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Paschke RR, Mohr S, Lange S, Lange A, Kozuch J. In Situ Spectroscopic Detection of Large-Scale Reorientations of Transmembrane Helices During Influenza A M2 Channel Opening. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202309069. [PMID: 37733579 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202309069] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Viroporins are small ion channels in membranes of enveloped viruses that play key roles during viral life cycles. To use viroporins as drug targets against viral infection requires in-depth mechanistic understanding and, with that, methods that enable investigations under in situ conditions. Here, we apply surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy to Influenza A M2 reconstituted within a solid-supported membrane, to shed light on the mechanics of its viroporin function. M2 is a paradigm of pH-activated proton channels and controls the proton flux into the viral interior during viral infection. We use SEIRA to track the large-scale reorientation of M2's transmembrane α-helices in situ during pH-activated channel opening. We quantify this event as a helical tilt from 26° to 40° by correlating the experimental results with solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance-informed computational spectroscopy. This mechanical motion is impeded upon addition of the inhibitor rimantadine, giving a direct spectroscopic marker to test antiviral activity. The presented approach provides a spectroscopic tool to quantify large-scale structural changes and to track the function and inhibition of the growing number of viroporins from pathogenic viruses in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Rabea Paschke
- Physics Department, Freie Universität Berlin, Experimental Molecular Biophysics, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Research Building SupraFAB, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstr. 23a, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Swantje Mohr
- Research Unit Molecular Biophysics, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sascha Lange
- Research Unit Molecular Biophysics, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adam Lange
- Research Unit Molecular Biophysics, Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 42, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacek Kozuch
- Physics Department, Freie Universität Berlin, Experimental Molecular Biophysics, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Research Building SupraFAB, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstr. 23a, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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Basu K, Krugliak M, Arkin IT. Viroporins of Mpox Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13828. [PMID: 37762131 PMCID: PMC10530900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813828] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mpox or monkeypox virus (MPXV) belongs to the subclass of Poxviridae and has emerged recently as a global threat. With a limited number of anti-viral drugs available for this new virus species, it is challenging to thwart the illness it begets. Therefore, characterizing new drug targets in the virus may prove advantageous to curbing the disease. Since channels as a family are excellent drug targets, we have sought to identify viral ion channels for this virus, which are instrumental in formulating channel-blocking anti-viral drugs. Bioinformatics analyses yielded eight transmembranous proteins smaller or equal to 100 amino acids in length. Subsequently, three independent bacteria-based assays have pointed to five of the eight proteins that exhibit ion channel activity. Finally, we propose a tentative structure of four ion channels from their primary amino acid sequences, employing AlphaFold2 and molecular dynamic simulation methods. These results may represent the first steps in characterizing MPXV viroporins en route to developing blockers that inhibit their function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Isaiah T. Arkin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel; (K.B.); (M.K.)
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Benazraf A, Arkin IT. Exhaustive mutational analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ORF3a: An essential component in the pathogen's infectivity cycle. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4528. [PMID: 36468608 PMCID: PMC9795539 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4528] [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: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Detailed knowledge of a protein's key residues may assist in understanding its function and designing inhibitors against it. Consequently, such knowledge of one of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)'s proteins is advantageous since the virus is the etiological agent behind one of the biggest health crises of recent times. To that end, we constructed an exhaustive library of bacteria differing from each other by the mutated version of the virus's ORF3a viroporin they harbor. Since the protein is harmful to bacterial growth due to its channel activity, genetic selection followed by deep sequencing could readily identify mutations that abolish the protein's function. Our results have yielded numerous mutations dispersed throughout the sequence that counteract ORF3a's ability to slow bacterial growth. Comparing these data with the conservation pattern of ORF3a within the coronavirinae provided interesting insights: Deleterious mutations obtained in our study corresponded to conserved residues in the protein. However, despite the comprehensive nature of our mutagenesis coverage (108 average mutations per site), we could not reveal all of the protein's conserved residues. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that our study unearthed positions in the protein pertinent to channel activity, while other conserved residues may correspond to different functionalities of ORF3a. In conclusion, our study provides important information on a key component of SARS-CoV-2 and establishes a procedure to analyze other viroporins comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Benazraf
- Department of Biological ChemistryThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Isaiah T. Arkin
- Department of Biological ChemistryThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
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Searching for Blockers of Dengue and West Nile Virus Viroporins. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081750. [PMID: 36016372 PMCID: PMC9413451 DOI: 10.3390/v14081750] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavivirus infections, such as those caused by dengue and West Nile viruses, emerge as new challenges for the global healthcare sector. It has been found that these two viruses encode ion channels collectively termed viroporins. Therefore, drug molecules that block such ion-channel activity can serve as potential antiviral agents and may play a primary role in therapeutic purposes. We screened 2839 FDA-approved drugs and compounds in advanced experimental phases using three bacteria-based channel assays to identify such ion channel blockers. We primarily followed a negative genetic screen in which the channel is harmful to the bacteria due to excessive membrane permeabilization that can be relieved by a blocker. Subsequently, we cross-checked the outcome with a positive genetic screen and a pH-dependent assay. The following drugs exhibited potential blocker activities: plerixafor, streptomycin, tranexamic acid, CI-1040, glecaprevir, kasugamycin, and mesna were effective against dengue virus DP1. In contrast, idasanutlin, benzbromarone, 5-azacytidine, and plerixafor were effective against West Nile Virus MgM. These drugs can serve as future antiviral therapeutic agents following subsequent in vitro and in vivo efficacy studies.
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Sun Y, Gong L, Yin Y, Zhang L, Sun Q, Feng K, Cui Y, Zhang Q, Zhang X, Deng X, You F, Lu D, Lin Z. A Gradient pH-Sensitive Polymer-Based Antiviral Strategy via Viroporin-Induced Membrane Acidification. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2109580. [PMID: 35229371 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202109580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Lipid-membrane-targeting strategies hold great promise to develop broad-spectrum antivirals. However, it remains a big challenge to identify novel membrane-based targets of viruses and virus-infected cells for development of precision targeted approaches. Here, it is discovered that viroporins, viral-encoded ion channels, which have been reported to mediate release of hydrogen ions, trigger membrane acidification of virus-infected cells. Through development of a fine-scale library of gradient pH-sensitive (GPS) polymeric nanoprobes, the cellular membrane pH transitions are measured from pH 6.8-7.1 (uninfection) to pH 6.5-6.8 (virus-infection). In response to the subtle pH alterations, the GPS polymer with sharp response at pH 6.8 (GPS6.8 ) selectively binds to virus-infected cell membranes or the viral envelope, and even completely disrupts the viral envelope. Accordingly, GPS6.8 treatment exerts suppressive effects on a wide variety of viruses including SARS-CoV-2 through triggering viral-envelope lysis rather than affecting immune pathway or viability of host cells. Murine viral-infection models exhibit that supplementation of GPS6.8 decreases viral titers and ameliorates inflammatory damage. Thus, the gradient pH-sensitive nanotechnology offers a promising strategy for accurate detection of biological pH environments and robust interference with viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhe Sun
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Lidong Gong
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Yue Yin
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Qiangming Sun
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 65018, P. R. China
| | - Kai Feng
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, 65018, P. R. China
| | - Yimin Cui
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xuehui Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Xuliang Deng
- National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Fuping You
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Dan Lu
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Lin
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
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Zika M—A Potential Viroporin: Mutational Study and Drug Repurposing. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030641. [PMID: 35327443 PMCID: PMC8944957 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030641] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genus Flavivirus contains several important human pathogens. Among these, the Zika virus is an emerging etiological agent that merits concern. One of its structural proteins, prM, plays an essential role in viral maturation and assembly, making it an attractive drug and vaccine development target. Herein, we have characterized ZikV-M as a potential viroporin candidate using three different bacteria-based assays. These assays were subsequently employed to screen a library of repurposed drugs from which ten compounds were identified as ZikV-M blockers. Mutational analyses of conserved amino acids in the transmembrane domain of other flaviviruses, including West Nile and Dengue virus, were performed to study their role in ion channel activity. In conclusion, our data show that ZikV-M is a potential ion channel that can be used as a drug target for high throughput screening and drug repurposing.
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In Vitro Inhibition of Zika Virus Replication with Amantadine and Rimantadine Hydrochlorides. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres12030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus in which human infection became relevant during recent outbreaks in Latin America due to its unrecognized association with fetal neurological disorders. Currently, there are no approved effective antivirals or vaccines for the treatment or prevention of ZIKV infections. Amantadine and rimantadine are approved antivirals used against susceptible influenza A virus infections that have been shown to have antiviral activity against other viruses, such as dengue virus (DENV). Here, we report the in vitro effectiveness of both amantadine and rimantadine hydrochlorides against ZIKV replication, resulting in a dose-dependent reduction in viral titers of a ZIKV clinical isolate and two different ZIKV reference strains. Additionally, we demonstrate similar in vitro antiviral activity of these drugs against DENV-1 and yellow fever virus (YFV), although at higher drug concentrations for the latter. ZIKV replication was inhibited at drug concentrations well below cytotoxic levels of both compounds, as denoted by the high selectivity indexes obtained with the tested strains. Further work is absolutely needed to determine the potential clinical use of these antivirals against ZIKV infections, but our results suggest the existence of a highly conserved mechanism across flavivirus, susceptible to be blocked by modified more specific adamantane compounds.
