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, FL 33136, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
|
6
|
Minowada J, Minato K, Tatsumi E, Sugimoto T, Nakazawa S, Ohnuma T, Kubonishi I, Miyoshi I, Frankel A, Gallo RC. A model scheme for human hematopoietic cell differentiation as determined by multiple markers of leukemia-lymphomas. HAEMATOLOGY AND BLOOD TRANSFUSION 1983; 28:348-50. [PMID: 6602741 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-68761-7_66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
|
7
|
Posner LE, Robert-Guroff M, Kalyanaraman VS, Poiesz BJ, Ruscetti FW, Fossieck B, Bunn PA, Minna JD, Gallo RC. Natural antibodies to the human T cell lymphoma virus in patients with cutaneous T cell lymphomas. J Exp Med 1981; 154:333-46. [PMID: 6973601 PMCID: PMC2186420 DOI: 10.1084/jem.154.2.333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sera from patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma and leukemia were screened for the presence of natural antibody to the human T cell lymphoma (leukemia) virus, HTLVCR, using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Sera from two patients, including patient CR, from whose cultured T lymphoblastic cell line (HUT102), the retrovirus HTLVCR was isolated, reacted specifically with proteins of HTLVCR. Serum from patient CR also reacted specifically with proteins of HTLVMB, an independent but highly related retroviral isolate from a patient with Sezary T cell leukemia. The specificity for HTLVCR proteins was demonstrated by solid-phase immunocompetition assays and competition radioimmunoprecipitation assays. Analysis of radioimmunoprecipitates indicated that the natural antibodies were directed against HTLVCR core proteins with molecular weights of 24,000 and 19,000 (p24 and p19). Whereas the serum reactivities for HTLVCR proteins were shown to be highly specific, additional reactivities seen against proteins of animal retroviruses including GaLV, SSV, FeLV, and BaEV were clearly shown not to be viral specific but rather were due to reactivity with cellular antigens contaminating the viral preparations or with related antigens present in fetal calf serum. These results demonstrating natural antibodies to HTLVCR provide the first evidence for a specific antibody response to a retrovirus in humans.
Collapse
|
8
|
Hehlmann R, Erfle V. Human leukemia viruses? RNA tumor viruses, human malignancies, and concepts of viral carcinogenesis. BLUT 1980; 41:247-56. [PMID: 6159025 DOI: 10.1007/bf01020525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
|