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Song Y, Cui J, Zhu J, Kim B, Kuo ML, Potts PR. RNATACs: Multispecific small molecules targeting RNA by induced proximity. Cell Chem Biol 2024:S2451-9456(24)00207-1. [PMID: 38876100 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
RNA-targeting small molecules (rSMs) have become an attractive modality to tackle traditionally undruggable proteins and expand the druggable space. Among many innovative concepts, RNA-targeting chimeras (RNATACs) represent a new class of multispecific, induced proximity small molecules that act by chemically bringing RNA targets into proximity with an endogenous RNA effector, such as a ribonuclease (RNase). Depending on the RNA effector, RNATACs can alter the stability, localization, translation, or splicing of the target RNA. Although still in its infancy, this new modality has the potential for broad applications in the future to treat diseases with high unmet need. In this review, we discuss potential advantages of RNATACs, recent progress in the field, and challenges to this cutting-edge technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Song
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
| | - Jia Cui
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Jiaqiang Zhu
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Boseon Kim
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Mei-Ling Kuo
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Induced Proximity Platform, Amgen Research, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
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2
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Kallert E, Almena Rodriguez L, Husmann JÅ, Blatt K, Kersten C. Structure-based virtual screening of unbiased and RNA-focused libraries to identify new ligands for the HCV IRES model system. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1527-1538. [PMID: 38784459 PMCID: PMC11110755 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00696d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting RNA including viral RNAs with small molecules is an emerging field. The hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site (HCV IRES) is a potential target for translation inhibitor development to raise drug resistance mutation preparedness. Using RNA-focused and unbiased molecule libraries, a structure-based virtual screening (VS) by molecular docking and pharmacophore analysis was performed against the HCV IRES subdomain IIa. VS hits were validated by a microscale thermophoresis (MST) binding assay and a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay elucidating ligand-induced conformational changes. Ten hit molecules were identified with potencies in the high to medium micromolar range proving the suitability of structure-based virtual screenings against RNA-targets. Hit compounds from a 2-guanidino-quinazoline series, like the strongest binder, compound 8b with an EC50 of 61 μM, show low molecular weight, moderate lipophilicity and reduced basicity compared to previously reported IRES ligands. Therefore, it can be considered as a potential starting point for further optimization by chemical derivatization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kallert
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Staudingerweg 5 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Laura Almena Rodriguez
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Staudingerweg 5 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Jan-Åke Husmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Staudingerweg 5 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Kathrin Blatt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Staudingerweg 5 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Staudingerweg 5 55128 Mainz Germany
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University BioZentrum I, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15 55128 Mainz Germany
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3
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Adolph C, Cheung CY, McNeil MB, Jowsey WJ, Williams ZC, Hards K, Harold LK, Aboelela A, Bujaroski RS, Buckley BJ, Tyndall JDA, Li Z, Langer JD, Preiss L, Meier T, Steyn AJC, Rhee KY, Berney M, Kelso MJ, Cook GM. A dual-targeting succinate dehydrogenase and F 1F o-ATP synthase inhibitor rapidly sterilizes replicating and non-replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:683-698.e7. [PMID: 38151019 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.002] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterial bioenergetics is a validated target space for antitubercular drug development. Here, we identify BB2-50F, a 6-substituted 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride derivative as a potent, multi-targeting bioenergetic inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We show that BB2-50F rapidly sterilizes both replicating and non-replicating cultures of M. tuberculosis and synergizes with several tuberculosis drugs. Target identification experiments, supported by docking studies, showed that BB2-50F targets the membrane-embedded c-ring of the F1Fo-ATP synthase and the catalytic subunit (substrate-binding site) of succinate dehydrogenase. Biochemical assays and metabolomic profiling showed that BB2-50F inhibits succinate oxidation, decreases the activity of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and results in succinate secretion from M. tuberculosis. Moreover, we show that the lethality of BB2-50F under aerobic conditions involves the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Overall, this study identifies BB2-50F as an effective inhibitor of M. tuberculosis and highlights that targeting multiple components of the mycobacterial respiratory chain can produce fast-acting antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Adolph
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1042, New Zealand
| | - Chen-Yi Cheung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Matthew B McNeil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1042, New Zealand
| | - William J Jowsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1042, New Zealand
| | - Zoe C Williams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Kiel Hards
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Liam K Harold
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ashraf Aboelela
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Richard S Bujaroski
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Buckley
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Joel D A Tyndall
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Zhengqiu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Julian D Langer
- Proteomics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Laura Preiss
- Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Meier
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein, Triesen, Liechtenstein
| | - Adrie J C Steyn
- Africa Health Research Institute, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa; Department of Microbiology, Centers for AIDs Research and Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kyu Y Rhee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Michael Berney
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Kelso
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1042, New Zealand.
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4
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Kaur J, Sharma A, Mundlia P, Sood V, Pandey A, Singh G, Barnwal RP. RNA-Small-Molecule Interaction: Challenging the "Undruggable" Tag. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38498010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
RNA targeting, specifically with small molecules, is a relatively new and rapidly emerging avenue with the promise to expand the target space in the drug discovery field. From being "disregarded" as an "undruggable" messenger molecule to FDA approval of an RNA-targeting small-molecule drug Risdiplam, a radical change in perspective toward RNA has been observed in the past decade. RNAs serve important regulatory functions beyond canonical protein synthesis, and their dysregulation has been reported in many diseases. A deeper understanding of RNA biology reveals that RNA molecules can adopt a variety of structures, carrying defined binding pockets that can accommodate small-molecule drugs. Due to its functional diversity and structural complexity, RNA can be perceived as a prospective target for therapeutic intervention. This perspective highlights the proof of concept of RNA-small-molecule interactions, exemplified by targeting of various transcripts with functional modulators. The advent of RNA-oriented knowledge would help expedite drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaskirat Kaur
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Akanksha Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Poonam Mundlia
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Vikas Sood
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Ankur Pandey
- Department of Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Gurpal Singh
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
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5
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Davila-Calderon J, Li ML, Penumutchu SR, Haddad C, Malcolm L, King J, Hargrove AE, Brewer G, Tolbert BS. Enterovirus evolution reveals the mechanism of an RNA-targeted antiviral and determinants of viral replication. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadg3060. [PMID: 38363831 PMCID: PMC10871541 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg3060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Selective pressures on viruses provide opportunities to establish target site specificity and mechanisms of antivirals. Enterovirus (EV)-A71 with resistant mutations in the stem loop (SL) II internal ribosome entry site (IRES) (SLIIresist) were selected at low doses of the antiviral dimethylamiloride (DMA)-135. The EV-A71 mutants were resistant to DMA-135 at concentrations that inhibit replication of wild-type virus. EV-A71 IRES structures harboring resistant mutations induced efficient expression of Luciferase messenger RNA in the presence of noncytotoxic doses of DMA-135. Nuclear magnetic resonance indicates that the mutations change the structure of SLII at the binding site of DMA-135 and at the surface recognized by the host protein AU-rich element/poly(U)-binding/degradation factor 1 (AUF1). Biophysical studies of complexes formed between AUF1, DMA-135, and either SLII or SLIIresist show that DMA-135 stabilizes a ternary complex with AUF1-SLII but not AUF1-SLIIresist. This work demonstrates how viral evolution elucidates the (DMA-135)-RNA binding site specificity in cells and provides insights into the viral pathways inhibited by the antiviral.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mei-Ling Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | | | - Christina Haddad
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Linzy Malcolm
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Josephine King
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Gary Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Blanton S. Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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6
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Kovachka S, Panosetti M, Grimaldi B, Azoulay S, Di Giorgio A, Duca M. Small molecule approaches to targeting RNA. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:120-135. [PMID: 38278932 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00569-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of innovative methodologies to identify RNA binders has attracted enormous attention in chemical biology and drug discovery. Although antibiotics targeting bacterial ribosomal RNA have been on the market for decades, the renewed interest in RNA targeting reflects the need to better understand complex intracellular processes involving RNA. In this context, small molecules are privileged tools used to explore the biological functions of RNA and to validate RNAs as therapeutic targets, and they eventually are to become new drugs. Despite recent progress, the rational design of specific RNA binders requires a better understanding of the interactions which occur with the RNA target to reach the desired biological response. In this Review, we discuss the challenges to approaching this underexplored chemical space, together with recent strategies to bind, interact and affect biologically relevant RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Kovachka
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Marc Panosetti
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
- Molecular Medicine Research Line, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Benedetto Grimaldi
- Molecular Medicine Research Line, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy
| | - Stéphane Azoulay
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Audrey Di Giorgio
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France
| | - Maria Duca
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry of Nice, Nice, France.
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Wang S, Pang Z, Fan H, Tong Y. Advances in anti-EV-A71 drug development research. J Adv Res 2024; 56:137-156. [PMID: 37001813 PMCID: PMC10834817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.03.007] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is capable of causing hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which may lead to neurological sequelae and even death. As EV-A71 is resistant to environmental changes and mutates easily, there is still a lack of effective treatments or globally available vaccines. AIM OF REVIEW For more than 50 years since the HFMD epidemic, related drug research has been conducted. Progress in this area can promote the further application of existing potential drugs and develop more efficient and safe antiviral drugs, and provide useful reference for protecting the younger generation and maintaining public health security. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW At present, researchers have identified hundreds of EV-A71 inhibitors based on screening repurposed drugs, targeted structural design, and rational modification of previously effective drugs as the main development strategies. This review systematically introduces the current potential drugs to inhibit EV-A71 infection, including viral inhibitors targeting key sites such as the viral capsid, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), 2C protein, internal ribosome entry site (IRES), 3C proteinase (3Cpro), and 2A proteinase (2Apro), starting from each stage of the viral life cycle. Meanwhile, the progress of host-targeting antiviral drugs and their development are summarized in terms of regulating host immunity, inhibiting autophagy or apoptosis, and regulating the cellular redox environment. In addition, the current clinical methods for the prevention and treatment of HFMD are summarized and discussed with the aim of providing support and recommendations for the treatment of enterovirus infections including EV-A71.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zehan Pang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.
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Wei Y, Liu H, Hu D, He Q, Yao C, Li H, Hu K, Wang J. Recent Advances in Enterovirus A71 Infection and Antiviral Agents. J Transl Med 2024; 104:100298. [PMID: 38008182 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100298] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is one of the major causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) that majorly affects children. Most of the time, HFMD is a mild disease but can progress to severe complications, such as meningitis, brain stem encephalitis, acute flaccid paralysis, and even death. HFMD caused by EV-A71 has emerged as an acutely infectious disease of highly pathogenic potential in the Asia-Pacific region. In this review, we introduced the properties and life cycle of EV-A71, and the pathogenesis and the pathophysiology of EV-A71 infection, including tissue tropism and host range of virus infection, the diseases caused by the virus, as well as the genes and host cell immune mechanisms of major diseases caused by enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) infection, such as encephalitis and neurologic pulmonary edema. At the same time, clinicopathologic characteristics of EV-A71 infection were introduced. There is currently no specific medication for EV-A71 infection, highlighting the urgency and significance of developing suitable anti-EV-A71 agents. This overview also summarizes the targets of existing anti-EV-A71 agents, including virus entry, translation, polyprotein processing, replication, assembly and release; interferons; interleukins; the mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and protein kinase B signaling pathways; the oxidative stress pathway; the ubiquitin-proteasome system; and so on. Furthermore, it overviews the effects of natural products, monoclonal antibodies, and RNA interference against EV-A71. It also discusses issues limiting the research of antiviral drugs. This review is a systematic and comprehensive summary of the mechanism and pathological characteristics of EV-A71 infection, the latest progress of existing anti-EV-A71 agents. It would provide better understanding and guidance for the research and application of EV-A71 infection and antiviral inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Wei
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Sino-German Biomedical Center, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Sino-German Biomedical Center, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Da Hu
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Sino-German Biomedical Center, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qun He
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Sino-German Biomedical Center, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chenguang Yao
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Sino-German Biomedical Center, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hanluo Li
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Sino-German Biomedical Center, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kanghong Hu
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Sino-German Biomedical Center, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pathology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Chuang YT, Lin YL, Lin JY. Licochalcone A regulates viral IRES activity to inhibit enterovirus replication. Antiviral Res 2024; 221:105755. [PMID: 37984566 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), belonging to the genus Enterovirus of the Picornavirus family, is an emerging pathogen that can cause neurological and respiratory diseases in children. However, there is little understanding of the pathogenesis of EV-D68, and no effective vaccine or drug for the prevention or treatment of the diseases caused by this virus is available. Autophagy is a cellular process that targets cytoplasmic proteins or organelles to the lysosomes for degradation. Enteroviruses strategically harness the host autophagy pathway to facilitate the completion of their life cycle. Therefore, we selected an autophagy compound library to screen for autophagy-related compounds that may affect viral growth. By using the neutralization screening assay, we identified a compound, 'licochalcone A' that significantly inhibited EV-D68 replication. To investigate the mechanism by which licochalcone A inhibits EV-D68 replication and to identify the viral life cycle stage it inhibits, the time-of-addition, viral attachment, viral entry, and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed. The results of the time-of-addition assay showed that licochalcone A, a characteristic chalcone found in liquorice roots and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, inhibits EV-D68 replication during the early stages of the viral life cycle, while those of the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that licochalcone A does not regulate viral attachment and entry, but inhibits EV-D68 IRES-dependent translation. Licochalcone A also inhibited enterovirus A71 and coxsackievirus B3 but did not significantly inhibit dengue virus 2 or human coronavirus 229E replication. Licochalcone A regulates IRES translation to inhibit EV-D68 viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Chuang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Li Lin
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Yi Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.
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10
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Abedeera SM, Davila-Calderon J, Haddad C, Henry B, King J, Penumutchu S, Tolbert BS. The Repurposing of Cellular Proteins during Enterovirus A71 Infection. Viruses 2023; 16:75. [PMID: 38257775 PMCID: PMC10821071 DOI: 10.3390/v16010075] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Viruses pose a great threat to people's lives. Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infects children and infants all over the world with no FDA-approved treatment to date. Understanding the basic mechanisms of viral processes aids in selecting more efficient drug targets and designing more effective antivirals to thwart this virus. The 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the viral RNA genome is composed of a cloverleaf structure and an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Cellular proteins that bind to the cloverleaf structure regulate viral RNA synthesis, while those that bind to the IRES also known as IRES trans-acting factors (ITAFs) regulate viral translation. In this review, we survey the cellular proteins currently known to bind the 5'-UTR and influence viral gene expression with emphasis on comparing proteins' functions and localizations pre- and post-(EV-A71) infection. A comprehensive understanding of how the host cell's machinery is hijacked and reprogrammed by the virus to facilitate its replication is crucial for developing effective antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshi M. Abedeera
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (S.M.A.); (B.H.); (S.P.)
| | - Jesse Davila-Calderon
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.D.-C.); (C.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Christina Haddad
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.D.-C.); (C.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Barrington Henry
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (S.M.A.); (B.H.); (S.P.)
| | - Josephine King
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.D.-C.); (C.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Srinivasa Penumutchu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (S.M.A.); (B.H.); (S.P.)
| | - Blanton S. Tolbert
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (S.M.A.); (B.H.); (S.P.)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
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11
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Cui B, Song L, Wang Q, Li K, He Q, Wu X, Gao F, Liu M, An C, Gao Q, Hu C, Hao X, Dong F, Zhou J, Liu D, Song Z, Yan X, Zhang J, Bai Y, Mao Q, Yang X, Liang Z. Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) oncolysis using coxsackievirus B5 and synergistic DNA-damage response inhibitors. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:366. [PMID: 37743418 PMCID: PMC10518312 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01603-4] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
With the continuous in-depth study of the interaction mechanism between viruses and hosts, the virus has become a promising tool in cancer treatment. In fact, many oncolytic viruses with selectivity and effectiveness have been used in cancer therapy. Human enterovirus is one of the most convenient sources to generate oncolytic viruses, however, the high seroprevalence of some enteroviruses limits its application which urges to exploit more oncolytic enteroviruses. In this study, coxsackievirus B5/Faulkner (CV-B5/F) was screened for its potential oncolytic effect against non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) through inducing apoptosis and autophagy. For refractory NSCLCs, DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) or ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) inhibitors can synergize with CV-B5/F to promote refractory cell death. Here, we showed that viral infection triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related pro-apoptosis and autophagy signals, whereas repair for double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) contributed to cell survival which can be antagonized by inhibitor-induced cell death, manifesting exacerbated DSBs, apoptosis, and autophagy. Mechanistically, PERK pathway was activated by the combination of CV-B5/F and inhibitor, and the irreversible ER stress-induced exacerbated cell death. Furthermore, the degradation of activated STING by ERphagy promoted viral replication. Meanwhile, no treatment-related deaths due to CV-B5/F and/or inhibitors occurred. Conclusively, our study identifies an oncolytic CV-B5/F and the synergistic effects of inhibitors of DNA-PK or ATM, which is a potential therapy for NSCLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bopei Cui
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan, China
| | - Lifang Song
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Kelei Li
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- Beijing Minhai Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Qian He
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Wu
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Gao
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Mingchen Liu
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoqiang An
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- Beijing Minhai Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Qiushuang Gao
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoying Hu
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotian Hao
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Fangyu Dong
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- Taibang Biologic Group, Beijing, China
| | | | - Dong Liu
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- Changchun Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd, Changchun, China
| | - Ziyang Song
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Xujia Yan
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- Changchun Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd, Changchun, China
| | - Jialu Zhang
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Bai
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qunying Mao
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan, China.
