Enterovirus inhibitory activity of C-8-tert-butyl substituted 4-aryl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidin-5(4H)-ones.

Members of a series of 4-aryl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidin-5(4H)-ones (1, Fig. 2) were prepared and tested against representative enteroviruses including Human Coxsackievirus B1 (Cox B1), Human Coxsackievirus B3 (Cox B3), human Poliovirus 3 (PV3), human Rhinovirus 14 (HRV14), human Rhinovirus 21 (HRV 21) and human Rhinovirus 71 (HRV 71). The C-8-tert-butyl group on the tetrahydrobenzene ring in these substances was found to be crucial for their enterovirus activity.

A Novel Series of Highly Potent Small Molecule Inhibitors of Rhinovirus Replication.

Human rhinoviruses (hRVs) are the main causative pathogen for common colds and are associated with the exacerbation of asthma. The wide variety in hRV serotypes has complicated the development of rhinovirus replication inhibitors. In the current investigation, we developed a novel series of benzothiophene derivatives and their analogues (6-8) that potently inhibit the replication of both hRV-A and hRV-B strains.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout screens and target identification via whole-genome sequencing uncover host genes required for picornavirus infection.

Several groups have used genome-wide libraries of lentiviruses encoding small guide RNAs (sgRNAs) for genetic screens. In most cases, sgRNA expression cassettes are integrated into cells by using lentiviruses, and target genes are statistically estimated by the readout of sgRNA sequences after targeted sequencing. We present a new virus-free method for human gene knockout screens using a genome-wide library of CRISPR/Cas9 sgRNAs based on plasmids and target gene identification via whole-genome sequencing (WGS) confirmation of authentic mutations rather than statistical estimation through targeted amplicon sequencing.

Antiviral activity of micafungin against enterovirus 71.

Background: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a major causative agent of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and also causes severe neurological complications, leading to fatality in young children. However, no effective therapy is currently available for the treatment of this infection.

Methods: We identified small-molecule inhibitors of EV71 from a screen of 968 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, with which clinical application for EV71-associated diseases would be more feasible, using EV71 subgenomic replicon system.

Synergistic antiviral activity of gemcitabine and ribavirin against enteroviruses.

Enteroviruses are major causative agents of various human diseases, and some of them are currently considered to be an enormous threat to public health. However, no effective therapy is currently available for the treatment of these infections. We identified gemcitabine, a nucleoside-analog drug used for cancer treatment, from a screen of bioactive chemicals as a novel inhibitor of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and enterovirus 71 (EV71).

Synthesis and anti-influenza virus activity of 4-oxo- or thioxo-4,5-dihydrofuro[3,4-c]pyridin-3(1H)-ones.

A target-free approach was applied to discover anti-influenza viral compounds, where influenza infected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells were treated 7500 different small organic chemicals individually and reduction of virus-induced cytopathic effect was measured. One of the hit compounds was (Z)-1-((5-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-6-methyl-4-thioxo-4,5-dihydrofuro[3,4-c]pyridin-3(1H)-one (15a) with half-maximal effective concentrations of 17.4-21.

Zoonotic encephalitides caused by arboviruses: transmission and epidemiology of alphaviruses and flaviviruses.

In this review, we mainly focus on zoonotic encephalitides caused by arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) of the families Flaviviridae (genus Flavivirus) and Togaviridae (genus Alphavirus) that are important in both humans and domestic animals. Specifically, we will focus on alphaviruses (Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Western equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus) and flaviviruses (Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus). Most of these viruses were originally found in tropical regions such as Africa and South America or in some regions in Asia.

Inhibition of influenza virus internalization by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the major flavonoid components of green tea, is known to have a broad antiviral activity against several enveloped viruses, including the influenza virus. However, its mode of action and the mechanism that allows it to target influenza virus molecules have not been fully elucidated. Thus, this study investigated the molecular mechanism by which EGCG suppresses influenza virus infections.

