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Gordon CJ, Walker SM, Tchesnokov EP, Kocincova D, Pitts J, Siegel DS, Perry JK, Feng JY, Bilello JP, Götte M. Mechanism and spectrum of inhibition of a 4'-cyano modified nucleotide analog against diverse RNA polymerases of prototypic respiratory RNA viruses. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107514. [PMID: 38945449 PMCID: PMC11345399 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107514] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of safe and effective broad-spectrum antivirals that target the replication machinery of respiratory viruses is of high priority in pandemic preparedness programs. Here, we studied the mechanism of action of a newly discovered nucleotide analog against diverse RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) of prototypic respiratory viruses. GS-646939 is the active 5'-triphosphate metabolite of a 4'-cyano modified C-adenosine analog phosphoramidate prodrug GS-7682. Enzyme kinetics show that the RdRps of human rhinovirus type 16 (HRV-16) and enterovirus 71 incorporate GS-646939 with unprecedented selectivity; GS-646939 is incorporated 20-50-fold more efficiently than its natural ATP counterpart. The RdRp complex of respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus incorporate GS-646939 and ATP with similar efficiency. In contrast, influenza B RdRp shows a clear preference for ATP and human mitochondrial RNA polymerase does not show significant incorporation of GS-646939. Once incorporated into the nascent RNA strand, GS-646939 acts as a chain terminator although higher NTP concentrations can partially overcome inhibition for some polymerases. Modeling and biochemical data suggest that the 4'-modification inhibits RdRp translocation. Comparative studies with GS-443902, the active triphosphate form of the 1'-cyano modified prodrugs remdesivir and obeldesivir, reveal not only different mechanisms of inhibition, but also differences in the spectrum of inhibition of viral polymerases. In conclusion, 1'-cyano and 4'-cyano modifications of nucleotide analogs provide complementary strategies to target the polymerase of several families of respiratory RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin J Gordon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Simon M Walker
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Egor P Tchesnokov
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dana Kocincova
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jared Pitts
- Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | - Joy Y Feng
- Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, California, USA
| | | | - Matthias Götte
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Zhou Z, Zheng H, Xiao G, Xie X, Rang J, Peng D. Effectiveness and safety of azvudine in older adults with mild and moderate COVID-19: a retrospective observational study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:47. [PMID: 38177982 PMCID: PMC10765789 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08944-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Azvudine has clinical benefits and acceptable safety against COVID-19, including in patients with comorbidities, but there is a lack of available data for its use in older adult patients. This study explored the effectiveness and safety of azvudine in older adults with mild or moderate COVID-19. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included patients aged ≥80 diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Central Hospital of Shaoyang between October and November 2022. According to the therapies they received, the eligible patients were divided into the azvudine, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, and standard-of-care (SOC) groups. The outcomes were the proportion of patients progressing to severe COVID-19, time to nucleic acid negative conversion (NANC), and the 5-, 7-, 10-, and 14-day NANC rates from admission. RESULTS The study included 55 patients treated with azvudine (n = 14), nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (n = 18), and SOC (n = 23). The median time from symptom onset to NANC of the azvudine, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, and SOC groups was 14 (range, 6-25), 15 (range, 11-24), and 19 (range, 18-23) days, respectively. The median time from treatment initiation to NANC of the azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir groups was 8 (range, 4-20) and 9 (range, 5-16) days, respectively. The median length of hospital stay in the three groups was 10.5 (range, 5-23), 13.5 (range, 10-21), and 17 (range, 10-23) days, respectively. No treatment-related adverse events or serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION Azvudine showed satisfactory effectiveness and acceptable safety in older adults with mild or moderate COVID-19. Therefore, azvudine could be a treatment option for this special patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - He Zheng
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, Hunan, China
| | - Gui'e Xiao
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiangping Xie
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jiaxi Rang
- Department of Nursing, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Danhong Peng
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, Hunan, China.
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Liu B, Yang M, Xu L, Li Y, Cai J, Xie B, Zong K, Guo S. Azvudine and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A retrospective cohort study. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110824. [PMID: 37633242 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several studies have found that azvudine (FNC) can inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication both in vivo and in vitro. However, the effect of FNC on the risk of death in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of FNC on the risk of death in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS Charts of consecutive patients hospitalized at five hospitals in Chongqing with confirmed COVID-19. The primary outcome of the study was 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were: ICU admission rates, length of hospital and ICU stay, and also the range of mechanical ventilation days when admission. We compared primary outcome in patients who received FNC with those in patients who did not, using a multivariable model with inverse probability weighting according to the propensity score. RESULTS We included 1,110 patients in our study cohort. Of the 236 patients treated with FNC, 30 died within 28 days (12.7%), and of the 874 patients not treated with FNC, 206 died within 28 days (23.6%). In the crude, unadjusted analysis, a significant beneficial effect of FNC in terms of the 28-day mortality (OR 0.472, 95% CI 0.312-0.714; p < 0.001) in the overall population was detected. The adjusted odds ratio by multivariate analysis was (OR 0.498, 95% CI 0.287-0.864; p = 0.013). In the multivariate analysis with inverse probability weighting according to the propensity score, a significantly beneficial effect of FNC in terms of the 28-day mortality was further confirmed (OR 0.754, 95% CI 0.614-0.925; p = 0.007). Moreover, multivariable propensity-score analyses with matching also yielded similar results (OR 0.438, 95% CI 0.246-0.778; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION Our results reveal that in patients with COVID-19, FNC administration was associated with a significantly reduced 28-day mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Rd 1, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, No. 116, Changjiang South Road, Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Mingjin Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Rd 1, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Rd 1, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yishi Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Rd 1, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jing Cai
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chengdu First People's Hospital, No.18, Wanxiang North Road, High-tech Zone, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China
| | - Bo Xie
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Rd 1, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, No. 116, Changjiang South Road, Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, China
| | - Kaican Zong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Rd 1, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shuliang Guo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Youyi Rd 1, Yuzhong, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Yang L, Wang Z. Bench-to-bedside: Innovation of small molecule anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs in China. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115503. [PMID: 37229831 PMCID: PMC10193775 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths globally, highlighting the need to develop potent prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2. Small molecule inhibitors (remdesivir, Paxlovid, and molnupiravir) are essential complements to vaccines and play important roles in clinical treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Many advances have been made in development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors in China, but progress in discovery and characterization of pharmacological activity, antiviral mechanisms, and clinical efficacy are limited. We review development of small molecule anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs (azvudine [approved by the NMPA of China on July 25, 2022], VV116 [approved by the NMPA of China on January 29, 2023], FB2001, WPV01, pentarlandir, and cepharanthine) in China and summarize their pharmacological activity, potential mechanisms of action, clinical trials and use, and important milestones in their discovery. The role of structural biology in drug development is also reviewed. Future studies should focus on development of diverse second-generation inhibitors with excellent oral bioavailability, superior plasma half-life, increased antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, high target specificity, minimal side effects, reduced drug-drug interactions, and improved lung histopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Yang
- School of Physics and Physical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, PR China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
| | - Zhonglei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Natural Products and Pharmaceutical Intermediates in Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, PR China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus, Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China.
