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Wang J, Hu X, Wu J, Lin X, Chen R, Lu C, Song X, Leng Q, Li Y, Kuang X, Li J, Yao L, Tang X, Ye J, Zhang G, Sun M, Zhou Y, Li H. ML241 Antagonizes ERK 1/2 Activation and Inhibits Rotavirus Proliferation. Viruses 2024; 16:623. [PMID: 38675964 PMCID: PMC11054276 DOI: 10.3390/v16040623] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rotavirus (RV) is the main pathogen that causes severe diarrhea in infants and children under 5 years of age. No specific antiviral therapies or licensed anti-rotavirus drugs are available. It is crucial to develop effective and low-toxicity anti-rotavirus small-molecule drugs that act on novel host targets. In this study, a new anti-rotavirus compound was selected by ELISA, and cell activity was detected from 453 small-molecule compounds. The anti-RV effects and underlying mechanisms of the screened compounds were explored. In vitro experimental results showed that the small-molecule compound ML241 has a good effect on inhibiting rotavirus proliferation and has low cytotoxicity during the virus adsorption, cell entry, and replication stages. In addition to its in vitro effects, ML241 also exerted anti-RV effects in a suckling mouse model. Transcriptome sequencing was performed after adding ML241 to cells infected with RV. The results showed that ML241 inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting IκBα, activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, and playing an anti-RV role. These results provide an experimental basis for specific anti-RV small-molecule compounds or compound combinations, which is beneficial for the development of anti-RV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yan Zhou
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming 650118, China; (J.W.); (X.H.); (J.W.); (X.L.); (R.C.); (C.L.); (X.S.); (Q.L.); (Y.L.); (X.K.); (J.L.); (L.Y.); (X.T.); (J.Y.); (G.Z.); (M.S.)
| | - Hongjun Li
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development on Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming 650118, China; (J.W.); (X.H.); (J.W.); (X.L.); (R.C.); (C.L.); (X.S.); (Q.L.); (Y.L.); (X.K.); (J.L.); (L.Y.); (X.T.); (J.Y.); (G.Z.); (M.S.)
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2
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Chen K, Wang F. Cell-specific genome-scale metabolic modeling of SARS-CoV-2-infected lung to identify antiviral enzymes. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:2172-2186. [PMID: 37734920 PMCID: PMC10699103 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Computational systems biology plays a key role in the discovery of suitable antiviral targets. We designed a cell-specific, constraint-based modeling technique for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected lungs. We used the gene sequence of the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 to build a viral biomass reaction (VBR). We also used the mass proportion of lipids between the viral biomass and its host cell to estimate the stoichiometric coefficients of viral lipids in the reaction. We then integrated the VBR, the gene expression of the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2, and the generic human metabolic network Recon3D to reconstruct a cell-specific genome-scale metabolic model. An antiviral target discovery (AVTD) platform was introduced using this model to identify therapeutic drug targets for combating COVID-19. The AVTD platform not only identified antiviral genes for eliminating viral replication but also predicted side effects of treatments. Our computational results revealed that knocking out dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) might reduce the synthesis rate of cytidine-5'-triphosphate and uridine-5'-triphosphate, which terminate the viral building blocks of DNA and RNA for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our results also indicated that DHODH is a promising antiviral target that causes minor side effects, which is consistent with the results of recent reports. Moreover, we discovered that the genes that participate in the de novo biosynthesis of glycerophospholipids and ceramides become unidentifiable if the VBR does not involve the stoichiometry of lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke‐Lin Chen
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayiTaiwan
| | - Feng‐Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayiTaiwan
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3
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Trauth J. [Respiratory viral infections : Under special consideration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and influenza viruses]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2023; 118:445-453. [PMID: 37642653 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-023-01050-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory viruses cause the highest number of morbidities and deaths annually among all infectious pathogens. This article discusses the current epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, and drug treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses. The SARS-CoV‑2 and influenza are preventable with vaccines and a first vaccine against RSV is available since 08/2023. For infections with SARS-CoV‑2 and influenza, a stage-specific (antiviral) drug treatment is also recommended. Due to the high and commonly underestimated disease burden caused by RSV, it must be hoped that antiviral substances will be found in the future. In patients at risk, particular attention should be paid to an adequate vaccination status against respiratory pathogens and if there is clinical suspicion of a viral airway infection, the pathogen should be promptly identified and, if necessary, specific treatment should be carried out. Now that effective vaccinations and antiviral drugs are available, the challenge is to use them for all patients at risk and thus really prevent avoidable infections, severe courses and long-term sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Trauth
- Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH, Medizinische Klinik V für Innere Medizin m.S. Infektiologie und Krankenhaushygiene, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Klinikstr 33, 35392, Gießen, Deutschland.
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4
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Cicka D, Niu Q, Qui M, Qian K, Miller E, Fan D, Mo X, Ivanov AA, Sarafianos SG, Du Y, Fu H. TMPRSS2 and SARS-CoV-2 SPIKE interaction assay for uHTS. J Mol Cell Biol 2023; 15:mjad017. [PMID: 36921991 PMCID: PMC10399917 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad017] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, has claimed millions of lives over the past 2 years. This demands rapid development of effective therapeutic agents that target various phases of the viral replication cycle. The interaction between host transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and viral SPIKE protein is an important initial step in SARS-CoV-2 infection, offering an opportunity for therapeutic development of viral entry inhibitors. Here, we report the development of a time-resolved fluorescence/Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay for monitoring the TMPRSS2-SPIKE interaction in lysate from cells co-expressing these proteins. The assay was configured in a 384-well-plate format for high-throughput screening with robust assay performance. To enable large-scale compound screening, we further miniaturized the assay into 1536-well ultrahigh-throughput screening (uHTS) format. A pilot screen demonstrated the utilization of the assay for uHTS. Our optimized TR-FRET uHTS assay provides an enabling platform for expanded screening campaigns to discover new classes of small-molecule inhibitors that target the SPIKE and TMPRSS2 protein-protein interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Cicka
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Laney Graduate School of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Qiankun Niu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Min Qui
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kun Qian
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Eric Miller
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dacheng Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xiulei Mo
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Andrey A Ivanov
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yuhong Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Haian Fu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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5
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Chitre D, Nadkarni S, Jagtap N, Tulle R, Gitte A, Rahate P, Chaskar S, Dey D. Phase
III
randomized clinical trial of
BV
‐4051, an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation in moderate
SARS‐CoV
‐2 infections and its impact on inflammatory biomarkers. Phytother Res 2022; 37:1232-1241. [PMID: 36419388 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants continue to be a challenge inspite of widespread vaccination and preventive measures. We hypothesized an oral, safe polyherbal formulation with antiinflammatory properties may improve the clinical outcome of this disease. BV-4051, a formulation from four Ayurvedic plants namely Ashwagandha, Boswellia, Ginger and Turmeric was used for the treatment of hospitalized moderate COVID-19 patients along with standard of care (SOC). Patients were randomly assigned to receive BV-4051 or placebo tablets for 14 days, at four sites in India during late 2020 to early 2021. Among 208 randomized subjects, 175 completed the study. In BV-4051 group the mean reduction in duration of illness (p = 0.036), alleviation and severity scores of several symptoms like fever, cough, smell, and taste disorders were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). A sub-set analysis of subjects treated with or without Remdesivir as SOC showed mean reduction in duration of illness in BV-4051 (p = 0.030), and severity scores (p ≤ 0.05). Mean difference in Interleukin-6 was statistically significant (p = 0.042) on BV-4051 without Remdesivir. BV-4051 may reduce duration of illness, symptoms severity, Interleukin-6, and prevent the incidence of COVID-19 complications. It may have an adjunctive effect with other SOC. Larger extensive clinical testing may give a better understanding of its effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Chitre
- Bioved Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Jose California USA
| | | | | | | | - Amol Gitte
- Siddhivinayak Hospital Thane, Mumbai India
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6
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Magnetic triazine-based dendrimer as a versatile nanocarrier for efficient antiviral drugs delivery. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19469. [PMID: 36376529 PMCID: PMC9662132 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanoscale engineering is an efficient method for the treatment of multiple infectious diseases. Due to the controllable functionalities, surface properties, and internal cavities, dendrimer-based nanoparticles represent high performance in drug delivery, making their application attractive in pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. In this study, a dendritic nanostructure (Fe3O4@SiO2@TAD-G3) was designed and fabricated by grafting a triazine-based dendrimer on a magnetic nanomaterial. The structure of synthesized hybrid nanostructure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, elemental mapping, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The prepared nanostructure (Fe3O4@SiO2@TAD-G3) combines the unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles and a hyperbranched dendrimer for biomedical applications. Its dual nature and highly exposed active sites, could make the transportation of drugs to targeted sites of interest through the magnetic field. A study was conducted on model drugs loading (Favipiravir and Zidovudine) and in vitro release behaviour of Fe3O4@SiO2@TAD-G3, which was monitored by ultraviolet spectroscopy. The dendritic nanostructure exhibited high drug-loading capacity for Favipiravir (63.2%) and Zidovudine (76.5%). About (90.8% and 80.2%) and (95.5% and 83.4%) of loaded Favipiravir and Zidovudine were released from Fe3O4@SiO2@TAD-G3 at pH 1.5 and 6.8 respectively, within 600 min and at 37 °C. The initial fast release attributed to the drug molecules on the surface of nanostructure while the drugs incorporated deeply into the pores of the Fe3O4@SiO2@TAD-G3 released with a delay. We proposed that Fe3O4@SiO2@TAD-G3 could be tested as an effective carrier in the targeted (cellular or tissue) delivery of drugs. We think that the prepared nanostructure will not deposit in the liver and lungs due to the small size of the nanoparticles.
