Protein kinase inhibitors of the quinazoline class exert anti-cytomegaloviral activity in vitro and in vivo

N-Heterocycles as Promising Antiviral Agents: A Comprehensive Overview

Viruses are a real threat to every organism at any stage of life leading to extensive infections and casualties. N-heterocycles can affect the viral life cycle at many points, including viral entrance into host cells, viral genome replication, and the production of novel viral species. Certain N-heterocycles can also stimulate the host's immune system, producing antiviral cytokines and chemokines that can stop the reproduction of viruses. This review focused on recent five- or six-membered synthetic N-heterocyclic molecules showing antiviral activity through SAR analyses. The review will assist in identifying robust scaffolds that might be utilized to create effective antiviral drugs with either no or few side effects.

Quinazoline-based VEGFR-2 inhibitors as potential anti-angiogenic agents: A contemporary perspective of SAR and molecular docking studies

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from the existing vasculature, is pivotal in the migration, growth, and differentiation of endothelial cells in normal physiological conditions. In various types of tumour microenvironments, dysregulated angiogenesis plays a crucial role in supplying oxygen and nutrients to cancerous cells, leading to tumour size growth. VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase has been extensively studied as a critical regulator of angiogenesis; thus, inhibition of VEGFR-2 has been widely used for cancer treatments in recent years. Quinazoline nucleus is a privileged and versatile scaffold with a broad range of pharmacological activity, especially in the field of tyrosine kinase inhibitors with more than twenty small molecule inhibitors approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in the last two decades. As of now, the U.S. FDA has approved eleven small chemical inhibitors of VEGFR-2 for various types of malignancies, with a prime example being vandetanib, a quinazoline derivative, which is a multi targeted kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of late-stage medullary thyroid cancer. Despite of prosperous discovery and development of VEGFR-2 down regulator drugs, there still exists limitations in clinical efficacy, adverse effects, a high rate of clinical discontinuation and drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the design and synthesis of more selective and effective inhibitors to tackle these challenges. Through the gathering of this review, we have strived to broaden the extent of our view over the entire scope of quinazoline-based VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Herein, we give an overview of the importance and advancement status of reported structures, highlighting the SAR, biological evaluations and their binding modes.

Preparing for the next viral threat with broad-spectrum antivirals

There is a large global unmet need for the development of countermeasures to combat hundreds of viruses known to cause human disease and for the establishment of a therapeutic portfolio for future pandemic preparedness. Most approved antiviral therapeutics target proteins encoded by a single virus, providing a narrow spectrum of coverage. This, combined with the slow pace and high cost of drug development, limits the scalability of this direct-acting antiviral (DAA) approach. Here, we summarize progress and challenges in the development of broad-spectrum antivirals that target either viral elements (proteins, genome structures, and lipid envelopes) or cellular proviral factors co-opted by multiple viruses via newly discovered compounds or repurposing of approved drugs. These strategies offer new means for developing therapeutics against both existing and emerging viral threats that complement DAAs.

Repurposing clinically available drugs and therapies for pathogenic targets to combat SARS-CoV-2

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected a large portion of the global population, both physically and mentally. Current evidence suggests that the rapidly evolving coronavirus subvariants risk rendering vaccines and antibodies ineffective due to their potential to evade existing immunity, with enhanced transmission activity and higher reinfection rates that could lead to new outbreaks across the globe. The goal of viral management is to disrupt the viral life cycle as well as to relieve severe symptoms such as lung damage, cytokine storm, and organ failure. In the fight against viruses, the combination of viral genome sequencing, elucidation of the structure of viral proteins, and identifying proteins that are highly conserved across multiple coronaviruses has revealed many potential molecular targets. In addition, the time- and cost-effective repurposing of preexisting antiviral drugs or approved/clinical drugs for these targets offers considerable clinical advantages for COVID-19 patients. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various identified pathogenic targets and pathways as well as corresponding repurposed approved/clinical drugs and their potential against COVID-19. These findings provide new insight into the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies that could be applied to the control of disease symptoms emanating from evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) and the Human Cytomegalovirus-Encoded CDK Ortholog pUL97 Represent Highly Attractive Targets for Synergistic Drug Combinations

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a pathogenic human herpesvirus associated with serious, potentially life-threatening symptoms in the immunocompromised or immunonaïve host. The limitations encountered by antiviral therapy options currently available include a narrow panel of accessible targets, the induction of viral drug resistance as well as severe drug dosage-mediated side-effects. Improved drug-targeting strategies to resolve these issues are the focus of our investigations. In particular, pharmaceutical kinase inhibitors (PKIs), either directed to host kinases or directed to the viral protein kinase pUL97, have been considered to overcome these restrictions. Recently, we reported the identification of a synergistic combination of two PKIs directed to host cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) and viral CDK ortholog pUL97. Here, we substantiate these findings with the following results: (i) true drug synergy was exhibited by various chemical classes of PKI pairs directed to pUL97 and CDK7; (ii) no putative amplification of cytotoxicity by these drug combinations was observed; (iii) a reduction in drug dosage levels for synergistic combinations was defined on a quantitative basis and compared to monotreatments; (iv) the quantities of target proteins CDK7 and pUL97 expressed in HCMV-infected cells were assessed by confocal imaging, indicating a strong down-modulation of CDK7 levels as a result of synergistic drug treatment; (v) the functional importance of these target kinases, both binding to cyclin H, was illustrated by assessing HCMV replication under the viral genomic deletion of ORF-UL97 or cellular cyclin knock-out; (vi) new combinations of HCMV-specific drug synergy were demonstrated for solely host-directed treatments using PKIs against CDK2, CDK7, CDK8 and/or CDK9 and (vii) a triple PKI combination provided further support for the synergy approach. With these combined findings, this study highlights the potential of therapeutic drug combinations of approved, developmental and preclinical PKIs for expanding future options for anti-HCMV therapy.

Effective Antiviral Activity of the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Sunitinib Malate against Zika Virus

Introduction

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, causes the outbreaks of Latin America in 2015 - 2016, with the incidence of neurological complications. Sunitinib malate, an orally bioavailable malate salt of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is suggested as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent against emerging viruses like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2.

Materials and Methods

This study investigated the antiviral efficacy and antiviral mechanisms of sunitinib malate against ZIKV infection using cytopathic effect reduction, virus yield, and time-of-addition assays.

Results

Sunitinib malate concentration-dependently reduced ZIKV-induced cytopathic effect, the expression of viral proteins, and ZIKV yield in supernatant with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 0.015 μM, and the selectivity index of greater than 100 against ZIKV infection, respectively. Sunitinib malate had multiple antiviral actions during entry and post-entry stages of ZIKV replication. Sunitinib malate treatment at entry stage significantly reduced the levels of ZIKV RNA replication with the reduction of (+) RNA to (-) RNA ratio and the production of new intracellular infectious particles in infected cells. The treatment at post-entry stage caused a concentration-dependent increase in the levels of ZIKV (+) RNA and (-) RNA in infected cells, along with enlarging the ratio of (+) RNA to (-) RNA, but caused a pointed increase in the titer of intracellular infectious particles by 0.01 and 0.1 μM, and a substantial decrease in the titer of intracellular infectious particles by 1 μM.

Conclusion

The study discovered the antiviral actions of sunitinib malate against ZIKV infection, demonstrating a repurposed, host-targeted approach to identify potential antiviral drugs for treating emerging and global viral diseases.

The epidermal growth factor receptor is a relevant host factor in the early stages of Zika virus life cycle in vitro

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus well-known for the epidemic in the Americas in 2015-2016, where microcephaly in newborns and other neurological complications were connected to ZIKV infection. Many aspects of the viral life cycle, including binding and entry into the host cell, are still enigmatic. Based on the observation that CHO cells lack the expression of EGFR and are not permissive for various ZIKV strains, the relevance of EGFR for the viral life cycle was analyzed. Infection of A549 cells by ZIKV leads to a rapid internalization of EGFR that colocalizes with the endosomal marker EEA1. Moreover, the infection by different ZIKV strains is associated with an activation of EGFR and subsequent activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling cascade. However, treatment of the cells with MβCD, which on the one hand leads to an activation of EGFR but on the other hand prevents EGFR internalization, impairs ZIKV infection. Specific inhibition of EGFR or of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signal transduction cascade hinders ZIKV infection by inhibition of ZIKV entry. In accordance to this, knockout of EGFR expression impedes ZIKV entry. In case of an already established infection, inhibition of EGFR or of downstream signaling does not affect viral replication. Taken together, these data demonstrate the relevance of EGFR in the early stages of ZIKV infection and identify EGFR as a target for antiviral strategies. Importance These data deepen the knowledge about the ZIKV infection process and demonstrate the relevance of EGFR for ZIKV entry. In light of the fact that a variety of specific and efficient inhibitors of EGFR and of EGFR-dependent signaling were developed and licensed, repurposing of these substances could be a helpful tool to prevent the spreading of ZIKV infection in an epidemic outbreak.

Inhibitory effect of gefitinib derivative LPY‑9 on human glioma

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a gefitinib derivative, LPY-9, on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human glioma cell line U251-MG by CCK8, Transwell or flow cytometry, and the effect of LPY-9 on the activity of caspase-3 enzyme and related proteins in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways by western blot and ELISA. It was found that LPY-9 exhibited higher a inhibitory effect on the proliferation of U251-MG cell lines compared with gefitinib and it also exhibited a certain dose-dependence. Following LPY-9 treatment, typical apoptotic morphology was observed under the microscope after Giemsa staining. LPY-9 induced apoptosis at low concentration, and the activity of caspase-3 enzyme increased with the increase in drug concentration, significantly inhibiting the secretion of VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. The effect was notably more evident compared with gefitinib at the same concentration. The expression level of caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 increased with the increase in LPY-9 concentration; however, expression levels of VEGF, EGFR, phosphorylated AKT and PI3K decreased with the increase of LPY-9 concentration and no change was observed in the expression level of AKT. LPY-9 inhibited the proliferation of the human glioma cell line U251-MG, promoted apoptosis and effectively inhibited the migration of U251-MG cells. The effect of LPY-9 was more noticeable compared with gefitinib. The results of the present study may provide a foundation for further study and clinical research of this as an anti-tumor drug in animal models.

