1
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Keiser PT, Zhang W, Ricca M, Wacquiez A, Grimins A, Cencic R, Patten JJ, Shah P, Padilha E, Connor JH, Pelletier J, Lyons SM, Saeed M, Brown LE, Porco JA, Davey RA. Amidino-Rocaglates (ADRs), a class of synthetic rocaglates, are potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication through inhibition of viral protein synthesis. Antiviral Res 2024:105976. [PMID: 39117283 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Coronaviruses are highly transmissible respiratory viruses that cause symptoms ranging from mild congestion to severe respiratory distress. The recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has underscored the need for new antivirals with broad-acting mechanisms to combat increasing emergence of new variants. Currently, there are only a few antivirals approved for treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Previously, the rocaglate natural product silvestrol and synthetic rocaglates such as CR-1-31b were shown to have antiviral effects by inhibiting eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1 (eIF4A) function and virus protein synthesis. In this study, we evaluated amidino-rocaglates (ADRs), a class of synthetic rocaglates with the most potent eIF4A-inhibitory activity to-date, for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This class of compounds showed low nanomolar potency against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and in multiple cell types, including human lung-derived cells, with strong inhibition of virus over host protein synthesis and low cytotoxicity. The most potent ADRs were also shown to be active against two highly pathogenic and distantly related coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Mechanistically, cells with mutations of eIF4A1, which are known to reduce rocaglate interaction displayed reduced ADR-associated loss of cellular function, consistent with targeting of protein synthesis. Overall, ADRs and derivatives may offer new potential treatments for SARS-CoV-2 with the goal of developing a broad-acting anti-coronavirus agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T Keiser
- Department of Virology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Boston University Medical School, Boston, MA, 02118; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, MA, 02118
| | - Wenhan Zhang
- Boston University Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215
| | - Michael Ricca
- Boston University Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215
| | - Alan Wacquiez
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, MA, 02118; Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118
| | - Autumn Grimins
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118
| | - Regina Cencic
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Oncology and Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada, H3G 1Y6
| | - J J Patten
- Department of Virology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Boston University Medical School, Boston, MA, 02118; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, MA, 02118
| | - Pranav Shah
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Elias Padilha
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - John H Connor
- Department of Virology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Boston University Medical School, Boston, MA, 02118; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, MA, 02118
| | - Jerry Pelletier
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Oncology and Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada, H3G 1Y6
| | - Shawn M Lyons
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118
| | - Mohsan Saeed
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, MA, 02118; Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118
| | - Lauren E Brown
- Boston University Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215
| | - John A Porco
- Boston University Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215
| | - Robert A Davey
- Department of Virology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Boston University Medical School, Boston, MA, 02118; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, MA, 02118.
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2
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Magari F, Messner H, Salisch F, Schmelzle SM, van Zandbergen G, Fürstner A, Ziebuhr J, Heine A, Müller-Ruttloff C, Grünweller A. Potent anti-coronaviral activity of pateamines and new insights into their mode of action. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33409. [PMID: 39035482 PMCID: PMC11259845 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pateamines, derived from the sponge Mycale hentscheli, function as inhibitors of the RNA helicase eIF4A and exhibit promising antiviral and anticancer properties. eIF4A plays a pivotal role in unwinding stable RNA structures within the 5'-UTR of selected mRNAs, facilitating the binding of the 43S preinitiation complex during translation initiation. Pateamines function by clamping RNA substrates onto the eIF4A surface, effectively preventing eIF4A from carrying out the unwinding step. Rocaglates, a compound class isolated from plants of the genus Aglaia, target the same binding pocket on eIF4A, and based on structural data, a similar mode of action has been proposed for pateamines and rocaglates. In this study, we conducted a detailed characterization of pateamines' binding mode and assessed their antiviral activity against human pathogenic coronaviruses (human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)). Our findings reveal significant differences in the binding behavior of pateamines compared to rocaglates when interacting with an eIF4A-RNA complex. We also observed that pateamines do not depend on the presence of a polypurine tract in the RNA substrate for efficient RNA clamping, as it is the case for rocaglates. Most notably, pateamines demonstrate potent antiviral activity against coronaviruses in the low nanomolar range. Consequently, pateamines broaden our toolbox for combating viruses that rely on the host enzyme eIF4A to conduct their viral protein synthesis, indicating a possible future treatment strategy against new or re-emerging pathogenic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Magari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Henri Messner
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Florian Salisch
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Ger van Zandbergen
- Division of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, 63225, Langen, Germany
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Alois Fürstner
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, 45470, Mülheim Ruhr, Germany
| | - John Ziebuhr
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Heine
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Arnold Grünweller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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3
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Zhou Z, Liu X, Kang D. Antiviral Drug Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7413. [PMID: 39000520 PMCID: PMC11242367 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
A vast and painful price has been paid in the battle against viruses in global health [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Dongwei Kang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, Jinan 250012, China
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4
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Gabbianelli R, Shahar E, de Simone G, Rucci C, Bordoni L, Feliziani G, Zhao F, Ferrati M, Maggi F, Spinozzi E, Mahajna J. Plant-Derived Epi-Nutraceuticals as Potential Broad-Spectrum Anti-Viral Agents. Nutrients 2023; 15:4719. [PMID: 38004113 PMCID: PMC10675658 DOI: 10.3390/nu15224719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be diminishing, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a threat to humans due to their inherent transmissibility, immunological evasion, virulence, and invulnerability to existing therapies. The COVID-19 pandemic affected more than 500 million people and caused over 6 million deaths. Vaccines are essential, but in circumstances in which vaccination is not accessible or in individuals with compromised immune systems, drugs can provide additional protection. Targeting host signaling pathways is recommended due to their genomic stability and resistance barriers. Moreover, targeting host factors allows us to develop compounds that are effective against different viral variants as well as against newly emerging virus strains. In recent years, the globe has experienced climate change, which may contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases through a variety of factors. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can increase the geographic range of disease-carrying vectors, increasing the risk of diseases spreading to new areas. Climate change may also affect vector behavior, leading to a longer breeding season and more breeding sites for disease vectors. Climate change may also disrupt ecosystems, bringing humans closer to wildlife that transmits zoonotic diseases. All the above factors may accelerate the emergence of new viral epidemics. Plant-derived products, which have been used in traditional medicine for treating pathological conditions, offer structurally novel therapeutic compounds, including those with anti-viral activity. In addition, plant-derived bioactive substances might serve as the ideal basis for developing sustainable/efficient/cost-effective anti-viral alternatives. Interest in herbal antiviral products has increased. More than 50% of approved drugs originate from herbal sources. Plant-derived compounds offer diverse structures and bioactive molecules that are candidates for new drug development. Combining these therapies with conventional drugs could improve patient outcomes. Epigenetics modifications in the genome can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. Host cells can use epigenetic gene regulation as a mechanism to silence incoming viral DNA molecules, while viruses recruit cellular epitranscriptomic (covalent modifications of RNAs) modifiers to increase the translational efficiency and transcript stability of viral transcripts to enhance viral gene expression and replication. Moreover, viruses manipulate host cells' epigenetic machinery to ensure productive viral infections. Environmental factors, such as natural products, may influence epigenetic modifications. In this review, we explore the potential of plant-derived substances as epigenetic modifiers for broad-spectrum anti-viral activity, reviewing their modulation processes and anti-viral effects on DNA and RNA viruses, as well as addressing future research objectives in this rapidly emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosita Gabbianelli
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Ehud Shahar
- Department of Nutrition and Natural Products, Migal—Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel;
- Department of Biotechnology, Tel-Hai College, Kiryat Shmona 1220800, Israel
| | - Gaia de Simone
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Chiara Rucci
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Laura Bordoni
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Giulia Feliziani
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fanrui Zhao
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Marta Ferrati
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.F.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Filippo Maggi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.F.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Eleonora Spinozzi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.F.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Jamal Mahajna
- Department of Nutrition and Natural Products, Migal—Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel;
- Department of Biotechnology, Tel-Hai College, Kiryat Shmona 1220800, Israel
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5
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Obermann W, Azri MFD, Konopka L, Schmidt N, Magari F, Sherman J, Silva LMR, Hermosilla C, Ludewig AH, Houhou H, Haeberlein S, Luo MY, Häcker I, Schetelig MF, Grevelding CG, Schroeder FC, Lau GSK, Taubert A, Rodriguez A, Heine A, Yeo TC, Grünweller A, Taroncher-Oldenburg G. Broad anti-pathogen potential of DEAD box RNA helicase eIF4A-targeting rocaglates. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9297. [PMID: 37291191 PMCID: PMC10250355 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35765-6] [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: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of eukaryotic initiation factor 4A has been proposed as a strategy to fight pathogens. Rocaglates exhibit the highest specificities among eIF4A inhibitors, but their anti-pathogenic potential has not been comprehensively assessed across eukaryotes. In silico analysis of the substitution patterns of six eIF4A1 aa residues critical to rocaglate binding, uncovered 35 variants. Molecular docking of eIF4A:RNA:rocaglate complexes, and in vitro thermal shift assays with select recombinantly expressed eIF4A variants, revealed that sensitivity correlated with low inferred binding energies and high melting temperature shifts. In vitro testing with silvestrol validated predicted resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans and Leishmania amazonensis and predicted sensitivity in Aedes sp., Schistosoma mansoni, Trypanosoma brucei, Plasmodium falciparum, and Toxoplasma gondii. Our analysis further revealed the possibility of targeting important insect, plant, animal, and human pathogens with rocaglates. Finally, our findings might help design novel synthetic rocaglate derivatives or alternative eIF4A inhibitors to fight pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Obermann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Leonie Konopka
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nina Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Francesca Magari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Liliana M R Silva
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas H Ludewig
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Hicham Houhou
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simone Haeberlein
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mona Yiting Luo
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Irina Häcker
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marc F Schetelig
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph G Grevelding
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Frank C Schroeder
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andreas Heine
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tiong Chia Yeo
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Arnold Grünweller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Gaspar Taroncher-Oldenburg
- Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
- Gaspar Taroncher Consulting, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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6
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Pereira RS, Santos FCP, Campana PRV, Costa VV, de Pádua RM, Souza DG, Teixeira MM, Braga FC. Natural Products and Derivatives as Potential Zika virus Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Review. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051211. [PMID: 37243296 DOI: 10.3390/v15051211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus whose infection in humans can lead to severe outcomes. This article reviews studies reporting the anti-ZIKV activity of natural products (NPs) and derivatives published from 1997 to 2022, which were carried out with NPs obtained from plants (82.4%) or semisynthetic/synthetic derivatives, fungi (3.1%), bacteria (7.6%), animals (1.2%) and marine organisms (1.9%) along with miscellaneous compounds (3.8%). Classes of NPs reported to present anti-ZIKV activity include polyphenols, triterpenes, alkaloids, and steroids, among others. The highest values of the selectivity index, the ratio between cytotoxicity and antiviral activity (SI = CC50/EC50), were reported for epigallocatechin gallate (SI ≥ 25,000) and anisomycin (SI ≥ 11,900) obtained from Streptomyces bacteria, dolastane (SI = 1246) isolated from the marine seaweed Canistrocarpus cervicorni, and the flavonol myricetin (SI ≥ 862). NPs mostly act at the stages of viral adsorption and internalization in addition to presenting virucidal effect. The data demonstrate the potential of NPs for developing new anti-ZIKV agents and highlight the lack of studies addressing their molecular mechanisms of action and pre-clinical studies of efficacy and safety in animal models. To the best of our knowledge, none of the active compounds has been submitted to clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosângela Santos Pereira
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Françoise Camila Pereira Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Vivian Vasconcelos Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Maia de Pádua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniele G Souza
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Fernão Castro Braga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
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7
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Schiffmann S, Henke M, Seifert M, Ulshöfer T, Roser LA, Magari F, Wendel HG, Grünweller A, Parnham MJ. Comparing the Effects of Rocaglates on Energy Metabolism and Immune Modulation on Cells of the Human Immune System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065872. [PMID: 36982945 PMCID: PMC10051175 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A promising new approach to broad spectrum antiviral drugs is the inhibition of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (elF4A), a DEAD-box RNA helicase that effectively reduces the replication of several pathogenic virus types. Beside the antipathogenic effect, modulation of a host enzyme activity could also have an impact on the immune system. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive study on the influence of elF4A inhibition with natural and synthetic rocaglates on various immune cells. The effect of the rocaglates zotatifin, silvestrol and CR-31-B (−), as well as the nonactive enantiomer CR-31-B (+), on the expression of surface markers, release of cytokines, proliferation, inflammatory mediators and metabolic activity in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MdMs), monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MdDCs), T cells and B cells was assessed. The inhibition of elF4A reduced the inflammatory potential and energy metabolism of M1 MdMs, whereas in M2 MdMs, drug-specific and less target-specific effects were observed. Rocaglate treatment also reduced the inflammatory potential of activated MdDCs by altering cytokine release. In T cells, the inhibition of elF4A impaired their activation by reducing the proliferation rate, expression of CD25 and cytokine release. The inhibition of elF4A further reduced B-cell proliferation, plasma cell formation and the release of immune globulins. In conclusion, the inhibition of the elF4A RNA helicase with rocaglates suppressed the function of M1 MdMs, MdDCs, T cells and B cells. This suggests that rocaglates, while inhibiting viral replication, may also suppress bystander tissue injury by the host immune system. Thus, dosing of rocaglates would need to be adjusted to prevent excessive immune suppression without reducing their antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Schiffmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Marina Henke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michelle Seifert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Ulshöfer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Luise A. Roser
