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Bampali M, Kouvela A, Kesesidis N, Kassela K, Dovrolis N, Karakasiliotis I. West Nile Virus Subgenomic RNAs Modulate Gene Expression in a Neuronal Cell Line. Viruses 2024; 16:812. [PMID: 38793693 PMCID: PMC11125720 DOI: 10.3390/v16050812] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Subgenomic flaviviral RNAs (sfRNAs) are small non-coding products of the incomplete degradation of viral genomic RNA. They accumulate during flaviviral infection and have been associated with many functional roles inside the host cell. Studies so far have demonstrated that sfRNA plays a crucial role in determining West Nile virus (WNV) pathogenicity. However, its modulatory role on neuronal homeostasis has not been studied in depth. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of sfRNA biosynthesis and its importance for WNV replication in neuronal cells. We found that sfRNA1 is functionally redundant for both replication and translation of WNV. However, the concurrent absence of sfRNA1 and sfRNA2 species is detrimental for the survival of the virus. Differential expression analysis on RNA-seq data from WT and ΔsfRNA replicon cell lines revealed transcriptional changes induced by sfRNA and identified a number of putative targets. Overall, it was shown that sfRNA contributes to the viral evasion by suppressing the interferon-mediated antiviral response. An additional differential expression analysis among replicon and control Neuro2A cells also clarified the transcriptional changes that support WNV replication in neuronal cells. Increased levels of translation and oxidative phosphorylation, post-translational modification processes, and activated DNA repair pathways were observed in replicon cell lines, while developmental processes such as axonal growth were deficient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (M.B.); (A.K.); (N.K.); (K.K.); (N.D.)
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Screening of novel synthetic derivatives of dehydroepiandrosterone for antivirals against flaviviruses infections. Virol Sin 2022; 37:94-106. [PMID: 35234626 PMCID: PMC8922432 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.01.007] [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: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are important arthropod-borne pathogens that represent an immense global health problem. Their unprecedented epidemic rate and unpredictable clinical features underscore an urgent need for antiviral interventions. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural occurring adrenal-derived steroid in the human body that has been associated in protection against various infections. In the present study, the plaque assay based primary screening was conducted on 32 synthetic derivatives of DHEA against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) to identify potent anti-flaviviral compounds. Based on primary screening, HAAS-AV3026 and HAAS-AV3027 were selected as hits from DHEA derivatives that exhibited strong antiviral activity against JEV (IC50 = 2.13 and 1.98 μmol/L, respectively) and Zika virus (ZIKV) (IC50 = 3.73 and 3.42 μmol/L, respectively). Mechanism study indicates that HAAS-AV3026 and HAAS-AV3027 do not exhibit inhibitory effect on flavivirus binding and entry process, while significantly inhibit flavivirus infection at the replication stage. Moreover, indirect immunofluorescence assay, Western blot analyses, and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed a potent antiviral activity of DHEA derivatives hits against JEV and ZIKV in terms of inhibition of viral infection, protein production, and viral RNA synthesis in Vero cells. Taken together, our results may provide a basis for the development of new antivirals against flaviviruses. A total of 32 synthetic derivatives of dehydroepiandrosterone were screened for anti-flaviviral activity in Vero cells. HAAS-AV3026 and HAAS-AV3027 were selected as hits in the downstream studies exhibiting strong antiviral activities. Time-addition studies revealed that both hits were more effective for reducing virus propagation in post-infection treatment. Mechanism studies showed that these hits acted on the post-entry process (replication stage) of the flavivirus life cycle.
