Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by targeting ribonucleotide reductase M2 protein.

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a key factor for hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Ribonucleotide reductase (RR) regulates the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates biosynthesis and serves as a target for anti-cancer therapy. Here, we demonstrate that RR is essential for HBV replication and the viral covalently-closed-circular DNA (cccDNA) synthesis in host liver cells. By performing computer-assisted virtual screening against the crystal structure of RR small subunit M2 (RRM2), osalmid, was identified as a potential RRM2-targeting compound. Osalmid was shown to be 10-fold more active in inhibiting RR activity than hydroxyurea, and significantly inhibited HBV DNA and cccDNA synthesis in HepG2.2.15 cells. In contrast, hydroxyurea and the RR large subunit (RRM1)-inhibitory drug gemcitabine showed little selective activity against HBV replication. In addition, osalmid also was shown to possess potent activity against a 3TC-resistant HBV strain, suggesting utility in treating drug-resistant HBV infections. Interestingly, osalmid showed synergistic effects with lamivudine (3TC) in vitro and in vivo without significant toxicity, and was shown to inhibit RR activity in vivo, thus verifying its in vivo function. Furthermore, 4-cyclopropyl-2-fluoro-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) benzamide (YZ51), a novel derivative of osalmid, showed higher efficacy than osalmid with more potent RR inhibitory activity. These results suggest that RRM2 might be targeted for HBV inhibition, and the RRM2-targeting compound osalmid and its derivative YZ51 could be a novel class of anti-HBV candidates with potential use for hepatitis B and HBV-related HCC treatment.

• Authors: Xia Liu, Zhijian Xu, Chuanwei Hou, Meng Wang, Xinhuan Chen, Qinghui Lin, Rui Song, Meng Lou, Lijun Zhu, Yunqing Qiu, Zhi Chen, Chunhao Yang, Weiliang Zhu, Jimin Shao
• Journal: Biochemical pharmacology (Biochem Pharmacol) Vol. 103 Pg. 118-28 (Mar 01 2016) ISSN: 1873-2968 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26774458 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• 4-cyclopropyl-2-fluoro-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzamide
• Antiviral Agents
• DNA, Circular
• DNA, Viral
• Salicylanilides
• Lamivudine
• osalmide
• ribonucleotide reductase M2
• Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase
• Hydroxyurea

Topics

• Animals
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• DNA Replication
• DNA, Circular (biosynthesis)
• DNA, Viral (biosynthesis)
• Drug Resistance, Viral
• Drug Synergism
• Genome, Viral
• Hepatitis B virus (drug effects, physiology)
• Humans
• Hydroxyurea (pharmacology)
• Lamivudine (pharmacology)
• Liver (virology)
• Mice
• Mutation
• Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Salicylanilides (pharmacology)
• Virus Replication