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Chazot A, Zimberger C, Feracci M, Moussa A, Good S, Sommadossi JP, Alvarez K, Ferron F, Canard B. The activation cascade of the broad-spectrum antiviral bemnifosbuvir characterized at atomic resolution. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002743. [PMID: 39190717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002743] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Bemnifosbuvir (AT-527) and AT-752 are guanosine analogues currently in clinical trials against several RNA viruses. Here, we show that these drugs require a minimal set of 5 cellular enzymes for activation to their common 5'-triphosphate AT-9010, with an obligate order of reactions. AT-9010 selectively inhibits essential viral enzymes, accounting for antiviral potency. Functional and structural data at atomic resolution decipher N6-purine deamination compatible with its metabolic activation. Crystal structures of human histidine triad nucleotide binding protein 1, adenosine deaminase-like protein 1, guanylate kinase 1, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase at 2.09, 2.44, 1.76, and 1.9 Å resolution, respectively, with cognate precursors of AT-9010 illuminate the activation pathway from the orally available bemnifosbuvir to AT-9010, pointing to key drug-protein contacts along the activation pathway. Our work provides a framework to integrate the design of antiviral nucleotide analogues, confronting requirements and constraints associated with activation enzymes along the 5'-triphosphate assembly line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Chazot
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR 7257, Marseille, France
| | - Claire Zimberger
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR 7257, Marseille, France
| | - Mikael Feracci
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR 7257, Marseille, France
| | - Adel Moussa
- ATEA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Steven Good
- ATEA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Karine Alvarez
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR 7257, Marseille, France
| | - François Ferron
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR 7257, Marseille, France
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Jena, Germany
| | - Bruno Canard
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR 7257, Marseille, France
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Jena, Germany
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2
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García-Crespo C, de Ávila AI, Gallego I, Soria ME, Durán-Pastor A, Somovilla P, Martínez-González B, Muñoz-Flores J, Mínguez P, Salar-Vidal L, Esteban-Muñoz M, Cañar-Camacho E, Ferrer-Orta C, Zuñiga S, Sola I, Enjuanes L, Esteban J, Fernández-Roblas R, Gadea I, Gómez J, Verdaguer N, Domingo E, Perales C. Synergism between remdesivir and ribavirin leads to SARS-CoV-2 extinction in cell culture. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:2636-2654. [PMID: 38616133 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16344] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is a need for effective anti-COVID-19 treatments, mainly for individuals at risk of severe disease such as the elderly and the immunosuppressed. Drug repositioning has proved effective in identifying drugs that can find a new application for the control of coronavirus disease, in particular COVID-19. The purpose of the present study was to find synergistic antiviral combinations for COVID-19 based on lethal mutagenesis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effect of combinations of remdesivir and ribavirin on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture has been tested. Viral populations were monitored by ultra-deep sequencing, and the decrease of infectivity as a result of the treatment was measured. KEY RESULTS Remdesivir and ribavirin exerted a synergistic inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2, quantified both by CompuSyn (Chou-Talalay method) and Synergy Finder (ZIP-score model). In serial passage experiments, virus extinction was readily achieved with remdesivir-ribavirin combinations at concentrations well below their cytotoxic 50 value, but not with the drugs used individually. Deep sequencing of treated viral populations showed that remdesivir, ribavirin, and their combinations evoked significant increases of the number of viral mutations and haplotypes, as well as modification of diversity indices that characterize viral quasi-species. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS SARS-CoV-2 extinction can be achieved by synergistic combination treatments based on lethal mutagenesis. In addition, the results offer prospects of triple drug treatments for effective SARS-CoV-2 suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos García-Crespo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel de Ávila
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Gallego
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Eugenia Soria
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antoni Durán-Pastor
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Somovilla
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brenda Martínez-González
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Mínguez
- Department of Genetics & Genomics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Bioinformatics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Llanos Salar-Vidal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Esteban-Muñoz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Cañar-Camacho
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Ferrer-Orta
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBMB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Zuñiga
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Sola
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Enjuanes
