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Miranda PO, Cubitt B, Jacob NT, Janda KD, de la Torre JC. Mining a Kröhnke Pyridine Library for Anti-Arenavirus Activity. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:815-824. [PMID: 29405696 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Several arenaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever (HF) disease in humans and represent important public health problems in their endemic regions. In addition, evidence indicates that the worldwide-distributed prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is a neglected human pathogen of clinical significance. There are no licensed arenavirus vaccines, and current antiarenavirus therapy is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin that is only partially effective. Therefore, there is an unmet need for novel therapeutics to combat human pathogenic arenaviruses, a task that will be facilitated by the identification of compounds with antiarenaviral activity that could serve as probes to identify arenavirus-host interactions suitable for targeting, as well as lead compounds to develop future antiarenaviral drugs. Screening of a combinatorial library of Krönhke pyridines identified compound KP-146 [(5-(5-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[ b][1,4] dioxin-6-yl)-4'-methoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)thiophene-2-carboxamide] as having strong anti-lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) activity in cultured cells. KP-146 did not inhibit LCMV cell entry but rather interfered with the activity of the LCMV ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) responsible for directing virus RNA replication and gene transcription, as well as with the budding process mediated by the LCMV matrix Z protein. LCMV variants with increased resistance to KP-146 did not emerge after serial passages in the presence of KP-146. Our findings support the consideration of Kröhnke pyridine scaffold as a valuable source to identify compounds that could serve as tools to dissect arenavirus-host interactions, as well as lead candidate structures to develop antiarenaviral drugs.
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2
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Lu L, Yu F, Cai L, Debnath AK, Jiang S. Development of Small-molecule HIV Entry Inhibitors Specifically Targeting gp120 or gp41. Curr Top Med Chem 2016; 16:1074-90. [PMID: 26324044 PMCID: PMC4775441 DOI: 10.2174/1568026615666150901114527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 05/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) glycoprotein surface subunit gp120 and transmembrane subunit gp41 play important roles in HIV-1 entry, thus serving as key targets for the development of HIV-1 entry inhibitors. T20 peptide (enfuvirtide) is the first U.S. FDA-approved HIV entry inhibitor; however, its clinical application is limited by the lack of oral availability. Here, we have described the structure and function of the HIV-1 gp120 and gp41 subunits and reviewed advancements in the development of small-molecule HIV entry inhibitors specifically targeting these two Env glycoproteins. We then compared the advantages and disadvantages of different categories of HIV entry inhibitor candidates and further predicted the future trend of HIV entry inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road, Building #13, Shanghai 200032, China.
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3
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Sheng C, Dong G, Miao Z, Zhang W, Wang W. State-of-the-art strategies for targeting protein-protein interactions by small-molecule inhibitors. Chem Soc Rev 2015; 44:8238-59. [PMID: 26248294 DOI: 10.1039/c5cs00252d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) has emerged as a viable approach in modern drug discovery. However, the identification of small molecules enabling us to effectively interrupt their interactions presents significant challenges. In the recent past, significant advances have been made in the development of new biological and chemical strategies to facilitate the discovery process of small-molecule PPI inhibitors. This review aims to highlight the state-of-the-art technologies and the achievements made recently in this field. The "hot spots" of PPIs have been proved to be critical for small molecules to bind. Three strategies including screening, designing, and synthetic approaches have been explored for discovering PPI inhibitors by targeting the "hot spots". Although the classic high throughput screening approach can be used, fragment screening, fragment-based drug design and newly improved virtual screening are demonstrated to be more effective in the discovery of PPI inhibitors. In addition to screening approaches, design strategies including anchor-based and small molecule mimetics of secondary structures involved in PPIs have become powerful tools as well. Finally, constructing new chemically spaced libraries with high diversity and complexity is becoming an important area of interest for PPI inhibitors. The successful cases from the recent five year studies are used to illustrate how these approaches are implemented to uncover and optimize small molecule PPI inhibitors and notably some of them have become promising therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China.
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Mignani S, El Kazzouli S, Bousmina MM, Majoral JP. Dendrimer Space Exploration: An Assessment of Dendrimers/Dendritic Scaffolding as Inhibitors of Protein–Protein Interactions, a Potential New Area of Pharmaceutical Development. Chem Rev 2013; 114:1327-42. [DOI: 10.1021/cr400362r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Mignani
- Laboratoire de Chimie et de
Biochimie Pharmacologiques
et Toxicologiques, CNRS UMR 8601, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Saïd El Kazzouli
- Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez, Fès-Shore, Route de Sidi harazem, Fès, Morocco
| | - Mosto M. Bousmina
- Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez, Fès-Shore, Route de Sidi harazem, Fès, Morocco
- Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, Avenue Mohammed
VI, 10222 Rabat, Morocco
| | - Jean-Pierre Majoral
- Laboratoire
de Chimie de Coordination, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
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Wang C, Shi W, Cai L, Lu L, Wang Q, Zhang T, Li J, Zhang Z, Wang K, Xu L, Jiang X, Jiang S, Liu K. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of highly potent small molecule-peptide conjugates as new HIV-1 fusion inhibitors. J Med Chem 2013; 56:2527-39. [PMID: 23458727 DOI: 10.1021/jm3018964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The small molecule fusion inhibitors N-(4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrrole (NB-2) and N-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrrole (A12) target a hydrophobic pocket of HIV-1 gp41 and have moderate anti-HIV-1 activity. In this paper, we report the design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship of a group of hybrid molecules in which the pocket-binding domain segment of the C34 peptide was replaced with NB-2 and A12 derivatives. In addition, the synergistic effect between the small molecule and peptide moieties was analyzed, and lead compounds with a novel scaffold were discovered. We found that either the nonpeptide or peptide part alone showed weak activity against HIV-1-mediated cell-cell fusion, but the conjugates properly generated a strong synergistic effect. Among them, conjugates Aoc-βAla-P26 and Noc-βAla-P26 exhibited a low nanomolar IC50 in the cell-cell fusion assay and effectively inhibited T20-sensitive and -resistant HIV-1 strains. Furthermore, the new molecules exhibited better stability against proteinase K digestion than T20 and C34.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850, China
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6
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Gochin M, Zhou G. Amphipathic properties of HIV-1 gp41 fusion inhibitors. Curr Top Med Chem 2011; 11:3022-32. [PMID: 22044226 PMCID: PMC3219813 DOI: 10.2174/156802611798808488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Revised: 02/26/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Small molecule inhibition of HIV fusion has been an elusive goal, despite years of effort by both pharmaceutical and academic laboratories. In this review, we will discuss the amphipathic properties of both peptide and small molecule inhibitors of gp41-mediated fusion. Many of the peptides and small molecules that have been developed target a large hydrophobic pocket situated within the grooves of the coiled coil, a potential hotspot for inhibiting the trimer of hairpin formation that accompanies fusion. Peptide studies reveal molecular properties required for effective inhibition, including elongated structure and lipophilic or amphiphilic nature. The characteristics of peptides that bind in this pocket provide features that should be considered in small molecule development. Additionally, a novel site for small molecule inhibition of fusion has recently been suggested, involving residues of the loop and fusion peptide. We will review the small molecule structures that have been developed, evidence pointing to their mechanism of action and strategies towards improving their affinity. The data points to the need for a strongly amphiphilic character of the inhibitors, possibly as a means to mediate the membrane - protein interaction that occurs in gp41 in addition to the protein - protein interaction that accompanies the fusion-activating conformational transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Gochin
- Department of Basic Sciences, Touro University – California, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA.
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7
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Li Z, Garner AL, Gloeckner C, Janda KD, Carlow CK. Targeting the Wolbachia cell division protein FtsZ as a new approach for antifilarial therapy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1411. [PMID: 22140592 PMCID: PMC3226453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of antibiotics targeting the obligate bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia of filarial parasites has been validated as an approach for controlling filarial infection in animals and humans. Availability of genomic sequences for the Wolbachia (wBm) present in the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi has enabled genome-wide searching for new potential drug targets. In the present study, we investigated the cell division machinery of wBm and determined that it possesses the essential cell division gene ftsZ which was expressed in all developmental stages of B. malayi examined. FtsZ is a GTPase thereby making the protein an attractive Wolbachia drug target. We described the molecular characterization and catalytic properties of Wolbachia FtsZ. We also demonstrated that the GTPase activity was inhibited by the natural product, berberine, and small molecule inhibitors identified from a high-throughput screen. Furthermore, berberine was also effective in reducing motility and reproduction in B. malayi parasites in vitro. Our results should facilitate the discovery of selective inhibitors of FtsZ as a novel anti-symbiotic approach for controlling filarial infection. NOTE: The nucleotide sequences reported in this paper are available in GenBank™ Data Bank under the accession number wAlB-FtsZ (JN616286).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiru Li
- New England Biolabs, Division of Parasitology, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Zhou G, Wu D, Snyder B, Ptak RG, Kaur H, Gochin M. Development of indole compounds as small molecule fusion inhibitors targeting HIV-1 glycoprotein-41. J Med Chem 2011; 54:7220-31. [PMID: 21928824 DOI: 10.1021/jm200791z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Nonpeptide inhibition of fusion remains an important goal in anti-HIV research, due to its potential for low cost prophylaxis or prevention of cell-cell transmission of the virus. We report here on a series of indole compounds that have been identified as fusion inhibitors of gp41 through a structure-based drug design approach. Experimental binding affinities of the compounds for the hydrophobic pocket were strongly correlated to fusion inhibitory data (R(2) = 0.91), and corresponding inhibition of viral replication confirmed the hydrophobic pocket as a valid target for low molecular weight fusion inhibitors. The most active compound bound to the hydrophobic pocket and inhibited cell-cell fusion and viral replication at submicromolar levels. A common binding mode for the inhibitors in this series was established by carrying out docking studies using structures of gp41 in the Protein Data Bank. The molecules were flexible enough to conform to the contours of the pocket, and the most active compound was able to adopt a structure mimicking the hydrophobic contacts of the D-peptide PIE7. The results enhance our understanding of indole compounds as inhibitors of gp41.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyan Zhou
- Department of Basic Sciences, Touro University-California, 1310 Club Drive, Mare Island, Vallejo, California 94592, United States.
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9
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Garner AL, Janda KD. A small molecule antagonist of ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT). Chem Commun (Camb) 2011; 47:7512-4. [PMID: 21594284 DOI: 10.1039/c1cc11817j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Using our recently disclosed fluorescence-based assay to monitor acyltransferase activity, the first non-peptidic, small molecule antagonists of ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), a potential anti-obesity and anti-diabetes target, have been discovered. Each exhibits micromolar inhibition of the enzyme, and may be useful probes for future study of the ghrelin-GOAT system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Garner
- Department of Chemistry, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Mustata G, Follis AV, Hammoudeh DI, Metallo SJ, Wang H, Prochownik EV, Lazo JS, Bahar I. Discovery of novel Myc-Max heterodimer disruptors with a three-dimensional pharmacophore model. J Med Chem 2010; 52:1247-50. [PMID: 19215087 DOI: 10.1021/jm801278g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A three-dimensional pharmacophore model was generated utilizing a set of known inhibitors of c-Myc-Max heterodimer formation. The model successfully identified a set of structurally diverse compounds with potential inhibitory activity against c-Myc. Nine compounds were tested in vitro, and four displayed affinities in the micromolar range and growth inhibitory activity against c-Myc-overexpressing cells. These studies demonstrate the applicability of pharmacophore modeling to the identification of novel and potentially more puissant inhibitors of the c-Myc oncoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Mustata
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.
