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Khatkar P, Mensah G, Ning S, Cowen M, Kim Y, Williams A, Abulwerdi FA, Zhao Y, Zeng C, Le Grice SFJ, Kashanchi F. HIV-1 Transcription Inhibition Using Small RNA-Binding Molecules. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 17:33. [PMID: 38256867 PMCID: PMC10819208 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 transactivator protein Tat interacts with the transactivation response element (TAR) at the three-nucleotide UCU bulge to facilitate the recruitment of transcription elongation factor-b (P-TEFb) and induce the transcription of the integrated proviral genome. Therefore, the Tat-TAR interaction, unique to the virus, is a promising target for developing antiviral therapeutics. Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs against HIV-1 transcription, suggesting the need to develop novel inhibitors that specifically target HIV-1 transcription. We have identified potential candidates that effectively inhibit viral transcription in myeloid and T cells without apparent toxicity. Among these candidates, two molecules showed inhibition of viral protein expression. A molecular docking and simulation approach was used to determine the binding dynamics of these small molecules on TAR RNA in the presence of the P-TEFb complex, which was further validated by a biotinylated RNA pulldown assay. Furthermore, we examined the effect of these molecules on transcription factors, including the SWI/SNF complex (BAF or PBAF), which plays an important role in chromatin remodeling near the transcription start site and hence regulates virus transcription. The top candidates showed significant viral transcription inhibition in primary cells infected with HIV-1 (98.6). Collectively, our study identified potential transcription inhibitors that can potentially complement existing cART drugs to address the current therapeutic gap in current regimens. Additionally, shifting of the TAR RNA loop towards Cyclin T1 upon molecule binding during molecular simulation studies suggested that targeting the TAR loop and Tat-binding UCU bulge together should be an essential feature of TAR-binding molecules/inhibitors to achieve complete viral transcription inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Khatkar
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (P.K.)
| | - Gifty Mensah
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (P.K.)
| | - Shangbo Ning
- Institute of Biophysics and Department of Physics, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Maria Cowen
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (P.K.)
| | - Yuriy Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (P.K.)
| | - Anastasia Williams
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (P.K.)
| | | | - Yunjie Zhao
- Institute of Biophysics and Department of Physics, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Chen Zeng
- Physics Department, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | | | - Fatah Kashanchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (P.K.)
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2
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Cui Z, Weng B, Yao Y, Shao H, Ye J, Qin A, Qian K. Chicken Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Suppresses Innate Immune Responses and Enhances Avian Leukosis Virus Replication in DF-1 Cells. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0523522. [PMID: 36995259 PMCID: PMC10269865 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05235-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is a widely distributed multifunctional serine/threonine kinase. In mammals, GSK3β regulates important life activities such as proinflammatory response, anti-inflammatory response, immunity, and cancer development. However, the biological functions of chicken GSK3β (chGSK3β) are still unknown. In the present study, the full-length cDNA of chGSK3β was first cloned and analyzed. Absolute quantification of chicken chGSK3β in 1-day-old specific-pathogen-free birds has shown that it is widely expressed in all tissues, with the highest level in brain and the lowest level in pancreas. Overexpression of chGSK3β in DF-1 cells significantly decreased the gene expression levels of interferon beta (IFN-β), IFN regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), MX-1, protein kinase R (PKR), and oligoadenylate synthase-like (OASL), while promoting the replication of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J). Conversely, levels of most of the genes detected in this study were increased when chGSK3β expression was knocked down using small interfering RNA (siRNA), which also inhibited the replication of ALV-J. These results suggest that chGSK3β plays an important role in the antiviral innate immune response in DF-1 cells, and it will be valuable to carry out further studies on the biological functions of chGSK3β. IMPORTANCE GSK3β regulates many life activities in mammals. Recent studies revealed that chGSK3β was involved in regulating antiviral innate immunity in DF-1 cells and also could positively regulate ALV-J replication. These results provide new insights into the biofunction of chGSK3β and the virus-host interactions of ALV-J. In addition, this study provides a basis for further research on the function of GSK3 in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouhao Cui
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Avian Preventive Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bei Weng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Avian Preventive Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongxiu Yao
- The Pirbright Institute & UK-China Centre of Excellence for Research on Avian Diseases, Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Hongxia Shao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Avian Preventive Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- The International Joint Laboratory for Cooperation in Agriculture and Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianqiang Ye
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Avian Preventive Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aijian Qin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Avian Preventive Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Qian
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Avian Preventive Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- The International Joint Laboratory for Cooperation in Agriculture and Agricultural Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
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3
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Liao J, Zhang X, Zhang L, Xu Z, Kang S, Xu L, Chen H, Sun M, Wu S, Qin Q, Wei J. Characterization and functional analysis of GSK3β from Epinephelus coioides in Singapore grouper iridovirus infection. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 131:549-558. [PMID: 36273516 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), a serine/threonine protein kinase, is a crucial regulator of several signaling pathways and plays a vital role in cell proliferation, growth, apoptosis, and immune responses. However, the role of GSK3β during viral infection in teleosts remains largely unknown. In the present study, a GSK3β homologue from Epinephelus coioides (EcGSK3β) was cloned and characterized. The open reading frame of EcGSK3β consists of 1323 bp, encoding a 440 amino acid protein, with a predicted molecular mass of 48.23 kDa. Similar to its mammalian counterpart, EcGSK3β contains an S_TKc domain. EcGSK3β shares 99.77% homology with the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus). Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that EcGSK3β mRNA was broadly expressed in all tested tissues, with abundant expression in the skin, blood, and intestines. Additionally, the expression of EcGSK3β increased after Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection in grouper spleen (GS) cells. Intracellular localization analysis demonstrated that EcGSK3β is mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. EcGSK3β overexpression promoted SGIV replication during viral infection in vitro. In contrast, silencing of EcGSK3β inhibited SGIV replication. EcGSK3β significantly downregulated the activities of interferon-β, interferon-sensitive response element, and NF-κB. Taken together, these findings are important for a better understanding of the function of GSK3β in fish and reveal its involvement in the host response to viral immune challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Liao
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Luhao Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhuqing Xu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shaozhu Kang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Linting Xu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Hong Chen
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Mengshi Sun
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Siting Wu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qiwei Qin
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266000, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 528478, China.
| | - Jingguang Wei
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
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4
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Identification of 3-Oxindole Derivatives as Small Molecule HIV-1 Inhibitors Targeting Tat-Mediated Viral Transcription. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27154921. [PMID: 35956872 PMCID: PMC9370035 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterocyclic indole structure has been shown to be one of the most promising scaffolds, offering various medicinal advantages from its wide range of biological activity. Nonetheless, the significance of 3-oxindole has been less known. In this study, a series of novel 3-oxindole-2-carboxylates were synthesized and their antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection was evaluated. Among these, methyl (E)-2-(3-chloroallyl)-4,6-dimethyl-one (6f) exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect on HIV-1 infection, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.4578 μM but without severe cytotoxicity (selectivity index (SI) = 111.37). The inhibitory effect of these compounds on HIV-1 infection was concordant with their inhibitory effect on the viral replication cycle. Mode-of-action studies have shown that these prominent derivatives specifically inhibited the Tat-mediated viral transcription on the HIV-1 LTR promoter instead of reverse transcription or integration. Overall, our findings indicate that 3-oxindole derivatives could be useful as a potent scaffold for the development of a new class of anti-HIV-1 agents.
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5
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Viral Phase Separation and Epitranscriptomics in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8122. [PMID: 35897696 PMCID: PMC9368024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The relentless, protracted evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus imposes tremendous pressure on herd immunity and demands versatile adaptations by the human host genome to counter transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic alterations associated with a wide range of short- and long-term manifestations during acute infection and post-acute recovery, respectively. To promote viral replication during active infection and viral persistence, the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein regulates host cell microenvironment including pH and ion concentrations to maintain a high oxidative environment that supports template switching, causing extensive mitochondrial damage and activation of pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling cascades. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial distress induce dynamic changes to both the host and viral RNA m6A methylome, and can trigger the derepression of long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE1), resulting in global hypomethylation, epigenetic changes, and genomic instability. The timely application of melatonin during early infection enhances host innate antiviral immune responses by preventing the formation of "viral factories" by nucleocapsid liquid-liquid phase separation that effectively blockades viral genome transcription and packaging, the disassembly of stress granules, and the sequestration of DEAD-box RNA helicases, including DDX3X, vital to immune signaling. Melatonin prevents membrane depolarization and protects cristae morphology to suppress glycolysis via antioxidant-dependent and -independent mechanisms. By restraining the derepression of LINE1 via multifaceted strategies, and maintaining the balance in m6A RNA modifications, melatonin could be the quintessential ancient molecule that significantly influences the outcome of the constant struggle between virus and host to gain transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic dominance over the host genome during acute infection and PASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA;
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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6
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DeMarino C, Cowen M, Khatkar P, Cotto B, Branscome H, Kim Y, Sharif SA, Agbottah ET, Zhou W, Costiniuk CT, Jenabian MA, Gelber C, Liotta LA, Langford D, Kashanchi F. Cannabinoids Reduce Extracellular Vesicle Release from HIV-1 Infected Myeloid Cells and Inhibit Viral Transcription. Cells 2022; 11:723. [PMID: 35203372 PMCID: PMC8869966 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Of the 37.9 million individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), approximately 50% exhibit HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). We and others previously showed that HIV-1 viral RNAs, such as trans-activating response (TAR) RNA, are incorporated into extracellular vesicles (EVs) and elicit an inflammatory response in recipient naïve cells. Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary cannabinoids present in cannabis, are effective in reducing inflammation. Studies show that cannabis use in people living with HIV-1 is associated with lower viral load, lower circulating CD16+ monocytes and high CD4+ T-cell counts, suggesting a potentially therapeutic application. Here, HIV-1 infected U1 monocytes and primary macrophages were used to assess the effects of CBD. Post-CBD treatment, EV concentrations were analyzed using nanoparticle tracking analysis. Changes in intracellular and EV-associated viral RNA were quantified using RT-qPCR, and changes in viral proteins, EV markers, and autophagy proteins were assessed by Western blot. Our data suggest that CBD significantly reduces the number of EVs released from infected cells and that this may be mediated by reducing viral transcription and autophagy activation. Therefore, CBD may exert a protective effect by alleviating the pathogenic effects of EVs in HIV-1 and CNS-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine DeMarino
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 22030, USA; (C.D.); (M.C.); (P.K.); (H.B.); (Y.K.)