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Esteban
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Fernández-Roblas
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Gadea
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Gómez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina 'López-Neyra' (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Nuria Verdaguer
- Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBMB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteban Domingo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Perales
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
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Kinsella PM, Moso MA, Morrissey CO, Dendle C, Guy S, Bond K, Sasadeusz J, Slavin MA. Antiviral therapies for the management of persistent coronavirus disease 2019 in immunocompromised hosts: A narrative review. Transpl Infect Dis 2024; 26:e14301. [PMID: 38809102 DOI: 10.1111/tid.14301] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Antiviral agents with activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have played a critical role in disease management; however, little is known regarding the efficacy of these medications in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients, particularly in the management of persistent SARS-CoV-2 positivity. This narrative review discusses the management of persistent coronavirus disease 2019 in immunocompromised hosts, with a focus on antiviral therapies. We identified 84 cases from the literature describing a variety of approaches, including prolonged antiviral therapy (n = 11), combination antivirals (n = 13), and mixed therapy with antiviral and antibody treatments (n = 60). A high proportion had an underlying haematologic malignancy (n = 67, 80%), and were in receipt of anti-CD20 agents (n = 51, 60%). Success was reported in 70 cases (83%) which varied according to the therapy type. Combination therapies with antivirals may be an effective approach for individuals with persistent SARS-CoV-2 positivity, particularly those that incorporate treatments aimed at increasing neutralizing antibody levels. Any novel approaches taken to this difficult management dilemma should be mindful of the emergence of antiviral resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Kinsella
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael A Moso
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Claire Dendle
- Monash Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen Guy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katherine Bond
- Department of Microbiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph Sasadeusz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Monica A Slavin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
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Palazzotti D, Sguilla M, Manfroni G, Cecchetti V, Astolfi A, Barreca ML. Small Molecule Drugs Targeting Viral Polymerases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:661. [PMID: 38794231 PMCID: PMC11124969 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Small molecules that specifically target viral polymerases-crucial enzymes governing viral genome transcription and replication-play a pivotal role in combating viral infections. Presently, approved polymerase inhibitors cover nine human viruses, spanning both DNA and RNA viruses. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of these licensed drugs, encompassing nucleoside/nucleotide inhibitors (NIs), non-nucleoside inhibitors (NNIs), and mutagenic agents. For each compound, we describe the specific targeted virus and related polymerase enzyme, the mechanism of action, and the relevant bioactivity data. This wealth of information serves as a valuable resource for researchers actively engaged in antiviral drug discovery efforts, offering a complete overview of established strategies as well as insights for shaping the development of next-generation antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria Letizia Barreca
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (D.P.); (M.S.); (G.M.); (V.C.); (A.A.)
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5
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Shiau BW, Hsu WH, Tsai YW, Wu JY, Liu TH, Huang PY, Chuang MH, Lai CC, Jang LW. Effectiveness of recently-approved oral antiviral medications on the outcome of patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38702925 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2351571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study assessed the effectiveness of the oral antiviral agents nirmatrelvir - ritonavir (NMV-r) and molnupiravir (MOV) for treating mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with COPD. METHODS This retrospective cohort study extracted data from the TriNetX platform and examined 94,984 COVID-19 patients with preexisting COPD from 1 January 2022, to 1 October 2023. Patients receiving NMV-r or MOV (study group) were compared with those not receiving oral antiviral agents (control group) after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS After PSM, 7,944 patients were classified into the study and control groups. The primary composite outcome of all-cause hospitalization, or death in 30 days was reported in 458 (5.7%) patients in the study group and 566 (7.1%) patients in the control cohort, yielding a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70-0.89; Table 2). Compared with the control group, the study group had a significantly lower risk of all-cause hospitalization (HR, 0.87; 95% CI: 0.76-0.99) and death (HR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.13-0.35). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that oral antivirals - NMV-r or MOV might improve clinical outcomes in patients with preexisting COPD and COVID-19. However, only a small proportion of preexisting COPD patients with COVID-19 received oral antiviral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Wen Shiau