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11
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Pan C, Liu S, Jiang S. HIV-1 gp41 Fusion Intermediate: A Target for HIV Therapeutics. J Formos Med Assoc 2010; 109:94-105. [DOI: 10.1016/s0929-6646(10)60029-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2009] [Revised: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 09/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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12
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Structure-based design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new N-carboxyphenylpyrrole derivatives as HIV fusion inhibitors targeting gp41. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2009; 20:189-92. [PMID: 19932616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.10.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2009] [Revised: 10/29/2009] [Accepted: 10/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A new series of N-carboxyphenylpyrrole ligands were designed using GeometryFit based on an X-ray crystal structure of gp41. The synthesized ligands showed significant inhibitory activities against HIV gp41 6-helix bundle formation, HIV-1 mediated cell-cell fusion and HIV-1 replication.
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Montal
- Section of Neurobiology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Kline T, Felise HB, Barry KC, Jackson SR, Nguyen HV, Miller SI. Substituted 2-imino-5-arylidenethiazolidin-4-one inhibitors of bacterial type III secretion. J Med Chem 2009; 51:7065-74. [PMID: 18947223 DOI: 10.1021/jm8004515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Diverse species of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria use secretion systems to export a variety of protein toxins and virulence factors that help establish and maintain infection. Disruption of such secretion systems is a potentially effective therapeutic strategy. We developed a high-throughput screen and identified a tris-aryl substituted 2-imino-5-arylidenethiazolidin-4-one, compound 1, as an inhibitor of the type III secretion system. Expansion of this chemotype enabled us to define the essential pharmacophore for type III secretion inhibition by this structural class. A synthetic diversity set helped us identify N-3 as the most permissive locus and led to the design of a panel of novel N-3-dipeptide-modified congeners with improved activity and physiochemical properties. We now report on the synthesis of these compounds, including a novel solid phase approach to the rapid generation of the dipeptide-thiazolidinone hybrids, and their in vitro characterization as inhibitors of type III secretion in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Kline
- Departments of Genome Sciences, Microbiology, and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
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15
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Martos V, Castreño P, Valero J, de Mendoza J. Binding to protein surfaces by supramolecular multivalent scaffolds. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2008; 12:698-706. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2008] [Accepted: 08/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Birkholtz L, van Brummelen A, Clark K, Niemand J, Maréchal E, Llinás M, Louw A. Exploring functional genomics for drug target and therapeutics discovery in Plasmodia. Acta Trop 2008; 105:113-23. [PMID: 18083131 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2007.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2007] [Revised: 10/17/2007] [Accepted: 10/30/2007] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Functional genomics approaches are indispensable tools in the drug discovery arena and have recently attained increased attention in antibacterial drug discovery research. However, the application of functional genomics to post-genomics research of Plasmodia is still in comparatively early stages. Nonetheless, with this genus having the most species sequenced of any eukaryotic organism so far, the Plasmodia could provide unique opportunities for the study of intracellular eukaryotic pathogens. This review presents the status quo of functional genomics of the malaria parasite including descriptions of the transcriptome, proteome and interactome. We provide examples for the in silico mining of the X-ome data sets and illustrate how X-omic data from drug challenged parasites might be used in elucidating amongst others, the mode-of-action of inhibitory compounds, validate potential targets and discover novel targets/therapeutics.
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Dolle RE, Le Bourdonnec B, Goodman AJ, Morales GA, Salvino JM, Zhang W. Comprehensive survey of chemical libraries for drug discovery and chemical biology: 2006. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 9:855-902. [PMID: 17877417 DOI: 10.1021/cc700111e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roland E Dolle
- Adolor Corporation, 700 Pennsylvania Drive, Exton, Pennsylvania 19341, USA.
