Chemoreactive-Inspired Discovery of Influenza A Virus Dual Inhibitor to Block Hemagglutinin-Mediated Adsorption and Membrane Fusion

J Med Chem. 2020 Jul 9;63(13):6924-6940. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00312. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Abstract

Owing to the emergence of drug resistance and high morbidity and mortality, the need for novel anti-influenza A virus (IAV) drugs with divergent targets is highly sought after. Herein, we reveal the discovery of an anti-IAV agent as a dual inhibitor to block hemagglutinin-mediated adsorption and membrane fusion using a chemoreactive ortho-quinone methide (o-QM) equivalent. Based on the o-QM equivalent nonenzymatically multipotent behavior, we created a series of clavatol-derived pseudo-natural products and found that penindolone (PND), a new diclavatol indole adduct, exhibited potent and broad-spectrum anti-IAV activities with low risk of inducing drug resistance. Distinct from current anti-IAV drugs, PND possesses a novel scaffold and is the first IAV inhibitor targeting both HA1 and HA2 subunits of virus hemagglutinin to dually block the IAV adsorption and membrane fusion process. More importantly, intranasal and oral administration of PND can protect mice against IAV-induced death and weight loss, superior to the effects of the clinical drug oseltamivir. Thus, the use of chemoreactive intermediates could expand our understanding of chemical diversity and aid in the development of anti-IAV drugs with novel targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetophenones / chemistry
  • Acetophenones / pharmacokinetics
  • Acetophenones / pharmacology
  • Adsorption / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Dogs
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Drug Resistance, Viral / drug effects
  • Female
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / metabolism*
  • Influenza A virus / drug effects*
  • Influenza A virus / metabolism
  • Influenza A virus / physiology*
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Membrane Fusion / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Acetophenones
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
  • clavatol