Structural investigation of cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide derivatives targeting influenza virus polymerase assembly

J Med Chem. 2013 Dec 27;56(24):10118-31. doi: 10.1021/jm401560v. Epub 2013 Dec 13.

Abstract

The limited number of drug classes licensed for treatment of influenza virus (Flu), together with the continuous emergence of viral variants and drug resistant mutants, highlights the urgent need to find antivirals with novel mechanisms of action. In this context, the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) subunits assembly has emerged as an attractive target. Starting from a cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide derivative recently identified by us for its ability to disrupt the interaction between the PA and PB1 subunits of RdRP, we have designed and synthesized a series of analogues. Their biological evaluation led to the identification of more potent protein-protein interaction inhibitors, endowed with antiviral activity that also encompassed a number of clinical isolates of FluA, including an oseltamivir-resistant strain, and FluB, without showing appreciable toxicity. From this study, the cycloheptathiophene-3-carboxamide scaffold emerged as being particularly suitable to impart anti-Flu activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benzamides / chemical synthesis
  • Benzamides / chemistry
  • Benzamides / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Orthomyxoviridae / drug effects*
  • Orthomyxoviridae / enzymology*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / biosynthesis*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / chemistry
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thiophenes / chemical synthesis
  • Thiophenes / chemistry
  • Thiophenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Thiophenes
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase