The activation cascade of the broad-spectrum antiviral bemnifosbuvir characterized at atomic resolution.
Chazot, A., Zimberger, C., Feracci, M., Moussa, A., Good, S., Sommadossi, J.P., Alvarez, K., Ferron, F., Canard, B.(2024) PLoS Biol 22: e3002743-e3002743
- PubMed: 39190717 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002743
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
8PIE, 8PTS, 8PWK, 8QCH - PubMed Abstract: 
Bemnifosbuvir (AT-527) and AT-752 are guanosine analogues currently in clinical trials against several RNA viruses. Here, we show that these drugs require a minimal set of 5 cellular enzymes for activation to their common 5'-triphosphate AT-9010, with an obligate order of reactions. AT-9010 selectively inhibits essential viral enzymes, accounting for antiviral potency. Functional and structural data at atomic resolution decipher N6-purine deamination compatible with its metabolic activation. Crystal structures of human histidine triad nucleotide binding protein 1, adenosine deaminase-like protein 1, guanylate kinase 1, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase at 2.09, 2.44, 1.76, and 1.9 Å resolution, respectively, with cognate precursors of AT-9010 illuminate the activation pathway from the orally available bemnifosbuvir to AT-9010, pointing to key drug-protein contacts along the activation pathway. Our work provides a framework to integrate the design of antiviral nucleotide analogues, confronting requirements and constraints associated with activation enzymes along the 5'-triphosphate assembly line.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR 7257, Marseille, France.