Design, Synthesis, and Anti-RNA Virus Activity of 6'-Fluorinated-Aristeromycin Analogues

J Med Chem. 2019 Jul 11;62(13):6346-6362. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00781. Epub 2019 Jun 20.

Abstract

The 6'-fluorinated aristeromycins were designed as dual-target antiviral compounds aimed at inhibiting both the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the host cell S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH) hydrolase, which would indirectly target capping of viral RNA. The introduction of a fluorine at the 6'-position enhanced the inhibition of SAH hydrolase and the activity against RNA viruses. The adenosine and N6-methyladenosine analogues 2a-e showed potent inhibition against SAH hydrolase, while only the adenosine derivatives 2a-c exhibited potent antiviral activity against all tested RNA viruses such as Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus, chikungunya virus, and/or Zika virus. 6',6'-Difluoroaristeromycin (2c) showed the strongest antiviral effect for MERS-CoV, with a ∼2.5 log reduction in infectious progeny titer in viral load reduction assay. The phosphoramidate prodrug 3a also demonstrated potent broad-spectrum antiviral activity, possibly by inhibiting the viral RdRp. This study shows that 6'-fluorinated aristeromycins can serve as starting points for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents that target RNA viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenosine / chemical synthesis
  • Adenosine / pharmacology
  • Adenosylhomocysteinase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Drug Design
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Halogenation
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology
  • RNA Viruses / drug effects*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Prodrugs
  • aristeromycin
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
  • AHCY protein, human
  • Adenosylhomocysteinase
  • Adenosine