Moving Past Ganciclovir and Foscarnet: Advances in CMV Therapy

Purpose of Review

CMV DNA polymerase inhibitors such as ganciclovir and foscarnet have dramatically reduced the burden of CMV infection in the HCT recipient. However, their use is often limited by toxicities and resistance. Agents with novel mechanisms and favorable toxicity profiles are critically needed. We review recent developments in CMV antivirals and immune-based approaches to mitigating CMV infection.

Recent Findings

Letermovir, an inhibitor of the CMV terminase complex, was approved in 2017 for primary CMV prophylaxis in adult seropositive allogeneic HCT recipients. Maribavir, an inhibitor of the CMV UL97 kinase, is currently in two phase 3 treatment studies. Adoptive immunotherapy using third-party T cells has proven safe and effective in preliminary studies. Vaccine development continues, with several promising candidates currently under study.

Summary

No longer limited to DNA polymerase inhibitors, the prevention and treatment of CMV infections in the HCT recipient is a rapidly evolving field which should translate into improvements in CMV-related outcomes.

Repurposing of Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of COVID-19

The outbreak of COVID-19, the pandemic disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spurred an intense search for treatments by the scientific community. In the absence of a vaccine, the goal is to target the viral life cycle and alleviate the lung-damaging symptoms of infection, which can be life-threatening. There are numerous protein kinases associated with these processes that can be inhibited by FDA-approved drugs, the repurposing of which presents an alluring option as they have been thoroughly vetted for safety and are more readily available for treatment of patients and testing in clinical trials. Here, we characterize more than 30 approved kinase inhibitors in terms of their antiviral potential, due to their measured potency against key kinases required for viral entry, metabolism, or reproduction. We also highlight inhibitors with potential to reverse pulmonary insufficiency because of their anti-inflammatory activity, cytokine suppression, or antifibrotic activity. Certain agents are projected to be dual-purpose drugs in terms of antiviral activity and alleviation of disease symptoms, however drug combination is also an option for inhibitors with optimal pharmacokinetic properties that allow safe and efficacious co-administration with other drugs, such as antiviral agents, IL-6 blocking agents, or other kinase inhibitors.

Synthesis, biological activity and molecular modeling study of novel 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4,5]tetrazines and 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazines

Different novel 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4,5]tetrazines and 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazines have been obtained from heterocyclization of 3-substituted-4-amino-5-substituted-amino-1,2,4-triazoles (3a-d) and 3-substituted-4-amino-5-hydrazino-1,2,4-triazoles (9a,b) with (α and β) bifunctional compounds like chloromethyl biphenyl-phosphanoxide, pyruvic acid, phenacyl bromide, diethyl oxalate, triethyl orthoformate, triethyl phosphite, fluorinated benzaldehydes, carbon disulfide and ethyl chloroformate under different experimental settings. Fourier transformer infrared analysis (FTIR), Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR), as well as that of the mass spectral data, were used as the appropriate characterization techniques for the chemical structures of all newly synthesized compounds. The newly prepared compounds were examined as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial agents (against E. coli (Escherichia coli) and P. aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as examples for Gram-negative bacteria and S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus) as examples for Gram-positive bacteria), as well as antifungal (against C. albicans (Candida albicans)) agents. The newly prepared compound showed high antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities in comparing with the commercial antibiotics Indomethacin, Nalidixic acid, Imipenem, and Nystatin. Docking of the most active compounds was performed depending on the results of antibacterial screening and the anti-inflammatory assay.

The Cytomegalovirus Protein Kinase pUL97:Host Interactions, Regulatory Mechanisms and Antiviral Drug Targeting

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) expresses a variety of viral regulatory proteins that undergo close interaction with host factors including viral-cellular multiprotein complexes. The HCMV protein kinase pUL97 represents a viral cyclin-dependent kinase ortholog (vCDK) that determines the efficiency of HCMV replication via phosphorylation of viral and cellular substrates. A hierarchy of functional importance of individual pUL97-mediated phosphorylation events has been discussed; however, the most pronounced pUL97-dependent phenotype could be assigned to viral nuclear egress, as illustrated by deletion of the UL97 gene or pharmacological pUL97 inhibition. Despite earlier data pointing to a cyclin-independent functionality, experimental evidence increasingly emphasized the role of pUL97-cyclin complexes. Consequently, the knowledge about pUL97 involvement in host interaction, viral nuclear egress and additional replicative steps led to the postulation of pUL97 as an antiviral target. Indeed, validation experiments in vitro and in vivo confirmed the sustainability of this approach. Consequently, current investigations of pUL97 in antiviral treatment go beyond the known pUL97-mediated ganciclovir prodrug activation and henceforward include pUL97-specific kinase inhibitors. Among a number of interesting small molecules analyzed in experimental and preclinical stages, maribavir is presently investigated in clinical studies and, in the near future, might represent a first kinase inhibitor applied in the field of antiviral therapy.

Viral Induced Oxidative and Inflammatory Response in Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis with Identification of Potential Drug Candidates: A Systematic Review using Systems Biology Approach

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is genetically complex with multifactorial etiology. Here, we aim to identify the potential viral pathogens leading to aberrant inflammatory and oxidative stress response in AD along with potential drug candidates using systems biology approach. We retrieved protein interactions of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tau protein (MAPT) from NCBI and genes for oxidative stress from NetAge, for inflammation from NetAge and InnateDB databases. Genes implicated in aging were retrieved from GenAge database and two GEO expression datasets. These genes were individually used to create protein-protein interaction network using STRING database (score≥0.7). The interactions of candidate genes with known viruses were mapped using virhostnet v2.0 database. Drug molecules targeting candidate genes were retrieved using the Drug- Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb). Data mining resulted in 2095 APP, 116 MAPT, 214 oxidative stress, 1269 inflammatory genes. After STRING PPIN analysis, 404 APP, 109 MAPT, 204 oxidative stress and 1014 inflammation related high confidence proteins were identified. The overlap among all datasets yielded eight common markers (AKT1, GSK3B, APP, APOE, EGFR, PIN1, CASP8 and SNCA). These genes showed association with hepatitis C virus (HCV), Epstein- Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus 8 and Human papillomavirus (HPV). Further, screening of drugs targeting candidate genes, and possessing anti-inflammatory property, antiviral activity along with a suggested role in AD pathophysiology yielded 12 potential drug candidates. Our study demonstrated the role of viral etiology in AD pathogenesis by elucidating interaction of oxidative stress and inflammation causing candidate genes with common viruses along with the identification of potential AD drug candidates.

Viral journeys on the intracellular highways

Viruses are obligate intracellular pathogens that are dependent on cellular machineries for their replication. Recent technological breakthroughs have facilitated reliable identification of host factors required for viral infections and better characterization of the virus-host interplay. While these studies have revealed cellular machineries that are uniquely required by individual viruses, accumulating data also indicate the presence of broadly required mechanisms. Among these overlapping cellular functions are components of intracellular membrane trafficking pathways. Here, we review recent discoveries focused on how viruses exploit intracellular membrane trafficking pathways to promote various stages of their life cycle, with an emphasis on cellular factors that are usurped by a broad range of viruses. We describe broadly required components of the endocytic and secretory pathways, the Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport pathway, and the autophagy pathway. Identification of such overlapping host functions offers new opportunities to develop broad-spectrum host-targeted antiviral strategies.

Combating Intracellular Pathogens with Repurposed Host-Targeted Drugs

There is a large, global unmet need for the development of countermeasures to combat intracellular pathogens. The development of novel antimicrobials is expensive and slow and typically focuses on selective inhibition of proteins encoded by a single pathogen, thereby providing a narrow spectrum of coverage. The repurposing of approved drugs targeting host functions required for microbial infections represents a promising alternative. This review summarizes progress and challenges in the repurposing of approved drugs as host-targeted broad-spectrum agents for the treatment of intracellular pathogens. These strategies include targeting both cellular factors required for infection by various viruses, intracellular bacteria, and/or protozoa as well as factors that modulate the host immune response to these microbial infections. The repurposed approach offers complementary means to develop therapeutics against existing and emerging intracellular microbial threats.

Repurposing of Kinase Inhibitors as Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Drugs

The high cost of drug development and the narrow spectrum of coverage typically provided by direct-acting antivirals limit the scalability of this antiviral approach. This review summarizes progress and challenges in the repurposing of approved kinase inhibitors as host-targeted broad-spectrum antiviral therapies.

Molecular modeling, enzyme activity, anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activities of newly synthesized quinazoline derivatives

Aim: 16 thioxoquinazolines were evaluated in vivo for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced paw edema assay. Results: In particular, out of the targets (1–16), compounds 4 and 6 displayed the highest anti-inflammatory activity (≥80%) and furtherly tested against complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Significant reduction in the serum level of IL-1β, COX-2 and prostaglandin E2 in the complete Freund’s adjuvant rats is demonstrated by compounds 4 and 6. Furthermore, compound 4 showed non-selective activity against COX-1 and COX 2, however, compound 6 was specific toward COX-2. Molecular docking study has demonstrated the possible binding modes of the active quinazolines 4 and 6 in the COX-2 active site. Conclusion: These targets could be used as templates for further development of new derivatives with potent anti-inflammatory activity.