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Goryashchenko AS, Uvarova VI, Osolodkin DI, Ishmukhametov AA. Discovery of small molecule antivirals targeting tick-borne encephalitis virus. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.armc.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Fukuta M, Nguyen CT, Nguyen TTT, Nguyen TTN, Vu TBH, Takemura T, Nguyen LKH, Inoue S, Morita K, Le TQM, Hasebe F, Moi ML. Discrepancies in Infectivity of Flavivirus and SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Samples: An Improved Assay for Infectious Virus Shedding and Viremia Assessment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189845. [PMID: 34574767 PMCID: PMC8465741 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Infectivity and neutralizing antibody titers of flavivirus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are frequently measured using the conventional plaque assay. While the assay is useful in the determination of infectivity, conventional plaque assays generally possess lower sensitivity and are time-consuming compared to nucleic acid amplification tests. In this study, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), Avicel, was evaluated as an alternative to the conventional virus overlay medium, methylcellulose, for a plaque assay. The plaque assay was performed using dengue and COVID-19 clinical samples and laboratory-established flavivirus and SARS-CoV-2 strains. In virus titration of clinical samples, the plaques were significantly larger, and the virus titers were higher when Avicel MCC-containing overlay medium was used than with conventional methylcellulose overlay medium. In addition, for some clinical samples and laboratory virus strains, infectious particles were detected as plaques in the Avicel MCC-containing medium, but not in the conventional methylcellulose medium. The results suggest that the viremia titer determined using the new overlay medium containing Avicel MCC may better reflect the innate infectious and plaque-forming capabilities of clinical samples and better reflect virus infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Fukuta
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (M.F.); (T.T.N.N.); (T.T.); (S.I.); (K.M.); (F.H.)
| | - Co Thach Nguyen
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (C.T.N.); (T.T.T.N.); (T.B.H.V.); (L.K.H.N.); (T.Q.M.L.)
| | - Thi Thu Thuy Nguyen
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (C.T.N.); (T.T.T.N.); (T.B.H.V.); (L.K.H.N.); (T.Q.M.L.)
| | - Thi Thanh Ngan Nguyen
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (M.F.); (T.T.N.N.); (T.T.); (S.I.); (K.M.); (F.H.)
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (C.T.N.); (T.T.T.N.); (T.B.H.V.); (L.K.H.N.); (T.Q.M.L.)
| | - Thi Bich Hau Vu
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (C.T.N.); (T.T.T.N.); (T.B.H.V.); (L.K.H.N.); (T.Q.M.L.)
| | - Taichiro Takemura
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (M.F.); (T.T.N.N.); (T.T.); (S.I.); (K.M.); (F.H.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Tropical and Emerging Virus Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Le Khanh Hang Nguyen
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (C.T.N.); (T.T.T.N.); (T.B.H.V.); (L.K.H.N.); (T.Q.M.L.)
| | - Shingo Inoue
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (M.F.); (T.T.N.N.); (T.T.); (S.I.); (K.M.); (F.H.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Tropical and Emerging Virus Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kouichi Morita
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (M.F.); (T.T.N.N.); (T.T.); (S.I.); (K.M.); (F.H.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Tropical and Emerging Virus Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Thi Quynh Mai Le
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam; (C.T.N.); (T.T.T.N.); (T.B.H.V.); (L.K.H.N.); (T.Q.M.L.)
| | - Futoshi Hasebe
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (M.F.); (T.T.N.N.); (T.T.); (S.I.); (K.M.); (F.H.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Tropical and Emerging Virus Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Meng Ling Moi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (M.F.); (T.T.N.N.); (T.T.); (S.I.); (K.M.); (F.H.)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Tropical and Emerging Virus Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +81-95-819-7829
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Seedorf T, Kirschning A, Solga D. Natural and Synthetic Oligoarylamides: Privileged Structures for Medical Applications. Chemistry 2021; 27:7321-7339. [PMID: 33481284 PMCID: PMC8251530 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202005086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The term "privileged structure" refers to a single molecular substructure or scaffold that can serve as a starting point for high-affinity ligands for more than one receptor type. In this report, a hitherto overlooked group of privileged substructures is addressed, namely aromatic oligoamides, for which there are natural models in the form of cystobactamids, albicidin, distamycin A, netropsin, and others. The aromatic and heteroaromatic core, together with a flexible selection of substituents, form conformationally well-defined scaffolds capable of specifically binding to conformationally well-defined regions of biomacromolecules such as helices in proteins or DNA often by acting as helices mimics themselves. As such, these aromatic oligoamides have already been employed to inhibit protein-protein and nucleic acid-protein interactions. This article is the first to bring together the scattered knowledge about aromatic oligoamides in connection with biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Seedorf
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum, (BMWZ)Leibniz Universität HannoverSchneiderberg 1B30167HannoverGermany
| | - Andreas Kirschning
