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Bonomini A, Felicetti T, Pacetti M, Bertagnin C, Coletti A, Giammarino F, De Angelis M, Poggialini F, Macchiarulo A, Sabatini S, Mercorelli B, Nencioni L, Vicenti I, Dreassi E, Cecchetti V, Tabarrini O, Loregian A, Massari S. Optimization of potent, broad-spectrum, and specific anti-influenza compounds targeting RNA polymerase PA-PB1 heterodimerization. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116737. [PMID: 39153334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Influenza viruses (IV) are single-stranded RNA viruses with a negative-sense genome and have the potential to cause pandemics. While vaccines exist for influenza, their protection is only partial. Additionally, there is only a limited number of approved anti-IV drugs, which are associated to emergence of drug resistance. To address these issues, for years we have focused on the development of small-molecules that can interfere with the heterodimerization of PA and PB1 subunits of the IV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). In this study, starting from a cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide compound that we recently identified, we performed iterative cycles of medicinal chemistry optimization that led to the identification of compounds 43 and 45 with activity in the nanomolar range against circulating A and B strains of IV. Mechanistic studies demonstrated the ability of 43 and 45 to interfere with viral RdRP activity by disrupting PA-PB1 subunits heterodimerization and to bind to the PA C-terminal domain through biophysical assays. Most important, ADME studies of 45 also showed an improvement in the pharmacokinetic profile with respect to the starting hit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bonomini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121, Padua, Italy
| | - Tommaso Felicetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Pacetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Bertagnin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121, Padua, Italy
| | - Alice Coletti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Federica Giammarino
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Poggialini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Sabatini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Violetta Cecchetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Oriana Tabarrini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Arianna Loregian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121, Padua, Italy.
| | - Serena Massari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
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Bivacqua R, Barreca M, Spanò V, Raimondi MV, Romeo I, Alcaro S, Andrei G, Barraja P, Montalbano A. Insight into non-nucleoside triazole-based systems as viral polymerases inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115136. [PMID: 36708678 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Viruses have been recognized as the etiological agents responsible for many pathological conditions ranging from asymptomatic infections to serious diseases, even leading to death. For this reason, many efforts have been made to identify selective viral targets with the aim of developing efficient therapeutic strategies, devoid of drug-resistance issues. Considering their crucial role in the viral life cycle, polymerases are very attractive targets. Among the classes of compounds explored as viral polymerases inhibitors, here we present an overview of non-nucleoside triazole-based compounds identified in the last fifteen years. Furthermore, the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the different chemical entities are described in order to highlight the key chemical features required for the development of effective antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Bivacqua
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marilia Barreca
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Virginia Spanò
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Raimondi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Isabella Romeo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università Magna Græcia, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy; Net4Science srl, Academic Spinoff, Università Magna Græcia, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università Magna Græcia, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy; Net4Science srl, Academic Spinoff, Università Magna Græcia, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Graciela Andrei
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Paola Barraja
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Montalbano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
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3
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Yu J, Huang C, Wang Z, Kaushik RS, Sheng Z, Li F, Wang D. Development and characterization of an inducible assay system to measure Zika virus capsid interactions. J Med Virol 2022; 94:5392-5400. [PMID: 35822280 PMCID: PMC9474601 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The global spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and its complications including Guillain-Barré syndrome and fetus microcephaly in 2015 have made ZIKV as a significant public health threat. The capsid protein plays crucial roles in ZIKV replication and thus represents an attractive therapeutic target. However, inhibitors of ZIKV capsid assembly have not been rigorously identified due to the lack of a target-based screening system. In this study, we developed a novel ZIKV capsid interaction method based on a split-luciferase complementation assay, which can be used to measure and quantify ZIKV capsid-capsid (C-C) interaction by the restored luciferase signal when capsid proteins interact with each other. Furthermore, a Tet-on inducible stable cell line was generated to screen inhibitors of capsid dimerization. By using of this system, peptides (Pep.15-24 in the N-terminal region of ZIKV capsid protein and Pep.44-58 in the α2 helix of ZIKV capsid protein) were identified to inhibit ZIKV C-C interaction. Overall, this study developed a novel inducible assay system to measure ZIKV capsid interaction and identify ZIKV capsid multimerization inhibitors, which will be applied for future discovery of ZIKV assembly inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieshi Yu
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, USA
| | - Chen Huang
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, USA
| | - Zhao Wang
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007
| | - Radhey S. Kaushik
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007
| | - Zizhang Sheng
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Feng Li
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, USA
| | - Dan Wang
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, USA
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Jin J, Essemine J, Xu Z, Duan J, Shan C, Mei Z, Zhu J, Cai W. Arabidopsis ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 3 directly regulates the expression of PG1β-like family genes in response to aluminum stress. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:4923-4940. [PMID: 35661874 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The genes in the subfamily PG1β (beta subunit of poly-galacturonase isoenzyme 1) have a clear effect on the biosynthesis pathway of pectin, a main component of the cell wall. However, the detailed functions of the PG1β-like gene members in Arabidopsis (AtPG1-3) have not yet been determined. In this study, we investigated their functional roles in response to aluminum (Al) stress. Our results indicate that the PG1β-like gene members are indeed involved in the Al-stress response and they can modulate its accumulation in roots to achieve optimum root elongation and hence better seedling growth. We found that transcription factor EIN3 (ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 3) alters pectin metabolism and the EIN3 gene responds to Al stress to affect the pectin content in the root cell walls, leading to exacerbation of the inhibition of root growth, as reflected by the phenotypes of overexpressing lines. We determined that EIN3 can directly bind to the promoter regions of PG1-3, which act downstream of EIN3. Thus, our results show that EIN3 responds to Al stress in Arabidopsis directly through regulating the expression of PG1-3. Hence, EIN3 mediates their functions by acting as a biomarker in their molecular biosynthesis pathways, and consequently orchestrates their biological network in response to Al stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jin
- Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environment, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jemaa Essemine
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhan Xu
- Guangzhou City Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding, Pazhou Dadao Rd. 17-19, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jianli Duan
- Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environment, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chi Shan
- Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environment, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhiling Mei
- Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environment, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jian Zhu
- Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Weiming Cai
- Laboratory of Photosynthesis and Environment, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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Hou L, Zhang Y, Ju H, Cherukupalli S, Jia R, Zhang J, Huang B, Loregian A, Liu X, Zhan P. Contemporary medicinal chemistry strategies for the discovery and optimization of influenza inhibitors targeting vRNP constituent proteins. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1805-1824. [PMID: 35847499 PMCID: PMC9279641 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus, affecting people globally and causing significant social and economic losses. Due to the inevitable limitations of vaccines and approved drugs, there is an urgent need to discover new anti-influenza drugs with different mechanisms. The viral ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNP) plays an essential role in the life cycle of influenza viruses, representing an attractive target for drug design. In recent years, the functional area of constituent proteins in vRNP are widely used as targets for drug discovery, especially the PA endonuclease active site, the RNA-binding site of PB1, the cap-binding site of PB2 and the nuclear export signal of NP protein. Encouragingly, the PA inhibitor baloxavir has been marketed in Japan and the United States, and several drug candidates have also entered clinical trials, such as favipiravir. This article reviews the compositions and functions of the influenza virus vRNP and the research progress on vRNP inhibitors, and discusses the representative drug discovery and optimization strategies pursued.
