A Single Nucleoside Viral Polymerase Inhibitor Against Norovirus, Rotavirus, and Sapovirus-Induced Diarrhea

J Infect Dis. 2018 Oct 20;218(11):1753-1758. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy398.

Abstract

A safe and highly efficient antiviral is needed for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of viral diarrhea. We here demonstrate the in vitro antiviral activity of four 2'-C-methyl nucleoside analogues against noro-, rota-, and sapoviruses. The most potent nucleoside analogue, 7-deaza-2'-C-methyladenosine, inhibits replication of these viruses with a 50% effective concentration < 5 µM. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the 2'-C-methyl nucleoside analogues act by inhibiting transcription of the rotavirus genome. This provides the first evidence that a single viral-diarrhea-targeted treatment can be developed through a viral-polymerase-targeting small molecule.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Diarrhea / virology*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Nucleosides / pharmacology*
  • RNA Virus Infections / virology
  • RNA Viruses* / drug effects
  • RNA Viruses* / enzymology
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Viral Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Nucleosides
  • Viral Proteins
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase