1
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Shiraki K, Mishima M, Sato N, Imoto Y, Nishiwaki K. Convenient screening of the reproductive toxicity of favipiravir and antiviral drugs in Caenorhabditis elegans. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35331. [PMID: 39165990 PMCID: PMC11334893 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Reproductive toxicity is one of the major concerns in drug development. Thus, we have developed its screening system using Caenorhabditis elegans, which has a life cycle of three days and similar coding genes as humans. Antiviral nucleoside analogs used for acute infections are known to cause reproductive toxicity, contraindicated for pregnant women, and are used for comparing their reproductive toxicity in C. elegans and experimental animals. None of the drug treatments affected the number of offspring and the concentrations without toxicity to nematodes were consistent with no cytotoxicity or toxicity in experimental animals or humans. Favipiravir, ribavirin, molnupiravir (NHC), acyclovir, ganciclovir, zidovudine, and thalidomide significantly increased the incidence of arrested embryos but amenamevir, letermovir, and guanosine did not. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors, in the order of favipiravir, ribavirin, and NHC increased the incidence of arrested embryos, possibly due to the specificity of favipiravir for RdRp and less cytotoxicity. RdRp inhibitors would impair RNA interference through RdRp expressed by telomerase reverse transcriptase during embryogenesis and cause embryo-fetal toxicity. The incidence of arrested embryos may be affected by differences in the substrate specificity of DNA polymerases and metabolism between C. elegans, animals, and humans. The concordance between the results of the screening system for reproductive toxicity of antivirals in C. elegans and those in experimental animals based on the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, reproductive toxicology confirms its appropriateness as a screening system for reproductive toxicity. Favipiravir and zidovudine were the least toxic to C. e legans among the antiviral drugs examined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mizuki Mishima
- Department of Bioscience, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, 2-1 Gakuen, Sanda, 669-1339, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sato
- Division of Health Medical Intelligence, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yasuo Imoto
- Japan Textile Products Quality and Technology Center, 5-7-3 Shimoyamatedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0011, Japan
| | - Kiyoji Nishiwaki
- Department of Bioscience, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, 2-1 Gakuen, Sanda, 669-1339, Japan
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2
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Fang C, Sun H, Wen J, Wu X, Wu Q, Zhai D. Investigation of the relationship between COVID-19 and pancreatic cancer using bioinformatics and systems biology approaches. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e39057. [PMID: 39093763 PMCID: PMC11296473 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000039057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, poses a huge threat to human health. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant tumor with high mortality. Research suggests that infection with SARS-CoV-2 may increase disease severity and risk of death in patients with pancreatic cancer, while pancreatic cancer may also increase the likelihood of contracting SARS-CoV-2, but the link is unclear. METHODS This study investigated the transcriptional profiles of COVID-19 and PC patients, along with their respective healthy controls, using bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to uncover the molecular mechanisms linking the 2 diseases. Specifically, gene expression data for COVID-19 and PC patients were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus datasets, and common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the common DEGs to elucidate the regulatory relationships between the diseases. Additionally, hub genes were identified by constructing a protein-protein interaction network from the shared DEGs. Using these hub genes, we conducted regulatory network analyses of microRNA/transcription factors-genes relationships, and predicted potential drugs for treating COVID-19 and PC. RESULTS A total of 1722 and 2979 DEGs were identified from the transcriptome data of PC (GSE119794) and COVID-19 (GSE196822), respectively. Among these, 236 common DEGs were found between COVID-19 and PC based on protein-protein interaction analysis. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these shared DEGs were involved in pathways related to viral genome replication and tumorigenesis. Additionally, 10 hub genes, including extra spindle pole bodies like 1, holliday junction recognition protein, marker of proliferation Ki-67, kinesin family member 4A, cyclin-dependent kinase 1, topoisomerase II alpha, cyclin B2, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 C, aurora kinase B, and targeting protein for Xklp2, were identified. Regulatory network analysis revealed 42 transcription factors and 23 microRNAs as transcriptional regulatory signals. Importantly, lucanthone, etoposide, troglitazone, resveratrol, calcitriol, ciclopirox, dasatinib, enterolactone, methotrexate, and irinotecan emerged as potential therapeutic agents against both COVID-19 and PC. CONCLUSION This study unveils potential shared pathogenic mechanisms between PC and COVID-19, offering novel insights for future research and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of PC and SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxiang Fang
- Department of Oncology, Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, P.R. China
| | - Haiyan Sun
- Department of Radiology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Oncology, Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, P.R. China
| | - Xuehu Wu
- Department of Oncology, Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, P.R. China
| | - Qian Wu
- Department of Oncology, Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, P.R. China
| | - Dongsheng Zhai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, P.R. China
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3
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Du X, Yang X, Zhao J, Zhang J, Yu J, Ma L, Zhang W, Cen S, Ren X, He X. Design of novel broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analogues using natural bases ring-opening strategy. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22237. [PMID: 39032059 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
The global prevalence of RNA virus infections has presented significant challenges to public health in recent years, necessitating the expansion of its alternative therapeutic library. Due to its evolutional conservation, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) has emerged as a potential target for broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analogues. However, after over half a century of structural modification, exploring unclaimed chemical space using frequently-used structural substitution methods to design new nucleoside analogues is challenging. In this study, we explore the use of the "ring-opening" strategy to design new base mimics, thereby using these base mimics to design new nucleoside analogues with broad-spectrum antiviral activities. A total of 29 compounds were synthesized. Their activity against viral RdRp was initially screened using an influenza A virus RdRp high-throughput screening model. Then, the antiviral activity of 38a was verified against influenza virus strain A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), demonstrating a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 9.95 μM, which was superior to that of ribavirin (the positive control, IC50 = 11.43 μM). Moreover, 38a also has inhibitory activity against coronavirus 229E with an IC50 of 30.82 μM. In addition, compounds 42 and 46f exhibit an 82% inhibition rate against vesicular stomatitis virus at a concentration of 20 μM and hardly induce cytotoxicity in host cells. This work demonstrates the feasibility of designing nucleoside analogues with "ring-opening" bases and suggests the "ring-opening" nucleosides may have greater polarity, and designing prodrugs is an important aspect of optimizing their antiviral activity. Future research should focus on enhancing the conformational restriction of open-loop bases to mimic Watson-Crick base pairing better and improve antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyi Du
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Xingxing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyuan Zhao
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahui Yu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Weina Zhang
- Nanhu Laboratory, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Cen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xuhong Ren
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinhua He
- Nanhu Laboratory, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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4
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Nazir F, John Kombe Kombe A, Khalid Z, Bibi S, Zhang H, Wu S, Jin T. SARS-CoV-2 replication and drug discovery. Mol Cell Probes 2024; 77:101973. [PMID: 39025272 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2024.101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has killed millions of people and continues to wreak havoc across the globe. This sudden and deadly pandemic emphasizes the necessity for anti-viral drug development that can be rapidly administered to reduce morbidity, mortality, and virus propagation. Thus, lacking efficient anti-COVID-19 treatment, and especially given the lengthy drug development process as well as the critical death tool that has been associated with SARS-CoV-2 since its outbreak, drug repurposing (or repositioning) constitutes so far, the ideal and ready-to-go best approach in mitigating viral spread, containing the infection, and reducing the COVID-19-associated death rate. Indeed, based on the molecular similarity approach of SARS-CoV-2 with previous coronaviruses (CoVs), repurposed drugs have been reported to hamper SARS-CoV-2 replication. Therefore, understanding the inhibition mechanisms of viral replication by repurposed anti-viral drugs and chemicals known to block CoV and SARS-CoV-2 multiplication is crucial, and it opens the way for particular treatment options and COVID-19 therapeutics. In this review, we highlighted molecular basics underlying drug-repurposing strategies against SARS-CoV-2. Notably, we discussed inhibition mechanisms of viral replication, involving and including inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 proteases (3C-like protease, 3CLpro or Papain-like protease, PLpro) by protease inhibitors such as Carmofur, Ebselen, and GRL017, polymerases (RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase, RdRp) by drugs like Suramin, Remdesivir, or Favipiravir, and proteins/peptides inhibiting virus-cell fusion and host cell replication pathways, such as Disulfiram, GC376, and Molnupiravir. When applicable, comparisons with SARS-CoV inhibitors approved for clinical use were made to provide further insights to understand molecular basics in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication and draw conclusions for future drug discovery research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Nazir
- Center of Disease Immunity and Investigation, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Arnaud John Kombe Kombe
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Zunera Khalid
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Shaheen Bibi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China
| | - Hongliang Zhang
- Center of Disease Immunity and Investigation, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Songquan Wu
- Center of Disease Immunity and Investigation, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China.
