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Small-Molecule Inhibitor of Flaviviral NS3-NS5 Interaction with Broad-Spectrum Activity and Efficacy In Vivo. mBio 2023; 14:e0309722. [PMID: 36622141 PMCID: PMC9973282 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03097-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Every year, dengue virus (DENV) causes one hundred million infections worldwide that can result in dengue disease and severe dengue. Two other mosquito-borne flaviviruses, i.e., Zika virus (ZIKV) and West Nile virus (WNV), are responsible of prolonged outbreaks and are associated with severe neurological diseases, congenital defects, and eventually death. These three viruses, despite their importance for global public health, still lack specific drug treatments. Here, we describe the structure-guided discovery of small molecules with pan-flavivirus antiviral potential by a virtual screening of ~1 million structures targeting the NS3-NS5 interaction surface of different flaviviruses. Two molecules inhibited the interaction between DENV NS3 and NS5 in vitro and the replication of all DENV serotypes as well as ZIKV and WNV and exhibited low propensity to select resistant viruses. Remarkably, one molecule demonstrated efficacy in a mouse model of dengue by reducing peak viremia, viral load in target organs, and associated tissue pathology. This study provides the proof of concept that targeting the flaviviral NS3-NS5 interaction is an effective therapeutic strategy able to reduce virus replication in vivo and discloses new chemical scaffolds that could be further developed, thus providing a significant milestone in the development of much awaited broad-spectrum antiflaviviral drugs. IMPORTANCE More than one-third of the human population is at risk of infection by different mosquito-borne flaviviruses. Despite this, no specific antiviral drug is currently available. In this work, using a computational approach based on molecular dynamics simulation and virtual screening of ~1 million small-molecule structures, we identified a compound that targets the interaction between the two sole flaviviral enzymes, i.e., NS3 and NS5. This compound demonstrated pan-serotype anti-DENV activity and pan-flavivirus potential in infected cells, low propensity to select viral resistant mutant viruses, and efficacy in a mouse model of dengue. Broad-spectrum antivirals are much awaited, and this work represents a significant advance toward the development of therapeutic molecules with extended antiflavivirus potential that act by an innovative mechanism and could be used alone or in combination with other antivirals.
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Radilová K, Zima V, Kráľ M, Machara A, Majer P, Hodek J, Weber J, Brynda J, Strmeň T, Konvalinka J, Kožíšek M. Thermodynamic and structural characterization of an optimized peptide-based inhibitor of the influenza polymerase PA-PB1 subunit interaction. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105449. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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3
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Gomez K, Tang C, Tan B, Perez-Miller S, Ran D, Loya S, Calderon-Rivera A, Stratton HJ, Duran P, Masterson KA, Gabrielsen AT, Alsbiei O, Dorame A, Serafini M, Moutal A, Wang J, Khanna R. Stereospecific Effects of Benzimidazolonepiperidine Compounds on T-Type Ca 2+ Channels and Pain. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2035-2047. [PMID: 35671441 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00256] [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: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
T-type calcium channels activate in response to subthreshold membrane depolarizations and represent an important source of Ca2+ influx near the resting membrane potential. These channels regulate neuronal excitability and have been linked to pain. For this reason, T-type calcium channels are suitable molecular targets for the development of new non-opioid analgesics. Our previous work identified an analogue of benzimidazolonepiperidine, 5bk, that preferentially inhibited CaV3.2 channels and reversed mechanical allodynia. In this study, we synthesized and screened a small library of 47 compounds derived from 5bk. We found several compounds that inhibited the Ca2+ influx in DRG neurons of all sizes. After separating the enantiomers of each active compound, we found two compounds, 3-25-R and 3-14-3-S, that potently inhibited the Ca2+ influx. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings from small- to medium-sized DRG neurons revealed that both compounds decreased total Ca2+. Application of 3-14-3-S (but not 3-25-R) blocked transiently expressed CaV3.1-3.3 channels with a similar IC50 value. 3-14-3-S decreased T-type, but not N-type, Ca2+ currents in DRG neurons. Furthermore, intrathecal delivery of 3-14-3-S relieved tonic, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain in preclinical models. 3-14-3-S did not exhibit any activity against G protein-coupled opioid receptors. Preliminary docking studies also suggest that 3-14-3-S can bind to the central pore domain of T-type channels. Together, our chemical characterization and functional and behavioral data identify a novel T-type calcium channel blocker with in vivo efficacy in experimental models of tonic, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, 433 First Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10010, United States
| | - Cheng Tang
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, 433 First Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10010, United States.,The National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Bin Tan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, William Levine Hall, Room 320, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 0885, United States
| | - Samantha Perez-Miller
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, 433 First Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10010, United States
| | - Dongzhi Ran
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, 1402 S. Grand Blvd. Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Santiago Loya
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, 433 First Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10010, United States
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, 433 First Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10010, United States
| | - Harrison J Stratton
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, 1402 S. Grand Blvd. Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, 433 First Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10010, United States
| | - Kyleigh A Masterson
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, 1402 S. Grand Blvd. Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Anna T Gabrielsen
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, 1402 S. Grand Blvd. Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Omar Alsbiei
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, 1402 S. Grand Blvd. Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Angie Dorame
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, 1402 S. Grand Blvd. Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Maria Serafini
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, 1402 S. Grand Blvd. Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Aubin Moutal
- School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University, 1402 S. Grand Blvd. Schwitalla Hall, Room 432, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, 433 First Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10010, United States
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Hou L, Zhang Y, Ju H, Cherukupalli S, Jia R, Zhang J, Huang B, Loregian A, Liu X, Zhan P. Contemporary medicinal chemistry strategies for the discovery and optimization of influenza inhibitors targeting vRNP constituent proteins. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1805-1824. [PMID: 35847499 PMCID: PMC9279641 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus, affecting people globally and causing significant social and economic losses. Due to the inevitable limitations of vaccines and approved drugs, there is an urgent need to discover new anti-influenza drugs with different mechanisms. The viral ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNP) plays an essential role in the life cycle of influenza viruses, representing an attractive target for drug design. In recent years, the functional area of constituent proteins in vRNP are widely used as targets for drug discovery, especially the PA endonuclease active site, the RNA-binding site of PB1, the cap-binding site of PB2 and the nuclear export signal of NP protein. Encouragingly, the PA inhibitor baloxavir has been marketed in Japan and the United States, and several drug candidates have also entered clinical trials, such as favipiravir. This article reviews the compositions and functions of the influenza virus vRNP and the research progress on vRNP inhibitors, and discusses the representative drug discovery and optimization strategies pursued.
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Chen W, Shao J, Ying Z, Du Y, Yu Y. Approaches for discovery of small-molecular antivirals targeting to influenza A virus PB2 subunit. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1545-1553. [PMID: 35247593 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza virus, leading to huge morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. Despite the availability of antivirals in the clinic, the emergence of resistant strains calls for antivirals with novel mechanisms of action. The PB2 subunit of the influenza A virus polymerase is a promising target because of its vital role in the 'cap-snatching' mechanism. In this review, we summarize the technologies and medicinal chemistry strategies for hit identification, hit-to-lead and lead-to-candidate optimization, and current challenges in PB2 inhibitor development, as well as offering insights for the fight against drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenteng Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Jiaan Shao
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Zhimin Ying
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yushen Du
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, China(1)
| | - Yongping Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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6
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Kitamura N, Sacco MD, Ma C, Hu Y, Townsend JA, Meng X, Zhang F, Zhang X, Ba M, Szeto T, Kukuljac A, Marty MT, Schultz D, Cherry S, Xiang Y, Chen Y, Wang J. Expedited Approach toward the Rational Design of Noncovalent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2848-2865. [PMID: 33891389 PMCID: PMC8536799 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is a validated antiviral drug target. Several Mpro inhibitors have been reported with potent enzymatic inhibition and cellular antiviral activity, including GC376, boceprevir, calpain inhibitors II, and XII, with each containing a reactive warhead that covalently modifies the catalytic Cys145. Coupling structure-based drug design with the one-pot Ugi four-component reaction, we discovered one of the most potent noncovalent inhibitors, 23R (Jun8-76-3A) that is structurally distinct from the canonical Mpro inhibitor GC376. Significantly, 23R is highly selective compared with covalent inhibitors such as GC376, especially toward host proteases. The cocrystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with 23R revealed a previously unexplored binding site located in between the S2 and S4 pockets. Overall, this study discovered 23R, one of the most potent and selective noncovalent SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors reported to date, and a novel binding pocket in Mpro that can be explored for inhibitor design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Kitamura
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Michael Dominic Sacco
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Chunlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Julia Alma Townsend
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Xiangzhi Meng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Fushun Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Mandy Ba
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Tommy Szeto
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Adis Kukuljac
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Michael Thomas Marty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - David Schultz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - Sara Cherry
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
| | - Yan Xiang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
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7
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Hu Y, Ma C, Wang J. Cytopathic Effect Assay and Plaque Assay to Evaluate in vitro Activity of Antiviral Compounds Against Human Coronaviruses 229E, OC43, and NL63. Bio Protoc 2022; 12:e4314. [PMID: 35284599 PMCID: PMC8855088 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are important human pathogens, among which the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent for the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there is a pressing need for antivirals, especially broad-spectrum antivirals that are active against all seven human coronaviruses (HCoVs). For this reason, we are interested in developing antiviral assays to expedite the drug discovery process. Here, we provide the detailed protocol for the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay and the plaque assay for human coronaviruses 229E (HCoV-229E), HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-NL63, to identify novel antivirals against HCoVs. Neutral red was used in the CPE assay, as it is relatively inexpensive and more sensitive than other reagents. Multiple parameters including multiplicity of infection, incubation time and temperature, and staining conditions have been optimized for CPE and plaque assays for HCoV-229E in MRC-5, Huh-7, and RD cell lines; HCoV-OC43 in RD, MRC-5, and BSC-1 cell lines, and HCoV-NL63 in Vero E6, Huh-7, MRC-5, and RD cell lines. Both CPE and plaque assays have been calibrated with the positive control compounds remdesivir and GC-376. Both CPE and plaque assays have high sensitivity, excellent reproducibility, and are cost-effective. The protocols described herein can be used as surrogate assays in the biosafety level 2 facility to identify entry inhibitors and protease inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2, as HCoV-NL63 also uses ACE2 as the receptor for cell entry, and the main proteases of HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 are highly conserved. In addition, these assays can also be used as secondary assays to profile the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of existing SARS-CoV-2 drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Chunlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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Mizuta S, Otaki H, Ishikawa T, Makau JN, Yamaguchi T, Fujimoto T, Takakura N, Sakauchi N, Kitamura S, Nono H, Nishi R, Tanaka Y, Takeda K, Nishida N, Watanabe K. Lead Optimization of Influenza Virus RNA Polymerase Inhibitors Targeting PA-PB1 Interaction. J Med Chem 2021; 65:369-385. [PMID: 34905383 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are responsible for contagious respiratory illnesses in humans and cause seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics worldwide. Previously, we identified a quinolinone derivative PA-49, which inhibited the influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) by targeting PA-PB1 interaction. This paper reports the structure optimization of PA-49, which resulted in the identification of 3-((dibenzylamino)methyl)quinolinone derivatives with more potent anti-influenza virus activity. During the optimization, the hit compound 89, which was more active than PA-49, was identified. Further optimization and scaffold hopping of 89 led to the most potent compounds 100 and a 1,8-naphthyridinone derivative 118, respectively. We conclusively determined that compounds 100 and 118 suppressed the replication of influenza virus and exhibited anti-influenza virus activity against both influenza virus types A and B in the range of 50% effective concentration (EC50) = 0.061-0.226 μM with low toxicity (50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) >10 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Mizuta
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Hiroki Otaki
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishikawa
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-40 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Juliann Nzembi Makau
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, 54840-00200 Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tomoko Yamaguchi
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Takuya Fujimoto
- Chemistry, Discovery Science, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0012, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takakura
- Chemistry, Discovery Science, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0012, Japan
| | - Nobuki Sakauchi
- Chemistry, Discovery Science, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0012, Japan
| | - Shuji Kitamura
- Chemistry, Discovery Science, Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0012, Japan
| | - Hikaru Nono
- School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Ryota Nishi
- School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Center for Medical Innovation, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Takeda
- Department of Cell Regulation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Nishida
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Ken Watanabe
- Department of Lifestyle Design, Faculty of Human Ecology, Yasuda Women's University, 6-13-1 Yasuhigashi, Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima 731-0153, Japan
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Hu Y, Meng X, Zhang F, Xiang Y, Wang J. The in vitro antiviral activity of lactoferrin against common human coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 is mediated by targeting the heparan sulfate co-receptor. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:317-330. [PMID: 33560940 PMCID: PMC7919907 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1888660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic that lacks effective therapeutic interventions. SARS-CoV-2 infects ACE2-expressing cells and gains cell entry through either direct plasma membrane fusion or endocytosis. Recent studies have shown that in addition to ACE2, heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) also play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 cell attachment by serving as an attachment factor. Binding of viral spike protein to HSPGs leads to the enrichment of local concentration for the subsequent specific binding with ACE2. We therefore hypothesize that blocking the interactions between viral spike protein and the HSPGs will lead to inhibition of viral replication. In this study, we report our findings of the broad-spectrum antiviral activity and the mechanism of action of lactoferrin (LF) against multiple common human coronaviruses as well as SARS-CoV-2. Our study has shown that LF has broad-spectrum antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-229E in cell culture, and bovine lactoferrin (BLF) is more potent than human lactoferrin. Mechanistic studies revealed that BLF binds to HSPGs, thereby blocking viral attachment to the host cell. The antiviral activity of BLF can be antagonized by the HSPG mimetic heparin. Combination therapy experiment showed that the antiviral activity of LF is synergistic with remdesivir in cell culture. Molecular modelling suggests that the N-terminal positively charged region in BLF (residues 17-41) confers the binding to HSPGs. Overall, LF appears to be a promising drug candidate for COVID-19 that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Xiangzhi Meng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Fushun Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Yan Xiang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Botta L, Cesarini S, Zippilli C, Bizzarri BM, Fanelli A, Saladino R. Multicomponent reactions in the synthesis of antiviral compounds. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:2013-2050. [PMID: 34620058 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666211007121837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multicomponent reactions are one-pot processes for the synthesis of highly functionalized hetero-cyclic and hetero-acyclic compounds, often endowed with biological activity. OBJECTIVE Multicomponent reactions are considered green processes with high atom economy. In addition, they present advantages compared to the classic synthetic methods such as high efficiency and low wastes production. METHOD In these reactions two or more reagents are combined together in the same flask to yield a product containing almost all the atoms of the starting materials. RESULTS The scope of this review is to present an overview of the application of multicomponent reactions in the synthesis of compounds endowed with antiviral activity. The syntheses are classified depending on the viral target. CONCLUSION Multicomponent reactions can be applied to all the stages of the drug discovery and development process making them very useful in the search for new agents active against emerging (viral) pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Botta
- Department Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo. Italy
| | - Silvia Cesarini
- Department Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo. Italy
| | - Claudio Zippilli
- Department Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo. Italy
| | | | - Angelica Fanelli
- Department Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo. Italy
| | - Raffaele Saladino
- Department Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo. Italy
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11
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Massari S, Desantis J, Nizi MG, Cecchetti V, Tabarrini O. Inhibition of Influenza Virus Polymerase by Interfering with Its Protein-Protein Interactions. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1332-1350. [PMID: 33044059 PMCID: PMC8204303 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Influenza (flu) virus is a serious threat to global health with the potential to generate devastating pandemics. The availability of broad spectrum antiviral drugs is an unequaled weapon during pandemic events, especially when a vaccine is still not available. One of the most promising targets for the development of new antiflu therapeutics is the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). The assembly of the flu RdRP heterotrimeric complex from the individual polymerase acidic protein (PA), polymerase basic protein 1 (PB1), and polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) subunits is a prerequisite for RdRP functions, such as mRNA synthesis and genome replication. In this Review, we report the known protein-protein interactions (PPIs) occurring by RdRP that could be disrupted by small molecules and analyze their benefits and drawbacks as drug targets. An overview of small molecules able to interfere with flu RdRP functions exploiting the PPI inhibition approach is described. In particular, an update on the most recent inhibitors targeting the well-consolidated RdRP PA-PB1 subunit heterodimerization is mainly reported, together with pioneer inhibitors targeting other virus-virus or virus-host interactions involving RdRP subunits. As demonstrated by the PA-PB1 interaction inhibitors discussed herein, the inhibition of flu RdRP functions by PPI disrupters clearly represents a valid means to identify compounds endowed with a broad spectrum of action and a reduced propensity to develop drug resistance, which are the main issues of antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Massari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Jenny Desantis
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Nizi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Violetta Cecchetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Oriana Tabarrini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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A modulator of the low-voltage-activated T-type calcium channel that reverses HIV glycoprotein 120-, paclitaxel-, and spinal nerve ligation-induced peripheral neuropathies. Pain 2021; 161:2551-2570. [PMID: 32541387 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The voltage-gated calcium channels CaV3.1-3.3 constitute the T-type subfamily, whose dysfunctions are associated with epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, and chronic pain. The unique properties of low-voltage-activation, faster inactivation, and slower deactivation of these channels support their role in modulation of cellular excitability and low-threshold firing. Thus, selective T-type calcium channel antagonists are highly sought after. Here, we explored Ugi-azide multicomponent reaction products to identify compounds targeting T-type calcium channel. Of the 46 compounds tested, an analog of benzimidazolonepiperidine-5bk (1-{1-[(R)-{1-[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl}(thiophen-3-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,3-benzodiazol-2-one) modulated depolarization-induced calcium influx in rat sensory neurons. Modulation of T-type calcium channels by 5bk was further confirmed in whole-cell patch clamp assays in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, where pharmacological isolation of T-type currents led to a time- and concentration-dependent regulation with a low micromolar IC50. Lack of an acute effect of 5bk argues against a direct action on T-type channels. Genetic knockdown revealed CaV3.2 to be the isoform preferentially modulated by 5bk. High voltage-gated calcium, as well as tetrodotoxin-sensitive and -resistant sodium, channels were unaffected by 5bk. 5bk inhibited spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents and depolarization-evoked release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from lumbar spinal cord slices. Notably, 5bk did not bind human mu, delta, or kappa opioid receptors. 5bk reversed mechanical allodynia in rat models of HIV-associated neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathy, without effects on locomotion or anxiety. Thus, 5bk represents a novel T-type modulator that could be used to develop nonaddictive pain therapeutics.
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Yanmei H, Chunlong M, Szeto T, Hurst B, Tarbet B, Wang J. Boceprevir, Calpain Inhibitors II and XII, and GC-376 Have Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity against Coronaviruses. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:586-597. [PMID: 33645977 PMCID: PMC7944397 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, the morbidity and mortality are increasing daily. Effective treatment for SARS-CoV-2 is urgently needed. We recently discovered four SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) inhibitors including boceprevir, calpain inhibitors II and XII, and GC-376 with potent antiviral activity against infectious SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture. In this study, we further characterized the mechanism of action of these four compounds using the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus neutralization assay. It was found that GC-376 and calpain inhibitors II and XII have a dual mechanism of action by inhibiting both viral Mpro and host cathepsin L in Vero cells. To rule out the cell-type dependent effect, the antiviral activity of these four compounds against SARS-CoV-2 was also confirmed in type 2 transmembrane serine protease-expressing Caco-2 cells using the viral yield reduction assay. In addition, we found that these four compounds have broad-spectrum antiviral activity in inhibiting not only SARS-CoV-2 but also SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, as well as human coronaviruses (CoVs) 229E, OC43, and NL63. The mechanism of action is through targeting the viral Mpro, which was supported by the thermal shift-binding assay and enzymatic fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay. We further showed that these four compounds have additive antiviral effect when combined with remdesivir. Altogether, these results suggest that boceprevir, calpain inhibitors II and XII, and GC-376 might be promising starting points for further development against existing human coronaviruses as well as future emerging CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Yanmei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA, 85721
| | - Ma Chunlong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA, 85721
| | - Tommy Szeto
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA, 85721
| | - Brett Hurst
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA, 84322
| | - Bart Tarbet
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA, 84322
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA, 85721
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Chung HH, Kao CY, Wang TSA, Chu J, Pei J, Hsu CC. Reaction Tracking and High-Throughput Screening of Active Compounds in Combinatorial Chemistry by Tandem Mass Spectrometry Molecular Networking. Anal Chem 2021; 93:2456-2463. [PMID: 33416326 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Combinatorial synthesis has been widely used as an efficient strategy to screen for active compounds. Mass spectrometry is the method of choice in the identification of hits resulting from high-throughput screenings due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and speed. However, manual data processing of mass spectrometry data, especially for structurally diverse products in combinatorial chemistry, is extremely time-consuming and one of the bottlenecks in this process. In this study, we demonstrated the effectiveness of a tandem mass spectrometry molecular networking-based strategy for product identification, reaction dynamics monitoring, and active compound targeting in combinatorial synthesis. Molecular networking connects compounds with similar tandem mass spectra into a cluster and has been widely used in natural products analysis. We show that both the expected and side products can be readily characterized using molecular networking based on their mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns. Additionally, time-dependent molecular networking was integrated to track reaction dynamics to determine the optimal reaction time to maximize target product yields. We also present a proof-of-concept experiment that successfully identified and isolated active molecules from a dynamic combinatorial library. These results demonstrated the potential of using molecular networking for identifying, tracking, and high-throughput screening of active compounds in combinatorial synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Hsiang Chung
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yao Kao
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Shing Andrew Wang
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - John Chu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Jiying Pei
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan.,School of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, No.100, East Daxue Rd., Nanning City, Guangxi 530015, China
| | - Cheng-Chih Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Terrier O, Slama-Schwok A. Anti-Influenza Drug Discovery and Development: Targeting the Virus and Its Host by All Possible Means. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1322:195-218. [PMID: 34258742 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-0267-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Infections by influenza virus constitute a major and recurrent threat for human health. Together with vaccines, antiviral drugs play a key role in the prevention and treatment of influenza virus infection and disease. Today, the number of antiviral molecules approved for the treatment of influenza is relatively limited, and their use is threatened by the emergence of viral strains with resistance mutations. There is therefore a real need to expand the prophylactic and therapeutic arsenal. This chapter summarizes the state of the art in drug discovery and development for the treatment of influenza virus infections, with a focus on both virus-targeting and host cell-targeting strategies. Novel antiviral strategies targeting other viral proteins or targeting the host cell, some of which are based on drug repurposing, may be used in combination to strengthen our therapeutic arsenal against this major pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Terrier
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team VirPath), Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Anny Slama-Schwok
- Sorbonne Université, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, INSERM U938, Biologie et Thérapeutique du Cancer, Paris, France.
