21 research outputs found

    Comparative In Vitro Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Activities of a Selected Series of Polymerase, Protease, and Helicase Inhibitors▿ †

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    We report here a comparative study of the anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activities of selected (i) nucleoside polymerase, (ii) nonnucleoside polymerase, (iii) α,γ-diketo acid polymerase, (iv) NS3 protease, and (v) helicase inhibitors, as well as (vi) cyclophilin binding molecules and (vii) alpha 2b interferon in four different HCV genotype 1b replicon systems

    Quinolinecarboxamides Inhibit the Replication of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus by Targeting a Hot Spot for the Inhibition of Pestivirus Replication in the RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase

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    The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a pestivirus from the family of Flaviviridae is ubiquitous and causes a range of clinical manifestations in livestock, mainly cattle. Two quinolinecarboxamide analogues were identified in a CPE-based screening effort, as selective inhibitors of the in vitro bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) replication, i.e., TO505-6180/CSFCI (average EC50 = 0.07 µM, SD = 0.02 µM, CC50 > 100 µM) and TO502-2403/CSFCII (average EC50 = 0.2 µM, SD = 0.06 µM, CC50 > 100 µM). The initial antiviral activity observed for both hits against BVDV was corroborated by measuring the inhibitory effect on viral RNA synthesis and the production of infectious virus. Modification of the substituents on the quinolinecarboxamide scaffold resulted in analogues that proved about 7-fold more potent (average EC50 = 0.03 with a SD = 0.01 µM) and that were devoid of cellular toxicity, for the concentration range tested (SI = 3333). CSFCII resistant BVDV variants were selected and were found to carry the F224P mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), whereas CSFCI resistant BVDV carried two mutations in the same region of the RdRp, i.e., N264D and F224Y. Likewise, molecular modeling revealed that F224P/Y and N264D are located in a small cavity near the fingertip domain of the pestivirus polymerase. CSFC-resistant BVDV proved to be cross-resistant to earlier reported pestivirus inhibitors (BPIP, AG110, LZ37, and BBP) that are known to target the same region of the RdRp. CSFC analogues did not inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant BVDV RdRp but inhibited the activity of BVDV replication complexes (RCs). CSFC analogues likely interact with the fingertip of the pestivirus RdRp at the same position as BPIP, AG110, LZ37, and BBP. This indicates that this region is a "hot spot" for the inhibition of pestivirus replication.status: publishe

    Design, Synthesis, and Lead Optimisation of CHVB Series Analogues as Potent Small Molecule Inhibitors of Chikungunya Virus

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    The worldwide re-emerge of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), the high morbidity associated with it, and the lack of an available vaccine or antiviral treatment make the development of a potent CHIKV-inhibitor highly desirable. Therefore, an extensive lead optimisation was performed based on the previously reported CHVB compound 1b and the reported synthesis route was optimised - improving the overall yield in remarkable shorter synthesis and work-up time. 100 CHVB analogues were designed, synthesised, and investigated for their antiviral activity, physiochemistry, and toxicological profile. An extensive structure-activity relationship study (SAR) was performed, which focused mainly on the combination of scaffold changes and revealed the key chemical features for a high anti-CHIKV inhibition. Further, to investigate the druggability of the compound series, a thorough ADMET investigation was carried out: the compounds were screened for their aqueous solubility, lipophilicity, their toxicity in CaCo-2 cells, and possible hERG channel interactions. Additionally, 55 analogues were assessed for their metabolic stability in human liver microsomes (HLMs) which led to a structure-metabolism relationship study (SMR). The compounds showed an excellent safety profile, favourable physicochemical characteristics, and the required metabolic stability. A cross-resistance study confirmed the viral capping machinery (nsP1) to be the viral target of these second-generation CHVB compounds. This study identified five compounds (31b, 31d, 32d, 34, and 35d) as potent, safe, and stable lead compounds for further development as selective CHIKV inhibitors - with 32d as the most promising candidate. Finally, the collected insight led to a successful scaffold hop (64b) for future antiviral research studies

    A pyrazolotriazolopyrimidinamine inhibitor of bovine viral diarrhea virus replication that targets the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

