1
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Ke YY, Singh VK, Coumar MS, Hsu YC, Wang WC, Song JS, Chen CH, Lin WH, Wu SH, Hsu JTA, Shih C, Hsieh HP. Homology modeling of DFG-in FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and structure-based virtual screening for inhibitor identification. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11702. [PMID: 26118648 PMCID: PMC4483777 DOI: 10.1038/srep11702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) activity using small-molecule inhibitors has emerged as a target-based alternative to traditional chemotherapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, we report the use of structure-based virtual screening (SBVS), a computer-aided drug design technique for the identification of new chemotypes for FLT3 inhibition. For this purpose, homology modeling (HM) of the DFG-in FLT3 structure was carried using two template structures, including PDB ID: 1RJB (DFG-out FLT3 kinase domain) and PDB ID: 3LCD (DFG-in CSF-1 kinase domain). The modeled structure was able to correctly identify known DFG-in (SU11248, CEP-701, and PKC-412) and DFG-out (sorafenib, ABT-869 and AC220) FLT3 inhibitors, in docking studies. The modeled structure was then used to carry out SBVS of an HTS library of 125,000 compounds. The top scoring 97 compounds were tested for FLT3 kinase inhibition, and two hits (BPR056, IC50 = 2.3 and BPR080, IC50 = 10.7 μM) were identified. Molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory calculation suggest that BPR056 (MW: 325.32; cLogP: 2.48) interacted with FLT3 in a stable manner and could be chemically optimized to realize a drug-like lead in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Yu Ke
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Vivek Kumar Singh
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Mohane Selvaraj Coumar
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Yung Chang Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chieh Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Shin Song
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chun-Hwa Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Hsing Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Szu-Huei Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - John T A Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chuan Shih
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
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2
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Shiao HY, Coumar MS, Chang CW, Ke YY, Chi YH, Chu CY, Sun HY, Chen CH, Lin WH, Fung KS, Kuo PC, Huang CT, Chang KY, Lu CT, Hsu JTA, Chen CT, Jiaang WT, Chao YS, Hsieh HP. Optimization of Ligand and Lipophilic Efficiency To Identify an in Vivo Active Furano-Pyrimidine Aurora Kinase Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2013; 56:5247-60. [DOI: 10.1021/jm4006059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yi Shiao
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Mohane Selvaraj Coumar
- Centre for Bioinformatics, School
of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Chun-Wei Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Yu Ke
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ya-Hui Chi
- Institute of Cellular and System
Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chang-Ying Chu
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsu-Yi Sun
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chun-Hwa Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Hsing Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ka-Shu Fung
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Chu Kuo
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chin-Ting Huang
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kai-Yen Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-Tai Lu
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - John T. A. Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chiung-Tong Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Weir-Torn Jiaang
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Sheng Chao
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
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3
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Ke YY, Shiao HY, Hsu YC, Chu CY, Wang WC, Lee YC, Lin WH, Chen CH, Hsu JTA, Chang CW, Lin CW, Yeh TK, Chao YS, Coumar MS, Hsieh HP. 3D-QSAR-assisted drug design: identification of a potent quinazoline-based Aurora kinase inhibitor. ChemMedChem 2012; 8:136-48. [PMID: 23172777 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201200464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
We describe the 3D-QSAR-assisted design of an Aurora kinase A inhibitor with improved physicochemical properties, in vitro activity, and in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles over those of the initial lead. Three different 3D-QSAR models were built and validated by using a set of 66 pyrazole (Model I) and furanopyrimidine (Model II) compounds with IC(50) values toward Aurora kinase A ranging from 33 nM to 10.5 μM. The best 3D-QSAR model, Model III, constructed with 24 training set compounds from both series, showed robustness (r(2) (CV) =0.54 and 0.52 for CoMFA and CoMSIA, respectively) and superior predictive capacity for 42 test set compounds (R(2) (pred) =0.52 and 0.67, CoMFA and CoMSIA). Superimposition of CoMFA and CoMSIA Model III over the crystal structure of Aurora kinase A suggests the potential to improve the activity of the ligands by decreasing the steric clash with Val147 and Leu139 and by increasing hydrophobic contact with Leu139 and Gly216 residues in the solvent-exposed region of the enzyme. Based on these suggestions, the rational redesign of furanopyrimidine 24 (clog P=7.41; Aurora A IC(50) =43 nM; HCT-116 IC(50) =400 nM) led to the identification of quinazoline 67 (clog P=5.28; Aurora A IC(50) =25 nM; HCT-116 IC(50) =23 nM). Rat in vivo pharmacokinetic studies showed that 67 has better systemic exposure after i.v. administration than 24, and holds potential for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Yu Ke
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
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4
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Yeh JY, Coumar MS, Shiao HY, Lin TJ, Lee YC, Hung HC, Ko S, Kuo FM, Fang MY, Huang YL, Hsu JTA, Yeh TK, Shih SR, Chao YS, Horng JT, Hsieh HP. Anti-influenza drug discovery: identification of an orally bioavailable quinoline derivative through activity- and property-guided lead optimization. ChemMedChem 2012; 7:1546-50. [PMID: 22821876 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201200259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
From a high-throughput screening (HTS) hit with inhibitory activity against virus-induced cytophathic in the low micromolar range, we have developed a potent anti-influenza lead through careful optimization without compromising the drug-like properties of the compound. An orally bioavailable compound was identified as a lead agent with nanomolar activity against influenza, representing a 140-fold improvement over the initial hit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiann-Yih Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Rd, Zhunan, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, RoC
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5
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Yao HT, Chang YW, Lan SJ, Chen CT, Hsu JTA, Yeh TK. The inhibitory effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on human CYP enzymes. Life Sci 2006; 79:2432-40. [PMID: 16978661 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2006.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2006] [Revised: 07/19/2006] [Accepted: 08/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitory effect of saturated fatty acids (SFAs): palmitic acid (PA), stearic acid (SA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): linoleic acid (LA), linolenic acid (LN), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on six human drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4) was studied. Supersomes from baculovirus-expressing single isoforms were used as the enzyme source. Phenacetin O-deethylation (CYP1A2), diclofenac 4-hydroxylation (CYP2C9), mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation (CYP2C19), dextromethorphan O-demethylation (CYP2D6), chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation (CYP2E1) and midazolam 1-hydroxylation (CYP3A4) were used as the probes. Results show that all the five examined PUFAs competitively inhibited CYP2C9- and CYP2C19-catalyzed metabolic reactions, with Ki values ranging from 1.7 to 4.7 microM and 2.3 to 7.4 microM, respectively. Among these, AA, EPA and DHA tended to have greater inhibitory potencies (lower IC(50) and Ki values) than LA and LN. In addition, these five PUFAs also competitively inhibited the metabolic reactions catalyzed by CYP1A2, 2E1 and 3A4 to a lesser extent (Ki values>10 microM). On the other hand, palmitic and stearic acids, the saturated fatty acids, had no inhibitory effect on the activities of six human CYP isozymes at concentrations up to 200 microM. Incubation of PUFAs with CYP2C9 or CYP2C19 in the presence of NADPH resulted in the decrease of PUFA concentrations in the incubation mixtures. These results indicate that the PUFAs are potent inhibitors as well as the substrates of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Tsung Yao
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, Taiwan, ROC
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6
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Abstract
Proteases fulfill multiple roles in health and disease, and considerable interest has been expressed in the design and development of synthetic inhibitors of disease-related proteases. Virus-encoded proteases have been shown to be involved in the replication of many viruses. The success of anti-HIV-1 therapy using specific and potent protease inhibitors suggests that viral proteases can be the valid molecular targets for the development of antiviral drugs against other viruses. Intensive genetic and biochemical studies have been conducted on viral proteases and new insights and results are rapidly emerging. This work reviews features of viral proteases with respective to the development of effective antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T A Hsu
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Resarch Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
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7