- China National Biotec Group Company Limited, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhenglun Liang
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, NHC Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China.
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12
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Mathez G, Cagno V. Small Molecules Targeting Viral RNA. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13500. [PMID: 37686306 PMCID: PMC10487773 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of antivirals available target viral proteins; however, RNA is emerging as a new and promising antiviral target due to the presence of highly structured RNA in viral genomes fundamental for their replication cycle. Here, we discuss methods for the identification of RNA-targeting compounds, starting from the determination of RNA structures either from purified RNA or in living cells, followed by in silico screening on RNA and phenotypic assays to evaluate viral inhibition. Moreover, we review the small molecules known to target the programmed ribosomal frameshifting element of SARS-CoV-2, the internal ribosomal entry site of different viruses, and RNA elements of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valeria Cagno
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital of Lausanne, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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13
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Kenderdine T, Fabris D. The multifaceted roles of mass spectrometric analysis in nucleic acids drug discovery and development. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2023; 42:1332-1357. [PMID: 34939674 PMCID: PMC9218015 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The deceptively simple concepts of mass determination and fragment analysis are the basis for the application of mass spectrometry (MS) to a boundless range of analytes, including fundamental components and polymeric forms of nucleic acids (NAs). This platform affords the intrinsic ability to observe first-hand the effects of NA-active drugs on the chemical structure, composition, and conformation of their targets, which might affect their ability to interact with cognate NAs, proteins, and other biomolecules present in a natural environment. The possibility of interfacing with high-performance separation techniques represents a multiplying factor that extends these capabilities to cover complex sample mixtures obtained from organisms that were exposed to NA-active drugs. This report provides a brief overview of these capabilities in the context of the analysis of the products of NA-drug activity and NA therapeutics. The selected examples offer proof-of-principle of the applicability of this platform to all phases of the journey undertaken by any successful NA drug from laboratory to bedside, and provide the rationale for its rapid expansion outside traditional laboratory settings in support to ever growing manufacturing operations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dan Fabris
- Corresponding author: 55 North Eagleville Road, A416, Storrs, CT 06269-3060 USA, Phone: (860) 486-2881, Fax: (860) 486-2981,
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Abstract
Viruses lack the properties to replicate independently due to the limited resources encoded in their genome; therefore, they hijack the host cell machinery to replicate and survive. Picornaviruses get the prerequisite for effective protein synthesis through specific sequences known as internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). In the past 2 decades, significant progress has been made in identifying different types of IRESs in picornaviruses. This review will discuss the past and current findings related to the five different types of IRESs and various internal ribosome entry site trans-acting factors (ITAFs) that either promote or suppress picornavirus translation and replication. Some IRESs are inefficient and thus require ITAFs. To achieve their full efficiency, they recruit various ITAFs, which enable them to translate more effectively and efficiently, except type IV IRES, which does not require any ITAFs. Although there are two kinds of ITAFs, one promotes viral IRES-dependent translation, and the second type restricts. Picornaviruses IRESs are classified into five types based on their use of sequence, ITAFs, and initiation factors. Some ITAFs regulate IRES activity by localizing to the viral replication factories in the cytoplasm. Also, some drugs, chemicals, and herbal extracts also regulate viral IRES-dependent translation and replication. Altogether, this review will elaborate on our understanding of the past and recent advancements in the IRES-dependent translation and replication of picornaviruses. IMPORTANCE The family Picornaviridae is divided into 68 genera and 158 species. The viruses belonging to this family range from public health importance, such as poliovirus, enterovirus A71, and hepatitis A virus, to animal viruses of great economic importance, such as foot-and-mouth disease virus. The genomes of picornaviruses contain 5' untranslated regions (5' UTRs), which possess crucial and highly structured stem-loops known as IRESs. IRES assemble the ribosomes and facilitate the cap-independent translation. Virus-host interaction is a hot spot for researchers, which warrants deep insight into understanding viral pathogenesis better and discovering new tools and ways for viral restriction to improve human and animal health. The cap-independent translation in the majority of picornaviruses is modulated by ITAFs, which bind to various IRES regions to initiate the translation. The discoveries of ITAFs substantially contributed to understanding viral replication behavior and enhanced our knowledge about virus-host interaction more effectively than ever before. This review discussed the various types of IRESs found in Picornaviridae, past and present discoveries regarding ITAFs, and their mechanism of action. The herbal extracts, drugs, and chemicals, which indicated their importance in controlling viruses, were also summarized. In addition, we discussed the movement of ITAFs from the nucleus to viral replication factories. We believe this review will stimulate researchers to search for more novel ITAFs, drugs, herbal extracts, and chemicals, enhancing the understanding of virus-host interaction.
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15
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Garner AL. Contemporary Progress and Opportunities in RNA-Targeted Drug Discovery. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:251-259. [PMID: 36923915 PMCID: PMC10009794 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00020] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The surprising discovery that RNAs are the predominant gene products to emerge from the human genome catalyzed a renaissance in RNA biology. It is now well-understood that RNAs act as more than just a messenger and comprise a large and diverse family of ribonucleic acids of differing sizes, structures, and functions. RNAs play expansive roles in the cell, contributing to the regulation and fine-tuning of nearly all aspects of gene expression and genome architecture. In line with the significance of these functions, we have witnessed an explosion in discoveries connecting RNAs with a variety of human diseases. Consequently, the targeting of RNAs, and more broadly RNA biology, has emerged as an untapped area of drug discovery, making the search for RNA-targeted therapeutics of great interest. In this Microperspective, I highlight contemporary learnings in the field and present my views on how to catapult us toward the systematic discovery of RNA-targeted medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L. Garner
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 1600 Huron Parkway, NCRC B520, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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16
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Li Z, Ji W, Chen S, Duan G, Jin Y. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Challenges and Its Antiviral Therapeutics. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030571. [PMID: 36992155 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is an infectious disease caused by enteroviruses (EVs) and is extremely contagious and prevalent among infants and children under 5 years old [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Li
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Wangquan Ji
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shuaiyin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Guangcai Duan
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yuefei Jin
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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17
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Morishita EC. Discovery of RNA-targeted small molecules through the merging of experimental and computational technologies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:207-226. [PMID: 36322542 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2134852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The field of RNA-targeted small molecules is rapidly evolving, owing to the advances in experimental and computational technologies. With the identification of several bioactive small molecules that target RNA, including the FDA-approved risdiplam, the biopharmaceutical industry is gaining confidence in the field. This review, based on the literature obtained from PubMed, aims to disseminate information about the various technologies developed for targeting RNA with small molecules and propose areas for improvement to develop drugs more efficiently, particularly those linked to diseases with unmet medical needs. AREAS COVERED The technologies for the identification of RNA targets, screening of chemical libraries against RNA, assessing the bioactivity and target engagement of the hit compounds, structure determination, and hit-to-lead optimization are reviewed. Along with the description of the technologies, their strengths, limitations, and examples of how they can impact drug discovery are provided. EXPERT OPINION Many existing technologies employed for protein targets have been repurposed for use in the discovery of RNA-targeted small molecules. In addition, technologies tailored for RNA targets have been developed. Nevertheless, more improvements are necessary, such as artificial intelligence to dissect important RNA structures and RNA-small-molecule interactions and more powerful chemical probing and structure prediction techniques.
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18
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Wu GH, Lee KM, Kao CY, Shih SR. The internal ribosome entry site determines the neurotropic potential of enterovirus A71. Microbes Infect 2023; 25:105107. [PMID: 36708870 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105107] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying tissue-specific replication of enteroviruses are currently unclear. Although enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) are both common pathogens that cause hand-foot-mouth disease, they display quite different neurotropic properties. Herein, we characterized the role of the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) in determining neurovirulence using an oral inoculation model of EV-A71. The receptor transgenic (hSCARB2-Tg) mice developed neurological symptoms after being infected with a mouse-adapted EV-A71 strain (MP4) via different administrative routes. Intragastric administration of the MP4 strain caused pathological changes such as neuronal loss and neuropil vacuolation, whereas replacing EV-A71 IRES with CV-A16 abolished the neuropathological phenotypes. The attenuated neurotropic potential of IRES-swapped EV-A71 was observed even in mice that received intraperitoneal and intracerebral inoculations. Fewer chimeric MP4 viral RNAs and proteins were detected in the mouse tissues, regardless of the inoculation route. Tissue-specific replication can be reflected in cell-based characterization. While chimeric MP4 virus replicated poorly in human intestinal C2BBe1 and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, its replication in susceptible rhabdomyosarcoma cells was not affected. Overall, our results demonstrated that the IRES determined the neurotropic potential of EV-A71 and CV-A16, emphasizing the importance of the IRES in tissue tropism, along with the host receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Hong Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Ming Lee
- International Master Degree Program for Molecular Medicine in Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan; Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Kao
- Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan
| | - Shin-Ru Shih
- Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan; Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, and Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, 333 Taiwan.