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Francesca Magari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Guido Wendel
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Arnold Grünweller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael J. Parnham
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals ehf, Bjargargata 1, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland
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8
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Chen M, Kumakura N, Saito H, Muller R, Nishimoto M, Mito M, Gan P, Ingolia NT, Shirasu K, Ito T, Shichino Y, Iwasaki S. A parasitic fungus employs mutated eIF4A to survive on rocaglate-synthesizing Aglaia plants. eLife 2023; 12:81302. [PMID: 36852480 PMCID: PMC9977294 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants often generate secondary metabolites as defense mechanisms against parasites. Although some fungi may potentially overcome the barrier presented by antimicrobial compounds, only a limited number of examples and molecular mechanisms of resistance have been reported. Here, we found an Aglaia plant-parasitizing fungus that overcomes the toxicity of rocaglates, which are translation inhibitors synthesized by the plant, through an amino acid substitution in a eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF). De novo transcriptome assembly revealed that the fungus belongs to the Ophiocordyceps genus and that its eIF4A, a molecular target of rocaglates, harbors an amino acid substitution critical for rocaglate binding. Ribosome profiling harnessing a cucumber-infecting fungus, Colletotrichum orbiculare, demonstrated that the translational inhibitory effects of rocaglates were largely attenuated by the mutation found in the Aglaia parasite. The engineered C. orbiculare showed a survival advantage on cucumber plants with rocaglates. Our study exemplifies a plant-fungus tug-of-war centered on secondary metabolites produced by host plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Chen
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of TokyoKashiwaJapan
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
| | - Naoyoshi Kumakura
- Plant Immunity Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource ScienceYokohamaJapan
| | - Hironori Saito
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of TokyoKashiwaJapan
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
| | - Ryan Muller
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Madoka Nishimoto
- Laboratory for Translation Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchYokohamaJapan
| | - Mari Mito
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
| | - Pamela Gan
- Plant Immunity Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource ScienceYokohamaJapan
| | - Nicholas T Ingolia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Ken Shirasu
- Plant Immunity Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource ScienceYokohamaJapan
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Takuhiro Ito
- Laboratory for Translation Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchYokohamaJapan
| | - Yuichi Shichino
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of TokyoKashiwaJapan
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering ResearchWakoJapan
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9
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Mashaal D, Mahmoud SH, Müller C, Abo Shama NM, Kamer AA, Abdelaziz AA, Ali MA, Pleschka S, Mostafa A. Differential Impact of Specific Amino Acid Residues on the Characteristics of Avian Influenza Viruses in Mammalian Systems. Pathogens 2022; 11:1385. [PMID: 36422635 PMCID: PMC9698692 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 was declared to be endemic in birds of the Middle East, in particular in Egypt, with multiple cases of human infections. Despite concerns about the pandemic threat posed by H9N2 AIV, due to the fact that its receptor specificity is similar to that of human influenza viruses, its morbidity and mortality rates in humans are so far negligible. However, the acquisition of specific adaptive amino acid (aa) mutations in the viral polymerase can enhance cross-species transmission of the virus itself or of reassortants, which gained these changes. The polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) is one of the key determinants for AIV adaptation towards mammals. Although mammalian pathogenicity-related mutations (MPMs) in PB2 genes were identified in different AIVs, the specific effect of single or multiple mutations on viral fitness has not been compared so far. Here, we studied the effect of the aa K at position 591, which was frequently reported in the PB2 of Egyptian H9N2 isolates, on the proliferation efficiency and polymerase activity of an H5N1 (clade 2.2.1.2) AIV already carrying the mammalian adaptive mutation 627K. Using reverse genetics, we generated a set of recombinant parental strains and H5N1 variants carrying the avian-like 591Q/627E or mammalian-like adaptive mutations 591K/627K (H5N1EGY, H9N2EGY, H5N1PB2-H9N2EGY, H5N1H9N2_PB2_K591Q, H5N1PB2_K627E, H5N1PB2_K627E/591K, H5N1PB2_627K/591K). Regardless of the avian-like 627E or the mammalian-adaptive 627K, both variants carrying the 591K (H5N1PB2_K627E/591K, H5N1PB2_627K/591K) and the reassortant H5N1PB2-H9N2EGY replicated to significantly higher levels in mammalian continuous MDCK and Calu-3 cell lines and primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells than the parental H5N1EGY virus (carrying solely the 627K adaptive mutation). Expectedly, the H5N1 variants carrying avian-like PB2 mutations (H5N1H9N2_PB2_K591Q, H5N1PB2_K627E) replicated to significantly lower levels than the parental H5N1EGY virus in the predefined primary and continuous mammalian cell line systems. Consistently, the activity of H5N1 subtype AIV polymerase complexes comprising PB2 segments with singular 591K or combined with 627K was significantly enhanced when compared to parental H5N1EGY and H9N2EGY. This study emphasizes the significant impact of 591K containing PB2 segments in the background of H5N1 polymerase on viral fitness in addition to the well-known MPM 627K in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayly Mashaal
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Sara H Mahmoud
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Christin Müller
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Noura M Abo Shama
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Amal Abo Kamer
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Abdelaziz
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Ali
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Stephan Pleschka
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ahmed Mostafa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
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10
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Fliegel L, Christoffers J. Synthesis of Annulated Benzofuran Derivatives from α-(Iodophenyl)-β-oxoesters. Org Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c03472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Fliegel
- Institut für Chemie, Universität Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jens Christoffers
- Institut für Chemie, Universität Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
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11
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Pedroni L, Dellafiora L, Varrà MO, Galaverna G, Ghidini S. In silico study on the Hepatitis E virus RNA Helicase and its inhibition by silvestrol, rocaglamide and other flavagline compounds. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15512. [PMID: 36109625 PMCID: PMC9477874 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19818-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) follows waterborne or zoonotic/foodborne transmission. Genotype 3 HEV infections are worldwide spread, especially in swine populations, representing an emerging threat for human health, both for farm workers and pork meat consumers. Unfortunately, HEV in vitro culture and analysis are still difficult, resulting in a poor understanding of its biology and hampering the implementation of counteracting strategies. Indeed, HEV encodes for only one non-structural multifunctional and multidomain protein (ORF1), which might be a good candidate for anti-HEV drugging strategies. In this context, an in silico molecular modelling approach that consisted in homology modelling to derive the 3D model target, docking study to simulate the binding event, and molecular dynamics to check complex stability over time was used. This workflow succeeded to describe ORF1 RNA Helicase domain from a molecular standpoint allowing the identification of potential inhibitory compounds among natural plant-based flavagline-related molecules such as silvestrol, rocaglamide and derivatives thereof. In the context of scouting potential anti-viral compounds and relying on the outcomes presented, further dedicated investigations on silvestrol, rocaglamide and a promising oxidized derivative have been suggested. For the sake of data reproducibility, the 3D model of HEV RNA Helicase has been made publicly available.
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12
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In Vitro Safety, Off-Target and Bioavailability Profile of the Antiviral Compound Silvestrol. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091086. [PMID: 36145307 PMCID: PMC9502993 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterized the in vitro safety and bioavailability profile of silvestrol, a compound effective against various viruses, such as corona- and Ebolaviruses, with an EC50 value of about 5 nM. The cytotoxic profile of silvestrol was assessed in various cancer cell lines, as well as the mutagenic and genotoxic potential with Ames and micronuclei tests, respectively. To identify off-target effects, we investigated whether silvestrol modulates G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways. To predict the bioavailability of silvestrol, its stability, permeability and cellular uptake were determined. Silvestrol reduced viability in a cell-type-dependent manner, mediated no off-target effects via GPCRs, had no mutagenic potential and minor genotoxic effects at 50 nM. Silvestrol did not disturb cell barrier integrity, showed low membrane permeability, was stable in liver microsomes and exhibited good cellular uptake. Efficient cellular uptake and increased cytotoxicity were observed in cell lines with a low expression level of the transport protein P-glycoprotein, the known efflux transporter of silvestrol. In conclusion, silvestrol showed low permeability but good cellular uptake and high stability. Cell-type-dependent cytotoxicity seems to be caused by the accumulation of silvestrol in cells lacking the ability to expel silvestrol due to low P-glycoprotein levels.
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13
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Compounds for selective translational inhibition. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 69:102158. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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14
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Praditya DF, Klöhn M, Brüggemann Y, Brown LE, Porco JA, Zhang W, Kinast V, Kirschning A, Vondran FWR, Todt D, Steinmann E. Identification of structurally re-engineered rocaglates as inhibitors against hepatitis E virus replication. Antiviral Res 2022; 204:105359. [PMID: 35728703 PMCID: PMC9731315 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis in humans and pose a considerable threat to public health. Current standard of care treatment is limited to the off-label use of nucleoside-analog ribavirin (RBV) and PEGylated interferon-α, both of which are associated with significant side effects and provide limited efficacy. In the past few years, a promising natural product compound class of eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) inhibitors (translation initiation inhibitors), called rocaglates, were identified as antiviral agents against RNA virus infections. In the present study, we evaluated a total of 205 synthetic rocaglate derivatives from the BU-CMD compound library for their antiviral properties against HEV. At least eleven compounds showed inhibitory activities against the HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) subgenomic replicon below 30 nM (EC50 value) as determined by Gaussia luciferase assay. Three amidino-rocaglates (ADRs) (CMLD012073, CMLD012118, and CMLD012612) possessed antiviral activity against HEV with EC50 values between 1 and 9 nM. In addition, these three selected compounds inhibited subgenomic replicons of different genotypes (HEV-1 [Sar55], wild boar HEV-3 [83-2] and human HEV-3 [p6]) in a dose-dependent manner and at low nanomolar concentrations. Furthermore, tested ADRs tend to be better tolerated in primary hepatocytes than hepatoma cancer cell lines and combination treatment of CMLD012118 with RBV and interferon-α (IFN-α) showed that CMLD012118 acts additive to RBV and IFN-α treatment. In conclusion, our results indicate that ADRs, especially CMLD012073, CMLD012118, and CMLD012612 may prove to be potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of HEV infections and may contribute to the discovery of pan-genotypic inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimas F Praditya
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Research Center for Vaccine and Drugs, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia.
| | - Mara Klöhn
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Yannick Brüggemann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Lauren E Brown
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - John A Porco
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Wenhan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Center for Molecular Discovery (BU-CMD), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Volker Kinast
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Kirschning
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 1B, 30167, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), 07743, Jena, Germany.
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), External Partner Site, Bochum, Germany.
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15
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Rocaglates as Antivirals: Comparing the Effects on Viral Resistance, Anti-Coronaviral Activity, RNA-Clamping on eIF4A and Immune Cell Toxicity. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030519. [PMID: 35336926 PMCID: PMC8950828 DOI: 10.3390/v14030519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rocaglates are potent broad-spectrum antiviral compounds with a promising safety profile. They inhibit viral protein synthesis for different RNA viruses by clamping the 5′-UTRs of mRNAs onto the surface of the RNA helicase eIF4A. Apart from the natural rocaglate silvestrol, synthetic rocaglates like zotatifin or CR-1-31-B have been developed. Here, we compared the effects of rocaglates on viral 5′-UTR-mediated reporter gene expression and binding to an eIF4A-polypurine complex. Furthermore, we analyzed the cytotoxicity of rocaglates on several human immune cells and compared their antiviral activities in coronavirus-infected cells. Finally, the potential for developing viral resistance was evaluated by passaging human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) in the presence of increasing concentrations of rocaglates in MRC-5 cells. Importantly, no decrease in rocaglate-sensitivity was observed, suggesting that virus escape mutants are unlikely to emerge if the host factor eIF4A is targeted. In summary, all three rocaglates are promising antivirals with differences in cytotoxicity against human immune cells, RNA-clamping efficiency, and antiviral activity. In detail, zotatifin showed reduced RNA-clamping efficiency and antiviral activity compared to silvestrol and CR-1-31-B, but was less cytotoxic for immune cells. Our results underline the potential of rocaglates as broad-spectrum antivirals with no indications for the emergence of escape mutations in HCoV-229E.