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7
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Gentile I, Scotto R, Schiano Moriello N, Pinchera B, Villari R, Trucillo E, Ametrano L, Fusco L, Castaldo G, Buonomo AR. Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir and Molnupiravir in the Treatment of Mild/Moderate COVID-19: Results of a Real-Life Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101731. [PMID: 36298596 PMCID: PMC9607194 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir were the first available oral antivirals (OAs) active against SARS-CoV-2. Trials evaluating the efficacy of OAs involved patients unvaccinated and infected with variants different from those currently circulating. We conducted a retrospective study on patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection treated with OAs during the omicron surge in Italy in order to provide real-life data on the efficacy and safety of OAs during the omicron surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among 257 patients, 56.8% received molnupiravir, while 43.2% received nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Patients in the molnupiravir group were older, had a lower body mass index, and had a higher rate of chronic heart disease than those treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Three hospitalizations were recorded in the molnupiravir (2.1%) group and one in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (0.9%) group. One patient treated with molnupiravir died. The median time to negativity was 8 days in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir group vs. 10 days in the molnupiravir group, p < 0.01. We recorded 37 ADRs (mainly dysgeusia, diarrhea, and nausea) in 31 individuals (12.1%). Only two patients (0.8%) treated with molnupiravir terminated treatment due to ADRs. In conclusion, in a population of mostly vaccinated patients treated with OAs, we observed a low rate of hospitalization, death, and adverse drug reactions. These rates were lower than those reported in pivotal trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Gentile
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Scotto
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3495601446
| | - Nicola Schiano Moriello
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Biagio Pinchera
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Villari
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Trucillo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Ametrano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ludovica Fusco
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE—Advanced Biotechnologies, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Riccardo Buonomo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery—Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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8
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Kumari M, Lu RM, Li MC, Huang JL, Hsu FF, Ko SH, Ke FY, Su SC, Liang KH, Yuan JPY, Chiang HL, Sun CP, Lee IJ, Li WS, Hsieh HP, Tao MH, Wu HC. A critical overview of current progress for COVID-19: development of vaccines, antiviral drugs, and therapeutic antibodies. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:68. [PMID: 36096815 PMCID: PMC9465653 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00852-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic remains a global public health crisis, presenting a broad range of challenges. To help address some of the main problems, the scientific community has designed vaccines, diagnostic tools and therapeutics for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The rapid pace of technology development, especially with regard to vaccines, represents a stunning and historic scientific achievement. Nevertheless, many challenges remain to be overcome, such as improving vaccine and drug treatment efficacies for emergent mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2. Outbreaks of more infectious variants continue to diminish the utility of available vaccines and drugs. Thus, the effectiveness of vaccines and drugs against the most current variants is a primary consideration in the continual analyses of clinical data that supports updated regulatory decisions. The first two vaccines granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs), BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, still show more than 60% protection efficacy against the most widespread current SARS-CoV-2 variant, Omicron. This variant carries more than 30 mutations in the spike protein, which has largely abrogated the neutralizing effects of therapeutic antibodies. Fortunately, some neutralizing antibodies and antiviral COVID-19 drugs treatments have shown continued clinical benefits. In this review, we provide a framework for understanding the ongoing development efforts for different types of vaccines and therapeutics, including small molecule and antibody drugs. The ripple effects of newly emergent variants, including updates to vaccines and drug repurposing efforts, are summarized. In addition, we summarize the clinical trials supporting the development and distribution of vaccines, small molecule drugs, and therapeutic antibodies with broad-spectrum activity against SARS-CoV-2 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Kumari
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Min Lu
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Chun Li
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Jhih-Liang Huang
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Fei Hsu
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Han Ko
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Yi Ke
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chieh Su
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Hao Liang
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Joyce Pei-Yi Yuan
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Ling Chiang
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Pu Sun
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - I-Jung Lee
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Shan Li
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Mi-Hua Tao
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chung Wu
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan.