| | - Maria Cowen
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 22030, USA; (C.D.); (M.C.); (P.K.); (H.B.); (Y.K.)
| | - Pooja Khatkar
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 22030, USA; (C.D.); (M.C.); (P.K.); (H.B.); (Y.K.)
| | - Bianca Cotto
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (B.C.); (D.L.)
| | - Heather Branscome
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 22030, USA; (C.D.); (M.C.); (P.K.); (H.B.); (Y.K.)
| | - Yuriy Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 22030, USA; (C.D.); (M.C.); (P.K.); (H.B.); (Y.K.)
| | - Sarah Al Sharif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz, University for Health Sciences, Jeddah 22384, Saudi Arabia;
| | | | - Weidong Zhou
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (W.Z.); (L.A.L.)
| | - Cecilia T. Costiniuk
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Mohammad-Ali Jenabian
- Department of Biological Sciences and CERMO-FC Research Centre, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada;
| | | | - Lance A. Liotta
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA; (W.Z.); (L.A.L.)
| | - Dianne Langford
- Department of Neuroscience, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (B.C.); (D.L.)
| | - Fatah Kashanchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 22030, USA; (C.D.); (M.C.); (P.K.); (H.B.); (Y.K.)
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7
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Abstract
The global coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has affected more than 140 million and killed more than 3 million people worldwide as of April 20, 2021. The novel human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as an etiological agent for COVID-19. Several kinases have been proposed as possible mediators of multiple viral infections, including life-threatening coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-1, Middle East syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2. Viral infections hijack abundant cell signaling pathways, resulting in drastic phosphorylation rewiring in the host and viral proteins. Some kinases play a significant role throughout the viral infection cycle (entry, replication, assembly, and egress), and several of them are involved in the virus-induced hyperinflammatory response that leads to cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), organ injury, and death. Here, we highlight kinases that are associated with coronavirus infections and their inhibitors with antiviral and potentially anti-inflammatory, cytokine-suppressive, or antifibrotic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry
and Tuebingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Eberhard Karls University
Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen,
Germany
| | - Stefan Laufer
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry
and Tuebingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Eberhard Karls University
Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen,
Germany
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8
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Skoreński M, Sieńczyk M. The Fellowship of Privileged Scaffolds-One Structure to Inhibit Them All. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111164. [PMID: 34832946 PMCID: PMC8622370 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few years, the application of privileged structure has emerged as a powerful approach to the discovery of new biologically active molecules. Privileged structures are molecular scaffolds with binding properties to the range of different biological targets. Moreover, privileged structures typically exhibit good drug-like properties, thus assuring more drug-like properties of modified compound. Our main objective is to discuss the privileged structures used for the development of antiviral agents.
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9
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Zhang S, Zhu L, Hou C, Yuan H, Yang S, Dehwah MAS, Shi L. GSK3β Plays a Negative Role During White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) Infection by Regulating NF-κB Activity in Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Front Immunol 2020; 11:607543. [PMID: 33324423 PMCID: PMC7725904 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.607543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), a cytoplasmic serine/threonine-protein kinase involved in a large number of key cellular processes, is a little-known signaling molecule in virus study. In this study, a GSK3 protein which was highly similar to GSK3β homologs from other species in Litopenaeus vannamei (designated as LvGSK3β) was obtained. LvGSK3β was expressed constitutively in the healthy L. vannamei, at the highest level in the intestine and the lowest level in the eyestalk. White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) reduced LvGSK3β expression was in immune tissues including the hemocyte, intestine, gill and hepatopancreas. The inhibition of LvGSK3β resulted in significantly higher survival rates of L. vannamei during WSSV infection than the control group, and significantly lower WSSV viral loads in LvGSK3β-inhibited L. vannamei were observed. Knockdown of LvGSK3β by RNAi resulted in increases in the expression of LvDorsal and several NF-κB driven antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes (including ALF, PEN and crustin), but a decrease in LvCactus expression. Accordingly, overexpression of LvGSK3β could reduce the promoter activity of LvDorsal and several AMPs, while the promoter activity of LvCactus was increased. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) showed that LvDorsal could bind to the promoter of LvGSK3β. The interaction between LvGSK3β and LvDorsal or LvCactus was confirmed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays. In addition, the expression of LvGSK3β was dramatically reduced by knockdown of LvDorsal. In summary, the results presented in this study indicated that LvGSK3β had a negative effect on L. vannamei by mediating a feedback regulation of the NF-κB pathway when it is infected by WSSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Aquatic, Livestock and Poultry Feed Science and Technology in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhanjiang, China.,Aquatic Animals Precision Nutrition and High Efficiency Feed Engineering Research Center of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Lulu Zhu
