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De Ávila-Arias M, Villarreal-Camacho JL, Cadena-Cruz C, Hurtado-Gómez L, Costello HM, Rodriguez A, Burgos-Florez F, Bettin A, Kararoudi MN, Muñoz A, Peeples ME, San-Juan-Vergara H. Exploring the secrets of virus entry: the first respiratory syncytial virus carrying beta lactamase. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1339569. [PMID: 38455070 PMCID: PMC10919290 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1339569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) presents a significant health threat, especially to young children. In-depth understanding of RSV entry mechanisms is essential for effective antiviral development. This study introduces an innovative RSV variant, featuring the fusion of the beta-lactamase (BlaM) enzyme with the RSV-P phosphoprotein, providing a versatile tool for dissecting viral entry dynamics. Methods Using the AlphaFold2 algorithm, we modeled the tertiary structure of the P-BlaM chimera, revealing structural similarities with both RSV-P and BlaM. Functional assessments, utilizing flow cytometry, quantified beta-lactamase activity and GFP expression in infected bronchial epithelial cells. Western blot analysis confirmed the integrity of P-BlaM within virions. Results The modeled P-BlaM chimera exhibited structural parallels with RSV-P and BlaM. Functional assays demonstrated robust beta-lactamase activity in recombinant virions, confirming successful P-BlaM incorporation as a structural protein. Quercetin, known for its antiviral properties, impeded viral entry by affecting virion fusion. Additionally, Ulixertinib, an ERK-1/2 inhibitor, significantly curtailed viral entry, implicating ERK-1/2 pathway signaling. Conclusions Our engineered RSV-P-BlaM chimera emerges as a valuable tool, illuminating RSV entry mechanisms. Structural and functional analyses unveil potential therapeutic targets. Quercetin and Ulixertinib, identified as distinct stage inhibitors, show promise for targeted antiviral strategies. Time-of-addition assays pinpoint quercetin's specific interference stage, advancing our comprehension of RSV entry and guiding future antiviral developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcio De Ávila-Arias
- Departamento de Medicina, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Jose Luis Villarreal-Camacho
- Programa de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Christian Cadena-Cruz
- Programa de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Leidy Hurtado-Gómez
- Departamento de Medicina, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Heather M. Costello
- Genomics Services Laboratory, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Alexander Rodriguez
- Departamento de Medicina, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Francisco Burgos-Florez
- Programa de regencia en farmacia, grupo de investigación creatividad e innovación tecnológica, Corporación tecnológica Indoamérica, Barranquilla, Colombia
- Escuela de Pregrado, Dirección Académica, Vicerrectoría de Sede, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede La Paz, Cesar, Colombia
| | - Alfonso Bettin
- Departamento de Medicina, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Meisam Naeimi Kararoudi
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Amner Muñoz
- Departamento de Química y Biología, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Mark E. Peeples
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abagail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Homero San-Juan-Vergara
- Departamento de Medicina, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
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Vogt A, Wohlfart S, Urban S, Mier W. Medical Advances in Hepatitis D Therapy: Molecular Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:10817. [PMID: 36142728 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
An approximate number of 250 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus, making them susceptible to a coinfection with hepatitis D virus. The superinfection causes the most severe form of a viral hepatitis and thus drastically worsens the course of the disease. Until recently, the only available therapy consisted of interferon-α, only eligible for a minority of patients. In July 2020, the EMA granted Hepcludex conditional marketing authorization throughout the European Union. This first-in-class entry inhibitor offers the promise to prevent the spread in order to gain control and eventually participate in curing hepatitis B and D. Hepcludex is an example of how understanding the viral lifecycle can give rise to new therapy options. Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide, the virus receptor and the target of Hepcludex, and other targets of hepatitis D therapy currently researched are reviewed in this work. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors such as Lonafarnib, targeting another essential molecule in the HDV life cycle, represent a promising target for hepatitis D therapy. Farnesyltransferase attaches a farnesyl (isoprenyl) group to proteins carrying a C-terminal Ca1a2X (C: cysteine, a: aliphatic amino acid, X: C-terminal amino acid) motif like the large hepatitis D virus antigen. This modification enables the interaction of the HBV/HDV particle and the virus envelope proteins. Lonafarnib, which prevents this envelopment, has been tested in clinical trials. Targeting the lifecycle of the hepatitis B virus needs to be considered in hepatitis D therapy in order to cure a patient from both coexisting infections. Nucleic acid polymers target the hepatitis B lifecycle in a manner that is not yet understood. Understanding the possible targets of the hepatitis D virus therapy is inevitable for the improvement and development of a sufficient therapy that HDV patients are desperately in need of.
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