1
|
Li Q, Kang C. Structure and Dynamics of Zika Virus Protease and Its Insights into Inhibitor Design. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1044. [PMID: 34440248 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9081044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV)—a member of the Flaviviridae family—is an important human pathogen. Its genome encodes a polyprotein that can be further processed into structural and non-structural proteins. ZIKV protease is an important target for antiviral development due to its role in cleaving the polyprotein to release functional viral proteins. The viral protease is a two-component protein complex formed by NS2B and NS3. Structural studies using different approaches demonstrate that conformational changes exist in the protease. The structures and dynamics of this protease in the absence and presence of inhibitors were explored to provide insights into the inhibitor design. The dynamic nature of residues binding to the enzyme cleavage site might be important for the function of the protease. Due to the charges at the protease cleavage site, it is challenging to develop small-molecule compounds acting as substrate competitors. Developing small-molecule compounds to inhibit protease activity through an allosteric mechanism is a feasible strategy because conformational changes are observed in the protease. Herein, structures and dynamics of ZIKV protease are summarized. The conformational changes of ZIKV protease and other proteases in the same family are discussed. The progress in developing allosteric inhibitors is also described. Understanding the structures and dynamics of the proteases are important for designing potent inhibitors.
Collapse
|
2
|
Estévez-Herrera J, Pérez-Yanes S, Cabrera-Rodríguez R, Márquez-Arce D, Trujillo-González R, Machado JD, Madrid R, Valenzuela-Fernández A. Zika Virus Pathogenesis: A Battle for Immune Evasion. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:294. [PMID: 33810028 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and its associated congenital and other neurological disorders, particularly microcephaly and other fetal developmental abnormalities, constitute a World Health Organization (WHO) Zika Virus Research Agenda within the WHO’s R&D Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics, and continue to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) today. ZIKV pathogenicity is initiated by viral infection and propagation across multiple placental and fetal tissue barriers, and is critically strengthened by subverting host immunity. ZIKV immune evasion involves viral non-structural proteins, genomic and non-coding RNA and microRNA (miRNA) to modulate interferon (IFN) signaling and production, interfering with intracellular signal pathways and autophagy, and promoting cellular environment changes together with secretion of cellular components to escape innate and adaptive immunity and further infect privileged immune organs/tissues such as the placenta and eyes. This review includes a description of recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying ZIKV immune modulation and evasion that strongly condition viral pathogenesis, which would certainly contribute to the development of anti-ZIKV strategies, drugs, and vaccines.
Collapse
|
3
|
Song W, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Li R, Han Y, Lin Y, Jiang J. Repurposing clinical drugs is a promising strategy to discover drugs against Zika virus infection. Front Med 2020; 15:404-415. [PMID: 33369711 PMCID: PMC7768800 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-021-0834-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen associated with neurological complications, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults and microcephaly in fetuses and newborns. This mosquito-borne flavivirus causes important social and sanitary problems owing to its rapid dissemination. However, the development of antivirals against ZIKV is lagging. Although various strategies have been used to study anti-ZIKV agents, approved drugs or vaccines for the treatment (or prevention) of ZIKV infections are currently unavailable. Repurposing clinically approved drugs could be an effective approach to quickly respond to an emergency outbreak of ZIKV infections. The well-established safety profiles and optimal dosage of these clinically approved drugs could provide an economical, safe, and efficacious approach to address ZIKV infections. This review focuses on the recent research and development of agents against ZIKV infection by repurposing clinical drugs. Their characteristics, targets, and potential use in anti-ZIKV therapy are presented. This review provides an update and some successful strategies in the search for anti-ZIKV agents are given.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weibao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hongjuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Rui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yanxing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Jiandong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Function of Natural Medicine, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pathak N, Kuo YP, Chang TY, Huang CT, Hung HC, Hsu JTA, Yu GY, Yang JM. Zika Virus NS3 Protease Pharmacophore Anchor Model and Drug Discovery. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8929. [PMID: 32488021 PMCID: PMC7265434 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65489-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) of the flaviviridae family, is the cause of emerging infections characterized by fever, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in adults and microcephaly in newborns. There exists an urgent unmet clinical need for anti-ZIKV drugs for the treatment of infected individuals. In the current work, we aimed at the promising virus drug target, ZIKV NS3 protease and constructed a Pharmacophore Anchor (PA) model for the active site. The PA model reveals a total of 12 anchors (E, H, V) mapped across the active site subpockets. We further identified five of these anchors to be critical core anchors (CEH1, CH3, CH7, CV1, CV3) conserved across flaviviral proteases. The ZIKV protease PA model was then applied in anchor-enhanced virtual screening yielding 14 potential antiviral candidates, which were tested by in vitro assays. We discovered FDA drugs Asunaprevir and Simeprevir to have potent anti-ZIKV activities with EC50 values 4.7 µM and 0.4 µM, inhibiting the viral protease with IC50 values 6.0 µM and 2.6 µM respectively. Additionally, the PA model anchors aided in the exploration of inhibitor binding mechanisms. In conclusion, our PA model serves as a promising guide map for ZIKV protease targeted drug discovery and the identified ‘previr’ FDA drugs are promising for anti-ZIKV treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Pathak