| | - Tengchuan Jin
- Center of Disease Immunity and Investigation, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China; Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui, China; Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, China; Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China; Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China.
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5
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Williams A, Aguilar MR, Pattiya Arachchillage KGG, Chandra S, Rangan S, Ghosal Gupta S, Artes Vivancos JM. Biosensors for Public Health and Environmental Monitoring: The Case for Sustainable Biosensing. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2024; 12:10296-10312. [PMID: 39027730 PMCID: PMC11253101 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c06112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is a profound crisis that affects every aspect of life, including public health. Changes in environmental conditions can promote the spread of pathogens and the development of new mutants and strains. Early detection is essential in managing and controlling this spread and improving overall health outcomes. This perspective article introduces basic biosensing concepts and various biosensors, including electrochemical, optical, mass-based, nano biosensors, and single-molecule biosensors, as important sustainability and public health preventive tools. The discussion also includes how the sustainability of a biosensor is crucial to minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring the long-term availability of vital technologies and resources for healthcare, environmental monitoring, and beyond. One promising avenue for pathogen screening could be the electrical detection of biomolecules at the single-molecule level, and some recent developments based on single-molecule bioelectronics using the Scanning Tunneling Microscopy-assisted break junctions (STM-BJ) technique are shown here. Using this technique, biomolecules can be detected with high sensitivity, eliminating the need for amplification and cell culture steps, thereby enhancing speed and efficiency. Furthermore, the STM-BJ technique demonstrates exceptional specificity, accurately detects single-base mismatches, and exhibits a detection limit essentially at the level of individual biomolecules. Finally, a case is made here for sustainable biosensors, how they can help, the paradigm shift needed to achieve them, and some potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajoke Williams
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts
Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Mauricio R. Aguilar
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut
de Química Teòrica i Computacional, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Subrata Chandra
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts
Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Srijith Rangan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts
Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Sonakshi Ghosal Gupta
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts
Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Juan M. Artes Vivancos
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts
Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
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6
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Li S, Li H, Lian R, Xie J, Feng R. New perspective of small-molecule antiviral drugs development for RNA viruses. Virology 2024; 594:110042. [PMID: 38492519 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110042] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
High variability and adaptability of RNA viruses allows them to spread between humans and animals, causing large-scale infectious diseases which seriously threat human and animal health and social development. At present, AIDS, viral hepatitis and other viral diseases with high incidence and low cure rate are still spreading around the world. The outbreaks of Ebola, Zika, dengue and in particular of the global pandemic of COVID-19 have presented serious challenges to the global public health system. The development of highly effective and broad-spectrum antiviral drugs is a substantial and urgent research subject to deal with the current RNA virus infection and the possible new viral infections in the future. In recent years, with the rapid development of modern disciplines such as artificial intelligence technology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and structural biology, some new strategies and targets for antivirals development have emerged. Here we review the main strategies and new targets for developing small-molecule antiviral drugs against RNA viruses through the analysis of the new drug development progress against several highly pathogenic RNA viruses, to provide clues for development of future antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Li
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Huixia Li
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Ruiya Lian
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Jingying Xie
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Ruofei Feng
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, 730030, China.
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7
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Fahim SA, ElZohairy YA, Moustafa RI. Favipiravir, an antiviral drug, in combination with tamoxifen exerts synergistic effect in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells via hTERT inhibition. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1844. [PMID: 38246945 PMCID: PMC10800350 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51977-w] [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: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen (TAM) is one of the most successful treatments for breast cancer; however, TAM resistance continues to be a significant barrier. TAM resistance has been reported to be associated with increased expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). This enzyme shares structural similarity with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme of RNA viruses, suggesting that RdRp inhibitors may also inhibit hTERT. Favipiravir (FAV) is an antiviral drug that inhibits RdRp of RNA viruses. Thus, we propose that FAV may also elicit an antitumor effect by suppressing hTERT. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FAV and TAM on TAM-resistant breast cancer (TAMR-1). The cell viabilities were determined. The levels of CDK1/ hTERT, in addition to regulators of hTERT-targeted signaling pathways were measured. Apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle distribution were also determined. Our data revealed that the combination of TAM and FAV suppressed cell proliferation synergistically (CI < 1) and resulted in a significant change in cell migration and apoptosis. Indeed, this was associated with reduced levels of hTERT and CDK1 and shift in the cell cycle distribution. Our findings suggest that the TAM/FAV combination exhibits synergistic effects against TAMR-1 human breast cancer cells by targeting hTERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Fahim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, 6th of October, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Yehia A ElZohairy
- School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rehab I Moustafa
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
- Microbiology Department, School of Pharmacy, Newgiza University (NGU), Newgiza, Km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, P.O. Box 12577, Giza, Egypt
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8
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Cheng AP, Lederer B, Oberkofler L, Huang L, Johnson NR, Platten F, Dunker F, Tisserant C, Weiberg A. A fungal RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a novel player in plant infection and cross-kingdom RNA interference. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011885. [PMID: 38117848 PMCID: PMC10766185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs act as fungal pathogen effectors that silence host target genes to promote infection, a virulence mechanism termed cross-kingdom RNA interference (RNAi). The essential pathogen factors of cross-kingdom small RNA production are largely unknown. We here characterized the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR)1 in the fungal plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea that is required for pathogenicity and cross-kingdom RNAi. B. cinerea bcrdr1 knockout (ko) mutants exhibited reduced pathogenicity and loss of cross-kingdom small RNAs. We developed a "switch-on" GFP reporter to study cross-kingdom RNAi in real-time within the living plant tissue which highlighted that bcrdr1 ko mutants were compromised in cross-kingdom RNAi. Moreover, blocking seven pathogen cross-kingdom small RNAs by expressing a short-tandem target mimic RNA in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana led to reduced infection levels of the fungal pathogen B. cinerea and the oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. These results demonstrate that cross-kingdom RNAi is significant to promote host infection and making pathogen small RNAs an effective target for crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Po Cheng
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Bernhard Lederer
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Lorenz Oberkofler
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Lihong Huang
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nathan R. Johnson
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program-Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabian Platten
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Florian Dunker
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Constance Tisserant
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Arne Weiberg
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
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9
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Gunasinghe Pattiya Arachchillage KG, Chandra S, Williams A, Rangan S, Piscitelli P, Florence L, Ghosal Gupta S, Artes Vivancos JM. A single-molecule RNA electrical biosensor for COVID-19. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 239:115624. [PMID: 37639885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic shows a critical need for rapid, inexpensive, and ultrasensitive early detection methods based on biomarker analysis to reduce mortality rates by containing the spread of epidemics. This can be achieved through the electrical detection of nucleic acids at the single-molecule level. In particular, the scanning tunneling microscopic-assisted break junction (STM-BJ) method can be utilized to detect individual nucleic acid molecules with high specificity and sensitivity in liquid samples. Here, we demonstrate single-molecule electrical detection of RNA coronavirus biomarkers, including those of SARS-CoV-2 as well as those of different variants and subvariants. Our target sequences include a conserved sequence in the human coronavirus family, a conserved target specific for the SARS-CoV-2 family, and specific targets at the variant and subvariant levels. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to distinguish between different variants of the COVID-19 virus using electrical conductance signals, as recently suggested by theoretical approaches. Our results pave the way for future miniaturized single-molecule electrical biosensors that could be game changers for infectious diseases and other public health applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Subrata Chandra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, 01854, MA, USA
| | - Ajoke Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, 01854, MA, USA
| | - Srijith Rangan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, 01854, MA, USA
| | - Patrick Piscitelli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, 01854, MA, USA
| | - Lily Florence
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, 01854, MA, USA
| | | | - Juan M Artes Vivancos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, 01854, MA, USA.
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10
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Chenna A, Khan WH, Dash R, Saraswat S, Chugh A, Rathore AS, Goel G. An efficient computational protocol for template-based design of peptides that inhibit interactions involving SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Proteins 2023; 91:1222-1234. [PMID: 37283297 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26511] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex of SARS-CoV-2 lies at the core of its replication and transcription processes. The interfaces between holo-RdRp subunits are highly conserved, facilitating the design of inhibitors with high affinity for the interaction interface hotspots. We, therefore, take this as a model protein complex for the application of a structural bioinformatics protocol to design peptides that inhibit RdRp complexation by preferential binding at the interface of its core subunit nonstructural protein, nsp12, with accessory factor nsp7. Here, the interaction hotspots of the nsp7-nsp12 subunit of RdRp, determined from a long molecular dynamics trajectory, are used as a template. A large library of peptide sequences constructed from multiple hotspot motifs of nsp12 is screened in-silico to determine sequences with high geometric complementarity and interaction specificity for the binding interface of nsp7 (target) in the complex. Two lead designed peptides are extensively characterized using orthogonal bioanalytical methods to determine their suitability for inhibition of RdRp complexation. Binding affinity of these peptides to accessory factor nsp7, determined using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, is slightly better than that of nsp12: dissociation constant of 133nM and 167nM, respectively, compared to 473nM for nsp12. A competitive ELISA is used to quantify inhibition of nsp7-nsp12 complexation, with one of the lead peptides giving an IC50 of 25μM . Cell penetrability and cytotoxicity are characterized using a cargo delivery assay and MTT cytotoxicity assay, respectively. Overall, this work presents a proof-of-concept of an approach for rational discovery of peptide inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Chenna
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Wajihul Hasan Khan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rozaleen Dash
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Saraswat
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Archana Chugh
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Anurag S Rathore
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Gaurav Goel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
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11
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Machitani M, Takei J, Kaneko MK, Ueki S, Ohashi H, Watashi K, Kato Y, Masutomi K. Development of novel monoclonal antibodies against nsp12 of SARS-CoV-2. Virol J 2022; 19:213. [PMID: 36496472 PMCID: PMC9736705 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01948-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 19. Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, use RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) for viral replication and transcription. Since RdRP is a promising therapeutic target for infection of SARS-CoV-2, it would be beneficial to develop new experimental tools for analysis of the RdRP reaction of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we succeeded to develop novel mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that recognize SARS-CoV-2 nsp12, catalytic subunit of the RdRP. These anti-nsp12 mAbs, RdMab-2, -13, and -20, specifically recognize SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 by western blotting analysis, while they exhibit less or no cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV nsp12. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 was successfully immunoprecipitated using RdMab-2 from lysates of cells overexpressing SARS-CoV-2 nsp12. RdMab-2 was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 transiently expressed in established culture cells such as HEK293T cells by indirect immunofluorescence technique. These novel mAbs against SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 are useful to elucidate the RdRP reaction of SARS-CoV-2 and biological cell response against it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Machitani
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045 Japan
| | - Junko Takei
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575 Japan
| | - Mika K. Kaneko
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575 Japan
| | - Saori Ueki
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045 Japan
| | - Hirofumi Ohashi
- grid.410795.e0000 0001 2220 1880Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8640 Japan ,grid.410795.e0000 0001 2220 1880Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8640 Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- grid.410795.e0000 0001 2220 1880Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8640 Japan ,grid.410795.e0000 0001 2220 1880Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8640 Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575 Japan ,grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575 Japan
| | - Kenkichi Masutomi
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, 104-0045 Japan
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12
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Identification of Transcriptome Biomarkers for Severe COVID-19 with Machine Learning Methods. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121735. [PMID: 36551164 PMCID: PMC9775121 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has become a major concern for people's lives and health all around the world. COVID-19 patients in various phases and severity require individualized treatment given that different patients may develop different symptoms. We employed machine learning methods to discover biomarkers that may accurately classify COVID-19 in various disease states and severities in this study. The blood gene expression profiles from 50 COVID-19 patients without intensive care, 50 COVID-19 patients with intensive care, 10 non-COVID-19 individuals without intensive care, and 16 non-COVID-19 individuals with intensive care were analyzed. Boruta was first used to remove irrelevant gene features in the expression profiles, and then, the minimum redundancy maximum relevance was applied to sort the remaining features. The generated feature-ranked list was fed into the incremental feature selection method to discover the essential genes and build powerful classifiers. The molecular mechanism of some biomarker genes was addressed using recent studies, and biological functions enriched by essential genes were examined. Our findings imply that genes including UBE2C, PCLAF, CDK1, CCNB1, MND1, APOBEC3G, TRAF3IP3, CD48, and GZMA play key roles in defining the different states and severity of COVID-19. Thus, a new point of reference is provided for understanding the disease's etiology and facilitating a precise therapy.
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13
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Suzuki K, Tange M, Yamagishi R, Hanada H, Mukai S, Sato T, Tanaka T, Akashi T, Kadomatsu K, Maeda T, Miida T, Takeuchi I, Murakami H, Sekido Y, Murakami-Tonami Y. SMG6 regulates DNA damage and cell survival in Hippo pathway kinase LATS2-inactivated malignant mesothelioma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:446. [PMID: 36335095 PMCID: PMC9637146 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01232-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Many genes responsible for Malignant mesothelioma (MM) have been identified as tumor suppressor genes and it is difficult to target these genes directly at a molecular level. We searched for the gene which showed synthetic lethal phenotype with LATS2, one of the MM causative genes and one of the kinases in the Hippo pathway. Here we showed that knockdown of SMG6 results in synthetic lethality in LATS2-inactivated cells. We found that this synthetic lethality required the nuclear translocation of YAP1 and TAZ. Both are downstream factors of the Hippo pathway. We also demonstrated that this synthetic lethality did not require SMG6 in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) but in regulating telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activity. In addition, the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RdDP) activity of TERT was required for this synthetic lethal phenotype. We confirmed the inhibitory effects of LATS2 and SMG6 on cell proliferation in vivo. The result suggests an interaction between the Hippo and TERT signaling pathways. We also propose that SMG6 and TERT are novel molecular target candidates for LATS2-inactivated cancers such as MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koya Suzuki
- grid.258269.20000 0004 1762 2738Department of Clinical Laboratory of Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.258269.20000 0004 1762 2738Research Institute for Diseases of Old Age, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.412788.00000 0001 0536 8427Cancer Molecular Genetics Lab, Tokyo University of Technology Graduate School of Bionics, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.264706.10000 0000 9239 9995Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Tange
- grid.412788.00000 0001 0536 8427Cancer Molecular Genetics Lab, Tokyo University of Technology Graduate School of Bionics, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryota Yamagishi
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Department of Pathophysiology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hanada
- grid.7597.c0000000094465255Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satomi Mukai
- grid.410800.d0000 0001 0722 8444Division of Cancer Biology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiro Sato
- grid.410800.d0000 0001 0722 8444Division of Cancer Biology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Tomohiro Akashi
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Integrative Cellular Informatics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kenji Kadomatsu
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XInstitute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tohru Maeda
- grid.411042.20000 0004 0371 5415College of Pharmacy, Kinjo Gakuin University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Miida
- grid.258269.20000 0004 1762 2738Department of Clinical Laboratory of Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichiro Takeuchi
- grid.7597.c0000000094465255Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XGraduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Murakami
- grid.443595.a0000 0001 2323 0843Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Sekido
- grid.410800.d0000 0001 0722 8444Division of Cancer Biology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDivision of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuko Murakami-Tonami
- grid.258269.20000 0004 1762 2738Department of Clinical Laboratory of Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.412788.00000 0001 0536 8427Cancer Molecular Genetics Lab, Tokyo University of Technology Graduate School of Bionics, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.410800.d0000 0001 0722 8444Division of Cancer Biology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan
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14
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Negru PA, Miculas DC, Behl T, Bungau AF, Marin RC, Bungau SG. Virtual screening of substances used in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and analysis of compounds with known action on structurally similar proteins from other viruses. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113432. [PMID: 36076487 PMCID: PMC9289048 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is considered the etiological agent of the disease that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, and for which there is currently no effective treatment. This pandemic has shown that the rapid identification of therapeutic compounds is critical (when a new virus with high transmissibility occurs) to prevent or reduce as much as possible the loss of human lives. To meet the urgent need for drugs, many strategies were applied for the discovery, respectively the identification of potential therapies / drugs for SARS-CoV-2. Molecular docking and virtual screening are two of the in silico tools/techniques that provided the identification of few SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, removing ineffective or less effective drugs and thus preventing the loss of resources such as time and additional costs. The main target of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of how in-silico tools have been used in the crisis management of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs, especially in virtual screening of substances used in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and analysis of compounds with known action on structurally similar proteins from other viruses; also, completions were added to the way in which these methods came to meet the requirements of biomedical research in the field. Moreover, the importance and impact of the topic approached for researchers was highlighted by conducting an extensive bibliometric analysis.
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15
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Scope of repurposed drugs against the potential targets of the latest variants of SARS-CoV-2. Struct Chem 2022; 33:1585-1608. [PMID: 35938064 PMCID: PMC9346052 DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-02020-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The unprecedented outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus-2, across the globe, triggered a worldwide uproar in the search for immediate treatment strategies. With no specific drug and not much data available, alternative approaches such as drug repurposing came to the limelight. To date, extensive research on the repositioning of drugs has led to the identification of numerous drugs against various important protein targets of the coronavirus strains, with hopes of the drugs working against the major variants of concerns (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, omicron) of the virus. Advancements in computational sciences have led to improved scope of repurposing via techniques such as structure-based approaches including molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulations and quantitative structure activity relationships, network-based approaches, and artificial intelligence-based approaches with other core machine and deep learning algorithms. This review highlights the various approaches to repurposing drugs from a computational biological perspective, with various mechanisms of action of the drugs against some of the major protein targets of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, clinical trials data on potential COVID-19 repurposed drugs are also highlighted with stress on the major SARS-CoV-2 targets and the structural effect of variants on these targets. The interaction modelling of some important repurposed drugs has also been elucidated. Furthermore, the merits and demerits of drug repurposing are also discussed, with a focus on the scope and applications of the latest advancements in repurposing.
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16
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Comparison of Two RNA Extraction Methods for the Molecular Detection of SARS-CoV-2 from Nasopharyngeal Swab Samples. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12071561. [PMID: 35885467 PMCID: PMC9317615 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 is essential in order to restrict the spread of the pandemic, and different approaches for SARS-CoV-2 testing have been proposed as cost-effective and less time-consuming alternatives. For virus detection, the real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique is still the “gold standard” for accuracy and reliability, but its performance is affected by the efficiency of nucleic acid extraction methods. Objective: In order to improve the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic workflow, we compared a “standard” commercially available kit, based on viral RNA extraction from human swab samples by magnetic beads, with its technological evolution. The two methods differ mainly in their time consumption (9 vs. 35 min). Methods: We adopted the MAGABIO PLUS VIRUS DNA/RNA PURIFICATION KIT II (BIOER), defined as “standard”, with the automatic extractor BIOER (GenePure Pro fully automatic nucleic acid purification system) to isolate RNA from nasopharyngeal swabs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. We tested this kit with a new faster version of the first one, defined as “rapid” (MAGABIO PLUS VIRUS RNA PURIFICATION KIT II). Results and Conclusion: The two evaluated procedures provided similar analytical results, but the faster method proved to be a more suitable tool for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swabs, due to a more rapid availability of results, which may contribute to improving both clinical decision making and patient safety.
