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Kang JX, Zhao GK, Yang XM, Huang MX, Hui WQ, Zeng R, Ouyang Q. Recent advances on dual inhibitors targeting HIV reverse transcriptase associated polymerase and ribonuclease H. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115196. [PMID: 36787657 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115196] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Reverse transcriptase (RT) plays an indispensable role in the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through its associated polymerase and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activities during the viral RNA genome transformation into proviral DNA. Due to the fact that HIV is a highly mutagenic virus and easily resistant to single-target RT inhibitors, dual inhibitors targeting HIV RT associated polymerase and RNase H have been developed. These dual inhibitors have the advantages of increasing efficacy, reducing drug resistance, drug-drug interactions, and cytotoxicity, as well as improving patient compliance. In this review, we summarize recent advances in polymerase/RNase H dual inhibitors focusing on drug design strategies, and structure-activity relationships and share new insights into developing anti-HIV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Xiong Kang
- Department of Pharmacy, Armed Police Forces Hospital of Sichuan, 614000, Leshan, China
| | - Guang-Kuan Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiu-Ming Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Mou-Xin Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen-Qi Hui
- Department of Pharmacy, Xi'an Fifth Hospital, Xian, 710082, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rong Zeng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China
| | - Qin Ouyang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China.
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2
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Zazouli S, Chigr M, Atmani H, Jouaiti A. Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization of new series of alizarin derivatives and their anti-microbial activities: DFT and molecular docking approach. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.132527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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3
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Gao S, Zhao L, Fan Z, Kodibagkar VD, Liu L, Wang H, Xu H, Tu M, Hu B, Cao C, Zhang Z, Yu JX. In Situ Generated Novel 1H MRI Reporter for β-Galactosidase Activity Detection and Visualization in Living Tumor Cells. Front Chem 2021; 9:709581. [PMID: 34336792 PMCID: PMC8321238 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.709581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
For wide applications of the lacZ gene in cellular/molecular biology, small animal investigations, and clinical assessments, the improvement of noninvasive imaging approaches to precisely assay gene expression has garnered much attention. In this study, we investigate a novel molecular platform in which alizarin 2-O-β-d-galactopyranoside AZ-1 acts as a lacZ gene/β-gal responsive 1H-MRI probe to induce significant 1H-MRI contrast changes in relaxation times T 1 and T 2 in situ as a concerted effect for the discovery of β-gal activity with the exposure of Fe3+. We also demonstrate the capability of this strategy for detecting β-gal activity with lacZ-transfected human MCF7 breast and PC3 prostate cancer cells by reaction-enhanced 1H-MRI T 1 and T 2 relaxation mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Gao
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Fan
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Vikram D. Kodibagkar
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Hanqin Wang
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Mingli Tu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Bifu Hu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Chuanbin Cao
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Zhenjian Zhang
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Jian-Xin Yu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
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4
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Benso B, Rosalen PL, Pasetto S, Marquezin MCS, Freitas-Blanco V, Murata RM. Malva sylvestris derivatives as inhibitors of HIV-1 BaL infection. Nat Prod Res 2019; 35:1064-1069. [PMID: 31429300 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1619720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The emphasis of the present study is to evaluate a natural product and the potential microbicide activity using a dual chamber infection method. Malva sylvestris extracts and fractions were screened for anti-HIV activity by measuring the virus-antibody neutralization. Plant extracts with strong antiviral activity working in nanomolar or picomolar range can be used to enhance the activity of synthetic compounds and work as anti-HIV agents. The aqueous fraction (AF) of M. sylvestris demonstrated antiviral activity in a model with epithelial and blood cell lines. The AF showed an effective antiviral potential on the TZM-bl cells with reduction scores higher than 60% of infectivity. Quantification of p24 in the supernatant of the co-culture model demonstrated a reduction in the number of viral particles after AF treatment (p < 0.05). Cytokines were quantified and all signaling inflammatory markers; IL1-alpha, IL-beta, IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF (p < 0.05) were modulated by positive control and AF treatments. In particular, IL-6 had lower levels of expression in Malva groups when compared to the Zidovudine positive control group. Natural occurring derivatives of M. sylvestris demonstrated to work inhibiting reverse transcriptase enzyme action. M. sylvestris contains highly potential anti-HIV-1 BaL components and may be considered a potential source for new formulations in the development of topical microbicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Benso
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.,School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, RM, Chile.,Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, RM, Chile
| | - Pedro Luiz Rosalen
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvana Pasetto
- School of Dental Medicine, Department Foundational Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.,Brody School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | | | - Verônica Freitas-Blanco
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Ramiro Mendonça Murata
- School of Dental Medicine, Department Foundational Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.,Brody School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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5
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Chromenone derivatives as a versatile scaffold with dual mode of inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated Ribonuclease H function and integrase activity. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111617. [PMID: 31442684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A number of compounds targeting different processes of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) life cycle have been developed in the continuing fight against AIDS. Coumarin-based molecules already proved to act as HIV-1 Protease (PR) or Integrase (IN) inhibitors and also to target HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), blocking the DNA-dependent DNA-polymerase activity or the RNA-dependent DNA-polymerase activity working as common NNRTIs. In the present study, with the aim to exploit a coumarin-based scaffold to achieve the inhibition of multiple viral coded enzymatic functions, novel 4-hydroxy-2H, 5H-pyrano (3, 2-c) chromene-2, 5-dione derivatives were synthesized. The modeling studies calculated the theoretical binding affinity of the synthesized compounds on both HIV-1 IN and RT-associated Ribonuclease H (RNase H) active sites, which was confirmed by biological assays. Our results provide a basis for the identification of dual HIV-1 IN and RT RNase H inhibitors compounds.
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Esposito F, Mandrone M, Del Vecchio C, Carli I, Distinto S, Corona A, Lianza M, Piano D, Tacchini M, Maccioni E, Cottiglia F, Saccon E, Poli F, Parolin C, Tramontano E. Multi-target activity of Hemidesmus indicus decoction against innovative HIV-1 drug targets and characterization of Lupeol mode of action. Pathog Dis 2018. [PMID: 28637198 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of several anti-retrovirals, there is still an urgent need for developing novel therapeutic strategies and finding new drugs against underexplored HIV-1 targets. Among them, there are the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated ribonuclease H (RNase H) function and the cellular α-glucosidase, involved in the control mechanisms of N-linked glycoproteins formation in the endoplasmic reticulum. It is known that many natural compounds, such as pentacyclic triterpenes, are a promising class of HIV-1 inhibitors. Hence, here we tested the pentacyclic triterpene Lupeol, showing that it inhibits the HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H function. We then performed combination studies of Lupeol and the active site RNase H inhibitor RDS1759, and blind docking calculations, demonstrating that Lupeol binds to an HIV-1 RT allosteric pocket. On the bases of these results and searching for potential multitarget active drug supplement, we also investigated the anti-HIV-1 activity of Hemidesmus indicus, an Ayurveda medicinal plant containing Lupeol. Results supported the potential of this plant as a valuable multitarget active drug source. In fact, by virtue of its numerous active metabolites, H. indicus was able to inhibit not only the RT-associated RNase H function, but also the HIV-1 RT-associated RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity and the cellular α-glucosidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Manuela Mandrone
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Carli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Simona Distinto
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Mariacaterina Lianza
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Dario Piano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Massimo Tacchini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elias Maccioni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Filippo Cottiglia
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Elisa Saccon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Ferruccio Poli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Parolin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.,Genetics and Biomedical Research institute, National Research Council (CNR), 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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7
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de Castro S, Camarasa MJ. Polypharmacology in HIV inhibition: can a drug with simultaneous action against two relevant targets be an alternative to combination therapy? Eur J Med Chem 2018. [PMID: 29529501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
HIV infection still has a serious health and socio-economical impact and is one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. HIV infection and the AIDS pandemic are still matters of great concern, especially in less developed countries where the access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is limited. Patient compliance is another serious drawback. Nowadays, HAART is the treatment of choice although it is not the panacea. Despite the fact that it suppresses viral replication at undetectable viral loads and prevents progression of HIV infection into AIDS HAART has several pitfalls, namely, long-term side-effects, drug resistance development, emergence of drug-resistant viruses, low compliance and the intolerance of some patients to these drugs. Moreover, another serious health concern is the event of co-infection with more than one pathogen at the same time (e.g. HIV and HCV, HBV, herpes viruses, etc). Currently, the multi-target drug approach has become an exciting strategy to address complex diseases and overcome drug resistance development. Such multifunctional molecules combine in their structure pharmacophores that may simultaneously interfere with multiple targets and their use may eventually be more safe and efficacious than that involving a mixture of separate molecules because of avoidance or delay of drug resistance, lower incidence of unwanted drug-drug interactions and improved compliance. In this review we focus on multifunctional molecules with dual activity against different targets of the HIV life cycle or able to block replication, not only of HIV but also of other viruses that are often co-pathogens of HIV. The different approaches are documented by selected examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia de Castro
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM, CSIC) Juan de La Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - María-José Camarasa
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM, CSIC) Juan de La Cierva 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain.
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8
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Poongavanam V, Corona A, Steinmann C, Scipione L, Grandi N, Pandolfi F, Di Santo R, Costi R, Esposito F, Tramontano E, Kongsted J. Structure-guided approach identifies a novel class of HIV-1 ribonuclease H inhibitors: binding mode insights through magnesium complexation and site-directed mutagenesis studies. MEDCHEMCOMM 2018; 9:562-575. [PMID: 30108947 PMCID: PMC6072344 DOI: 10.1039/c7md00600d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Persistent HIV infection requires lifelong treatment and among the 2.1 million new HIV infections that occur every year there is an increased rate of transmitted drug-resistant mutations. This fact requires a constant and timely effort in order to identify and develop new HIV inhibitors with innovative mechanisms. The HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) associated ribonuclease H (RNase H) is the only viral encoded enzyme that still lacks an efficient inhibitor despite the fact that it is a well-validated target whose functional abrogation compromises viral infectivity. Identification of new drugs is a long and expensive process that can be speeded up by in silico methods. In the present study, a structure-guided screening is coupled with a similarity-based search on the Specs database to identify a new class of HIV-1 RNase H inhibitors. Out of the 45 compounds selected for experimental testing, 15 inhibited the RNase H function below 100 μM with three hits exhibiting IC50 values <10 μM. The most active compound, AA, inhibits HIV-1 RNase H with an IC50 of 5.1 μM and exhibits a Mg-independent mode of inhibition. Site-directed mutagenesis studies provide valuable insight into the binding mode of newly identified compounds; for instance, compound AA involves extensive interactions with a lipophilic pocket formed by Ala502, Lys503, and Trp (406, 426 and 535) and polar interactions with Arg557 and the highly conserved RNase H primer-grip residue Asn474. The structural insights obtained from this work provide the bases for further lead optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasanthanathan Poongavanam
- Department of Physics , Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Southern Denmark , DK-5230 Odense M , Denmark . ;
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences , University of Cagliari , Italy .
| | - Casper Steinmann
- Department of Physics , Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Southern Denmark , DK-5230 Odense M , Denmark . ;
| | - Luigi Scipione
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti , "Sapienza" Università di Roma , Roma , Italy
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences , University of Cagliari , Italy .
| | - Fabiana Pandolfi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti , "Sapienza" Università di Roma , Roma , Italy
| | - Roberto Di Santo
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti , "Sapienza" Università di Roma , Roma , Italy
| | - Roberta Costi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco , Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti , "Sapienza" Università di Roma , Roma , Italy
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences , University of Cagliari , Italy .
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences , University of Cagliari , Italy .
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica , Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) , Monserrato(CA) , Italy
| | - Jacob Kongsted
- Department of Physics , Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Southern Denmark , DK-5230 Odense M , Denmark . ;
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9
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Anti-HIV Agents From Nature: Natural Compounds From Hypericum hircinum and Carbocyclic Nucleosides From Iridoids. STUDIES IN NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64058-1.00006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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10
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Corona A, Onnis V, Deplano A, Bianco G, Demurtas M, Distinto S, Cheng YC, Alcaro S, Esposito F, Tramontano E. Design, synthesis and antiviral evaluation of novel heteroarylcarbothioamide derivatives as dual inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H and RDDP functions. Pathog Dis 2017; 75:3943645. [PMID: 28859311 PMCID: PMC6433301 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the continuous effort to identify new HIV-1 inhibitors endowed with innovative mechanisms, the dual inhibition of different viral functions would provide a significant advantage against drug-resistant variants. The HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated ribonuclease H (RNase H) is the only viral-encoded enzymatic activity that still lacks an efficient inhibitor. We synthesized a library of 3,5-diamino-N-aryl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbothioamide and 4-amino-5-benzoyl-N-phenyl-2-(substituted-amino)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbothioamide derivatives and tested them against RNase H activity. We identified the pyrazolecarbothioamide derivative A15, able to inhibit viral replication and both RNase H and RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP) RT-associated activities in the low micromolar range. Docking simulations hypothesized its binding to two RT pockets. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments showed that, with respect to wt RT, V108A substitution strongly reduced A15 IC50 values (12.6-fold for RNase H inhibition and 4.7-fold for RDDP), while substitution A502F caused a 9.0-fold increase in its IC50 value for RNase H, not affecting the RDDP inhibition, reinforcing the hypothesis of a dual-site inhibition. Moreover, A15 retained good inhibition potency against three non-nucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI)-resistant enzymes, confirming a mode of action unrelated to NNRTIs and suggesting its potential as a lead compound for development of new HIV-1 RT dual inhibitors active against drug-resistant viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Corona
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Valentina Onnis
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Alessandro Deplano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Giulia Bianco
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Monica Demurtas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Simona Distinto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Yung-Chi Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University Medical School, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
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11
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Carcelli M, Rogolino D, Gatti A, Pala N, Corona A, Caredda A, Tramontano E, Pannecouque C, Naesens L, Esposito F. Chelation Motifs Affecting Metal-dependent Viral Enzymes: N'-acylhydrazone Ligands as Dual Target Inhibitors of HIV-1 Integrase and Reverse Transcriptase Ribonuclease H Domain. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:440. [PMID: 28373864 PMCID: PMC5357622 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, still represent a serious global health emergency. The chronic toxicity derived from the current anti-retroviral therapy limits the prolonged use of several antiretroviral agents, continuously requiring the discovery of new antiviral agents with innovative strategies of action. In particular, the development of single molecules targeting two proteins (dual inhibitors) is one of the current main goals in drug discovery. In this contest, metal-chelating molecules have been extensively explored as potential inhibitors of viral metal-dependent enzymes, resulting in some important classes of antiviral agents. Inhibition of HIV Integrase (IN) is, in this sense, paradigmatic. HIV-1 IN and Reverse Transcriptase-associated Ribonuclease H (RNase H) active sites show structural homologies, with the presence of two Mg(II) cofactors, hence it seems possible to inhibit both enzymes by means of chelating ligands with analogous structural features. Here we present a series of N′-acylhydrazone ligands with groups able to chelate the Mg(II) hard Lewis acid ions in the active sites of both the enzymes, resulting in dual inhibitors with micromolar and even nanomolar activities. The most interesting identified N′-acylhydrazone analog, compound 18, shows dual RNase H-IN inhibition and it is also able to inhibit viral replication in cell-based antiviral assays in the low micromolar range. Computational modeling studies were also conducted to explore the binding attitudes of some model ligands within the active site of both the enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Carcelli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Parma Parma, Italy
| | - Dominga Rogolino
- Department of Chemistry, University of ParmaParma, Italy; Research Interuniversity Consortium Chemistry of Metals in Biological Systems Parma Unit, University of ParmaParma, Italy
| | - Anna Gatti
- Department of Chemistry, University of ParmaParma, Italy; Research Interuniversity Consortium Chemistry of Metals in Biological Systems Parma Unit, University of ParmaParma, Italy
| | - Nicolino Pala
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessia Caredda
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di MonserratoCagliari, Italy; Genetics and Biomedical Research institute, National Research CouncilMonserrato, Italy
| | | | - Lieve Naesens
