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Huang YJ, Cheng TL, Wang YT, Chen CS, Leu YL, Chang CS, Ho CH, Chao SW, Li CT, Chuang CH. Exploring the therapeutic potential of DV-B-120 as an inhibitor of dengue virus infection. J Virol 2024; 98:e0125823. [PMID: 38546211 PMCID: PMC11019862 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01258-23] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue fever, an infectious disease prevalent in subtropical and tropical regions, currently lacks effective small-molecule drugs as treatment. In this study, we used a fluorescence peptide cleavage assay to screen seven compounds to assess their inhibition of the dengue virus (DENV) NS2B-NS3 protease. DV-B-120 demonstrated superior inhibition of NS2B-NS3 protease activity and lower toxicity compared to ARDP0006. The selectivity index of DV-B-120 was higher than that of ARDP0006. In vivo assessments of the antiviral efficacy of DV-B-120 against DENV replication demonstrated delayed mortality of suckling mice treated with the compound, with 60-80% protection against life-threatening effects, compared to the outcomes of DENV-infected mice treated with saline. The lower clinical scores of DENV-infected mice treated with DV-B-120 indicated a reduction in acute-progressive illness symptoms, underscoring the potential therapeutic impact of DV-B-120. Investigations of DV-B-120's ability to restore the antiviral type I IFN response in the brain tissue of DENV-infected ICR suckling mice demonstrated its capacity to stimulate IFN and antiviral IFN-stimulated gene expression. DV-B-120 not only significantly delayed DENV-2-induced mortality and illness symptoms but also reduced viral numbers in the brain, ultimately restoring the innate antiviral response. These findings strongly suggest that DV-B-120 holds promise as a therapeutic agent against DENV infection and highlight its potential contribution in addressing the current lack of effective treatments for this infectious disease.IMPORTANCEThe prevalence of dengue virus (DENV) infection in tropical and subtropical regions is escalating due to factors like climate change and mosquito vector expansion. With over 300 million annual infections and potentially fatal outcomes, the urgent need for effective treatments is evident. While the approved Dengvaxia vaccine has variable efficacy, there are currently no antiviral drugs for DENV. This study explores seven compounds targeting the NS2B-NS3 protease, a crucial protein in DENV replication. These compounds exhibit inhibitory effects on DENV-2 NS2B-NS3, holding promise for disrupting viral replication and preventing severe manifestations. However, further research, including animal testing, is imperative to assess therapeutic efficacy and potential toxicity. Developing safe and potent treatments for DENV infection is critical in addressing the rising global health threat posed by this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jung Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Post Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tian-Lu Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Post Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Tseng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Post Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Shu Chen
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Leu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy & Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Shiang Chang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Han Ho
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Wei Chao
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Tse Li
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hung Chuang
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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2
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Guo J, Mi Y, Guo Y, Bai Y, Wang M, Wang W, Wang Y. Current Advances in Japanese Encephalitis Virus Drug Development. Viruses 2024; 16:202. [PMID: 38399978 PMCID: PMC10892782 DOI: 10.3390/v16020202] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) belongs to the Flaviviridae family and is a representative mosquito-borne flavivirus responsible for acute encephalitis and meningitis in humans. Despite the availability of vaccines, JEV remains a major public health threat with the potential to spread globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are an estimated 69,000 cases of JE each year, and this figure is probably an underestimate. The majority of JE victims are children in endemic areas, and almost half of the surviving patients have motor or cognitive sequelae. Thus, the absence of a clinically approved drug for the treatment of JE defines an urgent medical need. Recently, several promising and potential drug candidates were reported through drug repurposing studies, high-throughput drug library screening, and de novo design. This review focuses on the historical aspects of JEV, the biology of JEV replication, targets for therapeutic strategies, a target product profile, and drug development initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Guo
- The Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (J.G.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yunqi Mi
- The Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (J.G.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Yang Bai
- The Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (J.G.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Meihua Wang
- Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China;
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yang Wang
- The Xi’an Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (J.G.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
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3
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Doherty JS, Kirkegaard K. Differential inhibition of intra- and inter-molecular protease cleavages by antiviral compounds. J Virol 2023; 97:e0092823. [PMID: 38047713 PMCID: PMC10734437 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00928-23] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Most protease-targeted antiviral development evaluates the ability of small molecules to inhibit the cleavage of artificial substrates. However, before they can cleave any other substrates, viral proteases need to cleave themselves out of the viral polyprotein in which they have been translated. This can occur either intra- or inter-molecularly. Whether this process occurs intra- or inter-molecularly has implications for the potential for precursors to accumulate and for the effectiveness of antiviral drugs. We argue that evaluating candidate antivirals for their ability to block these cleavages is vital to drug development because the buildup of uncleaved precursors can be inhibitory to the virus and potentially suppress the selection of drug-resistant variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karla Kirkegaard
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Wahaab A, Zhang Y, Rasgon JL, Kang L, Hameed M, Li C, Anwar MN, Zhang Y, Shoaib A, Liu K, Lee B, Wei J, Qiu Y, Ma Z. NS2B-D55E and NS2B-E65D Variations are Responsible for Differences in NS2B-NS3 Protease Activities Between Japanese Encephalitis Virus Genotype I and III in Fluorogenic Peptide Model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.08.570834. [PMID: 38105993 PMCID: PMC10723430 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.08.570834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) NS2B-NS3 is a protein complex composed of NS3 proteases and a NS2B cofactor. The N-terminal protease domain (180 residues) of NS3 (NS3(pro)) interacts directly with a central 40-amino acid hydrophilic domain of NS2B (NS2B(H)) to form an active serine protease. In this study, the recombinant NS2B(H)-NS3(pro) proteases were prepared in E. coli and used to compare the enzymatic activity between genotype I (GI) and III (GIII) NS2B-NS3 proteases. The GI NS2B(H)-NS3(pro) was able to cleave the sites at internal C, NS2A/NS2B, NS2B/NS3 and NS3/NS4A junctions that were identical to the sites proteolytically processed by GIII NS2B(H)-NS3(pro). Analysis of the enzymatic activity of recombinant NS2B(H)-NS3(pro) proteases using a model of fluorogenic peptide substrate revealed that the proteolytical processing activity of GIII NS2B(H)-NS3(pro) was significantly higher than that of GI NS2B(H)-NS3(pro). There were eight amino acid variations between GI and GIII NS2B(H)-NS3(pro), which may be responsible for the difference in enzymatic activities between GI and GIII proteases. Therefore, recombinant mutants were generated by exchanging NS2B(H) and NS3(pro) domains between GI and GIII NS2B(H)-NS3(pro) and subjected to protease activity analysis. Substitution of NS2B(H) significantly altered the protease activities, as compared to the parental NS2B(H)-NS3(pro), suggesting that NS2B(H) played an essential role in regulation of NS3(pro) protease activity. To further identify the amino acids responsible for the difference in protease activities, multiple substitution mutants including the individual and combined mutations at the variant residue 55 and 65 of NS2B(H) were generated and subjected to protease activity analysis. Replacement of NS2B-55 and NS2B-65 of GI to GIII significantly increased the enzymatic activity of GI NS2B(H)-NS3(pro) protease, whereas mutation of NS2B-55 and NS2B-65 of GIII to GI remarkably reduced the enzymatic activity of GIII NS2B(H)-NS3(pro) protease. Overall, these data demonstrated that NS2B-55 and NS2B-65 variations in hydrophilic domain of NS2B co-contributed to the difference in NS2B(H)-NS3(pro) protease activities between GI and GIII. These observations gain an insight into the role of NS2B in regulation of NS3 protease activities, which is useful for understanding the replication of JEV GI and GIII viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Wahaab
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
- The Department of Entomology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jason L. Rasgon
- The Department of Entomology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Lei Kang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Muddassar Hameed
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
- Department of Biomedical Science and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Chenxi Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Muhammad Naveed Anwar
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yanbing Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China
| | - Anam Shoaib
- School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Ke Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Beibei Lee
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jianchao Wei
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yafeng Qiu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zhiyong Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China
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Ma X, Xia Q, Liu K, Wu Z, Li C, Xiao C, Dong N, Hameed M, Anwar MN, Li Z, Shao D, Li B, Qiu Y, Wei J, Ma Z. Palmitoylation at Residue C221 of Japanese Encephalitis Virus NS2A Protein Contributes to Viral Replication Efficiency and Virulence. J Virol 2023; 97:e0038223. [PMID: 37289075 PMCID: PMC10308905 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00382-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Palmitoylation of viral proteins is crucial for host-virus interactions. In this study, we examined the palmitoylation of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) nonstructural protein 2A (NS2A) and observed that NS2A was palmitoylated at the C221 residue of NS2A. Blocking NS2A palmitoylation by introducing a cysteine-to-serine mutation at C221 (NS2A/C221S) impaired JEV replication in vitro and attenuated the virulence of JEV in mice. NS2A/C221S mutation had no effect on NS2A oligomerization and membrane-associated activities, but reduced protein stability and accelerated its degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. These observations suggest that NS2A palmitoylation at C221 played a role in its protein stability, thereby contributing to JEV replication efficiency and virulence. Interestingly, the C221 residue undergoing palmitoylation was located at the C-terminal tail (amino acids 195 to 227) and is removed from the full-length NS2A following an internal cleavage processed by viral and/or host proteases during JEV infection. IMPORTANCE An internal cleavage site is present at the C terminus of JEV NS2A. Following occurrence of the internal cleavage, the C-terminal tail (amino acids 195 to 227) is removed from the full-length NS2A. Therefore, it was interesting to discover whether the C-terminal tail contributed to JEV infection. During analysis of viral palmitoylated protein, we observed that NS2A was palmitoylated at the C221 residue located at the C-terminal tail. Blocking NS2A palmitoylation by introducing a cysteine-to-serine mutation at C221 (NS2A/C221S) impaired JEV replication in vitro and attenuated JEV virulence in mice, suggesting that NS2A palmitoylation at C221 contributed to JEV replication and virulence. Based on these findings, we could infer that the C-terminal tail might play a role in the maintenance of JEV replication efficiency and virulence despite its removal from the full-length NS2A at a certain stage of JEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiqi Xia
