9tdq
Crystal structure of CHIKV nsp3 macrodomain with MDOLL-0273
Structural highlights
FunctionPOLN_CHIKS P123 is short-lived polyproteins, accumulating during early stage of infection. It localizes the viral replication complex to the cytoplasmic surface of modified endosomes and lysosomes. By interacting with nsP4, it starts viral genome replication into antigenome. After these early events, P123 is cleaved sequentially into nsP1, nsP2 and nsP3. This sequence of delayed processing would allow correct assembly and membrane association of the RNA polymerase complex (By similarity). nsP1 is a cytoplasmic capping enzyme. This function is necessary since all viral RNAs are synthesized in the cytoplasm, and host capping enzymes are restricted to the nucleus. The enzymatic reaction involves a covalent link between 7-methyl-GMP and nsP1, whereas eukaryotic capping enzymes form a covalent complex only with GMP. nsP1 capping would consist in the following reactions: GTP is first methylated and then forms the m7GMp-nsP1 complex, from which 7-methyl-GMP complex is transferred to the mRNA to create the cap structure. Palmitoylated nsP1 is remodeling host cell cytoskeleton, and induces filopodium-like structure formation at the surface of the host cell (By similarity). nsP2 has two separate domain with different biological activities. The N-terminal section is part of the RNA polymerase complex and has RNA trisphosphatase and RNA helicase activity. The C-terminal section harbors a protease that specifically cleaves and releases the four mature proteins (By similarity). Also inhibits cellular transcription by inducing rapid degradation of POLR2A, a catalytic subunit of the RNAPII complex. The resulting inhibition of cellular protein synthesis serves to ensure maximal viral gene expression and to evade host immune response. nsP3 is essential for minus strand and subgenomic 26S mRNA synthesis (By similarity). nsP4 is an RNA dependent RNA polymerase. It replicates genomic and antigenomic RNA by recognizing replications specific signals. Transcribes also a 26S subgenomic mRNA by initiating RNA synthesis internally on antigenomic RNA. This 26S mRNA codes for structural proteins (By similarity). Publication Abstract from PubMedChikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks impose significant burdens on healthcare systems and raise an urgent need for effective antiviral therapies. So far there are no specific drugs against CHIKV infection. CHIKV-encoded macrodomain is critical for virulence and counteracts the host immune response, representing a promising antiviral drug target. Here, we describe small molecule inhibitors targeting the CHIKV macrodomain. Compound 1 (MDOLL-0273) was identified through a high-throughput screening using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer based assay, exhibiting an IC(50) of 8.9â¯muM, and its inhibitory activity was validated through multiple orthogonal assays. The compound features a thiobarbiturate-indole scaffold and shows high selectivity over a panel of human and viral ADP-ribose binding and hydrolyzing proteins. X-ray crystallography revealed that the inhibitor occupies an adenine binding site of the macrodomain and extends into a novel cryptic pocket. Guided by structure-activity relationship studies, compound 11 (MDOLL-0591) of the developed series with similar IC(50) of 10â¯muM but with increased lipophilicity was discovered to have antiviral activity against CHIKV in cell culture, demonstrating that macrodomain could be targeted in virus infections. Discovery of thiobarbiturate-indole scaffold as a selective inhibitor targeting chikungunya virus nsP3 macrodomain through a cryptic binding pocket.,Duong MTH, Parviainen TAO, Thiruvaiyaru A, Ahola T, Heiskanen JP, Lehtio L Eur J Med Chem. 2026 Jul 22;318:119182. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.119182. PMID:42531898[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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