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Cuihong Hou
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Hang Yuan
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Sheng Yang
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Mustafa Abdo Saif Dehwah
- Department of Medical Laboratories, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, Taiz University/AL-Turba Branch, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Lili Shi
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Moidunny S, Benneyworth MA, Titus DJ, Beurel E, Kolli U, Meints J, Jalodia R, Ramakrishnan S, Atkins CM, Roy S. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition rescues sex-dependent contextual fear memory deficit in human immunodeficiency virus-1 transgenic mice. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:5658-5676. [PMID: 33080056 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15288] [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: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A significant number of HIV-1 patients on antiretroviral therapy develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Evidence indicate that biological sex may regulate HAND pathogenesis, but the mechanisms remain unknown. We investigated synaptic mechanisms associated with sex differences in HAND, using the HIV-1-transgenic 26 (Tg26) mouse model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Contextual- and cue-dependent memories of male and female Tg26 mice and littermate wild type mice were assessed in a fear conditioning paradigm. Hippocampal electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, western blot, qRT-PCR and ELISA techniques were used to investigate cellular, synaptic and molecular impairments. KEY RESULTS Cue-dependent memory was unaltered in male and female Tg26 mice, when compared to wild type mice. Male, but not female, Tg26 mice showed deficits in contextual fear memory. Consistently, only male Tg26 mice showed depressed hippocampal basal synaptic transmission and impaired LTP induction in area CA1. These deficits in male Tg26 mice were independent of hippocampal neuronal loss and microglial activation but were associated with increased HIV-1 long terminal repeat mRNA expression, reduced hippocampal synapsin-1 protein, reduced BDNF mRNA and protein, reduced AMPA glutamate receptor (GluA1) phosphorylation levels and increased glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) activity. Importantly, selective GSK3 inhibition using 4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione increased levels of synapsin-1, BDNF and phosphorylated-GluA1 proteins, restored hippocampal basal synaptic transmission and LTP, and improved contextual fear memory in male Tg26 mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Sex-dependent impairments in contextual fear memory and synaptic plasticity in Tg26 mice are associated with increased GSK3 activity. This implicates GSK3 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy to improve cognition in HIV-1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamsudheen Moidunny
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - David J Titus
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Eleonore Beurel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Udhghatri Kolli
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Joyce Meints
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Richa Jalodia
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sundaram Ramakrishnan
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Coleen M Atkins
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sabita Roy
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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11
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Identification of Modulators of HIV-1 Proviral Transcription from a Library of FDA-Approved Pharmaceuticals. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101067. [PMID: 32977702 PMCID: PMC7598649 DOI: 10.3390/v12101067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) is the most prevalent human retrovirus. Recent data show that 34 million people are living with HIV-1 worldwide. HIV-1 infections can lead to AIDS which still causes nearly 20,000 deaths annually in the USA alone. As this retrovirus leads to high morbidity and mortality conditions, more effective therapeutic regimens must be developed to treat these viral infections. A key target for intervention for which there are no current FDA-approved modulators is at the point of proviral transcription. One successful method for identifying novel therapeutics for treating infectious diseases is the repurposing of pharmaceuticals that are approved by the FDA for alternate indications. Major benefits of using FDA-approved drugs include the fact that the compounds have well established toxicity profiles, approved manufacturing processes, and immediate commercial availability to the patients. Here, we demonstrate that pharmaceuticals previously approved for other indications can be utilized to either activate or inhibit HIV-1 proviral transcription. Specifically, we found febuxostat, eltrombopag, and resveratrol to be activators of HIV-1 transcription, while mycophenolate was our lead inhibitor of HIV-1 transcription. Additionally, we observed that the infected cells of lymphoid and myeloid lineage responded differently to our lead transcriptional modulators. Finally, we demonstrated that the use of a multi-dose regimen allowed for enhanced activation with our transcriptional activators.
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12
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Li Puma DD, Marcocci ME, Lazzarino G, De Chiara G, Tavazzi B, Palamara AT, Piacentini R, Grassi C. Ca 2+ -dependent release of ATP from astrocytes affects herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of neurons. Glia 2020; 69:201-215. [PMID: 32818313 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes provide metabolic support for neurons and modulate their functions by releasing a plethora of neuroactive molecules diffusing to neighboring cells. Here we report that astrocytes also play a role in cortical neurons' vulnerability to Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection through the release of extracellular ATP. We found that the interaction of HSV-1 with heparan sulfate proteoglycans expressed on the plasma membrane of astrocytes triggered phospholipase C-mediated IP3 -dependent intracellular Ca2+ transients causing extracellular release of ATP. ATP binds membrane purinergic P2 receptors (P2Rs) of both neurons and astrocytes causing an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration that activates the Glycogen Synthase Kinase (GSK)-3β, whose action is necessary for HSV-1 entry/replication in these cells. Indeed, in co-cultures of neurons and astrocytes HSV-1-infected neurons were only found in proximity of infected astrocytes releasing ATP, whereas in the presence of fluorocitrate, an inhibitor of astrocyte metabolism, switching-off the HSV-1-induced ATP release, very few neurons were infected. The addition of exogenous ATP, mimicking that released by astrocytes after HSV-1 challenge, restored the ability of HSV-1 to infect neurons co-cultured with metabolically-inhibited astrocytes. The ATP-activated, P2R-mediated, and GSK-3-dependent molecular pathway underlying HSV-1 infection is likely shared by neurons and astrocytes, given that the blockade of either P2Rs or GSK-3 activation inhibited infection of both cell types. These results add a new layer of information to our understanding of the critical role played by astrocytes in regulating neuronal functions and their response to noxious stimuli including microbial agents via Ca2+ -dependent release of neuroactive molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Donatella Li Puma
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Marcocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Lazzarino
- UniCamillus - Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Chiara
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Tavazzi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Basic biotechnological sciences, intensivological and perioperative clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.,San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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13
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GSK-3-associated signaling is crucial to virus infection of cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118767. [PMID: 32522661 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Signal transduction pathways play important roles in virus infection, replication, and associated pathogenesis. Some of the best understood cell signaling networks are crucial to virus infections such the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), and the WNT/β-catenin pathways. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a lesser known signaling molecule in the field of virus research. Interestingly, GSK-3 forms the crux of multiple cell signaling pathways. However, recent studies indicate that GSK-3 may perform key roles in the response to viral infection, replication and pathogenesis. The effects of activated or inactivated forms of GSK-3 on virus infection are still not yet clearly understood phenomenon. The comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of GSK-3-associated signaling pathways in terms of different stages of virus replication could be important not only to understand the pathogenesis of virus, but also possibly leading to new therapeutic targets. This review will focus on recent advances in understanding the roles of GSK-3 on viral replication, pathogenesis and the immune responses.
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14
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GSK3: A Kinase Balancing Promotion and Resolution of Inflammation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040820. [PMID: 32231133 PMCID: PMC7226814 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
GSK3 has been implicated for years in the regulation of inflammation and addressed in a plethora of scientific reports using a variety of experimental (disease) models and approaches. However, the specific role of GSK3 in the inflammatory process is still not fully understood and controversially discussed. Following a detailed overview of structure, function, and various regulatory levels, this review focusses on the immunoregulatory functions of GSK3, including the current knowledge obtained from animal models. Its impact on pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine profiles, bacterial/viral infections, and the modulation of associated pro-inflammatory transcriptional and signaling pathways is discussed. Moreover, GSK3 contributes to the resolution of inflammation on multiple levels, e.g., via the regulation of pro-resolving mediators, the clearance of apoptotic immune cells, and tissue repair processes. The influence of GSK3 on the development of different forms of stimulation tolerance is also addressed. Collectively, the role of GSK3 as a kinase balancing the initiation/perpetuation and the amelioration/resolution of inflammation is highlighted.
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15
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Zicari S, Sharma AL, Sahu G, Dubrovsky L, Sun L, Yue H, Jada T, Ochem A, Simon G, Bukrinsky M, Tyagi M. DNA dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) enhances HIV transcription by promoting RNA polymerase II activity and recruitment of transcription machinery at HIV LTR. Oncotarget 2020; 11:699-726. [PMID: 32133046 PMCID: PMC7041937 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite reductions in mortality from the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the presence of latent or transcriptionally silent proviruses prevents HIV cure/eradication. We have previously reported that DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) facilitates HIV transcription by interacting with the RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) complex recruited at HIV LTR. In this study, using different cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-infected patients, we found that DNA-PK stimulates HIV transcription at several stages, including initiation, pause-release and elongation. We are reporting for the first time that DNA-PK increases phosphorylation of RNAP II C-terminal domain (CTD) at serine 5 (Ser5) and serine 2 (Ser2) by directly catalyzing phosphorylation and by augmenting the recruitment of the positive transcription elongation factor (P-TEFb) at HIV LTR. Our findings suggest that DNA-PK expedites the establishment of euchromatin structure at HIV LTR. DNA-PK inhibition/knockdown leads to the severe impairment of HIV replication and reactivation of latent HIV provirus. DNA-PK promotes the recruitment of Tripartite motif-containing 28 (TRIM28) at LTR and assists the release of paused RNAP II through TRIM28 phosphorylation. These results provide the mechanisms through which DNA-PK controls the HIV gene expression and, likely, can be extended to cellular gene expression, including during cell malignancy, where the role of DNA-PK has been well-established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Zicari
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.,Section of Intercellular Interactions, Eunice-Kennedy National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Pediatric Medicine, The Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Adhikarimayum Lakhikumar Sharma
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Geetaram Sahu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Larisa Dubrovsky
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Lin Sun
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Han Yue
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Tejaswi Jada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Alex Ochem
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Wernher and Beit Building (South), Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gary Simon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Michael Bukrinsky
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA
| | - Mudit Tyagi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC 20037, USA
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16
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DeMarino C, Cowen M, Pleet ML, Pinto DO, Khatkar P, Erickson J, Docken SS, Russell N, Reichmuth B, Phan T, Kuang Y, Anderson DM, Emelianenko M, Kashanchi F. Differences in Transcriptional Dynamics Between T-cells and Macrophages as Determined by a Three-State Mathematical Model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2227. [PMID: 32042107 PMCID: PMC7010665 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59008-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 viral transcription persists in patients despite antiretroviral treatment, potentially due to intermittent HIV-1 LTR activation. While several mathematical models have been explored in the context of LTR-protein interactions, in this work for the first time HIV-1 LTR model featuring repressed, intermediate, and activated LTR states is integrated with generation of long (env) and short (TAR) RNAs and proteins (Tat, Pr55, and p24) in T-cells and macrophages using both cell lines and infected primary cells. This type of extended modeling framework allows us to compare and contrast behavior of these two cell types. We demonstrate that they exhibit unique LTR dynamics, which ultimately results in differences in the magnitude of viral products generated. One of the distinctive features of this work is that it relies on experimental data in reaction rate computations. Two RNA transcription rates from the activated promoter states are fit by comparison of experimental data to model predictions. Fitting to the data also provides estimates for the degradation/exit rates for long and short viral RNA. Our experimentally generated data is in reasonable agreement for the T-cell as well macrophage population and gives strong evidence in support of using the proposed integrated modeling paradigm. Sensitivity analysis performed using Latin hypercube sampling method confirms robustness of the model with respect to small parameter perturbations. Finally, incorporation of a transcription inhibitor (F07#13) into the governing equations demonstrates how the model can be used to assess drug efficacy. Collectively, our model indicates transcriptional differences between latently HIV-1 infected T-cells and macrophages and provides a novel platform to study various transcriptional dynamics leading to latency or activation in numerous cell types and physiological conditions.
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MESH Headings
- Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology
- Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use
- Cell Line
- Drug Resistance, Viral/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Viral/immunology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Viral/immunology
- HIV Infections/blood
- HIV Infections/drug therapy
- HIV Infections/immunology
- HIV Long Terminal Repeat/genetics
- HIV-1/drug effects
- HIV-1/genetics
- HIV-1/immunology
- Humans
- Macrophages/immunology
- Macrophages/virology
- Models, Genetic
- Models, Immunological
- Primary Cell Culture
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/virology
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Transcription, Genetic/immunology
- Virus Replication/drug effects
- Virus Replication/genetics
- Virus Replication/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine DeMarino
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Maria Cowen
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Michelle L Pleet
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Daniel O Pinto
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Pooja Khatkar
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - James Erickson
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Steffen S Docken
- Department of Mathematics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Russell
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Blake Reichmuth
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Tin Phan
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Yang Kuang
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel M Anderson
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
| | - Maria Emelianenko
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
| | - Fatah Kashanchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA.
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17
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Aguilera LU, Rodríguez-González J. Modeling the effect of tat inhibitors on HIV latency. J Theor Biol 2019; 473:20-27. [PMID: 31004612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Even in the presence of a successful combination therapy stalling the progress of AIDS, developing a cure for this disease is still an open question. One of the major steps towards a cure would be to be able to eradicate latent HIV reservoirs present in patients. During the last decade, multiple findings point to the dominant role of the viral protein Tat in the establishment of latency. Here we present a mathematical study to understand the potential role of Tat inhibitors as virus-suppressing agents. For this aim, we implemented a computational model that reproduces intracellular dynamics. Simulating an HIV-infected cell and its intracellular feedback we observed that removing Tat protein from the system via inhibitors resulted in a temporary and reversible viral suppression. In contrast, we observed that compounds that interact with Tat protein and disrupt the integrated viral genome produced a more permanent viral suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis U Aguilera
- Department of Modeling of Biological Processes, COS Heidelberg / Bioquant, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Colorado State University
| | - Jesús Rodríguez-González
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Monterrey, Via del Conocimiento 201, Parque PIIT, Apodaca CP 66600 NL, México.
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18
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Antiviral activities of Janus-type nucleosides and their related oxime-intermediates. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 27:2332-2339. [PMID: 30578076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has been recognized as the most common mucosal disease in humans, manifesting as a life-threatening infection especially for patients with compromised immunity. When combined with the emergence of resistance due to the long-term use of classical antiviral agents, these threats make novel therapeutics for HSV a clinically necessity. We therefore designed and synthesized a series of Janus-type nucleosides by combining the natural genetic alphabets into a singular nucleoside structural unit. We also synthesized a series of new compounds and systematically evaluated their antiviral activity and structure-antiviral activity relationship. The results indicated that both nucleosides and their related intermediates exhibited high anti-HSV-1 activity. Compounds HY17 and HY19, in particular, possessed excellent anti-HSV-1 activity with IC50 values of 0.05 and 0.04 µg/mL, respectively. They also showed broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a multitude of diverse viruses, such as HSV-2, influenza virus A (H3N2), CVB3, HBV, HCV, and HPV. These results suggest that once their mechanisms are fully elucidated, these compounds will prove to be promising candidates as antiviral agents.
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19
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Duchowicz PR, Bacelo DE, Fioressi SE, Palermo V, Ibezim NE, Romanelli GP. QSAR studies of indoyl aryl sulfides and sulfones as reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Med Chem Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-017-2069-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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20
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Le Douce V, Ait-Amar A, Forouzan Far F, Fahmi F, Quiel J, El Mekdad H, Daouad F, Marban C, Rohr O, Schwartz C. Improving combination antiretroviral therapy by targeting HIV-1 gene transcription. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2016; 20:1311-1324. [PMID: 27266557 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2016.1198777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) has not allowed the cure of HIV. The main obstacle to HIV eradication is the existence of quiescent reservoirs. Several other limitations of cART have been described, such as strict life-long treatment and high costs, restricting it to Western countries, as well as the development of multidrug resistance. Given these limitations and the impetus to find a cure, the development of new treatments is necessary. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss the current status of several efficient molecules able to suppress HIV gene transcription, including NF-kB and Tat inhibitors. We also assess the potential of new proteins belonging to the intriguing DING family, which have been reported to have potential anti-HIV-1 activity by inhibiting HIV gene transcription. Expert opinion: Targeting HIV-1 gene transcription is an alternative approach, which could overcome cART-related issues, such as the emergence of multidrug resistance. Improving cART will rely on the identification and characterization of new actors inhibiting HIV-1 transcription. Combining such efforts with the use of new technologies, the development of new models for preclinical studies, and improvement in drug delivery will considerably reduce drug toxicity and thus increase patient adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Le Douce
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France.,b IUT de Schiltigheim , Schiltigheim , France.,c UCD Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) School of Medicine and Medical Science , University College Dublin , Dublin 4 , Ireland
| | - Amina Ait-Amar
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Faezeh Forouzan Far
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Faiza Fahmi
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Jose Quiel
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Hala El Mekdad
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Fadoua Daouad
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France
| | - Céline Marban
- d Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire , Inserm UMR 1121 , Strasbourg , France
| | - Olivier Rohr
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France.,b IUT de Schiltigheim , Schiltigheim , France.,e Institut Universitaire de France , Paris , France
| | - Christian Schwartz
- a Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale, EA7292 , Université de Strasbourg , Strasbourg , France.,b IUT de Schiltigheim , Schiltigheim , France
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21
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Rodrigues AF, Guerreiro MR, Formas-Oliveira AS, Fernandes P, Blechert AK, Genzel Y, Alves PM, Hu WS, Coroadinha AS. Increased titer and reduced lactate accumulation in recombinant retrovirus production through the down-regulation of HIF1 and PDK. Biotechnol Bioeng 2015; 113:150-62. [PMID: 26134455 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Many mammalian cell lines used in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals exhibit high glycolytic flux predominantly channeled to the production of lactate. The accumulation of lactate in culture reduces cell viability and may also decrease product quality. In this work, we engineered a HEK 293 derived cell line producing a recombinant gene therapy retroviral vector, by down-regulating hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK). Specific productivity of infectious viral titers could be increased more than 20-fold for single gene knock-down (HIF1 or PDK) and more than 30-fold under combined down-regulation. Lactate production was reduced up to 4-fold. However, the reduction in lactate production, alone, was not sufficient to enhance the titer: high-titer clones also showed significant enrollment of metabolic routes not related to lactate production. Transcriptome analysis indicated activation of biological amines metabolism, detoxification routes, including glutathione metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, glycogen biosynthesis and amino acid catabolism. The latter were validated by enzyme activity assays and metabolite profiling, respectively. High-titer clones also presented substantially increased transcript levels of the viral genes expression cassettes. The results herein presented demonstrate the impact of HIF1 and PDK down-regulation on the production performance of a mammalian cell line, reporting one of the highest fold-increase in specific productivity of infectious virus titers achieved by metabolic engineering. They additionally highlight the contribution of secondary pathways, beyond those related to lactate production, that can be also explored to pursue improved metabolic status favoring a high-producing phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Rodrigues
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - M R Guerreiro
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - A S Formas-Oliveira
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - P Fernandes
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - A-K Blechert
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Bioprocess Engineering Group, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Y Genzel
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Bioprocess Engineering Group, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - P M Alves
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal.,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - W S Hu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - A S Coroadinha
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal. .,Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal.