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16
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Greger H. Comparative phytochemistry of flavaglines (= rocaglamides), a group of highly bioactive flavolignans from Aglaia species (Meliaceae). PHYTOCHEMISTRY REVIEWS : PROCEEDINGS OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL SOCIETY OF EUROPE 2022; 21:725-764. [PMID: 34104125 PMCID: PMC8176878 DOI: 10.1007/s11101-021-09761-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Flavaglines are formed by cycloaddition of a flavonoid nucleus with a cinnamic acid moiety representing a typical chemical character of the genus Aglaia of the family Meliaceae. Based on biosynthetic considerations 148 derivatives are grouped together into three skeletal types representing 77 cyclopenta[b]benzofurans, 61 cyclopenta[bc]benzopyrans, and 10 benzo[b]oxepines. Apart from different hydroxy, methoxy, and methylenedioxy groups of the aromatic rings, important structural variation is created by different substitutions and stereochemistries of the central cyclopentane ring. Putrescine-derived bisamides constitute important building blocks occurring as cyclic 2-aminopyrrolidines or in an open-chained form, and are involved in the formation of pyrimidinone flavaglines. Regarding the central role of cinnamic acid in the formation of the basic skeleton, rocagloic acid represents a biosynthetic precursor from which aglafoline- and rocaglamide-type cyclopentabenzofurans can be derived, while those of the rocaglaol-type are the result of decarboxylation. Broad-based comparison revealed characteristic substitution trends which contribute as chemical markers to natural delimitation and grouping of taxonomically problematic Aglaia species. A wide variety of biological activities ranges from insecticidal, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and anti-inflammatory properties, especially to pronounced anticancer and antiviral activities. The high insecticidal activity of flavaglines is comparable with that of the well-known natural insecticide azadirachtin. Comparative feeding experiments informed about structure-activity relationships and exhibited different substitutions of the cyclopentane ring essential for insecticidal activity. Parallel studies on the antiproliferative activity of flavaglines in various tumor cell lines revealed similar structural prerequisites that let expect corresponding molecular mechanisms. An important structural modification with very high cytotoxic potency was found in the benzofuran silvestrol characterized by an unusual dioxanyloxy subunit. It possessed comparable cytotoxicity to that of the natural anticancer compounds paclitaxel (Taxol®) and camptothecin without effecting normal cells. The primary effect was the inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to the translation initiation factor eIF4A, an ATP-dependent DEAD-box RNA helicase. Flavaglines were also shown to bind to prohibitins (PHB) responsible for regulation of important signaling pathways, and to inhibit the transcriptional factor HSF1 deeply involved in metabolic programming, survival, and proliferation of cancer cells. Flavaglines were shown to be not only promising anticancer agents but gained now also high expectations as agents against emerging RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2. Targeting the helicase eIF4A with flavaglines was recently described as pan-viral strategy for minimizing the impact of future RNA virus pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Greger
- Chemodiversity Research Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Wien, Austria
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17
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Ho JJD, Cunningham TA, Manara P, Coughlin CA, Arumov A, Roberts ER, Osteen A, Kumar P, Bilbao D, Krieger JR, Lee S, Schatz JH. Proteomics reveal cap-dependent translation inhibitors remodel the translation machinery and translatome. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109806. [PMID: 34644561 PMCID: PMC8558842 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tactical disruption of protein synthesis is an attractive therapeutic strategy, with the first-in-class eIF4A-targeting compound zotatifin in clinical evaluation for cancer and COVID-19. The full cellular impact and mechanisms of these potent molecules are undefined at a proteomic level. Here, we report mass spectrometry analysis of translational reprogramming by rocaglates, cap-dependent initiation disruptors that include zotatifin. We find effects to be far more complex than simple “translational inhibition” as currently defined. Translatome analysis by TMT-pSILAC (tandem mass tag-pulse stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture mass spectrometry) reveals myriad upregulated proteins that drive hitherto unrecognized cytotoxic mechanisms, including GEF-H1-mediated anti-survival RHOA/JNK activation. Surprisingly, these responses are not replicated by eIF4A silencing, indicating a broader translational adaptation than currently understood. Translation machinery analysis by MATRIX (mass spectrometry analysis of active translation factors using ribosome density fractionation and isotopic labeling experiments) identifies rocaglate-specific dependence on specific translation factors including eEF1ε1 that drive translatome remodeling. Our proteome-level interrogation reveals that the complete cellular response to these historical “translation inhibitors” is mediated by comprehensive translational landscape remodeling. Tactical protein synthesis inhibition is actively pursued as a cancer therapy that bypasses signaling redundancies limiting current strategies. Ho et al. show that rocaglates, first identified as inhibitors of eIF4A activity, globally reprogram cellular translation at both protein synthesis machinery and translatome levels, inducing cytotoxicity through anti-survival GEF-H1/RHOA/JNK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J David Ho
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Tyler A Cunningham
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Paola Manara
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Caroline A Coughlin
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Artavazd Arumov
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Evan R Roberts
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Cancer Modeling Shared Resource, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ashanti Osteen
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Cancer Modeling Shared Resource, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Preet Kumar
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Daniel Bilbao
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Cancer Modeling Shared Resource, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | | | - Stephen Lee
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jonathan H Schatz
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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18
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Agarwal G, Chang LS, Soejarto DD, Kinghorn AD. Update on Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Rocaglate Derivatives from Aglaia Species. PLANTA MEDICA 2021; 87:937-948. [PMID: 33784769 PMCID: PMC8481333 DOI: 10.1055/a-1401-9562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
With about 120 species, Aglaia is one of the largest genera of the plant family Meliaceae (the mahogany plants). It is native to the tropical rainforests of the Indo-Australian region, ranging from India and Sri Lanka eastward to Polynesia and Micronesia. Various Aglaia species have been investigated since the 1960s for their phytochemical constituents and biological properties, with the cyclopenta[b]benzofurans (rocaglates or flavaglines) being of particular interest. Phytochemists, medicinal chemists, and biologists have conducted extensive research in establishing these secondary metabolites as potential lead compounds with antineoplastic and antiviral effects, among others. The varied biological properties of rocaglates can be attributed to their unusual structures and their ability to act as inhibitors of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A), affecting protein translation. The present review provides an update on the recently reported phytochemical constituents of Aglaia species, focusing on rocaglate derivatives. Furthermore, laboratory work performed on investigating the biological activities of these chemical constituents is also covered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Agarwal
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Long-Sheng Chang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Djaja Doel Soejarto
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Science and Education, Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - A. Douglas Kinghorn
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
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19
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Abbas M, Moradi F, Hu W, Regudo KL, Osborne M, Pettipas J, Atallah DS, Hachem R, Ott-Peron N, Stuart JA. Vertebrate cell culture as an experimental approach – limitations and solutions. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 254:110570. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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20
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Kim CH. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Natural Products as Potentially Therapeutic Agents. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:590509. [PMID: 34122058 PMCID: PMC8194829 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.590509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a β-coronavirus, is the cause of the recently emerged pandemic and worldwide outbreak of respiratory disease. Researchers exchange information on COVID-19 to enable collaborative searches. Although there is as yet no effective antiviral agent, like tamiflu against influenza, to block SARS-CoV-2 infection to its host cells, various candidates to mitigate or treat the disease are currently being investigated. Several drugs are being screened for the ability to block virus entry on cell surfaces and/or block intracellular replication in host cells. Vaccine development is being pursued, invoking a better elucidation of the life cycle of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 recognizes O-acetylated neuraminic acids and also several membrane proteins, such as ACE2, as the result of evolutionary switches of O-Ac SA recognition specificities. To provide information related to the current development of possible anti-SARS-COV-2 viral agents, the current review deals with the known inhibitory compounds with low molecular weight. The molecules are mainly derived from natural products of plant sources by screening or chemical synthesis via molecular simulations. Artificial intelligence-based computational simulation for drug designation and large-scale inhibitor screening have recently been performed. Structure-activity relationship of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 natural compounds is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheorl-Ho Kim
- Molecular and Cellular Glycobiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkhwan University, Suwon, South Korea
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21
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Musarra-Pizzo M, Pennisi R, Ben-Amor I, Mandalari G, Sciortino MT. Antiviral Activity Exerted by Natural Products against Human Viruses. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050828. [PMID: 34064347 PMCID: PMC8147851 DOI: 10.3390/v13050828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections are responsible for several chronic and acute diseases in both humans and animals. Despite the incredible progress in human medicine, several viral diseases, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, respiratory syndromes, and hepatitis, are still associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in humans. Natural products from plants or other organisms are a rich source of structurally novel chemical compounds including antivirals. Indeed, in traditional medicine, many pathological conditions have been treated using plant-derived medicines. Thus, the identification of novel alternative antiviral agents is of critical importance. In this review, we summarize novel phytochemicals with antiviral activity against human viruses and their potential application in treating or preventing viral disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Musarra-Pizzo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale SS. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.-P.); (R.P.); (I.B.-A.)
| | - Rosamaria Pennisi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale SS. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.-P.); (R.P.); (I.B.-A.)
