Trisubstituted Thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole 5-Carboxamides as Potent Inhibitors of Alphaviruses

J Med Chem. 2015 Dec 10;58(23):9196-213. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01047. Epub 2015 Nov 19.

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging vector-borne alphavirus and is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes. Despite the re-emergence of CHIKV as an epidemic threat, there is no approved effective antiviral treatment currently available for CHIKV. Herein, we report the synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of a class of thieno[3,2-b]pyrroles and the discovery of a trisubstituted thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole 5-carboxamide 15c that exhibits potent inhibitory activity against in vitro CHIKV infection. Compound 15c displayed low micromolar activity (EC50 value of ca. 2 μM) and limited cytotoxic liability (CC50 > 100 μM) therefore furnishing a selectivity index of greater than 32. Notably, 15c not only controlled viral RNA production, but efficiently inhibited the expression of CHIKV nsP1, nsP3, capsid, and E2 proteins at a concentration as low as 2.5 μM. More importantly, 15c also demonstrated broad spectrum antiviral activity against other clinically important alphaviruses such as O'nyong-nyong virus and Sindbis virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chikungunya Fever / drug therapy*
  • Chikungunya Fever / virology
  • Chikungunya virus / drug effects*
  • Chikungunya virus / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Biosynthesis / drug effects
  • Pyrroles / chemistry*
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Pyrroles
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins
  • thienopyrrole