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum, (BMWZ)Leibniz Universität HannoverSchneiderberg 1B30167HannoverGermany
| | - Danny Solga
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum, (BMWZ)Leibniz Universität HannoverSchneiderberg 1B30167HannoverGermany
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Kim IJ, Xu Y, Nam KH. Spectroscopic Analysis of Fe Ion-Induced Fluorescence Quenching of the Green Fluorescent Protein ZsGreen. J Fluoresc 2021; 31:307-314. [PMID: 33411229 DOI: 10.1007/s10895-020-02656-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The fluorescence of fluorescent proteins (FPs) is quenched when they are exposed to certain transition metals, which makes them promising receptor materials for metal biosensors. In this study, we report the spectroscopic analysis of metal-induced fluorescence quenching of the fluorescent protein ZsGreen from Zoanthus sp. The fluorescence of ZsGreen was reduced to 2%, 1%, and 20% of its original intensity by Fe2+, Fe3+, and Cu2+, respectively. Metal titration experiments indicated that the dissociation constants of Fe2+, Fe3+, and Cu2+ for ZsGreen were 11.5, 16.3, and 68.2 μM, respectively. The maximum binding capacities of ZsGreen for Fe2+, Fe3+, and Cu2+ were 103.3, 102.2, and 82.9, respectively. Reversibility experiments indicated that the fluorescence of ZsGreen, quenched by Fe2+ and Fe3+, could be recovered, but only to about 15% of its original intensity, even at a 50-fold molar excess of EDTA. In contrast, the fluorescence quenched by Cu2+ could be recovered up to 89.47% of its original intensity at a Cu2+: EDTA ratio of 1:5. The homology model of ZsGreen revealed that the protein does not share any metal-binding sites with previously reported FPs, suggesting that ZsGreen contains unprecedented binding sites for fluorescence quenching metal ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Jung Kim
- Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, D-17487, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Yongbin Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Life Science, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian, 116600, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioresources Utilization, Ministry of Education, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian, China
| | - Ki Hyun Nam
- Department of Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
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Groaz E, De Clercq E, Herdewijn P. Anno 2021: Which antivirals for the coming decade? ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2021; 57:49-107. [PMID: 34744210 PMCID: PMC8563371 DOI: 10.1016/bs.armc.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite considerable progress in the development of antiviral drugs, among which anti-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications can be considered real success stories, many viral infections remain without an effective treatment. This not only applies to infectious outbreaks caused by zoonotic viruses that have recently spilled over into humans such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but also ancient viral diseases that have been brought under control by vaccination such as variola (smallpox), poliomyelitis, measles, and rabies. A largely unsolved problem are endemic respiratory infections due to influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinoviruses, whose associated morbidity will likely worsen with increasing air pollution. Furthermore, climate changes will expose industrialized countries to a dangerous resurgence of viral hemorrhagic fevers, which might also become global infections. Herein, we summarize the recent progress that has been made in the search for new antivirals against these different threats that the world population will need to confront with increasing frequency in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Groaz
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,Corresponding author:
| | - Erik De Clercq
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Felicetti T, Manfroni G, Cecchetti V, Cannalire R. Broad-Spectrum Flavivirus Inhibitors: a Medicinal Chemistry Point of View. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2391-2419. [PMID: 32961008 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Infections by flaviviruses, such as Dengue, West Nile, Yellow Fever and Zika viruses, represent a growing risk for global health. There are vaccines only for few flaviviruses while no effective treatments are available. Flaviviruses share epidemiological, structural, and ecologic features and often different viruses can co-infect the same host. Therefore, the identification of broad-spectrum inhibitors is highly desirable either for known flaviviruses or for viruses that likely will emerge in the future. Strategies targeting both virus and host factors have been pursued to identify broad-spectrum antiflaviviral agents. In this review, we describe the most promising and best characterized targets and their relative broad-spectrum inhibitors, identified by drug repurposing/libraries screenings and by focused medicinal chemistry campaigns. Finally, we discuss about future strategies to identify new broad-spectrum antiflavivirus agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Felicetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Manfroni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Violetta Cecchetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Rolando Cannalire
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli "Federico II", via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy
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Synthesis of cyclic D-(+)-camphoric acid imides and study of their antiviral activity. Chem Heterocycl Compd (N Y) 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10593-020-02728-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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