Optimization of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Influenza Virus Polymerase: From Thiophene-3-Carboxamide to Polyamido Scaffolds
作者:Susan Lepri、Giulio Nannetti、Giulia Muratore、Gabriele Cruciani、Renzo Ruzziconi、Beatrice Mercorelli、Giorgio Palù、Arianna Loregian、Laura Goracci
DOI:10.1021/jm500300r
日期:2014.5.22
Influenza virus infections represent a serious concern to public health, being characterized by high morbidity and significant mortality. To date, compounds targeting the viral ion-channel M2 or the viral neuraminidase are the drugs available for treatment of influenza, but the emergence of drug-resistant viral mutants renders the search for novel targets and their possible inhibitors a major priority. Recently, we I I demonstrated that the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) complex can be an optimal target of protein protein disruption by small molecules, with thiophene-3-carboxamide derivatives emerging as promising candidates for the development of new anti-influenza drugs with broad-spectrum activity. Here, we report a further dissection of the thiophene-3-carboxamide structure. By using a GRID molecular interaction field (MIF)-based scaffold-hopping approach, more potent and nontoxic polyamido derivatives were identified, highlighting a new space in the chemical variability of RdRP inhibitors. Finally, a possible pharmacophoric model highlighting the key features required for RdRP inhibition is proposed.