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Du S, Liu X, Hu X, Zhan P. Viral Protein Dimerization Quality Control: A Design Strategy for a Potential Viral Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2024; 67:16951-16966. [PMID: 39303015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
The global pharmaceutical market has been profoundly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, leading to an increased demand for specific drugs. Consequently, drug resistance has prompted continuous innovation in drug design strategies to effectively combat resistant pathogens or disease variants. Protein dimers play crucial roles in vivo, including catalytic reactions, signal transduction, and structural stability. The site of action for protein dimerization modulators typically does not reside within the active site of the protein, thereby potentially impeding resistance development. Therefore, harnessing viral protein dimerization modulators could represent a promising avenue for combating viral infections. In this Perspective, we provide a detailed introduction to the design principles and applications of dimerization modulators in antiviral research. Furthermore, we analyze various representative examples to elucidate their modes of action while presenting our perspective on dimerization modulators along with the opportunities and challenges associated with this groundbreaking area of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoqing Du
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P. R. China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P. R. China
| | - Xueping Hu
- Institute of Frontier Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P. R. China
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2
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Aoki K, Tsuda S, Ogata N, Kataoka M, Sasaki J, Inuki S, Ohno H, Watashi K, Yoshiya T, Oishi S. Synthesis of the full-length hepatitis B virus core protein and its capsid formation. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:2218-2225. [PMID: 38358380 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob02099a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Capsid assembly modulators can induce error-prone assembly of HBV core proteins to prevent the formation of infectious virions, representing promising candidates for treating chronic HBV infections. To explore novel capsid assembly modulators from unexplored mirror-image libraries of natural products, we have investigated the synthetic process of the HBV core protein for preparing the mirror-image target protein. In this report, the chemical synthesis of full-length HBV core protein (Cp183) containing an arginine-rich nucleic acid-binding domain at the C-terminus is presented. Sequential ligations using four peptide segments enabled the synthesis of Cp183 via convergent and C-to-N direction approaches. After refolding under appropriate conditions, followed by the addition of nucleic acid, the synthetic Cp183 assembled into capsid-like particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Aoki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan.
| | - Shugo Tsuda
- Peptide Institute, Inc. Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Naoko Ogata
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan.
| | - Michiyo Kataoka
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Disease, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Jumpei Sasaki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Inuki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ohno
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Taku Yoshiya
- Peptide Institute, Inc. Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shinya Oishi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan.
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3
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Yang L, Gong Y, Liu F, Chen W, Wang X, Long G, Li H, Xiao F, Lu M, Hu Y, Tong X, Zuo J. A novel phthalazinone derivative as a capsid assembly modulator inhibits hepatitis B virus expression. Antiviral Res 2024; 221:105763. [PMID: 38008192 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Development of new anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) drugs that target viral capsid assembly is a very active research field. We identify a novel phthalazinone derivative, compound 5832, as a potent HBV inhibitor. In this study, we intend to elaborate the antiviral effect and mechanism of 5832 against HBV in vitro and in vivo. Compound 5832 treatment induces the formation of genome-free empty capsid by interfering with the core protein assembly domain, which significantly decreases the extracellular and intracellular HBV DNA. In the AAV-HBV transduced mouse model, 5832 suppresses serum HBV DNA after 4-week treatment, and decreases HBsAg and HBeAg levels. 5832 treatment also reduces intrahepatic HBV RNA, DNA and HBcAg levels. During the follow-up period after treatment withdrawal, serum antigen levels demonstrated no increase. We demonstrate 5832 treatment could active apoptotic signaling by elevating the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5), which participated in corresponding HBcAg-positive hepatocyte eradication. Phthalazinone derivative 5832 may serve as a promising anti-HBV drug candidate to improve the treatment options for chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200000,China
| | - Ying Gong
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Feifei Liu
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wuhong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xinran Wang
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Guozhang Long
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Heng Li
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fuling Xiao
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - MengJi Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45122, Germany
| | - Youhong Hu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China.
| | - Xiankun Tong
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Jianping Zuo
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No.138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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4
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Nayak S, Gowda J, Abbas SA, Kim H, Han SB. Recent Advances in the Development of Sulfamoyl-Based Hepatitis B Virus Nucleocapsid Assembly Modulators. Viruses 2023; 15:2367. [PMID: 38140607 PMCID: PMC10747759 DOI: 10.3390/v15122367] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the primary contributor to severe liver ailments, encompassing conditions such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Globally, 257 million people are affected by HBV annually and 887,000 deaths are attributed to it, representing a substantial health burden. Regrettably, none of the existing therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have achieved satisfactory clinical cure rates. This issue stems from the existence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which is difficult to eliminate from the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. HBV genetic material is composed of partially double-stranded DNA that forms complexes with viral polymerase inside an icosahedral capsid composed of a dimeric core protein. The HBV core protein, consisting of 183 to 185 amino acids, plays integral roles in multiple essential functions within the HBV replication process. In this review, we describe the effects of sulfamoyl-based carboxamide capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) on capsid assembly, which can suppress HBV replication and disrupt the production of new cccDNA. We present research on classical, first-generation sulfamoyl benzocarboxamide CAMs, elucidating their structural composition and antiviral efficacy. Additionally, we explore newly identified sulfamoyl-based CAMs, including sulfamoyl bicyclic carboxamides, sulfamoyl aromatic heterocyclic carboxamides, sulfamoyl aliphatic heterocyclic carboxamides, cyclic sulfonamides, and non-carboxamide sulfomoyl-based CAMs. We believe that certain molecules derived from sulfamoyl groups have the potential to be developed into essential components of a well-suited combination therapy, ultimately yielding superior clinical efficacy outcomes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesha Nayak
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jayaraj Gowda
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Syed Azeem Abbas
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Bong Han
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
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5
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Zhao S, Wang Y, Zhang X, Qiao L, Wang S, Jin Y, Wu S, Li Y, Zhan P, Liu X. Discovery of carboxyl-containing heteroaryldihydropyrimidine derivatives as novel HBV capsid assembly modulators with significantly improved metabolic stability. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:2380-2400. [PMID: 37974964 PMCID: PMC10650354 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00461a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Interfering with the assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid is a promising approach for treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In order to enhance the metabolic stability and reduce the strong hERG inhibitory effect of HBV capsid assembly modulator (CAM) GLS4, we rationally designed a series of carboxyl-containing heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) derivatives based on structural biology information combined with medicinal chemistry strategies. The results from biological evaluation demonstrated that compound 6a-25 (EC50 = 0.020 μM) exhibited greater potency than the positive drug lamivudine (EC50 = 0.09 μM), and was comparable to the lead compound GLS4 (EC50 = 0.007 μM). Furthermore, it was observed that 6a-25 reduced levels of core protein (Cp) and capsid in cells. Preliminary assessment of drug-likeness revealed that 6a-25 exhibited superior water solubility (pH 2.0: 374.81 μg mL-1; pH 7.0: 6.85 μg mL-1; pH 7.4: 25.48 μg mL-1), liver microsomal metabolic stability (t1/2 = 108.2 min), and lower hERG toxicity (10 μM inhibition rate was 72.66%) compared to the lead compound GLS4. Overall, compound 6a-25 holds promise for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Ya Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100050 Beijing PR China
| | - Xujie Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Lijun Qiao
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100050 Beijing PR China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Yu Jin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Shuo Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100050 Beijing PR China
| | - Yuhuan Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100050 Beijing PR China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong PR China
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6
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Hwang N, Wu S, Ban H, Luo H, Ma J, Cheng J, Zhao Q, Laney JA, Du N, Guo J, Suresh M, Shen L, Tolufashe G, Viswanathan U, Kulp J, Lam P, Chang J, Clement JA, Menne S, Guo JT, Du Y. Identification of novel tetrahydroquinoxaline derived phenyl ureas as modulators of the hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid assembly. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115634. [PMID: 37499290 PMCID: PMC10753860 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
A key step of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is the selective packaging of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) by core protein (Cp) dimers, forming a nucleocapsid where the reverse transcriptional viral DNA replication takes place. One approach in the development of new anti-HBV drugs is to disrupt the assembly of HBV nucleocapsids by misdirecting Cp dimers to assemble morphologically normal capsids devoid of pgRNA. In this study, we built upon our previous discovery of benzamide-derived HBV capsid assembly modulators by exploring fused bicyclic scaffolds with an exocyclic amide that is β, γ to the fused ring, and identified 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline derived phenyl ureas as a novel scaffold. Structure-activity relationship studies showed that a favorable hydrophobic substitution can be tolerated at the 2-position of the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline core, and the resulting compound 88 demonstrated comparable or improved antiviral potencies in mouse and human hepatocyte-derived HBV-replicating cell lines compared to our previously reported benzamide compound, 38017 (8). In addition, a novel bis-urea series based on 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline was also found to inhibit HBV DNA replication with sub-micromolar EC50 values. The mode of action of these compounds is consistent with specific inhibition of pgRNA encapsidation into nucleocapsids in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Hwang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Shuo Wu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Haiqun Ban
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA; Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1630 Dongfang Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Huixin Luo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Julia Ma
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Junjun Cheng
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Jessilyn A Laney
- United States Naval Academy, 121 Blake Rd, Annapolis, MD, 21402, USA
| | - Na Du
- Pharmaron, 6 Taihe Road, BDA, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Junyang Guo
- Pharmaron, 6 Taihe Road, BDA, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Manasa Suresh
- Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Liangxian Shen
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Gideon Tolufashe
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Usha Viswanathan
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - John Kulp
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Patrick Lam
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Jason A Clement
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Stephan Menne
- Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA.
