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Kornyeyev D, Song Z, Eng S, Soulette C, Ramirez R, Tang J, Yue Q, Subramanian R, Zaboli S, Moon C, Tam J, Brodbeck J, Aggarwal A, Diehl L, Fletcher SP, Hyrina A, Holdorf MM, Burdette D. Selective depletion of HBV-infected hepatocytes by class A capsid assembly modulators requires high levels of intrahepatic HBV core protein. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0042024. [PMID: 38780261 PMCID: PMC11232385 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00420-24] [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: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Capsid assembly mediated by hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) is an essential part of the HBV replication cycle, which is the target for different classes of capsid assembly modulators (CAMs). While both CAM-A ("aberrant") and CAM-E ("empty") disrupt nucleocapsid assembly and reduce extracellular HBV DNA, CAM-As can also reduce extracellular HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) by triggering apoptosis of HBV-infected cells in preclinical mouse models. However, there have not been substantial HBsAg declines in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with CAM-As to date. To investigate this disconnect, we characterized the antiviral activity of tool CAM compounds in HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), as well as in HBV-infected human liver chimeric mice and mice transduced with adeno-associated virus-HBV. Mechanistic studies in HBV-infected PHH revealed that CAM-A, but not CAM-E, induced a dose-dependent aggregation of HBc in the nucleus which is negatively regulated by the ubiquitin-binding protein p62. We confirmed that CAM-A, but not CAM-E, induced HBc-positive cell death in both mouse models via induction of apoptotic and inflammatory pathways and demonstrated that the degree of HBV-positive cell loss was positively correlated with intrahepatic HBc levels. Importantly, we determined that there is a significantly lower level of HBc per hepatocyte in CHB patient liver biopsies than in either of the HBV mouse models. Taken together, these data confirm that CAM-As have a unique secondary mechanism with the potential to kill HBc-positive hepatocytes. However, this secondary mechanism appears to require higher intrahepatic HBc levels than is typically observed in CHB patients, thereby limiting the therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhijuan Song
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Stacey Eng
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Qin Yue
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | - Shiva Zaboli
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | - Jane Tam
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | - Lauri Diehl
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
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2
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Geremia N, Giovagnorio F, De Vito A, Martignago L, Fiore V, Rastrelli E, Madeddu G, Parisi SG, Starnini G, Panese S, Babudieri S. HBV in Italian Women's Jail: An Underestimated Problem? J Clin Med 2024; 13:1398. [PMID: 38592679 PMCID: PMC10932425 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051398] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is little information regarding the hepatitis B virus (HBV), vaccination status, and hepatitis B exposure in Italian women's jails. We aimed to describe the HBV exposure and HBs antibody (anti-HBs) protection levels in female prisoners. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective multicentric study was performed in Italian prisons from 2021 to 2023. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for HBc antibody (anti-HBc) seropositivity and non-protective anti-HBs titer. RESULTS We included 156 patients. The median age was 41.0 (IQR 34.0-48.0). Of the studied subjects, 31 (19.9%) had anti-HBc positive titer. Two women were HBsAg positive. In the multivariate analysis, older age [OR 1.06 (CI 1.01-1.11), p = 0.011], North-Eastern European [OR 11.67 (3.29-41.30), p < 0.001] and African origin [OR 6.92 (CI 1.51-31.60), p = 0.013], and drug use [OR 6.55 (CI 1.96-21.9), p = 0.002] were risk factors for HBV exposure. Thirty-seven (32%) women had no history of HBV vaccination. Forty-four (38%) had an anti-HBs non-protective titer. In the multivariate analysis, North-Eastern European origin [OR 4.55 (CI 1.19-17.50), p = 0.027] was associated with unprotective anti-HBs titer. CONCLUSION Our results show both the low prevalence of HBV and protection in female prisoners. Age, North-Eastern European and African origin, and drug use have a role in exposure risk to HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Geremia
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Dell'Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile "S.S. Giovanni e Paolo", 30122 Venice, Italy
| | | | - Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- School in Biomedical Science, Biomedical Science Department, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Luca Martignago
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Vito Fiore
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Elena Rastrelli
- Medicina Protetta-Unit of Infectious Diseases, Belcolle Hospital, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Giulio Starnini
- Medicina Protetta-Unit of Infectious Diseases, Belcolle Hospital, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Sandro Panese
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Dell'Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile "S.S. Giovanni e Paolo", 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - Sergio Babudieri
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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3
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Zhuang AQ, Chen Y, Chen SM, Liu WC, Li Y, Zhang WJ, Wu YH. Current Status and Challenges in Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Agents Based on Inactivation/Inhibition or Elimination of Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Viruses 2023; 15:2315. [PMID: 38140556 PMCID: PMC10747957 DOI: 10.3390/v15122315] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been over half a century since the discovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to now, but approximately 300 million patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) still live in the world, resulting in about one million deaths every year. Although currently approved antivirals (e.g., nucleoside analogues) are effective at reducing HBV replication, they have almost no impact on the existing HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) reservoir. HBV cccDNA is a critical obstacle to the complete elimination of the virus via antiviral therapy. The true cure of HBV infection requires the eradication of viral cccDNA from HBV-infected cells; thus, the development of new agents directly or indirectly targeting HBV cccDNA is urgently needed due to the limitations of current available drugs against HBV infection. In this regard, it is the major focus of current anti-HBV research worldwide via different mechanisms to either inactivate/inhibit (functional cure) or eliminate (complete cure) HBV cccDNA. Therefore, this review discussed and summarized recent advances and challenges in efforts to inactivate/silence or eliminate viral cccDNA using anti-HBV agents from different sources, such as small molecules (including epigenetic drugs) and polypeptides/proteins, and siRNA or gene-editing approaches targeting/attenuating HBV cccDNA via different mechanisms, as well as future directions that may be considered in efforts to truly cure chronic HBV infection. In conclusion, no breakthrough has been made yet in attenuating HBV cccDNA, although a number of candidates have advanced into the phase of clinical trials. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of the candidates function to indirectly target HBV cccDNA. No outstanding candidate directly targets HBV cccDNA. Relatively speaking, CCC_R08 and nitazoxanide may be some of the most promising agents to clear HBV infection in small molecule compounds. Additionally, CRISPR-Cas9 systems can directly target HBV cccDNA for decay and demonstrate significant anti-HBV activity. Consequently, gene-editing approaches targeting HBV cccDNA may be one of the most promising means to achieve the core goal of anti-HBV therapeutic strategies. In short, more basic studies on HBV infection need to be carried out to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yi-Hang Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, Department of Pharmacy, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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4
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Zhao S, Wang Y, Zhang X, Qiao L, Wang S, Jin Y, Wu S, Li Y, Zhan P, Liu X. Discovery of carboxyl-containing heteroaryldihydropyrimidine derivatives as novel HBV capsid assembly modulators with significantly improved metabolic stability. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:2380-2400. [PMID: 37974964 PMCID: PMC10650354 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00461a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Interfering with the assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid is a promising approach for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In order to enhance the metabolic stability and reduce the strong hERG inhibitory effect of HBV capsid assembly modulator (CAM) GLS4, we rationally designed a series of carboxyl-containing heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) derivatives based on structural biology information combined with medicinal chemistry strategies. The results from biological evaluation demonstrated that compound 6a-25 (EC50 = 0.020 μM) exhibited greater potency than the positive drug lamivudine (EC50 = 0.09 μM), and was comparable to the lead compound GLS4 (EC50 = 0.007 μM). Furthermore, it was observed that 6a-25 reduced levels of core protein (Cp) and capsid in cells. Preliminary assessment of drug-likeness revealed that 6a-25 exhibited superior water solubility (pH 2.0: 374.81 μg mL-1; pH 7.0: 6.85 μg mL-1; pH 7.4: 25.48 μg mL-1), liver microsomal metabolic stability (t1/2 = 108.2 min), and lower hERG toxicity (10 μM inhibition rate was 72.66%) compared to the lead compound GLS4. Overall, compound 6a-25 holds promise for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Ya Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100050 Beijing PR China
| | - Xujie Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Lijun Qiao
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100050 Beijing PR China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Yu Jin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Shuo Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100050 Beijing PR China
| | - Yuhuan Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100050 Beijing PR China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
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5
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Hwang N, Wu S, Ban H, Luo H, Ma J, Cheng J, Zhao Q, Laney JA, Du N, Guo J, Suresh M, Shen L, Tolufashe G, Viswanathan U, Kulp J, Lam P, Chang J, Clement JA, Menne S, Guo JT, Du Y. Identification of novel tetrahydroquinoxaline derived phenyl ureas as modulators of the hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid assembly. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115634. [PMID: 37499290 PMCID: PMC10753860 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115634] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
A key step of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is the selective packaging of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) by core protein (Cp) dimers, forming a nucleocapsid where the reverse transcriptional viral DNA replication takes place. One approach in the development of new anti-HBV drugs is to disrupt the assembly of HBV nucleocapsids by misdirecting Cp dimers to assemble morphologically normal capsids devoid of pgRNA. In this study, we built upon our previous discovery of benzamide-derived HBV capsid assembly modulators by exploring fused bicyclic scaffolds with an exocyclic amide that is β, γ to the fused ring, and identified 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline derived phenyl ureas as a novel scaffold. Structure-activity relationship studies showed that a favorable hydrophobic substitution can be tolerated at the 2-position of the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline core, and the resulting compound 88 demonstrated comparable or improved antiviral potencies in mouse and human hepatocyte-derived HBV-replicating cell lines compared to our previously reported benzamide compound, 38017 (8). In addition, a novel bis-urea series based on 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline was also found to inhibit HBV DNA replication with sub-micromolar EC50 values. The mode of action of these compounds is consistent with specific inhibition of pgRNA encapsidation into nucleocapsids in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Hwang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Shuo Wu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Haiqun Ban
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA; Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1630 Dongfang Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Huixin Luo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Julia Ma
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Junjun Cheng
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Jessilyn A Laney
- United States Naval Academy, 121 Blake Rd, Annapolis, MD, 21402, USA
| | - Na Du
- Pharmaron, 6 Taihe Road, BDA, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Junyang Guo
- Pharmaron, 6 Taihe Road, BDA, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Manasa Suresh
- Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Liangxian Shen
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Gideon Tolufashe
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Usha Viswanathan
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - John Kulp
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Patrick Lam
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Jason A Clement
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Stephan Menne
- Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA.
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA.
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6
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Kou B, Zhang Z, Han X, Zhou Z, Xu Z, Zhou X, Shen F, Zhou Y, Tian X, Yang G, Young JAT, Qiu H, Ottaviani G, Mayweg A, Zhu W, Shen HC, Liu H, Hu T. Discovery of 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydropyrazolo[1.5-a]pyrizine Derivatives as Core Protein Allosteric Modulators (CpAMs) for the Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14116-14132. [PMID: 37801325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) are an attractive class of potential anti-HBV therapeutic agents. Here we describe the efforts toward the discovery of a series of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine (THPP) compounds as HBV CpAMs that effectively inhibit a broad range of nucleos(t)ide-resistant HBV variants. The lead compound 45 demonstrated inhibition of HBV DNA viral load in a HBV AAV mouse model by oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyu Kou
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhisen Zhang
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xingchun Han
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Lead Discovery, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Lead Discovery, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Fang Shen
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaojun Tian
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Guang Yang
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - John A T Young
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hongxia Qiu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Giorgio Ottaviani
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Alexander Mayweg
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hong C Shen
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Taishan Hu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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7
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McFadden WM, Sarafianos SG. Biology of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core and capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cure. Glob Health Med 2023; 5:199-207. [PMID: 37655181 PMCID: PMC10461335 DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2023.01065] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepadnavirus, a small DNA virus that infects liver tissue, with some unusual replication steps that share similarities to retroviruses. HBV infection can lead to chronic hepatitis B (CHB), a life-long infection associated with significant risks of liver disease, especially if untreated. HBV is a significant global health problem, with hundreds of millions currently living with CHB. Currently approved strategies to prevent or inhibit HBV are highly effective, however, a cure for CHB has remained elusive. To achieve a cure, elimination of the functionally integrated HBV covalently closed chromosomal DNA (cccDNA) genome is required. The capsid core is an essential component of HBV replication, serving roles when establishing infection and in creating new virions. Over the last two and a half decades, significant efforts have been made to find and characterize antivirals that target the capsid, specifically the HBV core protein (Cp). The antivirals that interfere with the kinetics and morphology of the capsid, termed capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), are extremely potent, and clinical investigations indicate they are well tolerated and highly effective. Several CAMs offer the potential to cure CHB by decreasing the cccDNA pools. Here, we review the biology of the HBV capsid, focused on Cp, and the development of inhibitors that target it.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M. McFadden
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan G. Sarafianos
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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8
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Zhao S, Zhang X, da Silva-Júnior EF, Zhan P, Liu X. Computer-aided drug design in seeking viral capsid modulators. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103581. [PMID: 37030533 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Approved or licensed antiviral drugs have limited applications because of their drug resistance and severe adverse effects. By contrast, by stabilizing or destroying the viral capsid, compounds known as capsid modulators prevent viral replication by acting on new targets and, therefore, overcoming the problem of clinical drug resistance. For example. computer-aided drug design (CADD) methods, using strategies based on structures of biological targets (structure-based drug design; SBDD), such as docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and virtual screening (VS), have provided opportunities for fast and effective development of viral capsid modulators. In this review, we summarize the application of CADD in the discovery, optimization, and mechanism prediction of capsid-targeting small molecules, providing new insights into antiviral drug discovery modalities. Teaser: Computer-aided drug design will accelerate the development of viral capsid regulators, which brings new hope for the treatment of refractory viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xujie Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Edeildo Ferreira da Silva-Júnior
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Lourival Melo Mota Avenue, 57072-970 Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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9
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Zhang W, Guo L, Liu H, Wu G, Shi H, Zhou M, Zhang Z, Kou B, Hu T, Zhou Z, Xu Z, Zhou X, Zhou Y, Tian X, Yang G, Young JAT, Qiu H, Ottaviani G, Xie J, Mayweg AV, Shen HC, Zhu W. Discovery of Linvencorvir (RG7907), a Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Allosteric Modulator, for the Treatment of Chronic HBV Infection. J Med Chem 2023; 66:4253-4270. [PMID: 36896968 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Described herein is the first-time disclosure of Linvencorvir (RG7907), a clinical compound and a hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein allosteric modulator, for the treatment of chronic HBV infection. Built upon the core structure of hetero aryl dihydropyrimidine, RG7907 was rationally designed by combining all the drug-like features of low CYP3A4 induction, potent anti-HBV activity, high metabolic stability, low hERG liability, and favorable animal pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles. In particular, the chemistry strategy to mitigate CYP3A4 induction through introducing a large, rigid, and polar substituent at the position that has less interaction with the therapeutic biological target (HBV core proteins herein) is of general interest to the medicinal chemistry community. RG7907 demonstrated favorable animal PK, pharmacodynamics, and safety profiles with sufficient safety margins supporting its clinical development in healthy volunteers and HBV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixing Zhang
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lei Guo
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Guolong Wu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Houguang Shi
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mingwei Zhou
