Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine inhibits replication of human enteroviruses B and D by targeting viral protein 2C

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Apr;57(4):1952-6. doi: 10.1128/AAC.02084-12. Epub 2013 Jan 18.

Abstract

Although the genus Enterovirus contains many important human pathogens, there is no licensed drug for either the treatment or the prophylaxis of enterovirus infections. We report that fluoxetine (Prozac)--a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor--inhibits the replication of human enterovirus B (HEV-B) and HEV-D but does not affect the replication of HEV-A and HEV-C or human rhinovirus A or B. We show that fluoxetine interferes with viral RNA replication, and we identified viral protein 2C as the target of this compound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Enterovirus B, Human / drug effects*
  • Enterovirus B, Human / genetics
  • Enterovirus B, Human / metabolism*
  • Enterovirus D, Human / drug effects*
  • Enterovirus D, Human / genetics
  • Enterovirus D, Human / metabolism*
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacology*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Fluoxetine
  • 2C protein, viral