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Aisikaer A, Ma J, Li J, Li X. Hydroazidation of phenacylideneoxindoles: Synthesis of 3-substituted 3-azido-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-ones via anti-electron addition. Tetrahedron Lett 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2023.154447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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Ouyang J, Zaongo SD, Harypursat V, Li X, Routy JP, Chen Y. SARS-CoV-2 pre-exposure prophylaxis: A potential COVID-19 preventive strategy for high-risk populations, including healthcare workers, immunodeficient individuals, and poor vaccine responders. Front Public Health 2022; 10:945448. [PMID: 36003629 PMCID: PMC9393547 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.945448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 has imposed severe challenges on global health care systems. The roll-out and widespread administration of COVID-19 vaccines has been deemed a major milestone in the race to restrict the severity of the infection. Vaccines have as yet not entirely suppressed the relentless progression of the pandemic, due mainly to the emergence of new virus variants, and also secondary to the waning of protective antibody titers over time. Encouragingly, an increasing number of antiviral drugs, such as remdesivir and the newly developed drug combination, Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir), as well as molnupiravir, have shown significant benefits for COVID-19 patient outcomes. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been proven to be an effective preventive strategy in high-risk uninfected people exposed to HIV. Building on knowledge from what is already known about the use of PrEP for HIV disease, and from recently gleaned knowledge of antivirals used against COVID-19, we propose that SARS-CoV-2 PrEP, using specific antiviral and adjuvant drugs against SARS-CoV-2, may represent a novel preventive strategy for high-risk populations, including healthcare workers, immunodeficient individuals, and poor vaccine responders. Herein, we critically review the risk factors for severe COVID-19 and discuss PrEP strategies against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we outline details of candidate anti-SARS-CoV-2 PrEP drugs, thus creating a framework with respect to the development of alternative and/or complementary strategies to prevent COVID-19, and contributing to the global armamentarium that has been developed to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection, severity, and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ouyang
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Silvere D. Zaongo
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Vijay Harypursat
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jean-Pierre Routy
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Hematology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yaokai Chen
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
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Li G, Wang Y, De Clercq E. Approved HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors in the past decade. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1567-1590. [PMID: 35847492 PMCID: PMC9279714 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors are the important components of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAARTs) for anti-HIV treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis in clinical practice. Many RT inhibitors and their combination regimens have been approved in the past ten years, but a review on their drug discovery, pharmacology, and clinical efficacy is lacking. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of RT inhibitors (tenofovir alafenamide, rilpivirine, doravirine, dapivirine, azvudine and elsulfavirine) approved in the past decade, regarding their drug discovery, pharmacology, and clinical efficacy in randomized controlled trials. Novel RT inhibitors such as islatravir, MK-8504, MK-8507, MK8583, IQP-0528, and MIV-150 will be also highlighted. Future development may focus on the new generation of novel antiretroviral inhibitors with higher bioavailability, longer elimination half-life, more favorable side-effect profiles, fewer drug-drug interactions, and higher activities against circulating drug-resistant strains.
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Key Words
- 3TC, (−)-2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-thiacytidine (common name, lamivudine)
- ABC, abacavir
- ATV, atazanavir
- AZT, 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-thymidine (common name, zidovudine)
- BIC, bictegravir
- CAB, cabotegravir
- CC50, the 50% cytotoxic concentration
- COBI, cobicistat
- Clinical efficacy
- DOR, doravirine
- DPV, dapivirine
- DRV, darunavir
- DTG, dolutegravir
- EACS, European AIDS Clinical Society
- EC50, half maximal effective concentration
- EFV, efavirenz
- ESV, elsulfavirine
- EVG, elvitegravir
- F, bioavailability
- FDA, US Food and Drug Administration
- FTC, (−)-2′,3′-dideoxy-5-fluoro-3′-thiacytidine (common name, emtricitabine)
- HAART
- HAART, highly active antiretroviral therapy
- HIV treatment
- HIV, human immunodeficiency virus
- IAS-USA, International Antiviral Society-USA
- IC50, half maximal inhibitory concentration
- MSM, men who have sex with men
- NNRTI
- NNRTI, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
- NRTI
- NRTI, nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor
- RPV, rilpivirine
- TAF, tenofovir alafenamide
- TDF, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- t1/2, elimination half-life
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangdi Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Erik De Clercq
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
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Chang J. 4'-Modified Nucleosides for Antiviral Drug Discovery: Achievements and Perspectives. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:565-578. [PMID: 35077644 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Modified nucleosides show therapeutic promise for antiviral therapies. However, issues including the emergence of drug resistance, toxicity, and coinfections have posed new challenges for nucleoside-based antiviral drug discovery, particularly in the era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Chemical manipulation could impact the antiviral potency, safety, and drug resistance of nucleosides. Generally, modified nucleosides are difficult to recognize by intracellular important enzymes as substrates and thus exhibit low toxicity. 4'-Modified nucleosides represent an important subclass of modified nucleosides for antiviral therapies. To prevent the occurrence of drug resistance, 4'-modified nucleosides should have 3'-OH, which should also be chemically unreactive for proviral DNA biosynthesis. The absence of 3'-OH may explain the occurrence of drug resistance for censavudine. The introduction of 4'-substituents improves enzymatic and acidic stability and makes the nucleosides more lipophilic, thus improving cell permeability and bioavailability. Steric hindrance between the 4'-substituent and 3'-OH changes the furanose conformation to the 3'-endo type, in which the oxygen lone pair on the furanose ring could not form an oxocarbonium ion for glycolysis. Currently, seven 4'-modified nucleoside drug candidates such as azvudine (also known as FNC), islatravir, censavudine, balapiravir, lumicitabine, AL-335, and 4-azidothymidine have progressed into clinical stages for treating viral infections. Of note, FNC was officially approved by NMPA in July 2021 for use in adult patients with high HIV-1 virus loads (nos. H20210035 and H20210036), providing an alternative therapeutic for patients with HIV-1. The long-term cellular retention of FNC suggests its potential as a long-lasting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) agent for preventing HIV-1 infection. Mechanistically, FNC not only inhibited HIV-1 reverse transcription and replication but also restored A3G expression in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in HIV-1 patients receiving FNC. The 4'-azido group in azvudine stabilizes the 3'-C-endo (north) conformation by steric effects and the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the 3'-OH group, thus decreasing the nucleophilicity of 3'-OH. The north conformation may also enhance the phosphorylation efficiency of FNC by cellular kinases. Encouragingly, FNC, islatravir, and balapiravir show promise for the treatment of coronaviruses, of which FNC has advanced to phase 3 clinical trials in different countries to treat patients with COVID-19 (clinical trial numbers: NCT04668235 and NCT04425772). FNC cured the COVID-19 disease in almost all patients and showed better therapeutic efficacy than remdesivir. In this Account, we provide an overview of 4'-modified nucleoside analogs in clinical stages for antiviral therapies, highlighting the drug discovery strategies, structure-activity relationship studies, and preclinical/clinical studies and also give our perspectives on nucleoside-based antiviral drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junbiao Chang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecules and Drug Innovation, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Fayzullina D, Kharwar RK, Acharya A, Buzdin A, Borisov N, Timashev P, Ulasov I, Kapomba B. FNC: An Advanced Anticancer Therapeutic or Just an Underdog? Front Oncol 2022; 12:820647. [PMID: 35223502 PMCID: PMC8867032 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.820647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Azvudine (FNC) is a novel cytidine analogue that has both antiviral and anticancer activities. This minireview focuses on its underlying molecular mechanisms of suppressing viral life cycle and cancer cell growth and discusses applications of this nucleoside drug for advanced therapy of tumors and malignant blood diseases. FNC inhibits positive-stand RNA viruses, like HCV, EV, SARS-COV-2, HBV, and retroviruses, including HIV, by suppressing their RNA-dependent polymerase enzymes. It may also inhibit such enzyme (reverse transcriptase) in the human retrotransposons, including human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). As the activation of retrotransposons can be the major factor of ongoing cancer genome instability and consequently higher aggressiveness of tumors, FNC has a potential to increase the efficacy of multiple anticancer therapies. Furthermore, FNC also showed other aspects of anticancer activity by inhibiting adhesion, migration, invasion, and proliferation of malignant cells. It was also reported to be involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, thereby inhibiting the progression of cancer through different pathways. To the date, the grounds of FNC effects on cancer cells are not fully understood and hence additional studies are needed for better understanding molecular mechanisms of its anticancer activities to support its medical use in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Fayzullina
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kharwar
- Endocrine Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Kutir Post Graduate College, Chakkey, Jaunpur, India
| | - Arbind Acharya
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Anton Buzdin
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nicolas Borisov
- Department of Medical and Biological Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Byron Kapomba
- Department of General Surgery, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe,*Correspondence: Byron Kapomba,
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Zhang JL, Li YH, Wang LL, Liu HQ, Lu SY, Liu Y, Li K, Liu B, Li SY, Shao FM, Wang K, Sheng N, Li R, Cui JJ, Sun PC, Ma CX, Zhu B, Wang Z, Wan YH, Yu SS, Che Y, Wang CY, Wang C, Zhang Q, Zhao LM, Peng XZ, Cheng Z, Chang JB, Jiang JD. Azvudine is a thymus-homing anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug effective in treating COVID-19 patients. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:414. [PMID: 34873151 PMCID: PMC8646019 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00835-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Azvudine (FNC) is a nucleoside analog that inhibits HIV-1 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Recently, we discovered FNC an agent against SARS-CoV-2, and have taken it into Phase III trial for COVID-19 patients. FNC monophosphate analog inhibited SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 coronavirus with an EC50 between 1.2 and 4.3 μM, depending on viruses or cells, and selective index (SI) in 15-83 range. Oral administration of FNC in rats revealed a substantial thymus-homing feature, with FNC triphosphate (the active form) concentrated in the thymus and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Treating SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus macaques with FNC (0.07 mg/kg, qd, orally) reduced viral load, recuperated the thymus, improved lymphocyte profiles, alleviated inflammation and organ damage, and lessened ground-glass opacities in chest X-ray. Single-cell sequencing suggested the promotion of thymus function by FNC. A randomized, single-arm clinical trial of FNC on compassionate use (n = 31) showed that oral FNC (5 mg, qd) cured all COVID-19 patients, with 100% viral ribonucleic acid negative conversion in 3.29 ± 2.22 days (range: 1-9 days) and 100% hospital discharge rate in 9.00 ± 4.93 days (range: 2-25 days). The side-effect of FNC is minor and transient dizziness and nausea in 16.12% (5/31) patients. Thus, FNC might cure COVID-19 through its anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity concentrated in the thymus, followed by promoted immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Lan Zhang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Yu-Huan Li