- Bioinformatics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.,Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Kuo
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Yuan Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Ting Huang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chen Hung
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 35053, Taiwan
| | - John Tsu-An Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Guann-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Jinn-Moon Yang
- Bioinformatics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan. .,Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30010, Taiwan. .,Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30010, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Santos FRS, Lima WG, Maia EHB, Assis LC, Davyt D, Taranto AG, Ferreira JMS. Identification of a Potential Zika Virus Inhibitor Targeting NS5 Methyltransferase Using Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:562-568. [PMID: 31985225 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The NS5 methyltransferase (MTase) has been reported as an attractive molecular target for antivirals discovery against the Zika virus (ZIKV). Here, we report structure-based virtual screening of 42 390 structures from the Development Therapeutics Program (DTP) AIDS Antiviral Screen Database. Among the docked compounds, ZINC1652386 stood out due to its high affinity for MTase in comparison to the cocrystallized ligand MS2042, which interacts with the Asp146 residue in the MTase binding site by hydrogen bonding. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations predicted that this compound forms a stable complex with MTase within 50 ns. Thus, ZINC1652386 may represent a promising ZIKV methyltransferase inhibitor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe R S Santos
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Médica , Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei , Divinópolis , Minas Gerais , Brasil
| | - William G Lima
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Minas Gerais , Brasil
| | - Eduardo H B Maia
- Laboratório de Quı́mica Farmacêutica Medicinal , Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei , Minas Gerais , Divinópolis , Brasil
| | - Letícia C Assis
- Laboratório de Quı́mica Farmacêutica Medicinal , Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei , Minas Gerais , Divinópolis , Brasil
| | - Danilo Davyt
- Departamento de Quı́mica Orgánica , Universidad de la República , Montevideo , Uruguay
| | - Alex Gutterres Taranto
- Laboratório de Quı́mica Farmacêutica Medicinal , Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei , Minas Gerais , Divinópolis , Brasil
| | - Jaqueline M S Ferreira
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Médica , Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei , Divinópolis , Minas Gerais , Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elektra Peta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Riccetti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luisa Barzon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Basak SC, Majumdar S, Nandy A, Roy P, Dutta T, Vracko M, Bhattacharjee AK. Computer-Assisted and Data Driven Approaches for Surveillance, Drug Discovery, and Vaccine Design for the Zika Virus. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12040157. [PMID: 31623241 PMCID: PMC6958466 DOI: 10.3390/ph12040157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human life has been at the edge of catastrophe for millennia due diseases which emerge and reemerge at random. The recent outbreak of the Zika virus (ZIKV) is one such menace that shook the global public health community abruptly. Modern technologies, including computational tools as well as experimental approaches, need to be harnessed fast and effectively in a coordinated manner in order to properly address such challenges. In this paper, based on our earlier research, we have proposed a four-pronged approach to tackle the emerging pathogens like ZIKV: (a) Epidemiological modelling of spread mechanisms of ZIKV; (b) assessment of the public health risk of newly emerging strains of the pathogens by comparing them with existing strains/pathogens using fast computational sequence comparison methods; (c) implementation of vaccine design methods in order to produce a set of probable peptide vaccine candidates for quick synthesis/production and testing in the laboratory; and (d) designing of novel therapeutic molecules and their laboratory testing as well as validation of new drugs or repurposing of drugs for use against ZIKV. For each of these stages, we provide an extensive review of the technical challenges and current state-of-the-art. Further, we outline the future areas of research and discuss how they can work together to proactively combat ZIKV or future emerging pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subhash C Basak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA.
| | | | - Ashesh Nandy
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata 700068, India.
| | - Proyasha Roy
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata 700068, India.
| | - Tathagata Dutta
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata 700068, India.
| | - Marjan Vracko
- National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia.
| | - Apurba K Bhattacharjee
- Biomedical Graduate Research Organization, Department of Microbiology and Immunology School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Zika virus (ZIKV) infection results in severe neurological complications and has emerged as a threat to public health worldwide. No drugs or vaccines are available for use in the clinic and the need for novel and effective therapeutic agents is urgent. AREAS COVERED This review describes the latest progress of antiviral development for the treatment of ZIKV infection; it primarily focuses on the literature describing 20 potential anti-ZIKV drugs/agents currently being tested in vivo or in clinical trials. The paper also discusses the need for novel ZIKV inhibitors and the critical issues for successful antiviral drug development. EXPERT OPINION So far, 20 compounds have been tested in vivo and three in the clinical trials; progressing these compounds to the clinic is a challenge. Novel ZIKV inhibitors that target virus or host factors are urgently needed. Knowledge-driven drug repurposing, structure-based discovery, RNA interference, long noncoding RNAs, miRNAs, and peptide inhibitors may pave the way for the discovery of such novel agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingshan Han
- a McGill University AIDS Centre , Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal , Canada
| | - Thibault Mesplède
- a McGill University AIDS Centre , Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal , Canada
| |
Collapse
|