6j1u
influenza virus nucleoprotein with a specific inhibitor
Structural highlights
FunctionNCAP_I33A0 Encapsidates the negative strand viral RNA, protecting it from nucleases. The encapsidated genomic RNA is termed the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) and serves as template for transcription and replication. The RNP needs to be localized in the nucleus to start an infectious cycle, but is too large to diffuse through the nuclear pore complex. NP comprises at least 2 nuclear localization signals and is responsible of the active RNP import into the nucleus through the cellular importin alpha/beta pathway. Later in the infection, nucleus export of RNP are mediated through viral proteins NEP interacting with M1 which binds nucleoproteins. It is possible that the nucleoprotein binds directly exportin-1 (XPO1) and plays an active role in RNP nuclear export. M1 interaction with RNP seems to hide nucleoprotein's nuclear localization signals. Soon after a virion infects a new cell, M1 dissociates from the RNP under acidification of the virion driven by M2 protein. Dissociation of M1 from RNP unmask nucleoprotein's nuclear localization signals, targeting the RNP to the nucleus (By similarity). Publication Abstract from PubMedInfluenza A viruses (IAVs) continue to pose an imminent threat to humans due to annual influenza epidemic outbreaks and episodic pandemics with high mortality rates. In this context, the suboptimal vaccine coverage and efficacy, coupled with recurrent events of viral resistance against a very limited antiviral portfolio, emphasize an urgent need for new additional prophylactic and therapeutic options, including new antiviral targets and drugs with new mechanisms of action to prevent and treat influenza virus infection. Here, we characterized a novel influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP) inhibitor, FA-6005, that inhibited a broad spectrum of human pandemic and seasonal influenza A and B viruses in vitro and protects mice against lethal influenza A virus challenge. The small molecule FA-6005 targeted a conserved NP I41 domain and acted as a potentially broad, multimechanistic anti-influenza virus therapeutic since FA-6005 suppressed influenza virus replication and perturbed intracellular trafficking of viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) from early to late stages. Cocrystal structures of the NP/FA-6005 complex reconciled well with concurrent mutational studies. This study provides the first line of direct evidence suggesting that the newly identified NP I41 pocket is an attractive target for drug development that inhibits multiple functions of NP. Our results also highlight FA-6005 as a promising candidate for further development as an antiviral drug for the treatment of IAV infection and provide chemical-level details for inhibitor optimization.IMPORTANCE Current influenza antivirals have limitations with regard to their effectiveness and the potential emergence of resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need for broad-spectrum inhibitors to address the considerable challenges posed by the rapid evolution of influenza viruses that limit the effectiveness of vaccines and lead to the emergence of antiviral drug resistance. Here, we identified a novel influenza A virus NP antagonist, FA-6005, with broad-spectrum efficacy against influenza viruses, and our study presents a comprehensive study of the mode of action of FA-6005 with the crystal structure of the compound in complex with NP. The influenza virus inhibitor holds promise as an urgently sought-after therapeutic option offering a mechanism of action complementary to existing antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza virus infection and should further aid in the development of universal therapeutics. Discovery of a Novel Specific Inhibitor Targeting Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein with Pleiotropic Inhibitory Effects on Various Steps of the Viral Life Cycle.,Yang F, Pang B, Lai KK, Cheung NN, Dai J, Zhang W, Zhang J, Chan KH, Chen H, Sze KH, Zhang H, Hao Q, Yang D, Yuen KY, Kao RY J Virol. 2021 Apr 12;95(9). pii: JVI.01432-20. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01432-20. Print, 2021 Apr 12. PMID:33627391[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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