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Lu-Lu Wang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Hong-Qi Liu
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 650031 Yunnan China
| | - Shuai-Yao Lu
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 650031 Yunnan China
| | - Yong Liu
- Genuine Biotech. Inc., Pingdingshan, 467000 Henan China
| | - Ke Li
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Bin Liu
- grid.413247.70000 0004 1808 0969Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Wuhan, 430071 Hubei China
| | - Su-Yun Li
- grid.477982.70000 0004 7641 2271The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan China
| | - Feng-Min Shao
- grid.414011.10000 0004 1808 090XDepartment of Internal Medicine, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003 Henan China
| | - Kun Wang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Ning Sheng
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Rui Li
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Jin-Jin Cui
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Pei-Chun Sun
- grid.414011.10000 0004 1808 090XDepartment of Internal Medicine, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003 Henan China
| | - Chun-Xia Ma
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 650031 Yunnan China
| | - Bo Zhu
- grid.462338.80000 0004 0605 6769Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 Henan China
| | - Zhe Wang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Yuan-Hao Wan
- Genuine Biotech. Inc., Pingdingshan, 467000 Henan China
| | - Shi-Shan Yu
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Yongsheng Che
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | | | - Chen Wang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005 China
| | - Qiangqian Zhang
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846School of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan China
| | - Li-Min Zhao
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Xiao-Zhong Peng
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 650031, Yunnan, China.
| | - Zhenshun Cheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China.
| | - Jun-Biao Chang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecule and Drug Innovation, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China. .,School of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
| | - Jian-Dong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China. .,Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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11
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Bhatia S, Narayanan N, Nagpal S, Nair DT. Antiviral therapeutics directed against RNA dependent RNA polymerases from positive-sense viruses. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:101005. [PMID: 34311994 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.101005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Viruses with positive-sense single stranded RNA (+ssRNA) genomes are responsible for different diseases and represent a global health problem. In addition to developing new vaccines that protect against severe illness on infection, it is imperative to identify new antiviral molecules to treat infected patients. The genome of these RNA viruses generally codes for an enzyme with RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity. This molecule is centrally involved in the duplication of the RNA genome. Inhibition of this enzyme by small molecules will prevent duplication of the RNA genome and thus reduce the viral titer. An overview of the different therapeutic strategies used to inhibit RdRPs from +ssRNA viruses is provided, along with an analysis of these enzymes to highlight new binding sites for inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonam Bhatia
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Naveen Narayanan
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Shilpi Nagpal
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India; National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Deepak T Nair
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India.
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12
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Lin X, Liang C, Zou L, Yin Y, Wang J, Chen D, Lan W. Advance of structural modification of nucleosides scaffold. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113233. [PMID: 33550179 PMCID: PMC7995807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
With Remdesivir being approved by FDA as a drug for the treatment of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), nucleoside drugs have once again received widespread attention in the medical community. Herein, we summarized modification of traditional nucleoside framework (sugar + base), traizole nucleosides, nucleoside analogues assembled by other drugs, macromolecule-modified nucleosides, and their bioactivity rules. 2'-"Ara"-substituted by -F or -CN group, and 3'-"ara" substituted by acetylenyl group can greatly influence their anti-tumor activities. Dideoxy dehydrogenation of 2',3'-sites can enhance antiviral efficiencies. Acyclic nucleosides and L-type nucleosides mainly represented antiviral capabilities. 5-F Substituted uracil analogues exihibit anti-tumor effects, and the substrates substituted by -I, -CF3, bromovinyl group usually show antiviral activities. The sugar coupled with 1-N of triazolid usually displays anti-tumor efficiencies, while the sugar coupled with 2-N of triazolid mainly represents antiviral activities. The nucleoside analogues assembled by cholesterol, polyethylene glycol, fatty acid and phospholipid would improve their bioavailabilities and bioactivities, or reduce their toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Lin
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; Guangxi Medical College, Nanning, 530023, China
| | | | - Lianjia Zou
- Guangxi Medical College, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Yanchun Yin
- Guangxi Medical College, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Jianyi Wang
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Dandan Chen
- Guangxi Medical College, Nanning, 530023, China
| | - Weisen Lan
- College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
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13
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Kumar R, Mishra S, Shreya, Maurya SK. Recent advances in the discovery of potent RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors targeting viruses. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:306-320. [PMID: 34046618 PMCID: PMC8130609 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00318b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
WHO has declared COVID-19 a pandemic, which has affected the whole world and has caused unprecedented social and economic disruption. Since the emergence of the disease, several druggable targets have been suggested including 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), spike, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and the papain-like protease (PLpro) computational approach. From the beginning, viral replication has been the main focus for any antiviral drug development for viral diseases, including HCV, influenza virus, zika virus, norovirus, measles, dengue virus, and coronaviruses. This review lists the nucleoside, nucleotide, and non-nucleoside RdRp inhibitor analogues of various viral diseases that may be evaluated for drug development to treat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Kumar
- Chemical Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Palampur Himachal Pradesh-176 061 India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-HRDC Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh 201 002 India
| | - Sahil Mishra
- Chemical Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Palampur Himachal Pradesh-176 061 India
| | - Shreya
- Chemical Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Palampur Himachal Pradesh-176 061 India
| | - Sushil K Maurya
- Chemical Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Palampur Himachal Pradesh-176 061 India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-HRDC Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh 201 002 India
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14
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Seneviratne U, Wickramaratne S, Kotandeniya D, Groehler AS, Geraghty RJ, Dreis C, Pujari SS, Tretyakova NY. Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrrolidine-functionalized nucleoside analogs. Med Chem Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-021-02700-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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15
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Liu Q, Gupta A, Okesli-Armlovich A, Qiao W, Fischer CR, Smith M, Carette JE, Bassik MC, Khosla C. Enhancing the Antiviral Efficacy of RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibition by Combination with Modulators of Pyrimidine Metabolism. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:668-677.e9. [PMID: 32442424 PMCID: PMC7241336 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide analysis of the mode of action of GSK983, a potent antiviral agent, led to the identification of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase as its target along with the discovery that genetic knockdown of pyrimidine salvage sensitized cells to GSK983. Because GSK983 is an ineffective antiviral in the presence of physiological uridine concentrations, we explored combining GSK983 with pyrimidine salvage inhibitors. We synthesized and evaluated analogs of cyclopentenyl uracil (CPU), an inhibitor of uridine salvage. We found that CPU was converted into its triphosphate in cells. When combined with GSK983, CPU resulted in large drops in cellular UTP and CTP pools. Consequently, CPU-GSK983 suppressed dengue virus replication in the presence of physiological concentrations of uridine. In addition, the CPU-GSK983 combination markedly enhanced the effect of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibition on viral infection. Our findings highlight a new host-targeting strategy for potentiating the antiviral activity of RdRp inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Amita Gupta
- Stanford Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ayse Okesli-Armlovich
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wenjie Qiao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Curt R Fischer
- Stanford Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mark Smith
- Stanford Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jan E Carette
- Stanford Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael C Bassik
- Stanford Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chaitan Khosla
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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16
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The Pyrimidine Analog FNC Potently Inhibits the Replication of Multiple Enteroviruses. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00204-20. [PMID: 32075935 PMCID: PMC7163137 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00204-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human enteroviruses (EVs), including coxsackieviruses, the numbered enteroviruses, and echoviruses, cause a wide range of diseases, such as hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), encephalitis, myocarditis, acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), pneumonia, and bronchiolitis. Therefore, broad-spectrum anti-EV drugs are urgently needed to treat EV infection. Here, we demonstrate that FNC (2'-deoxy-2'-β-fluoro-4'-azidocytidine), a small nucleoside analog inhibitor that has been demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of HIV and entered into a clinical phase II trial in China, potently inhibits the viral replication of a multitude of EVs, including enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackievirus A16 (CA16), CA6, EVD68, and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), at the nanomolar level. The antiviral mechanism of FNC involves mainly positive- and negative-strand RNA synthesis inhibition by targeting and competitively inhibiting the activity of EV71 viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol), as demonstrated through quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR), in vitro 3Dpol activity, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments. We further demonstrated that FNC treatment every 2 days with 1 mg/kg of body weight in EV71 and CA16 infection neonatal mouse models successfully protected mice from lethal challenge with EV71 and CA16 viruses and reduced the viral load in various tissues. These findings provide important information for the clinical development of FNC as a broad-spectrum inhibitor of human EV pathogens.IMPORTANCE Human enterovirus (EV) pathogens cause various contagious diseases such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, encephalitis, myocarditis, acute flaccid myelitis, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis, which have become serious health threats. However, except for the EV71 vaccine on the market, there are no effective strategies to prevent and treat other EV pathogen infections. Therefore, broad-spectrum anti-EV drugs are urgently needed. In this study, we demonstrated that FNC, a small nucleoside analog inhibitor that has been demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of HIV and entered into a clinical phase II trial in China, potently inhibits the viral replication of a multitude of EVs at the nanomolar level. Further investigation revealed that FNC inhibits positive- and negative-strand RNA synthesis of EVs by interacting and interfering with the activity of EV71 viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol). Our findings demonstrate for the first time that FNC is an effective broad-spectrum inhibitor for human EV pathogens.
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17
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Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibitor 7-Deaza-2'- C-Methyladenosine Prevents Death in a Mouse Model of West Nile Virus Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.02093-18. [PMID: 30642926 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02093-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a medically important emerging arbovirus causing serious neuroinfections in humans and against which no approved antiviral therapy is currently available. In this study, we demonstrate that 2'-C-methyl- or 4'-azido-modified nucleosides are highly effective inhibitors of WNV replication, showing nanomolar or low micromolar anti-WNV activity and negligible cytotoxicity in cell culture. One representative of C2'-methylated nucleosides, 7-deaza-2'-C-methyladenosine, significantly protected WNV-infected mice from disease progression and mortality. Twice daily treatment at 25 mg/kg starting at the time of infection resulted in 100% survival of the mice. This compound was highly effective, even if the treatment was initiated 3 days postinfection, at the time of a peak of viremia, which resulted in a 90% survival rate. However, the antiviral effect of 7-deaza-2'-C-methyladenosine was absent or negligible when the treatment was started 8 days postinfection (i.e., at the time of extensive brain infection). The 4'-azido moiety appears to be another important determinant for highly efficient inhibition of WNV replication in vitro However, the strong anti-WNV effect of 4'-azidocytidine and 4'-azido-aracytidine was cell type dependent and observed predominantly in porcine kidney stable (PS) cells. The effect was much less pronounced in Vero cells. Our results indicate that 2'-C-methylated or 4'-azidated nucleosides merit further investigation as potential therapeutic agents for treating WNV infections as well as infections caused by other medically important flaviviruses.
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18
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Yates MK, Seley-Radtke KL. The evolution of antiviral nucleoside analogues: A review for chemists and non-chemists. Part II: Complex modifications to the nucleoside scaffold. Antiviral Res 2019; 162:5-21. [PMID: 30529089 PMCID: PMC6349489 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This is the second of two invited articles reviewing the development of nucleoside analogue antiviral drugs, written for a target audience of virologists and other non-chemists, as well as chemists who may not be familiar with the field. As with the first paper, rather than providing a chronological account, we have chosen to examine particular examples of structural modifications made to nucleoside analogues that have proven fruitful as various antiviral, anticancer, and other therapeutics. The first review covered the more common, and in most cases, single modifications to the sugar and base moieties of the nucleoside scaffold. This paper focuses on more recent developments, especially nucleoside analogues that contain more than one modification to the nucleoside scaffold. We hope that these two articles will provide an informative historical perspective of some of the successfully designed analogues, as well as many candidate compounds that encountered obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K Yates
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Katherine L Seley-Radtke
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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19
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Lo MK, Jordan PC, Stevens S, Tam Y, Deval J, Nichol ST, Spiropoulou CF. Susceptibility of paramyxoviruses and filoviruses to inhibition by 2'-monofluoro- and 2'-difluoro-4'-azidocytidine analogs. Antiviral Res 2018; 153:101-113. [PMID: 29601894 PMCID: PMC6066796 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ebolaviruses, marburgviruses, and henipaviruses are zoonotic pathogens belonging to the Filoviridae and Paramyxoviridae families. They exemplify viruses that continue to spill over into the human population, causing outbreaks characterized by high mortality and significant clinical sequelae in survivors of infection. There are currently no approved small molecule therapeutics for use in humans against these viruses. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of the nucleoside analog 4'-azidocytidine (4'N3-C, R1479) and its 2'-monofluoro- and 2'-difluoro-modified analogs (2'F-4'N3-C and 2'diF-4'N3-C) against representative paramyxoviruses (Nipah virus, Hendra virus, measles virus, and human parainfluenza virus 3) and filoviruses (Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Ravn virus). We observed enhanced antiviral activity against paramyxoviruses with both 2'diF-4'N3-C and 2'F-4'N3-C compared to R1479. On the other hand, while R1479 and 2'diF-4'N3-C inhibited filoviruses similarly to paramyxoviruses, we observed 10-fold lower filovirus inhibition by 2'F-4'N3-C. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the susceptibility of paramyxoviruses and filoviruses to R1479 and its 2'-fluoro-modified analogs. The activity of these compounds against negative-strand RNA viruses endorses the development of 4'-modified nucleoside analogs as broad-spectrum therapeutics against zoonotic viruses of public health importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Lo
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Paul C Jordan
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Stevens
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yuen Tam
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jerome Deval
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stuart T Nichol
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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20
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Recombinant RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Complex of Ebola Virus. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3970. [PMID: 29507309 PMCID: PMC5838098 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22328-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report on the expression, purification and characterization of recombinant ebola virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EBOV RdRp). Active protein complexes composed of the large L protein and viral protein VP35 were isolated from insect cells and analyzed using a short primer/template substrate that allowed benchmarking against related enzymes. RNA synthesis by multiprotein complexes of EBOV, influenza B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and monomeric enzymes of hepatitis C and Zika (ZIKV) viruses required a 5′-phosporylated primer. The minimum length of the primer varied between two and three nucleotides in this system. The EBOV enzyme utilizes Mg2+ as a co-factor and the D742A substitution provides an active site mutant that likely affects binding of the catalytic metal ions. Selectivity measurements with nucleotide analogues translate our assay into quantitative terms and facilitate drug discovery efforts. The related EBOV and RSV enzymes are not able to efficiently discriminate against ara-cytidine-5′-triphosphate. We demonstrate that this compound acts like a non-obligate chain-terminator.
