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Benzimidazole analogs inhibit respiratory syncytial virus G protein function.

Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is a highly contagious Paramyxovirus that infects most children by age two, generating an estimated 75,000-125,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. annually. hRSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants and children under 1year of age, with significant mortality among high-risk groups. A regulatory agency-approved vaccine is not available, and existing prophylaxis and therapies are limited to use in high-risk pediatric patients; thus additional therapies are sorely needed. Here, we identify a series of benzimidazole analogs that inhibit hRSV infection in vitro with high potency, using a previously-reported high-throughput screening assay. The lead compound, SRI 29365 (1-[6-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-3-yl]methyl-1H-benzimidazole), has an EC50 of 66μM and a selectivity >50. We identified additional compounds with varying potencies by testing commercially-available chemical analogs. Time-of-addition experiments indicated that SRI 29365 effectively inhibits viral replication only if present during the early stages of viral infection. We isolated a virus with resistance to SRI 29365 and identified mutations in the transmembrane domain of the viral G protein genomic sequence that suggested that the compound inhibits G-protein mediated attachment of hRSV to cells. Additional experiments with multiple cell types indicated that SRI 29365 antiviral activity correlates with the binding of cell surface heparin by full-length G protein. Lastly, SRI 29365 did not reduce hRSV titers or morbidity/mortality in efficacy studies using a cotton rat model. Although SRI 29365 and analogs inhibit hRSV replication in vitro, this work suggests that the G-protein may not be a valid drug target in vivo.
AuthorsCarrie W Evans, Colm Atkins, Ashish Pathak, Brian E Gilbert, James W Noah
JournalAntiviral research (Antiviral Res) Vol. 121 Pg. 31-8 (Sep 2015) ISSN: 1872-9096 [Electronic] Netherlands
PMID26116756 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
CopyrightCopyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Chemical References
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • attachment protein G
  • benzimidazole
Topics
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)
  • Benzimidazoles (pharmacology)
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Resistance, Viral
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mutant Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
  • Mutation
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections (pathology, virology)
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human (drug effects, physiology)
  • Sigmodontinae
  • Survival Analysis
  • Viral Envelope Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics)
  • Virus Attachment (drug effects)

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