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato Cagliari, Italy
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12
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Esposito F, Carli I, Del Vecchio C, Xu L, Corona A, Grandi N, Piano D, Maccioni E, Distinto S, Parolin C, Tramontano E. Sennoside A, derived from the traditional chinese medicine plant Rheum L., is a new dual HIV-1 inhibitor effective on HIV-1 replication. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2016; 23:1383-1391. [PMID: 27765358 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the availability of effective antiretroviral therapies, drugs for HIV-1 treatment with new mode of action are still needed. An innovative approach is aimed to identify dual HIV-1 inhibitors, small molecules that can inhibit two viral functions at the same time. Rhubarb, originated from Rheum palmatum L. and Rheum officinale Baill., is one of the earliest and most commonly used medicinal plants in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice. We wanted to explore TCM for the identification of new chemical scaffolds with dual action abilities against HIV-1. METHODS R. palmatum L. and R. officinale Baill. extracts along with their main single isolated constituents anthraquinone derivatives were tested on both HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-associated DNA Polymerase (RDDP) and Ribonuclease H (RNase H) activities in biochemical assays. Active compounds were then assayed for their effects on HIV-1 mutated RTs, integrase (IN) and viral replication. RESULTS Both R. palmatum L. and R. officinale Baill. extracts inhibited the HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H activity. Among the isolated constituents, Sennoside A and B were effective on both RDDP and RNase H RT-associated functions in biochemical assays. Sennoside A was less potent when tested on K103N, Y181C, Y188L, N474A and Q475A mutated RTs, suggesting the involvement of two RT binding sites for its antiviral activity. Sennoside A affected also HIV-1 IN activity in vitro and HIV-1 replication in cell-based assays. Viral DNA production and time of addition studies showed that Sennoside A targets the HIV-1 reverse transcription process. CONCLUSION Sennoside A is a new scaffold for the development of HIV-1 dual RT inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Carli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Del Vecchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Lijia Xu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD), 151 Malianwa North Road Haidian District, 100193 Beijing, China
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Dario Piano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elias Maccioni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Simona Distinto
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Cristina Parolin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy.
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy; Genetics and Biomedical Research institute, National Research Council (CNR), Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
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Santos LH, Ferreira RS, Caffarena ER. Computational drug design strategies applied to the modelling of human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2016; 110:847-64. [PMID: 26560977 PMCID: PMC4660614 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Reverse transcriptase (RT) is a multifunctional enzyme in the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV)-1 life cycle and represents a primary target for drug discovery efforts
against HIV-1 infection. Two classes of RT inhibitors, the nucleoside RT inhibitors
(NRTIs) and the nonnucleoside transcriptase inhibitors are prominently used in the
highly active antiretroviral therapy in combination with other anti-HIV drugs.
However, the rapid emergence of drug-resistant viral strains has limited the
successful rate of the anti-HIV agents. Computational methods are a significant part
of the drug design process and indispensable to study drug resistance. In this
review, recent advances in computer-aided drug design for the rational design of new
compounds against HIV-1 RT using methods such as molecular docking, molecular
dynamics, free energy calculations, quantitative structure-activity relationships,
pharmacophore modelling and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and
toxicity prediction are discussed. Successful applications of these methodologies are
also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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14
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Corona A, Desantis J, Massari S, Distinto S, Masaoka T, Sabatini S, Esposito F, Manfroni G, Maccioni E, Cecchetti V, Pannecouque C, Le Grice SFJ, Tramontano E, Tabarrini O. Studies on Cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide Derivatives as Allosteric HIV-1 Ribonuclease H Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2016; 11:1709-20. [PMID: 26990134 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201600015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite the significant progress achieved with combination antiretroviral therapy in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the difficulty to eradicate the virus together with the rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant strains clearly underline a pressing need for innovative agents, possibly endowed with novel mechanisms of action. In this context, owing to its essential role in HIV genome replication, the reverse transcriptase associated ribonuclease H (RNase H) has proven to be an appealing target. To identify new RNase H inhibitors, an in-house cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide library was screened; this led to compounds endowed with inhibitory activity, the structural optimization of which led to the catechol derivative 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzamido)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-cyclohepta[b]thiophene-3-carboxamide (compound 33) with an IC50 value on the RNase H activity in the nanomolar range. Mechanistic studies suggested selective inhibition of the RNase H through binding to an innovative allosteric site, which could be further exploited to enrich this class of inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Corona
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Jenny Desantis
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Serena Massari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Simona Distinto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Takashi Masaoka
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702-1201, USA
| | - Stefano Sabatini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Manfroni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elias Maccioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Violetta Cecchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Christophe Pannecouque
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research-KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stuart F J Le Grice
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702-1201, USA
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Italy.
| | - Oriana Tabarrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Perugia, Via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
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Ribonuclease H/DNA Polymerase HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Dual Inhibitor: Mechanistic Studies on the Allosteric Mode of Action of Isatin-Based Compound RMNC6. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147225. [PMID: 26800261 PMCID: PMC4723341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA polymerase and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activities of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are needed for the replication of the viral genome and are validated drug targets. However, there are no approved drugs inhibiting RNase H and the efficiency of DNA polymerase inhibitors can be diminished by the presence of drug resistance mutations. In this context, drugs inhibiting both activities could represent a significant advance towards better anti-HIV therapies. We report on the mechanisms of allosteric inhibition of a newly synthesized isatin-based compound designated as RMNC6 that showed IC50 values of 1.4 and 9.8 μM on HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H and polymerase activities, respectively. Blind docking studies predict that RMNC6 could bind two different pockets in the RT: one in the DNA polymerase domain (partially overlapping the non-nucleoside RT inhibitor [NNRTI] binding pocket), and a second one close to the RNase H active site. Enzymatic studies showed that RMNC6 interferes with efavirenz (an approved NNRTI) in its binding to the RT polymerase domain, although NNRTI resistance-associated mutations such as K103N, Y181C and Y188L had a minor impact on RT susceptibility to RMNC6. In addition, despite being naturally resistant to NNRTIs, the polymerase activity of HIV-1 group O RT was efficiently inhibited by RMNC6. The compound was also an inhibitor of the RNase H activity of wild-type HIV-1 group O RT, although we observed a 6.5-fold increase in the IC50 in comparison with the prototypic HIV-1 group M subtype B enzyme. Mutagenesis studies showed that RT RNase H domain residues Asn474 and Tyr501, and in a lesser extent Ala502 and Ala508, are critical for RMNC6 inhibition of the endonuclease activity of the RT, without affecting its DNA polymerization activity. Our results show that RMNC6 acts as a dual inhibitor with allosteric sites in the DNA polymerase and the RNase H domains of HIV-1 RT.
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(3Z)-3-(2-[4-(aryl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]hydrazin-1-ylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-one derivatives as dual inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 93:452-60. [PMID: 25728026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase (RT) is a validated and deeply explored biological target for the treatment of AIDS. However, only drugs targeting the RT-associated DNA polymerase (DP) function have been approved for clinical use. We designed and synthesised a new generation of HIV-1 RT inhibitors, based on the (3Z)-3-(2-[4-(aryl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]hydrazin-1-ylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-one scaffold. These compounds are active towards both RT-associated functions, DNA polymerase and ribonuclease H. The structure, biological activity and mode of action of the new derivatives have been investigated. In particular, the nature of the aromatic group in the position 4 of the thiazole ring plays a key role in the modulation of the activity towards the two RT-associated functions.
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Cuzzucoli Crucitti G, Métifiot M, Pescatori L, Messore A, Madia VN, Pupo G, Saccoliti F, Scipione L, Tortorella S, Esposito F, Corona A, Cadeddu M, Marchand C, Pommier Y, Tramontano E, Costi R, Di Santo R. Structure-activity relationship of pyrrolyl diketo acid derivatives as dual inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase and reverse transcriptase ribonuclease H domain. J Med Chem 2015; 58:1915-28. [PMID: 25629256 DOI: 10.1021/jm501799k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The development of HIV-1 dual inhibitors is a highly innovative approach aimed at reducing drug toxic side effects as well as therapeutic costs. HIV-1 integrase (IN) and reverse transcriptase-associated ribonuclease H (RNase H) are both selective targets for HIV-1 chemotherapy, and the identification of dual IN/RNase H inhibitors is an attractive strategy for new drug development. We newly synthesized pyrrolyl derivatives that exhibited good potency against IN and a moderate inhibition of the RNase H function of RT, confirming the possibility of developing dual HIV-1 IN/RNase H inhibitors and obtaining new information for the further development of more effective dual HIV-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Cuzzucoli Crucitti
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma , Rome, I-00185, Italy
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18
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Zhao Y, Wang Y, Gao Y, Li G, Huang J. Integrated analysis of residue coevolution and protein structures capture key protein sectors in HIV-1 proteins. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117506. [PMID: 25671429 PMCID: PMC4324911 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV type 1 (HIV-1) is characterized by its rapid genetic evolution, leading to challenges in anti-HIV therapy. However, the sequence variations in HIV-1 proteins are not randomly distributed due to a combination of functional constraints and genetic drift. In this study, we examined patterns of sequence variability for evidence of linked sequence changes (termed as coevolution or covariation) in 15 HIV-1 proteins. It shows that the percentage of charged residues in the coevolving residues is significantly higher than that in all the HIV-1 proteins. Most of the coevolving residues are spatially proximal in the protein structures and tend to form relatively compact and independent units in the tertiary structures, termed as "protein sectors". These protein sectors are closely associated with anti-HIV drug resistance, T cell epitopes, and antibody binding sites. Finally, we explored candidate peptide inhibitors based on the protein sectors. Our results can establish an association between the coevolving residues and molecular functions of HIV-1 proteins, and then provide us with valuable knowledge of pathology of HIV-1 and therapeutics development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.32 Jiaochang Donglu Kunming, 650223 Yunnan, China
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YZ); (JH)
| | - Yanjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Yuedong Gao
- Kunming Biological Diversity Regional Center of Instruments, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Gonghua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.32 Jiaochang Donglu Kunming, 650223 Yunnan, China
| | - Jingfei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.32 Jiaochang Donglu Kunming, 650223 Yunnan, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Natural Products and Biological Drugs of Yunnan, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- * E-mail: (YZ); (JH)
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Alam Z, Al-Mahdi Z, Zhu Y, McKee Z, Parris DS, Parikh HI, Kellogg GE, Kuchta A, McVoy MA. Anti-cytomegalovirus activity of the anthraquinone atanyl blue PRL. Antiviral Res 2014; 114:86-95. [PMID: 25499125 PMCID: PMC4289655 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The anthraquinone atanyl blue PRL inhibits human cytomegalovirus replication. The block to viral replication appears early after entry and substantially reduces viral immediate early gene expression. In vitro, atanyl blue PRL inhibits the nuclease activity of purified viral alkaline nuclease, UL98. The antiviral activity of atanyl blue PRL may be manifested through inhibition of UL98’s nuclease activity.