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21
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Eyer L, Nencka R, de Clercq E, Seley-Radtke K, Růžek D. Nucleoside analogs as a rich source of antiviral agents active against arthropod-borne flaviviruses. Antivir Chem Chemother 2018; 26:2040206618761299. [PMID: 29534608 PMCID: PMC5890575 DOI: 10.1177/2040206618761299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoside analogs represent the largest class of small molecule-based antivirals, which currently form the backbone of chemotherapy of chronic infections caused by HIV, hepatitis B or C viruses, and herpes viruses. High antiviral potency and favorable pharmacokinetics parameters make some nucleoside analogs suitable also for the treatment of acute infections caused by other medically important RNA and DNA viruses. This review summarizes available information on antiviral research of nucleoside analogs against arthropod-borne members of the genus Flavivirus within the family Flaviviridae, being primarily focused on description of nucleoside inhibitors of flaviviral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, methyltransferase, and helicase/NTPase. Inhibitors of intracellular nucleoside synthesis and newly discovered nucleoside derivatives with high antiflavivirus potency, whose modes of action are currently not completely understood, have drawn attention. Moreover, this review highlights important challenges and complications in nucleoside analog development and suggests possible strategies to overcome these limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luděk Eyer
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Nencka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Erik de Clercq
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Daniel Růžek
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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22
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Liu Y, Peng Y, Lu J, Wang J, Ma H, Song C, Liu B, Qiao Y, Yu W, Wu J, Chang J. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new 1,2,3-triazolo-2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro- 4'-azido nucleoside derivatives as potent anti-HBV agents. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 143:137-149. [PMID: 29174810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Novel drugs are urgently needed to combat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection due to drug-resistant virus. In this paper, a series of novel 4-monosubstituted 2'-deoxy-2'-β-fluoro-4'-azido-β-d-arabinofuranosyl 1,2,3-triazole nucleoside analogues (1a-g) were designed, synthesized and screened for in vitro anti-HBV activity. At 5.0 μM in the cellular model, all the synthetic compounds display activities comparable to that of the positive control, lamivudine at 20 μM. Of the compounds tested, the amide-substituted analogue (1a) shows the most promising anti-HBV activity and low cytotoxicity in the cell model. In particular, it retains excellent activity against lamivudine-resistant HBV mutants. In duck HBV (DHBV)-infected duck models, both the serum and liver DHBV DNA levels (67.4% and 53.3%, respectively) were reduced markedly by the treatment with 1a. Analysis of the structure of HBV polymer/1a-triphosphate (1a-TP) complex shows that 1a-TP is stabilized by specific van der Waals interactions with the enzyme residues arising from 4-amino-1,2,3-triazole and the 4'-azido group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Youmei Peng
- Henan Academy of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, PR China
| | - Jingjing Lu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Haoran Ma
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Chuanjun Song
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Bingjie Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Yan Qiao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Wenquan Yu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Jie Wu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China.
| | - Junbiao Chang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
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Escape of Tick-Borne Flavivirus from 2'- C-Methylated Nucleoside Antivirals Is Mediated by a Single Conservative Mutation in NS5 That Has a Dramatic Effect on Viral Fitness. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.01028-17. [PMID: 28814513 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01028-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes a severe and potentially fatal neuroinfection in humans. Despite its high medical relevance, no specific antiviral therapy is currently available. Here we demonstrate that treatment with a nucleoside analog, 7-deaza-2'-C-methyladenosine (7-deaza-2'-CMA), substantially improved disease outcomes, increased survival, and reduced signs of neuroinfection and viral titers in the brains of mice infected with a lethal dose of TBEV. To investigate the mechanism of action of 7-deaza-2'-CMA, two drug-resistant TBEV clones were generated and characterized. The two clones shared a signature amino acid substitution, S603T, in the viral NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain. This mutation conferred resistance to various 2'-C-methylated nucleoside derivatives, but no cross-resistance was seen with other nucleoside analogs, such as 4'-C-azidocytidine and 2'-deoxy-2'-beta-hydroxy-4'-azidocytidine (RO-9187). All-atom molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the S603T RdRp mutant repels a water molecule that coordinates the position of a metal ion cofactor as 2'-C-methylated nucleoside analogs approach the active site. To investigate its phenotype, the S603T mutation was introduced into a recombinant TBEV strain (Oshima-IC) generated from an infectious cDNA clone and into a TBEV replicon that expresses a reporter luciferase gene (Oshima-REP-luc2A). The mutants were replication impaired, showing reduced growth and a small plaque size in mammalian cell culture and reduced levels of neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence in rodent models. These results indicate that TBEV resistance to 2'-C-methylated nucleoside inhibitors is conferred by a single conservative mutation that causes a subtle atomic effect within the active site of the viral NS5 RdRp and is associated with strong attenuation of the virus.IMPORTANCE This study found that the nucleoside analog 7-deaza-2'-C-methyladenosine (7-deaza-2'-CMA) has high antiviral activity against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a pathogen that causes severe human neuroinfections in large areas of Europe and Asia and for which there is currently no specific therapy. Treating mice infected with a lethal dose of TBEV with 7-deaza-2'-CMA resulted in significantly higher survival rates and reduced the severity of neurological signs of the disease. Thus, this compound shows promise for further development as an anti-TBEV drug. It is important to generate drug-resistant mutants to understand how the drug works and to develop guidelines for patient treatment. We generated TBEV mutants that were resistant not only to 7-deaza-2'-CMA but also to a broad range of other 2'-C-methylated antiviral medications. Our findings suggest that combination therapy may be used to improve treatment and reduce the emergence of drug-resistant viruses during nucleoside analog therapy for TBEV infection.
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Eyer L, Šmídková M, Nencka R, Neča J, Kastl T, Palus M, De Clercq E, Růžek D. Structure-activity relationships of nucleoside analogues for inhibition of tick-borne encephalitis virus. Antiviral Res 2016; 133:119-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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25
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Jonckers THM, Tahri A, Vijgen L, Berke JM, Lachau-Durand S, Stoops B, Snoeys J, Leclercq L, Tambuyzer L, Lin TI, Simmen K, Raboisson P. Discovery of 1-((2R,4aR,6R,7R,7aR)-2-Isopropoxy-2-oxidodihydro-4H,6H-spiro[furo[3,2-d][1,3,2]dioxaphosphinine-7,2'-oxetan]-6-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (JNJ-54257099), a 3'-5'-Cyclic Phosphate Ester Prodrug of 2'-Deoxy-2'-Spirooxetane Uridine Triphosphate Useful for HCV Inhibition. J Med Chem 2016; 59:5790-8. [PMID: 27181575 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
JNJ-54257099 (9) is a novel cyclic phosphate ester derivative that belongs to the class of 2'-deoxy-2'-spirooxetane uridine nucleotide prodrugs which are known as inhibitors of the HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). In the Huh-7 HCV genotype (GT) 1b replicon-containing cell line 9 is devoid of any anti-HCV activity, an observation attributable to inefficient prodrug metabolism which was found to be CYP3A4-dependent. In contrast, in vitro incubation of 9 in primary human hepatocytes as well as pharmacokinetic evaluation thereof in different preclinical species reveals the formation of substantial levels of 2'-deoxy-2'-spirooxetane uridine triphosphate (8), a potent inhibitor of the HCV NS5B polymerase. Overall, it was found that 9 displays a superior profile compared to its phosphoramidate prodrug analogues (e.g., 4) described previously. Of particular interest is the in vivo dose dependent reduction of HCV RNA observed in HCV infected (GT1a and GT3a) human hepatocyte chimeric mice after 7 days of oral administration of 9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim H M Jonckers
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Abdellah Tahri
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Leen Vijgen
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jan Martin Berke
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sophie Lachau-Durand
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bart Stoops
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jan Snoeys
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Laurent Leclercq
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Lotke Tambuyzer
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Tse-I Lin
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Kenny Simmen
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Pierre Raboisson
- Janssen Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics BVBA , Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
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26
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Kirschberg TA, Mish M, Squires NH, Zonte S, Aktoudianakis E, Metobo S, Butler T, Ju X, Cho A, Ray AS, Kim CU. Synthesis of 1'-C-cyano pyrimidine nucleosides and characterization as HCV polymerase inhibitors. NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2015; 34:763-85. [PMID: 26398773 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2015.1075550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ribose modified 1'-C-cyano pyrimidine nucleosides were synthesized. A silver triflate mediated Vorbrüggen reaction was used to generate the nucleoside scaffold and follow-up chemistry provided specific ribose modified analogs. Nucleosides and phosphoramidate prodrugs were tested for their anti-HCV activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Mish
- a Medicinal Chemistry, Gilead Sciences , Foster City , CA , USA
| | - Neil H Squires
- a Medicinal Chemistry, Gilead Sciences , Foster City , CA , USA
| | - Sebastian Zonte
- a Medicinal Chemistry, Gilead Sciences , Foster City , CA , USA
| | | | - Sammy Metobo
- a Medicinal Chemistry, Gilead Sciences , Foster City , CA , USA
| | - Thomas Butler
- a Medicinal Chemistry, Gilead Sciences , Foster City , CA , USA
| | - Xie Ju
- a Medicinal Chemistry, Gilead Sciences , Foster City , CA , USA
| | - Aesop Cho
- a Medicinal Chemistry, Gilead Sciences , Foster City , CA , USA
| | - Adrian S Ray
- a Medicinal Chemistry, Gilead Sciences , Foster City , CA , USA
| | - Choung U Kim
- b Kainos Medicine, Inc. , Seoul , Republic of Korea
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27
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Nucleoside inhibitors of tick-borne encephalitis virus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:5483-93. [PMID: 26124166 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00807-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a leading cause of human neuroinfections in Europe and Northeast Asia. There are no antiviral therapies for treating TBEV infection. A series of nucleoside analogues was tested for the ability to inhibit the replication of TBEV in porcine kidney cells and human neuroblastoma cells. The interactions of three nucleoside analogues with viral polymerase were simulated using advanced computational methods. The nucleoside analogues 7-deaza-2'-C-methyladenosine (7-deaza-2'-CMA), 2'-C-methyladenosine (2'-CMA), and 2'-C-methylcytidine (2'-CMC) inhibited TBEV replication. These compounds showed dose-dependent inhibition of TBEV-induced cytopathic effects, TBEV replication (50% effective concentrations [EC50]of 5.1 ± 0.4 μM for 7-deaza-2'-CMA, 7.1 ± 1.2 μM for 2'-CMA, and 14.2 ± 1.9 μM for 2'-CMC) and viral antigen production. Notably, 2'-CMC was relatively cytotoxic to porcine kidney cells (50% cytotoxic concentration [CC50] of ∼50 μM). The anti-TBEV effect of 2'-CMA in cell culture diminished gradually after day 3 posttreatment. 7-Deaza-2'-CMA showed no detectable cellular toxicity (CC50 > 50 μM), and the antiviral effect in culture was stable for >6 days posttreatment. Computational molecular analyses revealed that compared to the other two compounds, 7-deaza-2'-CMA formed a large cluster near the active site of the TBEV polymerase. High antiviral activity and low cytotoxicity suggest that 7-deaza-2'-CMA is a promising candidate for further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent in treating TBEV infection.
