Download MendeleyStructural basis for the identification of the N-terminal domain of coronavirus nucleocapsid protein as an antiviral target
Lin, S.Y., Liu, C.L., Chang, Y.M., Zhao, J., Perlman, S., Hou, M.H.(2014) J Med Chem 57: 2247-2257
- PubMed: 24564608
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jm500089r
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
4KXJ, 4LI4, 4LM7, 4LM9, 4LMC - PubMed Abstract:
Coronaviruses (CoVs) cause numerous diseases, including Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome, generating significant health-related and economic consequences. CoVs encode the nucleocapsid (N) protein, a major structural protein that plays multiple roles in the virus replication cycle and forms a ribonucleoprotein complex with the viral RNA through the N protein's N-terminal domain (N-NTD). Using human CoV-OC43 (HCoV-OC43) as a model for CoV, we present the 3D structure of HCoV-OC43 N-NTD complexed with ribonucleoside 5'-monophosphates to identify a distinct ribonucleotide-binding pocket. By targeting this pocket, we identified and developed a new coronavirus N protein inhibitor, N-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydrophenanthridin-2-yl)(N,N-dimethylamino)acetamide hydrochloride (PJ34), using virtual screening; this inhibitor reduced the N protein's RNA-binding affinity and hindered viral replication. We also determined the crystal structure of the N-NTD-PJ34 complex. On the basis of these findings, we propose guidelines for developing new N protein-based antiviral agents that target CoVs.
Organizational Affiliation:
College of Life Science, ‡Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, and §Agriculture Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University , Taichung 40254, Taiwan.