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhisen Zhang
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Buyu Kou
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Taishan Hu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zheng Zhou
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Lead Discovery, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Lead Discovery, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaojun Tian
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Guang Yang
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Discovery Virology, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - John A T Young
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Discovery Virology, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hongxia Qiu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Giorgio Ottaviani
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianxun Xie
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Alexander V Mayweg
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Medicinal Chemistry, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hong C Shen
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- China Innovation Center of Roche, Medicinal Chemistry, Building 5, 371 Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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10
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Pan Y, Xia H, He Y, Zeng S, Shen Z, Huang W. The progress of molecules and strategies for the treatment of HBV infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1128807. [PMID: 37009498 PMCID: PMC10053227 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1128807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus infections have always been associated with high levels of mortality. In 2019, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases resulted in approximately 555,000 deaths globally. In view of its high lethality, the treatment of HBV infections has always presented a huge challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) came up with ambitious targets for the elimination of hepatitis B as a major public health threat by 2030. To accomplish this goal, one of the WHO's strategies is to develop curative treatments for HBV infections. Current treatments in a clinical setting included 1 year of pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) and long-term nucleoside analogues (NAs). Although both treatments have demonstrated outstanding antiviral effects, it has been difficult to develop a cure for HBV. The reason for this is that covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), integrated HBV DNA, the high viral burden, and the impaired host immune responses all hinder the development of a cure for HBV. To overcome these problems, there are clinical trials on a number of antiviral molecules being carried out, all -showing promising results so far. In this review, we summarize the functions and mechanisms of action of various synthetic molecules, natural products, traditional Chinese herbal medicines, as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and their associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas)-based systems, zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), all of which could destroy the stability of the HBV life cycle. In addition, we discuss the functions of immune modulators, which can enhance or activate the host immune system, as well some representative natural products with anti-HBV effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Wenhai Huang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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11
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Molecular elucidation of drug-induced abnormal assemblies of the hepatitis B virus capsid protein by solid-state NMR. Nat Commun 2023; 14:471. [PMID: 36709212 PMCID: PMC9884277 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36219-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) represent a recent class of anti-HBV antivirals. CAMs disturb proper nucleocapsid assembly, by inducing formation of either aberrant assemblies (CAM-A) or of apparently normal but genome-less empty capsids (CAM-E). Classical structural approaches have revealed the CAM binding sites on the capsid protein (Cp), but conformational information on the CAM-induced off-path aberrant assemblies is lacking. Here we show that solid-state NMR can provide such information, including for wild-type full-length Cp183, and we find that in these assemblies, the asymmetric unit comprises a single Cp molecule rather than the four quasi-equivalent conformers typical for the icosahedral T = 4 symmetry of the normal HBV capsids. Furthermore, while in contrast to truncated Cp149, full-length Cp183 assemblies appear, on the mesoscopic level, unaffected by CAM-A, NMR reveals that on the molecular level, Cp183 assemblies are equally aberrant. Finally, we use a eukaryotic cell-free system to reveal how CAMs modulate capsid-RNA interactions and capsid phosphorylation. Our results establish a structural view on assembly modulation of the HBV capsid, and they provide a rationale for recently observed differences between in-cell versus in vitro capsid assembly modulation.
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12
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Wang S, Ren Y, Li Q, Wang Y, Jiang X, Xu S, Zhang X, Zhao S, Bradley DP, Woodson ME, Zhao F, Wu S, Li Y, Tian Y, Liu X, Tavis JE, Zhan P. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel sulfamoylbenzamide derivatives as HBV capsid assembly modulators. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106192. [PMID: 36265355 PMCID: PMC10591450 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) represent a novel class of antiviral agents targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid to disrupt the assembly process. NVR 3-778 is the first CAM to demonstrate antiviral activity in patients infected with HBV. However, the relatively low aqueous solubility and moderate activity in the human body halted further development of NVR 3-778. To improve the anti-HBV activity and the drug-like properties of NVR 3-778, we designed and synthesized a series of NVR 3-778 derivatives. Notably, phenylboronic acid-bearing compound 7b (EC50 = 0.83 ± 0.33 µM, CC50 = 19.4 ± 5.0 µM) displayed comparable anti-HBV activity to NVR 3-778 (EC50 = 0.73 ± 0.20 µM, CC50 = 23.4 ± 7.0 µM). Besides, 7b showed improved water solubility (328.8 µg/mL, pH 7) compared to NVR 3-778 (35.8 µg/mL, pH 7). Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and quantification of encapsidated viral RNA were used to demonstrate that 7b behaves as a class II CAM similar to NVR 3-778. Moreover, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to rationalize the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these novel derivatives and to understand their key interactions with the binding pocket, which provide useful indications for guiding the further rational design of more effective anti-HBV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yujie Ren
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Qilan Li
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100, S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Ya Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiangyi Jiang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shujing Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xujie Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shujie Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Daniel P Bradley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100, S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Molly E Woodson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100, S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Fabao Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shuo Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, PR China
| | - Yuhuan Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, PR China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
| | - John E Tavis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100, S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44, West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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13
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Wang Y, Wang S, Tao X, Wang Y, Wu Y, Chen N, Hu C, Wang H, Yu S, Sheng R. The SAR-based development of small molecular HBV capsid assembly modulators. Med Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02936-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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14
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Ma C, Liu WG, Liu WD, Xi CC, Xiong F, Zhang SP. Molecular Docking and 3D-QSAR Studies on a Series of Benzenesulfonamide Derivatives as a Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Inhibitor. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2020.1871038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-guang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-ding Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang-cheng Xi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-ping Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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15
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Targeting the Virus Capsid as a Tool to Fight RNA Viruses. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020174. [PMID: 35215767 PMCID: PMC8879806 DOI: 10.3390/v14020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Several strategies have been developed to fight viral infections, not only in humans but also in animals and plants. Some of them are based on the development of efficient vaccines, to target the virus by developed antibodies, others focus on finding antiviral compounds with activities that inhibit selected virus replication steps. Currently, there is an increasing number of antiviral drugs on the market; however, some have unpleasant side effects, are toxic to cells, or the viruses quickly develop resistance to them. As the current situation shows, the combination of multiple antiviral strategies or the combination of the use of various compounds within one strategy is very important. The most desirable are combinations of drugs that inhibit different steps in the virus life cycle. This is an important issue especially for RNA viruses, which replicate their genomes using error-prone RNA polymerases and rapidly develop mutants resistant to applied antiviral compounds. Here, we focus on compounds targeting viral structural capsid proteins, thereby inhibiting virus assembly or disassembly, virus binding to cellular receptors, or acting by inhibiting other virus replication mechanisms. This review is an update of existing papers on a similar topic, by focusing on the most recent advances in the rapidly evolving research of compounds targeting capsid proteins of RNA viruses.
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16
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Ma Y, Zhao S, Ren Y, Cherukupalli S, Li Q, Woodson ME, Bradley DP, Tavis JE, Liu X, Zhan P. Design, synthesis and evaluation of heteroaryldihydropyrimidine analogues bearing spiro ring as hepatitis B virus capsid protein inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 225:113780. [PMID: 34438123 PMCID: PMC10591454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
GLS4, a potent antiviral drug candidate, has been widely studied and entered into phase II clinical trials. Nevertheless, the therapeutic application of GLS4 is limited due to poor water solubility, short half-life, and low bioavailability. In order to improve the hydrophilicity and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of GLS4, herein, we retained the dominant fragments, and used a scaffold hopping strategy to replace the easily metabolized morpholine ring of GLS4 with diverse sizes of spiro rings consisting of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor substituents. Potent in vitroanti-HBV activity and low cytotoxicity were observed for compound 4r (EC50 = 0.20 ± 0.00 μM, CC50 > 87.03 μM), which was more potent than the positive control lamivudine (EC50 = 0.37 ± 0.04 μM, CC50 > 100.00 μM) in this assay and was about a quarter as effective as GLS4 (EC50 = 0.045 ± 0.01 μM, CC50 > 99.20 μM). Preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis and molecular docking studies were carried out to explore potential interactions and binding mode between compounds and target protein. In terms of the physicochemical properties, 4r was predicted to be consistent with the rule-of-five, which means 4r may have favourable absorption and permeation. Finally, ADMET and PK characteristics of 4r and GLS4 were predicted to be comparable in most aspects, implying that the two compounds may have similar profiles in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shujie Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yujie Ren
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Srinivasulu Cherukupalli
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Qilan Li
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Molly E Woodson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Daniel P Bradley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - John E Tavis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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17
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Lv K, Wu S, Tao Z, Wang A, Xu S, Yang L, Gao Q, Wang A, Qin X, Jiang B, Wu W, Jia X, Li Y, Jiang J, Liu M. Identification of (6S)-cyclopropyl-6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine-5(4H)-carboxamines as new HBV capsid assembly modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 228:113974. [PMID: 34772528 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
GYH2-18 is a type II HBV CAM with 6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine-5(4H)-carboxamine (DPPC) skeleton discovered by Roche INC. A series of GYH2-18 derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their anti-HBV activity. Two compounds 2f and 3k exhibited excellent anti-HBV activity, low cytotoxicity and accepted oral PK profiles. Chiral separation of 2f and 3k was conducted successfully, and (6S)-cyclopropyl DPPC isomers 2f-1, 2f-3, 3k-1 and 3k-3 were identified to be much more active than the corresponding (6R)-ones. The preliminary structure-activity relationship, particle gel assay and molecular modeling studies were also discussed, which provide useful indications for guiding the further rational design of new (6S)-cyclopropyl DPPC analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Lv
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuo Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zeyu Tao
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Aoyu Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shijie Xu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Lu Yang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Apeng Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaoyu Qin
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Wenhao Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China
| | - Xuedong Jia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yuhuan Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Jiandong Jiang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Mingliang Liu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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18
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Wang Y, Wang Z, Liu J, Wang Y, Wu R, Sheng R, Hou T. Discovery of novel HBV capsid assembly modulators by structure-based virtual screening and bioassays. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 36:116096. [PMID: 33721800 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
HBV capsid assembly has been regarded as an attractive potential target for anti-HBV therapy. In this study, we discovery the Novel HBV capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) through structure-based virtual screening and bioassays. A total of 16 structurally diverse compounds were purchased and assayed, including three compounds with inhibition rate > 50% at 20 μM. Further lead optimization based on the most potent compound II-1-7 (EC50 = 5.6 ± 0.1 µM) were performed by using substructure searching strategy, resulting in compound II-2-9 with an EC50 value of 1.8 ± 0.6 μM. In bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, compound II-2-9 inhibited the HBV by disrupting the HBV capsid interactions. In summary, this study provides a highly efficient way to discover novel CAMs, and 2-aryl-4-quinolyl amide derivatives could serve as the starting point for development of novel anti-HBV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China
| | - Jiacheng Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China
| | - Yunwen Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China
| | - Rui Wu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, PR China
| | - Rong Sheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China.
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China.
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Sauviller S, Vergauwen K, Jaensch S, Gustin E, Peeters D, Vermeulen P, Wuyts D, Vandyck K, Pauwels F, Berke JM. Development of a cellular high-content, immunofluorescent HBV core assay to identify novel capsid assembly modulators that induce the formation of aberrant HBV core structures. J Virol Methods 2021; 293:114150. [PMID: 33839187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2021.114150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) core protein has multiple functions in the viral life cycle and is an attractive target for new anti-viral therapies. Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) target the core protein and induce the formation of either morphologically normal (CAM-N) or aberrant structures (CAM-A), both devoid of genomic material. To date a diverse family of CAM-N chemotypes has been identified, but in contrast, described CAM-As are based on the heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) scaffold. We used the HBV-inducible HepG2.117 cell line with immunofluorescent labeling of HBV core to develop and validate a cellular high-content image-based assay where aggregated core structures are identified using image analysis spot texture features. Treatment with HAPs led to a dose- and time-dependent formation of aggregated core appearing as dot-like structures in the cytoplasm and nucleus. By combining a biochemical and cellular screening approach, a compound was identified as a novel non-HAP scaffold able to induce dose-dependent formation of aberrant core structures, which was confirmed by electron microscopy and native gel electrophoresis. This compound displayed anti-HBV activity in HepG2.117 cells, providing proof-of-concept for our screening approach. We believe our combined biochemical and cellular high-content screening method will aid in expanding the range of CAM-A chemotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Sauviller
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Karen Vergauwen
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Steffen Jaensch
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Gustin
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Danielle Peeters
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Peter Vermeulen
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Dirk Wuyts
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Koen Vandyck
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Frederik Pauwels
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jan Martin Berke
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium.