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28
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Li H, Dou H, Zhang Y, Li Z, Wang R, Chang J. Studies of the interaction between FNC and human hemoglobin: a spectroscopic analysis and molecular docking. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2015; 136 Pt B:416-422. [PMID: 25448944 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2014.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
FNC (2'-deoxy-2'-bfluoro-4'-azidocytidine) is a novel nucleoside analogue with pharmacologic effects on several human diseases. In this work, the binding of FNC to human hemoglobin (HHb) have been investigated by absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching technique, synchronous fluorescence, three-dimensional fluorescence and molecular modeling methods. Analysis of fluorescence data showed that the binding of FNC to HHb occurred via a static quenching mechanism. Thermodynamic analysis and molecular modeling suggest that hydrogen bond and van der Waals force are the mainly binding force in the binding of FNC to HHb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyi Li
- Chinese Pharmacopeia Commission, Beijing 100061, China; College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Huanjing Dou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yuhai Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ruiyong Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Junbiao Chang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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29
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Characterization of the activity of 2'-C-methylcytidine against dengue virus replication. Antiviral Res 2015; 116:1-9. [PMID: 25614455 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is a severe mosquito-borne viral pathogen. Neither vaccines nor antiviral therapy is currently available to treat DENV infection. Nucleoside inhibitors targeting viral polymerase have proved promising for the development of drugs against viruses. In this study, we report a nucleoside analog, 2'-C-methylcytidine (2CMC), which exerts potent anti-DENV activity in DENV subgenomic RNA replicon and infectious systems, with an IC50 value of 11.2±0.3μM. This study utilized both cell-based and cell-free reporter assay systems to reveal the specific anti-DENV RNA polymerase activity of 2CMC. In addition, both xenograft bioluminescence-based DENV replicon and DENV-infected Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) suckling mice models evaluated the anti-DENV replication activity of 2CMC in vivo. Collectively, these findings provide a promising compound for the development of direct-acting antivirals against DENV infection.
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30
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Deval J, Symons JA, Beigelman L. Inhibition of viral RNA polymerases by nucleoside and nucleotide analogs: therapeutic applications against positive-strand RNA viruses beyond hepatitis C virus. Curr Opin Virol 2014; 9:1-7. [PMID: 25194816 PMCID: PMC7102778 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
New therapies for infections caused by positive-strand RNA viruses are needed. Novel nucleoside and nucleotide analogs that inhibit HCV have been developed. Some of these molecules also inhibit other positive-strand RNA viruses. Optimization of antiviral potency and/or target delivery is necessary.
A number of important human infections are caused by positive-strand RNA viruses, yet almost none can be treated with small molecule antiviral therapeutics. One exception is the chronic infection caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), against which new generations of potent inhibitors are being developed. One of the main molecular targets for anti-HCV drugs is the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, NS5B. This review summarizes the search for nucleoside and nucleotide analogs that inhibit HCV NS5B, which led to the FDA approval of sofosbuvir in 2013. Advances in anti-HCV therapeutics have also stimulated efforts to develop nucleoside analogs against other positive-strand RNA viruses. Although it remains to be validated in the clinic, the prospect of using nucleoside analogs to treat acute infections caused by RNA viruses represents an important paradigm shift and a new frontier for future antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Deval
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., 260 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Julian A Symons
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., 260 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Leo Beigelman
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., 260 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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31
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Peng Y, Cheng T, Dong L, Zhang Y, Chen X, Jiang J, Zhang J, Guo X, Guo M, Chang J, Wang Q. Quantification of 2′-deoxy-2′-β-fluoro-4′-azidocytidine in rat and dog plasma using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight and liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry: Application to bioavailability and pharmacokinetic studies. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2014; 98:379-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2014.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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32
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Zhang Y, Wang CP, Ding XX, Wang N, Ma F, Jiang JH, Wang QD, Chang JB. FNC, a Novel Nucleoside Analogue, Blocks Invasion of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cell Lines Via Inhibition of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2014; 15:6829-35. [DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.16.6829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Efficiency of incorporation and chain termination determines the inhibition potency of 2'-modified nucleotide analogs against hepatitis C virus polymerase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:3636-45. [PMID: 24733478 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02666-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleotide analog inhibitors of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of hepatitis C virus (HCV) represent one of the most exciting recent developments in HCV antiviral therapy. Although it is well established that these molecules cause chain termination by competing at the triphosphate level with natural nucleotides for incorporation into elongating RNA, strategies to rationally optimize antiviral potency based on enzyme kinetics remain elusive. In this study, we used the isolated HCV polymerase elongation complex to determine the pre-steady-state kinetics of incorporation of 2'F-2'C-Me-UTP, the active metabolite of the anti-HCV drug sofosbuvir. 2'F-2'C-Me-UTP was efficiently incorporated by HCV polymerase with apparent Kd (equilibrium constant) and kpol (rate of nucleotide incorporation at saturating nucleotide concentration) values of 113 ± 28 μM and 0.67 ± 0.05 s(-1), respectively, giving an overall substrate efficiency (kpol/Kd) of 0.0059 ± 0.0015 μM(-1) s(-1). We also measured the substrate efficiency of other UTP analogs and found that substitutions at the 2' position on the ribose can greatly affect their level of incorporation, with a rank order of OH > F > NH2 > F-C-Me > C-Me > N3 > ara. However, the efficiency of chain termination following the incorporation of UMP analogs followed a different order, with only 2'F-2'C-Me-, 2'C-Me-, and 2'ara-UTP causing complete and immediate chain termination. The chain termination profile of the 2'-modified nucleotides explains the apparent lack of correlation observed across all molecules between substrate efficiency at the single-nucleotide level and their overall inhibition potency. To our knowledge, these results provide the first attempt to use pre-steady-state kinetics to uncover the mechanism of action of 2'-modified NTP analogs against HCV polymerase.