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Chen CN, Huang HH, Wu CL, Lin CPC, Hsu JTA, Hsieh HP, Chuang SE, Lai GM. Isocostunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, induces mitochondrial membrane depolarization and caspase-dependent apoptosis in human melanoma cells. Cancer Lett 2006; 246:237-52. [PMID: 16697106 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2006.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2006] [Revised: 02/22/2006] [Accepted: 03/01/2006] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Isocostunolide is a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the roots of Inula helenium. Its chemical structure was determined by NMR and FAB-MS spectra. No biological activities of this compound have yet been reported. In this study, we found isocostunolide could effectively induce cytotoxicity in three cancer cell lines (A2058, HT-29, and HepG2), with an IC(50) of 3.2, 5.0, and 2.0 micro g/mL, respectively. DNA flow cytometric analysis indicated that isocostunolide actively induced apoptosis of cancer cells accompanied by a marked loss of G0/G1 phase cells. To address the mechanism of the apoptotic effect of isocostunolide, we analyzed the induction of apoptosis-related proteins in A2058. The levels of pro-caspase-8, Bid, pro-caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) decreased. However, the level of Fas was increased markedly in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, this compound markedly induced a depolarization of mitochondrial membranes to facilitate cytochrome c release into cytosol. The findings suggest that isocostunolide may activate a mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway. To address this, we found that isocostunolide-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential occurred via modulation of the Bcl-2 family proteins. The production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A2058 was not elicited. In summary, for the first time, we have isolated and characterized isocostunolide from I. helenium. This compound induces apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent pathway in A2058 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Nan Chen
- Divsion of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Taipei 114, Taiwan, ROC
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8
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Hwang DR, Lai HY, Chang ML, Hsu JTA, Yeh CT. Emergence of mutation clusters in the HCV genome during sequential viral passages in Sip-L expressing cells. J Virol Methods 2005; 129:170-7. [PMID: 16005986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2005.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2005] [Revised: 05/26/2005] [Accepted: 05/31/2005] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Sip-L, a member of the Cupin superfamily, is a hepatic factor capable of supporting hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in an otherwise non-permissive cell line. HCV-positive serum was used to infect Huh-7 and 293 cells stably expressing Sip-L. Using the culture medium of the infected cells as an infection source, sequential viral passages were carried out in both cell lines. Efficient viral passage was observed in 293-Sip-L cells but not in Huh-7-Sip-L cells. The viral concentrations in the culture medium increased gradually from less than 10(2) copies/mL to 5.3 x 10(4) copies/mL after 25 sequential passages in 293-Sip-L cells. Sequence analysis of the viral genomes obtained from both the initial and final inocula revealed emergence of mutation clusters in NS2, NS3, and NS5A coding regions. Immunofluorescence study revealed that only a small percentage of infected cells expressed a detectable level of viral protein. Caspase 3 activities in the infected cells increased progressively during the viral passages. In conclusion, perpetual propagation of HCV was achieved using Sip-L expressing cells, allowing for the development of mutation clusters in the genome. The mutant HCV can be used as an infection source to study the molecular mechanism of HCV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Der-Ren Hwang
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Hwang DR, Wu YS, Chang CW, Lien TW, Chen WC, Tan UK, Hsu JTA, Hsieh HP. Synthesis and anti-viral activity of a series of sesquiterpene lactones and analogues in the subgenomic HCV replicon system. Bioorg Med Chem 2005; 14:83-91. [PMID: 16140536 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.07.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2005] [Revised: 07/27/2005] [Accepted: 07/28/2005] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a severe liver disease that often leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current therapy is inadequate to conquer this viral disease. In this study, we identified parthenolide (1), an active component in feverfew, a popular remedy for fever and migraine, as a lead compound with an EC50 value of 2.21 microM against HCV replication in a subgenomic RNA replicon assay system. Parthenolide is able to potentiate the interferon alpha-exerted anti-HCV effect. Several commercially available sesquiterpene lactones (2-5) structurally analogous to parthenolide and a series of synthesized Michael-type adducts of parthenolide (12-18) also exhibit micromolar concentrations for anti-HCV activities. Structure-activity relationship was elucidated to reveal that the spatial arrangement of the terpenoid skeleton fused with an alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety produces maximal anti-HCV activity. In addition, a strong anti-HCV potency indicates a possibility of secondary amino adducts (12-18) converting back to parthenolide or being replaced by the nucleophilic residues of proteins inside cells. This work shows that screening of natural products is a viable and fast way for identifying novel molecular diversity as potential drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Der-Ren Hwang
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC
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Lee JC, Wu TY, Huang CF, Yang FM, Shih SR, Hsu JTA. High-efficiency protein expression mediated by enterovirus 71 internal ribosome entry site. Biotechnol Bioeng 2005; 90:656-62. [PMID: 15818561 DOI: 10.1002/bit.20440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
An internal ribosome entry site (IRES) has been used to facilitate the expression of more than one protein in a single transcript. In this study, we examined the translational activities of several IRES elements derived from different RNA viruses. The protein expression of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) IRES is similar to that of hepatitis C virus (HCV) IRES in mammalian cells. Notably, the protein expression of enterovirus 71 (EV71) IRES was 23-fold higher than the efficiency of EMCV IRES following normalization of mRNA transcriptional level. Thus, expression of the secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter protein in mammalian cells may be controlled at desirable levels by using appropriate IRES in the expression vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ching Lee
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 128 Yen-Chiu-Yuan Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Hwang DR, Tsai YC, Lee JC, Huang KK, Lin RK, Ho CH, Chiou JM, Lin YT, Hsu JTA, Yeh CT. Inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication by arsenic trioxide. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:2876-82. [PMID: 15273095 PMCID: PMC478516 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.8.2876-2882.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious global problem, and present therapeutics are inadequate to cure HCV infection. In the present study, various antiviral assays show that As2O3 at submicromolar concentrations is capable of inhibiting HCV replication. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) of As2O3 required to inhibit HCV replication was 0.35 microM when it was determined by a reporter-based HCV replication assay, and the EC50 was below 0.2 microM when it was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis. As2O3 did not cause cellular toxicity at this concentration, as revealed by an MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiozol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt] assay. A combination of As2O3 and alpha interferon exerted synergistic effects against HCV, as revealed by a multiple linear logistic model and isobologram analysis. Furthermore, in an alternative HCV antiviral system that may recapitulate additional steps involved in HCV infection and replication, As2O3 at 0.3 microM totally abolished the HCV signal, whereas alpha interferon at a high dose (5,000 IU/ml) only partially suppressed the HCV signal. The study highlights the indications for use of a novel class of anti-HCV agent. Further elucidation of the exact antiviral mechanism of As2O3 may lead to the development of agents with potent activities against HCV or related viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Der-Ren Hwang
- Division of Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan
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12
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Wu CJ, Jan JT, Chen CM, Hsieh HP, Hwang DR, Liu HW, Liu CY, Huang HW, Chen SC, Hong CF, Lin RK, Chao YS, Hsu JTA. Inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus replication by niclosamide. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:2693-6. [PMID: 15215127 PMCID: PMC434198 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.7.2693-2696.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiviral agents are urgently needed to fight severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We showed that niclosamide, an existing antihelminthic drug, was able to inhibit replication of a newly discovered coronavirus, SARS-CoV; viral antigen synthesis was totally abolished at a niclosamide concentration of 1.56 microM, as revealed by immunoblot analysis. Thus, niclosamide represents a promising drug candidate for the effective treatment of SARS-CoV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Jer Wu
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical College, National Defense University, Taipei, Taiwan
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13
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Abstract
HCV infection can lead to chronic infectious hepatitis disease with serious sequelae. Interferon-alpha, or its PEGylated form, plus ribavirin is the only treatment option to combat HCV. Alternative and more effective therapy is needed due to the severe side effects and unsatisfactory curing rate of the current therapy. In this study, we found that several polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are able to exert anti-HCV activities using an HCV subgenomic RNA replicon system. The EC(50) (50% effective concentration to inhibit HCV replication) of AA was 4microM that falls in the range of physiologically relevant concentration. At 100microM, alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic, and linoleic acid only reduced HCV RNA levels slightly and saturated fatty acids including oleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and steric acid had no inhibitory activities toward HCV replication. When AA was combined with IFN-alpha, strong synergistic anti-HCV effect was observed as revealed by an isobologram analysis. It will be important to determine whether PUFAs can provide synergistic antiviral effects when given as food supplements during IFN-based anti-HCV therapy. Further elucidation of the exact anti-HCV mechanism caused by AA, DHA, and EPA may lead to the development of agents with potent activity against HCV or related viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Zhou Leu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao [corrected] Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