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Hsuan Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Wen Tsai
- Center for Integrative Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jheng-Yan Wu
- Department of Nutrition, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Hui Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Yu Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Min-Hsiang Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Lai
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Lih-Wen Jang
- Department of Emergency, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
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6
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Sele C, Krupinska E, Andersson Rasmussen A, Ekström S, Hultgren L, Lou J, Kozielski F, Fisher SZ, Knecht W. New insights into complex formation by SARS-CoV-2 nsp10 and nsp14. NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38422227 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2024.2321600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 10 (nsp10) is essential for the stimulation of enzymatic activities of nsp14 and nsp16, acting as both an activator and scaffolding protein. Nsp14 is a bifunctional enzyme with the N-terminus containing a 3'-5' exoribonuclease (ExoN) domain that allows the excision of nucleotide mismatches at the virus RNA 3'-end, and a C-terminal N7-methyltransferase (N7-MTase) domain. Nsp10 is required for stimulating both ExoN proofreading and the nsp16 2'-O-methyltransferase activities. This makes nsp10 a central player in both viral resistance to nucleoside-based drugs and the RNA cap methylation machinery that helps the virus evade innate immunity. We characterised the interactions between full-length nsp10 (139 residues), N- and C-termini truncated nsp10 (residues 10-133), and nsp10 with a C-terminal truncation (residues 1-133) with nsp14 using microscale thermophoresis, multi-detection SEC, and hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange mass spectrometry. We describe the functional role of the C-terminal region of nsp10 for binding to nsp14 and show that full N- and C-termini of nsp10 are important for optimal binding. In addition, our H/D exchange experiments suggest an intermediary interaction of nsp10 with the N7-MTase domain of nsp14. In summary, our results suggest intermediary steps in the process of association or dissociation of the nsp10-nsp14 complex, involving contacts between the two proteins in regions not identifiable by X-ray crystallography alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céleste Sele
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ewa Krupinska
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Andersson Rasmussen
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Simon Ekström
- Swedish National Infrastructure for Biological Mass Spectrometry and SciLifeLab, Integrated Structural Biology platform, Structural Proteomics Unit Sweden, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lucas Hultgren
- Swedish National Infrastructure for Biological Mass Spectrometry and SciLifeLab, Integrated Structural Biology platform, Structural Proteomics Unit Sweden, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jiaqi Lou
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - S Zoë Fisher
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- European Spallation Source ERIC, Lund, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Knecht
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Darnotuk ES, Siniavin AE, Shastina NS, Luyksaar SI, Inshakova AM, Bondareva NE, Zolotov SA, Lubenec NL, Sheremet AB, Logunov DY, Zigangirova NA, Gushchin VA, Gintsburg AL. Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Novel β-D-N4-Hydroxycytidine Ester Prodrugs as Potential Compounds for the Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Human Coronaviruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 17:35. [PMID: 38256869 PMCID: PMC10821229 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The spread of COVID-19 infection continues due to the emergence of multiple transmissible and immune-evasive variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although various vaccines have been developed and several drugs have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19, the development of new drugs to combat COVID-19 is still necessary. In this work, new 5'-O-ester derivatives of N4-hydroxycytidine based on carboxylic acids were developed and synthesized by Steglich esterification. The antiviral activity of the compounds was assessed in vitro-inhibiting the cytopathic effect of HCoV-229E, and three variants of SARS-CoV-2, on huh-7 and Vero E6 cells. Data have shown that most synthesized derivatives exhibit high activity against coronaviruses. In addition, the relationship between the chemical structure of the compounds and their antiviral effect has been established. The obtained results show that the most active compound was conjugate SN_22 based on 3-methyl phenoxyacetic acid. The results of this study indicate the potential advantage of the chemical strategies used to modify NHC as a promising avenue to be explored in vivo, which could lead to the development of drugs with improved pharmacological properties that potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta S. Darnotuk
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
- Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, 119571 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei E. Siniavin
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natal’ya S. Shastina
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
- Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, 119571 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey I. Luyksaar
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Anna M. Inshakova
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
- Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, 119571 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia E. Bondareva
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Sergey A. Zolotov
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Nadezhda L. Lubenec
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Anna B. Sheremet
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Denis Y. Logunov
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Nailya A. Zigangirova
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Vladimir A. Gushchin
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Alexander L. Gintsburg
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
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8
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van Eijk N, Schmacke LC, Steinmetzer T, Pilgram O, Poór M, Pászti-Gere E. In vitro testing of host-targeting small molecule antiviral matriptase/TMPRSS2 inhibitors in 2D and 3D cell-based assays. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115761. [PMID: 37865989 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115761] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic strongly stimulated the development of small molecule antivirals selectively targeting type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSP), required for the host-cell entry of numerous viruses. A set of 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives (MI-21, MI-472, MI-477, MI-485, MI-1903 and MI-1904), which inhibit the cleavage of certain viral glycoproteins was characterized in 2D and 3D primary human hepatocyte models on collagen- and Matrigel-coating using a CCK-8 assay to evaluate their cytotoxicity, a resorufin-based method to detect redox imbalances, fluorescence and ultrafiltration experiments to evaluate their interactions with human serum albumin (HSA) and α-acidic glycoprotein (AGP), and luminescence measurement to assess CYP3A4 modulation. For elucidation of selectivity of the applied compounds towards matriptase, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRRS2), thrombin and factor Xa (FXa) Ki values were determined. It was proven that cell viability was only deteriorated by inhibitor MI-1903, and redox status was not influenced by administration of the selected inhibitors at 50 µM for 24 h. MI-472 and MI-477 formed relatively stable complexes with AGP. CYP3A4 inhibition was found to be strong in PHHs exposed to all inhibitors with the exception of MI-21, which seems to be a promising drug candidate also due to its better selectivity towards matriptase and TMPRSS2 over the blood clotting proteases thrombin and FXa. Our in vitro pharmacokinetic screening with these inhibitors helps to select the compounds with the best selectivity and safety profile suitable for a further preclinical characterization without animal sacrifice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas van Eijk
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István utca 2, Budapest H-1078, Hungary
| | - Luna C Schmacke
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6-10, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6-10, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | - Oliver Pilgram
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6-10, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | - Miklós Poór
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Rókus u. 2, Pécs H-7624, Hungary; Lab-on-a-Chip Research Group, János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 20, Pécs H-7624, Hungary
| | - Erzsébet Pászti-Gere
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István utca 2, Budapest H-1078, Hungary.
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9
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Knecht W, Fisher SZ, Lou J, Sele C, Ma S, Rasmussen AA, Pinotsis N, Kozielski F. Oligomeric State of β-Coronavirus Non-Structural Protein 10 Stimulators Studied by Small Angle X-ray Scattering. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13649. [PMID: 37686452 PMCID: PMC10563069 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713649] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The β-coronavirus family, encompassing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS), has triggered pandemics within the last two decades. With the possibility of future pandemics, studying the coronavirus family members is necessary to improve knowledge and treatment. These viruses possess 16 non-structural proteins, many of which play crucial roles in viral replication and in other vital functions. One such vital protein is non-structural protein 10 (nsp10), acting as a pivotal stimulator of nsp14 and nsp16, thereby influencing RNA proofreading and viral RNA cap formation. Studying nsp10 of pathogenic coronaviruses is central to unraveling its multifunctional roles. Our study involves the biochemical and biophysical characterisation of full-length nsp10 from MERS, SARS and SARS-CoV-2. To elucidate their oligomeric state, we employed a combination of Multi-detection Size exclusion chromatography (Multi-detection SEC) with multi-angle static light scattering (MALS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques. Our findings reveal that full-length nsp10s primarily exist as monomers in solution, while truncated versions tend to oligomerise. SAXS experiments reveal a globular shape for nsp10, a trait conserved in all three coronaviruses, although MERS nsp10, diverges most from SARS and SARS-CoV-2 nsp10s. In summary, unbound nsp10 proteins from SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 exhibit a globular and predominantly monomeric state in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Knecht
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 22362 Lund, Sweden; (W.K.); (S.Z.F.); (C.S.); (A.A.R.)
| | - S. Zoë Fisher
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 22362 Lund, Sweden; (W.K.); (S.Z.F.); (C.S.); (A.A.R.)