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
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9
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Broad-Spectrum Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike-ACE2 Protein-Protein Interaction from a Chemical Space of Privileged Protein Binders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091084. [PMID: 36145305 PMCID: PMC9504289 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutically useful small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) of protein−protein interactions (PPIs) initiating the cell attachment and entry of viruses could provide novel alternative antivirals that act via mechanisms similar to that of neutralizing antibodies but retain the advantages of small-molecule drugs such as oral bioavailability and low likelihood of immunogenicity. From screening our library, which is focused around the chemical space of organic dyes to provide good protein binders, we have identified several promising SMIs of the SARS-CoV-2 spike—ACE2 interaction, which is needed for the attachment and cell entry of this coronavirus behind the COVID-19 pandemic. They included organic dyes, such as Congo red, direct violet 1, and Evans blue, which seem to be promiscuous PPI inhibitors, as well as novel drug-like compounds (e.g., DRI-C23041). Here, we show that in addition to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, these SMIs also inhibit this PPI for variants of concern including delta (B.1.617.2) and omicron (B.1.1.529) as well as HCoV-NL63 with low- or even sub-micromolar activity. They also concentration-dependently inhibited SARS-CoV-2-S expressing pseudovirus entry into hACE2-expressing cells with low micromolar activity (IC50 < 10 μM) both for the original strain and the delta variant. DRI-C23041 showed good therapeutic (selectivity) index, i.e., separation between activity and cytotoxicity (TI > 100). Specificities and activities require further optimization; nevertheless, these results provide a promising starting point toward novel broad-spectrum small-molecule antivirals that act via blocking the interaction between the spike proteins of coronaviruses and their ACE2 receptor initiating cellular entry.
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10
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Marzi M, Vakil MK, Bahmanyar M, Zarenezhad E. Paxlovid: Mechanism of Action, Synthesis, and In Silico Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:7341493. [PMID: 35845944 PMCID: PMC9283023 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7341493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the discovery and description of PF-07321332, a major bioavailable oral SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor with in vitro human coronavirus antiviral activity, and excellent selection of off-target and in vivo immune profiles are reported. Various drugs and novel compound candidates for the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic have been developed. PF-07321332 (or nirmatrelvir) is a new oral antiviral drug developed by Pfizer. In response to the pandemic, Pfizer has developed the COVID vaccine and in 2022 will launch its new major anti-SARS-Cov-2 protease inhibitor (PI). The combination of ritonavir and nirmatrelvir is under study in phase III of the clinical trial with a brand name Paxlovid. Paxlovid is an active 3Cl protease inhibitor. Paxlovid exerts its antiviral efficacy by inhibiting a necessary protease in the viral replication procedure. Proteases of coronavirus cleave several sites in the viral polyprotein where pyrrolidone was replaced by flexible glutamine. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is high demand for synthesis and development of this novel drug. Herein, we report the synthetic route and the mechanism of action was recently published on nirmatrelvir. Also, a comparison of the performance of two new oral antiviruses (molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir) for the treatment of COVID-19 is described. This review will be helpful for different disciplines such as biochemistry, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahrokh Marzi
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kazem Vakil
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Science, Fasa, Iran
| | - Maryam Bahmanyar
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Elham Zarenezhad
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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