Isocotoin suppresses hepatitis E virus replication through inhibition of heat shock protein 90

Ila Nimgaonkar, Nicholas F. Archer, Isabelle Becher, Mohammad Shahrad, Robert A. LeDesma, André Mateus, Javier Caballero-Gómez, Andrew R. Berneshawi, Qiang Ding, Florian Douam, Jenna M. Gaska, Mikhail M. Savitski, Hahn Kim, Alexander Ploss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes 14 million infections and 60,000 deaths per year globally, with immunocompromised persons and pregnant women experiencing severe symptoms. Although ribavirin can be used to treat chronic hepatitis E, toxicity in pregnant patients and the emergence of resistant strains are major concerns. Therefore there is an imminent need for effective HEV antiviral agents. The aims of this study were to develop a drug screening platform and to discover novel approaches to targeting steps within the viral life cycle. We developed a screening platform for molecules inhibiting HEV replication and selected a candidate, isocotoin. Isocotoin inhibits HEV replication through interference with heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), a host factor not previously known to be involved in HEV replication. Additional work is required to understand the compound's translational potential, however this suggests that HSP90-modulating molecules, which are in clinical development as anti-cancer agents, may be promising therapies against HEV.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number104997
JournalAntiviral Research
Volume185
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmacology
  • Virology

Keywords

  • Antiviral drugs
  • Hepatitis E
  • Hepatitis E virus
  • Host factor
  • Virus replication

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