- European Spallation Source ERIC, P.O. Box 176, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jiaqi Lou
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (J.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Céleste Sele
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 22362 Lund, Sweden; (W.K.); (S.Z.F.); (C.S.); (A.A.R.)
| | - Shumeng Ma
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (J.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Anna Andersson Rasmussen
- Department of Biology & Lund Protein Production Platform & Protein Production Sweden, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 22362 Lund, Sweden; (W.K.); (S.Z.F.); (C.S.); (A.A.R.)
| | - Nikos Pinotsis
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Frank Kozielski
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK; (J.L.); (S.M.)
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10
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Manna S, Das K, Santra S, Nosova EV, Zyryanov GV, Halder S. Structural and Synthetic Aspects of Small Ring Oxa- and Aza-Heterocyclic Ring Systems as Antiviral Activities. Viruses 2023; 15:1826. [PMID: 37766233 PMCID: PMC10536032 DOI: 10.3390/v15091826] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiviral properties of different oxa- and aza-heterocycles are identified and properly correlated with their structural features and discussed in this review article. The primary objective is to explore the activity of such ring systems as antiviral agents, as well as their synthetic routes and biological significance. Eventually, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the heterocyclic compounds, along with their salient characteristics are exhibited to build a suitable platform for medicinal chemists and biotechnologists. The synergistic conclusions are extremely important for the introduction of a newer tool for the future drug discovery program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibasish Manna
- Department of Chemistry, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur 440010, India
| | - Koushik Das
- Department of Chemistry, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur 440010, India
| | - Sougata Santra
- Department of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Institute, Ural Federal University, 19 Mira Street, 620002 Yekaterinburg, Russia; (S.S.); (E.V.N.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Emily V. Nosova
- Department of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Institute, Ural Federal University, 19 Mira Street, 620002 Yekaterinburg, Russia; (S.S.); (E.V.N.); (G.V.Z.)
- I. Ya. Postovskiy Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 22 S. Kovalevskoy Street, 620219 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Grigory V. Zyryanov
- Department of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Institute, Ural Federal University, 19 Mira Street, 620002 Yekaterinburg, Russia; (S.S.); (E.V.N.); (G.V.Z.)
- I. Ya. Postovskiy Institute of Organic Synthesis, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 22 S. Kovalevskoy Street, 620219 Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Sandipan Halder
- Department of Chemistry, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur 440010, India
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11
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Kamzeeva PN, Aralov AV, Alferova VA, Korshun VA. Recent Advances in Molecular Mechanisms of Nucleoside Antivirals. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:6851-6879. [PMID: 37623252 PMCID: PMC10453654 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45080433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The search for new drugs has been greatly accelerated by the emergence of new viruses and drug-resistant strains of known pathogens. Nucleoside analogues (NAs) are a prospective class of antivirals due to known safety profiles, which are important for rapid repurposing in the fight against emerging pathogens. Recent improvements in research methods have revealed new unexpected details in the mechanisms of action of NAs that can pave the way for new approaches for the further development of effective drugs. This review accounts advanced techniques in viral polymerase targeting, new viral and host enzyme targeting approaches, and prodrug-based strategies for the development of antiviral NAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vladimir A. Korshun
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.N.K.); (A.V.A.); (V.A.A.)
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12
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Yang S, Multani A, Garrigues JM, Oh MS, Hemarajata P, Burleson T, Green NM, Oliai C, Gaynor PT, Beaird OE, Winston DJ, Seet CS, Schaenman JM. Transient SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Mutations after Remdesivir Treatment for Chronic COVID-19 in Two Transplant Recipients: Case Report and Intra-Host Viral Genomic Investigation. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2096. [PMID: 37630656 PMCID: PMC10460003 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Remdesivir is the first FDA-approved drug for treating severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and targets RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) that is required for viral replication. To monitor for the development of mutations that may result in remdesivir resistance during prolonged treatment, we sequenced SARS-CoV-2 specimens collected at different treatment time points in two transplant patients with severe COVID-19. In the first patient, an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient, a transient RdRp catalytic subunit mutation (nsp12:A449V) was observed that has not previously been associated with remdesivir resistance. As no in vitro study had been conducted to elucidate the phenotypic effect of nsp12:A449V, its clinical significance is unclear. In the second patient, two other transient RdRp mutations were detected: one in the catalytic subunit (nsp12:V166A) and the other in an accessory subunit important for processivity (nsp7:D67N). This is the first case report for a potential link between the nsp12:V166A mutation and remdesivir resistance in vivo, which had only been previously described by in vitro studies. The nsp7:D67N mutation has not previously been associated with remdesivir resistance, and whether it has a phenotypic effect is unknown. Our study revealed SARS-CoV-2 genetic dynamics during remdesivir treatment in transplant recipients that involved mutations in the RdRp complex (nsp7 and nsp12), which may be the result of selective pressure. These results suggest that close monitoring for potential resistance during the course of remdesivir treatment in highly vulnerable patient populations may be beneficial. Development and utilization of diagnostic RdRp genotyping tests may be a future direction for improving the management of chronic COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangxin Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ashrit Multani
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (A.M.); (P.T.G.); (O.E.B.)
| | - Jacob M. Garrigues
- Public Health Laboratories, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Downey, CA 90242, USA (P.H.); (T.B.); (N.M.G.)
| | - Michael S. Oh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (M.S.O.); (C.O.); (D.J.W.)
| | - Peera Hemarajata
- Public Health Laboratories, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Downey, CA 90242, USA (P.H.); (T.B.); (N.M.G.)
| | - Taylor Burleson
- Public Health Laboratories, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Downey, CA 90242, USA (P.H.); (T.B.); (N.M.G.)
| | - Nicole M. Green
- Public Health Laboratories, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Downey, CA 90242, USA (P.H.); (T.B.); (N.M.G.)
| | - Caspian Oliai
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (M.S.O.); (C.O.); (D.J.W.)
| | - Pryce T. Gaynor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (A.M.); (P.T.G.); (O.E.B.)
| | - Omer E. Beaird
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (A.M.); (P.T.G.); (O.E.B.)
| | - Drew J. Winston
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (M.S.O.); (C.O.); (D.J.W.)
| | - Christopher S. Seet
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (M.S.O.); (C.O.); (D.J.W.)
| | - Joanna M. Schaenman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (A.M.); (P.T.G.); (O.E.B.)
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13
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Shehzadi K, Saba A, Yu M, Liang J. Structure-Based Drug Design of RdRp Inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2023; 381:22. [PMID: 37318607 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-023-00432-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a worldwide pandemic since 2019, spreading rapidly and posing a significant threat to human health and life. With over 6 billion confirmed cases of the virus, the need for effective therapeutic drugs has become more urgent than ever before. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is crucial in viral replication and transcription, catalysing viral RNA synthesis and serving as a promising therapeutic target for developing antiviral drugs. In this article, we explore the inhibition of RdRp as a potential treatment for viral diseases, analysing the structural information of RdRp in virus proliferation and summarizing the reported inhibitors' pharmacophore features and structure-activity relationship profiles. We hope that the information provided by this review will aid in structure-based drug design and aid in the global fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Shehzadi
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 10081, China
| | - Afsheen Saba
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 10081, China
| | - Mingjia Yu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 10081, China.
| | - Jianhua Liang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 10081, China.