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes significant disease in immunocompromised patients and serious birth defects if acquired in utero. Available CMV antivirals target the viral DNA polymerase, have significant toxicities, and suffer from resistance. New drugs targeting different pathways would be beneficial. The anthraquinone emodin is proposed to inhibit herpes simplex virus by blocking the viral nuclease. Emodin and related anthraquinones are also reported to inhibit CMV. In the present study, emodin reduced CMV infectious yield with an EC50 of 4.9 μM but was cytotoxic at concentrations only twofold higher. Related anthraquinones acid blue 40 and alizarin violet R inhibited CMV at only high concentrations (238–265 μM) that were also cytotoxic. However, atanyl blue PRL inhibited infectious yield of CMV with an EC50 of 6.3 μM, significantly below its 50% cytotoxic concentration of 216 μM. Atanyl blue PRL reduced CMV infectivity and inhibited spread. When added up to 1 h after infection, it dramatically reduced CMV immediate early protein expression and blocked viral DNA synthesis. However, it had no antiviral activity when added 24 h after infection. Interestingly, atanyl blue PRL inhibited nuclease activities of purified CMV UL98 protein with IC50 of 4.5 and 9.3 μM. These results indicate that atanyl blue PRL targets very early post-entry events in CMV replication and suggest it may act through inhibition of UL98, making it a novel CMV inhibitor. This compound may provide valuable insights into molecular events that occur at the earliest times post-infection and serve as a lead structure for antiviral development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohaib Alam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Zainab Al-Mahdi
- Medical Science Department, College of Nursing, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Yali Zhu
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zachary McKee
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Deborah S Parris
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hardik I Parikh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Glen E Kellogg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Alison Kuchta
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Michael A McVoy
- Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
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Identification of highly conserved residues involved in inhibition of HIV-1 RNase H function by Diketo acid derivatives. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:6101-10. [PMID: 25092689 DOI: 10.1128/aac.03605-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated RNase H activity is an essential function in viral genome retrotranscription. RNase H is a promising drug target for which no inhibitor is available for therapy. Diketo acid (DKA) derivatives are active site Mg(2+)-binding inhibitors of both HIV-1 RNase H and integrase (IN) activities. To investigate the DKA binding site of RNase H and the mechanism of action, six couples of ester and acid DKAs, derived from 6-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)]-2,4-dioxo-5-hexenoic acid ethyl ester (RDS1643), were synthesized and tested on both RNase H and IN functions. Most of the ester derivatives showed selectivity for HIV-1 RNase H versus IN, while acids inhibited both functions. Molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis studies on the RNase H domain demonstrated different binding poses for ester and acid DKAs and proved that DKAs interact with residues (R448, N474, Q475, Y501, and R557) involved not in the catalytic motif but in highly conserved portions of the RNase H primer grip motif. The ester derivative RDS1759 selectively inhibited RNase H activity and viral replication in the low micromolar range, making contacts with residues Q475, N474, and Y501. Quantitative PCR studies and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses showed that RDS1759 selectively inhibited reverse transcription in cell-based assays. Overall, we provide the first demonstration that RNase H inhibition by DKAs is due not only to their chelating properties but also to specific interactions with highly conserved amino acid residues in the RNase H domain, leading to effective targeting of HIV retrotranscription in cells and hence offering important insights for the rational design of RNase H inhibitors.
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Active site and allosteric inhibitors of the ribonuclease H activity of HIV reverse transcriptase. Future Med Chem 2014; 5:2127-39. [PMID: 24261890 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the wealth of information available for the reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated ribonuclease H (RNaseH) domain of lentiviruses, gammaretroviruses and long terminal repeat containing retrotransposons, exploiting this information in the form of an RNaseH inhibitor with high specificity and low cellular toxicity has been disappointing. However, it is now becoming increasingly evident that the two-subunit HIV-1 RT is a highly versatile enzyme, undergoing major structural alterations in order to interact with, position and ultimately hydrolyze the RNA component of an RNA/DNA hybrid. Thus, in addition to targeting the RNaseH active site, identifying small molecules that bind elsewhere and disrupt catalysis allosterically by impairing conformational flexibility is gaining increased attention. This review summarizes current progress towards development of both active site and allosteric RNaseH inhibitors.