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18
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He Y, Liu S, Jing W, Lu H, Cai D, Chin DJ, Debnath AK, Kirchhoff F, Jiang S. Conserved residue Lys574 in the cavity of HIV-1 Gp41 coiled-coil domain is critical for six-helix bundle stability and virus entry. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:25631-9. [PMID: 17616522 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m703781200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The fusion-active HIV-1 gp41 core structure is a stable six-helix bundle (6-HB) formed by its N- and C-terminal heptad-repeat sequences (NHR and CHR). A highly conserved, deep hydrophobic cavity on the surface of the N-helical trimer is important for stability of the 6-HB and serves as an ideal target for developing anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) fusion inhibitors. We have recently identified several small molecule HIV-1 fusion inhibitors that bind to the gp41 cavity through hydrophobic and ionic interactions and block the gp41 6-HB formation. Molecular docking analysis reveals that these small molecules fit inside the hydrophobic cavity and interact with positively charged residue Lys574 to form a conserved salt bridge. In this study, the functionality of Lys574 has been finely characterized by mutational analysis and biophysical approaches. We found that substitutions of Lys574 with non-conserved residues (K574D, K574E, and K574V) could completely abolish virus infectivity. With a set of wild-type and mutant N36 peptides derived from the NHR sequence as a model, we demonstrated that non-conservative Lys574 substitutions severely impaired the stability and conformation of 6-HBs as detected by circular dichroism spectroscopy, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The binding affinity of N36 mutants bearing non-conservative Lys574 substitutions to the peptide C34 derived from the CHR sequence dramatically decreased as measured by isothermal titration calorimetry. These substitutions also significantly reduced the potency of N-peptides to inhibit HIV-1 infection. Collectively, these data suggest that conserved Lys574 plays a critical role in 6-HB formation and HIV-1 infectivity, and may serve as an important target for designing anti-HIV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxian He
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
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Jiang J, Aiken C. Maturation-dependent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 particle fusion requires a carboxyl-terminal region of the gp41 cytoplasmic tail. J Virol 2007; 81:9999-10008. [PMID: 17609279 PMCID: PMC2045384 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00592-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lentiviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), typically encode fusion glycoproteins with long cytoplasmic tails (CTs). We previously reported that immature HIV-1 particles are inhibited for fusion with target cells by a mechanism requiring the 152-amino-acid CT of gp41. The gp41 CT was also shown to mediate the detergent-resistant association of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein complex with immature HIV-1 particles, indicating that the gp41 CT forms a stable complex with Gag in immature virions. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of progressive truncations and point mutations in the gp41 CT on the fusion of mature and immature HIV-1 particles with target cells. We also determined the effects of these mutations on the detergent-resistant association of gp41 with immature HIV-1 particles. Removal of the C-terminal 28 amino acids relieved the dependence of HIV-1 fusion on maturation. However, a mutant Env protein lacking this region remained associated with immature HIV-1 particles treated with nonionic detergent. Further mutational analysis of the C-terminal region of gp41 revealed two specific sequences required for maturation-dependent HIV-1 fusion. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the extreme C terminus of gp41 plays a key role in coupling HIV-1 fusion competence to virion maturation. They further indicate that the stable association of gp41 with Gag in immature virions is not sufficient for inhibition of immature HIV-1 particle fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyang Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, A-5301 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 37232-2363, USA
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20
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Eubanks LM, Rogers CJ, Beuscher AE, Koob GF, Olson AJ, Dickerson TJ, Janda KD. A molecular link between the active component of marijuana and Alzheimer's disease pathology. Mol Pharm 2007; 3:773-7. [PMID: 17140265 PMCID: PMC2562334 DOI: 10.1021/mp060066m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia among the elderly, and with the ever-increasing size of this population, cases of Alzheimer's disease are expected to triple over the next 50 years. Consequently, the development of treatments that slow or halt the disease progression have become imperative to both improve the quality of life for patients and reduce the health care costs attributable to Alzheimer's disease. Here, we demonstrate that the active component of marijuana, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), competitively inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as well as prevents AChE-induced amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) aggregation, the key pathological marker of Alzheimer's disease. Computational modeling of the THC-AChE interaction revealed that THC binds in the peripheral anionic site of AChE, the critical region involved in amyloidgenesis. Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Abeta aggregation, and this study provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Eubanks
- Department of Chemistry and Immunology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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21
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Edwards P. Manipulating molecular architecture in parallel. Drug Discov Today 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2006.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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