Sara Rossi, Luca Pozzetti, Gabriele Carullo, Maria Dichiara, Stefania Butini, Marco Radi, Anna Ramunno, Chiara Terrosi, Giovanni Barra, Rita Berisio, Sandra Gemma, Maria Grazia Cusi, Giuseppe Campiani
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
After the global eradication of smallpox has occurred, Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is nowadays the most significant pathogen affecting humans among orthopoxviruses. The recent growing number of cases worldwide is drawing researchers' attention, prompting for the discovery of new antivirals with optimized synthetic protocols and enhanced efficacy. To date tecovirimat, targeting the membrane-anchored phospholipase p37, is the only drug specifically approved for the treatment of MPXV. In an effort to develop inhibitors with more accessible synthetic protocols and broaden the poorly explored structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, a new library of tecovirimat analogues has been designed and synthesized. The resulting compounds have been tested in phenotypic assays to evaluate their antiviral inhibitory properties. Spirovirimat (7) was identified as a potent lead compound within this series. Further experiments highlighted that 7 completely abolished extracellular virus production, and in silico studies suggested that 7 and tecovirimat target the same protein.
期刊介绍:
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters is interested in receiving manuscripts that discuss various aspects of medicinal chemistry. The journal will publish studies that pertain to a broad range of subject matter, including compound design and optimization, biological evaluation, drug delivery, imaging agents, and pharmacology of both small and large bioactive molecules. Specific areas include but are not limited to:
Identification, synthesis, and optimization of lead biologically active molecules and drugs (small molecules and biologics)
Biological characterization of new molecular entities in the context of drug discovery
Computational, cheminformatics, and structural studies for the identification or SAR analysis of bioactive molecules, ligands and their targets, etc.
Novel and improved methodologies, including radiation biochemistry, with broad application to medicinal chemistry
Discovery technologies for biologically active molecules from both synthetic and natural (plant and other) sources
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies that address mechanisms underlying drug disposition and response
Pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic studies used to enhance drug design and the translation of medicinal chemistry into the clinic
Mechanistic drug metabolism and regulation of metabolic enzyme gene expression
Chemistry patents relevant to the medicinal chemistry field.