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Kothapalli Y, Jones RA, Chu CK, Singh US. Synthesis of Fluorinated Nucleosides/Nucleotides and Their Antiviral Properties. Molecules 2024; 29:2390. [PMID: 38792251 PMCID: PMC11124531 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102390] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The FDA has approved several drugs based on the fluorinated nucleoside pharmacophore, and numerous drugs are currently in clinical trials. Fluorine-containing nucleos(t)ides offer significant antiviral and anticancer activity. The insertion of a fluorine atom, either in the base or sugar of nucleos(t)ides, alters its electronic and steric parameters and transforms the lipophilicity, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic properties of these moieties. The fluorine atom restricts the oxidative metabolism of drugs and provides enzymatic metabolic stability towards the glycosidic bond of the nucleos(t)ide. The incorporation of fluorine also demonstrates additional hydrogen bonding interactions in receptors with enhanced biological profiles. The present article discusses the synthetic methodology and antiviral activities of FDA-approved drugs and ongoing fluoro-containing nucleos(t)ide drug candidates in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chung K. Chu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (Y.K.); (R.A.J.)
| | - Uma S. Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (Y.K.); (R.A.J.)
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2
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Kurosawa M, Kato F, Hishiki T, Ito S, Fujisawa H, Yamaguchi T, Moriguchi M, Hosokawa K, Watanabe T, Saito-Tarashima N, Minakawa N, Fujimuro M. Sofosbuvir Suppresses the Genome Replication of DENV1 in Human Hepatic Huh7 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2022. [PMID: 38396699 PMCID: PMC10889370 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042022] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) causes dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever, and DENV infection kills 20,000 people annually worldwide. Therefore, the development of anti-DENV drugs is urgently needed. Sofosbuvir (SOF) is an effective drug for HCV-related diseases, and its triphosphorylated metabolite inhibits viral RNA synthesis by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of HCV. (2'R)-2'-Deoxy-2'-fluoro-2'-methyluridine (FMeU) is the dephosphorylated metabolite produced from SOF. The effects of SOF and FMeU on DENV1 replication were analyzed using two DENV1 replicon-based methods that we previously established. First, a replicon-harboring cell assay showed that DENV1 replicon replication in human hepatic Huh7 cells was decreased by SOF but not by FMeU. Second, a transient replicon assay showed that DENV1 replicon replication in Huh7 cells was decreased by SOF; however, in hamster kidney BHK-21 cells, it was not suppressed by SOF. Additionally, the replicon replication in Huh7 and BHK-21 cells was not affected by FMeU. Moreover, we assessed the effects of SOF on infectious DENV1 production. SOF suppressed infectious DENV1 production in Huh7 cells but not in monkey kidney Vero cells. To examine the substrate recognition of the HCV and DENV1 RdRps, the complex conformation of SOF-containing DENV1 RdRp or HCV RdRp was predicted using AlphaFold 2. These results indicate that SOF may be used as a treatment for DENV1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madoka Kurosawa
- Department of Cell Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan; (M.K.); (S.I.); (H.F.); (T.Y.); (M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Fumihiro Kato
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan;
| | - Takayuki Hishiki
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan;
| | - Saori Ito
- Department of Cell Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan; (M.K.); (S.I.); (H.F.); (T.Y.); (M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Hiroki Fujisawa
- Department of Cell Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan; (M.K.); (S.I.); (H.F.); (T.Y.); (M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Tatsuo Yamaguchi
- Department of Cell Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan; (M.K.); (S.I.); (H.F.); (T.Y.); (M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Misato Moriguchi
- Department of Cell Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan; (M.K.); (S.I.); (H.F.); (T.Y.); (M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Kohei Hosokawa
- Department of Cell Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan; (M.K.); (S.I.); (H.F.); (T.Y.); (M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Tadashi Watanabe
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan;
| | - Noriko Saito-Tarashima
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan; (N.S.-T.); (N.M.)
| | - Noriaki Minakawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan; (N.S.-T.); (N.M.)
| | - Masahiro Fujimuro
- Department of Cell Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan; (M.K.); (S.I.); (H.F.); (T.Y.); (M.M.); (K.H.)
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3
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Gömer A, Klöhn M, Jagst M, Nocke MK, Pischke S, Horvatits T, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Müller T, Hardtke S, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Behrendt P, Steinmann E, Todt D. Emergence of resistance-associated variants during sofosbuvir treatment in chronically infected hepatitis E patients. Hepatology 2023; 78:1882-1895. [PMID: 37334496 PMCID: PMC10653298 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chronic HEV infections remain a serious problem in immunocompromised patients, as specifically approved antiviral drugs are unavailable. In 2020, a 24-week multicenter phase II pilot trial was carried out, evaluating the nucleotide analog sofosbuvir by treating nine chronically HEV-infected patients with sofosbuvir (Trial Number NCT03282474). During the study, antiviral therapy reduced virus RNA levels initially but did not lead to a sustained virologic response. Here, we characterize the changes in HEV intrahost populations during sofosbuvir treatment to identify the emergence of treatment-associated variants. APPROACH AND RESULTS We performed high-throughput sequencing on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequences to characterize viral population dynamics in study participants. Subsequently, we used an HEV-based reporter replicon system to investigate sofosbuvir sensitivity in high-frequency variants. Most patients had heterogenous HEV populations, suggesting high adaptability to treatment-related selection pressures. We identified numerous amino acid alterations emerging during treatment and found that the EC 50 of patient-derived replicon constructs was up to ~12-fold higher than the wild-type control, suggesting that variants associated with lower drug sensitivity were selected during sofosbuvir treatment. In particular, a single amino acid substitution (A1343V) in the finger domain of ORF1 could reduce susceptibility to sofosbuvir significantly in 8 of 9 patients. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, viral population dynamics played a critical role during antiviral treatment. High population diversity during sofosbuvir treatment led to the selection of variants (especially A1343V) with lower sensitivity to the drug, uncovering a novel mechanism of resistance-associated variants during sofosbuvir treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Gömer
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mara Klöhn
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michelle Jagst
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian K. Nocke
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sven Pischke
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Horvatits
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
- Gastromedics Health Center, Eisenstadt, Austria
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Svenja Hardtke
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation (DLS), Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Infections Research and Vaccine, University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation (DLS), Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover Braunschweig, Germany
- Center for Individualized Infection Medicine (CiiM), Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation (DLS), Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Patrick Behrendt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); Partner Site Hannover Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
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4
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Cherkashchenko L, Gros N, Trausch A, Neyret A, Hénaut M, Dubois G, Villeneuve M, Chable-Bessia C, Lyonnais S, Merits A, Muriaux D. Validation of flavivirus infectious clones carrying fluorescent markers for antiviral drug screening and replication studies. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1201640. [PMID: 37779700 PMCID: PMC10541152 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1201640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses have emerged as major arthropod-transmitted pathogens and represent an increasing public health problem worldwide. High-throughput screening can be facilitated using viruses that easily express detectable marker proteins. Therefore, developing molecular tools, such as reporter-carrying versions of flaviviruses, for studying viral replication and screening antiviral compounds represents a top priority. However, the engineering of flaviviruses carrying either fluorescent or luminescent reporters remains challenging due to the genetic instability caused by marker insertion; therefore, new approaches to overcome these limitations are needed. Here, we describe reverse genetic methods that include the design and validation of infectious clones of Zika, Kunjin, and Dengue viruses harboring different reporter genes for infection, rescue, imaging, and morphology using super-resolution microscopy. It was observed that different flavivirus constructs with identical designs displayed strikingly different genetic stabilities, and corresponding virions resembled wild-type virus particles in shape and size. A successful strategy was assessed to increase the stability of rescued reporter virus and permit antiviral drug screening based on quantitative automated fluorescence microscopy and replication studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liubov Cherkashchenko
- CEMIPAI UAR3725 CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nathalie Gros
- CEMIPAI UAR3725 CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Alice Trausch
- CEMIPAI UAR3725 CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Aymeric Neyret
- CEMIPAI UAR3725 CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Mathilde Hénaut
- CEMIPAI UAR3725 CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Gregor Dubois
- CEMIPAI UAR3725 CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Delphine Muriaux
- CEMIPAI UAR3725 CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- IRIM UMR9004 CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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5
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Rashmi SH, Disha KS, Sudheesh N, Karunakaran J, Joseph A, Jagadesh A, Mudgal PP. Repurposing of approved antivirals against dengue virus serotypes: an in silico and in vitro mechanistic study. Mol Divers 2023:10.1007/s11030-023-10716-5. [PMID: 37632595 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10716-5] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Dengue is an emerging, mosquito-borne viral disease of international public health concern. Dengue is endemic in more than 100 countries across the world. However, there are no clinically approved antivirals for its cure. Drug repurposing proves to be an efficient alternative to conventional drug discovery approaches in this regard, as approved drugs with an established safety profile are tested for new indications, which circumvents several time-consuming experiments. In the present study, eight approved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors of Hepatitis C virus were virtually screened against the Dengue virus polymerase protein, and their antiviral activity was assessed in vitro. Schrödinger software was used for in silico screening, where the compounds were passed through several hierarchical filters. Among the eight compounds, dasabuvir was finally selected for in vitro cytotoxicity and antiviral screening. Cytotoxicity profiling of dasabuvir in Vero cells revealed changes in cellular morphology, cell aggregation, and detachment at 50 μM. Based on these results, four noncytotoxic concentrations of dasabuvir (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 µM) were selected for antiviral screening against DENV-2 under three experimental conditions: pre-infection, co-infection, and post-infection treatment, by plaque reduction assay. Viral plaques were reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in the co-infection and post-infection treatment regimens; however, no reduction was observed in the pretreatment group. This indicated a possible interference of dasabuvir with NS5 RdRp, as seen from in silico interaction studies, translating into a reduction in virus plaques. Such studies reiterate the usefulness of drug repurposing as a viable strategy in antiviral drug discovery. In this drug repurposing study, dasabuvir, a known anti-hepatitis C drug, was selected through virtual screening and assessed for its anti-dengue activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Rashmi
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - K Sai Disha
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - N Sudheesh
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Joseph Karunakaran
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Alex Joseph
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Anitha Jagadesh
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - P P Mudgal
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
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6
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Padasas BT, Españo E, Kim SH, Song Y, Lee CK, Kim JK. COVID-19 Therapeutics: An Update on Effective Treatments Against Infection With SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e13. [PMID: 37179752 PMCID: PMC10166656 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the most consequential global health crises in over a century. Since its discovery in 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to mutate into different variants and sublineages, rendering previously potent treatments and vaccines ineffective. With significant strides in clinical and pharmaceutical research, different therapeutic strategies continue to be developed. The currently available treatments can be broadly classified based on their potential targets and molecular mechanisms. Antiviral agents function by disrupting different stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while immune-based treatments mainly act on the human inflammatory response responsible for disease severity. In this review, we discuss some of the current treatments for COVID-19, their mode of actions, and their efficacy against variants of concern. This review highlights the need to constantly evaluate COVID-19 treatment strategies to protect high risk populations and fill in the gaps left by vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erica Españo
- Department of Pharmacy, Korea University College of Pharmacy, Sejong 30019, Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, Korea University College of Pharmacy, Sejong 30019, Korea
| | - Youngcheon Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Korea
| | - Chong-Kil Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Jeong-Ki Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, Korea University College of Pharmacy, Sejong 30019, Korea
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7
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Moustafa AH, Pasha HF, Abas MA, Aboregela AM. The ameliorating role of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir on thioacetamide-induced kidney injury in adult albino rats. Anat Cell Biol 2023; 56:109-121. [PMID: 36543744 PMCID: PMC9989782 DOI: 10.5115/acb.22.200] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Thioacetamide (TAA) exposure and hepatitis C virus infection are usually associated with renal dysfunction. Sofosbuvir (SFV) and daclatasvir (DAC) drugs combination has great value in the treatment of hepatitis C. The study aimed to identify the nephrotoxic effects of TAA and to evaluate the ameliorative role of SFV and DAC in this condition. Forty-eight adult male albino rats were divided into eight groups and received saline (control), SFV, DAC, SFV+DAC, TAA, TAA+SFV, TAA+DAC and TAA+SFV+DAC for eight weeks. Kidney and blood samples were retrieved and processed for histological (Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson's trichrome), immunohistochemical (α-smooth muscle actin), and biochemical analysis (urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and tumor necrosis factor-α). Examination revealed marked destruction of renal tubules on exposure to TAA with either hypertrophy or atrophy of glomeruli, increase in collagen deposition, and wide expression of α-smooth muscle actin. Also, significant disturbance in kidney functions, oxidative stress markers, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Supplementation with either SFV or DAC produced mild improvement in the tissue and laboratory markers. Moreover, the combination of both drugs greatly refined the pathology induced by TAA at the cellular and laboratory levels. However, there are still significant differences when compared to the control. In conclusion, SFV and DAC combination partially but greatly ameliorated the renal damage induced by TAA which might be enhanced with further supplementations to give new hope for those with nephropathy associated with hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H Moustafa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Heba F Pasha
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Manar A Abas
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Adel M Aboregela
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia
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8
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Gao S, Song L, Xu H, Fikatas A, Oeyen M, De Jonghe S, Zhao F, Jing L, Jochmans D, Vangeel L, Cheng Y, Kang D, Neyts J, Herdewijn P, Schols D, Zhan P, Liu X. Identification of Polyphenol Derivatives as Novel SARS-CoV-2 and DENV Non-Nucleoside RdRp Inhibitors. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 28:molecules28010160. [PMID: 36615354 PMCID: PMC9822497 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and dengue fever (DF) pandemics both remain to be significant public health concerns in the foreseeable future. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs and vaccines are both indispensable to eliminate the epidemic situation. Here, two piperazine-based polyphenol derivatives DF-47 and DF-51 were identified as potential inhibitors directly blocking the active site of SARS-CoV-2 and DENV RdRp. Data through RdRp inhibition screening of an in-house library and in vitro antiviral study selected DF-47 and DF-51 as effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2/DENV polymerase. Moreover, in silico simulation revealed stable binding modes between the DF-47/DF-51 and SARS-CoV-2/DENV RdRp, respectively, including chelating with Mg2+ near polymerase active site. This work discovered the inhibitory effect of two polyphenols on distinct viral RdRp, which are expected to be developed into broad-spectrum, non-nucleoside RdRp inhibitors with new scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghua Gao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, A301 Virtual University Park in South District of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Letian Song
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hongtao Xu
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (D.S.); (P.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Antonios Fikatas
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Merel Oeyen
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fabao Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Lanlan Jing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vangeel
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yusen Cheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Dongwei Kang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (D.S.); (P.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (D.S.); (P.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (D.S.); (P.Z.); (X.L.)
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9
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Natural Compounds as Non-Nucleoside Inhibitors of Zika Virus Polymerase through Integration of In Silico and In Vitro Approaches. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121493. [PMID: 36558945 PMCID: PMC9788182 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the past epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) resulted in severe neurological consequences for infected infants and adults, there are still no approved drugs to treat ZIKV infection. In this study, we applied computational approaches to screen an in-house database of 77 natural and semi-synthetic compounds against ZIKV NS5 RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (NS5 RdRp), an essential protein for viral RNA elongation during the replication process. For this purpose, we integrated computational approaches such as binding-site conservation, chemical space analysis and molecular docking. As a result, we prioritized nine virtual hits for experimental evaluation. Enzymatic assays confirmed that pedalitin and quercetin inhibited ZIKV NS5 RdRp with IC50 values of 4.1 and 0.5 µM, respectively. Moreover, pedalitin also displayed antiviral activity on ZIKV infection with an EC50 of 19.28 µM cell-based assays, with low toxicity in Vero cells (CC50 = 83.66 µM) and selectivity index of 4.34. These results demonstrate the potential of the natural compounds pedalitin and quercetin as candidates for structural optimization studies towards the discovery of new anti-ZIKV drug candidates.
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Inhibition of Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases by Nucleoside Inhibitors: An Illustration of the Unity and Diversity of Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012649. [PMID: 36293509 PMCID: PMC9604226 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) is essential for the replication and expression of RNA viral genomes. This class of viruses comprise a large number of highly pathogenic agents that infect essentially all species of plants and animals including humans. Infections often lead to epidemics and pandemics that have remained largely out of control due to the lack of specific and reliable preventive and therapeutic regimens. This unmet medical need has led to the exploration of new antiviral targets, of which RdRP is a major one, due to the fact of its obligatory need in virus growth. Recent studies have demonstrated the ability of several synthetic nucleoside analogs to serve as mimics of the corresponding natural nucleosides. These mimics cause stalling/termination of RdRP, or misincorporation, preventing virus replication or promoting large-scale lethal mutations. Several such analogs have received clinical approval and are being routinely used in therapy. In parallel, the molecular structural basis of their inhibitory interactions with RdRP is being elucidated, revealing both traditional and novel mechanisms including a delayed chain termination effect. This review offers a molecular commentary on these mechanisms along with their clinical implications based on analyses of recent results, which should facilitate the rational design of structure-based antiviral drugs.
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11
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Qian X, Qi Z. Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses and Current Therapeutic Advances. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061226. [PMID: 35746697 PMCID: PMC9229039 DOI: 10.3390/v14061226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne flavivirus infections affect approximately 400 million people worldwide each year and are global threats to public health. The common diseases caused by such flaviviruses include West Nile, yellow fever, dengue, Zika infection and Japanese encephalitis, which may result in severe symptoms and disorders of multiple organs or even fatal outcomes. Till now, no specific antiviral agents are commercially available for the treatment of the diseases. Numerous strategies have been adopted to develop novel and promising inhibitors against mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including drugs targeting the critical viral components or essential host factors during infection. Research advances in antiflaviviral therapy might optimize and widen the treatment options for flavivirus infection. This review summarizes the current developmental progresses and involved molecular mechanisms of antiviral agents against mosquito-borne flaviviruses.
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12
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Desantis J, Felicetti T, Cannalire R. An overview on small molecules acting as broad spectrum-agents for yellow fever infection. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:755-773. [PMID: 35638299 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2084529] [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: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Yellow Fever virus (YFV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, endemic in 47 countries in Africa and South America, which causes febrile symptoms that can evolve in 15% of the patients to serious haemorrhagic conditions, liver injury, and multiorgan failure. Although a highly effective vaccine (YF-17D vaccine) is available, to date, no antiviral drugs have been approved for the prevention and treatment of YFV infections. AREAS COVERED This review article focuses on the description of viral targets that have been considered within YFV and flavivirus drug discovery studies and on the most relevant candidates reported so far that elicit broad-spectrum inhibition against relevant strains and mutants of YFV. EXPERT OPINION Considering the growing interest on (re)emerging vector-borne viral infections, it is expected that flavivirus drug discovery will quickly deliver potential candidates for clinical evaluation. Due to similarity among flaviviral targets, several candidates identified against different flaviviruses have shown broad-spectrum activity, thus exhibiting anti-YFV activity, as well. In this regard, it would be desirable to routinely include the assessment of antiviral activity against different YFV strains. On the other hand, the development of host targeting agents are still at an initial stage and deserve further focused efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Desantis
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Tommaso Felicetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Rolando Cannalire
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy
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13
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Wu J, Wang H, Liu Q, Li R, Gao Y, Fang X, Zhong Y, Wang M, Wang Q, Rao Z, Gong P. Remdesivir overcomes the S861 roadblock in SARS-CoV-2 polymerase elongation complex. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109882. [PMID: 34653416 PMCID: PMC8498683 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109882] [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: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Remdesivir (RDV), a nucleotide analog with broad-spectrum features, has exhibited effectiveness in COVID-19 treatment. However, the precise working mechanism of RDV when targeting the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) has not been fully elucidated. Here, we solve a 3.0-Å structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RdRP elongation complex (EC) and assess RDV intervention in polymerase elongation phase. Although RDV could induce an “i+3” delayed termination in meta-stable complexes, only pausing and subsequent elongation are observed in the EC. A comparative investigation using an enterovirus RdRP further confirms similar delayed intervention and demonstrates that steric hindrance of the RDV-characteristic 1′-cyano at the −4 position is responsible for the “i+3” intervention, although two representative Flaviviridae RdRPs do not exhibit similar behavior. A comparison of representative viral RdRP catalytic complex structures indicates that the product RNA backbone encounters highly conserved structural elements, highlighting the broad-spectrum intervention potential of 1′-modified nucleotide analogs in anti-RNA virus drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiqin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 44 Xiao Hong Shan, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Haofeng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Qiaojie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 44 Xiao Hong Shan, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Rui Li
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 44 Xiao Hong Shan, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 44 Xiao Hong Shan, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yao Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 44 Xiao Hong Shan, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 44 Xiao Hong Shan, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Quan Wang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Zihe Rao
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, CAS, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Peng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 44 Xiao Hong Shan, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China; Drug Discovery Center for Infectious Diseases, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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14
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Sulfonated and Carboxymethylated β-Glucan Derivatives with Inhibitory Activity against Herpes and Dengue Viruses. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011013. [PMID: 34681671 PMCID: PMC8538634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The infection of mammalian cells by enveloped viruses is triggered by the interaction of viral envelope glycoproteins with the glycosaminoglycan, heparan sulfate. By mimicking this carbohydrate, some anionic polysaccharides can block this interaction and inhibit viral entry and infection. As heparan sulfate carries both carboxyl and sulfate groups, this work focused on the derivatization of a (1→3)(1→6)-β-D-glucan, botryosphaeran, with these negatively-charged groups in an attempt to improve its antiviral activity. Carboxyl and sulfonate groups were introduced by carboxymethylation and sulfonylation reactions, respectively. Three derivatives with the same degree of carboxymethylation (0.9) and different degrees of sulfonation (0.1; 0.2; 0.4) were obtained. All derivatives were chemically characterized and evaluated for their antiviral activity against herpes (HSV-1, strains KOS and AR) and dengue (DENV-2) viruses. Carboxymethylated botryosphaeran did not inhibit the viruses, while all sulfonated-carboxymethylated derivatives were able to inhibit HSV-1. DENV-2 was inhibited only by one of these derivatives with an intermediate degree of sulfonation (0.2), demonstrating that the dengue virus is more resistant to anionic β-D-glucans than the Herpes simplex virus. By comparison with a previous study on the antiviral activity of sulfonated botryosphaerans, we conclude that the presence of carboxymethyl groups might have a detrimental effect on antiviral activity.
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Abstract
Flaviviruses such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, Yellow Fever and Zika virus, cause viral hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis in humans. However, antiviral therapeutics to treat or prevent flavivirus infections are not yet available. Thus, there is pressing need to develop therapeutics and vaccines that target flavivirus infections. All flaviviruses carry a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome, which encodes ten proteins; three structural proteins form the virus shell, and seven nonstructural (NS) proteins are involved in replication of the viral genome. While all NS proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5) are part of a functional membrane-bound replication complex, enzymatic activities required for flaviviral replication reside in only two NS proteins, NS3 and NS5. NS3 functions as a protease, helicase, and triphosphatase, and NS5 as a capping enzyme, methyltransferase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In this chapter, we provide an overview of viral replication focusing on the structure and function of NS3 and NS5 replicases. We further describe strategies and examples of current efforts to identify potential flavivirus inhibitors against NS3 and NS5 enzymatic activities that can be developed as therapeutic agents to combat flavivirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Knyazhanskaya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Marc C Morais
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Kyung H Choi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States.
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16
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Kataev VE, Garifullin BF. Antiviral nucleoside analogs. Chem Heterocycl Compd (N Y) 2021; 57:326-341. [PMID: 34007086 PMCID: PMC8118684 DOI: 10.1007/s10593-021-02912-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The minireview surveys the modification of native nucleosides as a result of which huge libraries of nucleoside analogs of various structures were synthesized. Particular attention is paid to the synthesis of the so-called prodrug forms of nucleoside analogs which ensure their penetration into the cell and metabolism to active 5'-triphosphate derivatives. All the best known antiviral cyclic nucleoside analogs approved for the treatment of HIV infections, hepatitis B, C, and influenza since the 1960s, as well as those in various stages of clinical trials in recent years, are listed. Nucleoside analogs that have shown the ability to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV are discussed, including remdesivir, approved by the FDA for emergency use in the fight against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir E. Kataev
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Akademika Arbuzova St., Kazan, 420088 Tatarstan Russia
| | - Bulat F. Garifullin
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Akademika Arbuzova St., Kazan, 420088 Tatarstan Russia
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Li X, Peng T. Strategy, Progress, and Challenges of Drug Repurposing for Efficient Antiviral Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:660710. [PMID: 34017257 PMCID: PMC8129523 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.660710] [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: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging or re-emerging viruses are still major threats to public health. Prophylactic vaccines represent the most effective way to prevent virus infection; however, antivirals are more promising for those viruses against which vaccines are not effective enough or contemporarily unavailable. Because of the slow pace of novel antiviral discovery, the high disuse rates, and the substantial cost, repurposing of the well-characterized therapeutics, either approved or under investigation, is becoming an attractive strategy to identify the new directions to treat virus infections. In this review, we described recent progress in identifying broad-spectrum antivirals through drug repurposing. We defined the two major categories of the repurposed antivirals, direct-acting repurposed antivirals (DARA) and host-targeting repurposed antivirals (HTRA). Under each category, we summarized repurposed antivirals with potential broad-spectrum activity against a variety of viruses and discussed the possible mechanisms of action. Finally, we proposed the potential investigative directions of drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Antiviral Evaluation of UV-4B and Interferon-Alpha Combination Regimens against Dengue Virus. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050771. [PMID: 33925551 PMCID: PMC8145572 DOI: 10.3390/v13050771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is a flavivirus associated with clinical manifestations ranging in severity from self-limiting dengue fever, to the potentially life threatening condition, severe dengue. There are currently no approved antiviral therapies for the treatment of DENV. Here, we evaluated the antiviral potential of four broad-spectrum antivirals, UV-4B, interferon-alpha (IFN), sofosbuvir (SOF), and favipiravir (FAV) against DENV serotype 2 as mono- and combination therapy in cell lines that are physiologically relevant to human infection. Cell lines derived from human liver (HUH-7), neurons (SK-N-MC), and skin (HFF-1) were infected with DENV and treated with UV-4B, IFN, SOF, or FAV. Viral supernatant was sampled daily and infectious viral burden was quantified by plaque assay on Vero cells. Drug effect on cell proliferation in uninfected and infected cells was also assessed. UV-4B inhibited DENV in HUH-7, SK-N-MC, and HFF-1 cells yielding EC50 values of 23.75, 49.44, and 37.38 µM, respectively. Clinically achievable IFN concentrations substantially reduced viral burden in HUH-7 (EC50 = 102.7 IU/mL), SK-N-MC (EC50 = 86.59 IU/mL), and HFF-1 (EC50 = 163.1 IU/mL) cells. SOF potently inhibited DENV in HUH-7 cells but failed to produce the same effect in SK-N-MC and HFF-1 cells. Finally, FAV provided minimal suppression in HUH-7 and SK-N-MC cells, but was ineffective in HFF-1 cells. The two most potent anti-DENV agents, UV-4B and IFN, were also assessed in combination. UV-4B + IFN treatment enhanced antiviral activity in HUH-7, SK-N-MC, and HFF-1 cells relative to monotherapy. Our results demonstrate the antiviral potential of UV-4B and IFN against DENV in multiple physiologically relevant cell types.
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19
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Zhuo LS, Wang MS, Yang JF, Xu HC, Huang W, Shang LQ, Yang GF. Insights into SARS-CoV-2: Medicinal Chemistry Approaches to Combat Its Structural and Functional Biology. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2021; 379:23. [PMID: 33886017 PMCID: PMC8061463 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-021-00335-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still a pandemic around the world. Currently, specific antiviral drugs to control the epidemic remain deficient. Understanding the details of SARS-CoV-2 structural biology is extremely important for development of antiviral agents that will enable regulation of its life cycle. This review focuses on the structural biology and medicinal chemistry of various key proteins (Spike, ACE2, TMPRSS2, RdRp and Mpro) in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2, as well as their inhibitors/drug candidates. Representative broad-spectrum antiviral drugs, especially those against the homologous virus SARS-CoV, are summarized with the expectation they will drive the development of effective, broad-spectrum inhibitors against coronaviruses. We are hopeful that this review will be a useful aid for discovery of novel, potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs with excellent therapeutic results in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Sheng Zhuo
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Shu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Fang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Chuang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu-Qing Shang
- College of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guang-Fu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Vicenti I, Zazzi M, Saladini F. SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase as a therapeutic target for COVID-19. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 31:325-337. [PMID: 33475441 PMCID: PMC7938656 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1880568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic urgently demands for both prevention and treatment strategies. RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp), which has no counterpart in human cells, is an excellent target for drug development. Given the time-consuming process of drug development, repurposing drugs approved for other indications or at least successfully tested in terms of safety and tolerability, is an attractive strategy to rapidly provide an effective medication for severe COVID-19 cases.Areas covered: The currently available data and upcominSg studies on RdRp which can be repurposed to halt SARS-CoV-2 replication, are reviewed.Expert opinion: Drug repurposing and design of novel compounds are proceeding in parallel to provide a quick response and new specific drugs, respectively. Notably, the proofreading SARS-CoV-2 exonuclease activity could limit the potential for drugs designed as immediate chain terminators and favor the development of compounds acting through delayed termination. While vaccination is awaited to curb the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, even partially effective drugs from repurposing strategies can be of help to treat severe cases of disease. Considering the high conservation of RdRp among coronaviruses, an improved knowledge of its activity in vitro can provide useful information for drug development or drug repurposing to combat SARS-CoV-2 as well as future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Saladini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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21
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Sofosbuvir Selects for Drug-Resistant Amino Acid Variants in the Zika Virus RNA-Dependent RNA-Polymerase Complex In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052670. [PMID: 33800884 PMCID: PMC7962015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleotide analog sofosbuvir, licensed for the treatment of hepatitis C, recently revealed activity against the Zika virus (ZIKV) in vitro and in animal models. However, the ZIKV genetic barrier to sofosbuvir has not yet been characterized. In this study, in vitro selection experiments were performed in infected human hepatoma cell lines. Increasing drug pressure significantly delayed viral breakthrough (p = 0.029). A double mutant in the NS5 gene (V360L/V607I) emerged in 3 independent experiments at 40–80 µM sofosbuvir resulting in a 3.9 ± 0.9-fold half- maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) shift with respect to the wild type (WT) virus. A triple mutant (C269Y/V360L/V607I), detected in one experiment at 80 µM, conferred a 6.8-fold IC50 shift with respect to the WT. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that the double mutant V360L/V607I impacts the binding mode of sofosbuvir, supporting its role in sofosbuvir resistance. Due to the distance from the catalytic site and to the lack of reliable structural data, the contribution of C269Y was not investigated in silico. By a combination of sequence analysis, phenotypic susceptibility testing, and molecular modeling, we characterized a double ZIKV NS5 mutant with decreased sofosbuvir susceptibility. These data add important information to the profile of sofosbuvir as a possible lead for anti-ZIKV drug development.
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Tian L, Qiang T, Liang C, Ren X, Jia M, Zhang J, Li J, Wan M, YuWen X, Li H, Cao W, Liu H. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors: The current landscape and repurposing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 213:113201. [PMID: 33524687 PMCID: PMC7826122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The widespread nature of several viruses is greatly credited to their rapidly altering RNA genomes that enable the infection to persist despite challenges presented by host cells. Within the RNA genome of infections is RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which is an essential enzyme that helps in RNA synthesis by catalysing the RNA template-dependent development of phosphodiester bonds. Therefore, RdRp is an important therapeutic target in RNA virus-caused diseases, including SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we describe the promising RdRp inhibitors that have been launched or are currently in clinical studies for the treatment of RNA virus infections. Structurally, nucleoside inhibitors (NIs) bind to the RdRp protein at the enzyme active site, and nonnucleoside inhibitors (NNIs) bind to the RdRp protein at allosteric sites. By reviewing these inhibitors, more precise guidelines for the development of more promising anti-RNA virus drugs should be set, and due to the current health emergency, they will eventually be used for COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Tian
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China; Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Taotao Qiang
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Chengyuan Liang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China.
| | - Xiaodong Ren
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, PR China.
| | - Minyi Jia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Jiayun Zhang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Jingyi Li
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Minge Wan
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Business & Commerce, Xi'an, 712046, PR China
| | - Xin YuWen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Han Li
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, PR China
| | - Wenqiang Cao
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Hengqin New Area, Zhuhai, 519030, PR China.
| | - Hong Liu
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Hengqin New Area, Zhuhai, 519030, PR China.
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Simmons B, Wentzel H, Mobarak S, Eslami G, Sadeghi A, Ali Asgari A, Abbaspour Kasgari H, Tirgar Fakheri H, Merat S, Hill A. Sofosbuvir/daclatasvir regimens for the treatment of COVID-19: an individual patient data meta-analysis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 76:286-291. [PMID: 33063117 PMCID: PMC7665526 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir has a well-established safety profile and improves clinical outcomes in HCV patients. In silico and in vitro studies suggest that sofosbuvir/daclatasvir may show antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS Three clinical trials comparing sofosbuvir/daclatasvir-based regimens with a comparator in hospitalized COVID-19 patients were combined in a meta-analysis. The primary outcomes measured were clinical recovery within 14 days of randomization, time to clinical recovery and all-cause mortality. A two-step approach was used to analyse individual-level patient data. The individual trial statistics were pooled using the random-effects inverse-variance model. RESULTS Our search identified eight studies of which three met the inclusion criteria (n = 176 patients); two studies were randomized and one was non-randomized. Baseline characteristics were similar across treatment arms. Clinical recovery within 14 days of randomization was higher in the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir arms compared with control arms [risk ratio = 1.34 (95% CI = 1.05-1.71), P = 0.020]. Sofosbuvir/daclatasvir improves time to clinical recovery [HR = 2.04 (95% CI = 1.25-3.32), P = 0.004]. The pooled risk of all-cause mortality was significantly lower in the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir arms compared with control arms [risk ratio = 0.31 (95% CI = 0.12-0.78), P = 0.013]. CONCLUSIONS Available evidence suggests that sofosbuvir/daclatasvir improves survival and clinical recovery in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. However, the sample size for analysis was relatively small, one of the trials was not randomized and the designs were not standardized. These results need to be confirmed in larger randomized controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryony Simmons
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hannah Wentzel
- School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sara Mobarak
- Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
| | | | - Anahita Sadeghi
- Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ali Asgari
- Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Abbaspour Kasgari
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hafez Tirgar Fakheri
- Gut and Liver Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahin Merat
- Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrew Hill
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
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Dong S, Dimopoulos G. Antiviral Compounds for Blocking Arboviral Transmission in Mosquitoes. Viruses 2021; 13:v13010108. [PMID: 33466915 PMCID: PMC7830659 DOI: 10.3390/v13010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) such as the dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are important human pathogens that are responsible for significant global morbidity and mortality. The recent emergence and re-emergence of mosquito-borne viral diseases (MBVDs) highlight the urgent need for safe and effective vaccines, therapeutics, and vector-control approaches to prevent MBVD outbreaks. In nature, arboviruses circulate between vertebrate hosts and arthropod vectors; therefore, disrupting the virus lifecycle in mosquitoes is a major approach for combating MBVDs. Several strategies were proposed to render mosquitoes that are refractory to arboviral infection, for example, those involving the generation of genetically modified mosquitoes or infection with the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. Due to the recent development of high-throughput screening methods, an increasing number of drugs with inhibitory effects on mosquito-borne arboviruses in mammalian cells were identified. These antivirals are useful resources that can impede the circulation of arboviruses between arthropods and humans by either rendering viruses more vulnerable in humans or suppressing viral infection by reducing the expression of host factors in mosquitoes. In this review, we summarize recent advances in small-molecule antiarboviral drugs in mammalian and mosquito cells, and discuss how to use these antivirals to block the transmission of MBVDs.
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25
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Picarazzi F, Vicenti I, Saladini F, Zazzi M, Mori M. Targeting the RdRp of Emerging RNA Viruses: The Structure-Based Drug Design Challenge. Molecules 2020; 25:E5695. [PMID: 33287144 PMCID: PMC7730706 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is an essential enzyme for the viral replication process, catalyzing the viral RNA synthesis using a metal ion-dependent mechanism. In recent years, RdRp has emerged as an optimal target for the development of antiviral drugs, as demonstrated by recent approvals of sofosbuvir and remdesivir against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), respectively. In this work, we overview the main sequence and structural features of the RdRp of emerging RNA viruses such as Coronaviruses, Flaviviruses, and HCV, as well as inhibition strategies implemented so far. While analyzing the structural information available on the RdRp of emerging RNA viruses, we provide examples of success stories such as for HCV and SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, Flaviviruses' story has raised attention about how the lack of structural details on catalytically-competent or ligand-bound RdRp strongly hampers the application of structure-based drug design, either in repurposing and conventional approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Picarazzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018–2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (I.V.); (F.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Francesco Saladini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (I.V.); (F.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (I.V.); (F.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018–2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy;
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de Almeida SMV, Santos Soares JC, Dos Santos KL, Alves JEF, Ribeiro AG, Jacob ÍTT, da Silva Ferreira CJ, Dos Santos JC, de Oliveira JF, de Carvalho Junior LB, de Lima MDCA. COVID-19 therapy: What weapons do we bring into battle? Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115757. [PMID: 32992245 PMCID: PMC7481143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Urgent treatments, in any modality, to fight SARS-CoV-2 infections are desired by society in general, by health professionals, by Estate-leaders and, mainly, by the scientific community, because one thing is certain amidst the numerous uncertainties regarding COVID-19: knowledge is the means to discover or to produce an effective treatment against this global disease. Scientists from several areas in the world are still committed to this mission, as shown by the accelerated scientific production in the first half of 2020 with over 25,000 published articles related to the new coronavirus. Three great lines of publications related to COVID-19 were identified for building this article: The first refers to knowledge production concerning the virus and pathophysiology of COVID-19; the second regards efforts to produce vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 at a speed without precedent in the history of science; the third comprehends the attempts to find a marketed drug that can be used to treat COVID-19 by drug repurposing. In this review, the drugs that have been repurposed so far are grouped according to their chemical class. Their structures will be presented to provide better understanding of their structural similarities and possible correlations with mechanisms of actions. This can help identifying anti-SARS-CoV-2 promising therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinara Mônica Vitalino de Almeida
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade de Pernambuco, Garanhuns, PE, Brazil; Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - José Cleberson Santos Soares
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Keriolaine Lima Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Amélia Galdino Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Íris Trindade Tenório Jacob
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jamerson Ferreira de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Maria do Carmo Alves de Lima
- Laboratório de Química e Inovação Terapêutica (LQIT) - Departamento de Antibióticos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
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Bifani AM, Ong EZ, de Alwis R. Vaccination and Therapeutics: Responding to the Changing Epidemiology of Yellow Fever. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 12:398-409. [PMID: 33173445 PMCID: PMC7644428 DOI: 10.1007/s40506-020-00237-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
At the turn of the nineteenth century, yellow fever (YF) was considered the most dangerous infectious disease with high case fatality. Subsequent, mass vaccination campaigns coupled with widespread elimination of the YF mosquito vector significantly decreased YF cases and reduced outbreaks to the tropical and subtropical forested regions of Africa and South America. However, recent (2016) large outbreaks in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South-Eastern Brazil, where previously had been demarcated as low-risk regions, have highlighted the possibility of a rapidly changing epidemiology and the potential re-emergence of yellow fever virus (YFV). Furthermore, the first-ever importation of YFV into Asia has highlighted the potential fear of YFV emerging as a global threat. In this review, we describe the changing epidemiology of YF outbreaks, and highlight the use of public health policies, therapeutics, and vaccination as tools to help eliminate future YFV outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Makha Bifani
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eugenia Z. Ong
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Viral Research and Experimental Medicine Centre @ SingHealth Duke-NUS (VIREMiCS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruklanthi de Alwis
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Viral Research and Experimental Medicine Centre @ SingHealth Duke-NUS (VIREMiCS), Singapore, Singapore
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28
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Ikram S, Ahmad J, Rehman IU, Durdagi S. Potent novel inhibitors against hepatitis C virus NS3 (HCV NS3 GT-3a) protease domain. J Mol Graph Model 2020; 101:107727. [PMID: 33027738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2020.107727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
HCV NS3, a non-structural hepatitis C viral protein is used as one of the potential targets for inhibition by direct-acting antivirals. It is known that the success rate for HCV genotype-1 treatment remained very high, however, treatment of genotype-3a (GT-3a), is still quite challenging. In the current study, the HCV GT-3a full-length NS3 gene was amplified and sequenced. The complete nucleotide sequence was translated into the amino acid sequence and homology models of HCV-NS3 GT-3a were generated by HCV-NS3 genotype-1b as a template. The objective of the study was to screen novel therapeutic hits from large databases. For this aim, various small molecule databases including, BindingDB (∼45.000 compounds), NCI (∼265.000 compounds), and Specs-SC (∼212.000 compounds) were used. Firstly, all of the compounds were screened using binary-QSAR models from the MetaCore/MetaDrug server, and compounds were filtered based on therapeutic activity predictions by the anti-viral QSAR model. Filtered molecules were used in 26 different toxicity QSAR models and active non-toxic compounds were identified. These selected molecules were then used in docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations studies at the binding cavities of the NS3 protease domain of the GT-3a. Results were compared with known inhibitors and novel molecules are proposed against HCV-NS3 GT-3a. These molecules have high ligand efficiencies as compared to the reference molecules suggesting a better alternate to the existing suite of inhibitors. Thus, this study will be a step ahead in the development of new potential compounds as antiviral drugs for the GT-3a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima Ikram
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey; Center of Biotechnology & Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Jamshaid Ahmad
- Center of Biotechnology & Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
| | - Irshad-Ur Rehman
- Center of Biotechnology & Microbiology, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Serdar Durdagi
- Computational Biology and Molecular Simulations Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Vaccination and Therapeutics: Responding to the Changing Epidemiology of Yellow Fever. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 12:349-360. [PMID: 32837338 PMCID: PMC7351566 DOI: 10.1007/s40506-020-00232-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review At the turn of the nineteenth century, yellow fever (YF) was considered the most dangerous infectious disease with high case fatality. Subsequent, mass vaccination campaigns coupled with widespread elimination of the YF mosquito vector significantly decreased YF cases and reduced outbreaks to the tropical and subtropical forested regions of Africa and South America. Recent Findings However, recent (2016) large outbreaks in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South-Eastern Brazil, where previously had been demarcated as low-risk regions, have highlighted the possibility of a rapidly changing epidemiology and the potential re-emergence of yellow fever virus (YFV). Furthermore, the first-ever importation of YFV into Asia has highlighted the potential fear of YFV emerging as a global threat. Summary In this review, we describe the changing epidemiology of YF outbreaks and highlight the use of public health policies, therapeutics, and vaccination as tools to help eliminate future YFV outbreaks.
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30
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Drug repurposing of pyrimidine analogs as potent antiviral compounds against human enterovirus A71 infection with potential clinical applications. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8159. [PMID: 32424333 PMCID: PMC7235037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65152-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is one of the aetiological agents for the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in young children and a potential cause of neurological complications in afflicted patients. Since its discovery in 1969, there remains no approved antiviral for EV-A71 and other HFMD-causing enteroviruses. We set out to address the lack of therapeutics against EV-A71 by screening an FDA-approved drug library and found an enrichment of hits including pyrimidine antimetabolite, gemcitabine which showed 90.2% of inhibition on EV-A71 infection. Gemcitabine and other nucleoside analogs, LY2334737 and sofosbuvir inhibition of EV-A71 infection were disclosed using molecular and proteomic quantification, and in vitro and in vivo efficacy evaluation. Gemcitabine displayed a significant reduction of infectious EV-A71 titres by 2.5 logs PFU/mL and was shown to target the early stage of EV-A71 viral RNA and viral protein synthesis process especially via inhibition of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase. In addition, the drug combination study of gemcitabine's synergistic effects with interferon-β at 1:1 and 1:2 ratio enhanced inhibition against EV-A71 replication. Since gemcitabine is known to metabolize rapidly in vivo, other nucleoside analogs, LY2334737 and sofosbuvir conferred protection in mice against lethal EV-A71 challenge by potentially reducing the death rate, viral titers as well on virus-induced pathology in the limb muscle tissue of mice. Additionally, we found that gemcitabine is competent to inhibit other positive-sense RNA viruses of the Flaviviridae and Togaviridae family. Overall, these drugs provide new insights into targeting viral factors as a broad-spectrum antiviral strategy with potential therapeutic value for future development and are worthy of potential clinical application.
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Brai A, Boccuto A, Monti M, Marchi S, Vicenti I, Saladini F, Trivisani CI, Pollutri A, Trombetta CM, Montomoli E, Riva V, Garbelli A, Nola EM, Zazzi M, Maga G, Dreassi E, Botta M. Exploring the Implication of DDX3X in DENV Infection: Discovery of the First-in-Class DDX3X Fluorescent Inhibitor. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:956-962. [PMID: 32435411 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the absence of effective drugs or vaccines for the treatment of the five Dengue Virus serotypes, the search for novel antiviral drugs is of primary importance for the scientific community. In this context, drug repurposing represents the most used strategy; however, the study of host targets is now attracting attention since it allows identification of broad-spectrum drugs endowed with high genetic barrier. In the last ten years our research group identified several small molecules DDX3X inhibitors and proved their efficacy against different viruses including novel emerging ones. Herein, starting from a screening of our compounds, we designed and synthesized novel derivatives with potent activity and high selectivity. Finally, we synthesized a fluorescent inhibitor that allowed us to study DDX3X cellular localization during DENV infection in vitro. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that our inhibitor colocalized with DDX3X, promoting the reduction of infected cells and recovering the number of viable cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalaura Brai
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università degli Studi di Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Adele Boccuto
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Martina Monti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Serena Marchi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Saladini
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Pollutri
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università degli Studi di Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Maria Trombetta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e dello Sviluppo, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- VisMederi Srl, Strada del Petriccio e Belriguardo 35, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valentina Riva
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM-CNR “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Garbelli
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM-CNR “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Maria Nola
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM-CNR “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maga
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM-CNR “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università degli Studi di Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Botta
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università degli Studi di Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, BioLife Science Building, Suite 333, 1900 N 12th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
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Sofosbuvir as Repurposed Antiviral Drug Against COVID-19: Why Were We Convinced to Evaluate the Drug in a Registered/Approved Clinical Trial? Arch Med Res 2020; 51:577-581. [PMID: 32387040 PMCID: PMC7188631 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2020.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a devastating global pandemic around the world. While the majority of infected cases appear mild, in some cases individuals present respiratory complications with possible serious lung damage. There are no specific treatments for COVID-19 as yet, though a number are under evaluation, including experimental antivirals. Sofosbuvir, the clinically approved anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug, is also capable of suppressing other families of positive-strand RNA viruses; Flaviviridae and Togaviridae. Coronaviruses are a family of positive-strand RNA viruses with conserved polymerase, so SARS-CoV-2 RdRp is very likely to be effectively inhibited by sofosbuvir. More importantly, sofosbuvir is safe and well tolerated at 400 mg daily in a 24 week therapeutic regimen. Sofosbuvir active metabolite, however, shows an extremely high intracellular stability So, it is hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 infection could also be susceptible to sofosbuvir and we were convinced to design and run a clinical trial to evaluate the effect of sofosbuvir 400 mg (in combination with velpatasvir 100 mg, as add-on treatment, in addition to standard of care) on the COVID-19. However, we believe that this manuscript/correspondence should be made available to the international scientific community as soon as possible, with the help of this esteemed journal.
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Anasir MI, Ramanathan B, Poh CL. Structure-Based Design of Antivirals against Envelope Glycoprotein of Dengue Virus. Viruses 2020; 12:v12040367. [PMID: 32225021 PMCID: PMC7232406 DOI: 10.3390/v12040367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) presents a significant threat to global public health with more than 500,000 hospitalizations and 25,000 deaths annually. Currently, there is no clinically approved antiviral drug to treat DENV infection. The envelope (E) glycoprotein of DENV is a promising target for drug discovery as the E protein is important for viral attachment and fusion. Understanding the structure and function of DENV E protein has led to the exploration of structure-based drug discovery of antiviral compounds and peptides against DENV infections. This review summarizes the structural information of the DENV E protein with regards to DENV attachment and fusion. The information enables the development of antiviral agents through structure-based approaches. In addition, this review compares the potency of antivirals targeting the E protein with the antivirals targeting DENV multifunctional enzymes, repurposed drugs and clinically approved antiviral drugs. None of the current DENV antiviral candidates possess potency similar to the approved antiviral drugs which indicates that more efforts and resources must be invested before an effective DENV drug materializes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Ishtiaq Anasir
- Center for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor 47500, Malaysia;
| | - Babu Ramanathan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor 47500, Malaysia;
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Center for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor 47500, Malaysia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-3-7491-8622; Fax: +60-3-5635-8633
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Vicenti I, Dragoni F, Giannini A, Giammarino F, Spinicci M, Saladini F, Boccuto A, Zazzi M. Development of a Cell-Based Immunodetection Assay for Simultaneous Screening of Antiviral Compounds Inhibiting Zika and Dengue Virus Replication. SLAS DISCOVERY 2020; 25:506-514. [PMID: 32186426 DOI: 10.1177/2472555220911456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Practical cell-based assays can accelerate anti-Zika (ZIKV) and anti-dengue (DENV) virus drug discovery. We developed an immunodetection assay (IA), using a pan-flaviviral monoclonal antibody recognizing a conserved envelope domain. The final protocol includes a direct virus yield reduction assay (YRA) carried out in the human Huh7 cell line, followed by transfer of the supernatant to a secondary Huh7 culture to characterize late antiviral effects. Sofosbuvir and ribavirin were used to validate the assay, while celgosivir was used to evaluate the ability to discriminate between early and late antiviral activity. In the direct YRA, at 100, 50, and 25 TCID50, sofosbuvir IC50 values were 5.0 ± 1.5, 2.7 ± 0.5, 2.5 ± 1.1 µM against ZIKV and 16.6 ± 2.8, 4.6 ± 1.4, 2.6 ± 2.2 µM against DENV; ribavirin IC50 values were 6.8 ± 4.0, 3.8 ± 0.6, 4.5 ± 1.4 µM against ZIKV and 17.3 ± 4.6, 7.6 ± 1.2, 4.1 ± 2.3 µM against DENV. Sofosbuvir and ribavirin IC50 values determined in the secondary YRA were reproducible and comparable with those obtained by direct YRA and plaque reduction assay (PRA). In agreement with the proposed mechanism of late action, celgosivir was active against DENV only in the secondary YRA (IC50 11.0 ± 1.0 µM) and in PRA (IC50 10.1 ± 1.1 µM). The assay format overcomes relevant limitations of the gold standard PRA, allowing concurrent analysis of candidate antiviral compounds against different viruses and providing preliminary information about early versus late antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Filippo Dragoni
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Giannini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Michele Spinicci
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Toscana, Italy
| | - Francesco Saladini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Adele Boccuto
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Ebrahimi KH, Howie D, Rowbotham JS, McCullagh J, Armstrong FA, James WS. Viperin, through its radical-SAM activity, depletes cellular nucleotide pools and interferes with mitochondrial metabolism to inhibit viral replication. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:1624-1630. [PMID: 32061099 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Viperin (RSAD2) is an antiviral radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzyme highly expressed in different cell types upon viral infection. Recently, it has been reported that the radical-SAM activity of viperin transforms cytidine triphosphate (CTP) to its analogue 3'-deoxy-3',4'-didehydro-CTP (ddhCTP). Based on biochemical studies and cell biological experiments, it was concluded that ddhCTP and its nucleoside form ddhC do not affect the cellular concentration of nucleotide triphosphates and that ddhCTP acts as replication chain terminator. However, our re-evaluation of the reported data and new results indicate that ddhCTP is not an effective viral chain terminator but depletes cellular nucleotide pools and interferes with mitochondrial activity to inhibit viral replication. Our analysis is consistent with a unifying view of the antiviral and radical-SAM activities of viperin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Duncan Howie
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - William S James
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, UK
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Dragoni F, Boccuto A, Picarazzi F, Giannini A, Giammarino F, Saladini F, Mori M, Mastrangelo E, Zazzi M, Vicenti I. Evaluation of sofosbuvir activity and resistance profile against West Nile virus in vitro. Antiviral Res 2020; 175:104708. [PMID: 31931104 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Sofosbuvir, a licensed nucleotide analog targeting hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), has been recently evaluated as a broad anti-Flavivirus lead candidate revealing activity against Zika and Dengue viruses both in vitro and in animal models. In this study, the in vitro antiviral activity of sofosbuvir against West Nile virus (WNV) was determined by plaque assay (PA) and Immunodetection Assay (IA) in human cell lines and by enzymatic RdRp assay. By PA, the sofosbuvir half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 1.2 ± 0.3 μM in Huh-7, 5.3 ± 0.9 μM in U87, 7.8 ± 2.5 μM in LN-18 and 63.4 ± 14.1 μM in A549 cells. By IA, anti-WNV activity was confirmed in both hepatic (Huh-7, 1.7 ± 0.5 μM) and neuronal (U87, 7.3 ± 2.0 μM) cell types. Sofosbuvir was confirmed to inhibit the purified WNV RdRp (IC50 11.1 ± 4.6 μM). In vitro resistance selection experiments were performed by propagating WNV in the Huh-7 cell line with two-fold increasing concentrations of sofosbuvir. At 80 μM, a significantly longer time for viral breakthrough was observed compared with lower concentrations (18 vs. 7-9 days post infection; p = 0.029), along with the detection of the S604T mutation, corresponding to the well-known S282T substitution in the motif B of HCV NS5B, which confers resistance to sofosbuvir. Molecular docking experiments confirmed that the S604T mutation within the catalytic site of RdRp affected the binding mode of sofosbuvir. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the antiviral activity of sofosbuvir against WNV as well as of selection of mutants in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Dragoni
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Adele Boccuto
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Picarazzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Giannini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy.
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Abdullah AA, Lee YK, Chin SP, Lim SK, Lee VS, Othman R, Othman S, Rahman NA, Yusof R, Heh CH. Discovery of Dengue Virus Inhibitors. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:4945-5036. [PMID: 30514185 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666181204155336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To date, there is still no approved anti-dengue agent to treat dengue infection in the market. Although the only licensed dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia is available, its protective efficacy against serotypes 1 and 2 of dengue virus was reported to be lower than serotypes 3 and 4. Moreover, according to WHO, the risk of being hospitalized and having severe dengue increased in seronegative individuals after they received Dengvaxia vaccination. Nevertheless, various studies had been carried out in search of dengue virus inhibitors. These studies focused on the structural (C, prM, E) and non-structural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B and NS5) of dengue virus as well as host factors as drug targets. Hence, this article provides an overall up-to-date review of the discovery of dengue virus inhibitors that are only targeting the structural and non-structural viral proteins as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adib Afandi Abdullah
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yean Kee Lee
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sek Peng Chin
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - See Khai Lim
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Vannajan Sanghiran Lee
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rozana Othman
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shatrah Othman
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noorsaadah Abdul Rahman
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rohana Yusof
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Choon Han Heh
- Drug Design and Development Research Group (DDDRG), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Polymerase Activity, Protein-Protein Interaction, and Cellular Localization of the Usutu Virus NS5 Protein. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 64:AAC.01573-19. [PMID: 31685463 PMCID: PMC7187600 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01573-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) has become increasingly relevant in recent years, with large outbreaks that sporadically have affected humans being reported in wildlife. Similarly to the rest of flaviviruses, USUV contains a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome which is replicated by the activity of nonstructural protein 5 (NS5). USUV NS5 shows high sequence identity with the remaining viruses in this genus. This permitted us to identify the predicted methyltransferase domain and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain (RdRpD). Owing to their high degree of conservation, viral polymerases are considered priority targets for the development of antiviral compounds. In the present study, we cloned and expressed the entire NS5 and the RdRpD in a heterologous system and used purified preparations for protein characterizations. We determined the optimal reaction conditions by investigating how variations in different physicochemical parameters, such as buffer concentration, temperature, and pH, affect RNA polymerization activity. We also found that USUV polymerase, but not the full-length NS5, exhibits cooperative activity in the synthesis of RNA and that the RdRp activity is not inhibited by sofosbuvir. To further examine the characteristics of USUV polymerase in a more specifically biological context, we have expressed NS5 and the RdRpD in eukaryotic cells and analyzed their subcellular location. NS5 is predominantly found in the cytoplasm; a significant proportion is directed to the nucleus, and this translocation involves nuclear location signals (NLS) located at least between the MTase and RdRpD domains.
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Pastuch-Gawołek G, Gillner D, Król E, Walczak K, Wandzik I. Selected nucleos(t)ide-based prescribed drugs and their multi-target activity. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 865:172747. [PMID: 31634460 PMCID: PMC7173238 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nucleos(t)ide analogues play pivotal roles as antiviral, cytotoxic or immunosuppressive agents. Here, we review recent reports of nucleoside analogues that exhibit broad-spectrum activity towards multiple life-threatening RNA and DNA viruses. We also present a discussion about nucleoside antimetabolites-approved antineoplastic agents-that have recently been shown to have antiviral and/or antibacterial activity. The approved drugs and drug combinations, as well as recently identified candidates for investigation and/or experimentation, are discussed. Several examples of repurposed drugs that have already been approved for use are presented. This strategy can be crucial for the first-line treatment of acute infections or coinfections and for the management of drug-resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pastuch-Gawołek
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 4, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland; Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 8, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Danuta Gillner
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 4, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland; Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 8, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Ewelina Król
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Walczak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 4, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Ilona Wandzik
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 4, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland; Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 8, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland.
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Figueiredo-Mello C, Casadio LVB, Avelino-Silva VI, Yeh-Li H, Sztajnbok J, Joelsons D, Antonio MB, Pinho JRR, Malta FDM, Gomes-Gouvêa MS, Salles APM, Corá AP, Moreira CHV, Ribeiro AF, Nastri ACDSS, Malaque CMS, Teixeira RFA, Borges LMS, Gonzalez MP, Junior LCP, Souza TNL, Song ATW, D'Albuquerque LAC, Abdala E, Andraus W, Martino RBD, Ducatti L, Andrade GM, Malbouisson LMS, Souza IMD, Carrilho FJ, Sabino EC, Levin AS. Efficacy of sofosbuvir as treatment for yellow fever: protocol for a randomised controlled trial in Brazil (SOFFA study). BMJ Open 2019; 9:e027207. [PMID: 31772079 PMCID: PMC6887076 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An ongoing outbreak of yellow fever (YF) has been reported in Brazil with 1261 confirmed cases and 409 deaths since July 2017. To date, there is no specific treatment available for YF. Recently published papers describing in vitro and animal models suggest a potential effect of antiviral drugs (approved for the treatment of hepatitis virus) against flaviviruses, including YF. The primary aim of this study is to analyse the effect of sofosbuvir on viral kinetics and clinical outcomes among patients presenting with YF. This is a multicentre open-label randomised controlled trial with 1:1 individual allocation, stratified by severity and by recruiting centre. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Adults with suspected or confirmed YF infection and symptoms lasting up to 15 days are screened. Eligible and consenting patients are randomised to receive oral sofosbuvir 400 mg daily for 10 days or to receive standard clinical care. Viral kinetics are measured daily and the reduction in YF plasma viral load from the sample at inclusion to 72 hours after randomisation will be compared between active and control groups. Clinical outcomes include severity meeting criteria for intensive care support, liver transplantation, in-hospital mortality and mortality within 60 days. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval was obtained at the participating sites and at the national research ethics committee (CAAE 82673018.6.1001.0068). The trial has been submitted for ethical approval at additional potential recruiting centres. Results of the study will be published in journals and presented at scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (RBR-93dp9n).
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Figueiredo-Mello
- Department of Education and Research, Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Vilas Boas Casadio
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Gastroenterology (LIM07), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vivian Iida Avelino-Silva
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ho Yeh-Li
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jaques Sztajnbok
- Medical Division-Intensive Care Unit, Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel Joelsons
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marilia Bordignon Antonio
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João Renato Rebello Pinho
- Department of Gastroenterology (LIM07), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda de Mello Malta
- Department of Gastroenterology (LIM07), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Michele Soares Gomes-Gouvêa
- Department of Gastroenterology (LIM07), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Moreira Salles
- Department of Gastroenterology (LIM07), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Pivetta Corá
- Clinical Lab, Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Freitas Ribeiro
- Epidemiology Service, Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Catharina de Seixas Santos Nastri
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Gastroenterology (LIM07), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alice Tung Wan Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Edson Abdala
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Infectious Diseases, Universidade de Sao Paulo Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Wellington Andraus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Bronze de Martino
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Liliana Ducatti
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Marques Andrade
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Marcelo Sá Malbouisson
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Izabel Marcilio de Souza
- Epidemiologic Surveillance Department, Universidade de São Paulo Hospital das Clínicas, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Flair José Carrilho
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ester Cerdeira Sabino
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Anna S Levin
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Yellow Fever: Integrating Current Knowledge with Technological Innovations to Identify Strategies for Controlling a Re-Emerging Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11100960. [PMID: 31627415 PMCID: PMC6832525 DOI: 10.3390/v11100960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Yellow fever virus (YFV) represents a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen, transmitted by mosquito vectors to humans from primate reservoirs. Sporadic outbreaks of YFV occur in endemic tropical regions, causing a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) associated with high mortality rates. Despite a highly effective vaccine, no antiviral treatments currently exist. Therefore, YFV represents a neglected tropical disease and is chronically understudied, with many aspects of YFV biology incompletely defined including host range, host–virus interactions and correlates of host immunity and pathogenicity. In this article, we review the current state of YFV research, focusing on the viral lifecycle, host responses to infection, species tropism and the success and associated limitations of the YFV-17D vaccine. In addition, we highlight the current lack of available treatments and use publicly available sequence and structural data to assess global patterns of YFV sequence diversity and identify potential drug targets. Finally, we discuss how technological advances, including real-time epidemiological monitoring of outbreaks using next-generation sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9 modification of vector species, could be utilized in future battles against this re-emerging pathogen which continues to cause devastating disease.
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Replicons of a Rodent Hepatitis C Model Virus Permit Selection of Highly Permissive Cells. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00733-19. [PMID: 31292246 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00733-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal hepaciviruses represent promising surrogate models for hepatitis C virus (HCV), for which there are no efficient immunocompetent animal models. Experimental infection of laboratory rats with rodent hepacivirus isolated from feral Rattus norvegicus (RHV-rn1) mirrors key aspects of HCV infection in humans, including chronicity, hepatitis, and steatosis. Moreover, RHV has been adapted to infect immunocompetent laboratory mice. RHV in vitro systems have not been developed but would enable detailed studies of the virus life cycle crucial for designing animal experiments to model HCV infection. Here, we established efficient RHV-rn1 selectable subgenomic replicons with and without reporter genes. Rat and mouse liver-derived cells did not readily support the complete RHV life cycle, but replicon-containing cell clones could be selected with and without acquired mutations. Replication was significantly enhanced by mutations in NS4B and NS5A and in cell clones cured of replicon RNA. These mutations increased RHV replication of both mono- and bicistronic constructs, and CpG/UpA-dinucleotide optimization of reporter genes allowed replication. Using the replicon system, we show that the RHV-rn1 NS3-4A protease cleaves a human mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein reporter, providing a sensitive readout for virus replication. RHV-rn1 replication was inhibited by the HCV polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and high concentrations of HCV NS5A antivirals but not by NS3 protease inhibitors. The microRNA-122 antagonist miravirsen inhibited RHV-rn1 replication, demonstrating the importance of this HCV host factor for RHV. These novel RHV in vitro systems will be useful for studies of tropism, molecular virology, and characterization of virus-host interactions, thereby providing important complements to in vivo systems.IMPORTANCE A vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial for global control of this important pathogen, which induces fatal human liver diseases. Vaccine development has been hampered by the lack of immunocompetent animal models. Discovery of rodent hepacivirus (RHV) enabled establishment of novel surrogate animal models. These allow robust infection and reverse genetic and immunization studies of laboratory animals, which develop HCV-like chronicity. Currently, there are no RHV in vitro systems available to study tropism and molecular virology. Here, we established the first culture systems for RHV, recapitulating the intracellular phase of the virus life cycle in vitro These replicon systems enabled identification of replication-enhancing mutations and selection of cells highly permissive to RHV replication, which allow study of virus-host interactions. HCV antivirals targeting NS5A, NS5B, and microRNA-122 efficiently inhibited RHV replication. Hence, several important aspects of HCV replication are shared by the rodent virus system, reinforcing its utility as an HCV model.
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Liu W, Jiang X, Liu Y, Ma Q. Bioinformatics Analysis of Quantitative PCR and Reverse Transcription PCR in Detecting HCV RNA. Curr Bioinform 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1574893613666180703103328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective:This research aimed to make comparisons of sensitivity and specificity between Quantitative real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Q-PCR) and Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) in detecting the ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression levels of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).Methods:121 patients suffering from hepatitis C and 98 healthy participants with normal liver functions were identified. The venous blood collections were carried out, were subjected to detect the expression levels of HCV RNA via Q-PCR and RT-PCR. And then, the data obtained from these above two detection methods were compared, including the sensitivity and specificity.Results:In terms of Q-PCR, the positive rate of HCV RNA was 72.16%, which was significantly higher when compared with 55.26% of RT-PCR. After statistical analysis, the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.05). Among the healthy participants, 4 cases were false positive by means of RT-PCR, there was the possibility of missed diagnosis when the samples were evaluated by Q-PCR.Conclusion:: The Q-PCR detection technology performed well in testing HCV, with pretty high sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, the false negative results obtained from Q-PCR could not be avoided. In clinical practice, these above two detection methods should be referred to, in order to avoid missed diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Luhe Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiwen Jiang
- DAAN Gene Co., Ltd. of Sun Yat-sen University, 19 Xiangshan Road, Science Park, High & New Technology Development District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yue Liu
- DAAN Gene Co., Ltd. of Sun Yat-sen University, 19 Xiangshan Road, Science Park, High & New Technology Development District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingsong Ma
- Qian'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, 66 Foshan Road, Qian'an, Hebei, China
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de Freitas CS, Higa LM, Sacramento CQ, Ferreira AC, Reis PA, Delvecchio R, Monteiro FL, Barbosa-Lima G, James Westgarth H, Vieira YR, Mattos M, Rocha N, Hoelz LVB, Leme RPP, Bastos MM, L. Rodrigues GO, M. Lopes CE, Queiroz-Junior CM, Lima CX, Costa VV, Teixeira MM, Bozza FA, Bozza PT, Boechat N, Tanuri A, Souza TML. Yellow fever virus is susceptible to sofosbuvir both in vitro and in vivo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007072. [PMID: 30699122 PMCID: PMC6375661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family. In Brazil, yellow fever (YF) cases have increased dramatically in sylvatic areas neighboring urban zones in the last few years. Because of the high lethality rates associated with infection and absence of any antiviral treatments, it is essential to identify therapeutic options to respond to YFV outbreaks. Repurposing of clinically approved drugs represents the fastest alternative to discover antivirals for public health emergencies. Other Flaviviruses, such as Zika (ZIKV) and dengue (DENV) viruses, are susceptible to sofosbuvir, a clinically approved drug against hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our data showed that sofosbuvir docks onto YFV RNA polymerase using conserved amino acid residues for nucleotide binding. This drug inhibited the replication of both vaccine and wild-type strains of YFV on human hepatoma cells, with EC50 values around 5 μM. Sofosbuvir protected YFV-infected neonatal Swiss mice and adult type I interferon receptor knockout mice (A129-/-) from mortality and weight loss. Because of its safety profile in humans and significant antiviral effects in vitro and in mice, Sofosbuvir may represent a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of YF. Key-words: Yellow fever virus; Yellow fever, antiviral; sofosbuvir Yellow fever virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and its infection may be asymptomatic or lead to a wide clinical spectrum ranging from a mild febrile illness to a potentially lethal viral hemorrhagic fever characterized by liver damage. Although a yellow fever vaccine is available, low coverage allows 80,000–200,000 cases and 30,000–60,000 deaths annually worldwide. There are no specific therapy and treatment relies on supportive care, reinforcing an urgent need for antiviral repourposing. Here, we showed that sofosbuvir, clinically approved against hepatitis C, inhibits yellow fever virus replication in liver cell lines and animal models. In vitro, sofosbuvir inhibits viral RNA replication, decreases the number of infected cells and the production of infectious virus particles. These data is particularly relevante since the liver is the main target of yellow fever infection. Sofosbuvir also protected infected animals from mortality, weight loss and liver injury, especially prophylatically. Our pre-clinical results supports a second use of sofosbuvir against yellow fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S. de Freitas
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT/IDN), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luiza M. Higa
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carolina Q. Sacramento
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT/IDN), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - André C. Ferreira
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT/IDN), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia A. Reis
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Delvecchio
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fabio L. Monteiro
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Harrison James Westgarth
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Yasmine Rangel Vieira
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT/IDN), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia (INI), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mayara Mattos
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT/IDN), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Natasha Rocha
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT/IDN), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mônica M. Bastos
- Instituto de Tecnologia de Fármacos (Farmanguinhos), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gisele Olinto L. Rodrigues
- Center for Research and Development of Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carla Elizabeth M. Lopes
- Center for Research and Development of Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior
- Cardiac Lab, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cristiano X. Lima
- Departamento de Cirurgia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vivian V. Costa
- Center for Research and Development of Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mauro M. Teixeira
- Center for Research and Development of Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Immunopharmacology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernando A. Bozza
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia (INI), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia T. Bozza
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Nubia Boechat
- Instituto de Tecnologia de Fármacos (Farmanguinhos), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Amilcar Tanuri
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thiago Moreno L. Souza
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT/IDN), Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia (INI), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Beyond Members of the Flaviviridae Family, Sofosbuvir Also Inhibits Chikungunya Virus Replication. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.01389-18. [PMID: 30455237 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01389-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes a febrile disease associated with chronic arthralgia, which may progress to neurological impairment. Chikungunya fever (CF) is an ongoing public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, where control of the CHIKV vector, Aedes mosquitos, has failed. As there is no vaccine or specific treatment for CHIKV, patients receive only palliative care to alleviate pain and arthralgia. Thus, drug repurposing is necessary to identify antivirals against CHIKV. CHIKV RNA polymerase is similar to the orthologue enzyme of other positive-sense RNA viruses, such as members of the Flaviviridae family. Among the Flaviviridae, not only is hepatitis C virus RNA polymerase susceptible to sofosbuvir, a clinically approved nucleotide analogue, but so is dengue, Zika, and yellow fever virus replication. Here, we found that sofosbuvir was three times more selective in inhibiting CHIKV production in human hepatoma cells than ribavirin, a pan-antiviral drug. Although CHIKV replication in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes was less susceptible to sofosbuvir than were hepatoma cells, sofosbuvir nevertheless impaired virus production and cell death in a multiplicity of infection-dependent manner. Sofosbuvir also exhibited antiviral activity in vivo by preventing CHIKV-induced paw edema in adult mice at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight/day and prevented mortality in a neonate mouse model at 40- and 80-mg/kg/day doses. Our data demonstrate that a prototypic alphavirus, CHIKV, is also susceptible to sofosbuvir. As sofosbuvir is a clinically approved drug, our findings could pave the way to it becoming a therapeutic option against CF.
