1
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Pham S, Zhao B, Neetu N, Sankaran B, Patil K, Ramani S, Song Y, Estes MK, Palzkill T, Prasad BVV. Conformational flexibility is a critical factor in designing broad-spectrum human norovirus protease inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.16.613336. [PMID: 39345439 PMCID: PMC11430002 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.16.613336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Human norovirus (HuNoV) infection is a global health and economic burden. Currently, there are no licensed HuNoV vaccines or antiviral drugs available. The protease encoded by the HuNoV genome plays a critical role in virus replication by cleaving the polyprotein and is, therefore, an excellent target for developing small molecule inhibitors. While rupintrivir, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of several picornavirus proteases, effectively inhibits GI.1 protease, it is an order of magnitude less effective against GII protease. Other GI.1 protease inhibitors also tend to be less effective against GII proteases. To understand the structural basis for the potency difference, we determined the crystal structures of proteases of GI.1, pandemic GII.4 (Houston and Sydney), and GII.3 in complex with rupintrivir. These structures show that the open substrate pocket in GI protease binds rupintrivir without requiring significant conformational changes, whereas, in GII proteases, the closed pocket flexibly extends, reorienting arginine-112 in the BII-CII loop to accommodate rupintrivir. Structures of R112A protease mutants with rupintrivir, coupled with enzymatic and inhibition studies, suggest R112 is involved in displacing both substrate and ligands from the active site, implying a role in the release of cleaved products during polyprotein processing. Thus, the primary determinant for differential inhibitor potency between the GI and GII proteases is the increased flexibility in the BII-CII loop of the GII proteases caused by H-G mutation in this loop. Therefore, the inherent flexibility of the BII-CII loop in GII proteases is a critical factor to consider when developing broad-spectrum inhibitors for HuNoV proteases. IMPORTANCE Human noroviruses are a significant cause of sporadic and epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs currently available to treat infections. Our work elucidates the structural differences between GI.1 and GII proteases in response to inhibitor binding and will inform the future development of broad-spectrum norovirus protease inhibitors.
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2
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Hayashi T, Kobayashi S, Hirano J, Murakami K. Human norovirus cultivation systems and their use in antiviral research. J Virol 2024; 98:e0166323. [PMID: 38470106 PMCID: PMC11019851 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01663-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis and foodborne diseases, affecting all age groups. Despite its clinical needs, no approved antiviral therapies are available. Since the discovery of HuNoV in 1972, studies on anti-norovirals, mechanism of HuNoV infection, viral inactivation, etc., have been hampered by the lack of a robust laboratory-based cultivation system for HuNoV. A recent breakthrough in the development of HuNoV cultivation systems has opened opportunities for researchers to investigate HuNoV biology in the context of de novo HuNoV infections. A tissue stem cell-derived human intestinal organoid/enteroid (HIO) culture system is one of those that supports HuNoV replication reproducibly and, to our knowledge, is most widely distributed to laboratories worldwide to study HuNoV and develop therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes recently developed HuNoV cultivation systems, including HIO, and their use in antiviral studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Hayashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sakura Kobayashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junki Hirano
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kosuke Murakami
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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3
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Flynn TG, Olortegui MP, Kosek MN. Viral gastroenteritis. Lancet 2024; 403:862-876. [PMID: 38340741 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)02037-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Since the discovery of norovirus in 1972 as a cause of what was contemporarily known as acute infectious non-bacterial gastroenteritis, scientific understanding of the viral gastroenteritides has continued to evolve. It is now recognised that a small number of viruses are the predominant cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, in both high-income and low-income settings. Although treatment is still largely restricted to the replacement of fluid and electrolytes, improved diagnostics have allowed attribution of illness, enabling both targeted treatment of individual patients and prioritisation of interventions for populations worldwide. Questions remain regarding specific genetic and immunological factors underlying host susceptibility, and the optimal clinical management of patients who are susceptible to severe or prolonged manifestations of disease. Meanwhile, the worldwide implementation of rotavirus vaccines has led to substantial reductions in morbidity and mortality, and spurred interest in vaccine development to diminish the impact of the most prevalent viruses that are implicated in this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Flynn
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Margaret N Kosek
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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4
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Doherty JS, Kirkegaard K. Differential inhibition of intra- and inter-molecular protease cleavages by antiviral compounds. J Virol 2023; 97:e0092823. [PMID: 38047713 PMCID: PMC10734437 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00928-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Most protease-targeted antiviral development evaluates the ability of small molecules to inhibit the cleavage of artificial substrates. However, before they can cleave any other substrates, viral proteases need to cleave themselves out of the viral polyprotein in which they have been translated. This can occur either intra- or inter-molecularly. Whether this process occurs intra- or inter-molecularly has implications for the potential for precursors to accumulate and for the effectiveness of antiviral drugs. We argue that evaluating candidate antivirals for their ability to block these cleavages is vital to drug development because the buildup of uncleaved precursors can be inhibitory to the virus and potentially suppress the selection of drug-resistant variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karla Kirkegaard
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
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5
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Yoosefian M, Dashti R, Mahani M, Montazer L, Mir A. A suitable drug structure for interaction with SARS-CoV-2 main protease between boceprevir, masitinib and rupintrivir; a molecular dynamics study. ARAB J CHEM 2023; 16:105051. [PMID: 37323221 PMCID: PMC10246938 DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2023.105051] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, more than 200 countries of the world have faced a health crisis due to the epidemiological disease of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It had a huge impact on the world economy and the global health sector. Researchers are studying the design and discovery of drugs that can inhibit SARS-CoV-2. The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 is an attractive target for the study of antiviral drugs against coronavirus diseases. According to the docking results, binding energy for boceprevir, masitinib and rupintrivir with CMP are -10.80, -9.39, and -9.51 kcal/mol respectively. Also, for all investigated systems, van der Waals and electrostatic interactions are quite favorable for binding the drugs to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus main protease, indicating confirmation of the complex stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Yoosefian
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Nanotechnology, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
| | - Razieh Dashti
- Department of Nanotechnology, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohamad Mahani
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
| | - Leila Montazer
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
| | - Amirabbas Mir
- Institute of Nano Science and Nano Technology, University of Kashan, Kashan P.O. Box 87317-51167, Iran
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Human Norovirus Efficiently Replicates in Differentiated 3D-Human Intestinal Enteroids. J Virol 2022; 96:e0085522. [PMID: 36342297 PMCID: PMC9683019 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00855-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The human norovirus (HNoV) clinical and socio-economic impact calls for immediate action in the development of anti-infectives. Physiologically relevant
in vitro
models are hence needed to study HNoV biology, tropism, and mechanisms of viral-associated disease, and also as a platform to identify antiviral agents.
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7
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Malik P, Jain S, Jain P, Kumawat J, Dwivedi J, Kishore D. A comprehensive update on the structure and synthesis of potential drug targets for combating the coronavirus pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2100382. [PMID: 35040187 PMCID: PMC9011541 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 created by its severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant, known for producing a very severe acute respiratory syndrome, has created an unprecedented situation by its continual assault around the world. The crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 variant has been a global challenge, calling to mitigate this unprecedented pandemic that has engulfed the whole world. Since the outbreak and spread of COVID-19, many researchers globally have been grappling to find new clinically trialed active drugs with anti-COVID-19 activity, from antimalarial drugs to JAK inhibitors, antiviral drugs, immune suppressants, and so forth. This article presents a brief discussion on the activity and synthesis of some active molecules such as favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, pirfenidone, remdesivir, lopinavir, camostat, chloroquine, baricitinib, molnupiravir, and so forth, which are under trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerna Malik
- Department of ChemistryBanasthali VidyapithJaipurIndia
| | - Sonika Jain
- Department of ChemistryBanasthali VidyapithJaipurIndia
| | - Pankaj Jain
- Department of PharmacyBanasthali VidyapithJaipurIndia
| | - Jyoti Kumawat
- Department of ChemistryBanasthali VidyapithJaipurIndia
| | - Jaya Dwivedi
- Department of ChemistryBanasthali VidyapithJaipurIndia
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Vuong W, Fischer C, Khan MB, van Belkum MJ, Lamer T, Willoughby KD, Lu J, Arutyunova E, Joyce MA, Saffran HA, Shields JA, Young HS, Nieman JA, Tyrrell DL, Lemieux MJ, Vederas JC. Improved SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibitors based on feline antiviral drug GC376: Structural enhancements, increased solubility, and micellar studies. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 222:113584. [PMID: 34118724 PMCID: PMC8164773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Replication of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus causing COVID-19, requires a main protease (Mpro) to cleave viral proteins. Consequently, Mpro is a target for antiviral agents. We and others previously demonstrated that GC376, a bisulfite prodrug with efficacy as an anti-coronaviral agent in animals, is an effective inhibitor of Mpro in SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report structure-activity studies of improved GC376 derivatives with nanomolar affinities and therapeutic indices >200. Crystallographic structures of inhibitor-Mpro complexes reveal that an alternative binding pocket in Mpro, S4, accommodates the P3 position. Alternative binding is induced by polar P3 groups or a nearby methyl. NMR and solubility studies with GC376 show that it exists as a mixture of stereoisomers and forms colloids in aqueous media at higher concentrations, a property not previously reported. Replacement of its Na+ counter ion with choline greatly increases solubility. The physical, biochemical, crystallographic, and cellular data reveal new avenues for Mpro inhibitor design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Vuong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Conrad Fischer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Muhammad Bashir Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Marco J van Belkum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Tess Lamer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Kurtis D Willoughby
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Jimmy Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Elena Arutyunova
- Department of Biochemistry, Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Michael A Joyce
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Holly A Saffran
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Justin A Shields
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Howard S Young
- Department of Biochemistry, Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - James A Nieman
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - D Lorne Tyrrell
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - M Joanne Lemieux
- Department of Biochemistry, Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - John C Vederas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2G2, Canada.
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9
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Zhao B, Hu L, Song Y, Patil K, Ramani S, Atmar RL, Estes MK, Prasad BVV. Norovirus Protease Structure and Antivirals Development. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102069. [PMID: 34696498 PMCID: PMC8537771 DOI: 10.3390/v13102069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus (HuNoV) infection is a global health and economic burden. Currently, there are no licensed HuNoV vaccines or antiviral drugs available. The protease encoded by the HuNoV genome plays a critical role in virus replication by cleaving the polyprotein and is an excellent target for developing small-molecule inhibitors. The current strategy for developing HuNoV protease inhibitors is by targeting the enzyme’s active site and designing inhibitors that bind to the substrate-binding pockets located near the active site. However, subtle differential conformational flexibility in response to the different substrates in the polyprotein and structural differences in the active site and substrate-binding pockets across different genogroups, hamper the development of effective broad-spectrum inhibitors. A comparative analysis of the available HuNoV protease structures may provide valuable insight for identifying novel strategies for the design and development of such inhibitors. The goal of this review is to provide such analysis together with an overview of the current status of the design and development of HuNoV protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyang Zhao
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Z.); (K.P.); (S.R.); (R.L.A.); (M.K.E.)
| | - Liya Hu
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Yongcheng Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Ketki Patil
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Z.); (K.P.); (S.R.); (R.L.A.); (M.K.E.)
| | - Sasirekha Ramani
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Z.); (K.P.); (S.R.); (R.L.A.); (M.K.E.)
| | - Robert L. Atmar
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Z.); (K.P.); (S.R.); (R.L.A.); (M.K.E.)
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mary K. Estes
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Z.); (K.P.); (S.R.); (R.L.A.); (M.K.E.)
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - B. V. Venkataram Prasad
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Z.); (K.P.); (S.R.); (R.L.A.); (M.K.E.)
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713-798-5686
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10
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König KMK, Jahun AS, Nayak K, Drumright LN, Zilbauer M, Goodfellow I, Hosmillo M. Design, development, and validation of a strand-specific RT-qPCR assay for GI and GII human Noroviruses. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 6:245. [PMID: 34708158 PMCID: PMC8506223 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17078.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are the major cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide. Similar to other positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, norovirus RNA replication requires the formation of a negative strand RNA intermediate. Methods for detecting and quantifying the viral positive or negative sense RNA in infected cells and tissues can be used as important tools in dissecting virus replication. In this study, we have established a sensitive and strand-specific Taqman-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for both genogroups GI and GII HuNoV. This assay shows good reproducibility, has a broad dynamic range and is able to detect a diverse range of isolates. We used tagged primers containing a non-viral sequence for the reverse transcription (RT) reaction and targeted this tag in the succeeding qPCR reaction to achieve strand specificity. The specificity of the assay was confirmed by the detection of specific viral RNA strands in the presence of high levels of the opposing strands, in both RT and qPCR reactions. Finally, we further validated the assay in norovirus replicon-bearing cell lines and norovirus-infected human small intestinal organoids, in the presence or absence of small-molecule inhibitors. Overall, we have established a strand-specific qPCR assay that can be used as a reliable method to understand the molecular details of the human norovirus life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Marie Kjara König
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Insitute of Chemistry and Metabolomics, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine (CSCM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Aminu S. Jahun
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Komal Nayak
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lydia N. Drumright
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Ian Goodfellow
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Myra Hosmillo
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
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Van Dycke J, Dai W, Stylianidou Z, Li J, Cuvry A, Roux E, Li B, Rymenants J, Bervoets L, de Witte P, Liu H, Neyts J, Rocha-Pereira J. A Novel Class of Norovirus Inhibitors Targeting the Viral Protease with Potent Antiviral Activity In Vitro and In Vivo. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091852. [PMID: 34578432 PMCID: PMC8472913 DOI: 10.3390/v13091852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis resulting annually in ~219,000 deaths and a societal cost of ~USD 60 billion, and no antivirals or vaccines are available. Here, we assess the anti-norovirus activity of new peptidomimetic aldehydes related to the protease inhibitor rupintrivir. The early hit compound 4 inhibited the replication of murine norovirus (MNV) and the HuNoV GI.1 replicon in vitro (EC50 ~1 µM) and swiftly cleared the HuNoV GI.1 replicon from the cells. Compound 4 still inhibits the proteolytic activity. We selected a resistant GI.1 replicon, with a mutation (I109V) in a highly conserved region of the viral protease, conferring a low yield of resistance against compound 4 and rupintrivir. After testing new derivatives, compound 10d was the most potent (EC50 nanomolar range). Molecular docking indicated that the aldehyde group of compounds 4 and 10d bind with Cys139 in the HuNoV 3CL protease by a covalent linkage. Finally, compound 10d inhibited the replication of HuNoV GII.4 in infected zebrafish larvae, and PK studies in mice showed an adequate profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Van Dycke
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven–Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.V.D.); (Z.S.); (A.C.); (E.R.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (J.N.)
| | - Wenhao Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (W.D.); (J.L.); (B.L.)
| | - Zoe Stylianidou
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven–Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.V.D.); (Z.S.); (A.C.); (E.R.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (J.N.)
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (W.D.); (J.L.); (B.L.)
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Arno Cuvry
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven–Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.V.D.); (Z.S.); (A.C.); (E.R.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (J.N.)
| | - Emma Roux
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven–Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.V.D.); (Z.S.); (A.C.); (E.R.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (J.N.)
| | - Bingqian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (W.D.); (J.L.); (B.L.)
| | - Jasper Rymenants
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven–Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.V.D.); (Z.S.); (A.C.); (E.R.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (J.N.)
| | - Lindsey Bervoets
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven–Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.V.D.); (Z.S.); (A.C.); (E.R.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (J.N.)
| | - Peter de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven–Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (W.D.); (J.L.); (B.L.)
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (J.R.-P.)
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven–Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.V.D.); (Z.S.); (A.C.); (E.R.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (J.N.)
| | - Joana Rocha-Pereira
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven–Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.V.D.); (Z.S.); (A.C.); (E.R.); (J.R.); (L.B.); (J.N.)
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (J.R.-P.)
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12
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Identification of Potential Drug Targets of Broad-Spectrum Inhibitors with a Michael Acceptor Moiety Using Shotgun Proteomics. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091756. [PMID: 34578337 PMCID: PMC8473112 DOI: 10.3390/v13091756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Michael addition reaction is a spontaneous and quick chemical reaction that is widely applied in various fields. This reaction is performed by conjugating an addition of nucleophiles with α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, resulting in the bond formation of C-N, C-S, C-O, and so on. In the development of molecular materials, the Michael addition is not only used to synthesize chemical compounds but is also involved in the mechanism of drug action. Several covalent drugs that bond via Michael addition are regarded as anticarcinogens and anti-inflammatory drugs. Although drug development is mainly focused on pharmaceutical drug discovery, target-based discovery can provide a different perspective for drug usage. However, considerable time and labor are required to define a molecular target through molecular biological experiments. In this review, we systematically examine the chemical structures of current FDA-approved antiviral drugs for potential Michael addition moieties with α, β-unsaturated carbonyl groups, which may exert an unidentified broad-spectrum inhibitory mechanism to target viral or host factors. We thus propose that profiling the targets of antiviral agents, such as Michael addition products, can be achieved by employing a high-throughput LC-MS approach to comprehensively analyze the interaction between drugs and targets, and the subsequent drug responses in the cellular environment to facilitate drug repurposing and/or identify potential adverse effects, with a particular emphasis on the pros and cons of this shotgun proteomic approach.
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13
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Structure-Activity Relationship Studies on Novel Antiviral Agents for Norovirus Infections. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091795. [PMID: 34576691 PMCID: PMC8468020 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, affecting every year 685 million people. Norovirus outbreaks are associated with very significant economic losses, with an estimated societal cost of 60 billion USD per year. Despite this, no therapeutic options or vaccines are currently available to treat or prevent this infection. An antiviral therapy that can be used as treatment and as a prophylactic measure in the case of outbreaks is urgently needed. We previously described the computer-aided design and synthesis of novel small-molecule agents able to inhibit the replication of human norovirus in cell-based systems. These compounds are non-nucleoside inhibitors of the viral polymerase and are characterized by a terminal para-substituted phenyl group connected to a central phenyl ring by an amide-thioamide linker, and a terminal thiophene ring. Here we describe new modifications of these scaffolds focused on exploring the role of the substituent at the para position of the terminal phenyl ring and on removing the thioamide portion of the amide-thioamide linker, to further explore structure-activity relationships (SARs) and improve antiviral properties. According to three to four-step synthetic routes, we prepared thirty novel compounds, which were then evaluated against the replication of both murine (MNV) and human (HuNoV) norovirus in cells. Derivatives in which the terminal phenyl group has been replaced by an unsubstituted benzoxazole or indole, and the thioamide component of the amide-thioamide linker has been removed, showed promising results in inhibiting HuNoV replication at low micromolar concentrations. Particularly, compound 28 was found to have an EC50 against HuNoV of 0.9 µM. Although the most active novel derivatives were also associated with an increased cytotoxicity in the human cell line, these compounds represent a very promising starting point for the development of new analogues with reduced cytotoxicity and improved selectivity indexes. In addition, the experimental biological data have been used to create an initial 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship model, which could be used to guide the future design of novel potential anti-norovirus agents.
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14
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Noroviruses-The State of the Art, Nearly Fifty Years after Their Initial Discovery. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081541. [PMID: 34452406 PMCID: PMC8402810 DOI: 10.3390/v13081541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human noroviruses are recognised as the major global cause of viral gastroenteritis. Here, we provide an overview of notable advances in norovirus research and provide a short recap of the novel model systems to which much of the recent progress is owed. Significant advances include an updated classification system, the description of alternative virus-like protein morphologies and capsid dynamics, and the further elucidation of the functions and roles of various viral proteins. Important milestones include new insights into cell tropism, host and microbial attachment factors and receptors, interactions with the cellular translational apparatus, and viral egress from cells. Noroviruses have been detected in previously unrecognised hosts and detection itself is facilitated by improved analytical techniques. New potential transmission routes and/or viral reservoirs have been proposed. Recent in vivo and in vitro findings have added to the understanding of host immunity in response to norovirus infection, and vaccine development has progressed to preclinical and even clinical trial testing. Ongoing development of therapeutics includes promising direct-acting small molecules and host-factor drugs.
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15
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Current and Future Antiviral Strategies to Tackle Gastrointestinal Viral Infections. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081599. [PMID: 34442677 PMCID: PMC8399003 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081599] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute gastroenteritis caused by virus has a major impact on public health worldwide in terms of morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. The main culprits are rotaviruses, noroviruses, sapoviruses, astroviruses, and enteric adenoviruses. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs available for the prevention or treatment of viral gastroenteritis. Here, we describe the antivirals that were identified as having in vitro and/or in vivo activity against these viruses, originating from in silico design or library screening, natural sources or being repurposed drugs. We also highlight recent advances in model systems available for this (hard to cultivate) group of viruses, such as organoid technologies, and that will facilitate antiviral studies as well as fill some of current knowledge gaps that hamper the development of highly efficient therapies against gastroenteric viruses.
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16
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Li X, Peng T. Strategy, Progress, and Challenges of Drug Repurposing for Efficient Antiviral Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:660710. [PMID: 34017257 PMCID: PMC8129523 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.660710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging or re-emerging viruses are still major threats to public health. Prophylactic vaccines represent the most effective way to prevent virus infection; however, antivirals are more promising for those viruses against which vaccines are not effective enough or contemporarily unavailable. Because of the slow pace of novel antiviral discovery, the high disuse rates, and the substantial cost, repurposing of the well-characterized therapeutics, either approved or under investigation, is becoming an attractive strategy to identify the new directions to treat virus infections. In this review, we described recent progress in identifying broad-spectrum antivirals through drug repurposing. We defined the two major categories of the repurposed antivirals, direct-acting repurposed antivirals (DARA) and host-targeting repurposed antivirals (HTRA). Under each category, we summarized repurposed antivirals with potential broad-spectrum activity against a variety of viruses and discussed the possible mechanisms of action. Finally, we proposed the potential investigative directions of drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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17
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Yuan S, Chan CCY, Chik KKH, Tsang JOL, Liang R, Cao J, Tang K, Cai JP, Ye ZW, Yin F, To KKW, Chu H, Jin DY, Hung IFN, Yuen KY, Chan JFW. Broad-Spectrum Host-Based Antivirals Targeting the Interferon and Lipogenesis Pathways as Potential Treatment Options for the Pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Viruses 2020; 12:E628. [PMID: 32532085 PMCID: PMC7354423 DOI: 10.3390/v12060628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) signals an urgent need for an expansion in treatment options. In this study, we investigated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities of 22 antiviral agents with known broad-spectrum antiviral activities against coronaviruses and/or other viruses. They were first evaluated in our primary screening in VeroE6 cells and then the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 antiviral agents were further evaluated using viral antigen expression, viral load reduction, and plaque reduction assays. In addition to remdesivir, lopinavir, and chloroquine, our primary screening additionally identified types I and II recombinant interferons, 25-hydroxycholesterol, and AM580 as the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents among the 22 antiviral agents. Betaferon (interferon-β1b) exhibited the most potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in viral antigen expression, viral load reduction, and plaque reduction assays among the recombinant interferons. The lipogenesis modulators 25-hydroxycholesterol and AM580 exhibited EC50 at low micromolar levels and selectivity indices of >10.0. Combinational use of these host-based antiviral agents with virus-based antivirals to target different processes of the SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle should be evaluated in animal models and/or clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Chris Chun-Yiu Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Kenn Ka-Heng Chik
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Jessica Oi-Ling Tsang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Ronghui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Jianli Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Kaiming Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Jian-Piao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Feifei Yin
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Kelvin Kai-Wang To
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Hin Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (S.Y.); (C.C.-Y.C.); (K.K.-H.C.); (J.O.-L.T.); (R.L.); (J.C.); (K.T.); (J.-P.C.); (Z.-W.Y.); (K.K.-W.T.); (H.C.)
- Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
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18
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Hannemann H. Viral replicons as valuable tools for drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:1026-1033. [PMID: 32272194 PMCID: PMC7136885 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RNA viruses can cause severe diseases such as dengue, Lassa, chikungunya and Ebola. Many of these viruses can only be propagated under high containment levels, necessitating the development of low containment surrogate systems such as subgenomic replicons and minigenome systems. Replicons are self-amplifying recombinant RNA molecules expressing proteins sufficient for their own replication but which do not produce infectious virions. Replicons can persist in cells and are passed on during cell division, enabling quick, efficient and high-throughput testing of drug candidates that act on viral transcription, translation and replication. This review will explore the history and potential for drug discovery of hepatitis C virus, dengue virus, respiratory syncytial virus, Ebola virus and norovirus replicon and minigenome systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Hannemann
- The Native Antigen Company, Langford Locks, Kidlington OX5 1LH, UK.
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19
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Frecer V, Miertus S. Antiviral agents against COVID-19: structure-based design of specific peptidomimetic inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease. RSC Adv 2020; 10:40244-40263. [PMID: 35520818 PMCID: PMC9057467 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08304f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the intense development of vaccines and antiviral therapeutics, no specific treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is currently available. Recently, X-ray crystallographic structures of a validated pharmacological target of SARS-CoV-2, the main protease (Mpro also called 3CLpro) in complex with peptide-like irreversible inhibitors have been published. We have carried out computer-aided structure-based design and optimization of peptidomimetic irreversible α-ketoamide Mpro inhibitors and their analogues using MM, MD and QM/MM methodology, with the goal to propose lead compounds with improved binding affinity to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, enhanced specificity for pathogenic coronaviruses, decreased peptidic character, and favourable drug-like properties. The best inhibitor candidates designed in this work show largely improved interaction energies towards the Mpro and enhanced specificity due to 6 additional hydrogen bonds to the active site residues. The presented results on new SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors are expected to stimulate further research towards the development of specific anti-COVID-19 drugs. Structure-based design of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors identified hydantoin, benzothiazine and cresol moieties as promising residues of new peptidomimetic inhibitors.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Frecer
- Department of Physical Chemistry of Drugs
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Comenius University in Bratislava
- Bratislava
- Slovakia
| | - Stanislav Miertus
- International Centre for Applied Research and Sustainable Technology (ICARST)
- Bratislava
- Slovakia
- Department of Biotechnology
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
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20
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A new antiviral scaffold for human norovirus identified with computer-aided approaches on the viral polymerase. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18413. [PMID: 31804593 PMCID: PMC6895199 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54903-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, affecting every year 685 million people. In about one third of cases, this virus affects children under five years of age, causing each year up to 200,000 child deaths, mainly in the developing countries. Norovirus outbreaks are associated with very significant economic losses, with an estimated societal cost of 60 billion dollars per year. Despite the marked socio-economic consequences associated, no therapeutic options or vaccines are currently available to treat or prevent this infection. One promising target to identify new antiviral agents for norovirus is the viral polymerase, which has a pivotal role for the viral replication and lacks closely homologous structures in the host. Starting from the scaffold of a novel class of norovirus polymerase inhibitors recently discovered in our research group with a computer-aided method, different new chemical modifications were designed and carried out, with the aim to identify improved agents effective against norovirus replication in cell-based assays. While different new inhibitors of the viral polymerase were found, a further computer-aided ligand optimisation approach led to the identification of a new antiviral scaffold for norovirus, which inhibits human norovirus replication at low-micromolar concentrations.
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21
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Harmalkar DS, Lee SJ, Lu Q, Kim MI, Park J, Lee H, Park M, Lee A, Lee C, Lee K. Identification of novel non-nucleoside vinyl-stilbene analogs as potent norovirus replication inhibitors with a potential host-targeting mechanism. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 184:111733. [PMID: 31604163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Norovirus (NV), is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. To date, there is no specific anti-NV drug or vaccine to treat NV infections. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of different stilbene-based analogs on RNA genome replication of human NV (HNV) using a virus replicon-bearing cell line (HG23). Initial screening of our in-house chemical library against NV led to the identification of a hit containing stilbene scaffold 5 which on initial optimization gave us a vinyl stilbene compound 16c (EC50 = 4.4 μM). Herein we report our structure-activity relationship study of the novel series of vinyl stilbene analogs that inhibits viral RNA genome replication in a human NV-specific manner. Among these newly synthesized compounds, several amide derivatives of vinyl stilbenes exhibited potent anti-NV activity with EC50 values ranging from 1 to 2 μM. A trans-vinyl stilbenoid with an appended substituted piperazine amide (18k), exhibited potent anti-NV activity and also displayed favorable metabolic stability. Compound 18k demonstrated an excellent safety profile, the highest suppressive effect, and was selective for HNV replication via a viral RNA polymerase-independent manner. Its potential host-targeting antiviral mechanism was further supported by specific activation of heat shock factor 1-dependent stress-inducible pathway by 18k. These results suggest that 18k might be a promising lead compound for developing novel NV inhibitors with the novel antiviral mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipesh S Harmalkar
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea; Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Jin Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Qili Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Il Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyung Park
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwayoung Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyung Park
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahrim Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Choongho Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyeong Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Netzler NE, Enosi Tuipulotu D, White PA. Norovirus antivirals: Where are we now? Med Res Rev 2019; 39:860-886. [PMID: 30584800 PMCID: PMC7168425 DOI: 10.1002/med.21545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Human noroviruses inflict a significant health burden on society and are responsible for approximately 699 million infections and over 200 000 estimated deaths worldwide each year. Yet despite significant research efforts, approved vaccines or antivirals to combat this pathogen are still lacking. Safe and effective antivirals are not available, particularly for chronically infected immunocompromised individuals, and for prophylactic applications to protect high-risk and vulnerable populations in outbreak settings. Since the discovery of human norovirus in 1972, the lack of a cell culture system has hindered biological research and antiviral studies for many years. Recent breakthroughs in culturing human norovirus have been encouraging, however, further development and optimization of these novel methodologies are required to facilitate more robust replication levels, that will enable reliable serological and replication studies, as well as advances in antiviral development. In the last few years, considerable progress has been made toward the development of norovirus antivirals, inviting an updated review. This review focuses on potential therapeutics that have been reported since 2010, which were examined across at least two model systems used for studying human norovirus or its enzymes. In addition, we have placed emphasis on antiviral compounds with a defined chemical structure. We include a comprehensive outline of direct-acting antivirals and offer a discussion of host-modulating compounds, a rapidly expanding and promising area of antiviral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E. Netzler
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Daniel Enosi Tuipulotu
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Peter A. White
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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23
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Automated cell-based luminescence assay for profiling antiviral compound activity against enteroviruses. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6023. [PMID: 30988314 PMCID: PMC6465263 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42160-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the development, optimisation, and validation of an automated, cell-based and high-throughput screening assay using existing luminescence-based ATPlite reagents for identifying antiviral compounds that inhibit enterovirus replication. Antiviral efficacy was determined by measuring the ATP levels in cells that were protected from the viral cytopathic effect (CPE) by the antiviral compounds pleconaril and rupintrivir. CPE-based assay conditions were optimised at a cell density of 5000 cells/well and a viral infection dose of 100 CCID50 in 384-well plates. The assay exhibited excellent robustness, with Z'-factor values between 0.75 and 0.82, coefficients of variation between 0.33% and 1.45%, and signal-to-background ratios ranging from 6.92 to 22.6 when testing three enterovirus A71 isolates circulating in China. The assay was also suitable for screening other picornaviruses, such as poliovirus, coxsackievirus, echovirus, and parechovirus.
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Ghosh S, Malik YS, Kobayashi N. Therapeutics and Immunoprophylaxis Against Noroviruses and Rotaviruses: The Past, Present, and Future. Curr Drug Metab 2018; 19:170-191. [PMID: 28901254 PMCID: PMC5971199 DOI: 10.2174/1389200218666170912161449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: Noroviruses and rotaviruses are important viral etiologies of severe gastroenteritis. Noroviruses are the primary cause of nonbacterial diarrheal outbreaks in humans, whilst rotaviruses are a major cause of childhood diarrhea. Although both enteric pathogens substantially impact human health and economies, there are no approved drugs against noroviruses and rotaviruses so far. On the other hand, whilst the currently licensed rotavirus vaccines have been successfully implemented in over 100 countries, the most advanced norovirus vaccine has recently completed phase-I and II trials. Methods: We performed a structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research litera-ture on advances in the fields of norovirus and rotavirus therapeutics and immunoprophylaxis. Results: Technological advances coupled with a proper understanding of viral morphology and replication over the past decade has facilitated pioneering research on therapeutics and immunoprophylaxis against noroviruses and rotaviruses, with promising outcomes in human clinical trials of some of the drugs and vaccines. This review focuses on the various developments in the fields of norovirus and rotavirus thera-peutics and immunoprophylaxis, such as potential antiviral drug molecules, passive immunotherapies (oral human immunoglobulins, egg yolk and bovine colostral antibodies, llama-derived nanobodies, and anti-bodies expressed in probiotics, plants, rice grains and insect larvae), immune system modulators, probiot-ics, phytochemicals and other biological substances such as bovine milk proteins, therapeutic nanoparti-cles, hydrogels and viscogens, conventional viral vaccines (live and inactivated whole virus vaccines), and genetically engineered viral vaccines (reassortant viral particles, virus-like particles (VLPs) and other sub-unit recombinant vaccines including multi-valent viral vaccines, edible plant vaccines, and encapsulated viral particles). Conclusions: This review provides important insights into the various approaches to therapeutics and im-munoprophylaxis against noroviruses and rotaviruses..
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Ghosh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies.,Department of Hygiene, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yashpal Singh Malik
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nobumichi Kobayashi
- Department of Hygiene, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Kitano M, Hosmillo M, Emmott E, Lu J, Goodfellow I. Selection and Characterization of Rupintrivir-Resistant Norwalk Virus Replicon Cells In Vitro. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e00201-18. [PMID: 29530860 PMCID: PMC5923142 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00201-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a major cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, yet despite its impact on society, vaccines and antivirals are currently lacking. A HuNoV replicon system has been widely applied to the evaluation of antiviral compounds and has thus accelerated the process of drug discovery against HuNoV infection. Rupintrivir, an irreversible inhibitor of the human rhinovirus 3C protease, has been reported to inhibit the replication of the Norwalk virus replicon via the inhibition of the norovirus protease. Here we report, for the first time, the generation of rupintrivir-resistant human Norwalk virus replicon cells in vitro Sequence analysis revealed that these replicon cells contained amino acid substitutions of alanine 105 to valine (A105V) and isoleucine 109 to valine (I109V) in the viral protease NS6. The application of a cell-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay for protease activity demonstrated that these substitutions were involved in the enhanced resistance to rupintrivir. Furthermore, we validated the effect of these mutations using reverse genetics in murine norovirus (MNV), demonstrating that a recombinant MNV strain with a single I109V substitution in the protease also showed reduced susceptibility to rupintrivir. In summary, using a combination of different approaches, we have demonstrated that, under the correct conditions, mutations in the norovirus protease that lead to the generation of resistant mutants can rapidly occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsutaka Kitano
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Myra Hosmillo
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Emmott
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Lu
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Goodfellow
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Delang L, Abdelnabi R, Neyts J. Favipiravir as a potential countermeasure against neglected and emerging RNA viruses. Antiviral Res 2018. [PMID: 29524445 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Favipiravir, also known as T-705, is an antiviral drug that has been approved in 2014 in Japan to treat pandemic influenza virus infections. The drug is converted intracellularly into its active, phosphoribosylated form, which is recognized as a substrate by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Interestingly, besides its anti-influenza virus activity, this molecule is also able to inhibit the replication of flavi-, alpha-, filo-, bunya-, arena-, noro-, and of other RNA viruses, which include neglected and (re)emerging viruses for which no antiviral therapy is currently available. We will discuss the potential of favipiravir as a broad-spectrum countermeasure against infections caused by such neglected RNA viruses. Favipiravir has already been used off-label to treat patients infected with the Ebola virus and the Lassa virus. Because of the particular set-up of the clinical trials during these outbreaks, clear conclusions on the efficacy of favipiravir could not be made. For several viruses, it was demonstrated that the barrier of resistance development against favipiravir is high. Favipiravir has been shown to be well tolerated in healthy volunteers and in influenza virus-infected patients; however, caution is needed because of the teratogenic risks of this molecule. Because of its antiviral activity against different RNA viruses and its high barrier for resistance, the potential of favipiravir as a broad-spectrum antiviral seems promising, but safety and potency issues should be overcome before this drug or similar molecules could be used to treat large patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Delang
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
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27
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Buthelezi NM, Machaba KE, Soliman ME. The Identification of potential human rhinovirus inhibitors: exploring the binding landscape of HRV-3C protease through PRED pharmacophore screening. Future Virol 2017. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2017-0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Rhinovirus infections are estimated to be 70% of virus-related cold and flu-like illnesses. The disastrous impact of human rhinovirus infections costs healthcare systems billions annually. Herein, an in-house target-bound pharmacophore-based virtual screening protocol, outlined in our previous publications, was employed in identifying potential drug lead of 3C protease, based on the structural characteristics of rupintrivir. The two novel hits HRV-ZINC01537619 and HRV-ZINC601135028 may be commissioners of the new group of 3C proteases inhibitors against human rhinoviruses. Interestingly, both ZINC01537619 and ZINC601135028 interact with catalytic residues His40 and Cys147, respectively. This is a significant phenomenon which gives hope that viral replication inhibition is possible. These promising compounds now pave a fundamental new route toward the successful inhibition of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndumiso M Buthelezi
- Molecular Modeling & Drug Design Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4001, South Africa
| | - Kgothatso E Machaba
- Molecular Modeling & Drug Design Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4001, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E Soliman
- Molecular Modeling & Drug Design Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4001, South Africa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
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28
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Jackson PA, Widen JC, Harki DA, Brummond KM. Covalent Modifiers: A Chemical Perspective on the Reactivity of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyls with Thiols via Hetero-Michael Addition Reactions. J Med Chem 2017; 60:839-885. [PMID: 27996267 PMCID: PMC5308545 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 332] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although Michael acceptors display a potent and broad spectrum of bioactivity, they have largely been ignored in drug discovery because of their presumed indiscriminate reactivity. As such, a dearth of information exists relevant to the thiol reactivity of natural products and their analogues possessing this moiety. In the midst of recently approved acrylamide-containing drugs, it is clear that a good understanding of the hetero-Michael addition reaction and the relative reactivities of biological thiols with Michael acceptors under physiological conditions is needed for the design and use of these compounds as biological tools and potential therapeutics. This Perspective provides information that will contribute to this understanding, such as kinetics of thiol addition reactions, bioactivities, as well as steric and electronic factors that influence the electrophilicity and reversibility of Michael acceptors. This Perspective is focused on α,β-unsaturated carbonyls given their preponderance in bioactive natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Jackson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - John C. Widen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Daniel A. Harki
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Kay M. Brummond
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
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Rocha-Pereira J, Van Dycke J, Neyts J. Norovirus genetic diversity and evolution: implications for antiviral therapy. Curr Opin Virol 2016; 20:92-98. [PMID: 27736665 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2016.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human noroviruses are the leading cause of foodborne illness causing both acute and chronic gastroenteritis. In recent years, a number of vaccine candidates entered (pre-) clinical development and the first efforts to develop antiviral therapy have been made. We here discuss aspects of norovirus genetic evolution, persistence in immunocompromised patients as well as the risk and potential consequences of resistance development toward future antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Rocha-Pereira
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jana Van Dycke
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Potent antivirals are successfully used for the treatment of infections with herpesviruses, hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV, and with some success for influenza viruses. However, no selective inhibitors are available for a multitude of medically important viruses, most of which are (re-)emerging RNA viruses. As it is impossible to develop drugs against each of these viruses, broad-spectrum antiviral agents (BSAA) are a prime strategy to cope with this challenge. RECENT FINDINGS We propose four categories of antiviral molecules that hold promise as BSAA. Several nucleoside analogues with broad antiviral activity have been described and given the relatively conserved nature of viral polymerases, it may be possible to develop more broad-spectrum nucleoside analogues. A number of viral proteins are relatively conserved between families and may also be interesting targets. Host-targeting antiviral drugs such as modulators of lipid metabolism and cyclophilin inhibitors can be explored as well. Finally, the potent and broad antiviral function of the immune system can be exploited by the development of immune-modulating BSAA. SUMMARY Despite the recent advances, the BSAA field is still in its infancy. Nevertheless, the discovery and development of such molecules will be a key aim of antiviral research in the coming decades.