Dynamic regulatory interaction between cytomegalovirus major tegument protein pp65 and protein kinase pUL97 in intracellular compartments, dense bodies and virions

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen of considerable clinical importance. Understanding the processes that are important for viral replication is essential for the development of therapeutic strategies against HCMV infection. The HCMV-encoded protein kinase pUL97 is an important multifunctional regulator of viral replication. Several viral and cellular proteins are phosphorylated by pUL97. The phosphoprotein pp65 is one important substrate of pUL97. It is the most abundant tegument protein of HCMV virions, mediating the upload of other virion constituents and contributing to particle integrity. Further to that, it interferes with host innate immune defences, thereby enabling efficient viral replication. By applying different approaches, we characterized the pp65-pUL97 interaction in various compartments. Specifically, the pUL97 interaction domain of pp65 was defined (282-415). A putative cyclin bridge that enhances pUL97-pp65 interaction was identified. The impact of pUL97 mutation on virion and dense body morphogenesis was addressed using pUL97 mutant viruses. Alterations in the proteome of viral particles were seen, especially with mutant viruses expressing cytoplasmic variants of pUL97. On the basis of these data we postulate a so far poorly recognized functional relationship between pp65 and pUL97, and present a refined model of pp65-pUL97 interaction.

Synthesis of Novel Hybrids of Quinazoline and Artemisinin with High Activities against Plasmodium falciparum, Human Cytomegalovirus, and Leukemia Cells

Many quinazoline derivatives have been synthesized over the last few decades with great pharmacological potential, such as antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiviral. But so far, no quinazoline-artemisinin hybrids have been reported in the literature. In the present study, five novel quinazoline-artemisinin hybrids were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro biological activity against malarial parasites (Plasmodium falciparum 3D7), leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM and CEM/ADR5000), and human cytomegalovirus. Remarkably, hybrid 9 (EC₅₀ = 1.4 nM), the most active antimalarial compound of this study, was not only more potent than artesunic acid (EC₅₀ = 9.7 nM) but at the same time more active than the clinically used drugs dihydroartemisinin (EC₅₀ = 2.4 nM) and chloroquine (EC₅₀ = 9.8 nM). Furthermore, hybrids 9 and 10 were the most potent compounds with regard to anticytomegaloviral activity (EC₅₀ = 0.15-0.21 μM). They were able to outperform ganciclovir (EC₅₀ = 2.6 μM), which is the relevant standard drug of antiviral therapy, by a factor of 12-17. Moreover, we identified a new highly active quinazoline derivative, compound 14, that is most effective in suppressing cytomegalovirus replication with an EC₅₀ value in the nanomolar range (EC₅₀ = 50 nM). In addition, hybrid 9 exhibited an antileukemia effect similar to that of artesunic acid, with EC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range, and was 45 times more active toward the multidrug-resistant CEM/ADR5000 cells (EC₅₀ = 0.5 μM) than the standard drug doxorubicin.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Assessments of Some Quinazolines and Their Annulated Systems

The syntheses of some new derivatives of quinazoline and their annulated derivatives are described in this work. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of the new products was evaluated using agar well diffusion methods with determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations against six pathogenic bacteria and three pathogenic fungi. Most of the new compounds are potent as antimicrobial agents.

Proteomic Interaction Patterns between Human Cyclins, the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Ortholog pUL97 and Additional Cytomegalovirus Proteins

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) ortholog pUL97 associates with human cyclin B1 and other types of cyclins. Here, the question was addressed whether cyclin interaction of pUL97 and additional viral proteins is detectable by mass spectrometry-based approaches. Proteomic data were validated by coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP), Western blot, in vitro kinase and bioinformatic analyses. Our findings suggest that: (i) pUL97 shows differential affinities to human cyclins; (ii) pUL97 inhibitor maribavir (MBV) disrupts the interaction with cyclin B1, but not with other cyclin types; (iii) cyclin H is identified as a new high-affinity interactor of pUL97 in HCMV-infected cells; (iv) even more viral phosphoproteins, including all known substrates of pUL97, are detectable in the cyclin-associated complexes; and (v) a first functional validation of pUL97-cyclin B1 interaction, analyzed by in vitro kinase assay, points to a cyclin-mediated modulation of pUL97 substrate preference. In addition, our bioinformatic analyses suggest individual, cyclin-specific binding interfaces for pUL97-cyclin interaction, which could explain the different strengths of interactions and the selective inhibitory effect of MBV on pUL97-cyclin B1 interaction. Combined, the detection of cyclin-associated proteins in HCMV-infected cells suggests a complex pattern of substrate phosphorylation and a role of cyclins in the fine-modulation of pUL97 activities.

The chemical class of quinazoline compounds provides a core structure for the design of anticytomegaloviral kinase inhibitors

HCMV is a member of the family Herpesviridae and represents a worldwide distributed pathogen with seropositivity rates in the adult population ranging between 40% and 90%. Notably, HCMV infection is a serious, sometimes life-threatening medical problem for newborns and immunosuppressed individuals, including transplant recipients and patients under antitumoral chemotherapy. Current standard therapy with valganciclovir has the disadvantage of inducing drug-resistant virus mutants and toxicity-related side effects. Our analysis stresses the earlier finding that kinase inhibitors of the quinazoline class exert an antiviral response by targeting the viral protein kinase pUL97 without inducing resistance. Therefore, quinazolines have been used as a core structure to gain insight in the mode of inhibitor-kinase interaction. Here, we demonstrate that (i) the novel quinazolines Vi7392 and Vi7453 are highly active against HCMV laboratory and clinically relevant strains including maribavir- and ganciclovir-resistant variants, (ii) antiviral activity is not cell-type specific and was also detected in a placental explant tissue model using a genetically intact HCMV strain (iii) the viral kinase pUL97 represents a target of the anticytomegaloviral activity of these compounds, (iv) induction of pUL97-conferring drug resistance was not detectable under single-step selection, thus differed from the induction of ganciclovir resistance, and (v) pUL97 drug docking simulations enabled detailed insights into specific drug-target binding properties providing a promising basis for the design of optimized kinase inhibitors. These novel findings may open new prospects for the future medical use of quinazoline drug candidates and the use of drug-target dynamic simulations for rational design of antivirals.

The Interaction between Cyclin B1 and Cytomegalovirus Protein Kinase pUL97 is Determined by an Active Kinase Domain

Replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is characterized by a tight virus-host cell interaction. Cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) are functionally integrated into viral gene expression and protein modification. The HCMV-encoded protein kinase pUL97 acts as a CDK ortholog showing structural and functional similarities. Recently, we reported an interaction between pUL97 kinase with a subset of host cyclins, in particular with cyclin T1. Here, we describe an interaction of pUL97 at an even higher affinity with cyclin B1. As a striking feature, the interaction between pUL97 and cyclin B1 proved to be strictly dependent on pUL97 activity, as interaction could be abrogated by treatment with pUL97 inhibitors or by inserting mutations into the conserved kinase domain or the nonconserved C-terminus of pUL97, both producing loss of activity. Thus, we postulate that the mechanism of pUL97-cyclin B1 interaction is determined by an active pUL97 kinase domain.

Crystal structure ofN-[(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)(4-methylphenyl)methyl]acetamide

In the title mol­ecule, C₂₀H₁₉NO₂, the naphthalene ring system subtends a dihedral angle of 82.50 (7)° with the benzene ring and an intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond closes an S(6) ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which generate C(8) chains propagating in the [010] direction. The crystal structure also features weak π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.7246 (10) Å].

A novel CDK7 inhibitor of the Pyrazolotriazine class exerts broad-spectrum antiviral activity at nanomolar concentrations

Protein kinases represent central and multifunctional regulators of a balanced virus-host interaction. Cyclin-dependent protein kinase 7 (CDK7) plays crucial regulatory roles in cell cycle and transcription, both connected with the replication of many viruses. Previously, we developed a CDK7 inhibitor, LDC4297, that inhibits CDK7 in vitro in the nano-picomolar range. Novel data from a kinome-wide evaluation (>330 kinases profiled in vitro) demonstrate a kinase selectivity. Importantly, we provide first evidence for the antiviral potential of the CDK7 inhibitor LDC4297, i.e., in exerting a block of the replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in primary human fibroblasts at nanomolar concentrations (50% effective concentration, 24.5 ± 1.3 nM). As a unique feature compared to approved antiherpesviral drugs, inhibition occurred already at the immediate-early level of HCMV gene expression. The mode of antiviral action was considered multifaceted since CDK7-regulated cellular factors that are supportive of HCMV replication were substantially affected by the inhibitors. An effect of LDC4297 was identified in the interference with HCMV-driven inactivation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb), a regulatory step generally considered a hallmark of herpesviral replication. In line with this finding, a broad inhibitory activity of the drug could be demonstrated against a selection of human and animal herpesviruses and adenoviruses, whereas other viruses only showed intermediate drug sensitivity. Summarized, the CDK7 inhibitor LDC4297 is a promising candidate for further antiviral drug development, possibly offering new options for a comprehensive approach to antiviral therapy.

Chemical characteristics, synthetic methods, and biological potential of quinazoline and quinazolinone derivatives

The heterocyclic fused rings quinazoline and quinazolinone have drawn a huge consideration owing to their expanded applications in the field of pharmaceutical chemistry. Quinazoline and quinazolinone are reported for their diversified biological activities and compounds with different substitutions bring together to knowledge of a target with understanding of the molecule types that might interact with the target receptors. Quinazolines and quinazolinones are considered as an important chemical for the synthesis of various physiological significance and pharmacological utilized molecules. Quinazolines and quinazolinone are a large class of biologically active compounds that exhibited broad spectrum of biological activities such as anti-HIV, anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antimutagenic, anticoccidial, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antimalarial, antioxidant, antileukemic, and antileishmanial activities and other activities. Being considered as advantaged scaffold, the alteration is made with different substituent.