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Dengue drug discovery: Progress, challenges and outlook. Antiviral Res 2018; 163:156-178. [PMID: 30597183 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the context of the only available vaccine (DENGVAXIA) that was marketed in several countries, but poses higher risks to unexposed individuals, the development of antivirals for dengue virus (DENV), whilst challenging, would bring significant benefits to public health. Here recent progress in the field of DENV drug discovery made in academic laboratories and industry is reviewed. Characteristics of an ideal DENV antiviral molecule, given the specific immunopathology provoked by this acute viral infection, are described. New chemical classes identified from biochemical, biophysical and phenotypic screens that target viral (especially NS4B) and host proteins, offer promising opportunities for further development. In particular, new methodologies ("omics") can accelerate the discovery of much awaited flavivirus specific inhibitors. Challenges and opportunities in lead identification activities as well as the path to clinical development of dengue drugs are discussed. To galvanize DENV drug discovery, collaborative public-public partnerships and open-access resources will greatly benefit both the DENV research community and DENV patients.
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Klitting R, Fischer C, Drexler JF, Gould EA, Roiz D, Paupy C, de Lamballerie X. What Does the Future Hold for Yellow Fever Virus? (II). Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E425. [PMID: 30134625 PMCID: PMC6162518 DOI: 10.3390/genes9090425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As revealed by the recent resurgence of yellow fever virus (YFV) activity in the tropical regions of Africa and South America, YFV control measures need urgent rethinking. Over the last decade, most reported outbreaks occurred in, or eventually reached, areas with low vaccination coverage but that are suitable for virus transmission, with an unprecedented risk of expansion to densely populated territories in Africa, South America and Asia. As reflected in the World Health Organization's initiative launched in 2017, it is high time to strengthen epidemiological surveillance to monitor accurately viral dissemination, and redefine vaccination recommendation areas. Vector-control and immunisation measures need to be adapted and vaccine manufacturing must be reconciled with an increasing demand. We will have to face more yellow fever (YF) cases in the upcoming years. Hence, improving disease management through the development of efficient treatments will prove most beneficial. Undoubtedly, these developments will require in-depth descriptions of YFV biology at molecular, physiological and ecological levels. This second section of a two-part review describes the current state of knowledge and gaps regarding the molecular biology of YFV, along with an overview of the tools that can be used to manage the disease at the individual, local and global levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaëlle Klitting
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ⁻IRD 190⁻Inserm 1207⁻IHU Méditerranée Infection), 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France.
| | - Carlo Fischer
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Jan F Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Ernest A Gould
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ⁻IRD 190⁻Inserm 1207⁻IHU Méditerranée Infection), 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France.
| | - David Roiz
- UMR Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique Évolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC: IRD, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier), 34394 Montpellier, France.
| | - Christophe Paupy
- UMR Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique Évolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC: IRD, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier), 34394 Montpellier, France.
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ⁻IRD 190⁻Inserm 1207⁻IHU Méditerranée Infection), 13385 Marseille CEDEX 05, France.
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Tian YS, Zhou Y, Takagi T, Kameoka M, Kawashita N. Dengue Virus and Its Inhibitors: A Brief Review. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2018; 66:191-206. [PMID: 29491253 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c17-00794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The global occurrence of viral infectious diseases poses a significant threat to human health. Dengue virus (DENV) infection is one of the most noteworthy of these infections. According to a WHO survey, approximately 400 million people are infected annually; symptoms deteriorate in approximately one percent of cases. Numerous foundational and clinical investigations on viral epidemiology, structure and function analysis, infection source and route, therapeutic targets, vaccines, and therapeutic drugs have been conducted by both academic and industrial researchers. At present, CYD-TDV or Dengvaxia® is the only approved vaccine, but potent inhibitors are currently under development. In this review, an overview of the viral life circle and the history of DENVs is presented, and the most recently reported antiviral candidates and newly discovered promising targets are focused and summarized. We believe that these successes and failures have enabled progress in anti-DENV drug discovery and hope that our review will stimulate further innovation in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shi Tian
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
| | - Yi Zhou
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
| | - Tatsuya Takagi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
| | - Masanori Kameoka
- Department of International Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences
| | - Norihito Kawashita
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University.,Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Kindai University
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Ma J, Zhang X, Soloveva V, Warren T, Guo F, Wu S, Lu H, Guo J, Su Q, Shen H, Solon E, Comunale MA, Mehta A, Guo JT, Bavari S, Du Y, Block TM, Chang J. Enhancing the antiviral potency of ER α-glucosidase inhibitor IHVR-19029 against hemorrhagic fever viruses in vitro and in vivo. Antiviral Res 2017; 150:112-122. [PMID: 29253498 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Targeting host functions essential for viral replication has been considered as a broad spectrum and resistance-refractory antiviral approach. However, only a few host functions have, thus far, been validated as broad-spectrum antiviral targets in vivo. ER α-glucosidases I and II have been demonstrated to be essential for the morphogenesis of many enveloped viruses, including members from four families of viruses causing hemorrhagic fever. In vivo antiviral efficacy of various iminosugar-based ER α-glucosidase inhibitors has been reported in animals infected with Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, Ebola, Marburg and influenza viruses. Herein, we established Huh7.5-derived cell lines with ER α-glucosidase I or II knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 and demonstrated that the replication of Dengue, Yellow fever and Zika viruses was reduced by only 1-2 logs in the knockout cell lines. The results clearly indicate that only a partial suppression of viral replication can possibly be achieved with a complete inhibition of ER-α-glucosidases I or II by their inhibitors. We therefore explore to improve the antiviral efficacy of a lead iminosugar IHVR-19029 through combination with another broad-spectrum antiviral agent, favipiravir (T-705). Indeed, combination of IHVR-19029 and T-705 synergistically inhibited the replication of Yellow fever and Ebola viruses in cultured cells. Moreover, in a mouse model of Ebola virus infection, combination of sub-optimal doses of IHVR-19029 and T-705 significantly increased the survival rate of infected animals. We have thus proved the concept of combinational therapeutic strategy for the treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers with broad spectrum host- and viral- targeting antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ma
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Xuexiang Zhang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Veronica Soloveva
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Travis Warren
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Fang Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Shuo Wu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Huagang Lu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Jia Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Qing Su
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Anand Mehta
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Sina Bavari
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Timothy M Block
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA.
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Ohno K, Sugiyama D, Takeshita L, Kanamori T, Masaki Y, Sekine M, Seio K. Synthesis of photocaged 6-O-(2-nitrobenzyl)guanosine and 4-O-(2-nitrobenzyl) uridine triphosphates for photocontrol of the RNA transcription reaction. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:6007-6015. [PMID: 28986114 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
6-O-(2-Nitrobenzyl)guanosine and 4-O-(2-nitrobenzyl)uridine triphosphates (NBGTP, NBUTP) were synthesized, and their biochemical and photophysical properties were evaluated. We synthesized NBUTP using the canonical triphosphate synthesis method and NBGTP from 2',3'-O-TBDMS guanosine via a triphosphate synthesis method by utilizing mild acidic desilylation conditions. Deprotection of the nitrobenzyl group in NBGTP and NBUTP proceeded within 60s by UV irradiation at 365nm. Experiments using NBGTP or NBUTP in T7-RNA transcription reactions showed that NBGTP could be useful for the photocontrol of transcription by UV irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Ohno
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Daiki Sugiyama
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Leo Takeshita
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Takashi Kanamori
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Masaki
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Sekine
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Kohji Seio
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
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