Structure-Based Design of Potent Iminosugar Inhibitors of Endoplasmic Reticulum α-Glucosidase I with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity

J Med Chem. 2023 Feb 23;66(4):2744-2760. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01750. Epub 2023 Feb 10.

Abstract

Enveloped viruses depend on the host endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control (QC) machinery for proper glycoprotein folding. The endoplasmic reticulum quality control (ERQC) enzyme α-glucosidase I (α-GluI) is an attractive target for developing broad-spectrum antivirals. We synthesized 28 inhibitors designed to interact with all four subsites of the α-GluI active site. These inhibitors are derivatives of the iminosugars 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ) and valiolamine. Crystal structures of ER α-GluI bound to 25 1-DNJ and three valiolamine derivatives revealed the basis for inhibitory potency. We established the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and used the Site Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation (SILCS) method to develop a model for predicting α-GluI inhibition. We screened the compounds against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro to identify those with greater antiviral activity than the benchmark α-glucosidase inhibitor UV-4. These host-targeting compounds are candidates for investigation in animal models of SARS-CoV-2 and for testing against other viruses that rely on ERQC for correct glycoprotein folding.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 1-Deoxynojirimycin* / chemistry
  • 1-Deoxynojirimycin* / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents* / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • COVID-19*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / enzymology
  • Glycoproteins
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship
  • SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism
  • alpha-Glucosidases* / drug effects

Substances

  • 1-Deoxynojirimycin
  • alpha-Glucosidases
  • Antiviral Agents
  • glucosidase I
  • Glycoproteins
  • Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
  • valiolamine