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuanchang Wu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenxi Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Changguang Xiao
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nihua Dong
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Muddassar Hameed
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Naveed Anwar
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zongjie Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Donghua Shao
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Beibei Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yafeng Qiu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianchao Wei
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyong Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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6
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Teramoto T, Choi KH, Padmanabhan R. Flavivirus proteases: The viral Achilles heel to prevent future pandemics. Antiviral Res 2023; 210:105516. [PMID: 36586467 PMCID: PMC10062209 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Flaviviruses are important human pathogens and include dengue (DENV), West Nile (WNV), Yellow fever virus (YFV), Japanese encephalitis (JEV) and Zika virus (ZIKV). DENV, transmitted by mosquitoes, causes diseases ranging in severity from mild dengue fever with non-specific flu-like symptoms to fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. DENV infections are caused by four serotypes, DENV1-4, which interact differently with antibodies in blood serum. The incidence of DENV infection has increased dramatically in recent decades and the CDC estimates 400 million dengue infections occur each year, resulting in ∼25,000 deaths mostly among children and elderly people. Similarly, ZIKV infections are caused by infected mosquito bites to humans, can be transmitted sexually and through blood transfusions. If a pregnant woman is infected, the virus can cross the placental barrier and can spread to her fetus, causing severe brain malformations in the child including microcephaly and other birth defects. It is noteworthy that the neurological manifestations of ZIKV were also observed in DENV endemic regions, suggesting that pre-existing antibody response to DENV could augment ZIKV infection. WNV, previously unknown in the US (and known to cause only mild disease in Middle East), first arrived in New York city in 1999 (NY99) and spread throughout the US and Canada by Culex mosquitoes and birds. WNV is now endemic in North America. Thus, emerging and re-emerging flaviviruses are significant threat to human health. However, vaccines are available for only a limited number of flaviviruses, and antiviral therapies are not available for any flavivirus. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutics that interfere with essential enzymatic steps, such as protease in the flavivirus lifecycle as these viruses possess significant threat to future pandemics. In this review, we focus on our E. coli expression of NS2B hydrophilic domain (NS2BH) covalently linked to NS3 protease domain (NS3Pro) in their natural context which is processed by the combined action of both subunits of the NS2B-NS3Pro precursor. Biochemical activities of the viral protease such as solubility and autoproteolysis of NS2BH-NS3Pro linkage depended on the C-terminal portion of NS2BH linked to the NS3Pro domain. Since 2008, we also focus on the use of the recombinant protease in high throughput screens and characterization of small molecular compounds identified in these screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadahisa Teramoto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
| | - Kyung H Choi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47406, USA.
| | - Radhakrishnan Padmanabhan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
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Mottin M, de Paula Sousa BK, de Moraes Roso Mesquita NC, de Oliveira KIZ, Noske GD, Sartori GR, de Oliveira Albuquerque A, Urbina F, Puhl AC, Moreira-Filho JT, Souza GE, Guido RV, Muratov E, Neves BJ, da Silva JHM, Clark AE, Siqueira-Neto JL, Perryman AL, Oliva G, Ekins S, Andrade CH. Discovery of New Zika Protease and Polymerase Inhibitors through the Open Science Collaboration Project OpenZika. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:6825-6843. [PMID: 36239304 PMCID: PMC9923514 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The Zika virus (ZIKV) is a neurotropic arbovirus considered a global threat to public health. Although there have been several efforts in drug discovery projects for ZIKV in recent years, there are still no antiviral drugs approved to date. Here, we describe the results of a global collaborative crowdsourced open science project, the OpenZika project, from IBM's World Community Grid (WCG), which integrates different computational and experimental strategies for advancing a drug candidate for ZIKV. Initially, molecular docking protocols were developed to identify potential inhibitors of ZIKV NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5 RdRp), NS3 protease (NS2B-NS3pro), and NS3 helicase (NS3hel). Then, a machine learning (ML) model was built to distinguish active vs inactive compounds for the cytoprotective effect against ZIKV infection. We performed three independent target-based virtual screening campaigns (NS5 RdRp, NS2B-NS3pro, and NS3hel), followed by predictions by the ML model and other filters, and prioritized a total of 61 compounds for further testing in enzymatic and phenotypic assays. This yielded five non-nucleoside compounds which showed inhibitory activity against ZIKV NS5 RdRp in enzymatic assays (IC50 range from 0.61 to 17 μM). Two compounds thermally destabilized NS3hel and showed binding affinity in the micromolar range (Kd range from 9 to 35 μM). Moreover, the compounds LabMol-301 inhibited both NS5 RdRp and NS2B-NS3pro (IC50 of 0.8 and 7.4 μM, respectively) and LabMol-212 thermally destabilized the ZIKV NS3hel (Kd of 35 μM). Both also protected cells from death induced by ZIKV infection in in vitro cell-based assays. However, while eight compounds (including LabMol-301 and LabMol-212) showed a cytoprotective effect and prevented ZIKV-induced cell death, agreeing with our ML model for prediction of this cytoprotective effect, no compound showed a direct antiviral effect against ZIKV. Thus, the new scaffolds discovered here are promising hits for future structural optimization and for advancing the discovery of further drug candidates for ZIKV. Furthermore, this work has demonstrated the importance of the integration of computational and experimental approaches, as well as the potential of large-scale collaborative networks to advance drug discovery projects for neglected diseases and emerging viruses, despite the lack of available direct antiviral activity and cytoprotective effect data, that reflects on the assertiveness of the computational predictions. The importance of these efforts rests with the need to be prepared for future viral epidemic and pandemic outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Mottin
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Bruna Katiele de Paula Sousa
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gabriela Dias Noske
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone, 1100, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13563-120, Brazil
| | | | | | - Fabio Urbina
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Ana C. Puhl
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - José Teófilo Moreira-Filho
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Guilherme E. Souza
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone, 1100, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Rafael V.C. Guido
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone, 1100, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Eugene Muratov
- University of North Carolina - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599, USA
- Universidade Federal de Paraíba, Joao Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
| | | | - Alex E. Clark
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA
| | - Alexander L. Perryman
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
- Repare Therapeutics, 7210 Rue Frederick-Banting, Suite 100, Montreal, QC, H4S 2A1, Canada
| | - Glaucius Oliva
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone, 1100, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74605-170, Brazil
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Dos Santos Nascimento IJ, da Silva Rodrigues ÉE, da Silva MF, de Araújo-Júnior JX, de Moura RO. Advances in Computational Methods to Discover New NS2B-NS3 Inhibitors Useful Against Dengue and Zika Viruses. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:2435-2462. [PMID: 36415099 DOI: 10.2174/1568026623666221122121330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The Flaviviridae virus family consists of the genera Hepacivirus, Pestivirus, and Flavivirus, with approximately 70 viral types that use arthropods as vectors. Among these diseases, dengue (DENV) and zika virus (ZIKV) serotypes stand out, responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide. Due to the significant increase in cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared DENV a potential threat for 2019 due to being transmitted by infected travelers. Furthermore, ZIKV also has a high rate of transmissibility, highlighted in the outbreak in 2015, generating consequences such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly. According to clinical outcomes, those infected with DENV can be asymptomatic, and in other cases, it can be lethal. On the other hand, ZIKV has severe neurological symptoms in newborn babies and adults. More serious symptoms include microcephaly, brain calcifications, intrauterine growth restriction, and fetal death. Despite these worrying data, no drug or vaccine is approved to treat these diseases. In the drug discovery process, one of the targets explored against these diseases is the NS2B-NS3 complex, which presents the catalytic triad His51, Asp75, and Ser135, with the function of cleaving polyproteins, with specificity for basic amino acid residues, Lys- Arg, Arg-Arg, Arg-Lys or Gln-Arg. Since NS3 is highly conserved in all DENV serotypes and plays a vital role in viral replication, this complex is an excellent drug target. In recent years, computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) is increasingly essential in drug discovery campaigns, making the process faster and more cost-effective, mainly explained by discovering new drugs against DENV and ZIKV. Finally, the main advances in computational methods applied to discover new compounds against these diseases will be presented here. In fact, molecular dynamics simulations and virtual screening is the most explored approach, providing several hit and lead compounds that can be used in further optimizations. In addition, fragment-based drug design and quantum chemistry/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) provides new insights for developing anti-DENV/ZIKV drugs. We hope that this review offers further helpful information for researchers worldwide and stimulates the use of computational methods to find a promising drug for treating DENV and ZIKV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor José Dos Santos Nascimento
- Department of Pharmacy, Estácio of Alagoas College, Maceió, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacy, Cesmac University Center, Maceió, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacy, Drug Development and Synthesis Laboratory, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, Brazil
| | | | - Manuele Figueiredo da Silva
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - João Xavier de Araújo-Júnior
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Olimpio de Moura
- Department of Pharmacy, Drug Development and Synthesis Laboratory, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, Brazil
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9
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Kodani A, Knopp KA, Di Lullo E, Retallack H, Kriegstein AR, DeRisi JL, Reiter JF. Zika virus alters centrosome organization to suppress the innate immune response. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e52211. [PMID: 35793002 PMCID: PMC9442309 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202052211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus transmitted via mosquitoes and sex to cause congenital neurodevelopmental defects, including microcephaly. Inherited forms of microcephaly (MCPH) are associated with disrupted centrosome organization. Similarly, we found that ZIKV infection disrupted centrosome organization. ZIKV infection disrupted the organization of centrosomal proteins including CEP63, a MCPH-associated protein. The ZIKV nonstructural protein NS3 bound CEP63, and expression of NS3 was sufficient to alter centrosome architecture and CEP63 localization. Loss of CEP63 suppressed ZIKV-induced centrosome disorganization, indicating that ZIKV requires CEP63 to disrupt centrosome organization. ZIKV infection or CEP63 loss decreased the centrosomal localization and stability of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a regulator of the innate immune response. ZIKV infection also increased the centrosomal accumulation of the CEP63 interactor DTX4, a ubiquitin ligase that degrades TBK1. Therefore, we propose that ZIKV disrupts CEP63 function to increase centrosomal DTX4 localization and destabilization of TBK1, thereby tempering the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kodani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease ResearchSt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Kristeene A Knopp
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Elizabeth Di Lullo
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Hanna Retallack
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Arnold R Kriegstein
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Joseph L DeRisi
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Jeremy F Reiter
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
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10
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Dynamic Interactions of Post Cleaved NS2B Cofactor and NS3 Protease Identified by Integrative Structural Approaches. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071440. [PMID: 35891424 PMCID: PMC9323329 DOI: 10.3390/v14071440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by flaviviruses such as dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile Virus (WNV), are a serious threat to public health. The flavivirus single-stranded RNA genome is translated into a polyprotein which is cleaved into three structural proteins and seven non-structural proteins by the viral and cellular proteases. Non-structural (NS) protein 3 is a multifunctional protein that has N-terminal protease and C-terminal helicase domains. The NS3 protease requires co-factor NS2B for enzymatic activity and folding. Due to its essential role in viral replication, NS2B-NS3 protease is an attractive target for antiviral drugs. Despite the availability of crystal structures, dynamic interactions of the N- and C-termini of NS2B co-factor have been elusive due to their flexible fold. In this study, we employ integrative structural approaches combined with biochemical assays to elucidate the dynamic interactions of the flexible DENV4 NS2B and NS3 N- and C-termini. We captured the crystal structure of self-cleaved DENV4 NS2B47NS3 protease in post cleavage state. The intermediate conformation adopted in the reported structure can be targeted by allosteric inhibitors. Comparison of our new findings from DENV4 against previously studied ZIKV NS2B-NS3 proteins reveals differences in NS2B-NS3 function between the two viruses. No inhibition of protease activity was observed for unlinked DENV NS2B-NS3 in presence of the cleavage site while ZIKV NS2B-NS3 cleavage inhibits protease activity. Another difference is that binding of the NS2B C-terminus to DENV4 eNS2B47NS3Pro active site is mediated via interactions with P4-P6 residues while for ZIKV, the binding of NS2B C-terminus to active site is mediated by P1-P3 residues. The mapping of NS2B N- and C-termini with NS3 indicates that these intermolecular interactions occur mainly on the beta-barrel 2 of the NS3 protease domain. Our integrative approach enables a comprehensive understanding of the folding and dynamic interactions of DENV NS3 protease and its cofactor NS2B.
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11
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Bagga T, Tulsian NK, Mok YK, Kini RM, Sivaraman J. Mapping of molecular interactions between human E3 ligase TRIM69 and Dengue virus NS3 protease using hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:233. [PMID: 35397701 PMCID: PMC11072344 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04245-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Tripartite motif (TRIM) E3 ligases target specific substrates, including viral proteins, for proteasomal degradation, and are thus essential regulators of the innate antiviral response. TRIM69 ubiquitinates the non-structural NS3 protein of Dengue virus for its degradation by the host machinery. This antiviral strategy abrogates the immunosuppression mediated by the NS2B-NS3 protease complex. To understand how this host-driven antiviral response against Dengue virus, we sought to define the mode of interaction between human TRIM69 and Dengue NS2B-NS3 and the subsequent polyubiquitination of the protease by the E3 ligase. We show that NS2B-NS3Δpro is sufficient as a substrate for ubiquitination by TRIM69 using ELISA and in vitro assays. Using hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDXMS), we mapped the interface of the interaction between TRIM69 and NS2B-NS3Δpro, and propose a rationale for the binding and subsequent ubiquitination process. Furthermore, through sequence analysis, we showed that the regions targeted by TRIM69 on the DENV-2 NS3 protease (NS3Δpro) are well conserved across DENV serotypes and other flaviviruses, including Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus. Our results show the direct interactions of TRIM69 with viral proteins, provide mechanistic insights at a molecular level, and highlight the functional relevance of TRIM69 interacting with the Dengue viral protein. Collectively, our findings suggest that TRIM69 may act as a pan-antiflaviviral restriction factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanaya Bagga
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Nikhil Kumar Tulsian
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117546, Singapore.
| | - Yu Keung Mok
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117600, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - J Sivaraman
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
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12
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Wahaab A, Mustafa BE, Hameed M, Stevenson NJ, Anwar MN, Liu K, Wei J, Qiu Y, Ma Z. Potential Role of Flavivirus NS2B-NS3 Proteases in Viral Pathogenesis and Anti-flavivirus Drug Discovery Employing Animal Cells and Models: A Review. Viruses 2021; 14:44. [PMID: 35062249 PMCID: PMC8781031 DOI: 10.3390/v14010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are known to cause a variety of diseases in humans in different parts of the world. There are very limited numbers of antivirals to combat flavivirus infection, and therefore new drug targets must be explored. The flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases are responsible for the cleavage of the flavivirus polyprotein, which is necessary for productive viral infection and for causing clinical infections; therefore, they are a promising drug target for devising novel drugs against different flaviviruses. This review highlights the structural details of the NS2B-NS3 proteases of different flaviviruses, and also describes potential antiviral drugs that can interfere with the viral protease activity, as determined by various studies. Moreover, optimized in vitro reaction conditions for studying the NS2B-NS3 proteases of different flaviviruses may vary and have been incorporated in this review. The increasing availability of the in silico and crystallographic/structural details of flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases in free and drug-bound states can pave the path for the development of promising antiflavivirus drugs to be used in clinics. However, there is a paucity of information available on using animal cells and models for studying flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases, as well as on the testing of the antiviral drug efficacy against NS2B-NS3 proteases. Therefore, on the basis of recent studies, an effort has also been made to propose potential cellular and animal models for the study of flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases for the purposes of exploring flavivirus pathogenesis and for testing the efficacy of possible drugs targets, in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Wahaab
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Bahar E Mustafa
- Sub Campus Toba Tek Singh, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 36050, Pakistan;
| | - Muddassar Hameed
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, State University, Fralin Life Sciences Building, 360 W Campus Blacksburg, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Nigel J. Stevenson
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Adliya 15503, Bahrain;
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Muhammad Naveed Anwar
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Ke Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Jianchao Wei
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Yafeng Qiu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Zhiyong Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
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13
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In Silico Prediction of the Phosphorylation of NS3 as an Essential Mechanism for Dengue Virus Replication and the Antiviral Activity of Quercetin. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10101067. [PMID: 34681164 PMCID: PMC8570334 DOI: 10.3390/biology10101067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus that infects up to 400 million people worldwide annually. Dengue infection triggers high fever, severe body aches, rash, low platelet count, and could lead to Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in some cases. There is currently no cure, nor a broadly effective vaccine. The interaction of two viral proteins, nonstructural Proteins 3 and 5 (NS3 and NS5), is required for viral replication in the infected host’s cells. Our computational modeling of NS3 suggested that phosphorylation of a serine residue at position 137 of NS3 by a specific c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) enhances viral replication by increasing the interaction of NS3 and NS5 through structural changes in amino acid residues 49–95. Experimental studies have shown that inhibition of JNK prevents viral replication and have suggested that the plants’ flavonoid Quercetin, Agathis flavone, and Myricetin inhibit Dengue infection. Our molecular simulations revealed that Quercetin binds NS3 and obstructs serine 137 phosphorylation, which may decrease viral replication. This work offers a molecular mechanism that can be used for anti-Dengue drug development. Abstract Dengue virus infection is a global health problem for which there have been challenges to obtaining a cure. Current vaccines and anti-viral drugs can only be narrowly applied in ongoing clinical trials. We employed computational methods based on structure-function relationships between human host kinases and viral nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) to understand viral replication inhibitors’ therapeutic effect. Phosphorylation at each of the two most evolutionarily conserved sites of NS3, serine 137 and threonine 189, compared to the unphosphorylated state were studied with molecular dynamics and docking simulations. The simulations suggested that phosphorylation at serine 137 caused a more remarkable structural change than phosphorylation at threonine 189, specifically located at amino acid residues 49–95. Docking studies supported the idea that phosphorylation at serine 137 increased the binding affinity between NS3 and nonstructural Protein 5 (NS5), whereas phosphorylation at threonine 189 decreased it. The interaction between NS3 and NS5 is essential for viral replication. Docking studies with the antiviral plant flavonoid Quercetin with NS3 indicated that Quercetin physically occluded the serine 137 phosphorylation site. Taken together, these findings suggested a specific site and mechanism by which Quercetin inhibits dengue and possible other flaviviruses.
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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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15
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Insights on Dengue and Zika NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 224:113698. [PMID: 34274831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113698] [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: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Over recent years, many outbreaks caused by (re)emerging RNA viruses have been reported worldwide, including life-threatening Flaviviruses, such as Dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV). Currently, there is only one licensed vaccine against Dengue, Dengvaxia®. However, its administration is not recommended for children under nine years. Still, there are no specific inhibitors available to treat these infectious diseases. Among the flaviviral proteins, NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a metalloenzyme essential for viral replication, suggesting that it is a promising macromolecular target since it has no human homolog. Nowadays, several NS5 RdRp inhibitors have been reported, while none inhibitors are currently in clinical development. In this context, this review constitutes a comprehensive work focused on RdRp inhibitors from natural, synthetic, and even repurposing sources. Furthermore, their main aspects associated with the structure-activity relationship (SAR), proposed mechanisms of action, computational studies, and other topics will be discussed in detail.
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16
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Amidoxime prodrugs convert to potent cell-active multimodal inhibitors of the dengue virus protease. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 224:113695. [PMID: 34298282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family comprises Dengue, Zika and West-Nile viruses which constitute unmet medical needs as neither appropriate antivirals nor safe vaccines are available. The dengue NS2BNS3 protease is one of the most promising validated targets for developing a dengue treatment however reported protease inhibitors suffer from toxicity and cellular inefficacy. Here we report SAR on our previously reported Zika-active carbazole scaffold, culminating prodrug compound SP-471P (EC50 1.10 μM, CC50 > 100 μM) that generates SP-471; one of the most potent, non-cytotoxic and cell-active protease inhibitors described in the dengue literature. In cell-based assays, SP-471P leads to inhibition of viral RNA replication and complete abolishment of infective viral particle production even when administered 6 h post-infection. Mechanistically, SP-471 appears to inhibit both normal intermolecular protease processes and intramolecular cleavage events at the NS2BNS3 junction, as well as at NS3 internal sites, all critical for virus replication. These render SP-471 a unique to date multimodal inhibitor of the dengue protease.
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17
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Liu L, Downs M, Guidry J, Wojcik EJ. Inter-organelle interactions between the ER and mitotic spindle facilitates Zika protease cleavage of human Kinesin-5 and results in mitotic defects. iScience 2021; 24:102385. [PMID: 33997675 PMCID: PMC8100630 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we identify human Kinesin-5, Kif11/HsEg5, as a cellular target of Zika protease. We show that Zika NS2B-NS3 protease targets several sites within the motor domain of HsEg5 irrespective of motor binding to microtubules. The native integral ER-membrane protease triggers mitotic spindle positioning defects and a prolonged metaphase delay in cultured cells. Our data support a model whereby loss of function of HsEg5 is mediated by Zika protease and is spatially restricted to the ER-mitotic spindle interface during mitosis. The resulting phenotype is distinct from the monopolar phenotype that typically results from uniform inhibition of HsEg5 by RNAi or drugs. In addition, our data reveal novel inter-organelle interactions between the mitotic apparatus and the surrounding reticulate ER network. Given that Kif11 is haplo-insufficient in humans, and reduced dosage results in microcephaly, we propose that Zika protease targeting of HsEg5 may be a key event in the etiology of Zika syndrome microcephaly. Zika protease cleavage of Kinesin-5 impairs mitotic progression Inter-organelle interactions spatially control Zika proteolysis of Kinesin-5 Native Zika protease affects mitosis differently than soluble Zika protease Zika protease may elicit fetal microcephaly and blindness via Kif11/Kinesin-5
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiong Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU School of Medicine & Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Micquel Downs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU School of Medicine & Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jesse Guidry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU School of Medicine & Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- The Proteomics Core Facility, LSU School of Medicine & Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Edward J Wojcik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU School of Medicine & Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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18
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Kai Y, Lilan X, Yaoming L. Monoclonal Antibody That Inhibits Cleavage Activity of Japanese Encephalitis Virus NS3. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2021; 40:28-32. [PMID: 33625288 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2020.0038] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavivirus protease has been deemed a potential target for drug and therapeutics development due to its crucial role in viral replication. In this study we prepared a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) protease portion of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and evaluated its inhibitory effect for NS3 protease activity. First, a JEV NS3 protease-specific mAb (designated 2C2) was generated by the traditional cell fusion technique. Second, the binding specificity of 2C2 for NS3 protease was determined by indirect fluorescent assay and Western blotting. Finally, inhibitory effect of 2C2 for NS3 protease cleaving human stimulator of interferon gene was evaluated. Therefore, mAb 2C2 provides a potential diagnostic tool for differential diagnosis for patients who have been vaccinated with inactivated vaccine or naturally infected, and might be genetically reconstructed and optimized for new therapeutics development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Kai
- Hubei Engineering Research Center of Viral Vector, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China
| | - Xie Lilan
- Hubei Engineering Research Center of Viral Vector, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Yaoming
- Hubei Engineering Research Center of Viral Vector, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China
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19
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Potential Dual Role of West Nile Virus NS2B in Orchestrating NS3 Enzymatic Activity in Viral Replication. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020216. [PMID: 33572517 PMCID: PMC7911885 DOI: 10.3390/v13020216] [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: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) harbors the viral triphosphatase and helicase for viral RNA synthesis and, together with NS2B, constitutes the protease responsible for polyprotein processing. NS3 is a soluble protein, but it is localized to specialized compartments at the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), where its enzymatic functions are essential for virus replication. However, the mechanistic details behind the recruitment of NS3 from the cytoplasm to the RER have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we employed immunofluorescence and biochemical assays to demonstrate that NS3, when expressed individually and when cleaved from the viral polyprotein, is localized exclusively to the cytoplasm. Furthermore, NS3 appeared to be peripherally recruited to the RER and proteolytically active when NS2B was provided in trans. Thus, we provide evidence for a potential additional role for NS2B in not only serving as the cofactor for the NS3 protease, but also in recruiting NS3 from the cytoplasm to the RER for proper enzymatic activity. Results from our study suggest that targeting the interaction between NS2B and NS3 in disrupting the NS3 ER localization may be an attractive avenue for antiviral drug discovery.
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20
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Identification of Cleavage Sites Proteolytically Processed by NS2B-NS3 Protease in Polyprotein of Japanese Encephalitis Virus. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020102. [PMID: 33494395 PMCID: PMC7911949 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the proteolytic processing of polyprotein mediated by NS2B-NS3 protease contributes to the exploration of the mechanisms underlying infection of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a zoonotic flavivirus. In this study, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell models were employed to identify the cleavage sites mediated by viral NS2B-NS3 protease in JEV polyprotein. Artificial green fluorescent protein (GFP) substrates that contained the predicted cleavage site sequences of JEV polyprotein were expressed in swine testicle (ST) cells in the presence and absence of JEV infection, or co-expressed in E. coli with the recombinant NS2B-NS3 protease that was generated by fusing the N-terminal protease domain of NS3 to the central hydrophilic domain of NS2B. The cleavage of GFP substrates was examined by western blot. Among twelve artificial GFP substrates containing the cleavage site sequences predictively processed by host cell and/or NS2B-NS3 proteases, all sites were found to be cleaved by host cell proteases with different efficiencies. The sites at internal C, NS2A/NS2B, NS2B/NS3 and NS3/NS4A junctions, but not the sites at internal NS3, internal NS4A and NS4B/NS5 junctions were identified to be cleaved by JEV NS2B-NS3 protease. These data provide insight into the proteolytic processing of polyprotein, which is useful for understanding JEV replication and pathogenesis.
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21
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Crystal structures of full length DENV4 NS2B-NS3 reveal the dynamic interaction between NS2B and NS3. Antiviral Res 2020; 182:104900. [PMID: 32763315 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Flavivirus is a genus of the Flaviviridae family which includes significant emerging and re-emerging human disease-causing arboviruses such as dengue and Zika viruses. Flaviviral non-structural protein 3 (NS3) protease-helicase plays essential roles in viral replication and is an attractive antiviral target. A construct which connects the cytoplasmic cofactor region of NS2B and NS3 protease with an artificial glycine-rich flexible linker has been widely used for structural, biochemical and drug-screening studies. The effect of this linker on the dynamics and enzymatic activity of the protease has been studied by several biochemical and NMR methods but the findings remained inconclusive. Here, we designed and carried out a comparative study of constructs of NS2B cofactor joined to the full length DENV4 NS3 in three different ways, namely bNS2B47NS3 (bivalent), eNS2B47NS3(enzymatically cleavable) and gNS2B47NS3 (glycine-rich linker). We report the crystal structures of linked and unlinked NS2B47-NS3 constructs in their free state and in complex with bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). These structures demonstrate that the NS2B cofactor predominantly adopts a closed conformation in complex with full-length NS3. The glycine-rich linker between NS2B and NS3 may promote the open conformation which interferes with protease activity. This negative impact on the enzyme structure and function is restricted to the protease activity as the ATPase activity is not affected in vitro.
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Kühl N, Graf D, Bock J, Behnam MAM, Leuthold MM, Klein CD. A New Class of Dengue and West Nile Virus Protease Inhibitors with Submicromolar Activity in Reporter Gene DENV-2 Protease and Viral Replication Assays. J Med Chem 2020; 63:8179-8197. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Kühl
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Graf
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Josephine Bock
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mira A. M. Behnam
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mila-Mareen Leuthold
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian D. Klein
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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23
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Arias-Arias JL, MacPherson DJ, Hill ME, Hardy JA, Mora-Rodríguez R. A fluorescence-activatable reporter of flavivirus NS2B-NS3 protease activity enables live imaging of infection in single cells and viral plaques. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:2212-2226. [PMID: 31919100 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae comprises many medically important viruses, such as dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and yellow fever virus. The quest for therapeutic targets to combat flavivirus infections requires a better understanding of the kinetics of virus-host interactions during infections with native viral strains. However, this is precluded by limitations of current cell-based systems for monitoring flavivirus infection in living cells. In the present study, we report the construction of fluorescence-activatable sensors to detect the activities of flavivirus NS2B-NS3 serine proteases in living cells. The system consists of GFP-based reporters that become fluorescent upon cleavage by recombinant DENV-2/ZIKV proteases in vitro A version of this sensor containing the flavivirus internal NS3 cleavage site linker reported the highest fluorescence activation in stably transduced mammalian cells upon DENV-2/ZIKV infection. Moreover, the onset of fluorescence correlated with viral protease activity. A far-red version of this flavivirus sensor had the best signal-to-noise ratio in a fluorescent Dulbecco's plaque assay, leading to the construction of a multireporter platform combining the flavivirus sensor with reporter dyes for detection of chromatin condensation and cell death, enabling studies of viral plaque formation with single-cell resolution. Finally, the application of this platform enabled the study of cell-population kinetics of infection and cell death by DENV-2, ZIKV, and yellow fever virus. We anticipate that future studies of viral infection kinetics with this reporter system will enable basic investigations of virus-host interactions and facilitate future applications in antiviral drug research to manage flavivirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L Arias-Arias
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Derek J MacPherson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Maureen E Hill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Jeanne A Hardy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Rodrigo Mora-Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica.
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24
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Faustino AF, Martins AS, Karguth N, Artilheiro V, Enguita FJ, Ricardo JC, Santos NC, Martins IC. Structural and Functional Properties of the Capsid Protein of Dengue and Related Flavivirus. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3870. [PMID: 31398956 PMCID: PMC6720645 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue, West Nile and Zika, closely related viruses of the Flaviviridae family, are an increasing global threat, due to the expansion of their mosquito vectors. They present a very similar viral particle with an outer lipid bilayer containing two viral proteins and, within it, the nucleocapsid core. This core is composed by the viral RNA complexed with multiple copies of the capsid protein, a crucial structural protein that mediates not only viral assembly, but also encapsidation, by interacting with host lipid systems. The capsid is a homodimeric protein that contains a disordered N-terminal region, an intermediate flexible fold section and a very stable conserved fold region. Since a better understanding of its structure can give light into its biological activity, here, first, we compared and analyzed relevant mosquito-borne Flavivirus capsid protein sequences and their predicted structures. Then, we studied the alternative conformations enabled by the N-terminal region. Finally, using dengue virus capsid protein as main model, we correlated the protein size, thermal stability and function with its structure/dynamics features. The findings suggest that the capsid protein interaction with host lipid systems leads to minor allosteric changes that may modulate the specific binding of the protein to the viral RNA. Such mechanism can be targeted in future drug development strategies, namely by using improved versions of pep14-23, a dengue virus capsid protein peptide inhibitor, previously developed by us. Such knowledge can yield promising advances against Zika, dengue and closely related Flavivirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- André F Faustino
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana S Martins
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nina Karguth
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Artilheiro
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Francisco J Enguita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana C Ricardo
- Centro de Química-Física Molecular, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ivo C Martins
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal.
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Hammerstein F, Lauth LM, Hammerschmidt S, Wagner A, Schirmeister T, Hellmich UA. Cisautocatalytic cleavage of glycine‐linked Zika virus NS2B‐NS3 protease constructs. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:2204-2213. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca M. Lauth
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Germany
| | - Stefan Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Germany
| | - Annika Wagner
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Germany
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ) Goethe‐University Frankfurt Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Germany
| | - Ute A. Hellmich
- Institute for Pharmacy and Biochemistry Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Germany
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ) Goethe‐University Frankfurt Germany
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26
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Youseff BH, Brewer TG, McNally KL, Izuogu AO, Lubick KJ, Presloid JB, Alqahtani S, Chattopadhyay S, Best SM, Hu X, Taylor RT. TRAF6 Plays a Proviral Role in Tick-Borne Flavivirus Infection through Interaction with the NS3 Protease. iScience 2019; 15:489-501. [PMID: 31129244 PMCID: PMC6536497 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFVs) can cause life-threatening encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever. To identify virus-host interactions that may be exploited as therapeutic targets, we analyzed the TBFV polyprotein in silico for antiviral protein-binding motifs. We obtained two putative tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)-binding motifs (TBMs) within the protease domain of the viral nonstructural 3 (NS3) protein. Here, we show that TBFV NS3 interacted with TRAF6 during infection and that TRAF6 supports TBFV replication. The proviral role of TRAF6 was not seen with mosquito-borne flaviviruses, consistent with the lack of conserved TBMs. Mutation of the second TBM within NS3 disrupted TRAF6 binding, coincident with reduced abundance of mature, autocatalytically derived form of the NS3 protease and significant virus attenuation in vitro. Our studies reveal insights into how flaviviruses exploit innate immunity for the purpose of viral replication and identify a potential target for therapeutic design. Langat virus (LGTV) NS3 protease interacts with TRAF6 during infection Tick-borne, unlike mosquito-borne, flaviviruses use TRAF6 for optimal replication E117A mutation of LGTV NS3 reduces TRAF6 binding and mature protease abundance LGTV with a mutated TRAF6-binding motif is attenuated in vitro
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian H Youseff
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Thomas G Brewer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Kristin L McNally
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, DIR, NIAID, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Adaeze O Izuogu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Kirk J Lubick
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, DIR, NIAID, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - John B Presloid
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Saad Alqahtani
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Saurabh Chattopadhyay
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Sonja M Best
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, DIR, NIAID, NIH, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Xiche Hu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - R Travis Taylor
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
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27
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Chen KC, Lin YF, Huang AC, Gao JY, Lin CW, Lien JC. Molecular interaction of the antiviral compound CW‑33 and its analogues with the NS2B‑NS3 protease of the Japanese encephalitis virus. Int J Mol Med 2019; 43:2024-2032. [PMID: 30816489 PMCID: PMC6443346 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous study from our group, a novel compound, namely CW‑33 (ethyl 2‑(3',5'‑dimethylanilino)‑4‑oxo‑4,5‑dihydrofuran‑3‑carboxylate) was identified that exhibited antiviral activity for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). The viral NS2B‑NS3 serine protease serves an important role in cytoplasmic cleavage events that occur during viral polyprotein maturation. The inhibition of viral RNA and protein syntheses was responsible for the antiviral activities of the novel furanonaphthoquinone derivatives that were discovered for the prevention of JEV infection. Consequently, the present study examined the molecular docking simulation of JEV protease with compound CW‑33 and its analogues, and developed quantitative structure‑activity relationship (QSAR) models to assess the potential antiviral activities of these compounds with regard to JEV. Molecular docking simulation indicated the potential ligand‑protein interactions associated with the antiviral activities of these compounds. According to the results of the QSAR models, the secondary amine group was an important moiety required for compound bioactivity, which enabled the formation of hydrogen bonding with the residue Glu155. Furthermore, the aromatic ring mapping of the phenyl moiety of each compound was predicted to form a π‑cation interaction with residue Arg76, whereas the hydrophobic feature represented by the ethyl moiety exhibited hydrophobic contacts with residue Glu74. Finally, the hydrophobic substituents in the meta‑position of the phenyl ring further contributed to the efficacy of the antiviral activity. These results unravel the structural characteristics that are required for binding of CW‑33 to the JEV protease and can be used for potential therapeutic and drug development purposes for JEV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu-Fong Lin
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402
| | - An-Cheng Huang
- Department of Nursing, St. Mary's Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Yilan 26647
| | | | - Cheng-Wen Lin
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402,Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 41354,Professor Cheng-Wen Lin, Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C., E-mail:
| | - Jin-Cherng Lien
- School of Pharmacy,Department of Medical Research, Hospital of China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C,Correspondence to: Professor Jin-Cherng Lien, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C., E-mail:
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28
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Oakes BL, Fellmann C, Rishi H, Taylor KL, Ren SM, Nadler DC, Yokoo R, Arkin AP, Doudna JA, Savage DF. CRISPR-Cas9 Circular Permutants as Programmable Scaffolds for Genome Modification. Cell 2019; 176:254-267.e16. [PMID: 30633905 PMCID: PMC6414052 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The ability to engineer natural proteins is pivotal to a future, pragmatic biology. CRISPR proteins have revolutionized genome modification, yet the CRISPR-Cas9 scaffold is not ideal for fusions or activation by cellular triggers. Here, we show that a topological rearrangement of Cas9 using circular permutation provides an advanced platform for RNA-guided genome modification and protection. Through systematic interrogation, we find that protein termini can be positioned adjacent to bound DNA, offering a straightforward mechanism for strategically fusing functional domains. Additionally, circular permutation enabled protease-sensing Cas9s (ProCas9s), a unique class of single-molecule effectors possessing programmable inputs and outputs. ProCas9s can sense a wide range of proteases, and we demonstrate that ProCas9 can orchestrate a cellular response to pathogen-associated protease activity. Together, these results provide a toolkit of safer and more efficient genome-modifying enzymes and molecular recorders for the advancement of precision genome engineering in research, agriculture, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Oakes
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Christof Fellmann
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Harneet Rishi
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kian L Taylor
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Shawn M Ren
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dana C Nadler
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Rayka Yokoo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Adam P Arkin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - David F Savage
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Targeting intramolecular proteinase NS2B/3 cleavages for trans-dominant inhibition of dengue virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:10136-10141. [PMID: 30228122 PMCID: PMC6176606 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1805195115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Many positive-strand RNA viruses translate their genomes as single polyproteins that are processed by host and viral proteinases to generate all viral protein products. Among these is dengue virus, which encodes the serine proteinase NS2B/3 responsible for seven different cleavages in the polyprotein. NS2B/3 has been the subject of many directed screens to find chemical inhibitors, of which the compound ARDP0006 is among the most effective at inhibiting viral growth. We show that at least three cleavages in the dengue polyprotein are exclusively intramolecular. By definition, such a cis-acting defect cannot be rescued in trans This creates the possibility that a drug-susceptible or inhibited proteinase can be genetically dominant, inhibiting the outgrowth of drug-resistant virus via precursor accumulation. Indeed, an NS3-G459L variant that is incapable of cleavage at the internal NS3 junction dominantly inhibited negative-strand RNA synthesis of wild-type virus present in the same cell. This internal NS3 cleavage site is the junction most inhibited by ARDP0006, making it likely that the accumulation of toxic precursors, not inhibition of proteolytic activity per se, explains the antiviral efficacy of this compound in restraining viral growth. We argue that intramolecularly cleaving proteinases are promising drug targets for viruses that encode polyproteins. The most effective inhibitors will specifically target cleavage sites required for processing precursors that exert trans-dominant inhibition.
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30
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Stabell AC, Meyerson NR, Gullberg RC, Gilchrist AR, Webb KJ, Old WM, Perera R, Sawyer SL. Dengue viruses cleave STING in humans but not in nonhuman primates, their presumed natural reservoir. eLife 2018; 7:31919. [PMID: 29557779 PMCID: PMC5860865 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human dengue viruses emerged from primate reservoirs, yet paradoxically dengue does not reach high titers in primate models. This presents a unique opportunity to examine the genetics of spillover versus reservoir hosts. The dengue virus 2 (DENV2) - encoded protease cleaves human STING, reducing type I interferon production and boosting viral titers in humans. We find that both human and sylvatic (reservoir) dengue viruses universally cleave human STING, but not the STING of primates implicated as reservoir species. The special ability of dengue to cleave STING is thus specific to humans and a few closely related ape species. Conversion of residues 78/79 to the human-encoded 'RG' renders all primate (and mouse) STINGs sensitive to viral cleavage. Dengue viruses may have evolved to increase viral titers in the dense and vast human population, while maintaining decreased titers and pathogenicity in the more rare animals that serve as their sustaining reservoir in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex C Stabell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
| | - Nicholas R Meyerson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
| | - Rebekah C Gullberg
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, United States
| | - Alison R Gilchrist
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
| | - Kristofor J Webb
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
| | - William M Old
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
| | - Rushika Perera
- Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, United States
| | - Sara L Sawyer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
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31
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Li Z, Sakamuru S, Huang R, Brecher M, Koetzner CA, Zhang J, Chen H, Qin CF, Zhang QY, Zhou J, Kramer LD, Xia M, Li H. Erythrosin B is a potent and broad-spectrum orthosteric inhibitor of the flavivirus NS2B-NS3 protease. Antiviral Res 2017; 150:217-225. [PMID: 29288700 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Many flaviviruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), Dengue virus (DENV1-4) and yellow fever virus (YFV), are significant human pathogens. Infection with ZIKV, an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus, is associated with increased risk of microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome and other complications in adults. Currently, specific therapy does not exist for any flavivirus infections. In this study, we found that erythrosin B, an FDA-approved food additive, is a potent inhibitor for flaviviruses, including ZIKV and DENV2. Erythrosin B was found to inhibit the DENV2 and ZIKV NS2B-NS3 proteases with IC50 in low micromolar range, via a non-competitive mechanism. Erythrosin B can significantly reduce titers of representative flaviviruses, DENV2, ZIKV, YFV, JEV, and WNV, with micromolar potency and with excellent cytotoxicity profile. Erythrosin B can also inhibit ZIKV replication in ZIKV-relevant human placental and neural progenitor cells. As a pregnancy category B food additive, erythrosin B may represent a promising and easily developed therapy for management of infections by ZIKV and other flaviviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Srilatha Sakamuru
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ruili Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew Brecher
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Cheri A Koetzner
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Haiying Chen
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Cheng-Feng Qin
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Yu Zhang
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, PO Box 509, Empire State Plaza, Albany NY 12201, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Laura D Kramer
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, PO Box 509, Empire State Plaza, Albany NY 12201, USA
| | - Menghang Xia
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hongmin Li
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, PO Box 509, Empire State Plaza, Albany NY 12201, USA.
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Uncoupling of Protease trans-Cleavage and Helicase Activities in Pestivirus NS3. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.01094-17. [PMID: 28835495 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01094-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The nonstructural protein NS3 from the Flaviviridae family is a multifunctional protein that contains an N-terminal protease and a C-terminal helicase, playing essential roles in viral polyprotein processing and genome replication. Here we report a full-length crystal structure of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) NS3 in complex with its NS4A protease cofactor segment (PCS) at a 2.35-Å resolution. The structure reveals a previously unidentified ∼2,200-Å2 intramolecular protease-helicase interface comprising three clusters of interactions, representing a "closed" global conformation related to the NS3-NS4A cis-cleavage event. Although this conformation is incompatible with protease trans-cleavage, it appears to be functionally important and beneficial to the helicase activity, as the mutations designed to perturb this conformation impaired both the helicase activities in vitro and virus production in vivo Our work reveals important features of protease-helicase coordination in pestivirus NS3 and provides a key basis for how different conformational states may explicitly contribute to certain functions of this natural protease-helicase fusion protein.IMPORTANCE Many RNA viruses encode helicases to aid their RNA genome replication and transcription by unwinding structured RNA. Being naturally fused to a protease participating in viral polyprotein processing, the NS3 helicases encoded by the Flaviviridae family viruses are unique. Therefore, how these two enzyme modules coordinate in a single polypeptide is of particular interest. Here we report a previously unidentified conformation of pestivirus NS3 in complex with its NS4A protease cofactor segment (PCS). This conformational state is related to the protease cis-cleavage event and is optimal for the function of helicase. This work provides an important basis to understand how different enzymatic activities of NS3 may be achieved by the coordination between the protease and helicase through different conformational states.
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Development of Virus-Like-Particle Vaccine and Reporter Assay for Zika Virus. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00834-17. [PMID: 28794019 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00834-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent worldwide outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and the lack of an approved vaccine raise serious concerns regarding preparedness to combat this emerging virus. We used a virus-like particle (VLP)-based approach to develop a vaccine and a microneutralization assay for ZIKV. A synthetic capsid-premembrane-envelope (C-prM-E) gene construct of ZIKV was used to generate reporter virus particles (RVPs) that package a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter-expressing West Nile virus (WNV) replicon. The assay was adapted to a 96-well format, similar to the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), and showed high reproducibility with specific detection of ZIKV neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, C-prM-E and prM-E VLPs were tested as vaccine candidates in mice and compared to DNA vaccination. While the ZIKV prM-E construct alone was sufficient for generating VLPs, efficient VLP production from the C-prM-E construct could be achieved in the presence of the WNV NS2B-3 protease, which cleaves C from prM, allowing virus release. Immunization studies in mice showed that VLPs generated higher neutralizing antibody titers than those with the DNA vaccines, with C-prM-E VLPs giving slightly higher titers than those with prM-E VLPs. The superiority of C-prM-E VLPs suggests that inclusion of capsid may have benefits for ZIKV and other flaviviral VLP vaccines. To facilitate the VLP platform, we generated a stable cell line expressing high levels of ZIKV prM-E proteins that constitutively produce VLPs as well as a cell line expressing ZIKV C-prM-E proteins for RVP production. While several vaccine platforms have been proposed for ZIKV, this study describes a safe, effective, and economical VLP-based vaccine against ZIKV.IMPORTANCE To address the growing Zika virus epidemic, we undertook this study with two objectives: first, to develop a safe, effective, and economical vaccine for ZIKV, and second, to develop a rapid and versatile assay to detect the anti-ZIKV immune response. We generated a cell line stably expressing ZIKV prM-E that produces large amounts of VLPs in the supernatant and a ZIKV C-prM-E cell line that produces reporter virus particles upon transfection with a GFP replicon plasmid. The prM-E VLPs induced a strong neutralizing antibody response in mice that was better when the capsid was included. VLP-based vaccines showed significantly better neutralizing antibody responses than those with their DNA counterparts. The RVP-based microneutralization assay worked similarly to the PRNT assay, with a rapid GFP readout in a 96-well format. Our VLP-based platform provides a source for a ZIKV vaccine and diagnosis that can rapidly be adapted to current outbreaks.
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Dengue Virus NS2B/NS3 Protease Inhibitors Exploiting the Prime Side. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00045-17. [PMID: 28298600 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00045-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito-transmitted dengue virus (DENV) infects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions. Maturation of DENV particles requires proper cleavage of the viral polyprotein, including processing of 8 of the 13 substrate cleavage sites by dengue virus NS2B/NS3 protease. With no available direct-acting antiviral targeting DENV, NS2/NS3 protease is a promising target for inhibitor design. Current design efforts focus on the nonprime side of the DENV protease active site, resulting in highly hydrophilic and nonspecific scaffolds. However, the prime side also significantly modulates DENV protease binding affinity, as revealed by engineering the binding loop of aprotinin, a small protein with high affinity for DENV protease. In this study, we designed a series of cyclic peptides interacting with both sides of the active site as inhibitors of dengue virus protease. The design was based on two aprotinin loops and aimed to leverage both key specific interactions of substrate sequences and the entropic advantage driving aprotinin's high affinity. By optimizing the cyclization linker, length, and amino acid sequence, the tightest cyclic peptide achieved a Ki value of 2.9 μM against DENV3 wild-type (WT) protease. These inhibitors provide proof of concept that both sides of DENV protease active site can be exploited to potentially achieve specificity and lower hydrophilicity in the design of inhibitors targeting DENV.IMPORTANCE Viruses of the flaviviral family, including DENV and Zika virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti, continue to be a threat to global health by causing major outbreaks in tropical and subtropical regions, with no available direct-acting antivirals for treatment. A better understanding of the molecular requirements for the design of potent and specific inhibitors against flaviviral proteins will contribute to the development of targeted therapies for infections by these viruses. The cyclic peptides reported here as DENV protease inhibitors provide novel scaffolds that enable exploiting the prime side of the protease active site, with the aim of achieving better specificity and lower hydrophilicity than those of current scaffolds in the design of antiflaviviral inhibitors.
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Fernández-Sanlés A, Ríos-Marco P, Romero-López C, Berzal-Herranz A. Functional Information Stored in the Conserved Structural RNA Domains of Flavivirus Genomes. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:546. [PMID: 28421048 PMCID: PMC5376627 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Flavivirus comprises a large number of small, positive-sense single-stranded, RNA viruses able to replicate in the cytoplasm of certain arthropod and/or vertebrate host cells. The genus, which has some 70 member species, includes a number of emerging and re-emerging pathogens responsible for outbreaks of human disease around the world, such as the West Nile, dengue, Zika, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and tick-borne encephalitis viruses. Like other RNA viruses, flaviviruses have a compact RNA genome that efficiently stores all the information required for the completion of the infectious cycle. The efficiency of this storage system is attributable to supracoding elements, i.e., discrete, structural units with essential functions. This information storage system overlaps and complements the protein coding sequence and is highly conserved across the genus. It therefore offers interesting potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes our knowledge of the features of flavivirus genome functional RNA domains. It also provides a brief overview of the main achievements reported in the design of antiviral nucleic acid-based drugs targeting functional genomic RNA elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Fernández-Sanlés
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra," Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC)Granada, Spain
| | - Pablo Ríos-Marco
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra," Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC)Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Romero-López
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra," Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC)Granada, Spain
| | - Alfredo Berzal-Herranz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra," Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC)Granada, Spain
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Lin KH, Nalivaika EA, Prachanronarong KL, Yilmaz NK, Schiffer CA. Dengue Protease Substrate Recognition: Binding of the Prime Side. ACS Infect Dis 2016; 2:734-743. [PMID: 27657335 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.6b00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV), transmitted predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, infects millions of people and leads to dengue fever and thousands of deaths each year. There are no direct-acting antivirals to combat DENV, and molecular and structural knowledge is required to develop such compounds. The dengue NS2B/NS3 protease is a promising target for direct-acting antivirals, as viral polyprotein cleavage during replication is required for the maturation of the viral particle. The NS2B/NS3 protease processes 8 of the 13 viral polyprotein cleavage sites to allow viral maturation. Although these sites share little sequence homology beyond the P1 and P2 positions, most are well conserved among the serotypes. How the other substrate residues, especially at the P' side, affect substrate recognition remains unclear. We exploited the tight-binding general serine protease inhibitor aprotinin to investigate protease-substrate interactions at the molecular level. We engineered aprotinin's binding loop with sequences mimicking the P' side of DENV substrates. P' residues significantly modulate substrate affinity to protease, with inhibition constants varying from nanomolar to sub-millimolar. Structural and dynamic analysis revealed the molecular basis of this modulation and allowed identifying optimal residues for each of the P' positions. In addition, isothermal titration calorimetry showed binding to be solely entropy driven for all constructs. Potential flaviviral P' side inhibitors could benefit from mimicking the optimal residues at P' positions and incorporate hydrophobicity and rigidity to maintain entropic advantage for potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Hung Lin
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Ellen A. Nalivaika
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Kristina L. Prachanronarong
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Nese Kurt Yilmaz
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Celia A. Schiffer
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
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Sahoo M, Jena L, Daf S, Kumar S. Virtual Screening for Potential Inhibitors of NS3 Protein of Zika Virus. Genomics Inform 2016; 14:104-111. [PMID: 27729840 PMCID: PMC5056895 DOI: 10.5808/gi.2016.14.3.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito borne pathogen, belongs to Flaviviridae family having a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome, currently known for causing large epidemics in Brazil. Its infection can cause microcephaly, a serious birth defect during pregnancy. The recent outbreak of ZIKV in February 2016 in Brazil realized it as a major health risk, demands an enhanced surveillance and a need to develop novel drugs against ZIKV. Amodiaquine, prochlorperazine, quinacrine, and berberine are few promising drugs approved by Food and Drug Administration against dengue virus which also belong to Flaviviridae family. In this study, we performed molecular docking analysis of these drugs against nonstructural 3 (NS3) protein of ZIKV. The protease activity of NS3 is necessary for viral replication and its prohibition could be considered as a strategy for treatment of ZIKV infection. Amongst these four drugs, berberine has shown highest binding affinity of –5.8 kcal/mol and it is binding around the active site region of the receptor. Based on the properties of berberine, more similar compounds were retrieved from ZINC database and a structure-based virtual screening was carried out by AutoDock Vina in PyRx 0.8. Best 10 novel drug-like compounds were identified and amongst them ZINC53047591 (2-(benzylsulfanyl)-3-cyclohexyl-3H-spiro[benzo[h]quinazoline-5,1'-cyclopentan]-4(6H)-one) was found to interact with NS3 protein with binding energy of –7.1 kcal/mol and formed H-bonds with Ser135 and Asn152 amino acid residues. Observations made in this study may extend an assuring platform for developing anti-viral competitive inhibitors against ZIKV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maheswata Sahoo
- Bioinformatics Centre & Biochemistry, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram 442-102, India
| | - Lingaraja Jena
- Bioinformatics Centre & Biochemistry, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram 442-102, India
| | - Sangeeta Daf
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed University), Nagpur 440-022, India
| | - Satish Kumar
- Bioinformatics Centre & Biochemistry, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram 442-102, India
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Yu CY, Liang JJ, Li JK, Lee YL, Chang BL, Su CI, Huang WJ, Lai MMC, Lin YL. Dengue Virus Impairs Mitochondrial Fusion by Cleaving Mitofusins. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1005350. [PMID: 26717518 PMCID: PMC4696832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are highly dynamic subcellular organelles participating in many signaling pathways such as antiviral innate immunity and cell death cascades. Here we found that mitochondrial fusion was impaired in dengue virus (DENV) infected cells. Two mitofusins (MFN1 and MFN2), which mediate mitochondrial fusion and participate in the proper function of mitochondria, were cleaved by DENV protease NS2B3. By knockdown and overexpression approaches, these two MFNs showed diverse functions in DENV infection. MFN1 was required for efficient antiviral retinoic acid-inducible gene I–like receptor signaling to suppress DENV replication, while MFN2 participated in maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) to attenuate DENV-induced cell death. Cleaving MFN1 and MFN2 by DENV protease suppressed mitochondrial fusion and deteriorated DENV-induced cytopathic effects through subverting interferon production and facilitating MMP disruption. Thus, MFNs participate in host defense against DENV infection by promoting the antiviral response and cell survival, and DENV regulates mitochondrial morphology by cleaving MFNs to manipulate the outcome of infection. Dengue virus (DENV) threatens billions of people worldwide but no licensed vaccine or therapeutics is currently available. Knowing more details of DENV pathogenesis, such as antagonism of host immunity and cell death induction, may provide important clues to fight against this thorny disease. Incoming studies showed that mitochondria are not only energy providers but also regulators of antiviral signaling pathways including interferon innate immunity and cell death induction. Furthermore, the normal functions of mitochondrion can be regulated by its dynamics through constant fusion and fission. In this study, we found that DENV infection caused an impairment of mitochondrial fusion and the two key players, mitofusin-1 and -2, mediating the fusion processes in mitochondrial dynamics, were cleaved by DENV protease. Cleaving mitofusins altered mitochondrial morphology, attenuated antiviral responses, and facilitated cell death upon DENV infection. Thus, DENV could manipulate mitochondrial functions by taking over mitochondrial dynamics to benefit viral replication, and the viral protease of DENV may serve as a virulence factor besides being an enzyme responsible for the processing of viral proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yi Yu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CYY); (YLLi)
| | - Jian-Jong Liang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Kun Li
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bi-Lan Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chan-I Su
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Jheng Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Michael M. C. Lai
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CYY); (YLLi)
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Li Y, Li Q, Wong YL, Liew LSY, Kang C. Membrane topology of NS2B of dengue virus revealed by NMR spectroscopy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1848:2244-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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40
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Meng F, Badierah RA, Almehdar HA, Redwan EM, Kurgan L, Uversky VN. Unstructural biology of the dengue virus proteins. FEBS J 2015; 282:3368-94. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.13349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fanchi Meng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Reaid A. Badierah
- Biological Department; Faculty of Science; King Abdulaziz University; Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussein A. Almehdar
- Biological Department; Faculty of Science; King Abdulaziz University; Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Elrashdy M. Redwan
- Biological Department; Faculty of Science; King Abdulaziz University; Jeddah Saudi Arabia
- Therapeutic and Protective Proteins Laboratory; Protein Research Department; Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute; City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications; New Borg El-Arab Alexandria Egypt
| | - Lukasz Kurgan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; University of Alberta; Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Biological Department; Faculty of Science; King Abdulaziz University; Jeddah Saudi Arabia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute; Morsani College of Medicine; University of South Florida; Tampa FL USA
- Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins; Institute of Cytology; Russian Academy of Sciences; St Petersburg Russia
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Abstract
Dengue fever is a severe, widespread, and neglected disease with more than 2 million diagnosed infections per year. The dengue virus NS2B/NS3 protease (PR) represents a prime target for rational drug design. At the moment, there are no clinical PR inhibitors (PIs) available. We have identified diaryl (thio)ethers as candidates for a novel class of PIs. Here, we report the selective and noncompetitive inhibition of the serotype 2 and 3 dengue virus PR in vitro and in cells by benzothiazole derivatives exhibiting 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) in the low-micromolar range. Inhibition of replication of DENV serotypes 1 to 3 was specific, since all substances influenced neither hepatitis C virus (HCV) nor HIV-1 replication. Molecular docking suggests binding at a specific allosteric binding site. In addition to the in vitro assays, a cell-based PR assay was developed to test these substances in a replication-independent way. The new compounds inhibited the DENV PR with IC50s in the low-micromolar or submicromolar range in cells. Furthermore, these novel PIs inhibit viral replication at submicromolar concentrations.
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Medin CL, Valois S, Patkar CG, Rothman AL. A plasmid-based reporter system for live cell imaging of dengue virus infected cells. J Virol Methods 2014; 211:55-62. [PMID: 25445884 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2014.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell culture models are used widely to study the effects of dengue virus (DENV) on host cell function. Current methods of identification of cells infected with an unmodified DENV requires fixation and permeablization of cells to allow DENV-specific antibody staining. This method does not permit imaging of viable cells over time. In this report, a plasmid-based reporter was developed to allow non-destructive identification of DENV-infected cells. The plasmid-based reporter was demonstrated to be broadly applicable to the four DENV serotypes, including low-passaged strains, and was specifically cleaved by the viral protease with minimal interference on viral production. This study reveals the potential for this novel reporter system to advance the studies of virus-host interactions during DENV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey L Medin
- Institute for Immunology and Informatics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI 02903, United States.
| | - Sierra Valois
- Institute for Immunology and Informatics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI 02903, United States
| | - Chinmay G Patkar
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, United States
| | - Alan L Rothman
- Institute for Immunology and Informatics, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI 02903, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, United States
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43
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Nitsche C, Holloway S, Schirmeister T, Klein CD. Biochemistry and medicinal chemistry of the dengue virus protease. Chem Rev 2014; 114:11348-81. [PMID: 25268322 DOI: 10.1021/cr500233q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Nitsche
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University , Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steven Holloway
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Staudingerweg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Staudingerweg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian D Klein
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University , Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Langevin SA, Bowen RA, Reisen WK, Andrade CC, Ramey WN, Maharaj PD, Anishchenko M, Kenney JL, Duggal NK, Romo H, Bera AK, Sanders TA, Bosco-Lauth A, Smith JL, Kuhn R, Brault AC. Host competence and helicase activity differences exhibited by West Nile viral variants expressing NS3-249 amino acid polymorphisms. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100802. [PMID: 24971589 PMCID: PMC4074097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A single helicase amino acid substitution, NS3-T249P, has been shown to increase viremia magnitude/mortality in American crows (AMCRs) following West Nile virus (WNV) infection. Lineage/intra-lineage geographic variants exhibit consistent amino acid polymorphisms at this locus; however, the majority of WNV isolates associated with recent outbreaks reported worldwide have a proline at the NS3-249 residue. In order to evaluate the impact of NS3-249 variants on avian and mammalian virulence, multiple amino acid substitutions were engineered into a WNV infectious cDNA (NY99; NS3-249P) and the resulting viruses inoculated into AMCRs, house sparrows (HOSPs) and mice. Differential viremia profiles were observed between mutant viruses in the two bird species; however, the NS3-249P virus produced the highest mean peak viral loads in both avian models. In contrast, this avian modulating virulence determinant had no effect on LD50 or the neurovirulence phenotype in the murine model. Recombinant helicase proteins demonstrated variable helicase and ATPase activities; however, differences did not correlate with avian or murine viremia phenotypes. These in vitro and in vivo data indicate that avian-specific phenotypes are modulated by critical viral-host protein interactions involving the NS3-249 residue that directly influence transmission efficiency and therefore the magnitude of WNV epizootics in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley A. Langevin
- Center for Vectorborne Diseases and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Richard A. Bowen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - William K. Reisen
- Center for Vectorborne Diseases and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Christy C. Andrade
- Center for Vectorborne Diseases and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Wanichaya N. Ramey
- Center for Vectorborne Diseases and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Payal D. Maharaj
- Center for Vectorborne Diseases and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Michael Anishchenko
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Joan L. Kenney
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Nisha K. Duggal
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Hannah Romo
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Aloke Kumar Bera
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Todd A. Sanders
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Angela Bosco-Lauth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Janet L. Smith
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Richard Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Aaron C. Brault
- Center for Vectorborne Diseases and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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45
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Recent Advances in Targeting Dengue and West Nile Virus Proteases Using Small Molecule Inhibitors. TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/7355_2014_46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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46
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Li XD, Li XF, Ye HQ, Deng CL, Ye Q, Shan C, Shang BD, Xu LL, Li SH, Cao SB, Yuan ZM, Shi PY, Qin CF, Zhang B. Recovery of a chemically synthesized Japanese encephalitis virus reveals two critical adaptive mutations in NS2B and NS4A. J Gen Virol 2013; 95:806-815. [PMID: 24362961 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.061838-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A full-length genome infectious clone is a powerful tool for functional assays in virology. In this study, using a chemical synthesized complete genome of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strain SA14 (GenBank accession no. U14163), we constructed a full-length genomic cDNA clone of JEV. The recovered virus from the cDNA clone replicated poorly in baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells and in suckling mice brain. Following serial passage in BHK-21 cells, adaptive mutations within the NS2B and NS4A proteins were recovered in the passaged viruses leading to viruses with a large-plaque phenotype. Mutagenesis analysis, using a genome-length RNA and a replicon of JEV, demonstrated that the adaptive mutations restored replication to different degrees, and the restoration efficiencies were in the order: NS2B-T102M<NS4A-R79K<NS2B-T102M+NS4A-R79K. An in vivo virulence assay in mice showed that the recombinant virus containing double mutations showed similar virulence to the WT SA14 (GenBank accession no. M55506). This study reports the first chemically synthesized JEV. A reverse genetics assay demonstrated that substitutions of NS2B-T102M and NS4A-R79K altered JEV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dan Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.,Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Han-Qing Ye
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Cheng-Lin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China.,Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Qing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Chao Shan
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.,Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Bao-Di Shang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.,Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Lin-Lin Xu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.,Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Shi-Hua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Sheng-Bo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Zhi-Ming Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China.,Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - Cheng-Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China.,Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, PR China
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47
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Brien JD, Lazear HM, Diamond MS. Propagation, quantification, detection, and storage of West Nile virus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 31:15D.3.1-15D.3.18. [PMID: 24510289 DOI: 10.1002/9780471729259.mc15d03s31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family of enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses. WNV, an emerging viral pathogen, is transmitted by mosquitoes to birds and mammals and is responsible for an increasing incidence of human disease in North America and Europe. Due to its ease of use in the laboratory and the availability of robust mouse models of disease, WNV provides an excellent experimental system for studying molecular virology and pathogenesis of infection by flaviviruses. Here, we describe common laboratory techniques used to propagate, quantify, detect, and store WNV. We also briefly describe appropriate safety precautions required for the laboratory use of WNV, which is classified as a Biosafety Level 3 pathogen by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Brien
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Helen M Lazear
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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48
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Beck A, Tesh RB, Wood TG, Widen SG, Ryman KD, Barrett ADT. Comparison of the live attenuated yellow fever vaccine 17D-204 strain to its virulent parental strain Asibi by deep sequencing. J Infect Dis 2013; 209:334-44. [PMID: 24141982 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first comparison of a live RNA viral vaccine strain to its wild-type parental strain by deep sequencing is presented using as a model the yellow fever virus (YFV) live vaccine strain 17D-204 and its wild-type parental strain, Asibi. METHODS The YFV 17D-204 vaccine genome was compared to that of the parental strain Asibi by massively parallel methods. Variability was compared on multiple scales of the viral genomes. A modeled exploration of small-frequency variants was performed to reconstruct plausible regions of mutational plasticity. RESULTS Overt quasispecies diversity is a feature of the parental strain, whereas the live vaccine strain lacks diversity according to multiple independent measurements. A lack of attenuating mutations in the Asibi population relative to that of 17D-204 was observed, demonstrating that the vaccine strain was derived by discrete mutation of Asibi and not by selection of genomes in the wild-type population. CONCLUSIONS Relative quasispecies structure is a plausible correlate of attenuation for live viral vaccines. Analyses such as these of attenuated viruses improve our understanding of the molecular basis of vaccine attenuation and provide critical information on the stability of live vaccines and the risk of reversion to virulence.
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49
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Garces AP, Watowich SJ. Intrinsic Flexibility of West Nile Virus Protease in Solution Characterized Using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering. Biochemistry 2013; 52:6856-65. [DOI: 10.1021/bi400782w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea P. Garces
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Stanley J. Watowich
- Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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50
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Liu Z, Ji Y, Huang X, Fu Y, Wei J, Cai X, Zhu Q. An adapted duck Tembusu virus induces systemic infection and mediates antibody-dependent disease severity in mice. Virus Res 2013; 176:216-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2013.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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