- Yangtze Delta Region Academy of Beijing Institute of Technology, Jiaxing, 314019, China.
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14
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Synthesis and anti-SARS-CoV-2 evaluation of lipid prodrugs of β-D- N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) and a 3′-fluoro-substituted analogue of NHC. Bioorg Chem 2023; 135:106527. [PMID: 37031504 PMCID: PMC10076076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC, EIDD-1931) is a nucleoside analogue that exhibits broad spectrum antiviral activity against a variety of RNA viruses. Herein, we report the synthesis of a series of lipid prodrugs of NHC and a novel 3′-fluoro modified NHC analogue, and evaluation of their antiviral activity against five variants of SARS-CoV-2. All lipid prodrugs showed potent antiviral activity against the tested SARS-CoV-2 variants with EC50 values in the range of 0.31–3.51 μM, which were comparable to those of NHC or higher than those of remdesivir and molnupiravir. An increase in the cytostatic activity of the lipid prodrugs was found, but prodrug 2d proved equally selective as molnupinavir. The 3′-F analogue of NHC (6) only displayed minor antiviral activity against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (EC50 = 29.91 μM), while no activity was found for other variants at the highest concentration tested. The promising antiviral data of the lipid prodrugs of NHC suggest that they deserve further investigation as new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
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15
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Latosińska JN, Latosińska M, Seliger J, Žagar V, Apih T, Grieb P. Elucidating the Role of Noncovalent Interactions in Favipiravir, a Drug Active against Various Human RNA Viruses; a 1H- 14N NQDR/Periodic DFT/QTAIM/RDS/3D Hirshfeld Surfaces Combined Study. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083308. [PMID: 37110542 PMCID: PMC10147075 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Favipiravir (6-fluoro-3-hydroxypyrazine-2-carboxamide, FPV), an active pharmaceutical component of the drug discovered and registered in March 2014 in Japan under the name Avigan, with an indication for pandemic influenza, has been studied. The study of this compound was prompted by the idea that effective processes of recognition and binding of FPV to the nucleic acid are affected predominantly by the propensity to form intra- and intermolecular interactions. Three nuclear quadrupole resonance experimental techniques, namely 1H-14N cross-relaxation, multiple frequency sweeps, and two-frequency irradiation, followed by solid-state computational modelling (density functional theory supplemented by the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, 3D Hirshfeld Surfaces, and reduced density gradient) approaches were applied. The complete NQR spectrum consisting of nine lines indicating the presence of three chemically inequivalent nitrogen sites in the FPV molecule was detected, and the assignment of lines to particular sites was performed. The description of the nearest vicinity of all three nitrogen atoms was used to characterize the nature of the intermolecular interactions from the perspective of the local single atoms and to draw some conclusions on the nature of the interactions required for effective recognition and binding. The propensity to form the electrostatic N-H···O, N-H···N, and C-H···O intermolecular hydrogen bonds competitive with two intramolecular hydrogen bonds, strong O-H···O and very weak N-H···N, closing the 5-member ring and stiffening the structure, as well as π···π and F···F dispersive interactions, were analysed in detail. The hypothesis regarding the similarity of the interaction pattern in the solid and the RNA template was verified. It was discovered that the -NH2 group in the crystal participates in intermolecular hydrogen bonds N-H···N and N-H···O, in the precatalytic state only in N-H···O, while in the active state in N-H···N and N-H···O hydrogen bonds, which is of importance to link FVP to the RNA template. Our study elucidates the binding modes of FVP (in crystal, precatalytic, and active forms) in detail and should guide the design of more potent analogues targeting SARS-CoV-2. Strong direct binding of FVP-RTP to both the active site and cofactor discovered by us suggests a possible alternative, allosteric mechanism of FVP action, which may explain the scattering of the results of clinical trials or the synergistic effect observed in combined treatment against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena Latosińska
- Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 2, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Janez Seliger
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Veselko Žagar
- "Jožef Stefan" Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Apih
- "Jožef Stefan" Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Paweł Grieb
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Science, Adolfa Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
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