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    none157-{[3-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)propyl]-2-(2-furyl)-7H-pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine} (LZ37) was identified as a selective inhibitor of in vitro bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) replication. The EC50 values for inhibition of BVDV-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) formation, viral RNA synthesis and prodn. of infectious virus were 4.3 0.7 M, 12.9 1 M and 5.8 0.6 M, resp. LZ37 proved inactive against the hepatitis C virus and the flavivirus yellow fever. LZ37 inhibits BVDV replication at a time point that coincides with the onset of intracellular viral RNA synthesis. Drug-resistant mutants carried the F224Y mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). LZ37 showed cross-resistance with the imidazopyrrolopyridine AG110 [which selects for the E291G drug resistance mutation] as well as with the imidazopyridine BPIP [which selects for the F224S drug-resistant mutation]. LZ37 did not inhibit the in vitro activity of purified recombinant BVDV RdRp. Mol. modeling revealed that F224 is located near the tip of the finger domain of the RdRp. Docking of LZ37 in the crystal structure of the BVDV RdRp revealed several potential contacts including: (i) hydrophobic contacts of LZ37 with A221, A222, G223, F224 and A392; (ii) a stacking interaction between F224 side chain and the ring system of LZ37 and (iii) a hydrogen bond between the amino function of LZ37 and the O backbone atom of A392. It is concluded that LZ37 interacts with the same binding site as BPIP or VP32947 at the top of the finger domain of the polymerase that is a hot spot for inhibition of pestivirus replication.nonePaeshuyse J.; Letellier C.; Froeyen M.; Dutartre H.; Vrancken R.; Canard B.; De Clercq E.; Gueiffier A.; Teulade J.-C.; Herdewijn P.; Puerstinger G.; Koenen F.; Kerkhofs P.; Baraldi P. G.; Neyts J.Paeshuyse, J.; Letellier, C.; Froeyen, M.; Dutartre, H.; Vrancken, R.; Canard, B.; De Clercq, E.; Gueiffier, A.; Teulade, J. C.; Herdewijn, P.; Puerstinger, G.; Koenen, F.; Kerkhofs, P.; Baraldi, Pier Giovanni; Neyts, J

    Novel Class of Chikungunya Virus Small Molecule Inhibitors That Targets the Viral Capping Machinery

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    Despite the worldwide reemergence of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and the high morbidity associated with CHIKV infections, there is no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment available. Here, we aimed to identify the target of a novel class of CHIKV inhibitors, i.e., the CHVB series. CHVB compounds inhibit the in vitro replication of CHIKV isolates with 50% effective concentrations in the low-micromolar range. A CHVB-resistant variant (CHVBres) was selected that carried two mutations in the gene encoding nsP1 (responsible for viral RNA capping), one mutation in nsP2, and one mutation in nsP3. Reverse genetics studies demonstrated that both nsP1 mutations were necessary and sufficient to achieve ∼18-fold resistance, suggesting that CHVB targets viral mRNA capping. Interestingly, CHVBres was cross-resistant to the previously described CHIKV capping inhibitors from the MADTP series, suggesting they share a similar mechanism of action. In enzymatic assays, CHVB inhibited the methyltransferase and guanylyltransferase activities of alphavirus nsP1 proteins. To conclude, we identified a class of CHIKV inhibitors that targets the viral capping machinery. The potent anti-CHIKV activity makes this chemical scaffold a potential candidate for CHIKV drug development.status: publishe

    The Imidazopyrrolopyridine Analogue AG110 Is a Novel, Highly Selective Inhibitor of Pestiviruses That Targets the Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase at a Hot Spot for Inhibition of Viral Replication▿

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    Ethyl 2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-8-carboxylate (AG110) was identified as a potent inhibitor of pestivirus replication. The 50% effective concentration values for inhibition of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-induced cytopathic effect, viral RNA synthesis, and production of infectious virus were 1.2 ± 0.5 μM, 5 ± 1 μM, and 2.3 ± 0.3 μM, respectively. AG110 proved inactive against the hepatitis C virus and a flavivirus. AG110 inhibits BVDV replication at a time point that coincides with the onset of intracellular viral RNA synthesis. Drug-resistant mutants carry the E291G mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). AG110-resistant virus is cross-resistant to the cyclic urea compound 1453 which also selects for the E291G drug resistance mutation. Moreover, BVDV that carries the F224S mutation (because of resistance to the imidazopyridine 5-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-2-phenyl-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine [BPIP]and VP32947) is also resistant to AG110. AG110 did not inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant BVDV RdRp but inhibited the activity of BVDV replication complexes (RCs). Molecular modeling revealed that E291 is located in a small cavity near the tip of the finger domain of the RdRp about 7 Å away from F224. Docking of AG110 in the crystal structure of the BVDV RdRp revealed several potential contacts including with Y257. The E291G mutation might enable the free rotation of Y257, which might in turn destabilize the backbone of the loop formed by residues 223 to 226, rendering more mobility to F224 and, hence, reducing the affinity for BPIP and VP32947. It is concluded that a single drug-binding pocket exists within the finger domain region of the BVDV RdRp that consists of two separate but potentially overlapping binding sites rather than two distinct drug-binding pockets
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