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Meleddu R, Cannas V, Distinto S, Sarais G, Del Vecchio C, Esposito F, Bianco G, Corona A, Cottiglia F, Alcaro S, Parolin C, Artese A, Scalise D, Fresta M, Arridu A, Ortuso F, Maccioni E, Tramontano E. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 1,3-diarylpropenones as dual inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. ChemMedChem 2014; 9:1869-79. [PMID: 24850787 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201402015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A small library of 1,3-diarylpropenones was designed and synthesized as dual inhibitors of both HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) DNA polymerase (DP) and ribonuclease H (RNase H) associated functions. Compounds were assayed on these enzyme activities, which highlighted dual inhibition properties in the low-micromolar range. Interestingly, mutations in the non-nucleoside RT inhibitor binding pocket strongly affected RNase H inhibition by the propenone derivatives without decreasing their capacity to inhibit DP activity, which suggests long-range RT structural effects. Biochemical and computational studies indicated that the propenone derivatives bind two different interdependent allosteric pockets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Meleddu
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale 72, 09124 Cagliari (Italy)
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Kang D, Song Y, Chen W, Zhan P, Liu X. “Old Dogs with New Tricks”: exploiting alternative mechanisms of action and new drug design strategies for clinically validated HIV targets. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2014; 10:1998-2022. [DOI: 10.1039/c4mb00147h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Inhibition of foamy virus reverse transcriptase by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNase H inhibitors. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:4086-93. [PMID: 24798282 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00056-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RNase H plays an essential role in the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Therefore, it is a promising target for drug development. However, the identification of HIV-1 RNase H inhibitors (RHIs) has been hampered by the open morphology of its active site, the limited number of available RNase H crystal structures in complex with inhibitors, and the fact that, due to the high concentrations of Mg(2+) needed for protein stability, HIV-1 RNase H is not suitable for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) inhibitor studies. We recently showed that the RNase H domains of HIV-1 and prototype foamy virus (PFV) reverse transcriptases (RTs) exhibit a high degree of structural similarity. Thus, we examined whether PFV RNase H can serve as an HIV-1 RNase H model for inhibitor interaction studies. Five HIV-1 RHIs inhibited PFV RNase H activity at low-micromolar concentrations similar to those of HIV-1 RNase H, suggesting pocket similarity of the RNase H domains. NMR titration experiments with the PFV RNase H domain and the RHI RDS1643 (6-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)]-2,4-dioxo-5-hexenoic acid ethyl ester) were performed to determine its binding site. Based on these results and previous data, in silico docking analysis showed a putative RDS1643 binding region that reaches into the PFV RNase H active site. Structural overlays were performed with HIV-1 and PFV RNase H to propose the RDS1643 binding site in HIV-1 RNase H. Our results suggest that this approach can be used to establish PFV RNase H as a model system for HIV-1 RNase H in order to identify putative inhibitor binding sites in HIV-1 RNase H.
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Corona A, Esposito F, Tramontano E. Can the ever-promising target HIV reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H become a success story for drug development? Future Virol 2014. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.14.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Corona
- Dept. of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Dept. of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Dept. of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy
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Costi R, Métifiot M, Esposito F, Cuzzucoli Crucitti G, Pescatori L, Messore A, Scipione L, Tortorella S, Zinzula L, Novellino E, Pommier Y, Tramontano E, Marchand C, Di Santo R. 6-(1-Benzyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2,4-dioxo-5-hexenoic acids as dual inhibitors of recombinant HIV-1 integrase and ribonuclease H, synthesized by a parallel synthesis approach. J Med Chem 2013; 56:8588-98. [PMID: 24124919 DOI: 10.1021/jm401040b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The increasing efficiency of HAART has helped to transform HIV/AIDS into a chronic disease. Still, resistance and drug-drug interactions warrant the development of new anti-HIV agents. We previously discovered hit 6, active against HIV-1 replication and targeting RNase H in vitro. Because of its diketo-acid moiety, we speculated that this chemotype could serve to develop dual inhibitors of both RNase H and integrase. Here, we describe a new series of 1-benzyl-pyrrolyl diketohexenoic derivatives, 7a-y and 8a-y, synthesized following a parallel solution-phase approach. Those 50 analogues have been tested on recombinant enzymes (RNase H and integrase) and in cell-based assays. Approximately half (22) exibited inhibition of HIV replication. Compounds 7b, 7u, and 8g were the most active against the RNase H activity of reverse-transcriptase, with IC50 values of 3, 3, and 2.5 μM, respectively. Compound 8g was also the most potent integrase inhibitor with an IC50 value of 26 nM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Costi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma , P. le Aldo Moro 5, Rome I-00185, Italy
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Tocco G, Begala M, Esposito F, Caboni P, Cannas V, Tramontano E. ZnO-mediated regioselective C-arylsulfonylation of indoles: a facile solvent-free synthesis of 2- and 3-sulfonylindoles and preliminary evaluation of their activity against drug-resistant mutant HIV-1 reverse transcriptases (RTs). Tetrahedron Lett 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2013.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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28