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17
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Yip AJW, Low ZY, Chow VTK, Lal SK. Repurposing Molnupiravir for COVID-19: The Mechanisms of Antiviral Activity. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061345. [PMID: 35746815 PMCID: PMC9228778 DOI: 10.3390/v14061345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Molnupiravir is a β-d-N4-hydroxycytidine-5'-isopropyl ester (NHC) compound that exerts antiviral activity against various RNA viruses such as influenza, SARS, and Ebola viruses. Thus, the repurposing of Molnupiravir has gained significant attention for combatting infection with SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19. Recently, Molnupiravir was granted authorization for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults. Findings from in vitro experiments, in vivo studies and clinical trials reveal that Molnupiravir is effective against SARS-CoV-2 by inducing viral RNA mutagenesis, thereby giving rise to mutated complementary RNA strands that generate non-functional viruses. To date, the data collectively suggest that Molnupiravir possesses promising antiviral activity as well as favorable prophylactic efficacy, attributed to its effective mutagenic property of disrupting viral replication. This review discusses the mechanisms of action of Molnupiravir and highlights its clinical utility by disabling SARS-CoV-2 replication, thereby ameliorating COVID-19 severity. Despite relatively few short-term adverse effects thus far, further detailed clinical studies and long-term pharmacovigilance are needed in view of its mutagenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Jia Wen Yip
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (A.J.W.Y.); (Z.Y.L.)
| | - Zheng Yao Low
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (A.J.W.Y.); (Z.Y.L.)
| | - Vincent T. K. Chow
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Program, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore;
| | - Sunil K. Lal
- School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; (A.J.W.Y.); (Z.Y.L.)
- Tropical Medicine & Biology Platform, Monash University, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
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18
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Valipour M. Different Aspects of Emetine's Capabilities as a Highly Potent SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitor against COVID-19. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:387-399. [PMID: 35702393 PMCID: PMC9159504 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In the global movement to find the appropriate agents to fight the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), emetine is one of the strongest anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds with sub-micromolar EC50 values, identified in several studies and high-throughput screening efforts. The reported anti-SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms indicate the effect of this compound on both virus-based and host-based targets. In addition to having excellent antiviral effects, emetine can relieve COVID-19 patients by reducing inflammation through inhibitory activity against NF-κB by the mechanism of IκBα phosphorylation inhibition; it can also limit the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6. Emetine also can well reduce pulmonary arterial hypertension as an important COVID-19 complication by modulating a variety of cellular processes such as the Rho-kinase/CyPA/Bsg signaling pathway. The therapeutic value of emetine for combating COVID-19 was highlighted when in vivo pharmacokinetic studies showed that the concentration of this compound in the lungs increases significantly higher than the EC50 of the drug. Despite its valuable therapeutic effects, emetine has some cardiotoxic effects that limit its use in high doses. However, high therapeutic capabilities make emetine a valuable lead compound that can be used for the design and development of less toxic anti-COVID-19 agents in the future. This Review provides a collection of information on the capabilities of emetine and its potential for the treatment of COVID-19, along with structural analysis which could be used for further research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Valipour
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University
of Medical Sciences, 48175-866 Sari, Iran
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19
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Low ZY, Yip AJW, Lal SK. Repositioning anticancer drugs as novel COVID-19 antivirals: targeting structural and functional similarities between viral proteins and cancer. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:1-23. [PMID: 35450545 PMCID: PMC9114731 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic contributed by the SARS-CoV-2 has put in place an urgent need for new and promising antiviral therapeutics. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme plays a vital role in viral replication for all RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, thereby making it a prime and promising candidate for novel antiviral targeting. Interestingly, the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a common catalytic subunit of the telomerase enzyme in many cancers, has also been identified with structural and functional similarities to the viral RdRp. Therefore, it becomes essential to evaluate and consider anticancer drugs that target hTERT towards antiviral RdRp activity, and vice versa. For instance, Floxuridine, an hTERT inhibitor, and VX-222, a hepatitis C virus RdRp inhibitor, are now gaining recognition as a potential antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 and anti-hTERT for cancer, simultaneously. While limited studies on hTERT inhibitors for use as viral RdRp, and anti-RdRp inhibitors as hTERT inhibitors are available, in this review, we aim at bringing to light this close structural and functional relationship between both these enzymes. We punctuate this idea with specific examples on how potential anticancer inhibitors can effectively be brought to use as inhibitors against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a relatively new pathogen, compared to the very well-studied field of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Yao Low
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Ashley Jia Wen Yip
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Sunil Kumar Lal
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
- Tropical Medicine and Biology Platform, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
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20
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Hanselmann RG, Welter C. Origin of Cancer: Cell work is the Key to Understanding Cancer Initiation and Progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:787995. [PMID: 35300431 PMCID: PMC8921603 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.787995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell is the smallest unit of life. It is a structure that maintains order through self-organization, characterized by a high level of dynamism, which in turn is characterized by work. For this work to take place, a continuous high flow of energy is necessary. However, a focused view of the physical relationship between energy and work is inadequate for describing complex biological/medical mechanisms or systems. In this review, we try to make a connection between the fundamental laws of physics and the mechanisms and functions of biology, which are characterized by self-organization. Many different physical work processes (work) in human cells are called cell work and can be grouped into five forms: synthetic, mechanical, electrical, concentration, and heat generation cell work. In addition to the flow of energy, these cell functions are based on fundamental processes of self-organization that we summarize with the term Entirety of molecular interaction (EoMI). This illustrates that cell work is caused by numerous molecular reactions, flow equilibrium, and mechanisms. Their number and interactions are so complex that they elude our perception in their entirety. To be able to describe cell functions in a biological/medical context, the parameters influencing cell work should be summarized in overarching influencing variables. These are “biological” energy, information, matter, and cell mechanics (EMIM). This makes it possible to describe and characterize the cell work involved in cell systems (e.g., respiratory chain, signal transmission, cell structure, or inheritance processes) and to demonstrate changes. If cell work and the different influencing parameters (EMIM influencing variables) are taken as the central property of the cell, specific gene mutations cannot be regarded as the sole cause for the initiation and progression of cancer. This reductionistic monocausal view does not do justice to the dynamic and highly complex system of a cell. Therefore, we postulate that each of the EMIM influencing variables described above is capable of changing the cell work and thus the order of a cell in such a way that it can develop into a cancer cell.
