William Severson

Ribavirin Causes Error Catastrophe during Hantaan Virus Replication

ABSTRACT Except for ribavirin, no other antiviral drugs for treating hantaviral diseases have been identified. It is well established that ribavirin will inhibit the production of infectious Hantaan virus (HTNV); however, its mechanism of action is unknown. To characterize the inhibitory effect of ribavirin on HTNV, the levels of viral RNAs, proteins, and infectious particles were measured for 3 days posttreatment of HTNV-infected Vero E6 cells. HTNV-infected cells treated with ribavirin showed a slight reduction in the levels of cRNA, viral RNA, and mRNA populations on the first day postinfection. The amount of cRNA and viral RNA increased to that observed for untreated HTNV-infected cells on day 2, whereas mRNA levels were more greatly reduced on days 2 and 3. Despite the finding of S-segment mRNA, albeit low, three of the viral proteins—nucleocapsid (N) protein and glycoproteins G1 and G2—could not be detected by immunohistochemistry in ribavirin-treated cells. To test the hypothesis that these effects were caused by incorporation of ribavirin into nascent RNA and a resultant “error catastrophe” was occurring, we cloned and sequenced the S-segment cRNA/mRNA from ribavirin-treated or untreated cells from day 3. We found a high mutation frequency (9.5/1,000 nucleotides) in viral RNA synthesized in the presence of ribavirin. Hence, the transcripts produced in the presence of the drug were not functional. These results suggest that ribavirins mechanism of action lies in challenging the fidelity of the hantavirus polymerase, which causes error catastrophe.

The RNA Binding Domain of the Hantaan Virus N Protein Maps to a Central, Conserved Region

ABSTRACT The nucleocapsid (N) protein of hantaviruses encapsidates both viral genomic and antigenomic RNAs, although only the genomic viral RNA (vRNA) is packaged into virions. To define the domain within the Hantaan virus (HTNV) N protein that mediates these interactions, 14 N- and C-terminal deletion constructs were cloned into a bacterial expression vector, expressed, and purified to homogeneity. Each protein was examined for its ability to bind the HTNV S segment vRNA with filter binding and gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These studies mapped a minimal region within the HTNV N protein (amino acids 175 to 217) that bound vRNA. Sequence alignments made from several hantavirus N protein sequences showed that the region identified has a 58% identity and an 86% similarity among these amino acid sequences. Two peptides corresponding to amino acids 175 to 196 (N1) and 197 to 218 (N2) were synthesized. The RNA binding of each peptide was measured by filter binding and competition analysis. Three oligoribonucleotides were used to measure binding affinity and assess specificity. The N2 peptide contained the major RNA binding determinants, while the N1 peptide, when mixed with N2, contributed to the specificity of vRNA recognition.

Characterization of the Hantaan Nucleocapsid Protein-Ribonucleic Acid Interaction

The nucleocapsid (N) protein functions in hantavirus replication through its interactions with the viral genomic and antigenomic RNAs. To address the biological functions of the N protein, it was critical to first define this binding interaction. The dissociation constant, K d , for the interaction of the Hantaan virus (HTNV) N protein and its genomic S segment (vRNA) was measured under several solution conditions. Overall, increasing the NaCl and Mg2+ in these binding reactions had little impact on the K d . However, the HTNV N protein showed an enhanced specificity for HTNV vRNA as compared with the S segment open reading frame RNA or a nonviral RNA with increasing ionic strength and the presence of Mg2+. In contrast, the assembly of Sin Nombre virus N protein-HTNV vRNA complexes was inhibited by the presence of Mg2+ or an increase in the ionic strength. TheKd values for HTNV and Sin Nombre virus N proteins were nearly identical for the S segment open reading frame RNA, showing weak affinity over several binding reaction conditions. Our data suggest a model in which specific recognition of the HTNV vRNA by the HTNV N protein resides in the noncoding regions of the HTNV vRNA.

Advancing Biological Understanding and Therapeutics Discovery with Small-Molecule Probes

Small-molecule probes can illuminate biological processes and aid in the assessment of emerging therapeutic targets by perturbing biological systems in a manner distinct from other experimental approaches. Despite the tremendous promise of chemical tools for investigating biology and disease, small-molecule probes were unavailable for most targets and pathways as recently as a decade ago. In 2005, the NIH launched the decade-long Molecular Libraries Program with the intent of innovating in and broadening access to small-molecule science. This Perspective describes how novel small-molecule probes identified through the program are enabling the exploration of biological pathways and therapeutic hypotheses not otherwise testable. These experiences illustrate how small-molecule probes can help bridge the chasm between biological research and the development of medicines but also highlight the need to innovate the science of therapeutic discovery.

cis-Acting Signals in Encapsidation of Hantaan Virus S-Segment Viral Genomic RNA by Its N Protein

ABSTRACT The nucleocapsid (N) protein encapsidates both viral genomic RNA (vRNA) and the antigenomic RNA (cRNA), but not viral mRNA. Previous work has shown that the N protein has preference for vRNA, and this suggested the possibility of a cis-acting signal that could be used to initiate encapsidation for the S segment. To map thecis-acting determinants, several deletion RNA derivatives and synthetic oligoribonucleotides were constructed from the S segment of the Hantaan virus (HTNV) vRNA. N protein-RNA interactions were examined by UV cross-linking studies, filter-binding assays, and gel electrophoresis mobility shift assays to define the ability of each to bind HTNV N protein. The 5′ end of the S-segment vRNA was observed to be necessary and sufficient for the binding reaction. Modeling of the 5′ end of the vRNA revealed a possible stem-loop structure (SL) with a large single-stranded loop. We suggest that a specific interaction occurs between the N protein and sequences within this region to initiate encapsidation of the vRNAs.

High-Throughput Screening of a 100,000-Compound Library for Inhibitors of Influenza A Virus (H3N2)

Using a highly reproducible and robust cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) assay, the authors screened a 100,000-compound library at 14- and 114-µM compound concentration against influenza strain A/Udorn/72 (H3N2). The “hit” rates (>50% inhibition of the viral cytopathic effect) from the 14- and 114-µM screens were 0.022% and 0.38%, respectively. The hits were evaluated for their antiviral activity, cell toxicity, and selectivity in dose-response experiments. The screen at the lower concentration yielded 3 compounds, which displayed moderate activity (SI50 = 10-49). Intriguingly, the screen at the higher concentration revealed several additional hits. Two of these hits were highly active with an SI50 > 50. Time of addition experiments revealed 1 compound that inhibited early and 4 other compounds that inhibited late in the virus life cycle, suggesting they affect entry and replication, respectively. The active compounds represent several different classes of molecules such as carboxanilides, 1-benzoyl-3-arylthioureas, sulfonamides, and benzothiazinones, which have not been previously identified as having antiviral/anti-influenza activity. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2008:879-887)

Development and Validation of a High-Throughput Screen for Inhibitors of SARS CoV and Its Application in Screening of a 100,000-Compound Library

The authors have developed a high-throughput screen (HTS) that allows for the identification of potential inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV) from large compound libraries. The luminescent-based assay measures the inhibition of SARS CoV–induced cytopathic effect (CPE) in Vero E6 cells. The assay was validated in 96-well plates in a BSL3 containment facility. The assay is sensitive and robust, with Z values > 0.6, signal to background (S/B) > 16, and signal to noise (S/N) > 3. The assay was further validated with 2 different diversity sets of compounds against the SARS CoV. The “hit” rate for both libraries was approximately 0.01%. The validated HTS assay was then employed to screen a 100,000-compound library against SARS CoV. The hit rate for the library in a single-dose format was determined to be approximately 0.8%. Screening of the 3 libraries resulted in the identification of several novel compounds that effectively inhibited the CPE of SARS CoV in vitro—compounds which will serve as excellent lead candidates for further evaluation. At a 10-μM concentration, 3 compounds with selective indexes (SI50) of > 53 were discovered.

Novel Inhibitors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Entry That Act by Three Distinct Mechanisms

ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an infectious and highly contagious disease that is caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and for which there are currently no approved treatments. We report the discovery and characterization of small-molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV replication that block viral entry by three different mechanisms. The compounds were discovered by screening a chemical library of compounds for blocking of entry of HIV-1 pseudotyped with SARS-CoV surface glycoprotein S (SARS-S) but not that of HIV-1 pseudotyped with vesicular stomatitis virus surface glycoprotein G (VSV-G). Studies on their mechanisms of action revealed that the compounds act by three distinct mechanisms: (i) SSAA09E2 {N-[[4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl]methyl]-1,2-oxazole-5-carboxamide} acts through a novel mechanism of action, by blocking early interactions of SARS-S with the receptor for SARS-CoV, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); (ii) SSAA09E1 {[(Z)-1-thiophen-2-ylethylideneamino]thiourea} acts later, by blocking cathepsin L, a host protease required for processing of SARS-S during viral entry; and (iii) SSAA09E3 [N-(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-2-yl)benzamide] also acts later and does not affect interactions of SARS-S with ACE2 or the enzymatic functions of cathepsin L but prevents fusion of the viral membrane with the host cellular membrane. Our work demonstrates that there are at least three independent strategies for blocking SARS-CoV entry, validates these mechanisms of inhibition, and introduces promising leads for the development of SARS therapeutics.

Discovery of Novel Benzoquinazolinones and Thiazoloimidazoles, Inhibitors of Influenza H5N1 and H1N1 Viruses, from a Cell-Based High-Throughput Screen

A highly reproducible and robust cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) assay was adapted for screening of small molecules for antiviral activity against influenza virus strain A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5N1). The NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR) Molecular Libraries Screening Centers Network (MLSCN) 100,000-compound library was screened at 50 µM. The “hit” rate (>25% inhibition of the viral cytopathic effect) from the single-dose screen was 0.32%. The hits were evaluated for their antiviral activity, cell toxicity, and selectivity in dose-response experiments. The screen yielded 5 active compounds (SI value >3). One compound showed an SI50 value of greater than 3, 3 compounds had SI values ranging from greater than 14 to 34, and the most active compound displayed an SI value of 94. The active compounds represent 2 different classes of molecules, benzoquinazolinones and thiazoloimidazoles, which have not been previously identified as having antiviral/anti-influenza activity. These molecules were also effective against influenza A/California/04/2009 virus (H1N1) and other H1N1 and H5N1 virus strains in vitro but not H3N2 strains. Real-time qRT-PCR results reveal that these chemotypes significantly reduced M1 RNA levels as compared to the no-drug influenza-infected Madin Darby canine kidney cells.

Optimization of potent and selective quinazolinediones: inhibitors of respiratory syncytial virus that block RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase complex activity.

A quinazolinedione-derived screening hit 2 was discovered with cellular antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (CPE EC50 = 2.1 μM), moderate efficacy in reducing viral progeny (4.2 log at 10 μM), and marginal cytotoxic liability (selectivity index, SI ∼ 24). Scaffold optimization delivered analogs with improved potency and selectivity profiles. Most notable were compounds 15 and 19 (EC50 = 300–500 nM, CC50 > 50 μM, SI > 100), which significantly reduced viral titer (>400,000-fold), and several analogs were shown to block the activity of the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase complex of RSV.