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA.
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7
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Asor R, Singaram SW, Levi-Kalisman Y, Hagan MF, Raviv U. Effect of ionic strength on the assembly of simian vacuolating virus capsid protein around poly(styrene sulfonate). THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2023; 46:107. [PMID: 37917241 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00363-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are noninfectious nanocapsules that can be used for drug delivery or vaccine applications. VLPs can be assembled from virus capsid proteins around a condensing agent, such as RNA, DNA, or a charged polymer. Electrostatic interactions play an important role in the assembly reaction. VLPs assemble from many copies of capsid protein, with a combinatorial number of intermediates. Hence, the mechanism of the reaction is poorly understood. In this paper, we combined solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and computational modeling to determine the effect of ionic strength on the assembly of Simian Vacuolating Virus 40 (SV40)-like particles. We mixed poly(styrene sulfonate) with SV40 capsid protein pentamers at different ionic strengths. We then characterized the assembly product by SAXS and cryo-TEM. To analyze the data, we performed Langevin dynamics simulations using a coarse-grained model that revealed incomplete, asymmetric VLP structures consistent with the experimental data. We found that close to physiological ionic strength, [Formula: see text] VLPs coexisted with VP1 pentamers. At lower or higher ionic strengths, incomplete particles coexisted with pentamers and [Formula: see text] particles. Including the simulated structures was essential to explain the SAXS data in a manner that is consistent with the cryo-TEM images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Asor
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Surendra W Singaram
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, 02453, MA, USA
| | - Yael Levi-Kalisman
- Institute of Life Sciences and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael F Hagan
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, 02453, MA, USA.
| | - Uri Raviv
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel.
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8
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Molecular elucidation of drug-induced abnormal assemblies of the hepatitis B virus capsid protein by solid-state NMR. Nat Commun 2023; 14:471. [PMID: 36709212 PMCID: PMC9884277 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36219-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) represent a recent class of anti-HBV antivirals. CAMs disturb proper nucleocapsid assembly, by inducing formation of either aberrant assemblies (CAM-A) or of apparently normal but genome-less empty capsids (CAM-E). Classical structural approaches have revealed the CAM binding sites on the capsid protein (Cp), but conformational information on the CAM-induced off-path aberrant assemblies is lacking. Here we show that solid-state NMR can provide such information, including for wild-type full-length Cp183, and we find that in these assemblies, the asymmetric unit comprises a single Cp molecule rather than the four quasi-equivalent conformers typical for the icosahedral T = 4 symmetry of the normal HBV capsids. Furthermore, while in contrast to truncated Cp149, full-length Cp183 assemblies appear, on the mesoscopic level, unaffected by CAM-A, NMR reveals that on the molecular level, Cp183 assemblies are equally aberrant. Finally, we use a eukaryotic cell-free system to reveal how CAMs modulate capsid-RNA interactions and capsid phosphorylation. Our results establish a structural view on assembly modulation of the HBV capsid, and they provide a rationale for recently observed differences between in-cell versus in vitro capsid assembly modulation.
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9
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Wang Y, Wang S, Tao X, Wang Y, Wu Y, Chen N, Hu C, Wang H, Yu S, Sheng R. The SAR-based development of small molecular HBV capsid assembly modulators. Med Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02936-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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10
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Hwang N, Ban H, Wu S, McGuire K, Hernandez E, Chen J, Zhao Q, Suresh M, Blass B, Viswanathan U, Kulp J, Chang J, Clement J, Menne S, Guo JT, Du Y. 4-Oxooctahydroquinoline-1(2H)-carboxamides as hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid core protein assembly modulators. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 58:128518. [PMID: 34979256 PMCID: PMC8792325 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein, the building block of the HBV capsid, plays multiple roles in viral replication, and is an attractive target for development of antiviral agents with a new mechanism of action. In addition to the heteroaryldihydropyrimidines (HAPs), sulfamoylbenzamides (SBAs), dibenzothiazepine derivatives (DBTs), and sulfamoylpyrrolamides (SPAs) that inhibit HBV replication by modulation of viral capsid assembly and are currently under clinical trials for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), other chemical structures with activity to modulate HBV capsid assembly have also been explored. Here we describe our continued optimization of a benzamide originating from our high throughput screening. A new bicyclic carboxamide lead featuring an electron deficient non-planar core structure was discovered. Evaluations of its ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles demonstrate improved metabolic stability and good bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Hwang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA, Contribute equally
| | - Haiqun Ban
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1630 Dongfang Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200127, China, Contribute equally
| | - Shuo Wu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA, Contribute equally
| | - Kelly McGuire
- Temple University, 1801 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 191222
| | - Ellen Hernandez
- Delaware Valley university, 700 E Butler Ave, Doylestown, PA 18901
| | - Junjun Chen
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - Manasa Suresh
- Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC 20057
| | - Benjamin Blass
- Temple University School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences 3307 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Usha Viswanathan
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - John Kulp
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - Jason Clement
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
| | - Stephan Menne
- Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC 20057
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA.
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA.
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11
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Lin J, Yin L, Xu XZ, Sun HC, Huang ZH, Ni XY, Chen Y, Lin X. Bay41-4109-induced aberrant polymers of hepatitis b capsid proteins are removed via STUB1-promoted p62-mediated macroautophagy. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010204. [PMID: 35030230 PMCID: PMC8824320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) functions in multiple steps of the viral life cycle. Heteroaryldihydropyrimidine compounds (HAPs) such as Bay41-4109 are capsid protein allosteric modulators that accelerate HBc degradation and inhibit the virion secretion of HBV, specifically by misleading HBc assembly into aberrant non-capsid polymers. However, the subsequent cellular fates of these HAP-induced aberrant non-capsid polymers are not well understood. Here, we discovered that that the chaperone-binding E3 ubiquitin ligase protein STUB1 is required for the removal of Bay41-4109-induced aberrant non-capsid polymers from HepAD38 cells. Specifically, STUB1 recruits BAG3 to transport Bay41-4109-induced aberrant non-capsid polymers to the perinuclear region of cells, thereby initiating p62-mediated macroautophagy and lysosomal degradation. We also demonstrate that elevating the STUB1 level enhances the inhibitory effect of Bay41-4109 on the production of HBeAg and HBV virions in HepAD38 cells, in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells, and in HBV transgenic mice. STUB1 overexpression also facilitates the inhibition of Bay41-4109 on the cccDNA formation in de novo infection of HBV. Understanding these molecular details paves the way for applying HAPs as a potentially curative regimen (or a component of a combination treatment) for eradicating HBV from hepatocytes of chronic infection patients. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects more than 250 million people worldwide chronically. It is a major pathogen causing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma now. The HBV capsid protein (HBc) plays multiple roles in the viral life cycle, and many antivirals targeting HBc such as Heteroaryldihydropyrimidine compounds (HAPs) are under clinical trial recently. This study aimed to investigate how a HAP compound Bay41-4109 induces the degradation of HBc protein. Bay41-4109 induces aberrant non-capsid polymers, which form in complex with the chaperone-binding E3 ubiquitin ligase protein STUB1 and co-chaperone BAG3 and are transported to the perinuclear compartment. Subsequently, Bay41-4109-induced aberrant non-capsid polymers are removed by p62-mediated macroautophagy and lysosomal degradation. STUB1 overexpression accelerates Bay41-4109-induced degradation of HBc protein, and thus enhances the effect of Bay41-4109 on inhibiting secretion of HBeAg and HBV virions. When Bay41-4109 are enforced during HBV infection, de novo cccDNA formation were also negatively regulated by STUB1 overexpression. Altogether, this study provides novel mechanistic insights into developing more potent and safe HAP-based antiviral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Tumor Microbiology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Limin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xia-Zhen Xu
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - He-Chen Sun
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Huang
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xue-Yun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Tumor Microbiology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xu Lin
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Tumor Microbiology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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12
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Niklasch M, Zimmermann P, Nassal M. The Hepatitis B Virus Nucleocapsid-Dynamic Compartment for Infectious Virus Production and New Antiviral Target. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1577. [PMID: 34829806 PMCID: PMC8615760 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small enveloped DNA virus which replicates its tiny 3.2 kb genome by reverse transcription inside an icosahedral nucleocapsid, formed by a single ~180 amino acid capsid, or core, protein (Cp). HBV causes chronic hepatitis B (CHB), a severe liver disease responsible for nearly a million deaths each year. Most of HBV's only seven primary gene products are multifunctional. Though less obvious than for the multi-domain polymerase, P protein, this is equally crucial for Cp with its multiple roles in the viral life-cycle. Cp provides a stable genome container during extracellular phases, allows for directed intracellular genome transport and timely release from the capsid, and subsequent assembly of new nucleocapsids around P protein and the pregenomic (pg) RNA, forming a distinct compartment for reverse transcription. These opposing features are enabled by dynamic post-transcriptional modifications of Cp which result in dynamic structural alterations. Their perturbation by capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) is a promising new antiviral concept. CAMs inappropriately accelerate assembly and/or distort the capsid shell. We summarize the functional, biochemical, and structural dynamics of Cp, and discuss the therapeutic potential of CAMs based on clinical data. Presently, CAMs appear as a valuable addition but not a substitute for existing therapies. However, as part of rational combination therapies CAMs may bring the ambitious goal of a cure for CHB closer to reality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Nassal
- Internal Medicine II/Molecular Biology, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany; (M.N.); (P.Z.)
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13
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Sajidah ES, Lim K, Wong RW. How SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viruses Build an Invasion Route to Hijack the Host Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking System. Cells 2021; 10:1424. [PMID: 34200500 PMCID: PMC8230057 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The host nucleocytoplasmic trafficking system is often hijacked by viruses to accomplish their replication and to suppress the host immune response. Viruses encode many factors that interact with the host nuclear transport receptors (NTRs) and the nucleoporins of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) to access the host nucleus. In this review, we discuss the viral factors and the host factors involved in the nuclear import and export of viral components. As nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is vital for the replication of many viruses, we also review several drugs that target the host nuclear transport machinery and discuss their feasibility for use in antiviral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elma Sakinatus Sajidah
- Division of Nano Life Science in the Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
| | - Keesiang Lim
- WPI-Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Richard W. Wong
- Division of Nano Life Science in the Graduate School of Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan;
- WPI-Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
- Cell-Bionomics Research Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
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14
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Identification of hepatitis B virus core protein residues critical for capsid assembly, pgRNA encapsidation and resistance to capsid assembly modulators. Antiviral Res 2021; 191:105080. [PMID: 33933516 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsids is driven by the hydrophobic interaction of core protein (Cp) at dimer-dimer interface. Binding of core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) to a hydrophobic "HAP" pocket formed between the inter-dimer interface strengths the dimer-dimer interaction and misdirects the assembly of Cp dimers into non-capsid Cp polymers or morphologically normal capsids devoid of viral pregenomic (pg) RNA and DNA polymerase. In this study, we performed a systematic mutagenesis analysis to identify Cp amino acid residues at Cp dimer-dimer interface that are critical for capsid assembly, pgRNA encapsidation and resistance to CpAMs. By analyzing 70 mutant Cp with a single amino acid substitution of 25 amino acid residues around the HAP pocket, our study revealed that residue W102 and Y132 are critical for capsid assembly. However, substitution of many other residues did not significantly alter the amount of capsids, but reduced the amount of encapsidated pgRNA, suggesting their critical roles in pgRNA packaging. Interestingly, several mutant Cp with a single amino acid substitution of residue P25, T33 or I105 supported high levels of DNA replication, but conferred strong resistance to multiple chemotypes of CpAMs. In addition, we also found that WT Cp, but not the assembly incompetent Cp, such as Y132A Cp, interacted with HBV DNA polymerase (Pol). This later finding implies that encapsidation of viral DNA polymerase may depend on the interaction of Pol with a capsid assembly intermediate, but not free Cp dimers. Taking together, our findings reported herein shed new light on the mechanism of HBV nucleocapsid assembly and mode of CpAM action.
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15
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Liu Y, Chang S, Hsieh D, Burdette D, Martin R, Mo H, Feierbach B. Generation of an HBV core phenotyping assay for evaluating HBV capsid compounds. J Virol Methods 2021; 292:114117. [PMID: 33657432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2021.114117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsids are assembled from HBV core protein and assembly is a critical step in the propagation of the virus. Due to its multiple functions in the viral life cycle, core is an attractive target for new antiviral therapies. For HBV capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), several resistance mutants have been identified, both from the clinic and in vitro. However, currently there is no convenient in vitro assay to monitor resistance to CAMs in the clinic. Here, we developed a facile, cassette-based phenotyping assay to assess the antiviral activity of CAMs on a panel of clinical isolates. Using this system, the core genes from 13 patients infected with HBV genotypes A-H were expressed as chimeric virus and tested for sensitivity to CAMs. No substantial differences in antiviral activity were observed across genotypes due to the conservation of the drug binding pocket. In addition, we tested a panel of constructs encoding 13 single amino acid polymorphs in the CAM binding site, including some polymorphs with previously-described resistance to CAMs. Overall, 11 of 13 constructs replicated in vitro, 6 constructs showed reduced susceptibility to CAMs. The 11 polymorphs which could replicate in vitro remained sensitive to the nucleotide analog tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), indicating that there is no cross-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Yang Liu Gilead Sciences, Inc. 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404, United States.
| | - Silvia Chang
- Yang Liu Gilead Sciences, Inc. 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404, United States
| | - David Hsieh
- Yang Liu Gilead Sciences, Inc. 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404, United States
| | - Dara Burdette
- Yang Liu Gilead Sciences, Inc. 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404, United States
| | - Ross Martin
- Yang Liu Gilead Sciences, Inc. 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404, United States
| | - Hongmei Mo
- Yang Liu Gilead Sciences, Inc. 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404, United States
| | - Becket Feierbach
- Yang Liu Gilead Sciences, Inc. 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404, United States
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16
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Fauzyah Y, Ono C, Torii S, Anzai I, Suzuki R, Izumi T, Morioka Y, Maeda Y, Okamoto T, Fukuhara T, Matsuura Y. Ponesimod suppresses hepatitis B virus infection by inhibiting endosome maturation. Antiviral Res 2020; 186:104999. [PMID: 33346055 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of novel antivirals to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is urgently needed, as the currently available drugs mainly target viral proteins at replication step, whereas host factors also play significant roles in HBV infection. Although numerous studies have reported candidate drugs for HBV treatment, there remains a need to find a new drug that may target other steps of the HBV life cycle. In this study, by drug screening of a 533 G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)-associated compound library, we identified ponesimod, a selective agonist of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1), as a drug candidate for the suppression of HBV infection. However, the anti-HBV effect of ponesimod is independent of S1P1 and other sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs). Treatment with ponesimod at an early step of infection but not at a post-entry step significantly reduced the HBV relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) level in a dose-dependent manner. Ponesimod treatment did not inhibit attachment, binding, or internalization of HBV particles via endocytosis through an interaction with sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Importantly, during the transportation of HBV particles to the nucleus, co-localization of HBV with early endosomes but not with late endosomes and lysosomes was induced by the treatment with ponesimod, suggesting that ponesimod interferes with the conversion of early endosomes to late endosomes without significant damage to cellular growth. Conclusion: Ponesimod is a promising anti-HBV drug targeting the endosome maturation of HBV. This finding can be applied to the development of novel antivirals that target the trafficking pathway of HBV particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzy Fauzyah
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Chikako Ono
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Shiho Torii
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Itsuki Anzai
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Rigel Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Takuma Izumi
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yuhei Morioka
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Maeda
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Toru Okamoto
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Takasuke Fukuhara
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yoshiharu Matsuura
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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17
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Ligat G, Goto K, Verrier E, Baumert TF. Targeting Viral cccDNA for Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B. CURRENT HEPATOLOGY REPORTS 2020; 19:235-244. [PMID: 36034467 PMCID: PMC7613435 DOI: 10.1007/s11901-020-00534-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Chronic hepatitis B (CHB), caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a major cause of advanced liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. HBV replication is characterized by the synthesis of covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA which is not targeted by antiviral nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) the key modality of standard of care. While HBV replication is successfully suppressed in treated patients, they remain at risk for developing HCC. While functional cure, characterized by loss of HBsAg, is the first goal of novel antiviral therapies, curative treatments eliminating cccDNA remain the ultimate goal. This review summarizes recent advances in the discovery and development of novel therapeutic strategies and their impact on cccDNA biology. Recent Findings Within the last decade, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of cccDNA biology including the discovery of host dependency factors, epigenetic regulation of cccDNA transcription and immune-mediated degradation. Several approaches targeting cccDNA either in a direct or indirect manner are currently at the stage of discovery, preclinical or early clinical development. Examples include genome-editing approaches, strategies targeting host dependency factors or epigenetic gene regulation, nucleocapsid modulators and immune-mediated degradation. Summary While direct-targeting cccDNA strategies are still largely at the preclinical stage of development, capsid assembly modulators and immune-based approaches have reached the clinical phase. Clinical trials are ongoing to assess their efficacy and safety in patients including their impact on viral cccDNA. Combination therapies provide additional opportunities to overcome current limitations of individual approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëtan Ligat
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Inserm U1110, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Kaku Goto
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Inserm U1110, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Eloi Verrier
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Inserm U1110, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Inserm U1110, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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18
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Viswanathan U, Mani N, Hu Z, Ban H, Du Y, Hu J, Chang J, Guo JT. Targeting the multifunctional HBV core protein as a potential cure for chronic hepatitis B. Antiviral Res 2020; 182:104917. [PMID: 32818519 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The core (capsid) protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the building block of nucleocapsids where viral DNA reverse transcriptional replication takes place and mediates virus-host cell interaction important for the persistence of HBV infection. The pleiotropic role of core protein (Cp) in HBV replication makes it an attractive target for antiviral therapies of chronic hepatitis B, a disease that affects more than 257 million people worldwide without a cure. Recent clinical studies indicate that core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) have a great promise as a key component of hepatitis B curative therapies. Particularly, it has been demonstrated that modulation of Cp dimer-dimer interactions by several chemical series of CpAMs not only inhibit nucleocapsid assembly and viral DNA replication, but also induce the disassembly of double-stranded DNA-containing nucleocapsids to prevent the synthesis of cccDNA. Moreover, the different chemotypes of CpAMs modulate Cp assembly by interaction with distinct amino acid residues at the HAP pocket between Cp dimer-dimer interfaces, which results in the assembly of Cp dimers into either non-capsid Cp polymers (type I CpAMs) or empty capsids with distinct physical property (type II CpAMs). The different CpAMs also differentially modulate Cp metabolism and subcellular distribution, which may impact cccDNA metabolism and host antiviral immune responses, the critical factors for the cure of chronic HBV infection. This review article highlights the recent research progress on the structure and function of core protein in HBV replication cycle, the mode of action of CpAMs, as well as the current status and perspectives on the discovery and development of core protein-targeting antivirals. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on "Wide-ranging immune and direct-acting antiviral approaches to curing HBV and HDV infections."
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Viswanathan
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Nagraj Mani
- Arbutus Biopharma Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA, 18974, USA
| | - Zhanying Hu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Haiqun Ban
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Jin Hu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA.
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19
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Schlicksup CJ, Zlotnick A. Viral structural proteins as targets for antivirals. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 45:43-50. [PMID: 32777753 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Viral structural proteins are emerging as effective targets for new antivirals. In a viral lifecycle, the capsid must assemble, disassemble, and respond to host proteins, all at the right time and place. These reactions work within a narrow range of conditions, making them susceptible to small molecule interference. In at least three specific viruses, this approach has had met with preliminary success. In rhinovirus and poliovirus, compounds like pleconaril bind capsid and block RNA release. Bevirimat binds to Gag protein in HIV, inhibiting maturation. In Hepatitis B virus, core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) promote spontaneous assembly of capsid protein leading to empty and aberrant particles. Despite the biological diversity between viruses and the chemical diversity between antiviral molecules, we observe common features in these antivirals' mechanisms of action. These approaches work by stabilizing protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher John Schlicksup
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47401, United States
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47401, United States.
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20
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Li X, Liu H, Cheng W, Wang J, Zhang H, Lu F, Chen X, Lin W. Junceellolide B, a novel inhibitor of Hepatitis B virus. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115603. [PMID: 32690259 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
HBV infection is a common cause of liver disease with a high burden worldwide. Current therapeutic strategy relies on interferon and nucleos(t)ide-type drugs with the limitation of functional cure. In this study, a structure-based screening of marine natural products from an in-house library was performed to hit HBV inhibitors, and the gorgonian-derived briarane-type diterpenoids showed inhibitory effects against HBV DNA replication in HepAD38 cells. Preliminary analyses of structure-activity relationship demonstrated that a briarane-based scaffold with an 3E,5(16)-diene and a chlorine-substitution at C-6 is required for the anti-HBV activity. Junceellolide B is one of the potent HBV inhibitors exhibiting efficient reduction of HBsAg and HBeAg production in HBV infected HepG2-NTCP cells with a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). It also significantly reduced the secreted HBV DNA, HBV RNA, and HBeAg in HepAD38 cells with the EC50 values of 0.83, 2.87 and 7.75 μM, respectively. Mechanistically, junceellolide B potently inhibited HBV RNA transcription without promoting HBV RNA degradation. RNA-seq analysis indicated that junceellolide B significantly decreased HBV cccDNA-transcripted products accompanying stable down-regulation of the expression of RNA polymerase II related host transcription factors (ZBED6 and ZBTB7B). These findings suggest junceellolide B to be a transcription inhibitor of cccDNA and a promising lead for the development of new anti-HBV agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Wei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - He Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| | - Wenhan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Institute of Ocean Research, Peking University, Beijing 100875, PR China.
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21
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Nijampatnam B, Liotta DC. Recent advances in the development of HBV capsid assembly modulators. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 50:73-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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22
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Pei Y, Wang C, Ben H, Wang L, Ma Y, Ma Q, Xiang Y, Zhang L, Liu G. Discovery of New Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulators by an Optimal High-Throughput Cell-Based Assay. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:778-787. [PMID: 30761887 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In this article, a simple and effective high-throughput screening (HTS) assay was developed to identify anti-HBV compounds by using a HepAD38 luciferase reporter (HepAD38-luc) cell line that can effectively exclude the false positive hit compounds targeted on the tetracycline off (tet-off) regulation system. Through screening in-house chemical libraries, N-phenylpiperidine-3-carboxamide derivatives, represented by 1 and 2, were identified, while the other false positive hits (i.e., quinoxaline (3) and benzothiazin (4) derivatives) were simultaneously excluded. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit strong inhibitory activity against HBV replication in both HepAD38 and HepG2.2.15 cells. Further studies revealed that 1 and 2 reduced extracellular HBV DNA, HBeAg, and intracellular HBV intermediates, including total DNA, RNA, and precore RNA of HBV. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and electron microscopy (EM) investigations demonstrated that 1 and 2 remarkably induced the formation of morphologically intact capsids and accelerated the dynamics of capsid assembly, suggesting that both 1 and 2 were type I capsid assembly modulators (CAMs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yameng Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chunting Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haijing Ben
- School of Medicine, Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University,Medical Sciences Building, Suite A209, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Medical Sciences Building, Suite A207, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yao Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qingyan Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ye Xiang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Medical Sciences Building, Suite A207, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Linqi Zhang
- School of Medicine, Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University,Medical Sciences Building, Suite A209, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Gang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
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23
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Kondylis P, Schlicksup CJ, Katen SP, Lee LS, Zlotnick A, Jacobson SC. Evolution of Intermediates during Capsid Assembly of Hepatitis B Virus with Phenylpropenamide-Based Antivirals. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:769-777. [PMID: 30616343 PMCID: PMC6510601 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembly of virus capsids is a potential target for antivirals due to its importance in the virus lifecycle. Here, we investigate the effect of phenylpropenamide derivatives B-21 and AT-130 on the assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein. Phenylpropenamides are widely believed to yield assembly of spherical particles resembling native, empty HBV capsids. Because the details of assembly can be overlooked with ensemble measurements, we performed resistive-pulse sensing on nanofluidic devices with four pores in series to characterize the size distributions of the products in real time. With its single particle sensitivity and compatibility with typical assembly buffers, resistive-pulse sensing is well-suited for analyzing virus assembly in vitro. We observed that assembly with B-21 and AT-130 produced a large fraction of partially complete virus particles that may be on-path, off-path, or trapped. For both B-21 and AT-130, capsid assembly was more sensitive to disruption under conditions where the interprotein association energy was low at lower salt concentrations. Dilution of the reaction solutions led to the rearrangement of the incomplete particles and demonstrated that these large intermediates may be on-path, but are labile, and exist in a frustrated dynamic equilibrium. During capsid assembly, phenylpropenamide molecules modestly increase the association energy of dimers, prevent intermediates from dissociating, and lead to kinetic trapping where the formation of too many capsids has been initiated, which results in both empty and incomplete particles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah P. Katen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
| | - Lye Siang Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
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24
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Zhang X, Cheng J, Ma J, Hu Z, Wu S, Hwang N, Kulp J, Du Y, Guo JT, Chang J. Discovery of Novel Hepatitis B Virus Nucleocapsid Assembly Inhibitors. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:759-768. [PMID: 30525438 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein is a small protein with 183 amino acid residues and assembles the pregenomic (pg) RNA and viral DNA polymerase to form nucleocapsids. During the last decades, several groups have reported HBV core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) with distinct chemical structures. CpAMs bind to the hydrophobic HAP pocket located at the dimer-dimer interface and induce allosteric conformational changes in the core protein subunits. While Type I CpAMs, heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) derivatives, misdirect core protein dimers to assemble noncapsid polymers, Type II CpAMs, represented by sulfamoylbenzamides, phenylpropenamides, and several other chemotypes, induce the assembly of empty capsids with global structural alterations and faster mobility in native agarose gel electrophoresis. Through high throughput screening of an Asinex small molecule library containing 19 920 compounds, we identified 8 structurally distinct CpAMs. While 7 of those compounds are typical Type II CpAMs, a novel benzamide derivative, designated as BA-53038B, induced the formation of morphologically "normal" empty capsids with slow electrophoresis mobility. Drug resistant profile analyses indicated that BA-53038B most likely bound to the HAP pocket but obviously modulated HBV capsid assembly in a distinct manner. BA-53038B and other CpAMs reported herein provide novel structure scaffolds for the development of core protein-targeted antiviral agents for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexiang Zhang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Junjun Cheng
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Julia Ma
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Zhanying Hu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Shuo Wu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Nicky Hwang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - John Kulp
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, 3805 Old Eastern Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, United States
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25
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Yang L, Liu F, Tong X, Hoffmann D, Zuo J, Lu M. Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Using Small Molecule Modulators of Nucleocapsid Assembly: Recent Advances and Perspectives. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:713-724. [PMID: 30896149 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
On the basis of the recent advance of basic research on molecular biology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, novel antiviral drugs targeting various steps of the HBV life cycle have been developed in recent years. HBV nucleocapsid assembly is now recognized as a hot target for anti-HBV drug development. Structural and functional analysis of HBV nucleocapsid allowed rational design and improvement of small molecules with the ability to interact with the components of HBV nucleocapsid and modulate the viral nucleocapsid assembly process. Prototypes of small molecule modulators targeting HBV nucleocapsid assembly are being preclinically tested or have moved forward in clinical trials, with promising results. This Review summarizes the recent advances in the approach to develop antiviral drugs based on the modulation of HBV nucleocapsid assembly. The antiviral mechanisms of small molecule modulators beyond the capsid formation and the potential implications will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech
Park, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Feifei Liu
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech
Park, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiankun Tong
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech
Park, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Daniel Hoffmann
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Duisburg Essen, Universitätsstraße 1, Essen 45117, Germany
| | - Jianping Zuo
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech
Park, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, Essen 45122, Germany
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26
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Identification of Compounds Targeting Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Dimerization through a Split Luciferase Complementation Assay. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01302-18. [PMID: 30224531 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01302-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The capsid of the hepatitis B virus is an attractive antiviral target for developing therapies against chronic hepatitis B infection. Currently available core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) mainly affect one of the two major types of protein-protein interactions involved in the process of capsid assembly, namely, the interaction between the core dimers. Compounds targeting the interaction between two core monomers have not been rigorously screened due to the lack of screening models. We report here a cell-based assay in which the formation of core dimers is indicated by split luciferase complementation (SLC). Making use of this model, 2 compounds, Arbidol (umifenovir) and 20-deoxyingenol, were identified from a library containing 672 compounds as core dimerization regulators. Arbidol and 20-deoxyingenol inhibit the hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA replication in vitro by decreasing and increasing the formation of core dimer and capsid, respectively. Our results provided a proof of concept for the cell model to be used to screen new agents targeting the step of core dimer and capsid formation.
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27
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Nair S, Li L, Francis S, Turner WW, VanNieuwenhze M, Zlotnick A. Use of a Fluorescent Analogue of a HBV Core Protein-Directed Drug To Interrogate an Antiviral Mechanism. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:15261-15269. [PMID: 30375863 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Heteroaryldihydropyrimidines (HAPs) are antiviral small molecules that enhance assembly of HBV core protein (Cp), lead to assembly of empty and defective particles, and suppress viral replication. These core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) bind to the pocket at the interface between two Cp dimers and strengthen interdimer interactions. To investigate the CpAM mechanism, we wanted to examine the cellular distributions of Cp and the CpAM itself. For this reason, we developed a fluorescently labeled CpAM, HAP-ALEX. In vitro, HAP-ALEX modulated assembly of purified Cp and at saturating concentrations induced formation of large structures. HAP-ALEX bound capsids and not dimers, making it a capsid-specific molecular tag. HAP-ALEX labeled HBV in transfected cells, with no detectable background with a HAP-insensitive Cp mutant. HAP-ALEX caused redistribution of Cp in a dose-dependent manner consistent with its 0.7 μM EC50, leading to formation of large puncta and an exclusively cytoplasmic distribution. HAP-ALEX colocalized with the redistributed Cp, but large puncta accumulated long before they appeared saturated with the fluorescent CpAM. CpAMs affect HBV assembly and localization; with a fluorescent CpAM both drug and target can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita Nair
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States
| | - Lichun Li
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States.,Assembly BioSciences , Carmel , Indiana 45032 , United States
| | - Samson Francis
- Assembly BioSciences , Carmel , Indiana 45032 , United States
| | - William W Turner
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States.,Assembly BioSciences , Carmel , Indiana 45032 , United States
| | - Michael VanNieuwenhze
- Department of Chemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States
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28
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Moreau P, Cournac A, Palumbo GA, Marbouty M, Mortaza S, Thierry A, Cairo S, Lavigne M, Koszul R, Neuveut C. Tridimensional infiltration of DNA viruses into the host genome shows preferential contact with active chromatin. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4268. [PMID: 30323189 PMCID: PMC6189100 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06739-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether non-integrated viral DNAs distribute randomly or target specific positions within the higher-order architecture of mammalian genomes remains largely unknown. Here we use Hi-C and viral DNA capture (CHi-C) in primary human hepatocytes infected by either hepatitis B virus (HBV) or adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) virus to show that they adopt different strategies in their respective positioning at active chromatin. HBV contacts preferentially CpG islands (CGIs) enriched in Cfp1 a factor required for its transcription. These CGIs are often associated with highly expressed genes (HEG) and genes deregulated during infection. Ad5 DNA interacts preferentially with transcription start sites (TSSs) and enhancers of HEG, as well as genes upregulated during infection. These results show that DNA viruses use different strategies to infiltrate genomic 3D networks and target specific regions. This targeting may facilitate the recruitment of transcription factors necessary for their own replication and contribute to the deregulation of cellular gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierrick Moreau
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Hepacivirus et Immunité Innée, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 3569, 75015, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Département de Virologie, Paris, France
| | - Axel Cournac
- Institut Pasteur, Département Génomes et Génétique, Groupe Régulation spatiale des génomes, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 3525, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Gianna Aurora Palumbo
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Hepacivirus et Immunité Innée, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 3569, 75015, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Département de Virologie, Paris, France
| | - Martial Marbouty
- Institut Pasteur, Département Génomes et Génétique, Groupe Régulation spatiale des génomes, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 3525, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Shogofa Mortaza
- Institut Pasteur, Département Génomes et Génétique, Groupe Régulation spatiale des génomes, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 3525, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Agnes Thierry
- Institut Pasteur, Département Génomes et Génétique, Groupe Régulation spatiale des génomes, 75015, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 3525, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Stefano Cairo
- XenTech, Research and Development Department, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Marc Lavigne
- Institut Pasteur, Département de Virologie, Paris, France.,Institut Cochin-INSERM U1016-CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Romain Koszul
- Institut Pasteur, Département Génomes et Génétique, Groupe Régulation spatiale des génomes, 75015, Paris, France. .,CNRS, UMR 3525, 75015, Paris, France.
| | - Christine Neuveut
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Hepacivirus et Immunité Innée, 75015, Paris, France. .,CNRS, UMR 3569, 75015, Paris, France. .,Institut Pasteur, Département de Virologie, Paris, France.
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29
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Wu S, Luo Y, Viswanathan U, Kulp J, Cheng J, Hu Z, Xu Q, Zhou Y, Gong GZ, Chang J, Li Y, Guo JT. CpAMs induce assembly of HBV capsids with altered electrophoresis mobility: Implications for mechanism of inhibiting pgRNA packaging. Antiviral Res 2018; 159:1-12. [PMID: 30201396 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Native agarose gel electrophoresis-based particle gel assay has been commonly used for examination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly and pregenomic RNA encapsidation in HBV replicating cells. Interestingly, treatment of cells with several chemotypes of HBV core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) induced the assembly of both empty and DNA-containing capsids with faster electrophoresis mobility. In an effort to determine the physical basis of CpAM-induced capsid mobility shift, we found that the surface charge, but not the size, of capsids is the primary determinant of electrophoresis mobility. Specifically, through alanine scanning mutagenesis analysis of twenty-seven charged amino acids in core protein assembly domain and hinge region, we showed that except for K7 and E8, substitution of glutamine acid (E) or aspartic acid (D) on the surface of capsids reduced their mobility, but substitution of lysine (K) or arginine (R) on the surface of capsids increased their mobility in variable degrees. However, alanine substitution of the charged amino acids that are not exposed on the surface of capsid did not apparently alter capsid mobility. Hence, CpAM-induced electrophoresis mobility shift of capsids may reflect the global alteration of capsid structure that changes the exposure and/or ionization of charged amino acid side chains of core protein. Our findings imply that CpAM inhibition of pgRNA encapsidation is possibly due to the assembly of structurally altered nucleocapsids. Practically, capsid electrophoresis mobility shift is a diagnostic marker of compounds that target core protein assembly and predicts sensitivity of HBV strains to specific CpAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China; Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Yue Luo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA; Institute of Hepatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | | | - John Kulp
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Junjun Cheng
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Zhanying Hu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Qifang Xu
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yan Zhou
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Zhong Gong
- Institute of Hepatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | | | - Yuhuan Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA.
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30
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Smith JL, Sheridan K, Parkins CJ, Frueh L, Jemison AL, Strode K, Dow G, Nilsen A, Hirsch AJ. Characterization and structure-activity relationship analysis of a class of antiviral compounds that directly bind dengue virus capsid protein and are incorporated into virions. Antiviral Res 2018; 155:12-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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31
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Preclinical Profile of AB-423, an Inhibitor of Hepatitis B Virus Pregenomic RNA Encapsidation. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00082-18. [PMID: 29555628 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00082-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AB-423 is a member of the sulfamoylbenzamide (SBA) class of hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid inhibitors in phase 1 clinical trials. In cell culture models, AB-423 showed potent inhibition of HBV replication (50% effective concentration [EC50] = 0.08 to 0.27 μM; EC90 = 0.33 to 1.32 μM) with no significant cytotoxicity (50% cytotoxic concentration > 10 μM). Addition of 40% human serum resulted in a 5-fold increase in the EC50s. AB-423 inhibited HBV genotypes A through D and nucleos(t)ide-resistant variants in vitro Treatment of HepDES19 cells with AB-423 resulted in capsid particles devoid of encapsidated pregenomic RNA and relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA), indicating that it is a class II capsid inhibitor. In a de novo infection model, AB-423 prevented the conversion of encapsidated rcDNA to covalently closed circular DNA, presumably by interfering with the capsid uncoating process. Molecular docking of AB-423 into crystal structures of heteroaryldihydropyrimidines and an SBA and biochemical studies suggest that AB-423 likely also binds to the dimer-dimer interface of core protein. In vitro dual combination studies with AB-423 and anti-HBV agents, such as nucleos(t)ide analogs, RNA interference agents, or interferon alpha, resulted in additive to synergistic antiviral activity. Pharmacokinetic studies with AB-423 in CD-1 mice showed significant systemic exposures and higher levels of accumulation in the liver. A 7-day twice-daily administration of AB-423 in a hydrodynamic injection mouse model of HBV infection resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in serum HBV DNA levels, and combination with entecavir or ARB-1467 resulted in a trend toward antiviral activity greater than that of either agent alone, consistent with the results of the in vitro combination studies. The overall preclinical profile of AB-423 supports its further evaluation for safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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32
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Feng S, Gao L, Han X, Hu T, Hu Y, Liu H, Thomas AW, Yan Z, Yang S, Young JAT, Yun H, Zhu W, Shen HC. Discovery of Small Molecule Therapeutics for Treatment of Chronic HBV Infection. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:257-277. [PMID: 29369612 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) inflicts 250 million people worldwide representing a major public health threat. A significant subpopulation of patients eventually develop cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, none of the current standard therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) result in a satisfactory clinical cure rate. Driven by a highly unmet medical need, multiple pharmaceutical companies and research institutions have been engaged in drug discovery and development to improve the CHB functional cure rate, defined by sustainable viral suppression and HBsAg clearance after a finite treatment. This Review summarizes the recent advances in the discovery and development of novel anti-HBV small molecules. It is believed that an improved CHB functional cure rate may be accomplished via the combination of molecules with distinct MoAs. Thus, certain molecules may evolve into key components of a suitable combination therapy leading to superior outcome of clinical efficacy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Feng
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xingchun Han
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Taishan Hu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yimin Hu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Andrew W. Thomas
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhipeng Yan
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Song Yang
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - John A. T. Young
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongying Yun
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hong C. Shen
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
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33
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Ogura N, Ogawa K, Watashi K, Ito T, Wakita T. Novel stable HBV producing cell line systems for expression and screening antiviral inhibitor of hepatitis B virus in human hepatoma cell line. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 498:64-71. [PMID: 29481805 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.02.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is currently a major public health burden. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of novel antiviral inhibitors. The stable HBV-producing cell lines of genotype D are widely used to investigate the HBV life cycle and to evaluate antiviral agents. However, stable HBV-producing cell lines of different genotypes do not exist. To construct more convenient and efficient novel cell systems, stable cell lines of genotypes A, B, and C were established using a full-length HBV genome sequence isolated from chronic HBV patients in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Novel HBV clones were identified and stable HBV-producing cell lines derived from these clones were constructed. HBV replication activities demonstrated time-dependent expression, and the novel cell lines were susceptible to several antiviral inhibitors with no cytotoxicity. Furthermore, infectious viruses were produced from these cell lines. In conclusion, we have established novel stable HBV-producing cell line systems of genotypes A, B, and C. These systems can provide valuable tools for screening antiviral agents and analyzing viral phenotypes in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Ogura
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Osaka, 569-1125, Japan.
| | - Kazuya Ogawa
- Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Japan Tobacco Inc, Osaka, 569-1125, Japan.
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.
| | - Takayoshi Ito
- Digestive Diseases Center, Showa University Koto-Toyosu Hospital, Tokyo, 135-8577, Japan.
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.
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Mak LY, Wong DKH, Seto WK, Lai CL, Yuen MF. Hepatitis B core protein as a therapeutic target. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:1153-1159. [PMID: 29065733 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1397134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Danny Ka-Ho Wong
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ching-Lung Lai
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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35
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Novel therapies and potential therapeutic targets in the management of chronic hepatitis B. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 29:987-993. [PMID: 28538269 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000000911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B is a persistent and progressive inflammatory liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). More than 240 million individuals are infected with HBV worldwide and hepatitis B accounts for an estimated 650 000 deaths annually. Approximately up to 30% of chronically infected patients will develop complications of HBV infection including, but not limited to, liver cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently approved therapies have improved clinical outcomes, but have a considerable side-effect profile, elevated cost, and a finite course of treatment. This has led to a growing interest in research for new therapies. As the mechanisms for HBV replication are becoming better understood, new potential targets have been discovered, leading to the development of new therapies. In this article, we describe the promising therapies that are under evaluation, showing their mechanisms of action, effects, and stage of development.
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36
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Cole AG. Modulators of HBV capsid assembly as an approach to treating hepatitis B virus infection. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2017; 30:131-137. [PMID: 27636324 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The search for a cure for hepatitis B virus infection extends beyond interferon and the existing polymerase inhibitors, and targets different aspects of the virus life cycle to develop agents that operate by alternative mechanisms. Examples of small molecules that disrupt the encapsidation of pgRNA have been known for some time, but recent advances in the understanding of nucleocapsid formation, how compounds interact with core protein, and the development of drug-like molecules have recently progressed the study of capsid assembly modulators to proof of concept in the clinic with respect to reduction of viral load in chronic HBV patients. Interference with HBV capsid assembly is thus a legitimate approach to treating HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Cole
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA.
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37
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Discovery and Mechanistic Study of Benzamide Derivatives That Modulate Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00519-17. [PMID: 28566379 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00519-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem. Although the currently approved medications can reliably reduce the viral load and prevent the progression of liver diseases, they fail to cure the viral infection. In an effort toward discovery of novel antiviral agents against HBV, a group of benzamide (BA) derivatives that significantly reduced the amount of cytoplasmic HBV DNA were discovered. The initial lead optimization efforts identified two BA derivatives with improved antiviral activity for further mechanistic studies. Interestingly, similar to our previously reported sulfamoylbenzamides (SBAs), the BAs promote the formation of empty capsids through specific interaction with HBV core protein but not other viral and host cellular components. Genetic evidence suggested that both SBAs and BAs inhibited HBV nucleocapsid assembly by binding to the heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) pocket between core protein dimer-dimer interfaces. However, unlike SBAs, BA compounds uniquely induced the formation of empty capsids that migrated more slowly in native agarose gel electrophoresis from A36V mutant than from the wild-type core protein. Moreover, we showed that the assembly of chimeric capsids from wild-type and drug-resistant core proteins was susceptible to multiple capsid assembly modulators. Hence, HBV core protein is a dominant antiviral target that may suppress the selection of drug-resistant viruses during core protein-targeting antiviral therapy. Our studies thus indicate that BAs are a chemically and mechanistically unique type of HBV capsid assembly modulators and warranted for further development as antiviral agents against HBV.IMPORTANCE HBV core protein plays essential roles in many steps of the viral replication cycle. In addition to packaging viral pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and DNA polymerase complex into nucleocapsids for reverse transcriptional DNA replication to take place, the core protein dimers, existing in several different quaternary structures in infected hepatocytes, participate in and regulate HBV virion assembly, capsid uncoating, and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation. It is anticipated that small molecular core protein assembly modulators may disrupt one or multiple steps of HBV replication, depending on their interaction with the distinct quaternary structures of core protein. The discovery of novel core protein-targeting antivirals, such as benzamide derivatives reported here, and investigation of their antiviral mechanism may lead to the identification of antiviral therapeutics for the cure of chronic hepatitis B.
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Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulators, but Not Nucleoside Analogs, Inhibit the Production of Extracellular Pregenomic RNA and Spliced RNA Variants. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.00680-17. [PMID: 28559265 PMCID: PMC5527605 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00680-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein serves multiple essential functions in the viral life cycle, and antiviral agents that target the core protein are being developed. Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) are compounds that target core and misdirect capsid assembly, resulting in the suppression of HBV replication and virion production. Besides HBV DNA, circulating HBV RNA has been detected in patient serum and can be associated with the treatment response. Here we studied the effect of HBV CAMs on the production of extracellular HBV RNA using infected HepaRG cells and primary human hepatocytes. Representative compounds from the sulfonamide carboxamide and heteroaryldihydropyrimidine series of CAMs were evaluated and compared to nucleos(t)ide analogs as inhibitors of the viral polymerase. The results showed that CAMs blocked extracellular HBV RNA with efficiencies similar to those with which they blocked pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) encapsidation, HBV DNA replication, and Dane particle production. Nucleos(t)ide analogs inhibited viral replication and virion production but not encapsidation or production of extracellular HBV RNA. Profiling of HBV RNA from both culture supernatants and patient serum showed that extracellular viral RNA consisted of pgRNA and spliced pgRNA variants with an internal deletion(s) but still retained the sequences at both the 5′ and 3′ ends. Similar variants were detected in the supernatants of infected cells with and without nucleos(t)ide analog treatment. Overall, our data demonstrate that HBV CAMs represent direct antiviral agents with a profile differentiated from that of nucleos(t)ide analogs, including the inhibition of extracellular pgRNA and spliced pgRNA.
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Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B treatment is available for a long period, allowing disease control and infection suppression, but it is rarely responsible for HBsAg clearance. None of the drugs available aim at cccDNA, the obstacle in HBV infection eradication. Complications related to CHB, such as liver insufficiency, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma are reduced in conditions of good viremia suppression, but still exist even after HBsAg seroclearance, what makes a need for urgent forthcoming of new therapeutics. Recent years brought promising and interesting results of experimental approaches, which are directed against different phases of HBV life cycle, target ccc DNA, or boost, and restore host immune response. Unfortunately, encouraging results in vitro and on animal models are not always reflected in human. Nevertheless, the multiplicity of novel antivirals allows to expect that at least some of them will enter clinical practice and relieve patients from chronic hepatitis B, fatal and devastating disease.
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40
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Pei Y, Wang C, Yan SF, Liu G. Past, Current, and Future Developments of Therapeutic Agents for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. J Med Chem 2017; 60:6461-6479. [PMID: 28383274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For decades, treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been relying on interferon (IFN)-based therapies and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) that selectively target the viral polymerase reverse transcriptase (RT) domain and thereby disrupt HBV viral DNA synthesis. We have summarized here the key steps in the HBV viral life cycle, which could potentially be targeted by novel anti-HBV therapeutics. A wide range of next-generation direct antiviral agents (DAAs) with distinct mechanisms of actions are discussed, including entry inhibitors, transcription inhibitors, nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, inhibitors of viral ribonuclease H (RNase H), modulators of viral capsid assembly, inhibitors of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion, RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencers, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and natural products. Compounds that exert their antiviral activities mainly through host factors and immunomodulation, such as host targeting agents (HTAs), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, are also discussed. In this Perspective, we hope to provide an overview, albeit by no means being comprehensive, for the recent development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic HBV infection, which not only are able to sustainably suppress viral DNA but also aim to achieve functional cure warranted by HBsAg loss and ultimately lead to virus eradication and cure of hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yameng Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chunting Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
| | - S Frank Yan
- Molecular Design and Chemical Biology, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Gang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
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Lu D, Liu F, Xing W, Tong X, Wang L, Wang Y, Zeng L, Feng C, Yang L, Zuo J, Hu Y. Optimization and Synthesis of Pyridazinone Derivatives as Novel Inhibitors of Hepatitis B Virus by Inducing Genome-free Capsid Formation. ACS Infect Dis 2017; 3:199-205. [PMID: 27989113 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.6b00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The capsid of hepatitis B virus (HBV) plays a vital role in virus DNA replication. Targeting nucleocapsid function has been demonstrated as an effective approach for anti-HBV drug development. A high-throughput screening and mechanism study revealed the hit compound 4a as an HBV assembly effector (AEf), which could inhibit HBV replication by inducing the formation of HBV DNA-free capsids. The subsequent SAR study and drug-like optimization resulted in the discovery of the lead candidate 4r, with potent antiviral activity (IC50 = 0.087 ± 0.002 μM), low cytotoxicity (CC50 = 90.6 ± 2.06 μM), sensitivity to nucleoside analogue-resistant HBV mutants, and synergistic effect with nucleoside analogues in HepG2.2.15 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Lu
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feifei Liu
- Laboratory
of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Weiqiang Xing
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiankun Tong
- Laboratory
of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lang Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yajuan Wang
- Laboratory
of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Limin Zeng
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chunlan Feng
- Laboratory
of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li Yang
- Laboratory
of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianping Zuo
- Laboratory
of Immunopharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Youhong Hu
- State
Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 ZuChongZhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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42
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Efficient genome replication of hepatitis B virus using adenovirus vector: a compact pregenomic RNA-expression unit. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41851. [PMID: 28157182 PMCID: PMC5291108 DOI: 10.1038/srep41851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The complicated replication mechanisms of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have impeded HBV studies and anti-HBV therapy development as well. Herein we report efficient genome replication of HBV applying adenovirus vectors (AdVs) showing high transduction efficiency. Even in primary hepatocytes derived from humanized mice the transduction efficiencies using AdVs were 450-fold higher compared than those using plasmids. By using an expression unit consisting of the CMV promoter, 1.03-copy HBV genome and foreign poly(A) signal, we successfully generated an improved AdV (HBV103-AdV) that efficiently provided 58 times more pregenomic RNA than previously reported AdVs. The HBV103-AdV-mediated HBV replication was easily and precisely detected using quantitative real-time PCR in primary hepatocytes as well as in HepG2 cells. Notably, when the AdV containing replication-defective HBV genome of 1.14 copy was transduced, we observed that HBV DNA-containing circular molecules (pseudo-ccc DNA) were produced, which were probably generated through homologous recombination. However, the replication-defective HBV103-AdV hardly yielded the pseudo-ccc, probably because the repeated sequences are vey short. Additionally, the efficacies of entecavir and lamivudine were quantitatively evaluated using this system at only 4 days postinfection with HBV103-AdVs. Therefore, this system offers high production of HBV genome replication and thus could become used widely.