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21
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Jia TZ, Nishikawa S, Fujishima K. Sequencing the Origins of Life. BBA ADVANCES 2022; 2:100049. [PMID: 37082609 PMCID: PMC10074849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2022.100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
One goal of origins of life research is to understand how primitive informational and catalytic biopolymers emerged and evolved. Recently, a number of sequencing techniques have been applied to analysis of replicating and evolving primitive biopolymer systems, providing a sequence-specific and high-resolution view of primitive chemical processes. Here, we review application of sequencing techniques to analysis of synthetic and primitive nucleic acids and polypeptides. This includes next-generation sequencing of primitive polymerization and evolution processes, followed by discussion of other novel biochemical techniques that could contribute to sequence analysis of primitive biopolymer driven chemical systems. Further application of sequencing to origins of life research, perhaps as a life detection technology, could provide insight into the origin and evolution of informational and catalytic biopolymers on early Earth or elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Z. Jia
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, 600 1st Ave, Floor 1, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Shota Nishikawa
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan
| | - Kosuke Fujishima
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
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22
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Favipiravir Inhibits Hepatitis A Virus Infection in Human Hepatocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052631. [PMID: 35269774 PMCID: PMC8910232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a causative agent of acute hepatitis and can occasionally induce acute liver failure. However, specific potent anti-HAV drug is not available on the market currently. Thus, we investigated several novel therapeutic drugs through a drug repositioning approach, targeting ribonucleic acid (RNA)-dependent RNA polymerase and RNA-dependent deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase. In the present study, we examined the anti-HAV activity of 18 drugs by measuring the HAV subgenomic replicon and HAV HA11-1299 genotype IIIA replication in human hepatoma cell lines, using a reporter assay and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Mutagenesis of the HAV 5’ untranslated region was also examined by next-generation sequencing. These specific parameters were explored because lethal mutagenesis has emerged as a novel potential therapeutic approach to treat RNA virus infections. Favipiravir inhibited HAV replication in both Huh7 and PLC/PRF/5 cells, although ribavirin inhibited HAV replication in only Huh7 cells. Next-generation sequencing demonstrated that favipiravir could introduce nucleotide mutations into the HAV genome more than ribavirin. In conclusion, favipiravir could introduce nucleotide mutations into the HAV genome and work as an antiviral against HAV infection. Provided that further in vivo experiments confirm its efficacy, favipiravir would be useful for the treatment of severe HAV infection.
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23
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Pathania S, Rawal RK, Singh PK. RdRp (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase): A key target providing anti-virals for the management of various viral diseases. J Mol Struct 2022; 1250:131756. [PMID: 34690363 PMCID: PMC8520695 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.131756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
With the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, anti-viral agents have regained center stage in the arena of medicine. Out of the various drug targets involved in managing RNA-viral infections, the one that dominates almost all RNA viruses is RdRp (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase). RdRp are proteins that are involved in the replication of RNA-based viruses. Inhibition of RdRps has been an integral approach for managing various viral infections such as dengue, influenza, HCV (Hepatitis), BVDV, etc. Inhibition of the coronavirus RdRp is currently rigorously explored for the treatment of Covid-19 related complications. So, keeping in view the importance and current relevance of this drug target, we have discussed the importance of RdRp in developing anti-viral agents against various viral diseases. Different reported inhibitors have also been discussed, and emphasis has been laid on highlighting the inhibitor's pharmacophoric features and SAR profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelly Pathania
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga-142001, Punjab, India
| | - Ravindra K. Rawal
- Department of Chemistry, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-133207, Haryana, India,CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-785006, Assam, India,Corresponding authors
| | - Pankaj Kumar Singh
- Faculty of Medicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland,Corresponding authors
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24
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Ren PX, Shang WJ, Yin WC, Ge H, Wang L, Zhang XL, Li BQ, Li HL, Xu YC, Xu EH, Jiang HL, Zhu LL, Zhang LK, Bai F. A multi-targeting drug design strategy for identifying potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:483-493. [PMID: 33907306 PMCID: PMC8076879 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00668-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is threatening public health, and there is no effective treatment. In this study, we have implemented a multi-targeted anti-viral drug design strategy to discover highly potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, which simultaneously act on the host ribosome, viral RNA as well as RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, and nucleocapsid protein of the virus, to impair viral translation, frameshifting, replication, and assembly. Driven by this strategy, three alkaloids, including lycorine, emetine, and cephaeline, were discovered to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 with EC50 values of low nanomolar levels potently. The findings in this work demonstrate the feasibility of this multi-targeting drug design strategy and provide a rationale for designing more potent anti-virus drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Xuan Ren
- School of Life Science and Technology, and Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Wei-Juan Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Wan-Chao Yin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huan Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Lin Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, and Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Xiang-Lei Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, and Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Bing-Qian Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, and Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hong-Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Ye-Chun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Eric H Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hua-Liang Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, and Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Li-Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Lei-Ke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Fang Bai
- School of Life Science and Technology, and Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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25
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Lippi G, Mattiuzzi C, Henry BM. Updated picture of SARS-CoV-2 variants and mutations. Diagnosis (Berl) 2021; 9:11-17. [PMID: 34958184 DOI: 10.1515/dx-2021-0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still unremittingly prosecuting, with nearly 300 million infections and over 5.3 million deaths recorded so far since the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic at the end of the year 2019. The fight against this new highly virulent beta coronavirus appears one of the most strenuous and long challenges that humanity has ever faced, since a definitive treatment has not been identified so far. The adoption of potentially useful physical preventive measures such as lockdowns, social distancing and face masking seems only partially effective for mitigating viral spread, though efficacy and continuation of such measures on the long term is questionable, due to many social and economic reasons. Many COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and are now widely used, though their effectiveness is challenged by several aspects such as low uptake and limited efficacy in some specific populations, as well as by continuous emergence of new mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, accompanying the origin and spread of new variants, which in turn may contribute to further decrease the effectiveness of current vaccines and treatments. This article is hence aimed to provide an updated picture of SARS-CoV-2 variants and mutations that have emerged from November 2019 to present time (i.e., early December 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry and School of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Camilla Mattiuzzi
- Service of Clinical Governance, Provincial Agency for Social and Sanitary Services, Trento, Italy
| | - Brandon M Henry
- Clinical Laboratory, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Disease Intervention & Prevention and Population Health Programs, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
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26
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Kim D, Han S, Ji Y, Youn H, Kim H, Ko O, Lee JB. RNA polymerization actuating nucleic acid membrane (RANAM)-based biosensing for universal RNA virus detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 199:113880. [PMID: 34915215 PMCID: PMC8662841 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has shown the importance of early disease diagnosis in preventing further infection and mortality. Despite major advances in the development of highly precise and rapid detection approaches, the time-consuming process of designing a virus-specific diagnostic kit has been a limiting factor in the early management of the pandemic. Here, we propose an RNA polymerase activity-sensing strategy utilizing an RNA polymerization actuating nucleic acid membrane (RANAM) partially metallized with gold for colorimetric RNA virus detection. Following RANAM-templated amplification of newly synthesized RNA, the presence of the RNA polymerase was determined by visualization of the inhibition of an oxidation/reduction (redox) reaction between 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and blocked Au3+. As a proof of concept, a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), which is found in various RNA virus-infected cells, was chosen as a target molecule. With this novel RANAM biosensor, as little as 10 min of RdRP incubation could significantly reduce the colorimetric signal. Further development into an easy-to-use prototype kit in viral infection diagnosis detected RdRP present at levels even as low as 100 aM. Color formation based on the presence of RdRP could be simply and clearly confirmed through smartphone-assisted color imaging of the prototype kit. This study provides a non-PCR-based RNA virus detection including its variants using RdRP-mediated polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajeong Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sangwoo Han
