Computer-Aided Discovery and Characterization of Novel Ebola Virus Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2018 Apr 26;61(8):3582-3594. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00035. Epub 2018 Apr 17.

Abstract

The Ebola virus (EBOV) causes severe human infection that lacks effective treatment. A recent screen identified a series of compounds that block EBOV-like particle entry into human cells. Using data from this screen, quantitative structure-activity relationship models were built and employed for virtual screening of a ∼17 million compound library. Experimental testing of 102 hits yielded 14 compounds with IC50 values under 10 μM, including several sub-micromolar inhibitors, and more than 10-fold selectivity against host cytotoxicity. These confirmed hits include FDA-approved drugs and clinical candidates with non-antiviral indications, as well as compounds with novel scaffolds and no previously known bioactivity. Five selected hits inhibited BSL-4 live-EBOV infection in a dose-dependent manner, including vindesine (0.34 μM). Additional studies of these novel anti-EBOV compounds revealed their mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of NPC1 protein, cathepsin B/L, and lysosomal function. Compounds identified in this study are among the most potent and well-characterized anti-EBOV inhibitors reported to date.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Drug Discovery
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Ebolavirus / drug effects*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Small Molecule Libraries