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19
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Eastman C, Tapprich WE. RNA Structure in the 5' Untranslated Region of Enterovirus D68 Strains with Differing Neurovirulence Phenotypes. Viruses 2023; 15:295. [PMID: 36851509 PMCID: PMC9959730 DOI: 10.3390/v15020295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus-D68 (EV-D68) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus within the family Picornaviridae. EV-D68 was initially considered a respiratory virus that primarily affected children. However, in 2014, EV-D68 outbreaks occurred causing the expected increase in respiratory illness cases, but also an increase in acute flaccid myelitis cases (AFM). Sequencing of 2014 outbreak isolates revealed variations in the 5' UTR of the genome compared to the historical Fermon strain. The structure of the 5' UTR RNA contributes to enterovirus virulence, including neurovirulence in poliovirus, and could contribute to neurovirulence in contemporary EV-D68 strains. In this study, the secondary and tertiary structures of 5' UTR RNA from the Fermon strain and 2014 isolate KT347251.1 are analyzed and compared. Secondary structures were determined using SHAPE-MaP and TurboFold II and tertiary structures were predicted using 3dRNAv2.0. Comparison of RNA structures between the EV-D68 strains shows significant remodeling at the secondary and tertiary levels. Notable secondary structure changes occurred in domains II, IV and V. Shifts in the secondary structure changed the tertiary structure of the individual domains and the orientation of the domains. Our comparative structural models for EV-D68 5' UTR RNA highlight regions of the molecule that could be targeted for treatment of neurotropic enteroviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William E. Tapprich
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
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20
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Chiu LY, Davila-Calderon J, Cai Z, Tolbert BS. Biophysical Analysis of Small Molecule Binding to Viral RNA Structures. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2570:205-222. [PMID: 36156785 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2695-5_16] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
RNA molecules are essential for carrying genetic information and regulating gene expression in most organisms including human pathogenic RNA and relate retro viruses. Targeting viral RNA (vRNA) structures provide broad opportunities to develop chemical tools to probe molecular virology and to discover novel targets for therapeutic intervention. An increasing number of RNA binding small molecules are being identified, stimulating increased interests in small molecule drug discovery for RNA targets. In this chapter, we describe protocols to characterize and robustly validate vRNA-small molecule (vRNA-sm) interactions starting from vRNA sample preparation, followed by small molecule screening against vRNA targets and finally to validating the vRNA-sm interactions via NMR spectroscopy and calorimetric titrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Yuan Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Zhengguo Cai
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Blanton S Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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21
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Bhattarai K, Holcik M. Diverse roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins in viral life cycle. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2022.1044652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the host-virus interactions helps to decipher the viral replication strategies and pathogenesis. Viruses have limited genetic content and rely significantly on their host cell to establish a successful infection. Viruses depend on the host for a broad spectrum of cellular RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) throughout their life cycle. One of the major RBP families is the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) family. hnRNPs are typically localized in the nucleus, where they are forming complexes with pre-mRNAs and contribute to many aspects of nucleic acid metabolism. hnRNPs contain RNA binding motifs and frequently function as RNA chaperones involved in pre-mRNA processing, RNA splicing, and export. Many hnRNPs shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and influence cytoplasmic processes such as mRNA stability, localization, and translation. The interactions between the hnRNPs and viral components are well-known. They are critical for processing viral nucleic acids and proteins and, therefore, impact the success of the viral infection. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms by which hnRNPs interact with and regulate each stage of the viral life cycle, such as replication, splicing, translation, and assembly of virus progeny. In addition, we expand on the role of hnRNPs in the antiviral response and as potential targets for antiviral drug research and development.
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22
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Childs-Disney JL, Yang X, Gibaut QMR, Tong Y, Batey RT, Disney MD. Targeting RNA structures with small molecules. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:736-762. [PMID: 35941229 PMCID: PMC9360655 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00521-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA adopts 3D structures that confer varied functional roles in human biology and dysfunction in disease. Approaches to therapeutically target RNA structures with small molecules are being actively pursued, aided by key advances in the field including the development of computational tools that predict evolutionarily conserved RNA structures, as well as strategies that expand mode of action and facilitate interactions with cellular machinery. Existing RNA-targeted small molecules use a range of mechanisms including directing splicing - by acting as molecular glues with cellular proteins (such as branaplam and the FDA-approved risdiplam), inhibition of translation of undruggable proteins and deactivation of functional structures in noncoding RNAs. Here, we describe strategies to identify, validate and optimize small molecules that target the functional transcriptome, laying out a roadmap to advance these agents into the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xueyi Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | | | - Yuquan Tong
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Robert T Batey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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23
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Chiu LY, Emery A, Jain N, Sugarman A, Kendrick N, Luo L, Ford W, Swanstrom R, Tolbert BS. Encoded Conformational Dynamics of the HIV Splice Site A3 Regulatory Locus: Implications for Differential Binding of hnRNP Splicing Auxiliary Factors. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167728. [PMID: 35870649 PMCID: PMC9945881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing of the HIV transcriptome is controlled through cis regulatory elements functioning as enhancers or silencers depending on their context and the type of host RNA binding proteins they recruit. Splice site acceptor A3 (ssA3) is one of the least used acceptor sites in the HIV transcriptome and its activity determines the levels of tat mRNA. Splice acceptor 3 is regulated by a combination of cis regulatory sequences, auxiliary splicing factors, and presumably RNA structure. The mechanisms by which these multiple regulatory components coordinate to determine the frequency in which ssA3 is utilized is poorly understood. By NMR spectroscopy and phylogenetic analysis, we show that the ssA3 regulatory locus is conformationally heterogeneous and that the sequences that encompass the locus are conserved across most HIV isolates. Despite the conformational heterogeneity, the major stem loop (A3SL1) observed in vitro folds to base pair the Polypyrimdine Tract (PPyT) to the Exon Splicing Silencer 2p (ESS2p) element and to a conserved downstream linker. The 3D structure as determined by NMR spectroscopy further reveals that the A3 consensus cleavage site is embedded within a unique stereochemical environment within the apical loop, where it is surrounded by alternating base-base interactions. Despite being described as a receptor for hnRNP H, the ESS2p element is sequestered by base pairing to the 3' end of the PPyT and within this context it cannot form a stable complex with hnRNP H. By comparison, hnRNP A1 directly binds to the A3 consensus cleavage site located within the apical loop, suggesting that it can directly modulate U2AF assembly. Sequence mutations designed to destabilize the PPyT:ESS2p helix results in an increase usage of ssA3 within HIV-infected cells, consistent with the PPyT becoming more accessible for U2AF recognition. Additional mutations introduced into the downstream ESS2 element synergize with ESS2p to cause further increases in ssA3 usage. When taken together, our work provides a unifying picture by which cis regulatory sequences, splicing auxiliary factors and RNA structure cooperate to provide stringent control over ssA3. We describe this as the pair-and-lock mechanism to restrict access of the PPyT, and posit that it operates to regulate a subset of the heterogenous structures encompassing the ssA3 regulatory locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Yuan Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Ann Emery
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Niyati Jain
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Andrew Sugarman
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Nashea Kendrick
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Le Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - William Ford
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Ronald Swanstrom
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599,Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Blanton S. Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
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24
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Li ML, Ragupathi A, Patel N, Hernandez T, Magsino J, Werlen G, Brewer G, Jacinto E. The RNA-binding protein AUF1 facilitates Akt phosphorylation at the membrane. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102437. [PMID: 36041631 PMCID: PMC9513781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which is part of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2, controls cellular metabolism in response to levels of nutrients and other growth signals. A hallmark of mTORC2 activation is the phosphorylation of Akt, which becomes upregulated in cancer. How mTORC2 modulates Akt phosphorylation remains poorly understood. Here, we found that the RNA-binding protein, AUF1 (ARE/poly(U)-binding/degradation factor 1), modulates mTORC2/Akt signaling. We determined that AUF1 is required for phosphorylation of Akt at Thr308, Thr450, and Ser473 and that AUF1 also mediates phosphorylation of the mTORC2-modulated metabolic enzyme glutamine fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase 1 at Ser243. In addition, AUF1 immunoprecipitation followed by quantitative RT–PCR revealed that the mRNAs of Akt, glutamine fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase 1, and the mTORC2 component SIN1 associate with AUF1. Furthermore, expression of the p40 and p45, but not the p37 or p42, isoforms of AUF1 specifically mediate Akt phosphorylation. In the absence of AUF1, subcellular fractionation indicated that Akt fails to localize to the membrane. However, ectopic expression of a membrane-targeted allele of Akt is sufficient to allow Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation despite AUF1 depletion. Finally, conditions that enhance mTORC2 signaling, such as acute glutamine withdrawal, augment AUF1 phosphorylation, whereas mTOR inhibition abolishes AUF1 phosphorylation. Our findings unravel a role for AUF1 in promoting membrane localization of Akt to facilitate its phosphorylation on this cellular compartment. Targeting AUF1 could have therapeutic benefit for cancers with upregulated mTORC2/Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ling Li
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Aparna Ragupathi
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Nikhil Patel
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Tatiana Hernandez
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Jedrick Magsino
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Guy Werlen
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Gary Brewer
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
| | - Estela Jacinto
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
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25