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20
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Chen L, Liu WG, Xiong F, Ma C, Sun C, Zhu YR, Zhang XG, Wang ZH. 3D-QSAR, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations analyses of a series of heteroaryldihydropyrimidine derivatives as hepatitis B virus capsid assembly inhibitors. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj02542b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In silico design of heteroaryldihydropyrimidine-based selective HBV capsid assembly inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Guang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Fei Xiong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Chao Ma
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Chen Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Ren Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Xing-Guang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Zhong-Hua Wang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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21
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Chen W, Liu F, Zhao Q, Ma X, Lu D, Li H, Zeng Y, Tong X, Zeng L, Liu J, Yang L, Zuo J, Hu Y. Discovery of Phthalazinone Derivatives as Novel Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2020; 63:8134-8145. [PMID: 32692159 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
HBV capsid assembly has been viewed as an attractive target for new antiviral therapies against HBV. On the basis of a lead compound 4r, we further investigated this target to identify novel active compounds with appropriate anti-HBV potencies and improved pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Structure-activity relationship studies based on metabolic pathways of 4r led to the identification of a phthalazinone derivative 19f with appropriate anti-HBV potencies (IC50 = 0.014 ± 0.004 μM in vitro), which demonstrated high oral bioavailability and liver exposure. In the AAV-HBV/mouse model, administration of 19f resulted in a 2.67 log reduction of the HBV DNA viral load during a 4-week treatment with 150 mg/kg dosing twice daily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuhong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Feifei Liu
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiliang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinna Ma
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,Laboratory of Immunology and Virology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Heng Li
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanping Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiankun Tong
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Limin Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li Yang
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianping Zuo
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,Laboratory of Immunology and Virology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Youhong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, China
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22
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Verbinnen T, Tan Y, Wang G, Dehertogh P, Vergauwen K, Neefs JM, Jacoby E, Lenz O, Berke JM. Anti-HBV activity of the HBV capsid assembly modulator JNJ-56136379 across full-length genotype A–H clinical isolates and core site-directed mutants in vitro. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 75:2526-2534. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
To characterize antiviral activity of the capsid assembly modulator (CAM-N) JNJ-56136379 against HBV genotypes and variants carrying amino acid substitutions in the core protein.
Methods
Anti-HBV activity of JNJ-56136379 was investigated against a diverse panel of 53 HBV clinical isolates (genotypes A–H). The impact of core amino acid substitutions using site-directed mutants (SDMs) was assessed in a transient replication assay.
Results
JNJ-56136379 median 50% effective concentration (EC50) values across all genotypes were 10–33 nM versus 17 nM (genotype D reference). JNJ-56136379 remained active against isolates carrying nucleos(t)ide analogue resistance mutations (median EC50 2–25 nM) or basal core promoter (BCP) ± precore (PC) mutations (median EC50 13–20 nM) or PC mutations (median EC50 11 nM), representing activity against isolates from HBeAg-positive and -negative hepatitis B patients. Core amino acid substitutions in the CAM-binding pocket, when tested as SDMs at positions 23, 25, 30, 33, 37, 106, 110, 118, 124, 127 and 128, reduced JNJ-56136379 anti-HBV activity; EC50 fold increases ranged from 3.0 (S106T) to 85 (T33N). All substitutions were rare in a public database of >7600 HBV core sequences (frequencies 0.01%–0.3%). Nucleos(t)ide analogues retained full activity against these core SDMs.
Conclusions
JNJ-56136379, a potent HBV CAM-N, currently in Phase 2 clinical development, was generally fully active against an extensive panel of genotype A–H clinical isolates, regardless of the presence of nucleos(t)ide analogue resistance or BCP/PC mutations. JNJ-56136379 activity was reduced by some core amino acid substitutions in the CAM-binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Verbinnen
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ying Tan
- Janssen China Research & Development Center, 5F North Building #1 Jinchuang Mansion, 4560 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Gengyan Wang
- Janssen China Research & Development Center, 5F North Building #1 Jinchuang Mansion, 4560 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Pascale Dehertogh
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Karen Vergauwen
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jean-Marc Neefs
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Edgar Jacoby
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Oliver Lenz
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jan Martin Berke
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
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23
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Yu J, Jia H, Guo X, Desta S, Zhang S, Zhang J, Ding X, Liang X, Liu X, Zhan P. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel heteroaryldihydropyrimidine derivatives as non‐nucleoside hepatitis B virus inhibitors by exploring the solvent‐exposed region. Chem Biol Drug Des 2020; 95:567-583. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Haiyong Jia
- School of Pharmacy Weifang Medical University Weifang China
| | - Xiaowei Guo
- Department of Immunology Key Laboratory for Experimental, Teratology of Ministry of Education Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunology Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan China
| | - Samuel Desta
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Xiao Ding
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Xiaohong Liang
- Department of Immunology Key Laboratory for Experimental, Teratology of Ministry of Education Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunology Shandong University School of Medicine Jinan China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education) School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Shandong University Jinan China
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24
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A New Role for Capsid Assembly Modulators To Target Mature Hepatitis B Virus Capsids and Prevent Virus Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 64:AAC.01440-19. [PMID: 31658963 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01440-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen, killing an estimated 887,000 people per year. Therefore, potentially curative therapies are of high importance. Following infection, HBV deposits a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected cells that serves as a transcription template and is not affected by current therapies. HBV core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) prevent correct capsid assembly but may also affect early stages of HBV infection. In this study, we aimed to determine the antiviral efficacy of a novel, structurally distinct heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP)-type CpAM, HAP_R01, and investigated whether and how HAP_R01 prevents the establishment of HBV infection. HAP_R01 shows a significant inhibition of cccDNA formation when applied during the first 48 h of HBV infection. Inhibiting cccDNA formation, however, requires >1-log10-higher concentrations than inhibition of the assembly of newly forming capsids (half-maximal effective concentration [EC50], 345 to 918 nM versus 26.8 to 43.5 nM, respectively). Biophysical studies using a new method to detect the incoming capsid in de novo infection revealed that HAP_R01 can physically change mature capsids of incoming virus particles and affect particle integrity. Treating purified HBV virions with HAP_R01 reduced their infectivity, highlighting the unique antiviral activity of CpAMs to target the capsid within mature HBV particles. Accordingly, HAP_R01 shows an additive antiviral effect in limiting de novo infection when combined with viral entry inhibitors. In summary, HAP_R01 perturbs capsid integrity of incoming virus particles and reduces their infectivity and thus inhibits cccDNA formation in addition to preventing HBV capsid assembly.
