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Perovic V, Stevanovic K, Bukreyeva N, Paessler S, Maruyama J, López-Serrano S, Darji A, Sencanski M, Radosevic D, Berardozzi S, Botta B, Mori M, Glisic S. Exploring the Antiviral Potential of Natural Compounds against Influenza: A Combined Computational and Experimental Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4911. [PMID: 38732151 PMCID: PMC11084791 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094911] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The influenza A virus nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), which is crucial for viral replication and immune evasion, has been identified as a significant drug target with substantial potential to contribute to the fight against influenza. The emergence of drug-resistant influenza A virus strains highlights the urgent need for novel therapeutics. This study proposes a combined theoretical criterion for the virtual screening of molecular libraries to identify candidate NS1 inhibitors. By applying the criterion to the ZINC Natural Product database, followed by ligand-based virtual screening and molecular docking, we proposed the most promising candidate as a potential NS1 inhibitor. Subsequently, the selected natural compound was experimentally evaluated, revealing measurable virus replication inhibition activity in cell culture. This approach offers a promising avenue for developing novel anti-influenza agents targeting the NS1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Perovic
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia; (K.S.); (M.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Kristina Stevanovic
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia; (K.S.); (M.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Natalya Bukreyeva
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Sergi López-Serrano
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentaries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ayub Darji
- Institut de Recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentaries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Milan Sencanski
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia; (K.S.); (M.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Draginja Radosevic
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia; (K.S.); (M.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Simone Berardozzi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy
- CLNS—Center for Life Nano Sciences@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Sanja Glisic
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia; (K.S.); (M.S.); (D.R.)
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Blake ME, Kleinpeter AB, Jureka AS, Petit CM. Structural Investigations of Interactions between the Influenza a Virus NS1 and Host Cellular Proteins. Viruses 2023; 15:2063. [PMID: 37896840 PMCID: PMC10612106 DOI: 10.3390/v15102063] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Influenza A virus is a continuous threat to public health that causes yearly epidemics with the ever-present threat of the virus becoming the next pandemic. Due to increasing levels of resistance, several of our previously used antivirals have been rendered useless. There is a strong need for new antivirals that are less likely to be susceptible to mutations. One strategy to achieve this goal is structure-based drug development. By understanding the minute details of protein structure, we can develop antivirals that target the most conserved, crucial regions to yield the highest chances of long-lasting success. One promising IAV target is the virulence protein non-structural protein 1 (NS1). NS1 contributes to pathogenicity through interactions with numerous host proteins, and many of the resulting complexes have been shown to be crucial for virulence. In this review, we cover the NS1-host protein complexes that have been structurally characterized to date. By bringing these structures together in one place, we aim to highlight the strength of this field for drug discovery along with the gaps that remain to be filled.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chad M. Petit
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (M.E.B.)
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Adaptive evolution of PB1 from influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus towards an enhanced fitness. Virology 2023; 578:1-6. [PMID: 36423573 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.11.003] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PB1 influenza virus retain traces of interspecies transmission and adaptation. Previous phylogenetic analyses highlighted mutations L298I, R386K and I517V in PB1 to have putatively ameliorated the A(H1N1)pdm09 adaptation to the human host. This study aimed to evaluate the reversal of these mutations and infer the role of these residues in the virus overall fitness and adaptation. We generate PB1-mutated viruses introducing I298L, K386R and V517I mutations in PB1 and evaluate their phenotypic impact on viral growth and on antigen yield. We observed a decrease in viral growth accompanied by a reduction in hemagglutination titer and neuraminidase activity, in comparison with wt. Our data indicate that the adaptive evolution occurred in the PB1 leads to an improved overall viral fitness; and such biologic advantaged has the potential to be applied to the optimization of influenza vaccine seed prototypes.
