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Fiorucci D, Meaccini M, Poli G, Stincarelli MA, Vagaggini C, Giannecchini S, Sutto-Ortiz P, Canard B, Decroly E, Dreassi E, Brai A, Botta M. Identification of Novel Non-Nucleoside Inhibitors of Zika Virus NS5 Protein Targeting MTase Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2437. [PMID: 38397115 PMCID: PMC10888717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042437] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a positive-sense single-stranded virus member of the Flaviviridae family. Among other arboviruses, ZIKV can cause neurological disorders such as Guillain Barré syndrome, and it can have congenital neurological manifestations and affect fertility. ZIKV nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) is essential for viral replication and limiting host immune detection. Herein, we performed virtual screening to identify novel small-molecule inhibitors of the ZIKV NS5 methyltransferase (MTase) domain. Compounds were tested against the MTases of both ZIKV and DENV, demonstrating good inhibitory activities against ZIKV MTase. Extensive molecular dynamic studies conducted on the series led us to identify other derivatives with improved activity against the MTase and limiting ZIKV infection with an increased selectivity index. Preliminary pharmacokinetic parameters have been determined, revealing excellent stability over time. Preliminary in vivo toxicity studies demonstrated that the hit compound 17 is well tolerated after acute administration. Our results provide the basis for further optimization studies on novel non-nucleoside MTase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Fiorucci
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Micaela Meaccini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulio Poli
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Alfreda Stincarelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.A.S.); (S.G.)
| | - Chiara Vagaggini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Simone Giannecchini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.A.S.); (S.G.)
| | - Priscila Sutto-Ortiz
- AFMB, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, UMR 7257, Case 925, 163 Avenue de Luminy, Cedex 09, 13288 Marseille, France; (P.S.-O.)
| | - Bruno Canard
- AFMB, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, UMR 7257, Case 925, 163 Avenue de Luminy, Cedex 09, 13288 Marseille, France; (P.S.-O.)
| | - Etienne Decroly
- AFMB, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, UMR 7257, Case 925, 163 Avenue de Luminy, Cedex 09, 13288 Marseille, France; (P.S.-O.)
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Annalaura Brai
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Botta
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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