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25
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Liu H, Okazaki S, Shinoda W. Heteroaryldihydropyrimidines Alter Capsid Assembly By Adjusting the Binding Affinity and Pattern of the Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:5104-5110. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Liu
- Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Susumu Okazaki
- Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Wataru Shinoda
- Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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26
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Lin X, Shi H, Zhang W, Qiu Z, Zhou Z, Dey F, Zhong S, Qiu H, Xie J, Zhou X, Yang G, Tang G, Shen HC, Zhu W. A New Approach of Mitigating CYP3A4 Induction Led to the Discovery of Potent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Capsid Inhibitor with Optimal ADMET Profiles. J Med Chem 2019; 62:10352-10361. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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27
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Yan Z, Wu D, Hu H, Zeng J, Yu X, Xu Z, Zhou Z, Zhou X, Yang G, Young JA, Gao L. Direct Inhibition of Hepatitis B e Antigen by Core Protein Allosteric Modulator. Hepatology 2019; 70:11-24. [PMID: 30664279 PMCID: PMC6618080 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is an important immunomodulator for promoting host immune tolerance during chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. In patients with CHB, HBeAg loss and seroconversion represent partial immune control of CHB infection and are regarded as valuable endpoints. However, the current approved treatments have only a limited efficacy in achieving HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive patients. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein has been recognized as an attractive antiviral target, and two classes of core protein allosteric modulator (CpAM) have been discovered: the phenylpropenamides (PPAs) and the heteroaryldihydropyrimidines (HAPs). However, their differentiation and potential therapeutic benefit beyond HBV DNA inhibition remain to be seen. Here, we show that in contrast to PPA series compound AT-130, a HAP CpAM, HAP_R01, reduced HBeAg levels in multiple in vitro and in vivo HBV experimental models. Mechanistically, we found that HAP_R01 treatment caused the misassembly of capsids formed by purified HBeAg in vitro. In addition, HAP_R01 directly reduces HBeAg levels by inducing intracellular precore protein misassembly and aggregation. Using a HAP_R01-resistant mutant, we found that HAP_R01-mediated HBeAg and core protein reductions were mediated through the same mechanism. Furthermore, HAP_R01 treatment substantially reduced serum HBeAg levels in an HBV mouse model. Conclusion: Unlike PPA series compound AT-130, HAP_R01 not only inhibits HBV DNA levels but also directly reduces HBeAg through induction of its misassembly. HAP_R01, as well as other similar CpAMs, has the potential to achieve higher anti-HBeAg seroconversion rates than currently approved therapies for patients with CHB. Our findings also provide guidance for dose selection when designing clinical trials with molecules from HAP series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Yan
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Daitze Wu
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Hui Hu
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Zeng
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Xin Yu
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Xue Zhou
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Guang Yang
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | | | - Lu Gao
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
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28
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Nijampatnam B, Liotta DC. Recent advances in the development of HBV capsid assembly modulators. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 50:73-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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29
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Ciclopirox inhibits Hepatitis B Virus secretion by blocking capsid assembly. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2184. [PMID: 31097716 PMCID: PMC6522524 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10200-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is therefore a serious public health problem. Infected patients are currently treated with nucleoside/nucleotide analogs and interferon α, but this approach is not curative. Here, we screen 978 FDA-approved compounds for their ability to inhibit HBV replication in HBV-expressing HepG2.2.15 cells. We find that ciclopirox, a synthetic antifungal agent, strongly inhibits HBV replication in cells and in mice by blocking HBV capsid assembly. The crystal structure of the HBV core protein and ciclopirox complex reveals a unique binding mode at dimer-dimer interfaces. Ciclopirox synergizes with nucleoside/nucleotide analogs to prevent HBV replication in cells and in a humanized liver mouse model. Therefore, orally-administered ciclopirox may provide a novel opportunity to combat chronic HBV infection by blocking HBV capsid assembly.
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30
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Zhang X, Cheng J, Ma J, Hu Z, Wu S, Hwang N, Kulp J, Du Y, Guo JT, Chang J. Discovery of Novel Hepatitis B Virus Nucleocapsid Assembly Inhibitors. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:759-768. [PMID: 30525438 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein is a small protein with 183 amino acid residues and assembles the pregenomic (pg) RNA and viral DNA polymerase to form nucleocapsids. During the last decades, several groups have reported HBV core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) with distinct chemical structures. CpAMs bind to the hydrophobic HAP pocket located at the dimer-dimer interface and induce allosteric conformational changes in the core protein subunits. While Type I CpAMs, heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) derivatives, misdirect core protein dimers to assemble noncapsid polymers, Type II CpAMs, represented by sulfamoylbenzamides, phenylpropenamides, and several other chemotypes, induce the assembly of empty capsids with global structural alterations and faster mobility in native agarose gel electrophoresis. Through high throughput screening of an Asinex small molecule library containing 19 920 compounds, we identified 8 structurally distinct CpAMs. While 7 of those compounds are typical Type II CpAMs, a novel benzamide derivative, designated as BA-53038B, induced the formation of morphologically "normal" empty capsids with slow electrophoresis mobility. Drug resistant profile analyses indicated that BA-53038B most likely bound to the HAP pocket but obviously modulated HBV capsid assembly in a distinct manner. BA-53038B and other CpAMs reported herein provide novel structure scaffolds for the development of core protein-targeted antiviral agents for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexiang Zhang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Junjun Cheng
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Julia Ma
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Zhanying Hu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Shuo Wu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Nicky Hwang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - John Kulp
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
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31
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Molecular mechanisms of tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidines as HBV capsid assembly inhibitors. Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 663:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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32
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Pan T, Ding Y, Wu L, Liang L, He X, Li Q, Bai C, Zhang H. Design and synthesis of aminothiazole based Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) capsid inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 166:480-501. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.01.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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33
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Tang J, Huber AD, Pineda DL, Boschert KN, Wolf JJ, Kankanala J, Xie J, Sarafianos SG, Wang Z. 5-Aminothiophene-2,4-dicarboxamide analogues as hepatitis B virus capsid assembly effectors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 164:179-192. [PMID: 30594676 PMCID: PMC6362850 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a major health threat. Current FDA-approved drugs do not cure HBV. Targeting HBV core protein (Cp) provides an attractive approach toward HBV inhibition and possibly infection cure. We have previously identified and characterized a 5-amino-3-methylthiophene-2,4-dicarboxamide (ATDC) compound as a structurally novel hit for capsid assembly effectors (CAEs). We report herein hit validation through studies on absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties and pharmacokinetics (PK), and hit optimization via analogue synthesis aiming to probe the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and structure-property relationship (SPR). In the end, these medicinal chemistry efforts led to the identification of multiple analogues strongly binding to Cp, potently inhibiting HBV replication in nanomolar range without cytotoxicity, and exhibiting good oral bioavailability (F). Two of our analogues, 19o (EC50 = 0.11 μM, CC50 > 100 μM, F = 25%) and 19k (EC50 = 0.31 μM, CC50 > 100 μM, F = 46%), displayed overall lead profiles superior to reported CAEs 7-10 used in our studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tang
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Andrew D Huber
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Dallas L Pineda
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Kelsey N Boschert
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Jennifer J Wolf
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Jayakanth Kankanala
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jiashu Xie
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Zhengqiang Wang
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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34
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The Heteroaryldihydropyrimidine Bay 38-7690 Induces Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Aggregates Associated with Promyelocytic Leukemia Nuclear Bodies in Infected Cells. mSphere 2018; 3:3/2/e00131-18. [PMID: 29669885 PMCID: PMC5907649 DOI: 10.1128/mspheredirect.00131-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Heteroaryldihydropyrimidines (HAPs) are compounds that inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by modulating viral capsid assembly. While their biophysical effects on capsid assembly in vitro have been previously studied, the effect of HAP treatment on capsid protein (Cp) in individual HBV-infected cells remains unknown. We report here that the HAP Bay 38-7690 promotes aggregation of recombinant Cp in vitro and causes a time- and dose-dependent decrease of Cp in infected cells, consistent with previously studied HAPs. Interestingly, immunofluorescence analysis showed Cp aggregating in nuclear foci of Bay 38-7690-treated infected cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. We found these foci to be associated with promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (NBs), which are structures that affect many cellular functions, including DNA damage response, transcription, apoptosis, and antiviral responses. Cp aggregation is not an artifact of the cell system used, as it is observed in HBV-expressing HepAD38 cells, in HepG2 cells transfected with an HBV-expressing plasmid, and in HepG2-NTCP cells infected with HBV. Use of a Cp overexpression vector without HBV sequences shows that aggregation is independent of viral replication, and use of an HBV-expressing plasmid harboring a HAP resistance mutation in Cp abrogated the aggregation, demonstrating that the effect is due to direct compound-Cp interactions. These studies provide novel insight into the effects of HAP-based treatment at a single-cell level.IMPORTANCE Despite the availability of effective vaccines and treatments, HBV remains a significant global health concern, with more than 240 million individuals chronically infected. Current treatments are highly effective at controlling viral replication and disease progression but rarely cure infections. Therefore, much emphasis is being placed on finding therapeutics with new drug targets, such as viral gene expression, covalently closed circular DNA formation and stability, capsid formation, and host immune modulators, with the ultimate goal of an HBV cure. Understanding the mechanisms by which novel antiviral agents act will be imperative for the development of curative HBV therapies.
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Feng S, Gao L, Han X, Hu T, Hu Y, Liu H, Thomas AW, Yan Z, Yang S, Young JAT, Yun H, Zhu W, Shen HC. Discovery of Small Molecule Therapeutics for Treatment of Chronic HBV Infection. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:257-277. [PMID: 29369612 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) inflicts 250 million people worldwide representing a major public health threat. A significant subpopulation of patients eventually develop cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, none of the current standard therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) result in a satisfactory clinical cure rate. Driven by a highly unmet medical need, multiple pharmaceutical companies and research institutions have been engaged in drug discovery and development to improve the CHB functional cure rate, defined by sustainable viral suppression and HBsAg clearance after a finite treatment. This Review summarizes the recent advances in the discovery and development of novel anti-HBV small molecules. It is believed that an improved CHB functional cure rate may be accomplished via the combination of molecules with distinct MoAs. Thus, certain molecules may evolve into key components of a suitable combination therapy leading to superior outcome of clinical efficacy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Feng
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xingchun Han
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Taishan Hu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yimin Hu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Andrew W. Thomas
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhipeng Yan
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Song Yang
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - John A. T. Young
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongying Yun
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hong C. Shen
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
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Ren Q, Liu X, Yan G, Nie B, Zou Z, Li J, Chen Y, Wei Y, Huang J, Luo Z, Gu B, Goldmann S, Zhang J, Zhang Y. 3-((R)-4-(((R)-6-(2-Bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-(thiazol-2-yl)-3,6-dihydropyrimidin-4-yl)methyl)morpholin-2-yl)propanoic Acid (HEC72702), a Novel Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Inhibitor Based on Clinical Candidate GLS4. J Med Chem 2018; 61:1355-1374. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Ren
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
- Anti-infection
Innovation Department, New Drug Research Institute, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Xinchang Liu
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
- Anti-infection
Innovation Department, New Drug Research Institute, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Guanghua Yan
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
- Anti-infection
Innovation Department, New Drug Research Institute, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Biao Nie
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Zhifu Zou
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
- Anti-infection
Innovation Department, New Drug Research Institute, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Jing Li
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Yunfu Chen
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Yu Wei
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Jianzhou Huang
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
- Anti-infection
Innovation Department, New Drug Research Institute, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Zhonghua Luo
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Baohua Gu
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Siegfried Goldmann
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
- Anti-infection
Innovation Department, New Drug Research Institute, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
| | - Jiancun Zhang
- Guangzhou
Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Yingjun Zhang
- The
State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infection Drug Development, HEC Pharma Group, Dong Guan 523871, China
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Schlicksup CJ, Wang JCY, Francis S, Venkatakrishnan B, Turner WW, VanNieuwenhze M, Zlotnick A. Hepatitis B virus core protein allosteric modulators can distort and disrupt intact capsids. eLife 2018; 7:31473. [PMID: 29377794 PMCID: PMC5788503 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Defining mechanisms of direct-acting antivirals facilitates drug development and our understanding of virus function. Heteroaryldihydropyrimidines (HAPs) inappropriately activate assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (Cp), suppressing formation of virions. We examined a fluorophore-labeled HAP, HAP-TAMRA. HAP-TAMRA induced Cp assembly and also bound pre-assembled capsids. Kinetic and spectroscopic studies imply that HAP-binding sites are usually not available but are bound cooperatively. Using cryo-EM, we observed that HAP-TAMRA asymmetrically deformed capsids, creating a heterogeneous array of sharp angles, flat regions, and outright breaks. To achieve high resolution reconstruction (<4 Å), we introduced a disulfide crosslink that rescued particle symmetry. We deduced that HAP-TAMRA caused quasi-sixfold vertices to become flatter and fivefold more angular. This transition led to asymmetric faceting. That a disordered crosslink could rescue symmetry implies that capsids have tensegrity properties. Capsid distortion and disruption is a new mechanism by which molecules like the HAPs can block HBV infection. Viruses are simple structures formed of genetic information wrapped inside a shell. For the hepatitis B virus, this casing looks like a soccer ball. It is composed of 240 copies of the same protein, arranged in a pattern of pentagons and hexagons. These proteins form a protective shield for the virus’ genetic information: they also interact with the cells of the host during key events of the virus’ life cycle. When the hepatitis B virus infects a cell, it hijacks the cellular machinery to replicate. New shell proteins are produced and