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Identification of SARS-CoV-2 E Channel Blockers from a Repurposed Drug Library. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070604. [PMID: 34201587 PMCID: PMC8308726 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, is a member of the Coronaviridae family. It is an enveloped virus with ion channels in its membrane, the most characterized of which is the E protein. Therefore, in an attempt to identify blockers of the E channel, we screened a library of 2839 approved-for-human-use drugs. Our approach yielded eight compounds that exhibited appreciable activity in three bacteria-based channel assays. Considering the fact that the E channel is the most conserved of all SARS-CoV-2 proteins, any inhibitor of its activity may provide an option to curb the viral spread. In addition, inhibitors can also enhance our ability to understand the exact role played by the E protein during the infectivity cycle. Finally, detailed electrophysiological analyses, alongside in vitro and in vivo studies will be needed to establish the exact potential of each of the blockers identified in our study.
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Tomar PPS, Krugliak M, Arkin IT. Blockers of the SARS-CoV-2 3a Channel Identified by Targeted Drug Repurposing. Viruses 2021; 13:v13030532. [PMID: 33807095 PMCID: PMC8004704 DOI: 10.3390/v13030532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent of the COVID-19 pandemic is SARS-CoV-2. As a member of the Coronaviridae, the enveloped pathogen has several membrane proteins, of which two, E and 3a, were suggested to function as ion channels. In an effort to increase our treatment options, alongside providing new research tools, we have sought to inhibit the 3a channel by targeted drug repurposing. To that end, using three bacteria-based assays, we screened a library of 2839 approved-for-human-use drugs and identified the following potential channel-blockers: Capreomycin, Pentamidine, Spectinomycin, Kasugamycin, Plerixafor, Flumatinib, Litronesib, Darapladib, Floxuridine and Fludarabine. The stage is now set for examining the activity of these compounds in detailed electrophysiological studies and their impact on the whole virus with appropriate biosafety measures.
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Singh Tomar PP, Arkin IT. SARS-CoV-2 E protein is a potential ion channel that can be inhibited by Gliclazide and Memantine. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 530:10-14. [PMID: 32828269 PMCID: PMC7305885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.05.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is one of the most impactful pandemics in recorded history. As such, the identification of inhibitory drugs against its etiological agent, SARS-CoV-2, is of utmost importance, and in particular, repurposing may provide the fastest route to curb the disease. As the first step in this route, we sought to identify an attractive and viable target in the virus for pharmaceutical inhibition. Using three bacteria-based assays that were tested on known viroporins, we demonstrate that one of its essential components, the E protein, is a potential ion channel and, therefore, is an excellent drug target. Channel activity was demonstrated for E proteins in other coronaviruses, providing further emphasis on the importance of this functionally to the virus' pathogenicity. The results of a screening effort involving a repurposing drug library of ion channel blockers yielded two compounds that inhibit the E protein: Gliclazide and Memantine. In conclusion, as a route to curb viral virulence and abate COVID-19, we point to the E protein of SARS-CoV-2 as an attractive drug target and identify off-label compounds that inhibit it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Pratap Singh Tomar
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus Givat-Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Isaiah T Arkin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus Givat-Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel.
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Shiryaev VA, Klimochkin YN. Heterocyclic Inhibitors of Viroporins in the Design of Antiviral Compounds. Chem Heterocycl Compd (N Y) 2020; 56:626-635. [PMID: 32836315 PMCID: PMC7366462 DOI: 10.1007/s10593-020-02712-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ion channels of viruses (viroporins) represent a common type of protein targets for drugs. The relative simplicity of channel architecture allows convenient computational modeling and enables virtual search for new inhibitors. In this review, we analyze the data published over the last 10 years on known ion channels of viruses that cause socially significant diseases. The effectiveness of inhibition by various types of heterocyclic compounds of the viroporins of influenza virus, hepatitis С virus, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomaviruses, coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus is discussed. The presented material highlights the promise held by the search for heterocyclic antiviral compounds that act by inhibition of viroporins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim A. Shiryaev
- Samara State Technical University, 244 Molodogvardeiskaya St, Samara, 443100 Russia
| | - Yuri N. Klimochkin
- Samara State Technical University, 244 Molodogvardeiskaya St, Samara, 443100 Russia
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