title: Small-molecule inhibitors of JC polyomavirus infection.
abstract: The JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) infects approximately 50% of the human population. In healthy individuals, the infection remains dormant and asymptomatic, but in immuno-suppressed patients, it can cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a potentially fatal demyelinating disease. Currently, there are no drugs against JCPyV infection nor for the treatment of PML. Here, we report the development of small-molecule inhibitors of JCPyV that target the initial interaction between the virus and host cell and thereby block viral entry. Utilizing a combination of computational and NMR-based screening techniques, we target the LSTc tetrasaccharide binding site within the VP1 pentameric coat protein of JCPyV. Four of the compounds from the screen effectively block viral infection in our in vitro assays using SVG-A cells. For the most potent compound, we used saturation transfer difference NMR to determine the mode of binding to purified pentamers of JCPyV VP1. Collectively, these results demonstrate the viability of this class of compounds for eventual development of JCPyV-antiviral therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
authors.forename: Achani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yatawara
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gaidos
authors.forename: Chamila N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Rupasinghe
authors.forename: Bethany A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Walter J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Atwood
authors.forename: Dale F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Mierke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001665:Binding Sites; D001681:Biological Assay; D019556:COS Cells; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D062105:Molecular Docking Simulation; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053586:Virus Internalization / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries; C062481:VP1 protein, polyomavirus
keywords: polyomavirus; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; saturation transfer difference NMR; small molecular screening