assemble within the cell. A type of potential antiviral drug called a CpAM disrupts this process: it causes the shell to assemble too early and inaccurately, which impairs the life cycle of the virus. However, a CpAM can bind to the shell even after it has already assembled. How this binding affects the virus is still unclear. Here, Schlicksup et al. attach a fluorescent molecule to a CpAM, and use a cutting-edge microscopy method to look at the structures at the atomic level. This makes it possible to examine in detail how the CpAM attaches to a correctly formed virus shell. Schlicksup et al. show that when the CpAM binds to the shell, it disrupts and sometimes even breaks the soccer-like pattern of the shell: the hexagons flatten, and the pentagons buckle. These misshaped shells could prevent the virus from interacting with the cellular structures necessary for infection or prevent it from releasing the virus’ genetic information. This is a new antiviral mechanism for a CpAM. By acting both before and after the shell has assembled, the CpAM targets the virus at different points of its life cycle. Hepatitis B affects over 240 million people worldwide. While a vaccine exists, there is still no cure for it. A better understanding of the physics of the virus’ shell and the mode of action of CpAMs could lead to better drugs against the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Che-Yen Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States.,Indiana University Electron Microscopy Center, Bloomington, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Adam Zlotnick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
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Alonso S, Guerra AR, Carreira L, Ferrer JÁ, Gutiérrez ML, Fernandez-Rodriguez CM. Upcoming pharmacological developments in chronic hepatitis B: can we glimpse a cure on the horizon? BMC Gastroenterol 2017; 17:168. [PMID: 29268704 PMCID: PMC5740721 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-017-0726-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection affects up to 240 million people in the world and it is a common cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) plays an essential role in HBV persistence and replication. Current pharmacological treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) may suppress HBV replication with little or no impact on cccDNA, hence lifelong treatment is required in the vast majority of patients. Clearances of intrahepatic cccDNA and/or HBsAg are critical endpoints for future antiviral therapy in chronic HBV. Recent promising developments targeting different molecular HBV life cycle steps are being pre-clinically tested or have moved forward in early clinical trials. Methods We review the current state of the art of these pharmacological developments, mainly focusing on efficacy and safety results, which are expected to lay the ground for future HBV eradication. An inclusive literature search on new treatments of HBV using the following electronic databases: Pubmed/MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Full-text manuscripts and abstracts published over the last 12 years, from 2005 to March 2011 were reviewed for relevance and reference lists were crosschecked for additional applicable studies regarding new HBV antiviral treatment. Results HBV entry inhibitors, HBV core inhibitors, HBV cccDNA transcripts RNA interference, HBV cell apoptosis inducers, HBV RNA, viral proteins and DNA knock down agents, HBV release inhibitors, anti-sense nucleosides, exogenous interferon stimulation, interferon response stimulation and HBV therapeutic vaccines were reviewed. Conclusion This review will provide readers with an updated vision of current and foreseeable therapeutic developments in chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Alonso
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adriana-René Guerra
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes Carreira
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan-Ángel Ferrer
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Luisa Gutiérrez
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Conrado M Fernandez-Rodriguez
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain.
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Zhang S, Wang F, Zhang Z. Current advances in the elimination of hepatitis B in China by 2030. Front Med 2017; 11:490-501. [PMID: 29170919 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-017-0598-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
With its 78 million chronic carriers, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still one of the leading public health challenges in China. Over the last two decades, China has made great progress on the prevention of HBV transmission through national vaccination programs. Zero transmission from mother to infant has been proposed as the current goal. Available anti-HBV therapy is efficacious in suppressing HBV replication; however, it fails to completely cure patients with chronic hepatitis B and even requires lifelong treatment. To reduce the costs and improve the efficacy, several trials have been recently conducted in China to optimize the current anti-HBV managements. Novel biomarkers were identified to predict treatment outcomes, and new promising treatment strategies were developed. Reports also indicate that coinfections of HBV with other hepatotropic viruses and human immunodeficiency virus are common in China and cause severe liver diseases, which should be recognized early and treated properly. Work is still needed to eliminate hepatitis B in China by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuye Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fusheng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Research Center for Clinical & Translational Medicine, Beijiing 302 Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
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Guo F, Zhao Q, Sheraz M, Cheng J, Qi Y, Su Q, Cuconati A, Wei L, Du Y, Li W, Chang J, Guo JT. HBV core protein allosteric modulators differentially alter cccDNA biosynthesis from de novo infection and intracellular amplification pathways. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006658. [PMID: 28945802 PMCID: PMC5629035 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein assembles viral pre-genomic (pg) RNA and DNA polymerase into nucleocapsids for reverse transcriptional DNA replication to take place. Several chemotypes of small molecules, including heteroaryldihydropyrimidines (HAPs) and sulfamoylbenzamides (SBAs), have been discovered to allosterically modulate core protein structure and consequentially alter the kinetics and pathway of core protein assembly, resulting in formation of irregularly-shaped core protein aggregates or “empty” capsids devoid of pre-genomic RNA and viral DNA polymerase. Interestingly, in addition to inhibiting nucleocapsid assembly and subsequent viral genome replication, we have now demonstrated that HAPs and SBAs differentially modulate the biosynthesis of covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA from de novo infection and intracellular amplification pathways by inducing disassembly of nucleocapsids derived from virions as well as double-stranded DNA-containing progeny nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm. Specifically, the mistimed cuing of nucleocapsid uncoating prevents cccDNA formation during de novo infection of hepatocytes, while transiently accelerating cccDNA synthesis from cytoplasmic progeny nucleocapsids. Our studies indicate that elongation of positive-stranded DNA induces structural changes of nucleocapsids, which confers ability of mature nucleocapsids to bind CpAMs and triggers its disassembly. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the dual effects of the core protein allosteric modulators on nucleocapsid assembly and disassembly will facilitate the discovery of novel core protein-targeting antiviral agents that can more efficiently suppress cccDNA synthesis and cure chronic hepatitis B. Persistent HBV infection relies on stable maintenance of a nuclear episomal viral genome called covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA, the sole transcriptional template supporting viral replication. The currently available antiviral therapeutics fail to cure chronic HBV infection due to their failure to eradicate or inactivate cccDNA. In addition to packaging viral pregenomic (pg) RNA and DNA polymerase complex into nucleocapsids for reverse transcriptional DNA replication to take place, HBV core protein also participates in and regulates virion particle assembly, capsid uncoating and cccDNA formation. We report herein an intriguing observation that selected core protein allosteric modulators not only inhibit nucleocapsid assembly, but can also act on assembled, nucleus-bound nucleocapsids to promote their uncoating and consequentially interfere with cccDNA biosynthesis. This finding establishes molecular basis for development of novel core protein targeting antiviral agents with improved efficacy of suppressing cccDNA synthesis and curing chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Muhammad Sheraz
- Microbiology and Immunology graduate program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Junjun Cheng
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Yonghe Qi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Su
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andrea Cuconati
- Arbutus Biopharma Inc., Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lai Wei
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JTG); (JC)
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JTG); (JC)
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