Synthesis, anti-microbial and molecular docking studies of quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives

In this work, synthesis, antimicrobial activities and molecular docking studies of some new series of substituted quinazolinone 2a-h and 3a-d were described. Starting form 2-aminobenzamide derivatives 1, a new series of quinazolinone derivatives has been synthesized, in high yields, assisted by microwave and classical methods. Some of these substituted quinazolinones were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Esherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis), and anti-fungal activity against (Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharomyces cervevisiae, and Candida albicans) using agar well diffusion method. Among the prepared products, 3-benzyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one (3a) was found to exhibits the most potent in vitro anti-microbial activity with MICs of 25.6±0.5, 24.3±0.4, 30.1±0.6, and 25.1±0.5 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Esherichia coli, respectively. Compound 3a was found to exhibits the most potent in vitro anti-fungal activity with MICs of 18.3±0.6, 23.1±0.4, and 26.1±0.5 µg/mL against Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharomyces cervevisiae, and Candidaal bicans, respectively.

Viruses exploit the function of epidermal growth factor receptor

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates cellular homeostatic processes. Following ligand binding, EGFR activates different downstream signalling cascades that promote cell survival, proliferation, motility, and angiogenesis and induces F-actin-dependent EGFR endocytosis, which relocalises the activated receptors for degradation or recycling. The responses that are induced by ligand binding to EGFR, including cell signalling activation, protein kinase phosphorylation and cytoskeletal network rearrangement, resemble those induced by virus infection. Increasing evidence demonstrates that many viruses usurp EGFR endocytosis or EGFR-mediated signalling for entry, replication, inflammation, and viral antagonism to the host antiviral system. In addition, viruses have acquired sophisticated mechanisms to regulate EGFR functions by interrupting the EGFR-recycling process and modulating EGFR expression. In this review, we provide an overview of the mechanisms by which viruses alter EGFR signalling in favour of their continued survival.

Differential properties of cytomegalovirus pUL97 kinase isoforms affect viral replication and maribavir susceptibility

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded kinase pUL97 is required for efficient viral replication. Previous studies described two isoforms of pUL97, the full-length isoform (M1) and a smaller isoform likely resulting from translation initiation at codon 74 (M74). Here, we report the detection of a third pUL97 isoform during viral infection resulting from translation initiation at codon 157 (isoform M157). The consistent expression of isoform M157 as a minor component of pUL97 during infection with clinical and laboratory-adapted HCMV strains was suppressed when codon 157 was mutagenized. Viral mutants expressing specific isoforms were generated to compare their growth and drug susceptibility phenotypes, as well as pUL97 intracellular localization patterns and kinase activities. The exclusive expression of isoform M157 resulted in substantially reduced viral growth and resistance to the pUL97 inhibitor maribavir while retaining susceptibility to ganciclovir. Confocal imaging demonstrated reduced nuclear import of amino-terminal deletion isoforms compared to isoform M1. Isoform M157 showed reduced efficiency of various substrate protein interactions and autophosphorylation, whereas Rb phosphorylation was preserved. These results reveal differential properties of pUL97 isoforms that affect viral replication, with implications for the antiviral efficacy of maribavir.

IMPORTANCE

The HCMV UL97 kinase performs important functions in viral replication that are targeted by the antiviral drug maribavir. Here, we describe a naturally occurring short isoform of the kinase that when expressed by itself in a recombinant virus results in altered intracellular localization, impaired growth, and high-level resistance to maribavir compared to those of the predominant full-length counterpart. This is another factor to consider in explaining why maribavir appears to have variable antiviral activity in cell culture and in vivo.

Highlights in antiviral drug research: antivirals at the horizon

This review highlights ten "hot topics" in current antiviral research: (i) new nucleoside derivatives (i.e., PSI-352938) showing high potential as a direct antiviral against hepatitis C virus (HCV); (ii) cyclopropavir, which should be further pursued for treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections; (iii) North-methanocarbathymidine (N-MCT), with a N-locked conformation, showing promising activity against both α- and γ-herpesviruses; (iv) CMX001, an orally bioavailable prodrug of cidofovir with broad-spectrum activity against DNA viruses, including polyoma, adeno, herpes, and pox; (v) favipiravir, which is primarily pursued for the treatment of influenza virus infections, but also inhibits the replication of other RNA viruses, particularly (-)RNA viruses such as arena, bunya, and hanta; (vi) newly emerging antiarenaviral compounds which should be more effective (and less toxic) than the ubiquitously used ribavirin; (vii) antipicornavirus agents in clinical development (pleconaril, BTA-798, and V-073); (viii) natural products receiving increased attention as potential antiviral drugs; (ix) antivirals such as U0126 targeted at specific cellular kinase pathways [i.e., mitogen extracellular kinase (MEK)], showing activity against influenza and other viruses; and (x) two structurally unrelated compounds (i.e., LJ-001 and dUY11) with broad-spectrum activity against virtually all enveloped RNA and DNA viruses.