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43
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Tang L, Zhao Q, Wu S, Cheng J, Chang J, Guo JT. The current status and future directions of hepatitis B antiviral drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 12:5-15. [PMID: 27797587 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1255195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The current standard care of chronic hepatitis B fails to induce a durable off-drug control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in the majority of treated patients. The primary reasons are its inability to eliminate the covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA, the nuclear form of HBV genome, and restoration of the dysfunctional host antiviral immune response against the virus. Accordingly, discovery and development of therapeutics to completely stop HBV replication, eliminate or functionally inactivate cccDNA as well as activate a functional antiviral immune response against HBV are the primary efforts for finding a cure for chronic hepatitis B. Area covered: Herein, the authors highlight the current efforts of HBV drug discovery and offer their opinions for the future directions of this research. Expert opinion: The authors believe that through a consecutive or overlapping three-stage antiviral and immunotherapy program to: (i) completely stop HBV replication and cccDNA amplification; (ii) reduce viral antigen load and induce HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance through eradication or inactivation of cccDNA and RNA interference-mediated degradation of viral mRNA and (iii) activate a functional antiviral immune response against HBV through therapeutic immunization or immunotherapy, a functional cure of chronic HBV infection can be achieved in the majority of chronic HBV carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liudi Tang
- a Microbiology and Immunology graduate program , Drexel University College of medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Qiong Zhao
- b Baruch S. Blumberg Institute , Hepatitis B foundation , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Shuo Wu
- b Baruch S. Blumberg Institute , Hepatitis B foundation , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Junjun Cheng
- b Baruch S. Blumberg Institute , Hepatitis B foundation , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Jinhong Chang
- b Baruch S. Blumberg Institute , Hepatitis B foundation , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- b Baruch S. Blumberg Institute , Hepatitis B foundation , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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44
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Revill P, Locarnini S. Antiviral strategies to eliminate hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Curr Opin Pharmacol 2016; 30:144-150. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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45
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Liu C, Cai D, Zhang L, Tang W, Yan R, Guo H, Chen X. Identification of hydrolyzable tannins (punicalagin, punicalin and geraniin) as novel inhibitors of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA. Antiviral Res 2016; 134:97-107. [PMID: 27591143 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of new agents to target HBV cccDNA is urgently needed because of the limitations of current available drugs for treatment of hepatitis B. By using a cell-based assay in which the production of HBeAg is in a cccDNA-dependent manner, we screened a compound library derived from Chinese herbal remedies for inhibitors against HBV cccDNA. Three hydrolyzable tannins, specifically punicalagin, punicalin and geraniin, emerged as novel anti-HBV agents. These compounds significantly reduced the production of secreted HBeAg and cccDNA in a dose-dependent manner in our assay, without dramatic alteration of viral DNA replication. Furthermore, punicalagin did not affect precore/core promoter activity, pgRNA transcription, core protein expression, or HBsAg secretion. By employing the cell-based cccDNA accumulation and stability assay, we found that these tannins significantly inhibited the establishment of cccDNA and modestly facilitated the degradation of preexisting cccDNA. Collectively, our results suggest that hydrolyzable tannins inhibit HBV cccDNA production via a dual mechanism through preventing the formation of cccDNA and promoting cccDNA decay, although the latter effect is rather minor. These hydrolyzable tannins may serve as lead compounds for the development of new agents to cure HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 43001, Hubei, China
| | - Dawei Cai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 43001, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 43001, Hubei, China
| | - Ran Yan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Xulin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 43001, Hubei, China.
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46
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus is one of the smallest human pathogens, encoded by a 3,200-bp genome with only four open reading frames. Yet the virus shows a remarkable diversity in structural features, often with the same proteins adopting several conformations. In part, this is the parsimony of viruses, where a minimal number of proteins perform a wide variety of functions. However, a more important theme is that weak interactions between components as well as components with multiple conformations that have similar stabilities lead to a highly dynamic system. In hepatitis B virus, this is manifested as a virion where the envelope proteins have multiple structures, the envelope-capsid interaction is irregular, and the capsid is a dynamic compartment that actively participates in metabolism of the encapsidated genome and carries regulated signals for intracellular trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405;
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47
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Morikawa K, Suda G, Sakamoto N. Viral life cycle of hepatitis B virus: Host factors and druggable targets. Hepatol Res 2016; 46:871-7. [PMID: 26776362 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Revised: 01/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Morikawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Goki Suda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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48
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Min M, Xingjun J, Xueding W, Hao Z, Weiqing Y, Yuanyuan Z, Changrong P, Zicheng L, Jing Y, Quan D, Menglin M. Synthesis and Quantitative Structure-activity Relationships Study for Arylpropenamide Derivatives as Inhibitors of Hepatitis B Virus Replication. Chem Biol Drug Des 2016; 88:451-9. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ma Min
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
| | - Jiang Xingjun
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
| | - Wang Xueding
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
| | - Zou Hao
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
| | - Yang Weiqing
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
| | - Zhang Yuanyuan
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
- College of Chemical Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu 610065 China
| | - Peng Changrong
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
- College of Chemical Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu 610065 China
| | - Li Zicheng
- College of Chemical Engineering; Sichuan University; Chengdu 610065 China
| | - Yang Jing
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
| | - Du Quan
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
| | - Ma Menglin
- Key Lab of Advanced Scientific Computation of Sichuan Province; School of Science; Xihua University; Chengdu 610039 China
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49
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Zhang P, Liu F, Guo F, Zhao Q, Chang J, Guo JT. Characterization of novel hepadnaviral RNA species accumulated in hepatoma cells treated with viral DNA polymerase inhibitors. Antiviral Res 2016; 131:40-8. [PMID: 27083116 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of hepadnaviral DNA polymerases are predicted to inhibit both minus and plus strand of viral DNA synthesis and arrest viral DNA replication at the stage of pregenomic (pg) RNA-containing nucleocapsids. However, analyses of the RNA species of human and duck hepatitis B viruses (HBV and DHBV, respectively) in hepatoma cells treated with viral DNA polymerase inhibitors revealed the genesis of novel RNA species migrating slightly faster than the full-length pgRNA. The DNA polymerase inhibitor-induced accumulation of these RNA species were abolished in the presence of alpha-interferon or HBV nucleocapsid assembly inhibitors. Moreover, they were protected from microccocal nuclease digestion and devoid of a poly-A tail. These characteristics suggest that the novel RNA species are most likely generated from RNase H cleavage of encapsidated pgRNA, after primer translocation and synthesis of the 5' terminal portion of minus strand DNA. In support of this hypothesis, DNA polymerase inhibitor treatment of chicken hepatoma cells transfected with a DHBV genome encoding an RNase H inactive DNA polymerase (E696H) failed to produce such RNA species. Our results thus suggest that the currently available DNA polymerase inhibitors do not efficiently arrest minus strand DNA synthesis at the early stage in hepatocytes. Hence, development of novel antiviral agents that more potently suppress viral DNA synthesis or viral nucleocapsid assembly inhibitors that are mechanistically complementary to the currently available DNA polymerase inhibitors are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinghu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening & Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation & State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Fei Liu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Fang Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA, USA.
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50
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Abstract
Chronic HBV infection results in >1 million deaths per year from cirrhosis and liver cancer. No known cure for chronic HBV exists, due in part to the continued presence of transcriptionally active DNA in the nucleus that is not directly targeted by current antiviral therapies. A coordinated approach is urgently needed to advance an HBV cure worldwide, such as those established in the HIV field. We propose the establishment of an International Coalition to Eliminate Hepatitis B Virus (ICE-HBV) to facilitate the formation of international working groups on HBV virology, immunology, innovative tools and clinical trials: to promote awareness and education as well as to drive changes in government policy and ensure funds are channelled to HBV cure research and drug development. With the ICE-HBV in place, it should be possible to enable a HBV cure within the next decade.
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