Click Chemistry for Drug Development and Diverse Chemical–Biology Applications

Proteins constitute the majority of nature’s worker biomolecules. Designed for specific functions, complex tertiary structures make proteins ideal candidates for analysing natural systems and creating novel biological tools. Owing to both their large size and the need for proper folding, de novo synthesis of proteins has been quite a challenge, leading scientists to focus on modifying protein templates already provided by nature. Recently developed methods for protein modification fall into two broad categories: those that can modify the natural protein template directly and those that require genetic manipulation of the amino acid sequence before modification. The goal of this Review is not only to provide a window through which to view the many opportunities created by novel protein modification techniques‚ but also to act as an initial guide to help scientists find direction and form ideas in an ever-growing field. In addition to highlighting methods reported in the past 5 years, we aim to provide a broader sense of the goals and outcomes of protein modification and bioconjugation in general. While the main body of this paper comprises reactions involving the direct modification of expressed proteins, some further functionalization strategies as well as biological applications are also acknowledged. The discussion concludes by speculating which trends and discoveries will most likely come next in the field. Over the past 5 years, many novel site-selective protein modification techniques have been reported. Key features of these various strategies as well as prominent examples are discussed in this Review.

/pdf/contemporary-approaches-to-site-selective-protein-44jsa6i2gc.pdf

Contemporary approaches to site-selective protein modification

Coronaviruses (CoVs) act as cross-species viruses and have the potential to spread rapidly into new host species and cause epidemic diseases. Despite the severe public health threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), there are currently no drugs available for their treatment; therefore, broad-spectrum inhibitors of emerging and endemic CoVs are urgently needed. To search for effective inhibitory agents, we performed high-throughput screening (HTS) of a 2,000-compound library of approved drugs and pharmacologically active compounds using the established genetically engineered human CoV OC43 (HCoV-OC43) strain expressing Renilla luciferase (rOC43-ns2Del-Rluc) and validated the inhibitors using multiple genetically distinct CoVs in vitro We screened 56 hits from the HTS data and validated 36 compounds in vitro using wild-type HCoV-OC43. Furthermore, we identified seven compounds (lycorine, emetine, monensin sodium, mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolic acid, phenazopyridine, and pyrvinium pamoate) as broad-spectrum inhibitors according to their strong inhibition of replication by four CoVs in vitro at low-micromolar concentrations. Additionally, we found that emetine blocked MERS-CoV entry according to pseudovirus entry assays and that lycorine protected BALB/c mice against HCoV-OC43-induced lethality by decreasing viral load in the central nervous system. This represents the first demonstration of in vivo real-time bioluminescence imaging to monitor the effect of lycorine on the spread and distribution of HCoV-OC43 in a mouse model. These results offer critical information supporting the development of an effective therapeutic strategy against CoV infection.IMPORTANCE Currently, there is no approved therapy to treat coronavirus infection; therefore, broad-spectrum inhibitors of emerging and endemic CoVs are needed. Based on our high-throughput screening assay using a compound library, we identified seven compounds with broad-spectrum efficacy against the replication of four CoVs in vitro Additionally, one compound (lycorine) was found to protect BALB/c mice against HCoV-OC43-induced lethality by decreasing viral load in the central nervous system. This inhibitor might offer promising therapeutic possibilities for combatting novel CoV infections in the future.

/pdf/high-throughput-screening-and-identification-of-potent-broad-3oqn77ukwc.pdf

High-Throughput Screening and Identification of Potent Broad-Spectrum Inhibitors of Coronaviruses.

Microheterogeneity and paucidispersity of glycoproteins

Infections with flaviviruses, such as dengue, West Nile virus and the recently re-emerging Zika virus, are an increasing and probably lasting global risk. This Review summarizes and comments on the opportunities for broad-spectrum agents that are active against multiple flaviviruses. Broad-spectrum activity is particularly desirable to prepare for the next flaviviral epidemic, which could emerge from as-yet unknown or neglected viruses. Potential molecular targets for broad-spectrum antiflaviviral compounds include viral proteins, such as the viral protease or polymerase, and host targets that are exploited by these viruses during entry and replication, including α-glucosidase and proteins involved in nucleoside biosynthesis. Numerous compounds with broad-spectrum antiviral activity have already been identified by target-specific or phenotypic assays. For other compounds, broad-spectrum activity can be anticipated because of their mode of action and molecular targets.

/pdf/broad-spectrum-agents-for-flaviviral-infections-dengue-zika-4v9uigqi3l.pdf

Broad-spectrum agents for flaviviral infections: dengue, Zika and beyond

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) (Picornaviridae family) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) (Flaviviridae family) are the causative agents of human hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and hepatitis C, resulting in a severe pandemic involving millions of infections in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide. The great impact of EV71 and HCV on public health highlights the need to further our understanding of the biology of these two viruses and develop effective therapeutic antivirals. Here, we evaluated a total of 32 lycorine derivatives and demonstrated that 1-acetyllycorine suppressed the proliferation of multiple strains of EV71 in various cells. The results of the drug resistance analysis revealed that 1-acetyllycorine targeted a phenylalanine (F76) in EV71 2A protease (2A(pro)) to stabilize the conformation of a unique zinc finger. Most interestingly, the zinc binding site in EV71 2A(pro) is the exclusive homolog of HCV NS3 among all viruses. Further analysis revealed that 1-acetyllycorine also inhibits HCV with high efficacy, and the mutation on R118 in HCV NS3, which corresponds to F76 in EV71 2A(pro), confers the resistance of HCV to 1-acetyllycorine. These results revealed a conserved mechanism of 1-acetyllycorine against EV71 and HCV through targeting viral proteases. We also documented the significant synergistic anti-EV71 and anti-HCV effects of 1-acetyllycorine with reported inhibitors, supporting potential combination therapy for the treatment of EV71 and HCV infections.

A conserved inhibitory mechanism of a lycorine derivative against enterovirus and hepatitis C virus

The anticoagulant pentasaccharide fondaparinux was synthesized using an improved and optimized synthetic strategy including a convergent [3+2] coupling approach, orthogonal protecting groups and various glycosyl donors. The new methods of glycosylation were also used for controlling the stereochemical configuration and improving the yield of the glycosylation. In addition, HPLC and NMR methods to monitor the process of total synthesis of fondaparinux were employed. This work provides a comprehensive elaboration for the synthesis and analysis of fondaparinux based on related literature, as well as abundant information for the synthesis of heparin-like oligosaccharides.

Total Synthesis of Anticoagulant Pentasaccharide Fondaparinux

On the distribution of sulfate in heparin

The isolation of l-iduronic acid from the crystalline barium acid salt of heparin

Facile synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole analogs of SGLT2 inhibitors by 'click chemistry'.

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