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Figueiredo-Nunes I, Trigueiro-Louro J, Rebelo-de-Andrade H. Exploring new antiviral targets for influenza and COVID-19: Mapping promising hot spots in viral RNA polymerases. Virology 2023; 578:45-60. [PMID: 36463618 PMCID: PMC9674405 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Influenza and COVID-19 are infectious respiratory diseases that represent a major concern to public health with social and economic impact worldwide, for which the available therapeutic options are not satisfactory. The RdRp has a central role in viral replication and thus represents a major target for the development of antiviral approaches. In this study, we focused on Influenza A virus PB1 polymerase protein and the betacoronaviruses nsp12 polymerase protein, considering their functional and structural similarities. We have performed conservation and druggability analysis to map conserved druggable regions, that may have functional or structural importance in these proteins. We disclosed the most promising and new targeting regions for the discovery of new potential polymerase inhibitors. Conserved druggable regions of putative interaction with favipiravir and molnupiravir were also mapped. We have also compared and integrated the current findings with previous research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Figueiredo-Nunes
- Host-Pathogen Interaction Unit, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Trigueiro-Louro
- Host-Pathogen Interaction Unit, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal; Antiviral Resistance Lab, Research & Development Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, IP, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Helena Rebelo-de-Andrade
- Host-Pathogen Interaction Unit, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal; Antiviral Resistance Lab, Research & Development Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, IP, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Naceri S, Marc D, Blot R, Flatters D, Camproux AC. Druggable Pockets at the RNA Interface Region of Influenza A Virus NS1 Protein Are Conserved across Sequence Variants from Distinct Subtypes. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010064. [PMID: 36671449 PMCID: PMC9855689 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A viruses still represent a major health issue, for both humans and animals. One of the main viral proteins of interest to target is the NS1 protein, which counters the host immune response and promotes viral replication. NS1 is a homodimer composed of a dimeric RNA-binding domain (RBD), which is structurally stable and conserved in sequence, and two effector domains that are tethered to the RBD by linker regions. This linker flexibility leads to NS1 polymorphism and can therefore exhibit different forms. Previously, we identified a putative drug-binding site, located in the RBD interface in a crystal structure of NS1. This pocket could be targeted to block RNA binding and inhibit NS1 activities. The objective of the present study is to confirm the presence of this druggable site, whatever the sequence variants, in order to develop a universal therapeutic compound that is insensitive to sequence variations and structural flexibility. Using a set of four NS1 full-length structures, we combined different bioinformatics approaches such as pocket tracking along molecular dynamics simulations, druggability prediction and classification. This protocol successfully confirmed a frequent large binding-site that is highly druggable and shared by different NS1 forms, which is promising for developing a robust NS1-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Naceri
- Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Daniel Marc
- Equipe 3IMo, UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, INRAE, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- UMR1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique, Université de Tours, F-37000 Tours, France
| | - Rachel Blot
- Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Delphine Flatters
- Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, F-75013 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (D.F.); (A.-C.C.)
| | - Anne-Claude Camproux
- Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, F-75013 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (D.F.); (A.-C.C.)
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Wang J, Sun Y, Liu S. Emerging antiviral therapies and drugs for the treatment of influenza. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2022; 27:389-403. [PMID: 36396398 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2022.2149734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Both vaccines and antiviral drugs represent the mainstay for preventing and treating influenza. However, approved M2 ion channel inhibitors, neuraminidase inhibitors, polymerase inhibitors, and various vaccines cannot meet therapeutic needs because of viral resistance. Thus, the discovery of new targets for the virus or host and the development of more effective inhibitors are essential to protect humans from the influenza virus. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the latest progress in vaccines and antiviral drug research to prevent and treat influenza, providing the foothold for developing novel antiviral inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION Vaccines embody the most effective approach to preventing influenza virus infection, and recombinant protein vaccines show promising prospects in developing next-generation vaccines. Compounds targeting the viral components of RNA polymerase, hemagglutinin and nucleoprotein, and the modification of trusted neuraminidase inhibitors are future research directions for anti-influenza virus drugs. In addition, some host factors affect the replication of virus in vivo, which can be used to develop antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinshen Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Yihang Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou Guangdong China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Institute of Nephrology, Southern Medical University, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou Guangdong China
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Almeida F, Santos LA, Trigueiro-Louro JM, RebelodeAndrade H. Optimization of A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine seed viruses: the source of PB1 and HA vRNA as a major determinant for antigen yield. Virus Res 2022; 315:198795. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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