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22
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Guendel I, Iordanskiy S, Sampey GC, Van Duyne R, Calvert V, Petricoin E, Saifuddin M, Kehn-Hall K, Kashanchi F. Role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors in HIV-1-infected cells. J Neurovirol 2015; 21:257-75. [PMID: 25672887 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-015-0323-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Many cellular cofactors have been documented to be critical for various stages of viral replication. Using high-throughput proteomic assays, we have previously identified Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) as a host protein that was uniquely upregulated in the plasma membrane of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-infected T cells. Here, we have further characterized the BTK expression in HIV-1 infection and show that this cellular factor is specifically expressed in infected myeloid cells. Significant upregulation of the phosphorylated form of BTK was observed in infected cells. Using size exclusion chromatography, we found BTK to be virtually absent in the uninfected U937 cells; however, new BTK protein complexes were identified and distributed in both high molecular weight (∼600 kDa) and a small molecular weight complex (∼60-120 kDa) in the infected U1 cells. BTK levels were highest in cells either chronically expressing virus or induced/infected myeloid cells and that BTK translocated to the membrane following induction of the infected cells. BTK knockdown in HIV-1-infected cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA) resulted in selective death of infected, but not uninfected, cells. Using BTK-specific antibody and small-molecule inhibitors including LFM-A13 and a FDA-approved compound, ibrutinib (PCI-32765), we have found that HIV-1-infected cells are sensitive to apoptotic cell death and result in a decrease in virus production. Overall, our data suggests that HIV-1-infected cells are sensitive to treatments targeting BTK expressed in infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Guendel
- Department of Systems Biology, National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA
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Wan Z, Chen X. Triptolide inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by promoting proteasomal degradation of Tat protein. Retrovirology 2014; 11:88. [PMID: 25323821 PMCID: PMC4205289 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-014-0088-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plants remain an important source of new drugs, new leads and new chemical entities. Triptolide is a diterpenoid epoxide isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F that possesses a broad range of bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti-tumor properties. The antiviral activity of triptolide against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has not been reported. Results In this study, nanomolar concentrations of triptolide were shown to potently inhibit HIV-1 replication in vitro. To identify the step(s) of the HIV-1 replication cycle affected by triptolide, time-of-addition studies, PCR analysis and direct transfection of viral genomic DNA were performed. The results of these experiments indicated that triptolide acts at the stage of viral gene transcription. In addition, a luciferase-based reporter assay that allows quantitative analysis of long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven transcription showed that Tat-induced LTR activation was impaired in the presence of triptolide. Moreover, Western blot analysis of exogenous gene expression (driven by the human elongation factor 1 α subunit promoter) in transiently transfected cells revealed that triptolide specifically reduces the steady-state level of Tat protein, without suppressing global gene expression. Further studies showed that triptolide accelerates Tat protein degradation, which can be rescued by administration of the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Mutation analysis revealed that N-terminal domains of Tat protein and nuclear localization are required for triptolide to reduce steady-state level of Tat. Conclusion This study suggests for the first time that triptolide exerts its anti-HIV-1 activity by specifically prompting the degradation of the virally encoded Tat protein, which is a novel mechanism of action for an anti-HIV-1 compound. This compound may serve as a starting point for developing a novel HIV-1 therapeutic approach or as a basic research tool for interrogating events during viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitao Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China. .,Current address: China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xulin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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Yamamoto M, Onogi H, Kii I, Yoshida S, Iida K, Sakai H, Abe M, Tsubota T, Ito N, Hosoya T, Hagiwara M. CDK9 inhibitor FIT-039 prevents replication of multiple DNA viruses. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:3479-88. [PMID: 25003190 DOI: 10.1172/jci73805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A wide range of antiviral drugs is currently available; however, drug-resistant viruses have begun to emerge and represent a potential public health risk. Here, we explored the use of compounds that inhibit or interfere with the action of essential host factors to prevent virus replication. In particular, we focused on the cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor, FIT-039, which suppressed replication of a broad spectrum of DNA viruses through inhibition of mRNA transcription. Specifically, FIT-039 inhibited replication of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, human adenovirus, and human cytomegalovirus in cultured cells, and topical application of FIT-039 ointment suppressed skin legion formation in a murine HSV-1 infection model. FIT-039 did not affect cell cycle progression or cellular proliferation in host cells. Compared with the general CDK inhibitor flavopiridol, transcriptome analyses of FIT-039-treated cells revealed that FIT-039 specifically inhibited CDK9. Given at concentrations above the inhibitory concentration, FIT-039 did not have a cytotoxic effect on mammalian cells. Importantly, administration of FIT-039 ameliorated the severity of skin lesion formation in mice infected with an acyclovir-resistant HSV-1, without noticeable adverse effects. Together, these data indicate that FIT-039 has potential as an antiviral agent for clinical therapeutics.
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MESH Headings
- Acyclovir/pharmacology
- Adenoviruses, Human/drug effects
- Adenoviruses, Human/physiology
- Animals
- Antiviral Agents/chemistry
- Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
- Antiviral Agents/toxicity
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cytomegalovirus/drug effects
- Cytomegalovirus/physiology
- DNA Viruses/drug effects
- DNA Viruses/genetics
- DNA Viruses/physiology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Resistance, Viral
- Flavonoids/pharmacology
- HEK293 Cells
- HeLa Cells
- Herpes Simplex/drug therapy
- Herpes Simplex/pathology
- Herpes Simplex/virology
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/drug effects
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/physiology
- Herpesvirus 2, Human/drug effects
- Herpesvirus 2, Human/physiology
- Host-Pathogen Interactions/drug effects
- Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred ICR
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/toxicity
- Pyridines/chemistry
- Pyridines/pharmacology
- Pyridines/toxicity
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Transcriptome/drug effects
- Virus Replication/drug effects
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