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Mizuta S, Otaki H, Ishikawa T, Makau JN, Yamaguchi T, Fujimoto T, Takakura N, Sakauchi N, Kitamura S, Nono H, Nishi R, Tanaka Y, Takeda K, Nishida N, Watanabe K. Lead Optimization of Influenza Virus RNA Polymerase Inhibitors Targeting PA-PB1 Interaction. J Med Chem 2021; 65:369-385. [PMID: 34905383 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are responsible for contagious respiratory illnesses in humans and cause seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics worldwide. Previously, we identified a quinolinone derivative PA-49, which inhibited the influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) by targeting PA-PB1 interaction. This paper reports the structure optimization of PA-49, which resulted in the identification of 3-((dibenzylamino)methyl)quinolinone derivatives with more potent anti-influenza virus activity. During the optimization, the hit compound 89, which was more active than PA-49, was identified. Further optimization and scaffold hopping of 89 led to the most potent compounds 100 and a 1,8-naphthyridinone derivative 118, respectively. We conclusively determined that compounds 100 and 118 suppressed the replication of influenza virus and exhibited anti-influenza virus activity against both influenza virus types A and B in the range of 50% effective concentration (EC50) = 0.061-0.226 μM with low toxicity (50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) >10 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Mizuta
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Hiroki Otaki
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishikawa
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-40 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Juliann Nzembi Makau
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, 54840-00200 Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tomoko Yamaguchi
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Takuya Fujimoto
- Chemistry, Discovery Science, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0012, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takakura
- Chemistry, Discovery Science, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0012, Japan
| | - Nobuki Sakauchi
- Chemistry, Discovery Science, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0012, Japan
| | - Shuji Kitamura
- Chemistry, Discovery Science, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0012, Japan
| | - Hikaru Nono
- School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Ryota Nishi
- School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Center for Medical Innovation, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Takeda
- Department of Cell Regulation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Nishida
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Ken Watanabe
- Department of Lifestyle Design, Faculty of Human Ecology, Yasuda Women's University, 6-13-1 Yasuhigashi, Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima 731-0153, Japan
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Massari S, Desantis J, Nizi MG, Cecchetti V, Tabarrini O. Inhibition of Influenza Virus Polymerase by Interfering with Its Protein-Protein Interactions. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1332-1350. [PMID: 33044059 PMCID: PMC8204303 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Influenza (flu) virus is a serious threat to global health with the potential to generate devastating pandemics. The availability of broad spectrum antiviral drugs is an unequaled weapon during pandemic events, especially when a vaccine is still not available. One of the most promising targets for the development of new antiflu therapeutics is the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). The assembly of the flu RdRP heterotrimeric complex from the individual polymerase acidic protein (PA), polymerase basic protein 1 (PB1), and polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) subunits is a prerequisite for RdRP functions, such as mRNA synthesis and genome replication. In this Review, we report the known protein-protein interactions (PPIs) occurring by RdRP that could be disrupted by small molecules and analyze their benefits and drawbacks as drug targets. An overview of small molecules able to interfere with flu RdRP functions exploiting the PPI inhibition approach is described. In particular, an update on the most recent inhibitors targeting the well-consolidated RdRP PA-PB1 subunit heterodimerization is mainly reported, together with pioneer inhibitors targeting other virus-virus or virus-host interactions involving RdRP subunits. As demonstrated by the PA-PB1 interaction inhibitors discussed herein, the inhibition of flu RdRP functions by PPI disrupters clearly represents a valid means to identify compounds endowed with a broad spectrum of action and a reduced propensity to develop drug resistance, which are the main issues of antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Massari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Jenny Desantis
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Nizi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Violetta Cecchetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Oriana Tabarrini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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Raghav PK, Kalyanaraman K, Kumar D. Human cell receptors: potential drug targets to combat COVID-19. Amino Acids 2021; 53:813-842. [PMID: 33950300 PMCID: PMC8097256 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-02991-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic having a higher spread rate rather than the mortality. Identification of a potential approach or therapy against COVID-19 is still under consideration. Therefore, it is essential to have an insight into SARS-CoV-2, its interacting partner, and domains for an effective treatment. The present study is divided into three main categories, including SARS-CoV-2 prominent receptor and its expression levels, other interacting partners, and their binding domains. The first section focuses primarily on coronaviruses' general aspects (SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronaviruses (MERS-CoV)) their structures, similarities, and mode of infections. The second section discusses the host receptors which includes the human targets of coronaviruses like dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), CD147, CD209L, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), and other miscellaneous targets (type-II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs), furin, trypsin, cathepsins, thermolysin, elastase, phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 5-kinase, two-pore segment channel, and epithelium sodium channel C-α subunit). The human cell receptor, ACE2 plays an essential role in the Renin-Angiotensin system (RAS) pathway and COVID-19. Thus, this section also discusses the ACE2 expression and risk of COVID-19 infectivity in various organs and tissues such as the liver, lungs, intestine, heart, and reproductive system in the human body. Absence of ACE2 protein expression in immune cells could be used for limiting the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The third section covers the current available approaches for COVID-19 treatment. Overall, this review focuses on the critical role of human cell receptors involved in coronavirus pathogenesis, which would likely be used in designing target-specific drugs to combat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keerthana Kalyanaraman
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research, Noida, 201301, India.
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9
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Felicetti T, Pismataro MC, Cecchetti V, Tabarrini O, Massari S. Triazolopyrimidine Nuclei: Privileged Scaffolds for Developing Antiviral Agents with a Proper Pharmacokinetic Profile. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:1379-1407. [PMID: 34042030 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210526120534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Viruses are a continuing threat to global health. The lack or limited therapeutic armamentarium against some viral infections and increasing drug resistance issues make the search for new antiviral agents urgent. In recent years, a growing literature highlighted the use of triazolopyrimidine (TZP) heterocycles in the development of antiviral agents, with numerous compounds that showed potent antiviral activities against different RNA and DNA viruses. TZP core represents a privileged scaffold for achieving biologically active molecules, thanks to: i) the synthetic feasibility that allows to variously functionalize TZPs in the different positions of the nucleus, ii) the ability of TZP core to establish multiple interactions with the molecular target, and iii) its favorable pharmacokinetic properties. In the present review, after mentioning selected examples of TZP-based compounds with varied biological activities, we will focus on those antivirals that appeared in the literature in the last 10 years. Approaches used for their identification, the hit-to-lead studies, and the emerged structure-activity relationship will be described. A mention of the synthetic methodologies to prepare TZP nuclei will also be given. In addition, their mechanism of action, the binding mode within the biological target, and pharmacokinetic properties will be analyzed, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of compounds based on the TZP scaffold, which is increasingly used in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Felicetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Violetta Cecchetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Oriana Tabarrini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Serena Massari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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10
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Wen L, Tang K, Chik KKH, Chan CCY, Tsang JOL, Liang R, Cao J, Huang Y, Luo C, Cai JP, Ye ZW, Yin F, Chu H, Jin DY, Yuen KY, Yuan S, Chan JFW. In silico structure-based discovery of a SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:1555-1564. [PMID: 33907519 PMCID: PMC8071767 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.59191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel lineage B betacoroanvirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in significant mortality, morbidity, and socioeconomic disruptions worldwide. Effective antivirals are urgently needed for COVID-19. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is an attractive antiviral target because of its essential role in the cleavage of the viral polypeptide. In this study, we performed an in silico structure-based screening of a large chemical library to identify potential SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. Among 8,820 compounds in the library, our screening identified trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor and an antifungal compound, as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro activity and replication. The half maximal effective concentration of trichostatin A against SARS-CoV-2 replication was 1.5 to 2.7µM, which was markedly below its 50% effective cytotoxic concentration (75.7µM) and peak serum concentration (132µM). Further drug compound optimization to develop more stable analogues with longer half-lives should be performed. This structure-based drug discovery platform should facilitate the identification of additional enzyme inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kaiming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kenn Ka-Heng Chik
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chris Chun-Yiu Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jessica Oi-Ling Tsang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ronghui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jianli Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yaoqiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Cuiting Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jian-Piao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Feifei Yin
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.,Hainan-Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Pathogen Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Hainan-Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
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11
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Giacchello I, Musumeci F, D'Agostino I, Greco C, Grossi G, Schenone S. Insights into RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibitors as Antiinfluenza Virus Agents. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:1068-1090. [PMID: 31942843 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200114115632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza is a seasonal disease that affects millions of people every year and has a significant economic impact. Vaccines are the best strategy to fight this viral pathology, but they are not always available or administrable, prompting the search for antiviral drugs. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) recently emerged as a promising target because of its key role in viral replication and its high conservation among viral strains. DISCUSSION This review presents an overview of the most interesting RdRp inhibitors that have been discussed in the literature since 2000. Compounds already approved or in clinical trials and a selection of inhibitors endowed with different scaffolds are described, along with the main features responsible for their activity. RESULTS RdRp inhibitors are emerging as a new strategy to fight viral infections and the importance of this class of drugs has been confirmed by the FDA approval of baloxavir marboxil in 2018. Despite the complexity of the RdRp machine makes the identification of new compounds a challenging research topic, it is likely that in the coming years, this field will attract the interest of a number of academic and industrial scientists because of the potential strength of this therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giacchello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Musumeci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Agostino
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Greco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Grossi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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12
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Groaz E, De Clercq E, Herdewijn P. Anno 2021: Which antivirals for the coming decade? ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2021; 57:49-107. [PMID: 34744210 PMCID: PMC8563371 DOI: 10.1016/bs.armc.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite considerable progress in the development of antiviral drugs, among which anti-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications can be considered real success stories, many viral infections remain without an effective treatment. This not only applies to infectious outbreaks caused by zoonotic viruses that have recently spilled over into humans such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but also ancient viral diseases that have been brought under control by vaccination such as variola (smallpox), poliomyelitis, measles, and rabies. A largely unsolved problem are endemic respiratory infections due to influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinoviruses, whose associated morbidity will likely worsen with increasing air pollution. Furthermore, climate changes will expose industrialized countries to a dangerous resurgence of viral hemorrhagic fevers, which might also become global infections. Herein, we summarize the recent progress that has been made in the search for new antivirals against these different threats that the world population will need to confront with increasing frequency in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Groaz
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,Corresponding author:
| | - Erik De Clercq
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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13
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Prediction and characterization of influenza virus polymerase inhibitors through blind docking and ligand based virtual screening. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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14
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structural characterization of the interaction between the C-terminal domain of the influenza polymerase PA subunit and an optimized small peptide inhibitor. Antiviral Res 2020; 185:104971. [PMID: 33166574 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Influenza viruses can cause severe respiratory infections in humans, leading to nearly half a million deaths worldwide each year. Improved antiviral drugs are needed to address the threat of development of novel pandemic strains. Current therapeutic interventions target three key proteins in the viral life cycle: neuraminidase, the M2 channel and RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase. Protein-protein interactions between influenza polymerase subunits are potential new targets for drug development. Using a newly developed assay based on AlphaScreen technology, we screened a peptide panel for protein-protein interaction inhibitors to identify a minimal PB1 subunit-derived peptide that retains high inhibition potential and can be further modified. Here, we present an X-ray structure of the resulting decapeptide bound to the C-terminal domain of PA polymerase subunit from pandemic isolate A/California/07/2009 H1N1 at 1.6 Å resolution and discuss its implications for the design of specific, potent influenza polymerase inhibitors.
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15
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Zou Z, Tsang JOL, Yan B, Chik KKH, Chan CCY, Cao J, Liang R, Tang K, Yin F, Ye ZW, Chu H, Chan JFW, Yuan S, Yuen KY. Metabolic Profiling Reveals Significant Perturbations of Intracellular Glucose Homeostasis in Enterovirus-Infected Cells. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10080302. [PMID: 32717953 PMCID: PMC7466099 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10080302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is a common cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Severe EV-A71 infections may be associated with life-threatening neurological complications. However, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these severe clinical and pathological features remain incompletely understood. Metabolites are known to play critical roles in multiple stages of the replication cycles of viruses. The metabolic reprogramming induced by viral infections is essential for optimal virus replication and may be potential antiviral targets. In this study, we applied targeted metabolomics profiling to investigate the metabolic changes of induced pluripotent human stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) upon EV-A71 infection. A targeted quantitation of polar metabolites identified 14 candidates with altered expression profiles. A pathway enrichment analysis pinpointed glucose metabolic pathways as being highly perturbed upon EV-A71 infection. Gene silencing of one of the key enzymes of glycolysis, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFKFB3), significantly suppressed EV-A71 replication in vitro. Collectively, we demonstrated the feasibility to manipulate EV-A71-triggered host metabolic reprogramming as a potential anti-EV-A71 strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijiao Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Jessica Oi-Ling Tsang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Bingpeng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Kenn Ka-Heng Chik
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Chris Chun-Yiu Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Jianli Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Ronghui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Kaiming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Feifei Yin
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
- Correspondence: (J.F.-W.C.); (S.Y.)
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.-W.C.); (S.Y.)
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (J.O.-L.T.); (B.Y.); (K.K.-H.C.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (J.C.); (R.L.); (K.T.); (Z.-W.Y.); (H.C.); (K.-Y.Y.)
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
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16
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Yuan S, Chan JFW, Chik KKH, Chan CCY, Tsang JOL, Liang R, Cao J, Tang K, Chen LL, Wen K, Cai JP, Ye ZW, Lu G, Chu H, Jin DY, Yuen KY. Discovery of the FDA-approved drugs bexarotene, cetilistat, diiodohydroxyquinoline, and abiraterone as potential COVID-19 treatments with a robust two-tier screening system. Pharmacol Res 2020; 159:104960. [PMID: 32473310 PMCID: PMC7254006 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with a crude case fatality rate of about 0.5-10 % depending on locality. A few clinically approved drugs, such as remdesivir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, nafamostat, camostat, and ivermectin, exhibited anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro and/or in a small number of patients. However, their clinical use may be limited by anti-SARS-CoV-2 50 % maximal effective concentrations (EC50) that exceeded their achievable peak serum concentrations (Cmax), side effects, and/or availability. To find more immediately available COVID-19 antivirals, we established a two-tier drug screening system that combines SARS-CoV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cell viability assay, and applied it to screen a library consisting 1528 FDA-approved drugs. Cetilistat (anti-pancreatic lipase), diiodohydroxyquinoline (anti-parasitic), abiraterone acetate (synthetic androstane steroid), and bexarotene (antineoplastic retinoid) exhibited potent in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity (EC50 1.13-2.01 μM). Bexarotene demonstrated the highest Cmax:EC50 ratio (1.69) which was higher than those of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and ivermectin. These results demonstrated the efficacy of the two-tier screening system and identified potential COVID-19 treatments which can achieve effective levels if given by inhalation or systemically depending on their pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jasper F W Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Kenn K H Chik
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Chris C Y Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jessica O L Tsang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Ronghui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jianli Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Kaiming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Lin-Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Kun Wen
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Piao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Gang Lu
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Pathogen Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China; Key Laboratory of Translational Tropical Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China; and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Zhang J, Hu Y, Wu N, Wang J. Discovery of Influenza Polymerase PA-PB1 Interaction Inhibitors Using an In Vitro Split-Luciferase Complementation-Based Assay. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:74-82. [PMID: 31714745 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The limited therapeutic options and increasing drug-resistance call for next-generation influenza antivirals. Due to the essential function in viral replication and high sequence conservation among influenza viruses, influenza polymerase PA-PB1 protein-protein interaction becomes an attractive drug target. Here, we developed an in vitro split luciferase complementation-based assay to speed up screening of PA-PB1 interaction inhibitors. By screening 10,000 compounds, we identified two PA-PB1 interaction inhibitors, R160792 and R151785, with potent and broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a panel of influenza A and B viruses, including amantadine-, oseltamivir-, or dual resistant strains. Further mechanistic study reveals that R151785 inhibits PA nuclear localization, reduces the levels of viral RNAs and proteins, and inhibits viral replication at the intermediate stage, all of which are in line with its antiviral mechanism of action. Overall, we developed a robust high throughput-screening assay for screening broad-spectrum influenza antivirals targeting PA-PB1 interaction and identified R151785 as a promising antiviral drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Nan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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A Parallel Phenotypic Versus Target-Based Screening Strategy for RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibitors of the Influenza A Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090826. [PMID: 31491939 PMCID: PMC6783926 DOI: 10.3390/v11090826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus infections cause significant morbidity and mortality, and novel antivirals are urgently needed. Influenza RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity has been acknowledged as a promising target for novel antivirals. In this study, a phenotypic versus target-based screening strategy was established to identify the influenza A virus inhibitors targeting the virus RNA transcription/replication steps by sequentially using an RdRp-targeted screen and a replication-competent reporter virus-based approach using the same compounds. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, a pilot screen of a library of 891 compounds derived from natural products was carried out. Quality control analysis indicates that the primary screen was robust for identification of influenza A virus inhibitors targeting RdRp activity. Finally, two hit candidates were identified, and one was validated as a putative RdRp inhibitor. This strategy can greatly reduce the number of false positives and improve the accuracy and efficacy of primary screening, thereby providing a powerful tool for antiviral discovery.
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Xu G, Li S, Liu X, Gao P, Chen X, Wang H, Zhang M, Yang Y, Gao GF, Zhang F. PARP-1 mediated cell death is directly activated by ZIKV infection. Virology 2019; 537:254-262. [PMID: 31539774 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a severe health threat due to its association with microcephaly. It has been reported that the strong cytopathic effects, including cell-cycle arrest and cell death are responsible for the nervous system disease. However, the mechanisms by which ZIKV infection induced cell death were largely unknown. Here, we reported that cell death is readily detected after ZIKV infection as indicated by PI staining and the reduction of cell viability. Importantly, cell death can be induced by overexpression of ZIKV NS3 protein alone but not the other non-structure proteins. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that NS3 bond to and activated PARP-1. In agreement with these observations, we found that PARP-1 was massively activated during ZIKV infection and the intracellular ATP and NAD+ concentrations rapidly declined. Finally, PARP-1 knockdown simultaneously restrained ZIKV infection-induced cell death and ablated host restriction of virus infection. Our finding indicates that PARP-1 activation is an important cellular event during ZIKV infection, which contributes to the cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China.
| | - Shihua Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xinyuan Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ping Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaotong Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - Mingxia Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - George Fu Gao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Fuping Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China.