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Jonckers THM, Vandyck K, Vandekerckhove L, Hu L, Tahri A, Van Hoof S, Lin TI, Vijgen L, Berke JM, Lachau-Durand S, Stoops B, Leclercq L, Fanning G, Samuelsson B, Nilsson M, Rosenquist Å, Simmen K, Raboisson P. Nucleotide Prodrugs of 2′-Deoxy-2′-spirooxetane Ribonucleosides as Novel Inhibitors of the HCV NS5B Polymerase. J Med Chem 2014; 57:1836-44. [DOI: 10.1021/jm4015422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tim H. M. Jonckers
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Koen Vandyck
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Leen Vandekerckhove
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Lili Hu
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Abdellah Tahri
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Steven Van Hoof
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Tse-I Lin
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Leen Vijgen
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jan Martin Berke
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sophie Lachau-Durand
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bart Stoops
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Laurent Leclercq
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Gregory Fanning
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Kenny Simmen
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Pierre Raboisson
- Janssen
Infectious Diseases − Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
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35
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Activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by dengue virus infection depotentiates balapiravir. J Virol 2013; 88:1740-7. [PMID: 24257621 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02841-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In a recent clinical trial, balapiravir, a prodrug of a cytidine analog (R1479), failed to achieve efficacy (reducing viremia after treatment) in dengue patients, although the plasma trough concentration of R1479 remained above the 50% effective concentration (EC(50)). Here, we report experimental evidence to explain the discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo results and its implication for drug development. R1479 lost its potency by 125-fold when balapiravir was used to treat primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs; one of the major cells targeted for viral replication) that were preinfected with dengue virus. The elevated EC(50) was greater than the plasma trough concentration of R1479 observed in dengue patients treated with balapiravir and could possibly explain the efficacy failure. Mechanistically, dengue virus infection triggered PBMCs to generate cytokines, which decreased their efficiency of conversion of R1479 to its triphosphate form (the active antiviral ingredient), resulting in decreased antiviral potency. In contrast to the cytidine-based compound R1479, the potency of an adenosine-based inhibitor of dengue virus (NITD008) was much less affected. Taken together, our results demonstrate that viral infection in patients before treatment could significantly affect the conversion of the prodrug to its active form; such an effect should be calculated when estimating the dose efficacious for humans.
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Abstract
This review highlights ten "hot topics" in current antiviral research: (i) new nucleoside derivatives (i.e., PSI-352938) showing high potential as a direct antiviral against hepatitis C virus (HCV); (ii) cyclopropavir, which should be further pursued for treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections; (iii) North-methanocarbathymidine (N-MCT), with a N-locked conformation, showing promising activity against both α- and γ-herpesviruses; (iv) CMX001, an orally bioavailable prodrug of cidofovir with broad-spectrum activity against DNA viruses, including polyoma, adeno, herpes, and pox; (v) favipiravir, which is primarily pursued for the treatment of influenza virus infections, but also inhibits the replication of other RNA viruses, particularly (-)RNA viruses such as arena, bunya, and hanta; (vi) newly emerging antiarenaviral compounds which should be more effective (and less toxic) than the ubiquitously used ribavirin; (vii) antipicornavirus agents in clinical development (pleconaril, BTA-798, and V-073); (viii) natural products receiving increased attention as potential antiviral drugs; (ix) antivirals such as U0126 targeted at specific cellular kinase pathways [i.e., mitogen extracellular kinase (MEK)], showing activity against influenza and other viruses; and (x) two structurally unrelated compounds (i.e., LJ-001 and dUY11) with broad-spectrum activity against virtually all enveloped RNA and DNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik De Clercq
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Barakat KH, Law J, Prunotto A, Magee WC, Evans DH, Tyrrell DL, Tuszynski J, Houghton M. Detailed computational study of the active site of the hepatitis C viral RNA polymerase to aid novel drug design. J Chem Inf Model 2013; 53:3031-43. [PMID: 24116674 DOI: 10.1021/ci4003969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA polymerase, NS5B, is a leading target for novel and selective HCV drug design. The enzyme has been the subject of intensive drug discovery aimed at developing direct acting antiviral (DAA) agents that inhibit its activity and hence prevent the virus from replicating its genome. In this study, we focus on one class of NS5B inhibitors, namely nucleos(t)ide mimetics. Forty-one distinct nucleotide structures have been modeled within the active site of NS5B for the six major HCV genotypes. Our comprehensive modeling protocol employed 287 different molecular dynamics simulations combined with the molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) methodology to rank and analyze these structures for all genotypes. The binding interactions of the individual compounds have been investigated and reduced to the atomic level. The present study significantly refines our understanding of the mode of action of NS5B-nucleotide-inhibitors, identifies the key structural elements necessary for their activity, and implements the tools for ranking the potential of additional much needed novel inhibitors of NS5B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled H Barakat
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, ⊥Department of Oncology, and ∥Department of Physics, University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E1
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Katsume A, Tokunaga Y, Hirata Y, Munakata T, Saito M, Hayashi H, Okamoto K, Ohmori Y, Kusanagi I, Fujiwara S, Tsukuda T, Aoki Y, Klumpp K, Tsukiyama-Kohara K, El-Gohary A, Sudoh M, Kohara M. A serine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor blocks hepatitis C virus replication in human hepatocytes. Gastroenterology 2013; 145:865-73. [PMID: 23791700 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2012] [Revised: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Host cell lipid rafts form a scaffold required for replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Serine palmitoyltransferases (SPTs) produce sphingolipids, which are essential components of the lipid rafts that associate with HCV nonstructural proteins. Prevention of the de novo synthesis of sphingolipids by an SPT inhibitor disrupts the HCV replication complex and thereby inhibits HCV replication. We investigated the ability of the SPT inhibitor NA808 to prevent HCV replication in cells and mice. METHODS We tested the ability of NA808 to inhibit SPT's enzymatic activity in FLR3-1 replicon cells. We used a replicon system to select for HCV variants that became resistant to NA808 at concentrations 4- to 6-fold the 50% inhibitory concentration, after 14 rounds of cell passage. We assessed the ability of NA808 or telaprevir to inhibit replication of HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, and 4a in mice with humanized livers (transplanted with human hepatocytes). NA808 was injected intravenously, with or without pegylated interferon alfa-2a and HCV polymerase and/or protease inhibitors. RESULTS NA808 prevented HCV replication via noncompetitive inhibition of SPT; no resistance mutations developed. NA808 prevented replication of all HCV genotypes tested in mice with humanized livers. Intravenous NA808 significantly reduced viral load in the mice and had synergistic effects with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and HCV polymerase and protease inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS The SPT inhibitor NA808 prevents replication of HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, and 4a in cultured hepatocytes and in mice with humanized livers. It might be developed for treatment of HCV infection or used in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a or HCV polymerase or protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asao Katsume
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan; Research Division, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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Ivanov MA, Aleksandrova LA. [Bicyclic furano[2,3-D] derivatives of pyrimidine nucleosides--synthesis and antiviral properties]. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2013; 39:26-45. [PMID: 23844505 DOI: 10.1134/s1068162013010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The methods of synthesis of furano- and pyrrolo[2,3-dlpyrimidine nucleosides as well as structure activity relationship of obtained compounds towards viruses of varicella zoster, hepatitis C, bovine viral diarrhea and some others are reviewed.
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Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-4'-triazole cytidine nucleosides as potent antiviral agents. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 63:739-45. [PMID: 23570720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A series of 4'-[1,2,3]triazole-2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosines (9-17) were prepared by Cu(I)-mediated [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions (CuAAC) of 1-(4'-azido-2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-β-d-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine (1) with appropriate alkynes in good yields. Their structures were fully established by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HRMS, and elemental analysis. Most of these nucleoside analogs exhibited potent anti-HIV-1 activity with no cytotoxicity observed at the highest tested concentration up to 25 μM. Among them, compounds 9, 10 and 13 exhibited extremely potent antiviral activity, thus had a great potential for further development as novel nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Besides, the anti-HBV activity of compounds 10, 11 and 17 had been investigated.