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Kallert E, Fischer TR, Schneider S, Grimm M, Helm M, Kersten C. Protein-Based Virtual Screening Tools Applied for RNA-Ligand Docking Identify New Binders of the preQ 1-Riboswitch. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:4134-4148. [PMID: 35994617 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeting RNA with small molecules is an emerging field. While several ligands for different RNA targets are reported, structure-based virtual screenings (VSs) against RNAs are still rare. Here, we elucidated the general capabilities of protein-based docking programs to reproduce native binding modes of small-molecule RNA ligands and to discriminate known binders from decoys by the scoring function. The programs were found to perform similar compared to the RNA-based docking tool rDOCK, and the challenges faced during docking, namely, protomer and tautomer selection, target dynamics, and explicit solvent, do not largely differ from challenges in conventional protein-ligand docking. A prospective VS with the Bacillus subtilis preQ1-riboswitch aptamer domain performed with FRED, HYBRID, and FlexX followed by microscale thermophoresis assays identified six active compounds out of 23 tested VS hits with potencies between 29.5 nM and 11.0 μM. The hits were selected not solely based on their docking score but for resembling key interactions of the native ligand. Therefore, this study demonstrates the general feasibility to perform structure-based VSs against RNA targets, while at the same time it highlights pitfalls and their potential solutions when executing RNA-ligand docking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kallert
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Tim R Fischer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Maike Grimm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Mark Helm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
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26
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Martín-Villamil M, Sanmartín I, Moreno Á, Gallego J. Pharmacophore-Based Discovery of Viral RNA Conformational Modulators. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060748. [PMID: 35745667 PMCID: PMC9229403 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
New RNA-binding small-molecule scaffolds are needed to unleash the pharmacological potential of RNA targets. Here we have applied a pharmacophore-based virtual screening approach, seldom used in the RNA recognition field, to identify novel conformational inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site. The conformational effect of the screening hits was assessed with a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay, and the affinity, specificity, and binding site of the ligands were determined using a combination of fluorescence intensity and NMR spectroscopy experiments. The results indicate that this strategy can be successfully applied to discover RNA conformational inhibitors bearing substantially less positive charge than the reference ligands. This methodology can potentially be accommodated to other RNA motifs of pharmacological interest, facilitating the discovery of novel RNA-targeted molecules.
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27
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Kinobe R, Wiyatno A, Artika IM, Safari D. Insight into the Enterovirus A71: A review. Rev Med Virol 2022; 32:e2361. [PMID: 35510476 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Enterovirus A71 is a major causative pathogen of hand, foot and mouth disease. It has become a global public health threat, and is especially important for infants and young children in the Asian-Pacific countries. The enterovirus A71 is a non-enveloped virus of the Picornaviridae family having a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome of about 7.4 kb which encodes the structural and nonstructural proteins. Currently there are no US FDA-approved vaccines or antiviral therapy available against enterovirus A71 infection. Although enterovirus A71 vaccines have been licenced in China, clinically approved vaccines for widespread vaccination programs are lacking. Substantial progress has recently been achieved on understanding the structure and function of enterovirus A71 proteins together with information on the viral genetic diversity and geographic distribution. The present review is intended to provide an overview on our current understanding of the molecular biology and epidemiology of enterovirus A71 which will aid the development of vaccines, therapeutics and other control strategies so as to bolster the preparedness for future enterovirus A71 outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Kinobe
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Ageng Wiyatno
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - I Made Artika
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia.,Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Dodi Safari
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, Indonesia
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28
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Zhao EM, Mao AS, de Puig H, Zhang K, Tippens ND, Tan X, Ran FA, Han I, Nguyen PQ, Chory EJ, Hua TY, Ramesh P, Thompson DB, Oh CY, Zigon ES, English MA, Collins JJ. RNA-responsive elements for eukaryotic translational control. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:539-545. [PMID: 34711989 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-01068-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ability to control translation of endogenous or exogenous RNAs in eukaryotic cells would facilitate a variety of biotechnological applications. Current strategies are limited by low fold changes in transgene output and the size of trigger RNAs (trRNAs). Here we introduce eukaryotic toehold switches (eToeholds) as modular riboregulators. eToeholds contain internal ribosome entry site sequences and form inhibitory loops in the absence of a specific trRNA. When the trRNA is present, eToeholds anneal to it, disrupting the inhibitory loops and allowing translation. Through optimization of RNA annealing, we achieved up to 16-fold induction of transgene expression in mammalian cells. We demonstrate that eToeholds can discriminate among viral infection status, presence or absence of gene expression and cell types based on the presence of exogenous or endogenous RNA transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M Zhao
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angelo S Mao
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Helena de Puig
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kehan Zhang
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nathaniel D Tippens
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiao Tan
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - F Ann Ran
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isaac Han
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Q Nguyen
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emma J Chory
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tiffany Y Hua
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pradeep Ramesh
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David B Thompson
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Crystal Yuri Oh
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Zigon
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Max A English
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA. .,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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29
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Kauffmann AD, Kennedy SD, Moss WN, Kierzek E, Kierzek R, Turner DH. Nuclear magnetic resonance reveals a two hairpin equilibrium near the 3'-splice site of influenza A segment 7 mRNA that can be shifted by oligonucleotides. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:508-522. [PMID: 34983822 PMCID: PMC8925974 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078951.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A kills hundreds of thousands of people globally every year and has the potential to generate more severe pandemics. Influenza A's RNA genome and transcriptome provide many potential therapeutic targets. Here, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments suggest that one such target could be a hairpin loop of 8 nucleotides in a pseudoknot that sequesters a 3' splice site in canonical pairs until a conformational change releases it into a dynamic 2 × 2-nt internal loop. NMR experiments reveal that the hairpin loop is dynamic and able to bind oligonucleotides as short as pentamers. A 3D NMR structure of the complex contains 4 and likely 5 bp between pentamer and loop. Moreover, a hairpin sequence was discovered that mimics the equilibrium of the influenza hairpin between its structure in the pseudoknot and upon release of the splice site. Oligonucleotide binding shifts the equilibrium completely to the hairpin secondary structure required for pseudoknot folding. The results suggest this hairpin can be used to screen for compounds that stabilize the pseudoknot and potentially reduce splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Kauffmann
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
| | - Scott D Kennedy
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Walter N Moss
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Elzbieta Kierzek
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Ryszard Kierzek
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Douglas H Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
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30
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Wang J, Hu Y, Zheng M. Enterovirus A71 antivirals: Past, present, and future. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1542-1566. [PMID: 35847514 PMCID: PMC9279511 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is a significant human pathogen, especially in children. EV-A71 infection is one of the leading causes of hand, foot, and mouth diseases (HFMD), and can lead to neurological complications such as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in severe cases. Although three EV-A71 vaccines are available in China, they are not broadly protective and have reduced efficacy against emerging strains. There is currently no approved antiviral for EV-A71. Significant progress has been made in developing antivirals against EV-A71 by targeting both viral proteins and host factors. However, viral capsid inhibitors and protease inhibitors failed in clinical trials of human rhinovirus infection due to limited efficacy or side effects. This review discusses major discoveries in EV-A71 antiviral development, analyzes the advantages and limitations of each drug target, and highlights the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to advance the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Madeleine Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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31
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Francisco-Velilla R, Embarc-Buh A, Abellan S, Martinez-Salas E. Picornavirus translation strategies. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:1125-1141. [PMID: 35313388 PMCID: PMC9157412 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome of viruses classified as picornaviruses consists of a single monocistronic positive strand RNA. The coding capacity of these RNA viruses is rather limited, and thus, they rely on the cellular machinery for their viral replication cycle. Upon the entry of the virus into susceptible cells, the viral RNA initially competes with cellular mRNAs for access to the protein synthesis machinery. Not surprisingly, picornaviruses have evolved specialized strategies that successfully allow the expression of viral gene products, which we outline in this review. The main feature of all picornavirus genomes is the presence of a heavily structured RNA element on the 5´UTR, referred to as an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element, which directs viral protein synthesis as well and, consequently, triggers the subsequent steps required for viral replication. Here, we will summarize recent studies showing that picornavirus IRES elements consist of a modular structure, providing sites of interaction for ribosome subunits, eIFs, and a selective group of RNA‐binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Azman Embarc-Buh
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Abellan
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
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32
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Tompkins VS, Rouse WB, O’Leary CA, Andrews RJ, Moss WN. Analyses of human cancer driver genes uncovers evolutionarily conserved RNA structural elements involved in posttranscriptional control. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264025. [PMID: 35213597 PMCID: PMC8880891 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental breakthroughs have provided unprecedented insights into the genes involved in cancer. The identification of such cancer driver genes is a major step in gaining a fuller understanding of oncogenesis and provides novel lists of potential therapeutic targets. A key area that requires additional study is the posttranscriptional control mechanisms at work in cancer driver genes. This is important not only for basic insights into the biology of cancer, but also to advance new therapeutic modalities that target RNA—an emerging field with great promise toward the treatment of various cancers. In the current study we performed an in silico analysis on the transcripts associated with 800 cancer driver genes (10,390 unique transcripts) that identified 179,190 secondary structural motifs with evidence of evolutionarily ordered structures with unusual thermodynamic stability. Narrowing to one transcript per gene, 35,426 predicted structures were subjected to phylogenetic comparisons of sequence and structural conservation. This identified 7,001 RNA secondary structures embedded in transcripts with evidence of covariation between paired sites, supporting structure models and suggesting functional significance. A select set of seven structures were tested in vitro for their ability to regulate gene expression; all were found to have significant effects. These results indicate potentially widespread roles for RNA structure in posttranscriptional control of human cancer driver genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van S. Tompkins