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoonbin Ji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Heejeong Youn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ohsung Ko
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong Bum Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
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27
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Siminea N, Popescu V, Sanchez Martin JA, Florea D, Gavril G, Gheorghe AM, Iţcuş C, Kanhaiya K, Pacioglu O, Popa IL, Trandafir R, Tusa MI, Sidoroff M, Păun M, Czeizler E, Păun A, Petre I. Network analytics for drug repurposing in COVID-19. Brief Bioinform 2021; 23:6447433. [PMID: 34864885 PMCID: PMC8690228 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To better understand the potential of drug repurposing in COVID-19, we analyzed control strategies over essential host factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We constructed comprehensive directed protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks integrating the top-ranked host factors, the drug target proteins and directed PPI data. We analyzed the networks to identify drug targets and combinations thereof that offer efficient control over the host factors. We validated our findings against clinical studies data and bioinformatics studies. Our method offers a new insight into the molecular details of the disease and into potentially new therapy targets for it. Our approach for drug repurposing is significant beyond COVID-19 and may be applied also to other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoleta Siminea
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania.,Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Bucharest, 14 Academiei, 010014, Romania
| | - Victor Popescu
- Department of Information Technologies, Åbo Akademi University, 3 Tuomiokirkontori, 20500, Finland
| | - Jose Angel Sanchez Martin
- Department of Computer Science, Technical University of Madrid, 7 Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 28040, Spain
| | - Daniela Florea
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Georgiana Gavril
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Gheorghe
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Corina Iţcuş
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Krishna Kanhaiya
- Department of Information Technologies, Åbo Akademi University, 3 Tuomiokirkontori, 20500, Finland
| | - Octavian Pacioglu
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Ioana Laura Popa
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Romica Trandafir
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Maria Iris Tusa
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Manuela Sidoroff
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Mihaela Păun
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania.,Faculty of Administration and Business, University of Bucharest, 4-12 Regina Elisabeta Boulevard, 030018, Romania
| | - Eugen Czeizler
- Department of Information Technologies, Åbo Akademi University, 3 Tuomiokirkontori, 20500, Finland.,Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
| | - Andrei Păun
- Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania.,Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Bucharest, 14 Academiei, 010014, Romania
| | - Ion Petre
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Turku, 5 Vesilinnantie, 20014, Finland.,Bioinformatics, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 296 Splaiul Independenţei, 060031, Romania
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28
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Piplani S, Singh PK, Winkler DA, Petrovsky N. Computationally repurposed drugs and natural products against RNA dependent RNA polymerase as potential COVID-19 therapies. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:28. [PMID: 34766004 PMCID: PMC8450033 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00050-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Repurposing of existing drugs and drug candidates is an ideal approach to identify new potential therapies for SARS-CoV-2 that can be tested without delay in human trials of infected patients. Here we applied a virtual screening approach using Autodock Vina and molecular dynamics simulation in tandem to calculate binding energies for repurposed drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). We thereby identified 80 promising compounds with potential activity against SARS-Cov2, consisting of a mixture of antiviral drugs, natural products and drugs with diverse modes of action. A substantial proportion of the top 80 compounds identified in this study had been shown by others to have SARS-CoV-2 antiviral effects in vitro or in vivo, thereby validating our approach. Amongst our top hits not previously reported to have SARS-CoV-2 activity, were eribulin, a macrocyclic ketone analogue of the marine compound halichondrin B and an anticancer drug, the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor bemcentinib. Our top hits from our RdRp drug screen may not only have utility in treating COVID-19 but may provide a useful starting point for therapeutics against other coronaviruses. Hence, our modelling approach successfully identified multiple drugs with potential activity against SARS-CoV-2 RdRp. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43556-021-00050-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakshi Piplani
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5046 Australia
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, 5046 Australia
| | | | - David A. Winkler
- School of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086 Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, 3052 Australia
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5046 Australia
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, 5046 Australia
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29
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Comunale BA, Engineer L, Jiang Y, Andrews JC, Liu Q, Ji L, Yurkovich JT, Comunale RA, Xie Q. Poliovirus Vaccination Induces a Humoral Immune Response That Cross Reacts With SARS-CoV-2. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:710010. [PMID: 34414206 PMCID: PMC8369257 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.710010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Millions have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, but the severity of resultant infections has varied among adults and children, with adults presenting more serious symptomatic cases. Children may possess an immunity that adults lack, possibly from childhood vaccinations. This retrospective study suggests immunization against the poliovirus may provide an immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Publicly available data were analyzed for possible correlations between national median ages and epidemiological outbreak patterns across 100 countries. Sera from 204 adults and children, who were immunized with the poliovirus vaccine, were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of polio-immune serum on SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathology in cell culture were then evaluated. Results: Analyses of median population age demonstrated a positive correlation between median age and SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and death rates. Countries with effective poliovirus immunization protocols and younger populations have fewer and less pathogenic cases of COVID-19. Antibodies to poliovirus and SARS-CoV-2 were found in pediatric sera and in sera from adults recently immunized with polio. Sera from polio-immunized individuals inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection of Vero cell cultures. These results suggest the anti-D3-pol-antibody, induced by poliovirus vaccination, may provide a similar degree of protection from SARS-CoV-2 to adults as to children. Conclusions: Poliovirus vaccination induces an adaptive humoral immune response. Antibodies created by poliovirus vaccination bind the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) protein of both poliovirus and SARS-CoV-2, thereby preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings suggest proteins other than "spike" proteins may be suitable targets for immunity and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A. Comunale
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lilly Engineer
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yong Jiang
- America Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Qianna Liu
- America Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Lyuqing Ji
- America Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Qiyi Xie
- E-Mo Biology, Inc., Arcadia, CA, United States
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30
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Pashaei Y. Drug repurposing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Could these drugs help fight COVID-19 and save lives? J Clin Neurosci 2021; 88:163-172. [PMID: 33992179 PMCID: PMC7973060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The current 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an emerging infectious disease, is undoubtedly the most challenging pandemic in the 21st century. A total of 92,977,768 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,991,289 deaths were reported globally up to January 14, 2021. COVID-19 also affects people's mental health and quality of life. At present, there is no effective therapeutic strategy for the management of this disease. Therefore, in the absence of a specific vaccine or curative treatment, it is an urgent need to identify safe, effective and globally available drugs for reducing COVID-19 morbidity and fatalities. In this review, we focus on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs: a class of antidepressant drugs with widespread availability and an optimal tolerability profile) that can potentially be repurposed for COVID-19 and are currently being tested in clinical trials. We also summarize the existing literature on what is known about the link between serotonin (5-HT) and the immune system. From the evidence reviewed here, we propose fluoxetine as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for COVID-19 based on its known immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Fluoxetine may potentially reduce pro-inflammatory chemokine/cytokines levels (such as CCL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α) in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, fluoxetine may help to attenuate neurological complications of COVID-19.