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Esposito F, Sanna C, Del Vecchio C, Cannas V, Venditti A, Corona A, Bianco A, Serrilli AM, Guarcini L, Parolin C, Ballero M, Tramontano E. Hypericum hircinum L. components as new single-molecule inhibitors of both HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated DNA polymerase and ribonuclease H activities. Pathog Dis 2013; 68:116-24. [PMID: 23821410 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632x.12051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Among HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated functions, DNA polymerase and Ribonuclease H (RNase H) are both essential for HIV replication and excellent targets for drug development. While all RT inhibitors approved for therapy target the DNA polymerase activity, there is the pressing need for new RT inhibitors possibly targeting the RNase H function. In the last 20 years, many natural substances have shown antiviral activity against HIV-1, but only a few against the RNase H function. In this study, we have tested the ethanolic extracts obtained by the Hypericum hircinum L. (Hypericaceae) growing in Sardinia (Italy) on the HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H function and found that they have inhibitory effects. Active extracts were fractionated up to obtain the main components that have been isolated, tested, and identified to be betulinic acid, shikimic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone, and 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-O-glucoside. Betulinic acid and 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-O-glucoside were active on both RT-associated activities, and betulinic acid was also active on HIV-1 mutant RTs resistant to efavirenz. Overall, our results suggest that some of these compounds inhibit the HIV-1 RT binding to an allosteric site previously described for other natural compounds and are potential leads for further drug development of a single molecules having dual inhibitory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Esposito F, Corona A, Zinzula L, Kharlamova T, Tramontano E. New anthraquinone derivatives as inhibitors of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated ribonuclease H function. Chemotherapy 2012; 58:299-307. [PMID: 23128501 DOI: 10.1159/000343101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The degradative activity of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT), termed ribonuclease H (RNase H), which hydrolyzes the RNA component of the heteroduplex RNA:DNA replication intermediate, is an excellent target for drug discovery. Anthraquinones (AQs) and their derivatives, which are common secondary metabolites occurring in bacteria, fungi, lichens and a large number of families in higher plants, have been reported to have several biological activities including that of inhibiting HIV-1 RT activities in biochemical assays. METHODS We have assayed new AQ derivatives on HIV-1 RNase H activities in biochemical assays. RESULTS Six series of new AQ derivatives with various substituents at positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the AQ ring were tested, and new analogs able to inhibit HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H activity in the low micromolar range were found. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that AQ derivatives are promising anti-RNase H inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.
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HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Still Remains a New Drug Target: Structure, Function, Classical Inhibitors, and New Inhibitors with Innovative Mechanisms of Actions. Mol Biol Int 2012; 2012:586401. [PMID: 22778958 PMCID: PMC3388302 DOI: 10.1155/2012/586401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During the retrotranscription process, characteristic of all retroviruses, the viral ssRNA genome is converted into integration-competent dsDNA. This process is accomplished by the virus-coded reverse transcriptase (RT) protein, which is a primary target in the current treatments for HIV-1 infection. In particular, in the approved therapeutic regimens two classes of drugs target RT, namely, nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs) and nonnucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs). Both classes inhibit the RT-associated polymerase activity: the NRTIs compete with the natural dNTP substrate and act as chain terminators, while the NNRTIs bind to an allosteric pocket and inhibit polymerization noncompetitively. In addition to these two classes, other RT inhibitors (RTIs) that target RT by distinct mechanisms have been identified and are currently under development. These include translocation-defective RTIs, delayed chain terminators RTIs, lethal mutagenesis RTIs, dinucleotide tetraphosphates, nucleotide-competing RTIs, pyrophosphate analogs, RT-associated RNase H function inhibitors, and dual activities inhibitors. This paper describes the HIV-1 RT function and molecular structure, illustrates the currently approved RTIs, and focuses on the mechanisms of action of the newer classes of RTIs.
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Suchaud V, Bailly F, Lion C, Tramontano E, Esposito F, Corona A, Christ F, Debyser Z, Cotelle P. Development of a series of 3-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-ones as selective inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase associated RNase H activity. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:3988-92. [PMID: 22607675 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.04.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Revised: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We report herein the synthesis of a series of 3-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives. Esters and amide groups were introduced at position 4 of the basis scaffold and some modulations of the benzenic moiety were performed. Most compounds presented selective inhibitory properties in the 10-20 μM range against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase associated ribonuclease H activity, without affecting the integrase and reverse transcriptase DNA polymerase activities. Unfortunately all tested compounds exhibited high cellular cytotoxicity in cell culture which limited their applications as antiviral agents.
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Distinto S, Esposito F, Kirchmair J, Cardia MC, Gaspari M, Maccioni E, Alcaro S, Markt P, Wolber G, Zinzula L, Tramontano E. Identification of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase dual inhibitors by a combined shape-, 2D-fingerprint- and pharmacophore-based virtual screening approach. Eur J Med Chem 2012; 50:216-29. [PMID: 22361685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2012.01.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Revised: 12/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
We report the first application of ligand-based virtual screening (VS) methods for discovering new compounds able to inhibit both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated functions, DNA polymerase and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activities. The overall VS campaign consisted of two consecutive screening processes. In the first, the VS platform Rapid Overlay of Chemical Structures (ROCS) was used to perform in silico shape-based similarity screening on the NCI compounds database in which a hydrazone derivative, previously shown to inhibit the HIV-1 RT, was chosen. As a result, 34 hit molecules were selected and assayed on both RT-associated functions. In the second, the 4 most potent RT inhibitors identified were selected as queries for parallel VS performed by combining shape-based, 2D-fingerprint and 3D-pharmacophore VS methods. Overall, a set of molecules characterized by new different scaffolds were identified as novel inhibitors of both HIV-1 RT-associated activities in the low micromolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Distinto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi Magna Grecia di Catanzaro, Campus Salvatore Venuta, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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