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Hu Y, Ma C, Szeto T, Hurst B, Tarbet B, Wang J. Boceprevir, calpain inhibitors II and XII, and GC-376 have broad-spectrum antiviral activity against coronaviruses in cell culture. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.10.30.362335. [PMID: 33140049 PMCID: PMC7605558 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.30.362335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to fold out, the morbidity and mortality are increasing daily. Effective treatment for SARS-CoV-2 is urgently needed. We recently discovered four SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) inhibitors including boceprevir, calpain inhibitors II and XII and GC-376 with potent antiviral activity against infectious SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture. Despite the weaker enzymatic inhibition of calpain inhibitors II and XII against Mpro compared to GC-376, calpain inhibitors II and XII had more potent cellular antiviral activity. This observation promoted us to hypothesize that the cellular antiviral activity of calpain inhibitors II and XII might also involve the inhibition of cathepsin L in addition to Mpro. To test this hypothesis, we tested calpain inhibitors II and XII in the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus neutralization assay in Vero E6 cells and found that both compounds significantly decreased pseudoviral particle entry into cells, indicating their role in inhibiting cathepsin L. The involvement of cathepsin L was further confirmed in the drug time-of-addition experiment. In addition, we found that these four compounds not only inhibit SARS-CoV-2, but also SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, as well as human coronaviruses (CoVs) 229E, OC43, and NL63. The mechanism of action is through targeting the viral Mpro, which was supported by the thermal shift binding assay and enzymatic FRET assay. We further showed that these four compounds have additive antiviral effect when combined with remdesivir. Altogether, these results suggest that boceprevir, calpain inhibitors II and XII, and GC-376 are not only promising antiviral drug candidates against existing human coronaviruses, but also might work against future emerging CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel St, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Chunlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel St, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Tommy Szeto
- Department of Pharmacology and toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel St, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Brett Hurst
- Institute of Antiviral Research, Utah State University, 5600 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, United States
| | - Bart Tarbet
- Institute of Antiviral Research, Utah State University, 5600 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel St, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
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17
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Akbari A, Dekamin MG, Yaghoubi A, Naimi-Jamal MR. Novel magnetic propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO 3H) as a highly efficient and reusable nanoreactor for the sustainable synthesis of imidazopyrimidine derivatives. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10646. [PMID: 32606381 PMCID: PMC7327082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67592-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, preparation and characterization of a new magnetic propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate bridging periodic mesoporous organosilica (Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H) is described. The iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H nanomaterials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy as well as thermogravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. Indeed, the new obtained materials are the first example of the magnetic thermally stable isocyanurate-based mesoporous organosilica solid acid. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of the Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H nanomaterials, as a novel and highly efficient recoverable nanoreactor, was investigated for the sustainable heteroannulation synthesis of imidazopyrimidine derivatives through the Traube-Schwarz multicomponent reaction of 2-aminobenzoimidazole, C‒H acids and diverse aromatic aldehydes. The advantages of this green protocol are low catalyst loading, high to quantitative yields, short reaction times and the catalyst recyclability for at least four consecutive runs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Akbari
- Pharmaceutical and Heterocyclic Compounds Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, 1684613114, Iran
| | - Mohammad G Dekamin
- Pharmaceutical and Heterocyclic Compounds Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, 1684613114, Iran.
| | - Amene Yaghoubi
- Pharmaceutical and Heterocyclic Compounds Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, 1684613114, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Naimi-Jamal
- Pharmaceutical and Heterocyclic Compounds Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, 1684613114, Iran
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18
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Abstract
As one of the most important building blocks in organic synthesis, isocyanides come in for a wide range of transformations owing mostly to their unusual terminal carbon center adsorbed electrophiles, reacted with nucleophiles, get involved in radical reactions and coordinated with metal centers. The distinctive feature of isocyanide is its ready willingness to participate in multicomponent reactions (MCRs). MCRs represent a great tool in organic synthesis for the construction of new lead structures in a single procedure introducing both structural diversity and molecular complexity in only one step. Isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (IMCRs) have become a powerful approach for the synthesis of complex molecules providing high degree of atom and bond economy under very mild reaction conditions. The use of enantiomerically pure isocyanides can, in principle, bring about two advantages: (i) the possibility to obtain a stereochemically diverse adduct, controlling the absolute configuration of the starting isocyanide; and (ii) the possibility to induce diastereoselection in the multicomponent reaction. The most commonly-used IMCRs are the Ugi and Passerini reactions. Many published reviews have focused on the Ugi and Passerini reactions from different viewpoints, but this review describes advances in the application of chiral isocyanides in MCRs. The rationale for applying such diversity generating chemistries is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaezeh Fathi Vavsari
- Peptide Chemistry Research Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, P. O. Box 15875-4416, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pegah Shakeri
- Peptide Chemistry Research Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, P. O. Box 15875-4416, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Balalaie
- Peptide Chemistry Research Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, P. O. Box 15875-4416, Tehran, Iran
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Zhang J, Hu Y, Wu N, Wang J. Discovery of Influenza Polymerase PA-PB1 Interaction Inhibitors Using an In Vitro Split-Luciferase Complementation-Based Assay. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:74-82. [PMID: 31714745 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The limited therapeutic options and increasing drug-resistance call for next-generation influenza antivirals. Due to the essential function in viral replication and high sequence conservation among influenza viruses, influenza polymerase PA-PB1 protein-protein interaction becomes an attractive drug target. Here, we developed an in vitro split luciferase complementation-based assay to speed up screening of PA-PB1 interaction inhibitors. By screening 10,000 compounds, we identified two PA-PB1 interaction inhibitors, R160792 and R151785, with potent and broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a panel of influenza A and B viruses, including amantadine-, oseltamivir-, or dual resistant strains. Further mechanistic study reveals that R151785 inhibits PA nuclear localization, reduces the levels of viral RNAs and proteins, and inhibits viral replication at the intermediate stage, all of which are in line with its antiviral mechanism of action. Overall, we developed a robust high throughput-screening assay for screening broad-spectrum influenza antivirals targeting PA-PB1 interaction and identified R151785 as a promising antiviral drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Nan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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20
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Ma C, Hu Y, Zhang J, Musharrafieh R, Wang J. A Novel Capsid Binding Inhibitor Displays Potent Antiviral Activity against Enterovirus D68. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:1952-1962. [PMID: 31532189 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a respiratory viral pathogen that primarily infects children under the age of 8. Although EV-D68 infection typically leads to moderate to severe respiratory illnesses, recent years have seen increasing cases of EV-D68 triggered neurological complications such as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). There is currently no vaccine or antiviral available for EV-D68; we therefore aimed to develop potent and specific small molecule antivirals against EV-D68. In this study, we report our discovery of a viral capsid inhibitor R856932 that inhibits multiple contemporary EV-D68 strains with single-digit to submicromolar efficacy. Mechanistic studies have shown that the tetrazole compound R856932 binds to the hydrophobic pocket of viral capsid protein VP1, thereby preventing viral uncoating and release of viral genome in the infected cells. The mechanism of action of R856932 was confirmed by time-of-addition, Western blot, RT-qPCR, viral heat inactivation, serial viral passage, and reverse genetics experiments. A single mutation located at VP1, A129V, confers resistance against R856932. However, a recombination virus encoding VP1-A129V appeared to have compromised fitness of replication compared to the wild-type EV-D68 virus as shown by the competition growth assay. Overall, the hit compound identified in this study, R856932, represents a promising starting point with a confirmed mechanism of action that can be further developed into EV-D68 antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, 1657 East Helen Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Yanmei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, 1657 East Helen Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jiantao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, 1657 East Helen Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Rami Musharrafieh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, 1657 East Helen Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, 1657 East Helen Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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21
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Nannetti G, Massari S, Mercorelli B, Bertagnin C, Desantis J, Palù G, Tabarrini O, Loregian A. Potent and broad-spectrum cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide compounds that target the PA-PB1 interaction of influenza virus RNA polymerase and possess a high barrier to drug resistance. Antiviral Res 2019; 165:55-64. [PMID: 30885750 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are major respiratory pathogens responsible for both seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics worldwide. The current available treatment options have limited efficacy and thus the development of new antivirals is highly needed. We previously reported the identification of a series of cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide compounds as influenza A virus inhibitors that act by targeting the protein-protein interactions between the PA-PB1 subunits of the viral polymerase. In this study, we characterized the antiviral properties of the most promising compounds as well as investigated their propensity to induce drug resistance. Our results show that some of the selected compounds possess potent, broad-spectrum anti-influenza activity as they efficiently inhibited the replication of several strains of influenza A and B viruses, including an oseltamivir-resistant clinical isolate, with nanomolar or low-micromolar potency. The most promising compounds specifically inhibited the PA-PB1 binding in vitro and interfered with the influenza A virus polymerase activity in a cellular context, without showing cytotoxicity. The most active PA-PB1 inhibitors showed to possess a drug resistance barrier higher than that of oseltamivir. Indeed, no viral variants with reduced susceptibility to the selected compounds emerged after serial passages of influenza A virus under drug selective pressure. Overall, our studies identified potent PA-PB1 inhibitors as promising candidates for the development of new anti-influenza drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Nannetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Serena Massari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Bertagnin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jenny Desantis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Palù
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Oriana Tabarrini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Arianna Loregian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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22
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Mohl G, Liddle N, Nygaard J, Dorius A, Lyons N, Hodek J, Weber J, Michaelis DJ, Busath DD. Novel influenza inhibitors designed to target PB1 interactions with host importin RanBP5. Antiviral Res 2019; 164:81-90. [PMID: 30742842 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In search of novel targets for influenza inhibitors, a site on PB1 was selected for its high conservation and probable interaction with a host protein, RanBP5, that is key to nuclear import of PB1, where it complexes with PB2, PA, and NP to transcribe viral RNA. Docking with libraries of drug-like compounds led to a selection of five candidates that bound tightly and with a pose likely to inhibit protein binding. These were purchased and tested in vitro, found to be active, and then one was synthetically expanded to explore the structure-activity relationship. The top candidates had a carboxylic acid converted to an ester and electron-withdrawing substituents added to a phenyl group in the original structure. Resistance was slow to develop, but cytotoxicity was moderately high. Nuclear localization of PB1 and in vitro polymerase activity were both strongly inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Mohl
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
| | - Nathan Liddle
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Joseph Nygaard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, USA
| | - Alexander Dorius
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Nathan Lyons
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, USA
| | - Jan Hodek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Weber
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David J Michaelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, USA.
| | - David D Busath
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
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23
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Shin WJ, Seong BL. Novel antiviral drug discovery strategies to tackle drug-resistant mutants of influenza virus strains. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 14:153-168. [PMID: 30585088 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1560261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The emergence of drug-resistant influenza virus strains highlights the need for new antiviral therapeutics to combat future pandemic outbreaks as well as continuing seasonal cycles of influenza. Areas covered: This review summarizes the mechanisms of current FDA-approved anti-influenza drugs and patterns of resistance to those drugs. It also discusses potential novel targets for broad-spectrum antiviral drugs and recent progress in novel drug design to overcome drug resistance in influenza. Expert opinion: Using the available structural information about drug-binding pockets, research is currently underway to identify molecular interactions that can be exploited to generate new antiviral drugs. Despite continued efforts, antivirals targeting viral surface proteins like HA, NA, and M2, are all susceptible to developing resistance. Structural information on the internal viral polymerase complex (PB1, PB2, and PA) provides a new avenue for influenza drug discovery. Host factors, either at the initial step of viral infection or at the later step of nuclear trafficking of viral RNP complex, are being actively pursued to generate novel drugs with new modes of action, without resulting in drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Jin Shin
- a Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , CA , USA
| | - Baik L Seong
- b Department of Biotechnology , College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University , Seoul , South Korea.,c Vaccine Translational Research Center , Yonsei University , Seoul , South Korea
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