Identification of influenza polymerase inhibitors targeting polymerase PB2 cap-binding domain through virtual screening

Antiviral Res. 2017 Aug:144:186-195. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.06.009. Epub 2017 Jun 16.

Abstract

Influenza A virus is the major cause of epidemics and pandemics worldwide. In this study, virtual screening was used to identify compounds interacting with influenza A polymerase PB2 cap-binding domain (CBD). With a database of 21,351 small molecules, 28 candidate compounds were tested and one compound (225) was identified as hit compound. Compound 225 and three of its analogs (225D1, 426 and 426Br) were found to bind directly to PB2 CBD by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The evaluation of compounds 426Br and 225 indicated that they could bind to PB2 CBD and inhibit influenza virus at low micromolar concentration. They were predicted to bind the cap binding site of the protein by molecular modeling and were confirmed by SPR assay using PB2 CBD mutants. These two compounds have novel scaffolds and could be further developed into lead compound for influenza virus inhibition.

Keywords: Influenza; Inhibitors; PB2 cap-binding domain; Virtual screening.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Dogs
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / isolation & purification*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / enzymology*
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Protein Binding
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Viral Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • PB2 protein, influenza virus
  • Viral Proteins