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States of America
| | - Warren B. Rouse
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States of America
| | - Collin A. O’Leary
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States of America
| | - Ryan J. Andrews
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States of America
| | - Walter N. Moss
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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33
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Peterson JM, O'Leary CA, Moss WN. In silico analysis of local RNA secondary structure in influenza virus A, B and C finds evidence of widespread ordered stability but little evidence of significant covariation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:310. [PMID: 35013354 PMCID: PMC8748542 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03767-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus is a persistent threat to human health; indeed, the deadliest modern pandemic was in 1918 when an H1N1 virus killed an estimated 50 million people globally. The intent of this work is to better understand influenza from an RNA-centric perspective to provide local, structural motifs with likely significance to the influenza infectious cycle for therapeutic targeting. To accomplish this, we analyzed over four hundred thousand RNA sequences spanning three major clades: influenza A, B and C. We scanned influenza segments for local secondary structure, identified/modeled motifs of likely functionality, and coupled the results to an analysis of evolutionary conservation. We discovered 185 significant regions of predicted ordered stability, yet evidence of sequence covariation was limited to 7 motifs, where 3-found in influenza C-had higher than expected amounts of sequence covariation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake M Peterson
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Collin A O'Leary
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
| | - Walter N Moss
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
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34
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Cable J, Heard E, Hirose T, Prasanth KV, Chen LL, Henninger JE, Quinodoz SA, Spector DL, Diermeier SD, Porman AM, Kumar D, Feinberg MW, Shen X, Unfried JP, Johnson R, Chen CK, Wilusz JE, Lempradl A, McGeary SE, Wahba L, Pyle AM, Hargrove AE, Simon MD, Marcia M, Przanowska RK, Chang HY, Jaffrey SR, Contreras LM, Chen Q, Shi J, Mendell JT, He L, Song E, Rinn JL, Lalwani MK, Kalem MC, Chuong EB, Maquat LE, Liu X. Noncoding RNAs: biology and applications-a Keystone Symposia report. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1506:118-141. [PMID: 34791665 PMCID: PMC9808899 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The human transcriptome contains many types of noncoding RNAs, which rival the number of protein-coding species. From long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are over 200 nucleotides long to piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) of only 20 nucleotides, noncoding RNAs play important roles in regulating transcription, epigenetic modifications, translation, and cell signaling. Roles for noncoding RNAs in disease mechanisms are also being uncovered, and several species have been identified as potential drug targets. On May 11-14, 2021, the Keystone eSymposium "Noncoding RNAs: Biology and Applications" brought together researchers working in RNA biology, structure, and technologies to accelerate both the understanding of RNA basic biology and the translation of those findings into clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edith Heard
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Collège de France, Paris, France
| | - Tetsuro Hirose
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kannanganattu V Prasanth
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Ling-Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Sofia A Quinodoz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - David L Spector
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor and Genetics Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Sarah D Diermeier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Allison M Porman
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Dhiraj Kumar
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mark W Feinberg
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xiaohua Shen
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Pablo Unfried
- Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Department of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rory Johnson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital; and Department for BioMedical Research University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Chun-Kan Chen
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Jeremy E Wilusz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Adelheid Lempradl
- Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Sean E McGeary
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Lamia Wahba
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Anna Marie Pyle
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Connecticut and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | | | - Matthew D Simon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Marco Marcia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Róża K Przanowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Samie R Jaffrey
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
| | - Lydia M Contreras
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Qi Chen
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
| | - Junchao Shi
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
| | - Joshua T Mendell
- Department of Molecular Biology, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine; and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Lin He
- Division of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Erwei Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center and Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Bioland Laboratory; Program of Molecular Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; and Fountain-Valley Institute for Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - John L Rinn
- Department of Biochemistry, BioFrontiers Institute, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Mukesh Kumar Lalwani
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Murat Can Kalem
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, New York
| | - Edward B Chuong
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Lynne E Maquat
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Xuhang Liu
- Laboratory of Systems Cancer Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
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Zafferani M, Haddad C, Luo L, Davila-Calderon J, Chiu LY, Mugisha CS, Monaghan AG, Kennedy AA, Yesselman JD, Gifford RJ, Tai AW, Kutluay SB, Li ML, Brewer G, Tolbert BS, Hargrove AE. Amilorides inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro by targeting RNA structures. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabl6096. [PMID: 34826236 PMCID: PMC8626076 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl6096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and the likelihood of future coronavirus pandemics, emphasized the urgent need for development of novel antivirals. Small-molecule chemical probes offer both to reveal aspects of virus replication and to serve as leads for antiviral therapeutic development. Here, we report on the identification of amiloride-based small molecules that potently inhibit OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 replication through targeting of conserved structured elements within the viral 5′-end. Nuclear magnetic resonance–based structural studies revealed specific amiloride interactions with stem loops containing bulge like structures and were predicted to be strongly bound by the lead amilorides in retrospective docking studies. Amilorides represent the first antiviral small molecules that target RNA structures within the 5′ untranslated regions and proximal region of the CoV genomes. These molecules will serve as chemical probes to further understand CoV RNA biology and can pave the way for the development of specific CoV RNA–targeted antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Zafferani
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Christina Haddad
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 441106, USA
| | - Le Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 441106, USA
| | | | - Liang-Yuan Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 441106, USA
| | - Christian Shema Mugisha
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Adeline G. Monaghan
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Andrew A. Kennedy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 1150 W Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Joseph D. Yesselman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Robert J. Gifford
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Rd., Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Andrew W. Tai
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 1150 W Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mei-Ling Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Gary Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Blanton S. Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 441106, USA
| | - Amanda E. Hargrove
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA
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Chavali SS, Mali SM, Bonn R, Saseendran A, Bennett RP, Smith HC, Fasan R, Wedekind JE. Cyclic peptides with a distinct arginine-fork motif recognize the HIV trans-activation response RNA in vitro and in cells. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101390. [PMID: 34767799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA represents a potential target for new antiviral therapies, which are urgently needed to address public health threats such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We showed previously that the interaction between the viral Tat protein and the HIV-1 trans-activation response (TAR) RNA was blocked by the cyclic peptide TB-CP-6.9a. This peptide was derived from a TAR-binding loop that emerged during lab-evolution of a TAR-binding protein (TBP) family. Here we synthesized and characterized a next-generation, cyclic-peptide library based on the TBP scaffold. We sought to identify conserved RNA-binding interactions, and the influence of cyclization linkers on RNA binding and antiviral activity. A diverse group of cyclization linkers, encompassing disulfide bonds to bicyclic aromatic staples, was used to restrain the cyclic peptide geometry. Thermodynamic profiling revealed specific arginine-rich sequences with low to sub-micromolar affinity driven by enthalpic and entropic contributions. The best compounds exhibited no appreciable off-target binding to related molecules, such as BIV TAR and human 7SK RNAs. A specific arginine-to-lysine change in the highest affinity cyclic peptide reduced TAR binding by 10-fold, suggesting that TBP-derived cyclic peptides use an arginine-fork motif to recognize the TAR major-groove while differentiating the mode of binding from other TAR-targeting molecules. Finally, we showed that HIV infectivity in cell culture was reduced in the presence of cyclic peptides constrained by methylene or naphthalene-based linkers. Our findings provide insight into the molecular determinants required for HIV-1 TAR recognition and antiviral activity. These findings are broadly relevant to the development of antivirals that target RNA molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Shashank Chavali
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester NY 14642, USA
| | - Sachitanand M Mali
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester NY 14627, USA
| | - Rachel Bonn
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester NY 14642, USA
| | | | | | - Harold C Smith
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester NY 14642, USA; OyaGen, Inc., Rochester NY 14623, USA
| | - Rudi Fasan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester NY 14627, USA
| | - Joseph E Wedekind
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester NY 14642, USA.
