De Novo discovery of nonstandard macrocyclic peptides as noncompetitive inhibitors of the Zika Virus NS2B-NS3 protease

The Zika virus presents a major public health concern due to severe fetal neurological disorders associated with infections in pregnant women. In addition to vaccine development, the discovery of selective antiviral drugs is essential to combat future epidemic Zika virus outbreaks. The Zika virus NS...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nitsche, Christoph (Author) , Leuthold, Mila (Author) , Klein, Christian D. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 4 January 2019
In: ACS medicinal chemistry letters
Year: 2019, Volume: 10, Issue: 2, Pages: 168-174
ISSN:1948-5875
DOI:10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00535
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00535
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Author Notes:Christoph Nitsche, Toby Passioura, Paul Varava, Mithun C. Mahawaththa, Mila M. Leuthold, Christian D. Klein, Hiroaki Suga, and Gottfried Otting
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Summary:The Zika virus presents a major public health concern due to severe fetal neurological disorders associated with infections in pregnant women. In addition to vaccine development, the discovery of selective antiviral drugs is essential to combat future epidemic Zika virus outbreaks. The Zika virus NS2B-NS3 protease, which performs replication-critical cleavages of the viral polyprotein, is a promising drug target. We report the first macrocyclic peptide-based inhibitors of the NS2B-NS3 protease, discovered de novo through in vitro display screening of a genetically reprogrammed library including noncanonical residues. Six compounds were selected, resynthesized, and isolated, all of which displayed affinities in the low nanomolar concentration range. Five compounds showed significant protease inhibition. Two of these were validated as hits with submicromolar inhibition constants and selectivity toward Zika over the related proteases from dengue and West Nile viruses. The compounds were characterized as noncompetitive inhibitors, suggesting allosteric inhibition.
Item Description:Gesehen am 17.09.2019
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1948-5875
DOI:10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00535