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14
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Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) encodes a polyprotein that needs to be processed proteolytically by cellular and viral proteases into mature functional proteins. One of the viral proteins, NS3/4A, has serine protease activity that is critical for virus maturation. The generation and characterization of an engineered HCV replicon cell line (Ava5) is described which constitutively expresses EGdelta4AB)SEAP reporter protein and the cell line was designated as Ava5-EG(delta4AB)SEAP. EG(delta4AB)SEAP is a fusion protein in which Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) was fused to SEcreted Alkaline Phosphatase (SEAP) through the NS3/4A protease decapeptide recognition sequence, delta4AB, which spans the NS4A and NS4B junction region. The secretion of SEAP into culture medium has been shown to depend on the cleavage of delta4AB by HCV NS3/4A protease. It is demonstrated that the amount of NS3/4A in Ava5-EG(delta4AB)SEAP cells correlated well with the copy numbers of HCV subgenomic RNA. It is also shown that replication of HCV subgenomic RNA inside cells is reflected by the alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) levels in culture medium. SEAP activity in the culture medium of Ava5-EG(delta4AB)SEAP was approximately 50-fold higher than the parental Ava5 cells. Ava5-EG(delta4AB)SEAP was validated as a drug screening system since several known HCV inhibitors were shown to reduce SEAP activities in culture media of Ava5-EG(delta4AB)SEAP cells. In conclusion, Ava5-EG(delta4AB)SEAP cells can be used to monitor HCV sub-genomic replication and the assay can be readily adapted to high throughput screening format to identify prospective anti-HCV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ching Lee
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei 115, Taiwan, ROC
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Abstract
Using a hepatitis C virus (HCV) subgenomic RNA replicon system, drugs currently being used to treat other human diseases were examined for their antiviral activities against HCV. Several drugs including sodium stibogluconate, a compound used to treat leishmaniasis, were capable of suppressing replication of HCV replicon. The antiviral effect of sodium stibogluconate was subsequently verified using a cell line (293EBNA-Sip-L) previously proved to be permissive for HCV infection/replication. An ex vivo assay using fresh human liver slices established and a panel of human liver slices was obtained from biopsy samples of patients infected with HCV was used to examine the antiviral activity of this drug. A nearly complete suppression effect was achieved in four of six human liver slices at the drug concentration of 100 microg/ml, lower than what was required to treat leishmaniasis. A human trial is mandatory to understand its clinical value in treating chronic hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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16
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Lee JC, Shih YF, Hsu SP, Chang TY, Chen LH, Hsu JTA. Development of a cell-based assay for monitoring specific hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease activity in mammalian cells. Anal Biochem 2003; 316:162-70. [PMID: 12711336 DOI: 10.1016/s0003-2697(03)00053-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains a positive-sense RNA genome that encodes a unique polyprotein precursor, which must be processed by proteases to enable viral maturation. Virally encoded NS3/4A protease has thus become an attractive target for the development of antiviral drugs. To establish an assay system for monitoring NS3/4A protease activity in mammalian cells, this study describes a substrate vector, pEG(Delta4AB)SEAP, in which enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was fused to secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) through the NS3/4A protease decapeptide recognition sequence, Delta4AB, which spans the NS4A and NS4B junction region. Secretion of SEAP into the culture medium was demonstrated to depend on the cleavage of Delta4AB by HCV NS3/4A protease. We demonstrated that the accumulation of SEAP activity in the culture medium depends on time up to 60h with the coexpression of active NS3/4A protease. The amount of SEAP in the culture medium was around 10 times greater than that of cells with coexpression of inactive NS3/4A mutant protease. This strategy has made it possible to monitor NS3/4A activity inside mammalian cells. Moreover, by using cells containing the HCV subgenomic replicon, the EG(Delta4AB)SEAP reporter can be used to detect the anti-HCV activity of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). Consequently, this EG(Delta4AB)SEAP reporter can be used to screen for NS3/4A protease inhibitors in the cellular environment and for anti-HCV drugs in replicon cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ching Lee
- Division of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei 115, Taiwan, Republic of China
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