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Small-molecule inhibitors of JC polyomavirus infection

Achani Yatawara1, Gabriel Gaidos, Chamila N Rupasinghe

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.

Journal of Peptide Science : an Official Publication of the European Peptide Society
|December 20, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed new small-molecule inhibitors targeting JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) entry into host cells. These compounds show promise for treating JCPyV infection and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) infects about 50% of humans, remaining latent in healthy individuals.
  • In immunocompromised patients, JCPyV can cause fatal progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
  • No current treatments exist for JCPyV infection or PML.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop novel small-molecule inhibitors targeting JCPyV entry.
  • To identify compounds blocking the initial virus-host cell interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Computational and NMR-based screening techniques were employed.
  • The LSTc tetrasaccharide binding site on the JCPyV VP1 protein was targeted.
  • In vitro assays using SVG-A cells assessed viral infection inhibition.
  • Saturation transfer difference NMR determined the binding mode of the most potent compound.

Main Results:

  • Four compounds effectively inhibited JCPyV infection in vitro.
  • The most potent compound's binding mode to JCPyV VP1 was elucidated.
  • The study identified a promising class of JCPyV inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • Small-molecule inhibitors targeting JCPyV entry are a viable therapeutic strategy.
  • These findings support the potential development of new JCPyV-antiviral drugs.
  • This research offers a new avenue for combating PML.
Keywords:
polyomavirusprogressive multifocal leukoencephalopathysaturation transfer difference NMRsmall molecular screening

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