- Shenzhen International Institute for Biomedical Research, 1301 Guanguang Rd. 3F Building 1-B, Silver Star Hi-Tech Park Longhua District, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Ichrak Ben-Amor
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale SS. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.-P.); (R.P.); (I.B.-A.)
- Unit of Biotechnology and Pathologies, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
| | - Giuseppina Mandalari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale SS. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.-P.); (R.P.); (I.B.-A.)
- Correspondence: (G.M.); (M.T.S.); Tel.: +39-090-6767-5217 (G.M. & M.T.S.)
| | - Maria Teresa Sciortino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale SS. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.M.-P.); (R.P.); (I.B.-A.)
- Correspondence: (G.M.); (M.T.S.); Tel.: +39-090-6767-5217 (G.M. & M.T.S.)
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Ho JJD, Man JHS, Schatz JH, Marsden PA. Translational remodeling by RNA-binding proteins and noncoding RNAs. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2021; 12:e1647. [PMID: 33694288 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Responsible for generating the proteome that controls phenotype, translation is the ultimate convergence point for myriad upstream signals that influence gene expression. System-wide adaptive translational reprogramming has recently emerged as a pillar of cellular adaptation. As classic regulators of mRNA stability and translation efficiency, foundational studies established the concept of collaboration and competition between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) on individual mRNAs. Fresh conceptual innovations now highlight stress-activated, evolutionarily conserved RBP networks and ncRNAs that increase the translation efficiency of populations of transcripts encoding proteins that participate in a common cellular process. The discovery of post-transcriptional functions for long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) was particularly intriguing given their cell-type-specificity and historical definition as nuclear-functioning epigenetic regulators. The convergence of RBPs, lncRNAs, and microRNAs on functionally related mRNAs to enable adaptive protein synthesis is a newer biological paradigm that highlights their role as "translatome (protein output) remodelers" and reinvigorates the paradigm of "RNA operons." Together, these concepts modernize our understanding of cellular stress adaptation and strategies for therapeutic development. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications Translation > Translation Regulation Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J David Ho
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jeffrey H S Man
- Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Respirology, University Health Network, Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan H Schatz
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Philip A Marsden
- Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Targeting the DEAD-Box RNA Helicase eIF4A with Rocaglates-A Pan-Antiviral Strategy for Minimizing the Impact of Future RNA Virus Pandemics. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030540. [PMID: 33807988 PMCID: PMC8001013 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in pandemics caused by RNA viruses of zoonotic origin highlights the urgent need for broad-spectrum antivirals against novel and re-emerging RNA viruses. Broad-spectrum antivirals could be deployed as first-line interventions during an outbreak while virus-specific drugs and vaccines are developed and rolled out. Viruses depend on the host’s protein synthesis machinery for replication. Several natural compounds that target the cellular DEAD-box RNA helicase eIF4A, a key component of the eukaryotic translation initiation complex eIF4F, have emerged as potential broad-spectrum antivirals. Rocaglates, a group of flavaglines of plant origin that clamp mRNAs with highly structured 5′ untranslated regions (5′UTRs) onto the surface of eIF4A through specific stacking interactions, exhibit the largest selectivity and potential therapeutic indices among all known eIF4A inhibitors. Their unique mechanism of action limits the inhibitory effect of rocaglates to the translation of eIF4A-dependent viral mRNAs and a minor fraction of host mRNAs exhibiting stable RNA secondary structures and/or polypurine sequence stretches in their 5′UTRs, resulting in minimal potential toxic side effects. Maintaining a favorable safety profile while inducing efficient inhibition of a broad spectrum of RNA viruses makes rocaglates into primary candidates for further development as pan-antiviral therapeutics.
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Abstract
Inhibiting eukaryotic protein translation with small molecules is emerging as a powerful therapeutic strategy. The advantage of targeting cellular translational machinery is that it is required for the highly proliferative state of many neoplastic cells, replication of certain viruses, and ultimately the expression of a wide variety of protein targets. Although, this approach has been exploited to develop clinical agents, such as homoharringtonine (HHT, 1), used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), inhibiting components of the translational machinery is often associated with cytotoxic phenotypes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that certain small molecules can inhibit the translation of specific subsets of proteins, leading to lower cytotoxicity, and opening-up therapeutic opportunities for translation inhibitors to be deployed in indications beyond oncology and infectious disease. This review summarizes efforts to develop inhibitors of the eukaryotic translational machinery as therapeutic agents and highlights emerging opportunities for translation inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Fan
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Phillip P Sharp
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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25
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The rocaglate CR-31-B (-) inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication at non-cytotoxic, low nanomolar concentrations in vitro and ex vivo. Antiviral Res 2021; 186:105012. [PMID: 33422611 PMCID: PMC7791309 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of COVID-19, a severe respiratory disease with varying clinical presentations and outcomes, and responsible for a major pandemic that started in early 2020. With no vaccines or effective antiviral treatments available, the quest for novel therapeutic solutions remains an urgent priority. Rocaglates, a class of plant-derived cyclopenta[b]benzofurans, exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activity against multiple RNA viruses including coronaviruses. Specifically, rocaglates inhibit eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A)-dependent mRNA translation initiation, resulting in strongly reduced viral RNA translation. Here, we assessed the antiviral activity of the synthetic rocaglate CR-31-B (-) against SARS-CoV-2 using both in vitro and ex vivo cell culture models. In Vero E6 cells, CR-31-B (-) inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication with an EC50 of ~1.8 nM. In primary human airway epithelial cells, CR-31-B (-) reduced viral titers to undetectable levels at a concentration of 100 nM. Reduced virus reproduction was accompanied by substantially reduced viral protein accumulation and replication/transcription complex formation. The data reveal a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity by CR-31-B (-), corroborating previous results obtained for other coronaviruses and supporting the idea that rocaglates may be used in first-line antiviral intervention strategies against novel and emerging RNA virus outbreaks.
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26
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Grigore A, Cord D, Tanase C, Albulescu R. Herbal medicine, a reliable support in COVID therapy. J Immunoassay Immunochem 2020; 41:976-999. [PMID: 33356860 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2020.1862867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
At present, specific therapies for COVID-19 are not well established, being certain only that the immune system plays a decisive role in the initiation and progression of the disease. Plants have given and continue to give compounds with great efficiency and low toxicity, some of them being a starting point for extremely effective synthetic substances. Although herbal remedies are used mainly for preventive purposes, there are also guidelines issued by some countries that indicate the use of traditional remedies for different stages of COVID-19 disease.Europe has a long and strong tradition of using medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes, but clinical trials for this type of approach are scarce, compared to Asia. In this regard, a bridge between tradition and science, would have a strong impact on the capacity for prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The paper reviews compounds of plant origin that have previously proven effective in counteracting some coronaviruses but also some of their major effects - direct action on virus replicative apparatus (viral entry or replication, action on the viral enzymatic system), collateral action of natural compounds on the immune system and also the contribution of herbal medicine as vaccine adjuvants are tackled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Grigore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies, National Institute for Chemical-Pharmaceutical R & D ICCF , Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniel Cord
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Medicine Doctoral School/ Faculty of Pharmacy, Titu Maiorescu University , Bucharest, Romania
- General Directorate of Pharmaceutical Inspection, National Agency for Medicines and Medical Device , Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristiana Tanase
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology , Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University , Bucharest, Romania
| | - Radu Albulescu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies, National Institute for Chemical-Pharmaceutical R & D ICCF , Bucharest, Romania
- Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology , Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University , Bucharest, Romania
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27
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Attia YA, Alagawany MM, Farag MR, Alkhatib FM, Khafaga AF, Abdel-Moneim AME, Asiry KA, Mesalam NM, Shafi ME, Al-Harthi MA, Abd El-Hack ME. Phytogenic Products and Phytochemicals as a Candidate Strategy to Improve Tolerance to Coronavirus. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:573159. [PMID: 33195565 PMCID: PMC7606864 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.573159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are the causative agents of many infectious diseases in human and animals. These included severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian infectious bronchitis (IBV) in poultry, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans. These results had considerable death burdens and negative influences on social-economic life. Since the appearance of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, continuous investigations have been carried out by researchers to find active compounds, mainly from plants, as natural sources, that could inhibit or stop the proliferation of the causative agent of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The most common symptoms caused by infections with COVID-19 can include cough, fever, and sore throat. Nevertheless, there is a shortage of active antiviral compounds for treating different strains of coronavirus. Herbal medicine is a class of medication that originates from nature and is aimed at decreasing the use of preservatives, excipients, or other additives and, consequently, lesser side effects. The rapid spread of COVID-19 infection besides the lack of knowledge about any treatments and the growing concern of the public from the virus directed us toward writing this review article in an aim to provide alternatives to the allopathic medicine use. There is a wealth of chemical diversity in the naturally existing compounds, including their antiviral activities, which may encourage their utilization as therapeutics against viral infections, including coronaviruses. The majority of publications on the herbal remedies of coronavirus, MERS, or SARS focused primarily on the use of polar compounds. These substances displayed encouraging inhibitory influences on coronavirus in humans. These include psoralidin, scutellarein, silvestrol, tryptanthrin, caffeic acid, quercetin, myricetin, saikosaponin B2, griffithsin (lectins), and isobavachalcone. Some other agents like lycorine may be useful, if the antiviral activity is obtained by concentrations below the toxic plasma levels. According to the available literatures, the most promising inhibitors of coronaviruses are polyphenolic compounds, which are small molecules with conjugated fused ring structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef A. Attia
- Agriculture Department, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- The Strategic Center to Kingdom Vision Realization, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Animal and Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M. Alagawany
- Department of Poultry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mayada R. Farag
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Fatmah M. Alkhatib
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Applied Science, UmmAl-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asmaa F. Khafaga
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina, Egypt
| | | | - Khalid A. Asiry
- Agriculture Department, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noura M. Mesalam
- Biological Application Department, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Abu-Zaabal, Egypt
| | - Manal E. Shafi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Zoology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A. Al-Harthi
- Agriculture Department, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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28
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Nebigil CG, Moog C, Vagner S, Benkirane-Jessel N, Smith DR, Désaubry L. Flavaglines as natural products targeting eIF4A and prohibitins: From traditional Chinese medicine to antiviral activity against coronaviruses. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 203:112653. [PMID: 32693294 PMCID: PMC7362831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Flavaglines are cyclopenta[b]benzofurans found in plants of the genus Aglaia, several species of which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. These compounds target the initiation factor of translation eIF4A and the scaffold proteins prohibitins-1 and 2 (PHB1/2) to exert various pharmacological activities, including antiviral effects against several types of viruses, including coronaviruses. This review is focused on the antiviral effects of flavaglines and their therapeutic potential against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Canan G Nebigil
- INSERM U 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine (RNM), FMTS, 11 Rue Humann, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christiane Moog
- INSERM U1109, LabEx TRANSPLANTEX, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire (FHU) OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stéphan Vagner
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3348, INSERM U1278, Orsay, France; Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3348, INSERM U1278, Orsay, France
| | - Nadia Benkirane-Jessel
- INSERM U 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine (RNM), FMTS, 11 Rue Humann, 67000, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 8 Rue de Ste Elisabeth, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Duncan R Smith
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, 73170, Thailand
| | - Laurent Désaubry
- INSERM U 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine (RNM), FMTS, 11 Rue Humann, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
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29
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Mostafa A, Mahmoud SH, Shehata M, Müller C, Kandeil A, El-Shesheny R, Nooh HZ, Kayali G, Ali MA, Pleschka S. PA from a Recent H9N2 (G1-Like) Avian Influenza a Virus (AIV) Strain Carrying Lysine 367 Confers Altered Replication Efficiency and Pathogenicity to Contemporaneous H5N1 in Mammalian Systems. Viruses 2020; 12:v12091046. [PMID: 32962203 PMCID: PMC7551781 DOI: 10.3390/v12091046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Egypt is a hotspot for H5- and H9-subtype avian influenza A virus (AIV) infections and co-infections in poultry by both subtypes have been frequently reported. However, natural genetic reassortment of these subtypes has not been reported yet. Here, we evaluated the genetic compatibility and replication efficiency of reassortants between recent isolates of an Egyptian H5N1 and a H9N2 AIV (H5N1EGY and H9N2EGY). All internal viral proteins-encoding segments of the contemporaneous G1-like H9N2EGY, expressed individually and in combination in the genetic background of H5N1EGY, were genetically compatible with the other H5N1EGY segments. At 37 °C the replication efficiencies of H5N1EGY reassortants expressing the H9N2EGY polymerase subunits PB2 and PA (H5N1PB2-H9N2EGY, H5N1PA-H9N2EGY) were higher than the wild-type H5N1EGY in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK-II) cells. This could not be correlated to viral polymerase activity as this was found to be improved for H5N1PB2-H9N2EGY, but reduced for H5N1PA-H9N2EGY. At 33 °C and 39 °C, H5N1PB2-H9N2EGY and H5N1PA-H9N2EGY replicated to higher levels than the wild-type H5N1EGY in human Calu-3 and A549 cell lines. Nevertheless, in BALB/c mice both reassortants caused reduced mortality compared to the wild-type H5N1EGY. Genetic analysis of the polymerase-encoding segments revealed that the PAH9N2EGY and PB2H9N2EGY encode for a distinct uncharacterized mammalian-like variation (367K) and a well-known mammalian signature (591K), respectively. Introducing the single substitution 367K into the PA of H5N1EGY enabled the mutant virus H5N1PA-R367K to replicate more efficiently at 37 °C in primary human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and also in A549 and Calu-3 cells at 33 °C and 39 °C. Furthermore, H5N1PA-R367K caused higher mortality in BALB/c mice. These findings demonstrate that H5N1 (Clade 2.2.1.2) reassortants carrying internal proteins-encoding segments of G1-like H9N2 viruses can emerge and may gain improved replication fitness. Thereby such H5N1/H9N2 reassortants could augment the zoonotic potential of H5N1 viruses, especially by acquiring unique mammalian-like aa signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Mostafa
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre (NRC), 12622 Giza, Egypt; (S.H.M.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.E.-S.)
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35390 Giessen, Germany;
- Correspondence: (A.M); (M.A.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Sara H. Mahmoud
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre (NRC), 12622 Giza, Egypt; (S.H.M.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.E.-S.)
| | - Mahmoud Shehata
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre (NRC), 12622 Giza, Egypt; (S.H.M.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.E.-S.)
| | - Christin Müller
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35390 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Ahmed Kandeil
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre (NRC), 12622 Giza, Egypt; (S.H.M.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.E.-S.)
| | - Rabeh El-Shesheny
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre (NRC), 12622 Giza, Egypt; (S.H.M.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.E.-S.)
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Hanaa Z. Nooh
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 2014, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ghazi Kayali
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Human Link, Baabda 1109, Lebanon
| | - Mohamed A. Ali
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre (NRC), 12622 Giza, Egypt; (S.H.M.); (M.S.); (A.K.); (R.E.-S.)
- Correspondence: (A.M); (M.A.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Stephan Pleschka
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35390 Giessen, Germany;
- Correspondence: (A.M); (M.A.A.); (S.P.)
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30
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Pannell CM, Schnitzler J, Muellner-Riehl AN. Two new species and a new species record of Aglaia (Meliaceae) from Indonesia. PHYTOKEYS 2020; 155:33-51. [PMID: 32863723 PMCID: PMC7428463 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.155.53833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Two new species of Aglaia from Indonesia are described, Aglaia monocaula restricted to West Papua, and Aglaia nyaruensis occurring on Borneo (Kalimantan, Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak). A phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ITS and ETS, and plastid rps15-ycf1 sequence data indicates that the two new species of Aglaia are also genetically distinct. Aglaia monocaula belongs to sectionAmoora, while A. nyaruensis is included in section Aglaia. A dichotomous key, drawings and three-locus DNA barcodes are provided as aids for the identification of the two new species of Aglaia. In addition, the geographic range of Aglaia mackiana (section Amoora) is expanded from a single previously known site in Papua New Guinea to West Papua, Indonesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Pannell
- University of Oxford, Department of Plant Sciences and Daubeny Herbarium (FHO), South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, United KingdomLeipzig UniversityLeipzigGermany
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K), Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, United KingdomUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Queen’s University Belfast, Marine Laboratory, 12–13 The Strand, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1PF, United KingdomRoyal Botanic GardensKewUnited Kingdom
- Leipzig University, Institute of Biology, Department of Molecular Evolution and Plant Systematics & Herbarium (LZ), Johannisallee 21–23, D-04103 Leipzig, GermanyQueen’s UniversityBelfastUnited Kingdom
| | - Jan Schnitzler
- Leipzig University, Institute of Biology, Department of Molecular Evolution and Plant Systematics & Herbarium (LZ), Johannisallee 21–23, D-04103 Leipzig, GermanyQueen’s UniversityBelfastUnited Kingdom
| | - Alexandra N. Muellner-Riehl
- Leipzig University, Institute of Biology, Department of Molecular Evolution and Plant Systematics & Herbarium (LZ), Johannisallee 21–23, D-04103 Leipzig, GermanyQueen’s UniversityBelfastUnited Kingdom
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, GermanyGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity ResearchLeipzigGermany
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31
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Schulz G, Victoria C, Kirschning A, Steinmann E. Rocaglamide and silvestrol: a long story from anti-tumor to anti-coronavirus compounds. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 38:18-23. [PMID: 32699874 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00024h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Covering: up to the beginning of 2020Many natural substances have been transformed again and again with regard to their pharmaceutical-medical potential, including new members of a growing class of natural products, the flavaglines. Important representatives are rocaglamide and silvestrol, isolated from the Aglaia species, which are highlighted here. These products started as potential anti-tumor agents five decades ago and have recently proved to be very promising antiviral agents, especially against RNA viruses. Today they are discussed as potential starting compounds for developing drug candidates and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Schulz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 1B, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
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Mani JS, Johnson JB, Steel JC, Broszczak DA, Neilsen PM, Walsh KB, Naiker M. Natural product-derived phytochemicals as potential agents against coronaviruses: A review. Virus Res 2020; 284:197989. [PMID: 32360300 PMCID: PMC7190535 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.197989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviruses are responsible for a growing economic, social and mortality burden, as the causative agent of diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and COVID-19. However, there is a lack of effective antiviral agents for many coronavirus strains. Naturally existing compounds provide a wealth of chemical diversity, including antiviral activity, and thus may have utility as therapeutic agents against coronaviral infections. The PubMed database was searched for papers including the keywords coronavirus, SARS or MERS, as well as traditional medicine, herbal, remedy or plants, with 55 primary research articles identified. The overwhelming majority of publications focussed on polar compounds. Compounds that show promise for the inhibition of coronavirus in humans include scutellarein, silvestrol, tryptanthrin, saikosaponin B2, quercetin, myricetin, caffeic acid, psoralidin, isobavachalcone, and lectins such as griffithsin. Other compounds such as lycorine may be suitable if a therapeutic level of antiviral activity can be achieved without exceeding toxic plasma concentrations. It was noted that the most promising small molecules identified as coronavirus inhibitors contained a conjugated fused ring structure with the majority being classified as being polyphenols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice S Mani
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Bruce Hwy, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Joel B Johnson
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Bruce Hwy, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason C Steel
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Bruce Hwy, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Daniel A Broszczak
- Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (Q-Block), Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul M Neilsen
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Bruce Hwy, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Kerry B Walsh
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Bruce Hwy, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Mani Naiker
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Bruce Hwy, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia; Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research, CQUniversity, Bruce Hwy, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia.
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