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31
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Antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses isolated from patients pre- and post-administration of favipiravir. Antiviral Res 2016; 132:170-7. [PMID: 27321665 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Favipiravir, a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, has recently been approved in Japan for influenza pandemic preparedness. Here, we conducted a cell-based screening system to evaluate the susceptibility of influenza viruses to favipiravir. In this assay, the antiviral activity of favipiravir is determined by inhibition of virus-induced cytopathic effect, which can be measured by using a colorimetric cell proliferation assay. To demonstrate the robustness of the assay, we compared the favipiravir susceptibilities of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor-resistant influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), A(H7N9) and B viruses and their sensitive counterparts. No significant differences in the favipiravir susceptibilities were found between NA inhibitor-resistant and sensitive viruses. We, then, examined the antiviral susceptibility of 57 pairs of influenza viruses isolated from patients pre- and post-administration of favipiravir in phase 3 clinical trials. We found that there were no viruses with statistically significant reduced susceptibility to favipiravir or NA inhibitors, although two of 20 paired A(H1N1)pdm09, one of 17 paired A(H3N2) and one of 20 paired B viruses possessed amino acid substitutions in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunits, PB1, PB2 and PA, after favipiravir administration. This is the first report on the antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses isolated from patients after favipiravir treatment.
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32
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Thorne L, Arias A, Goodfellow I. Advances Toward a Norovirus Antiviral: From Classical Inhibitors to Lethal Mutagenesis. J Infect Dis 2016; 213 Suppl 1:S27-31. [PMID: 26744429 PMCID: PMC4704654 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human noroviruses are a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, yet there are no licensed antivirals. There is an urgent need for norovirus therapeutics, particularly for chronic infections in immunocompromised individuals, but also a potential need for prophylactic use in epidemics. Continued research has led to the identification of compounds that inhibit norovirus replication in vitro and, at least in some cases, are also effective in vivo against murine norovirus. Progress has included classical approaches targeting viral proteins and harnessing the antiviral action of interferon, strategies targeting essential host cell factors, and novel strategies exploiting the high mutation rate of noroviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Thorne
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, United Kingdom
| | - Armando Arias
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Goodfellow
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, United Kingdom
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33
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Laitinen OH, Svedin E, Kapell S, Nurminen A, Hytönen VP, Flodström-Tullberg M. Enteroviral proteases: structure, host interactions and pathogenicity. Rev Med Virol 2016; 26:251-67. [PMID: 27145174 PMCID: PMC7169145 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.1883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Enteroviruses are common human pathogens, and infections are particularly frequent in children. Severe infections can lead to a variety of diseases, including poliomyelitis, aseptic meningitis, myocarditis and neonatal sepsis. Enterovirus infections have also been implicated in asthmatic exacerbations and type 1 diabetes. The large disease spectrum of the closely related enteroviruses may be partially, but not fully, explained by differences in tissue tropism. The molecular mechanisms by which enteroviruses cause disease are poorly understood, but there is increasing evidence that the two enteroviral proteases, 2Apro and 3Cpro, are important mediators of pathology. These proteases perform the post‐translational proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein, but they also cleave several host‐cell proteins in order to promote the production of new virus particles, as well as to evade the cellular antiviral immune responses. Enterovirus‐associated processing of cellular proteins may also contribute to pathology, as elegantly demonstrated by the 2Apro‐mediated cleavage of dystrophin in cardiomyocytes contributing to Coxsackievirus‐induced cardiomyopathy. It is likely that improved tools to identify targets for these proteases will reveal additional host protein substrates that can be linked to specific enterovirus‐associated diseases. Here, we discuss the function of the enteroviral proteases in the virus replication cycle and review the current knowledge regarding how these proteases modulate the infected cell in order to favour virus replication, including ways to avoid detection by the immune system. We also highlight new possibilities for the identification of protease‐specific cellular targets and thereby a way to discover novel mechanisms contributing to disease. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olli H Laitinen
- BioMediTech, Finland and Fimlab Laboratories, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Emma Svedin
- The Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine HS, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Kapell
- The Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine HS, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anssi Nurminen
- BioMediTech, Finland and Fimlab Laboratories, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesa P Hytönen
- BioMediTech, Finland and Fimlab Laboratories, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Malin Flodström-Tullberg
- BioMediTech, Finland and Fimlab Laboratories, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,The Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine HS, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rapid transmission of norovirus often occurs due to its low infectious dosage, high genetic diversity and its short incubation time. The viruses cause acute gastroenteritis and may lead to death. Presently, no effective vaccine or selective drugs accepted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are available for the treatment of norovirus. Advances in the development of norovirus replicon cell lines, GII.4-Sydney HuNoV strain human B cells, and murine and gnotobiotic pig norovirus models have facilitated the discovery of effective small molecule inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. AREAS COVERED This review gives a brief discussion of the biology and replication of norovirus before highlighting the discovery of anti-norovirus molecules. The article coverage includes: an overview of the current state of norovirus drug discovery, the targeting of the norovirus life cycle, the inhibition of structural and nonstructural proteins of norovirus such as proteases and polymerase, and the blockage of virus entry into host cells. Finally, anti-norovirus drugs in the clinical development stage are described. EXPERT OPINION The current approach for the counteraction of norovirus focuses on the inhibition of viral RNA polymerase, norovirus 3C-like protease and the structural proteins VP1 as well as the blockade of norovirus entry. Broad-spectrum anti-norovirus molecules, based on the inhibition of 3C-like protease, have been developed. Other host factors and ways to overcome the development of resistance through mutation are also being examined. A dual approach in targeting viral and host factors may lead to an effective counteraction of norovirus infection. Current successes in developing norovirus replicon harboring cells and norovirus infected human cells, as well as murine norovirus models and other animal models such as piglets have facilitated the discovery of effective drugs and helped our understanding of its mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahani Weerasekara
- a Department of Chemistry , Kansas State University , Manhattan , KS , USA
| | - Allan M Prior
- b Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry , University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Duy H Hua
- a Department of Chemistry , Kansas State University , Manhattan , KS , USA
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Smee DF, Evans WJ, Nicolaou KC, Tarbet EB, Day CW. Susceptibilities of enterovirus D68, enterovirus 71, and rhinovirus 87 strains to various antiviral compounds. Antiviral Res 2016; 131:61-5. [PMID: 27063860 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Compounds were evaluated for antiviral activity in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells against a recent 2014 clinical isolate of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), a 1962 strain of EV-68D, rhinovirus 87 (RV-87, serologically the same as EV-D68), and enterovirus 71 (EV-71). Test substances included known-active antipicornavirus agents (enviroxime, guanidine HCl, pirodavir, pleconaril, and rupintrivir), nucleobase/nucleoside analogs (3-deazaguanine and ribavirin), and three novel epidithiodiketopiperazines (KCN-2,2'-epi-19, KCN-19, and KCN-21). Of these, rupintrivir was the most potent, with 50% inhibition of viral cytopathic effect (EC50) and 90% inhibition (EC90) of virus yield at 0.0022-0.0053 μM against EV-D68. Enviroxime, pleconaril and the KCN compounds showed efficacy at 0.01-0.3 μM; 3-deazaguanine and pirodavir inhibited EV-D68 at 7-13 μM, and guanidine HCl and ribavirin were inhibitory at 80-135 μM. Pirodavir was active against EV-71 (EC50 of 0.78 μM) but not against RV-87 or EV-D68, and all other compounds were less effective against EV-71 than against RV-87 and EV-D68. The most promising compound inhibiting both virus infections at low concentrations was rupintrivir. Antiviral activity was confirmed for the ten compounds in virus yield reduction (VYR) assays in RD cells, and for enviroxime, guanidine HCl, and pirodavir by cytopathic effect (CPE) assays in A549, HeLa-Ohio-1, and RD cells. These studies may serve as a basis for further pre-clinical discovery of anti-enterovirus inhibitors. Furthermore, the antiviral profiles and growth characteristics observed herein support the assertion that EV-D68 should be classified together with RV-87.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald F Smee
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - W Joseph Evans
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - K C Nicolaou
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - E Bart Tarbet
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Craig W Day
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
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36
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Galasiti Kankanamalage AC, Weerawarna PM, Kim Y, Chang KO, Groutas WC. Anti-norovirus therapeutics: a patent review (2010-2015). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 26:297-308. [PMID: 26881878 PMCID: PMC4948123 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2016.1153065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human noroviruses are the primary causative agents of acute gastroenteritis and are a pressing public health burden worldwide. There are currently no vaccines or small molecule therapeutics available for the treatment or prophylaxis of norovirus infections. An improved understanding of norovirus biology, as well as the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the disease, has provided the impetus for a range of intense exploratory drug discovery efforts targeting viral and host factors. AREAS COVERED An overview of norovirus inhibitors disclosed in the patent literature (2010-present) and Clinicaltrials.gov is presented. The review is further enriched and supplemented by recent literature reports. EXPERT OPINION Seminal discoveries made in recent years, including a better understanding of the pathobiology and life cycle of norovirus, the identification and targeting of multiple viral and host factors, the advent of a replicon system and a small animal model for the preclinical evaluation of lead compounds, and the availability of high resolution X-ray crystal structures that can be utilized in structure-based drug design and lead optimization campaigns, collectively suggest that a small molecule therapeutic and prophylactic for norovirus infection is likely to emerge in the not too distant future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yunjeong Kim
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
| | - Kyeong-Ok Chang
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
| | - William C. Groutas
- Department of Chemistry, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas 67260, USA
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37
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Gogineni V, Schinazi RF, Hamann MT. Role of Marine Natural Products in the Genesis of Antiviral Agents. Chem Rev 2015; 115:9655-706. [PMID: 26317854 PMCID: PMC4883660 DOI: 10.1021/cr4006318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vedanjali Gogineni
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Raymond F. Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University/Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1760 Haygood Drive NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Mark T. Hamann
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
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38
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Emmott E, Sweeney TR, Goodfellow I. A Cell-based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Sensor Reveals Inter- and Intragenogroup Variations in Norovirus Protease Activity and Polyprotein Cleavage. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:27841-53. [PMID: 26363064 PMCID: PMC4646915 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.688234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The viral protease represents a key drug target for the development of antiviral therapeutics. Because many protease inhibitors mimic protease substrates, differences in substrate recognition between proteases may affect their sensitivity to a given inhibitor. Here we use a cell-based FRET sensor to investigate the activity of different norovirus proteases upon cleavage of various norovirus cleavage sites inserted into a linker region separating cyan fluorescent protein and yellow fluorescent protein. Using this system, we demonstrate that differences in substrate processing exist between proteases from human noroviruses (genogroups I (GI) and II) and the commonly used murine norovirus (MNV, genogroup V) model. These altered the cleavage efficiency of specific cleavage sites both within and between genogroups. The differences observed between these proteases may affect sensitivity to protease inhibitors and the suitability of MNV as a model system for testing such molecules against the human norovirus protease. Finally, we demonstrate that replacement of MNV polyprotein cleavage sites with the GI or GII equivalents, with the exception of the NS6–7 junction, leads to the production of infectious virus when the MNV NS6 protease, but not the GI or GII proteases, are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Emmott
- From the Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor R Sweeney
- From the Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Goodfellow
- From the Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
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Kim Y, Galasiti Kankanamalage AC, Chang KO, Groutas WC. Recent Advances in the Discovery of Norovirus Therapeutics. J Med Chem 2015; 58:9438-50. [PMID: 26258852 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Noroviruses are members of the family Caliciviridae. Norovirus infections are a global health burden that impacts >20 million individuals annually in the U.S. alone. Noroviruses are associated with high morbidity among vulnerable populations, particularly immunocompromised patients. This perspective highlights recent developments related to the discovery and development of norovirus-specific small-molecule therapeutics as well as recent advances in our understanding of norovirus biology and pathogenesis. Most of the work in this area is at the early discovery stage and has been primarily focused on inhibitors of norovirus 3C-like protease and RNA dependent RNA polymerase. However, recent discoveries emanating from basic studies in norovirus research have resulted in the identification of new host-related drug targets that can be exploited. A repurposed compound has been advanced to human clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjeong Kim
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | | | - Kyeong-Ok Chang
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas 66506, United States
| | - William C Groutas
- Department of Chemistry, Wichita State University , 1845 North Fairmount Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67260, United States
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