VP1 crystal structure-guided exploration and optimization of 4,5-dimethoxybenzene-based inhibitors of rhinovirus 14 infection

Laurene da Costa (1) , Manon Roche (1) , Els Scheers (2) , Antonio Coluccia (3) , Johan Neyts (2) , Thierry Terme (1) , Pieter Leyssen (2) , Romano Silvestri (3) , Patrice Vanelle (1)

1 ICR - Institut de Chimie Radicalaire
2 Rega Institute for Medical Research [Leuven, België]
3 Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Technologies

Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are the predominant cause of common colds and flu-like illnesses, but are also responsible for virus-induced exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, to date, no drug has been approved yet for clinical use. In this study, we present the results of the structure-based lead optimization of a class of new small-molecule inhibitors that we previously reported to bind into the pocket beneath the canyon of the VP1 protein. A small series of analogues that we designed based on the available structure and interaction data were synthesized and evaluated for their potency to inhibit the replication of HRV serotype 14. 2-(4,5-Dimethoxy-2-nitrophenyl)-1-(4-(pyridin-4-yl)phenyl)ethanol (3v) was found to be a potent inhibitor exhibiting micromolar activity (EC50 = 3.4 ± 1.0 μM) with a toxicity for HeLa cells that was significantly lower than that of our previous hit (LPCRW_0005, CC50 = 104.0 ± 22.2 μM; 3v, CC50 > 263 μM).

Mots clés: hrv14; design; derivatives; compound; replication; In silico design; original synthesis; 3c protease; attachment; Capsid inhibitors; common cold; strategy; tdae; tdae methodology; VP1 protein

Domaines: Chimie; Microbiologie et Parasitologie

Laurene da Costa, Manon Roche, Els Scheers, Antonio Coluccia, Johan Neyts, et al.. VP1 crystal structure-guided exploration and optimization of 4,5-dimethoxybenzene-based inhibitors of rhinovirus 14 infection. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2016, 115, pp.453--462. ⟨10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.03.049⟩. ⟨hal-01460664⟩