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20
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Zhang J, Hu Y, Musharrafieh R, Yin H, Wang J. Focusing on the Influenza Virus Polymerase Complex: Recent Progress in Drug Discovery and Assay Development. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:2243-2263. [PMID: 29984646 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180706112940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are severe human pathogens that pose persistent threat to public health. Each year more people die of influenza virus infection than that of breast cancer. Due to the limited efficacy associated with current influenza vaccines, as well as emerging drug resistance from small molecule antiviral drugs, there is a clear need to develop new antivirals with novel mechanisms of action. The influenza virus polymerase complex has become a promising target for the development of the next-generation of antivirals for several reasons. Firstly, the influenza virus polymerase, which forms a heterotrimeric complex that consists of PA, PB1, and PB2 subunits, is highly conserved. Secondly, both individual polymerase subunit (PA, PB1, and PB2) and inter-subunit interactions (PA-PB1, PB1- PB2) represent promising drug targets. Lastly, growing insight into the structure and function of the polymerase complex has spearheaded the structure-guided design of new polymerase inhibitors. In this review, we highlight recent progress in drug discovery and assay development targeting the influenza virus polymerase complex and discuss their therapeutic potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Rami Musharrafieh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Hang Yin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States.,BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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21
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Akand EH, Downard KM. Mechanisms of antiviral resistance in influenza neuraminidase revealed by a mass spectrometry based phylonumerics approach. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 135:286-296. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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22
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Yuan S, Chan JFW, Ye ZW, Wen L, Tsang TGW, Cao J, Huang J, Chan CCY, Chik KKH, Choi GKY, Cai JP, Yin F, Chu H, Liang M, Jin DY, Yuen KY. Screening of an FDA-Approved Drug Library with a Two-Tier System Identifies an Entry Inhibitor of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11040385. [PMID: 31027241 PMCID: PMC6520937 DOI: 10.3390/v11040385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne bunyavirus that causes severe disease in humans with case-fatality rates of up to 30%. There are currently very limited treatment options for SFTSV infection. We conducted a drug repurposing program by establishing a two-tier test system to rapidly screen a Food and Drug Administration- (FDA)-approved drug library for drug compounds with anti-SFTSV activity in vitro. We identified five drug compounds that inhibited SFTSV replication at low micromolar concentrations, including hexachlorophene, triclosan, regorafenib, eltrombopag, and broxyquinoline. Among them, hexachlorophene was the most potent with an IC50 of 1.3 ± 0.3 µM and a selectivity index of 18.7. Mechanistic studies suggested that hexachlorophene was a virus entry inhibitor, which impaired SFTSV entry into host cells by interfering with cell membrane fusion. Molecular docking analysis predicted that the binding of hexachlorophene with the hydrophobic pocket between domain I and domain III of the SFTSV Gc glycoprotein was highly stable. The novel antiviral activity and mechanism of hexachlorophene in this study would facilitate the use of hexachlorophene as a lead compound to develop more entry inhibitors with higher anti-SFTSV potency and lower toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571101, China, and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Lei Wen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Terance Gi-Wai Tsang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jianli Cao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jingjing Huang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chris Chun-Yiu Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kenn Ka-Heng Chik
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Garnet Kwan-Yue Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jian-Piao Cai
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Feifei Yin
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571101, China, and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571101, China.
- Key Laboratory of Translational Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571101, China.
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Mifang Liang
- Key Laboratory for Medical Virology and National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571101, China, and The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
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23
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Nannetti G, Massari S, Mercorelli B, Bertagnin C, Desantis J, Palù G, Tabarrini O, Loregian A. Potent and broad-spectrum cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide compounds that target the PA-PB1 interaction of influenza virus RNA polymerase and possess a high barrier to drug resistance. Antiviral Res 2019; 165:55-64. [PMID: 30885750 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are major respiratory pathogens responsible for both seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics worldwide. The current available treatment options have limited efficacy and thus the development of new antivirals is highly needed. We previously reported the identification of a series of cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide compounds as influenza A virus inhibitors that act by targeting the protein-protein interactions between the PA-PB1 subunits of the viral polymerase. In this study, we characterized the antiviral properties of the most promising compounds as well as investigated their propensity to induce drug resistance. Our results show that some of the selected compounds possess potent, broad-spectrum anti-influenza activity as they efficiently inhibited the replication of several strains of influenza A and B viruses, including an oseltamivir-resistant clinical isolate, with nanomolar or low-micromolar potency. The most promising compounds specifically inhibited the PA-PB1 binding in vitro and interfered with the influenza A virus polymerase activity in a cellular context, without showing cytotoxicity. The most active PA-PB1 inhibitors showed to possess a drug resistance barrier higher than that of oseltamivir. Indeed, no viral variants with reduced susceptibility to the selected compounds emerged after serial passages of influenza A virus under drug selective pressure. Overall, our studies identified potent PA-PB1 inhibitors as promising candidates for the development of new anti-influenza drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Nannetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Serena Massari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Bertagnin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jenny Desantis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Palù
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Oriana Tabarrini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Arianna Loregian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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24
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Yuan S, Chu H, Chan JFW, Ye ZW, Wen L, Yan B, Lai PM, Tee KM, Huang J, Chen D, Li C, Zhao X, Yang D, Chiu MC, Yip C, Poon VKM, Chan CCS, Sze KH, Zhou J, Chan IHY, Kok KH, To KKW, Kao RYT, Lau JYN, Jin DY, Perlman S, Yuen KY. SREBP-dependent lipidomic reprogramming as a broad-spectrum antiviral target. Nat Commun 2019; 10:120. [PMID: 30631056 PMCID: PMC6328544 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08015-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are obligate intracellular microbes that exploit the host metabolic machineries to meet their biosynthetic demands, making these host pathways potential therapeutic targets. Here, by exploring a lipid library, we show that AM580, a retinoid derivative and RAR-α agonist, is highly potent in interrupting the life cycle of diverse viruses including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and influenza A virus. Using click chemistry, the overexpressed sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) is shown to interact with AM580, which accounts for its broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Mechanistic studies pinpoint multiple SREBP proteolytic processes and SREBP-regulated lipid biosynthesis pathways, including the downstream viral protein palmitoylation and double-membrane vesicles formation, that are indispensable for virus replication. Collectively, our study identifies a basic lipogenic transactivation event with broad relevance to human viral infections and represents SREBP as a potential target for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral strategies. Viruses rely on host cell metabolism for replication, making these pathways potential therapeutic targets. Here, the authors show that AM580, a retinoid derivative and RAR-α agonist, affects replication of several RNA viruses by interfering with the activity of SREBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China.,Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570100, China
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Lei Wen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Bingpeng Yan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Pok-Man Lai
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kah-Meng Tee
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Jingjing Huang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Dongdong Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Cun Li
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Dong Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Man Chun Chiu
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Cyril Yip
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Vincent Kwok-Man Poon
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Chris Chung-Sing Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kong-Hung Sze
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Ivy Hau-Yee Chan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kin-Hang Kok
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kelvin Kai-Wang To
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Richard Yi-Tsun Kao
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Johnson Yiu-Nam Lau
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. .,Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. .,Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. .,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China. .,Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570100, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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25
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Shin WJ, Seong BL. Novel antiviral drug discovery strategies to tackle drug-resistant mutants of influenza virus strains. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 14:153-168. [PMID: 30585088 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1560261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The emergence of drug-resistant influenza virus strains highlights the need for new antiviral therapeutics to combat future pandemic outbreaks as well as continuing seasonal cycles of influenza. Areas covered: This review summarizes the mechanisms of current FDA-approved anti-influenza drugs and patterns of resistance to those drugs. It also discusses potential novel targets for broad-spectrum antiviral drugs and recent progress in novel drug design to overcome drug resistance in influenza. Expert opinion: Using the available structural information about drug-binding pockets, research is currently underway to identify molecular interactions that can be exploited to generate new antiviral drugs. Despite continued efforts, antivirals targeting viral surface proteins like HA, NA, and M2, are all susceptible to developing resistance. Structural information on the internal viral polymerase complex (PB1, PB2, and PA) provides a new avenue for influenza drug discovery. Host factors, either at the initial step of viral infection or at the later step of nuclear trafficking of viral RNP complex, are being actively pursued to generate novel drugs with new modes of action, without resulting in drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Jin Shin
- a Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , CA , USA
| | - Baik L Seong
- b Department of Biotechnology , College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University , Seoul , South Korea.,c Vaccine Translational Research Center , Yonsei University , Seoul , South Korea
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26
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Synthesis and biological evaluation of a library of hybrid derivatives as inhibitors of influenza virus PA-PB1 interaction. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 157:743-758. [PMID: 30142611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The limited treatment options against influenza virus along with the growing public health concerns regarding the continuous emergence of drug-resistant viruses make essential the development of new anti-flu agents with novel mechanisms of action. One of the most attractive targets is the interaction between two subunits of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, PA and PB1. Herein we report the rational design of hybrid compounds starting from a 3-cyano-4,6-diphenylpyridine scaffold recently identified as disruptor of PA-PB1 interactions. Guided by the previously reported SAR data, a library of amino acid derivatives was synthesized. The biological evaluation led to the identification of new PA-PB1 inhibitors, that do not show appreciable toxicity. Molecular modeling shed further lights on the inhibition mechanism of these compounds.
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27
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Liu T, Liu M, Chen F, Chen F, Tian Y, Huang Q, Liu S, Yang J. A Small-Molecule Compound Has Anti-influenza A Virus Activity by Acting as a ‘‘PB2 Inhibitor”. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:4110-4120. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Teng Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Miaomiao Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Feimin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Fangzhao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuanxin Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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28
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Ghosh S, Singharoy D, Dhara A, Naskar JP, Bhattacharya SC. Nonionic Surfactants as Potential Carriers of a Synthesized Pyrimidine Derivative: Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Investigations. Eur J Inorg Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201800207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Swadesh Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry Jadavpur University 700032 Kolkata India
| | - Dipti Singharoy
- Department of Chemistry Jadavpur University 700032 Kolkata India
| | - Anamika Dhara
- Department of Chemistry Jadavpur University 700032 Kolkata India
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29
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Genome-wide profiling of microRNAs reveals novel insights into the interactions between H9N2 avian influenza virus and avian dendritic cells. Oncogene 2018; 37:4562-4580. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0279-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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30
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Zhang J, Hu Y, Foley C, Wang Y, Musharrafieh R, Xu S, Zhang Y, Ma C, Hulme C, Wang J. Exploring Ugi-Azide Four-Component Reaction Products for Broad-Spectrum Influenza Antivirals with a High Genetic Barrier to Drug Resistance. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4653. [PMID: 29545578 PMCID: PMC5854701 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22875-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses are respiratory pathogens that are responsible for seasonal influenza and sporadic influenza pandemic. The therapeutic efficacy of current influenza vaccines and small molecule antiviral drugs is limited due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant influenza viruses. In response to the urgent need for the next generation of influenza antivirals, we utilized a fast-track drug discovery platform by exploring multi-component reaction products for antiviral drug candidates. Specifically, molecular docking was applied to screen a small molecule library derived from the Ugi-azide four-component reaction methodology for inhibitors that target the influenza polymerase PAC-PB1N interactions. One hit compound 5 was confirmed to inhibit PAC-PB1N interactions in an ELISA assay and had potent antiviral activity in an antiviral plaque assay. Subsequent structure-activity relationship studies led to the discovery of compound 12a, which had broad-spectrum antiviral activity and a higher in vitro genetic barrier to drug resistance than oseltamivir. Overall, the discovery of compound 12a as a broad-spectrum influenza antiviral with a high in vitro genetic barrier to drug resistance is significant, as it offers a second line of defense to combat the next influenza epidemics and pandemics if vaccines and oseltamivir fail to confine the disease outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Christopher Foley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Yuanxiang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Rami Musharrafieh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Shuting Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Yongtao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Chunlong Ma
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Christopher Hulme
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States.
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States.
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Abstract
The propensity of influenza virus to develop resistance to commonly prescribed drugs highlights the need for continuing development of new therapeutics. Biological and structural investigations of the enzymatic and interaction domains among influenza A virus polymerase subunits have broadened the target reservoir for drug screening. With the wealth of knowledge from these studies, identification of small-molecule and peptidic inhibitors that specifically abrogate polymerase activity or disrupt the polymerase assembly has emerged as an innovative and promising approach. Importantly, those domains are highly conserved among influenza subtypes and thus minimize the emergence of drug resistant mutants. An overview of the reported enzymatic inhibitors and protein-protein disruptors has been provided, in our effort to facilitate the development of next-generation anti-influenza therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lei Wen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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32
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Identification of influenza polymerase inhibitors targeting C-terminal domain of PA through surface plasmon resonance screening. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2280. [PMID: 29396435 PMCID: PMC5797126 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, many strains of influenza A virus have developed resistance against anti-influenza drugs, and it is essential to find new chemicals to combat this virus. The influenza polymerase with three proteins, PA, PB1 and PB2, is a crucial component of the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. Here, we report the identification of a hit compound 221 by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) direct binding screening on the C-terminal of PA (PAC). Compound 221 can subdue influenza RNP activities and attenuate influenza virus replication. Its analogs were subsequently investigated and twelve of them could attenuate RNP activities. One of the analogs, compound 312, impeded influenza A virus replication in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells with IC50 of 27.0 ± 16.8 μM. In vitro interaction assays showed that compound 312 bound directly to PAC with Kd of about 40 μM. Overall, the identification of novel PAC-targeting compounds provides new ground for drug design against influenza virus in the future.
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Zhou Z, Liu T, Zhang J, Zhan P, Liu X. Influenza A virus polymerase: an attractive target for next-generation anti-influenza therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:503-518. [PMID: 29339107 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The influenza RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) is conserved among different types of influenza virus, playing an important part in transcription and replication. In this regard, influenza RdRP is an attractive target for novel anti-influenza drug discovery. Herein, we will introduce the structural and functional information of influenza polymerase; and an overview of inhibitors targeting the PA endonuclease and PB2 cap-binding site is provided, along with the approaches utilized for identification of these inhibitors. The protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of the three polymerase subunits: PA, PB1 and PB2, are described based on the published crystal structures, and inhibitors targeting the PA-PB1 interaction are introduced briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxia Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, China.
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34
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Watanabe K, Ishikawa T, Otaki H, Mizuta S, Hamada T, Nakagaki T, Ishibashi D, Urata S, Yasuda J, Tanaka Y, Nishida N. Structure-based drug discovery for combating influenza virus by targeting the PA-PB1 interaction. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9500. [PMID: 28842649 PMCID: PMC5573363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10021-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus infections are serious public health concerns throughout the world. The development of compounds with novel mechanisms of action is urgently required due to the emergence of viruses with resistance to the currently-approved anti-influenza viral drugs. We performed in silico screening using a structure-based drug discovery algorithm called Nagasaki University Docking Engine (NUDE), which is optimised for a GPU-based supercomputer (DEstination for Gpu Intensive MAchine; DEGIMA), by targeting influenza viral PA protein. The compounds selected by NUDE were tested for anti-influenza virus activity using a cell-based assay. The most potent compound, designated as PA-49, is a medium-sized quinolinone derivative bearing a tetrazole moiety, and it inhibited the replication of influenza virus A/WSN/33 at a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.47 μM. PA-49 has the ability to bind PA and its anti-influenza activity was promising against various influenza strains, including a clinical isolate of A(H1N1)pdm09 and type B viruses. The docking simulation suggested that PA-49 interrupts the PA–PB1 interface where important amino acids are mostly conserved in the virus strains tested, suggesting the strain independent utility. Because our NUDE/DEGIMA system is rapid and efficient, it may help effective drug discovery against the influenza virus and other emerging viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Watanabe
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Ishikawa
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Hiroki Otaki
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Satoshi Mizuta
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hamada
- Nagasaki Advanced Computing Center, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki, 852-8521, Japan
| | - Takehiro Nakagaki
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ishibashi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Shuzo Urata
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Jiro Yasuda
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Nishida
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.,Nagasaki Advanced Computing Center, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki, 852-8521, Japan
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35
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Yuan S, Chu H, Ye J, Singh K, Ye Z, Zhao H, Kao RYT, Chow BKC, Zhou J, Zheng BJ. Identification of a novel small-molecule compound targeting the influenza A virus polymerase PB1-PB2 interface. Antiviral Res 2016; 137:58-66. [PMID: 27840201 PMCID: PMC7113721 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The PB1 C-terminal domain and PB2 N-terminal domain interaction of the influenza A polymerase, which modulates the assembly of PB1 and PB2 subunits, may serve as a valuable target for the development of novel anti-influenza therapeutics. In this study, we performed a systematic screening of a chemical library, followed by the antiviral evaluation of primary hits and their analogues. Eventually, a novel small-molecule compound PP7 that abrogated the PB1-PB2 association and impaired viral polymerase activity was identified. PP7 exhibited antiviral activities against influenza virus subtypes A (H1N1)pdm09, A(H7N9) and A(H9N2) in cell cultures and partially protected mice against lethal challenge of mouse-adapted influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus. Surprisingly, a panel of other subtypes of influenza virus, including A(H5N1) and A(H7N7), showed various degrees of resistance to the compound. Biochemical studies revealed a similar pattern of resistance on the impairment of polymerase activity. Molecular docking analyses suggested a PP7-binding site that appeared to be completely conserved among the subtypes of the virus mentioned above. Thus, we propose that alternative/additional binding site (s) may exist for the regulation of PB1-PB2 subunits assembly of influenza A virus. A novel small-molecule compound was identified to provide anti-influenza effect in vitro and in vivo. An RT-qPCR based assay was modified to evaluate the polymerase activity of various subtypes of influenza viruses. The PB1-PB2 assembly strategies of the trimeric polymerase complex might be stain/subtype specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hin Chu
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiahui Ye
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kailash Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ziwei Ye
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hanjun Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Richard Y T Kao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Billy K C Chow
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Bo-Jian Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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36
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Jones JC, Marathe BM, Lerner C, Kreis L, Gasser R, Pascua PNQ, Najera I, Govorkova EA. A Novel Endonuclease Inhibitor Exhibits Broad-Spectrum Anti-Influenza Virus Activity In Vitro. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:5504-14. [PMID: 27381402 PMCID: PMC4997863 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00888-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiviral drugs are important in preventing and controlling influenza, particularly when vaccines are ineffective or unavailable. A single class of antiviral drugs, the neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), is recommended for treating influenza. The limited therapeutic options and the potential risk of antiviral resistance are driving the search for additional small-molecule inhibitors that act on influenza virus proteins. The acid polymerase (PA) of influenza viruses is a promising target for new antivirals because of its essential role in initiating virus transcription. Here, we characterized a novel compound, RO-7, identified as a putative PA endonuclease inhibitor. RO-7 was effective when added before the cessation of genome replication, reduced polymerase activity in cell-free systems, and decreased relative amounts of viral mRNA and genomic RNA during influenza virus infection. RO-7 specifically inhibited the ability of the PA endonuclease domain to cleave a nucleic acid substrate. RO-7 also inhibited influenza A viruses (seasonal and 2009 pandemic H1N1 and seasonal H3N2) and B viruses (Yamagata and Victoria lineages), zoonotic viruses (H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2), and NAI-resistant variants in plaque reduction, yield reduction, and cell viability assays in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with nanomolar to submicromolar 50% effective concentrations (EC50s), low toxicity, and favorable selective indices. RO-7 also inhibited influenza virus replication in primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Overall, RO-7 exhibits broad-spectrum activity against influenza A and B viruses in multiple in vitro assays, supporting its further characterization and development as a potential antiviral agent for treating influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy C Jones
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Bindumadhav M Marathe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | | | - Philippe Noriel Q Pascua
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Elena A Govorkova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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37
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Stevaert A, Naesens L. The Influenza Virus Polymerase Complex: An Update on Its Structure, Functions, and Significance for Antiviral Drug Design. Med Res Rev 2016; 36:1127-1173. [PMID: 27569399 PMCID: PMC5108440 DOI: 10.1002/med.21401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics and pandemic outbreaks associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and a huge cost. Since resistance to the existing anti‐influenza drugs is rising, innovative inhibitors with a different mode of action are urgently needed. The influenza polymerase complex is widely recognized as a key drug target, given its critical role in virus replication and high degree of conservation among influenza A (of human or zoonotic origin) and B viruses. We here review the major progress that has been made in recent years in unravelling the structure and functions of this protein complex, enabling structure‐aided drug design toward the core regions of the PA endonuclease, PB1 polymerase, or cap‐binding PB2 subunit. Alternatively, inhibitors may target a protein–protein interaction site, a cellular factor involved in viral RNA synthesis, the viral RNA itself, or the nucleoprotein component of the viral ribonucleoprotein. The latest advances made for these diverse pharmacological targets have yielded agents in advanced (i.e., favipiravir and VX‐787) or early clinical testing, besides several experimental inhibitors in various stages of development, which are all covered here.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lieve Naesens
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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38
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Naesens L, Stevaert A, Vanderlinden E. Antiviral therapies on the horizon for influenza. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2016; 30:106-115. [PMID: 27570127 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Adequate response to severe influenza infections or pandemic outbreaks requires two complementary strategies: preventive vaccination and antiviral therapy. The existing influenza drugs, M2 blockers and neuraminidase inhibitors, show modest clinical efficacy and established or potential resistance. In the past three years, several new agents have entered the clinical pipeline and already yielded some promising data from Phase 2 trials. For two main categories, that is, the broadly neutralizing anti-hemagglutinin antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors of the viral polymerase complex, crystallography was instrumental to guide drug development. These structural insights also aid to expand the activity spectrum towards influenza A plus B viruses, or conceive nucleoprotein or polymerase assembly inhibitors. The practice of influenza therapy should radically change in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieve Naesens
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Annelies Stevaert
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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39
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Gansukh E, Kazibwe Z, Pandurangan M, Judy G, Kim DH. Probing the impact of quercetin-7-O-glucoside on influenza virus replication influence. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2016; 23:958-67. [PMID: 27387404 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza virus is still at large and seriously affects social welfare and health. Dianthus superbus is a well-known medicinal plant widely used in Mongolian and Chinese traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory purposes. PURPOSE To investigate the influence of this novel herbal medicinal product over virus infection and virus-induced symptoms METHOD Quercetin-7-O-glucoside was isolated by bioassay (anti-influenza)-guided fractionation. The structural elucidation was made with 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Influenza A/Vic/3/75 (H3N2), A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), B/Maryland/1/59 and B/Lee/40 viruses were used for the evaluation of the antiviral activity. Virus-induced reactive oxygen species and autophagy formation levels were studied. The antiviral mechanism was elucidated via time-dependent, pre-, post-incubation assay methods. The viral RNA replication inhibition of Q7G was analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR method. The blocking of polymerase basic protein subunits of influenza viral RNA polymerase by Q7G was detected by in silico molecular docking assays using AutoDock Vina program with m(7)GTP. Additionally, Q7G was tested against M-MuLV RNA polymerase. RESULTS Q7G was not cytotoxic (CC50>100µg/ml) in MDCK cells and it showed 3.1µg/ml, 6.61µg/ml, 8.19µg/ml and 5.17µg/ml IC50 values against influenza A/PR/8/34, A/Vic/3/75, B/Lee/40 and B/Maryland/1/59 virus strains, respectively. Treatment of Q7G highly reduced ROS and autophagy formation induced by influenza virus infection. Q7G did not reduce NA activity and did not directly interact with the virus particles. Since viral RNA synthesis was blocked by treatment of Q7G. We targeted viral RNA polymerase for further probing. Interestingly, the binding energy of Q7G on viral PB2 protein was -9.1kcal/mol and was higher than m(7)GTP recorded as -7.5kcal/mol. It also was observe to block M-MuLV RNA polymerase. CONCLUSION Isolated compound Q7G showed strong inhibition activity against influenza A and B viruses. It also reduced virus-induced ROS and autophagy formation. Q7G does not directly bind to the virus particles and did not affect NA activity. These results indicated that Q7G inhibits viral RNA polymerase, and that it occupies the binding site of m(7)GTP on viral PB2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhtaivan Gansukh
- Department of Bio-resources and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Zakayo Kazibwe
- Department of Bio-resources and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Muthuraman Pandurangan
- Department of Bio-resources and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Gopal Judy
- Department of Bio-resources and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Doo Hwan Kim
- Department of Bio-resources and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea..
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40
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Te Velthuis AJW, Fodor E. Influenza virus RNA polymerase: insights into the mechanisms of viral RNA synthesis. Nat Rev Microbiol 2016; 14:479-93. [PMID: 27396566 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2016.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The genomes of influenza viruses consist of multiple segments of single-stranded negative-sense RNA. Each of these segments is bound by the heterotrimeric viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and multiple copies of nucleoprotein, which form viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes. It is in the context of these vRNPs that the viral RNA polymerase carries out transcription of viral genes and replication of the viral RNA genome. In this Review, we discuss our current knowledge of the structure of the influenza virus RNA polymerase, and insights that have been gained into the molecular mechanisms of viral transcription and replication, and their regulation by viral and host factors. Furthermore, we discuss how advances in our understanding of the structure and function of polymerases could help in identifying new antiviral targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aartjan J W Te Velthuis
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Ervin Fodor
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
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41
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Yuan S, Chu H, Zhang K, Ye J, Singh K, Kao RYT, Chow BKC, Zhou J, Zheng BJ. A novel small-molecule compound disrupts influenza A virus PB2 cap-binding and inhibits viral replication. J Antimicrob Chemother 2016; 71:2489-97. [PMID: 27272726 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkw194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The conserved residues 318-483 in the PB2 subunit of influenza A polymerase is an independently folded cap-binding domain (PB2cap) that exhibits a distinct binding mode from other host cap-binding proteins, which suggests that PB2cap might be an ideal drug target. This study aimed to identify a new class of anti-influenza inhibitors that specifically disrupts the interaction between PB2cap and host cap structures. METHODS An innovative fluorescence polarization assay was established for primary screening, followed by cap-binding inhibitory activity, antiviral efficacy and cytotoxicity evaluations of the selected compounds. The best compound was characterized by multi-cycle virus growth assay, cross-protection test, synergism evaluation, mini-replicon assay, binding affinity analysis, docking simulation and mouse study. RESULTS Several PB2 cap-binding inhibitors were discovered. The compound 7-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-6H,7H,8H-chromeno[3',4':5,6]pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-6,8-dione, designated PB2-39, was identified as a potent inhibitor of replication of multiple subtypes of influenza A virus, including H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H7N9 and H9N2 in vitro and H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9 in vivo. Combinational treatment with the influenza virus release inhibitor zanamivir and PB2-39 exerted a synergistic anti-influenza effect. Mechanistic experiments supported that PB2-39 suppressed viral polymerase activity. Docking and binding affinity analyses demonstrated that PB2-39 interacted with the PB2 cap-binding pocket, suggesting its role as a cap-binding competitor. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides new insights for the strategic development of novel cap-binding inhibitors of influenza A viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hin Chu
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiahui Ye
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kailash Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Richard Y T Kao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Billy K C Chow
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bo-Jian Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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