In silico screening for human norovirus antivirals reveals a novel non-nucleoside inhibitor of the viral polymerase

Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 7;8(1):4129. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-22303-y.

Abstract

Human norovirus causes approximately 219,000 deaths annually, yet there are currently no antivirals available. A virtual screening of commercially available drug-like compounds (~300,000) was performed on the suramin and PPNDS binding-sites of the norovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Selected compounds (n = 62) were examined for inhibition of norovirus RdRp activity using an in vitro transcription assay. Eight candidates demonstrated RdRp inhibition (>25% inhibition at 10 µM), which was confirmed using a gel-shift RdRp assay for two of them. The two molecules were identified as initial hits and selected for structure-activity relationship studies, which resulted in the synthesis of novel compounds that were examined for inhibitory activity. Five compounds inhibited human norovirus RdRp activity (>50% at 10 µM), with the best candidate, 54, demonstrating an IC50 of 5.6 µM against the RdRp and a CC50 of 62.8 µM. Combinational treatment of 54 and the known RdRp site-B inhibitor PPNDS revealed antagonism, indicating that 54 binds in the same binding pocket. Two RdRps with mutations (Q414A and R419A) previously shown to be critical for the binding of site-B compounds had no effect on inhibition, suggesting 54 interacts with distinct site-B residues. This study revealed the novel scaffold 54 for further development as a norovirus antiviral.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Caliciviridae Infections / drug therapy
  • Caliciviridae Infections / enzymology
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Norovirus / enzymology*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase* / chemistry
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Viral Proteins* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Viral Proteins* / chemistry

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Viral Proteins
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase