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Scherf J, Vogel D, Gul S, Reinshagen J, Gribbon P, Rosenthal M. Limited high-throughput screening compatibility of the phenuivirus cap-binding domain. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22820. [PMID: 38129678 PMCID: PMC10739838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50158-5] [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: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Bunyaviruses constitute a large and diverse group of viruses encompassing many emerging pathogens, such as Rift Valley fever virus (family Phenuiviridae), with public and veterinary health relevance but with very limited medical countermeasures are available. For the development of antiviral strategies, the identification and validation of virus-specific targets would be of high value. The cap-snatching mechanism is an essential process in the life cycle of bunyaviruses to produce capped mRNAs, which are then recognized and translated into viral proteins by the host cell translation machinery. Cap-snatching involves cap-binding as well as endonuclease functions and both activities have been demonstrated to be druggable in related influenza viruses. Here, we explore the suitability of the phenuivirus cap-binding function as a target in medium- and high-throughput drug discovery approaches. We developed a range of in vitro assays aiming to detect the interaction between the cap-binding domain (CBD) and the analogue of its natural cap-ligand m7GTP. However, constricted by its shallow binding pocket and low affinity for m7GTP, we conclude that the CBD has limited small molecule targeting potential using classical in vitro drug discovery approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Scherf
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Vogel
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jeanette Reinshagen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases (CIMD), Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Maria Rosenthal
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany.
- Center for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany.
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Tian WJ, Wang XJ. Broad-Spectrum Antivirals Derived from Natural Products. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051100. [PMID: 37243186 DOI: 10.3390/v15051100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Scientific advances have led to the development and production of numerous vaccines and antiviral drugs, but viruses, including re-emerging and emerging viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, remain a major threat to human health. Many antiviral agents are rarely used in clinical treatment, however, because of their inefficacy and resistance. The toxicity of natural products may be lower, and some natural products have multiple targets, which means less resistance. Therefore, natural products may be an effective means to solve virus infection in the future. New techniques and ideas are currently being developed for the design and screening of antiviral drugs thanks to recent revelations about virus replication mechanisms and the advancement of molecular docking technology. This review will summarize recently discovered antiviral drugs, mechanisms of action, and screening and design strategies for novel antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jun Tian
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiao-Jia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Chen W, Shao J, Ying Z, Du Y, Yu Y. Approaches for discovery of small-molecular antivirals targeting to influenza A virus PB2 subunit. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1545-1553. [PMID: 35247593 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza virus, leading to huge morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. Despite the availability of antivirals in the clinic, the emergence of resistant strains calls for antivirals with novel mechanisms of action. The PB2 subunit of the influenza A virus polymerase is a promising target because of its vital role in the 'cap-snatching' mechanism. In this review, we summarize the technologies and medicinal chemistry strategies for hit identification, hit-to-lead and lead-to-candidate optimization, and current challenges in PB2 inhibitor development, as well as offering insights for the fight against drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenteng Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Jiaan Shao
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Zhimin Ying
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yushen Du
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Province, China(1)
| | - Yongping Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Denel-Bobrowska M, Olejniczak AB. Non-nucleoside structured compounds with antiviral activity—past 10 years (2010–2020). Eur J Med Chem 2022; 231:114136. [PMID: 35085926 PMCID: PMC8769541 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nucleosides and their derivatives are a well-known and well-described class of compounds with antiviral activity. Currently, in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists are also looking for compounds not related to nucleosides with antiviral properties. This review aims to provide an overview of selected synthetic antiviral agents not associated to nucleosides developed against human viruses and introduced to preclinical and clinical trials as well as drugs approved for antiviral therapy over the last 10 years. The article describes for the first time the wide classification of such antiviral drugs and drug candidates and briefly summarizes the biological target and clinical applications of the compounds. The described compounds are arranged according to the antiviral mechanism of action. Knowledge of the drug's activity toward specific molecular targets may be the key to researching new antiviral compounds and repositioning drugs already approved for clinical use. The paper also briefly discusses the future directions of antiviral therapy. The described examples of antiviral compounds can be helpful for further drug development.
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Abstract
Influenza infection causes severe illness in 3 to 5 million people annually, with up to an estimated 650,000 deaths per annum. As such, it represents an ongoing burden to health care systems and human health. Severe acute respiratory infection can occur, resulting in respiratory failure requiring intensive care support. Herein we discuss diagnostic approaches, including development of CLIA-waived point of care tests that allow rapid diagnosis and treatment of influenza. Bacterial and fungal coinfections in severe influenza pneumonia are associated with worse outcomes, and we summarize the approach and treatment options for diagnosis and treatment of bacterial and Aspergillus coinfection. We discuss the available drug options for the treatment of severe influenza, and treatments which are no longer supported by the evidence base. Finally, we describe the supportive management and ventilatory approach to patients with respiratory failure as a result of severe influenza in the intensive care unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam S O'Driscoll
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, St. James's University Hospital, Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Research Organization (MICRO), Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ignacio Martin-Loeches
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, St. James's University Hospital, Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Research Organization (MICRO), Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.,Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Universidad de Barcelona, CIBERes, Barcelona, Spain
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Yeo JY, Gan SKE. Peering into Avian Influenza A(H5N8) for a Framework towards Pandemic Preparedness. Viruses 2021; 13:2276. [PMID: 34835082 PMCID: PMC8622263 DOI: 10.3390/v13112276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
2014 marked the first emergence of avian influenza A(H5N8) in Jeonbuk Province, South Korea, which then quickly spread worldwide. In the midst of the 2020-2021 H5N8 outbreak, it spread to domestic poultry and wild waterfowl shorebirds, leading to the first human infection in Astrakhan Oblast, Russia. Despite being clinically asymptomatic and without direct human-to-human transmission, the World Health Organization stressed the need for continued risk assessment given the nature of Influenza to reassort and generate novel strains. Given its promiscuity and easy cross to humans, the urgency to understand the mechanisms of possible species jumping to avert disastrous pandemics is increasing. Addressing the epidemiology of H5N8, its mechanisms of species jumping and its implications, mutational and reassortment libraries can potentially be built, allowing them to be tested on various models complemented with deep-sequencing and automation. With knowledge on mutational patterns, cellular pathways, drug resistance mechanisms and effects of host proteins, we can be better prepared against H5N8 and other influenza A viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Yi Yeo
- Antibody & Product Development Lab, EDDC-BII, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore;
| | - Samuel Ken-En Gan
- Antibody & Product Development Lab, EDDC-BII, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore;
- APD SKEG Pte Ltd., Singapore 439444, Singapore
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Comprehensive Profiling of Mutations to Influenza Virus PB2 That Confer Resistance to the Cap-Binding Inhibitor Pimodivir. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071196. [PMID: 34206520 PMCID: PMC8310130 DOI: 10.3390/v13071196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antivirals are used not only in the current treatment of influenza but are also stockpiled as a first line of defense against novel influenza strains for which vaccines have yet to be developed. Identifying drug resistance mutations can guide the clinical deployment of the antiviral and can additionally define the mechanisms of drug action and drug resistance. Pimodivir is a first-in-class inhibitor of the polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) subunit of the influenza A virus polymerase complex. A number of resistance mutations have previously been identified in treated patients or cell culture. Here, we generate a complete map of the effect of all single-amino-acid mutations to an avian PB2 on resistance to pimodivir. We identified both known and novel resistance mutations not only in the previously implicated cap-binding and mid-link domains, but also in the N-terminal domain. Our complete map of pimodivir resistance thus enables the evaluation of whether new viral strains contain mutations that will confer pimodivir resistance.
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