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31
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Awad SM, Ali SM, Mansour YE, Fatahala SS. Synthesis and Evaluation of Some Uracil Nucleosides as Promising Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Agents. Molecules 2021; 26:2988. [PMID: 34069874 PMCID: PMC8157375 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26102988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is so widespread, several antiviral drugs have been developed to treat it, among which are uracil nucleosides. However, there are major problems with the current medications such as severe side-effects and drug resistance. Here we present some newly synthesized cyclic and acyclic uracil nucleosides that showed very promising activity against HSV-1 compared to acyclovir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Mohamed Awad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ain-Helwan, Cairo 11795, Egypt; (S.M.A.); (Y.E.M.)
| | - Shima Mahmoud Ali
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ain-Helwan, Cairo 11795, Egypt;
| | - Yara Essam Mansour
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ain-Helwan, Cairo 11795, Egypt; (S.M.A.); (Y.E.M.)
| | - Samar Said Fatahala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ain-Helwan, Cairo 11795, Egypt; (S.M.A.); (Y.E.M.)
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32
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Pillalamarri N, Abdullah, Ren G, Khan L, Ullah A, Jonnakuti S, Ullah M. Exploring the utility of extracellular vesicles in ameliorating viral infection-associated inflammation, cytokine storm and tissue damage. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101095. [PMID: 33887552 PMCID: PMC8053440 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as potential mediators of intercellular communication. EVs are nano-sized, lipid membrane-bound vesicles that contains biological information in the form of proteins, metabolites and/or nucleic acids. EVs are key regulators of tissue repair mechanisms, such as in the context of lung injuries. Recent studies suggest that EVs have the ability to repair COVID19-associated acute lung damage. EVs hold great promise for therapeutic treatments, particularly in treating a potentially fatal autoimmune response and attenuate inflammation. They are known to boost lung immunity and are involved in the pathogenesis of various lung diseases, including viral infection. EV-based immunization technology has been proven to elicit robust immune responses in many models of infectious disease, including COVID-19. The field of EV research has tremendous potential in advancing our understanding about viral infection pathogenesis, and can be translated into anti-viral therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagavalli Pillalamarri
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Abdullah
- Molecular Medicine Department of Medicine, Stanford University, CA, United States
| | - Gang Ren
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Luqman Khan
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Asad Ullah
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Sriya Jonnakuti
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Mujib Ullah
- Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States; Molecular Medicine Department of Medicine, Stanford University, CA, United States.
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Chakraborty C, Bhattacharya M, Mallick B, Sharma AR, Lee SS, Agoramoorthy G. SARS-CoV-2 protein drug targets landscape: a potential pharmacological insight view for the new drug development. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2021; 14:225-238. [PMID: 33423554 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2021.1874348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Protein drug targets play a significant choice in different stages of the drug discovery process. There is an urgent need to understand the drug discovery approaches and protein drug targets (PDT) of SARS-CoV-2, with structural insights for the development of SARS-CoV-2 drugs through targeted therapeutic approach.Areas covered: We have described the protein as a drug target class and also discussed various drug discovery approaches for SARS-CoV-2 involving the protein drug targets such as drug repurposing study, designing of viral entry inhibitors, viral replication inhibitors, and different enzymes of the virus. We have performed comprehensive literature search from the popular databases such as PubMed Google scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus. Finally, we have illustrated the structural landscape of different significant viral proteins (3 CLpro or Mpro, PLpro, RdRp, helicase, S protein) and host proteins as drug targets (cathepsin L, furin, TMPRSS2, ACE2).Expert opinion: The structural landscape of PDT with their binding pockets, and significant residues involved in binding has been discussed further to better understand the PDT and the structure-based drug discovery for SARS-CoV-2. This attempt will increase more therapeutic options, and combination therapies with a multi-target strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal India.,Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Bidyut Mallick
- Department of Applied Science, Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashish Ranjan Sharma
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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Barage S, Karthic A, Bavi R, Desai N, Kumar R, Kumar V, Lee KW. Identification and characterization of novel RdRp and Nsp15 inhibitors for SARS-COV2 using computational approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:2557-2574. [PMID: 33155531 PMCID: PMC7651200 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1841026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 as a global health emergency. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and highlights an urgent need for therapeutics. Here, we have employed a series of computer-aided drug repurposing campaign to discover inhibitors of RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and Nsp15/EndoU. Subsequently, MD simulation has been performed to observe dynamic behavior of identified leads at the active site of RdRp and Nsp15. We successfully identified novel lead molecule such as Alectinib for RdRp while Naldemedine and Ergotamine for NSP15. These lead molecules were accommodated in the active site of the enzyme and stabilized by the networks of the hydrogen bond, pi type and hydrophobic interaction with key residues of either target. Interestingly, identified compounds show molecular mimicry in terms of molecular interactions with key residues of RdRp and Nsp15 essential for catalysis and substrate interaction. Previously, Alectinib, Naldemedine and Ergotamine were used as drug in different diseases might be repurposed against selected protein targets of COVID19. Finally, we propose that the identified inhibitors represent a novel lead molecule to design a more effective inhibitor to stop the progress of pathogen. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Barage
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - A Karthic
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rohit Bavi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,School of Chemical Sciences, Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University, Solapur, Maharashtra, India
| | - Neetin Desai
- SDSOS, NMIMS University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Raj Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Division of Life Science, Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC, Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU), Jinju, Republic of Korea
| | - Keun Woo Lee
- Division of Life Science, Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC, Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU), Jinju, Republic of Korea
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Machitani M, Yasukawa M, Nakashima J, Furuichi Y, Masutomi K. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, RdRP, a promising therapeutic target for cancer and potentially COVID-19. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3976-3984. [PMID: 32805774 PMCID: PMC7461281 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has driven a global pandemic with catastrophic consequences. The rapid development of promising therapeutic strategies against COVID-19 is keenly anticipated. Family Coronaviridae comprises positive, single-stranded RNA viruses that use RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) for viral replication and transcription. As the RdRP of viruses in this family and others plays a pivotal role in infection, it is a promising therapeutic target for developing antiviral agents against them. A critical genetic driver for many cancers is the catalytic subunit of telomerase: human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), identified initially as an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. However, even though hTERT is a DNA polymerase, it has phylogenetic and structural similarities to viral RdRPs. Researchers worldwide, including the authors of this review, are engaged in developing therapeutic strategies targeting hTERT. We have published a series of papers reporting that hTERT has RdRP activity and that this RdRP activity in hTERT is essential for tumor formation. Here, we review the enzymatic function of RdRP in virus proliferation and tumor development, reminding us of how the study of the novel coronavirus has brought us to the unexpected intersection of cancer research and RNA virus research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Machitani
- Division of Cancer Stem CellNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Mami Yasukawa
- Division of Cancer Stem CellNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Jotaro Nakashima
- Division of Cancer Stem CellNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | | | - Kenkichi Masutomi
- Division of Cancer Stem CellNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
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