Epimeric methylsulfinyladenosine derivatives from the marine ascidian Herdmania momus.

Investigation of the secondary metabolites of the ascidian Herdmania momus led to the isolation and characterization of four new nucleoside derivatives (1-4). Structural studies showed that these derivatives represent a series of rare methylsulfinyladenosine derivatives of interconvertible transesterification isomers and/or sulfinyl epimers. The antiviral activities of these rare nucleosides were evaluated against a series of human pathogenic viruses.

Efficient synthesis of 3H,3'H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1'-isobenzofuran]-3,3'-dione as novel skeletons specifically for influenza virus type B inhibition.

An efficient and novel two step synthetic procedure to prepare various substituted 3H,3'H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1'-isobenzofuran]-3,3'-diones A, was established from very simple and easily available starting materials. The developed method is a robust and general approach for the synthesis of these structures. The prepared compounds were tested against influenza virus type A viz.

In vitro inhibition of influenza A virus infection by marine microalga-derived sulfated polysaccharide p-KG03.

The sulfated polysaccharide, p-KG03, purified from the marine microalga, Gyrodinium impudium, is a unique compound comprising homogenous galactose units conjugated to uronic acid and sulfated groups. Although previous studies showed that p-KG03 suppresses tumor cell growth and infection by encephalomyocarditis virus, its effect against enveloped virus infection and the biological mechanism of action have not been elucidated. In this report, the inhibitory activity of p-KG03 against influenza virus was examined and compared with that of other sulfated polysaccharides (fucoidan and pentosan polysulfate) and antiviral agents (oseltamivir phosphate, oseltamivir carboxylate, amantadine, and ribavirin).

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure D- and L-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexenyl carbanucleosides and their antiviral evaluation.

Based upon the fact that L-nucleosides have been generally known to be less cytotoxic than D-counterparts, L-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexenyl carbanucleoside derivatives with a fixed north conformation were designed and synthesized by employing a novel synthetic strategy starting from (R)-epichlorohydrin in order to search for new anti-HIV agents with high potency and less cytotoxicity.

Design and synthesis of 3'-fluoropenciclovir analogues as antiviral agents.

Based on fluorine switch approach, a series of 3'-fluoropenciclovir analogues with different purine and pyrimidine bases were designed and synthesized. Direct reduction of beta-fluoroester to the corresponding 3-fluoroalcohol provided an easy and new entry pathway towards the synthesis of 3'-fluoropenciclovir analogues. The synthesized 3'-fluoropenciclovir analogues were evaluated for their antiviral activities against the poliovirus, HSV-1, HSV-2 and HIV.

N1-Heterocyclic pyrimidinediones as non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

A series of N1-heterocyclic pyrimidinediones were extensively evaluated as HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Inhibitor 1 is active against NNRTI-resistant viruses including RT mutant K103N. The co-crystal structure of inhibitor 1 with HIV-1 RT revealed that H-bonds are formed with K101 and K103.

Caffeoylglycolic and caffeoylamino acid derivatives, halfmers of L-chicoric acid, as new HIV-1 integrase inhibitors.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrase (IN) catalyzes the integration of HIV DNA copy into the host cell DNA. L-Chicoric acid (1) has been found to be one of the most potent HIV-1 integrase inhibitor. Caffeoylglycolic and caffeoylamino acid derivatives' halfmeric structures of L-chicoric acid 2 were synthesized for the purpose of simplifying the structure of L-chicoric acid.

Intracellular uptake of thymidine and antiherpetic drugs for thymidine kinase-deficient mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1.

The influence of the thymidine (Thd) kinase (TK) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) on the intracellular uptake and anabolism of nucleosides has been investigated. To compare the differences between the TK-positive (TK(+)) and TK-deficient strains, acyclovir (ACV)-resistant strains were cloned from a cell culture and classified into 2 groups, viz. the TK-partial (TK(p)) and TK-negative (TK(-)).

Synthesis of (Z)-(1-fluoro-2-hydroxymethylcyclopropylmethyl)purines.

(Z)-(1-fluoro-2-hydroxymethylcyclopropylmethyl)purines were designed, synthesized and evaluated their antiviral activity against poliovirus, HSV, and HIV.

Antiviral effects of sulfated exopolysaccharide from the marine microalga Gyrodinium impudicum strain KG03.

The sulfated exopolysaccharide p-KG03, which is produced by the marine microalga Gyrodinium impudicum strain KG03, exhibited impressive antiviral activity in vitro (EC50 = 26.9 micro g/ml) against the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). Depending on the p-KG03 concentration, the development of cytopathic effects in EMCV-infected HeLa cells was either inhibited completely or slowed.

Caffeoyl naphthalenesulfonamide derivatives as HIV integrase inhibitors.

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is an essential enzyme for retroviral replication and a rational target for the design of anti-AIDS drugs. In the present study, we have designed, synthesized and tested a series of caffeoyl naphthalenesulfonamide derivatives as HIV integrase inhibitors. Among these compounds, we found that HIV integrase inhibitory activities of compounds III-3 and III-4 were more potent than L-chicoric acid (IC(50)=11.

Importance of sulfonylimidazolidinone motif of 4-phenyl-1-arylsulfonylimidazolidinones for their cytotoxicity: synthesis of 2-benzoyl-4-phenyl[1,2,5]thiazolidine-1,1-dioxides and their cytotoxcity.

For probing the importance of planarity of imidazolidinone motif of 4-phenyl-1-(benzenesulfonyl)imidazolidinones 1 for their cytotoxicity, 4-phenyl-2-(benzoyl)[1,2,5]thiadiazolidine-1,1-dioxide (2a), 4-phenyl-2-(p-toluoyl)[1,2,5]thiadiazolidine-1,1-dioxide (2b), 4-phenyl-2-(phenylcarbamoyl)[1,2,5]thiadiazolidine-1,1-dioxide (3a), and 4-phenyl-2-(p-tolylcarbamoyl)[1,2,5]thiadiazolidine-1,1-dioxide (3b) were prepared along with their regioisomers (5a, 5b, 9a, 9b) and their cytotoxicity were measured against human lung carcinoma (A549), human colon carcinoma (COL0205), human ovarian cancer (SK-OV-3), human leukemic cancer (K562), and murine colon adenocarcinoma (Colon26) cell lines in vitro. All compounds prepared do not show any activity against all five cancer cell lines unlike 1. Compounds 1 possess planarity of imidazolidinone, especially in sulfonylurea moiety (-SO2NHCONH-).

Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel exomethylene cyclopropyl pyrimidine nucleosides.

A series of novel exomethylene cyclopropyl nucleosides have been synthesized starting from Feist's acid. Classical nucleophilic substitution conditions (K2CO3, 18-crown-6) of the tosylate 2 as well as Mitsunobu reaction (DEAD, PPh3) of alcohol 1 with pyrimidine bases afforded a series of novel cyclopropyl nucleosides. Compound 4b displayed moderate anti-HBV activity without any cytotoxicity up to 100 microM.

New saponins from the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis.

Ten new saponins designated as certonardosides A-J (1-5, 7-11) and the known halityloside D (6) were isolated from the brine shrimp active fraction of the MeOH extract of the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis. The structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical manipulation. The compounds were evaluated for antiviral activity against HIV, HSV, CoxB, EMCV, and VSV and displayed insignificant activity within the range of noncytotoxic concentrations.

Establishment and use of a cell line expressing HSV-1 thymidine kinase to characterize viral thymidine kinase-dependent drug-resistance.

To understand the mechanisms of antiviral drug resistance and to have a system to examine the cytotoxicity of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) inhibitors that are thymidine kinase (TK)-dependent, we have constructed a plasmid pFTK1 by inserting a DNA fragment containing the TK gene of HSV-1 strain F into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1/His A. TK-deficient 143B cells were transfected with this vector and neomycin-resistant cells were selected.