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37
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Manigrasso J, Marcia M, De Vivo M. Computer-aided design of RNA-targeted small molecules: A growing need in drug discovery. Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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38
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Yavuzer H, Asano Y, Gröger H. Rationalizing the Unprecedented Stereochemistry of an Enzymatic Nitrile Synthesis through a Combined Computational and Experimental Approach. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:19162-19168. [PMID: 33886145 PMCID: PMC8456930 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202017234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In this contribution, the unique and unprecedented stereochemical phenomenon of an aldoxime dehydratase‐catalyzed enantioselective dehydration of racemic E‐ and Z‐aldoximes with selective formation of both enantiomeric forms of a chiral nitrile is rationalized by means of molecular modelling, comprising in silico mutations and docking studies. This theoretical investigation gave detailed insight into why with the same enzyme the use of racemic E‐ and Z‐aldoximes leads to opposite forms of the chiral nitrile. The calculated mutants with a larger or smaller cavity in the active site were then prepared and used in biotransformations, showing the theoretically predicted decrease and increase of the enantioselectivities in these nitrile syntheses. This validated model also enabled the rational design of mutants with a smaller cavity, which gave superior enantioselectivities compared to the known wild‐type enzyme, with excellent E‐values of up to E>200 when the mutant OxdRE‐Leu145Phe was utilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilmi Yavuzer
- Chair of Industrial Organic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Yasuhisa Asano
- Biotechnology Research Center, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama, 939-0398, Japan
| | - Harald Gröger
- Chair of Industrial Organic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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39
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Yavuzer H, Asano Y, Gröger H. Rationalizing the Unprecedented Stereochemistry of an Enzymatic Nitrile Synthesis through a Combined Computational and Experimental Approach. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202017234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hilmi Yavuzer
- Chair of Industrial Organic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry Bielefeld University Universitätsstraße 25 33615 Bielefeld Germany
| | - Yasuhisa Asano
- Biotechnology Research Center Toyama Prefectural University 5180 Kurokawa Imizu Toyama 939-0398 Japan
| | - Harald Gröger
- Chair of Industrial Organic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry Bielefeld University Universitätsstraße 25 33615 Bielefeld Germany
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40
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Bush JA, Williams CC, Meyer SM, Tong Y, Haniff HS, Childs-Disney JL, Disney MD. Systematically Studying the Effect of Small Molecules Interacting with RNA in Cellular and Preclinical Models. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1111-1127. [PMID: 34166593 PMCID: PMC8867596 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The interrogation and manipulation of biological systems by small molecules is a powerful approach in chemical biology. Ideal compounds selectively engage a target and mediate a downstream phenotypic response. Although historically small molecule drug discovery has focused on proteins and enzymes, targeting RNA is an attractive therapeutic alternative, as many disease-causing or -associated RNAs have been identified through genome-wide association studies. As the field of RNA chemical biology emerges, the systematic evaluation of target validation and modulation of target-associated pathways is of paramount importance. In this Review, through an examination of case studies, we outline the experimental characterization, including methods and tools, to evaluate comprehensively the impact of small molecules that target RNA on cellular phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Bush
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Christopher C Williams
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Samantha M Meyer
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Yuquan Tong
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Hafeez S Haniff
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Jessica L Childs-Disney
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Matthew D Disney
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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41
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Zafferani M, Hargrove AE. Small molecule targeting of biologically relevant RNA tertiary and quaternary structures. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:594-609. [PMID: 33823146 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Initial successes in developing small molecule ligands for non-coding RNAs have underscored their potential as therapeutic targets. More recently, these successes have been aided by advances in biophysical and structural techniques for identification and characterization of more complex RNA structures; these higher-level folds present protein-like binding pockets that offer opportunities to design small molecules that could achieve a degree of selectivity often hard to obtain at the primary and secondary structure level. More specifically, identification and small molecule targeting of RNA tertiary and quaternary structures have allowed researchers to probe several human diseases and have resulted in promising clinical candidates. In this review we highlight a selection of diverse and exciting successes and the experimental approaches that led to their discovery. These studies include examples of recent developments in RNA-centric assays and ligands that provide insight into the features responsible for the affinity and biological outcome of RNA-targeted chemical probes. This report highlights the potential and emerging opportunities to selectively target RNA tertiary and quaternary structures as a route to better understand and, ultimately, treat many diseases.
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42
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Luo L, Chiu LY, Sugarman A, Gupta P, Rouskin S, Tolbert BS. HnRNP A1/A2 Proteins Assemble onto 7SK snRNA via Context Dependent Interactions. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166885. [PMID: 33684393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
7SK small nuclear RNA (snRNA) is an abundant and ubiquitously expressed noncoding RNA that functions to modulate the activity of RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) in part by stabilizing distinct pools of 7SK-protein complexes. Prevailing models suggest that the secondary structure of 7SK is dynamically remodeled within its alternative RNA-protein pools such that its architecture differentially regulates the exchange of cognate binding partners. The nuclear hnRNP A1/A2 proteins influence the biology of 7SK snRNA via processes that require an intact stem loop (SL) 3 domain; however, the molecular details by which hnRNPs assemble onto 7SK snRNA are yet to be described. Here, we have taken an integrated approach to present a detailed description of the 7SK-hnRNP A1 complex. We show that unbound 7SK snRNA adopts at least two major conformations in solution, with significant structural differences localizing to the SL2-3 linker and the base of SL3. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this same region is the least genetically conserved feature of 7SK snRNA. By performing DMS modifications with the presence of excess protein, we reveal that hnRNP A1 binds with selectivity to SL3 through mechanisms that increase the flexibility of the RNA adjacent to putative binding sites. Calorimetric titrations further validate that hnRNP A1-SL3 assembly is complex with the affinity of discrete binding events modulated by the surrounding RNA structure. To interpret this context-dependent binding phenomenon, we determined a 3D model of SL3 to show that it folds to position minimal hnRNP A1/A2 binding sites (5'-Y/RAG-3') within different local environments. SL3-protein complexes resolved by SEC-MALS-SAXS confirm that up to four hnRNP A1 proteins bind along the entire surface of SL3 via interactions that preserve the overall structural integrity of this domain. In sum, the collective results presented here reveal a specific role for a folded SL3 domain to scaffold hnRNP A1/A2-7SK assembly via mechanisms modulated by the surrounding RNA structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
| | - Liang-Yuan Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
| | - Andrew Sugarman
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
| | - Paromita Gupta
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Silvi Rouskin
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Blanton S Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States.
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43
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Falese JP, Donlic A, Hargrove AE. Targeting RNA with small molecules: from fundamental principles towards the clinic. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:2224-2243. [PMID: 33458725 PMCID: PMC8018613 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01261k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in our understanding of RNA biology have uncovered crucial roles for RNA in multiple disease states, ranging from viral and bacterial infections to cancer and neurological disorders. As a result, multiple laboratories have become interested in developing drug-like small molecules to target RNA. However, this development comes with multiple unique challenges. For example, RNA is inherently dynamic and has limited chemical diversity. In addition, promiscuous RNA-binding ligands are often identified during screening campaigns. This Tutorial Review overviews important considerations and advancements for generating RNA-targeted small molecules, ranging from fundamental chemistry to promising small molecule examples with demonstrated clinical efficacy. Specifically, we begin by exploring RNA functional classes, structural hierarchy, and dynamics. We then discuss fundamental RNA recognition principles along with methods for small molecule screening and RNA structure determination. Finally, we review unique challenges and emerging solutions from both the RNA and small molecule perspectives for generating RNA-targeted ligands before highlighting a selection of the "Greatest Hits" to date. These molecules target RNA in a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and viral infection, in cellular and animal model systems. Additionally, we explore the recently FDA-approved small molecule regulator of RNA splicing, risdiplam, for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Together, this Tutorial Review showcases the fundamental role of chemical and molecular recognition principles in enhancing our understanding of RNA biology and contributing to the rapidly growing number of RNA-targeted probes and therapeutics. In particular, we hope this widely accessible review will serve as inspiration for aspiring small molecule and/or RNA researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Falese
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Anita Donlic
- Princeton University, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Amanda E Hargrove
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Durham, North Carolina, USA. and Duke University, Department of Chemistry, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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44
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Applications of Solution NMR in Drug Discovery. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26030576. [PMID: 33499337 PMCID: PMC7865596 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
During the past decades, solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has demonstrated itself as a promising tool in drug discovery. Especially, fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has benefited a lot from the NMR development. Multiple candidate compounds and FDA-approved drugs derived from FBDD have been developed with the assistance of NMR techniques. NMR has broad applications in different stages of the FBDD process, which includes fragment library construction, hit generation and validation, hit-to-lead optimization and working mechanism elucidation, etc. In this manuscript, we reviewed the current progresses of NMR applications in fragment-based drug discovery, which were illustrated by multiple reported cases. Moreover, the NMR applications in protein-protein interaction (PPI) modulators development and the progress of in-cell NMR for drug discovery were also briefly summarized.
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45
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Jheng JR, Chen YS, Horng JT. Regulation of the proteostasis network during enterovirus infection: A feedforward mechanism for EV-A71 and EV-D68. Antiviral Res 2021; 188:105019. [PMID: 33484748 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105019] [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: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The proteostasis network guarantees successful protein synthesis, folding, transportation, and degradation. Mounting evidence has revealed that this network maintains proteome integrity and is linked to cellular physiology, pathology, and virus infection. Human enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) and EV-D68 are suspected causative agents of acute flaccid myelitis, a severe poliomyelitis-like neurologic syndrome with no known cure. In this context, further clarification of the molecular mechanisms underlying EV-A71 and EV-D68 infection is paramount. Here, we summarize the components of the proteostasis network that are intercepted by EV-A71 and EV-D68, as well as antivirals that target this network and may help develop improved antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Rong Jheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Siao Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jim-Tong Horng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology and Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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46
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Umuhire Juru A, Hargrove AE. Frameworks for targeting RNA with small molecules. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100191. [PMID: 33334887 PMCID: PMC7948454 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.015203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the characterization of mRNA in 1961, our understanding of the roles of RNA molecules has significantly grown. Beyond serving as a link between DNA and proteins, RNA molecules play direct effector roles by binding to various ligands, including proteins, DNA, other RNAs, and metabolites. Through these interactions, RNAs mediate cellular processes such as the regulation of gene transcription and the enhancement or inhibition of protein activity. As a result, the misregulation of RNA molecules is often associated with disease phenotypes, and RNA molecules have been increasingly recognized as potential targets for drug development efforts, which in the past had focused primarily on proteins. Although both small molecule-based and oligonucleotide-based therapies have been pursued in efforts to target RNA, small-molecule modalities are often favored owing to several advantages including greater oral bioavailability. In this review, we discuss three general frameworks (sets of premises and hypotheses) that, in our view, have so far dominated the discovery of small-molecule ligands for RNA. We highlight the unique merits of each framework as well as the pitfalls associated with exclusive focus of ligand discovery efforts within only one framework. Finally, we propose that RNA ligand discovery can benefit from using progress made within these three frameworks to move toward a paradigm that formulates RNA-targeting questions at the level of RNA structural subclasses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda E Hargrove
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
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Martina Z, Christina H, Le L, Jesse DC, Liang YC, Christian SM, Monaghan AG, Kennedy AA, Yesselman JD, Gifford RR, Tai AW, Kutluay SB, Li ML, Brewer G, Tolbert BS, Hargrove AE. Amilorides inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro by targeting RNA structures. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.12.05.409821. [PMID: 33299997 PMCID: PMC7724665 DOI: 10.1101/2020.12.05.409821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and the likelihood of future coronavirus pandemics, has rendered our understanding of coronavirus biology more essential than ever. Small molecule chemical probes offer to both reveal novel aspects of virus replication and to serve as leads for antiviral therapeutic development. The RNA-biased amiloride scaffold was recently tuned to target a viral RNA structure critical for translation in enterovirus 71, ultimately uncovering a novel mechanism to modulate positive-sense RNA viral translation and replication. Analysis of CoV RNA genomes reveal many conserved RNA structures in the 5'-UTR and proximal region critical for viral translation and replication, including several containing bulge-like secondary structures suitable for small molecule targeting. Following phylogenetic conservation analysis of this region, we screened an amiloride-based small molecule library against a less virulent human coronavirus, OC43, to identify lead ligands. Amilorides inhibited OC43 replication as seen in viral plaque assays. Select amilorides also potently inhibited replication competent SARS-CoV-2 as evident in the decreased levels of cell free virions in cell culture supernatants of treated cells. Reporter screens confirmed the importance of RNA structures in the 5'-end of the viral genome for small molecule activity. Finally, NMR chemical shift perturbation studies of the first six stem loops of the 5'-end revealed specific amiloride interactions with stem loops 4, 5a, and 6, all of which contain bulge like structures and were predicted to be strongly bound by the lead amilorides in retrospective docking studies. Taken together, the use of multiple orthogonal approaches allowed us to identify the first small molecules aimed at targeting RNA structures within the 5'-UTR and proximal region of the CoV genome. These molecules will serve as chemical probes to further understand CoV RNA biology and can pave the way for the development of specific CoV RNA-targeted antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zafferani Martina
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive; Durham, NC USA 27705
| | - Haddad Christina
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 441106
| | - Luo Le
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 441106
| | | | - Yuan-Chiu Liang
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 441106
| | - Shema Mugisha Christian
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Adeline G. Monaghan
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive; Durham, NC USA 27705
| | - Andrew A. Kennedy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Joseph D. Yesselman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588 USA
| | - Robert R. Gifford
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Rd, Bearsden, Glasgow, UK, G61 1QH
| | - Andrew W. Tai
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Michigan, 1150 W Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mei-Ling Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ USA 08854
| | - Gary Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ USA 08854
| | - Blanton S. Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 441106
| | - Amanda E. Hargrove
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive; Durham, NC USA 27705
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Abstract
The structural and regulatory elements in therapeutically relevant RNAs offer many opportunities for targeting by small molecules, yet fundamental understanding of what drives selectivity in small molecule:RNA recognition has been a recurrent challenge. In particular, RNAs tend to be more dynamic and offer less chemical functionality than proteins, and biologically active ligands must compete with the highly abundant and highly structured RNA of the ribosome. Indeed, the only small molecule drug targeting RNA other than the ribosome was just approved in August 2020, and our recent survey of the literature revealed fewer than 150 reported chemical probes that target non-ribosomal RNA in biological systems. This Feature outlines our efforts to improve small molecule targeting strategies and gain fundamental insights into small molecule:RNA recognition by analyzing patterns in both RNA-biased small molecule chemical space and RNA topological space privileged for differentiation. First, we synthesized libraries based on RNA binding scaffolds that allowed us to reveal general principles in small molecule:recognition and to ask precise chemical questions about drivers of affinity and selectivity. Elaboration of these scaffolds has led to recognition of medicinally relevant RNA targets, including viral and long noncoding RNA structures. More globally, we identified physicochemical, structural, and spatial properties of biologically active RNA ligands that are distinct from those of protein-targeted ligands, and we have provided the dataset and associated analytical tools as part of a publicly available online platform to facilitate RNA ligand discovery. At the same time, we used pattern recognition protocols to identify RNA topologies that can be differentially recognized by small molecules and have elaborated this technique to visualize conformational changes in RNA secondary structure. These fundamental insights into the drivers of RNA recognition in vitro have led to functional targeting of RNA structures in biological systems. We hope that these initial guiding principles, as well as the approaches and assays developed in their pursuit, will enable rapid progress toward the development of RNA-targeted chemical probes and ultimately new therapeutic approaches to a wide range of deadly human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda E Hargrove
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Box 90346, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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