Assessment of drug candidates for broad-spectrum antiviral therapy targeting cellular pyrimidine biosynthesis

Currently available antiviral drugs frequently induce side-effects or selection of drug-resistant viruses. We describe a novel antiviral principle based on targeting the cellular enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). In silico drug design and biochemical evaluation identified Compound 1 (Cmp1) as a selective inhibitor of human DHODH in vitro (IC50 1.5±0.2nM). Crystallization data specified the mode of drug-target interaction. Importantly, Cmp1 displayed a very potent antiviral activity that could be reversed by co-application of uridine or other pyrimidine precursors, underlining the postulated DHODH-directed mode of activity. Human and animal cytomegaloviruses as well as adenoviruses showed strong sensitivity towards Cmp1 in cell culture-based infection systems with IC50 values in the low micromolar to nanomolar range. Particularly, broad inhibitory activity was demonstrated for various types of laboratory and clinically relevant adenoviruses. For replication of human cytomegalovirus in primary fibroblasts, antiviral mode of activity was attributed to the early stage of gene expression. A mouse in vivo model proved reduced replication of murine cytomegalovirus in various organs upon Cmp1 treatment. These findings suggested Cmp1 as drug candidate and validated DHODH as a promising cellular target for antiviral therapy.

A mouse model of interstitial pneumonitis induced by murine cytomegalovirus infection after allogeneic skin transplantation

We investigated the effect of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) on interstitial pneumonia in transplant recipients in an experimental skin allograft model. Skin transplantation between C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice was performed in the presence or absence of cyclosporin A treatment. Flow cytometry showed that the number of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells and the level of IFN-γ decreased significantly in the groups treated with cyclosporin A. We either mock-infected or infected the mice with MCMV by intranasal administration and monitored pathophysiological behavior and body weight. The infected mice were sacrificed at different days postinfection for histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biological evaluations. Interstitial pneumonitis was observed in positive control groups as well as in experimental group that received cyclosporin A, a skin transplant, and infected with the highest dose of virus (10⁵ PFU). Transmission electronic microscopy demonstrated the presence of herpes virus particles. MCMV DNA and glycoprotein B were demonstrated in the epithelial cells of the lung tissue in those animals by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Our data demonstrated the establishment of a mouse model of interstitial pneumonitis via MCMV infection after allogeneic skin transplantation.

In vitro evaluation of the activities of the novel anticytomegalovirus compound AIC246 (letermovir) against herpesviruses and other human pathogenic viruses

AIC246 (letermovir) is a potent anticytomegalovirus drug in clinical development. Here, we report a consistent antiviral efficacy of AIC246 against human cytomegalovirus laboratory strains, clinical isolates, and virus variants resistant to approved drugs. Furthermore, we describe a remarkable selectivity of AIC246 for human cytomegaloviruses compared to that of other alpha-, beta-, or gammaherpesviruses or nonrelated pathogenic viruses, including adeno-, hepadna-, retro-, orthomyxo-, and flaviviruses. Our data confirm and support an excellent and selective anticytomegaloviral activity of AIC246.

Regulatory roles of protein kinases in cytomegalovirus replication

Viral replication is a complex process relying on a network of interacting viral and cellular proteins, in which particularly protein kinases play an important regulatory role. The specific phosphorylation of substrate proteins induces activation, inactivation, or other functional modification and thus determines virus-host cell interregulation. During herpesviral infections, both viral and cellular protein kinases are expressed and provide activities crucial for the efficiency of virus replication. The protein kinase pUL97 encoded by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a multifunctional regulatory enzyme which exerts strong regulatory effects on early and late steps of the viral replication cycle. A number of interacting proteins and substrates of pUL97 have been described, including retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, nuclear lamins and viral pUL69. Recently, it was demonstrated that pUL97 has structural and functional resemblance to cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) and thus represents a CDK ortholog. pUL97 can phosphorylate and inactivate Rb, resulting in a stimulation of cell cycle progression. In addition, the association of pUL97 activity with nucleocytoplasmic export of viral capsids has been demonstrated by several investigators. We could show that pUL97 is able to phosphorylate nuclear lamins and to contribute to the HCMV-induced reorganization of the nuclear lamina. On the basis of very recent findings, it is becoming increasingly clear that pUL97 is a component of a multiprotein nuclear egress complex (NEC). The NEC contains a small number of egress proteins involved in the recruitment of protein kinases, such as pUL97 and cellular protein kinase C (PKC), to specific sites of the nuclear lamina. Current information about the composition, function, and regulatory complexity of the NEC leads to a mechanistic concept which may set the key features of HCMV nuclear egress in a new light.