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Wang J, Wang X, Gao C, Song X, Niu Z, Gao Z, Qin Z, Chang J, Wang H. The pyrimidine analog FNC inhibits cell proliferation and viral protein synthesis in HTLV‑1‑infected cells. Mol Med Rep 2013; 7:1656-60. [PMID: 23467991 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T‑cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‑1), the first retrovirus to be identified, is the etiological agent of an aggressive clonal malignancy of mature CD4+ T lymphocytes known as adult T‑cell leukemia (ATL). The prognosis of ATL patients remains poor despite the availability of a number of clinical chemotherapy drugs. In addition, HTLV‑1‑infected and ATL cells possess an intrinsic resistance to anticancer drugs. 2'‑Deoxy‑2'‑β‑fluoro‑4'‑azidocytidine (FNC) is a novel pyrimidine analog that is efficiently phosphorylated by cellular kinases and is a substrate for RNA and DNA polymerases. In the present study, the antiviral potential of FNC was investigated in HTLV‑1‑infected cell lines. Following FNC treatment, the HTLV‑1‑infected cells underwent G1 or S phase cell cycle arrest. FNC was also observed to reduce cell growth of the HTLV‑1‑infected cell lines in a dose‑dependent manner. Notably, FNC was found to efficiently inhibit the expression of the viral proteins, Tax and p19Gag, in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner. Treatment with FNC and the protein biosynthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), accelerated the inhibition of viral protein synthesis in the HTLV‑1‑infected cells. Collectively, these results demonstrated the efficient antiretroviral effect of FNC in HTLV‑1‑infected cells and indicate that FNC may be utilized as a valuable therapy in HTLV‑1‑infected patients and those with ATL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinheng Wang
- Research Center for Immunology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China
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NTP-mediated nucleotide excision activity of hepatitis C virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:E348-57. [PMID: 23307808 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1214924110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase replicates the viral genomic RNA and is a primary drug target for antiviral therapy. Previously, we described the purification of an active and stable polymerase-primer-template elongation complex. Here, we show that, unexpectedly, the polymerase elongation complex can use NTPs to excise the terminal nucleotide in nascent RNA. Mismatched ATP, UTP, or CTP could mediate excision of 3'-terminal CMP to generate the dinucleoside tetraphosphate products Ap(4)C, Up(4)C, and Cp(4)C, respectively. Pre-steady-state kinetic studies showed that the efficiency of NTP-mediated excision was highest with ATP. A chain-terminating inhibitor, 3'deoxy-CMP, could also be excised through this mechanism, suggesting important implications for nucleoside drug potency and resistance. The nucleotide excision reaction catalyzed by recombinant hepatitis C virus polymerase was 100-fold more efficient than the corresponding reaction observed with HIV reverse transcriptase.
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Sofia MJ. Nucleotide prodrugs for the treatment of HCV infection. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2013; 67:39-73. [PMID: 23885998 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405880-4.00002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is an essential enzyme in HCV viral replication and has been a prominent target in the search for therapies to treat individuals infected with HCV. The development of both nucleoside and nucleotide HCV inhibitors has been pursued because of their potential for showing pangenotypic activity and because of their high barrier to resistance. Even though nucleoside inhibitors were shown to be effective in a clinical setting, their potency limited their effectiveness. The exploitation of prodrug strategies to deliver nucleoside 5'-monophosphates has resulted in the development of a number of very potent inhibitors of HCV replication. In addition, several of these nucleotide prodrugs have demonstrated liver-targeting characteristics when administered orally. Human clinical studies have shown that a number of nucleotide prodrugs are potent inhibitors of viral replication leading to significant reductions in viral load when given orally. Combinations of these nucleotide prodrugs with either pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin or another direct acting antiviral alone has lead to cure rates as high as 100% after only 12 weeks of therapy. The combination of a nucleotide prodrug and another direct-acting antiviral agent holds the promise of delivering an interferon-free therapy for HCV patients thus eliminating the undesirable side effects associated with taking interferon.
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Yang Q, Zhao X, Zang L, Fang X, Zhao J, Yang X, Wang Q, Zheng L, Chang J. Anti-hepatitis B virus activities of α-DDB-FNC, a novel nucleoside-biphenyldicarboxylate compound in cells and ducks, and its anti-immunological liver injury effect in mice. Antiviral Res 2012; 96:333-9. [PMID: 23098744 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2012] [Revised: 10/13/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to be a major global cause of acute and chronic liver disease with high mortality. Herein, we examined both the anti-HBV and hepatoprotective activity of α-DDB-FNC. In human HBV-transfected liver cell line HepG2.2.15, α-DDB-FNC effectively suppressed the secretion of HBV antigens in a time and dose-dependent manner with 25.11% inhibition on HBeAg and 43.68% on HBsAg at 2.5 μM on day 9. Consistent with the HBV antigen reduction, α-DDB-FNC (2.5 μM) also reduced HBV DNA level by 77.74% extracellularly and 78.94% intracellularly on day 9. In the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) infected ducks, after α-DDB-FNC was given once daily for 10 days, the serum and liver DHBV DNA levels were reduced markedly with 96.81% and 97.21% at 10 mgkg(-1) on day 10, respectively. In Con A-induced immunological liver-injury mice, α-DDB-FNC significantly inhibited the elevation of serum ALT, AST, TBiL and liver MDA, NO levels. Furthermore, significant improvement of the liver was observed after α-DDB-FNC treatment both in ducks and mice, as evaluated by the histopathological analysis. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that α-DDB-FNC possesses both antiviral activity against HBV and hepatoprotective effect to Con A-induced liver-injury mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Yang
- The College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
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Huybrechts T, Hermans M, Van Hoof B, Winderickx G, De Neef C, Hostyn S, Vrielynck S, Vermeulen W. Photochemical stability of 4'-azido-2'-deoxy-2'-methylcytidine hydrochloride: structural elucidation of major degradation products by LC-MS and NMR analysis. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2012; 70:231-44. [PMID: 22841557 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2012.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Revised: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The photochemical stability of (1'R,2'S,3'S,4'R)-4'-azido-2'-deoxy-2'-methylcytidine hydrochloride, a new anti-HCV agent, was investigated. Aqueous solutions and bulk drug powder of the drug candidate were exposed to UV-visible light, complying with ICH requirements. The nucleoside analog decomposed via loss of nitrogen to yield products derived from a highly reactive azide intermediate. Major photolysis products were identified by LC-MS and NMR analysis, revealing three main photodegradation pathways. The first one led to the formation of a ring-expanded imidate ester. The other degradation pathways involved exocyclic or endocyclic bond cleavage with imine or imino lactone formation. The latter were prone to rapid hydrolysis, eventually resulting in the release of cytosine, 2-methyl malonaldehyde and (E)-cytosyl-2-methylpropenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Huybrechts
- Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium.
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Schaefer EAK, Chung RT. Anti-hepatitis C virus drugs in development. Gastroenterology 2012; 142:1340-1350.e1. [PMID: 22537441 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2011] [Revised: 01/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Development of robust cell culture models for hepatitis C viral infection has greatly increased our understanding of this virus and its life cycle. This knowledge has led to the development of many drugs that target specific elements of viral replication, including viral proteins and host factors required for replication. The NS3/4A serine protease inhibitors were the first of these to be used in the clinic, and reagents that target other elements of the viral lifecycle are in advanced stages of clinical development. These include new NS3/4A protease inhibitors, NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors, NS5A inhibitors, and host-directed antivirals, such as cyclophilin inhibitors. Alternative interferons with possibly improved tolerability, specifically interferon-λ1 (interleukin-29), are also under development. These new reagents against hepatitis C virus should lead to highly effective, well-tolerated, and likely interferon-sparing therapies in the next several years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperance A K Schaefer
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Medicine, Gastrointestinal Unit, Boston, USA.
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Sofia MJ, Chang W, Furman PA, Mosley RT, Ross BS. Nucleoside, nucleotide, and non-nucleoside inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS5B RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase. J Med Chem 2012; 55:2481-531. [PMID: 22185586 DOI: 10.1021/jm201384j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Sofia
- Pharmasset, Inc., 303A College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States.
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Zheng L, Wang Q, Yang X, Guo X, Chen L, Tao L, Dong L, Li Y, An H, Yu X, Wang Q, Chang J. Antiviral activity of FNC, 2′-deoxy-2′-β-fluoro-4′-azidocytidine, against human and duck HBV replication. Antivir Ther 2012; 17:679-87. [DOI: 10.3851/imp2094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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49
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Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Yang X, Zhao J, Zheng L, Sun C, Jiang J, Yang Q, Wang Q, Chang J. Novel nucleoside analogue FNC is effective against both wild-type and lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus clinical isolates. Antivir Ther 2012; 17:1593-9. [DOI: 10.3851/imp2292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Alexandrova LA. 4′-C-nucleoside derivatives: Synthesis and antiviral properties. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2011; 37:723-44. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162011060021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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