Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Idrissa Diallo, Zeinab Husseini, Sara Guellal, Elodie Vion, Jeffrey Ho, Robert A. Kozak, Gary P. Kobinger, Patrick Provost
Summary: This study characterized the miRNA transcriptome of human liver cells infected with different variants of Ebola virus and identified two viral miRNAs, miR-MAY-251 and miR-MAK-403. These miRNAs have potential regulatory effects on host genes involved in the hemorrhagic phenotype, regulation of viral replication, and modulation of host immune defense.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yiren Yang, Pengyu Liu, Mingyang Zhou, Linzhou Yin, Miao Wang, Ting Liu, Xiaowen Jiang, Huiyuan Gao
Summary: This review focuses on the current status and strategies of small molecule drugs for colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy. Despite the challenges posed by CRC's genetic susceptibility and molecular heterogeneity, new approaches such as dual/multiple-target drugs, drug repurposing, and combination therapies provide insights for improving CRC treatment in the future.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2024)
Review
Immunology
Sumira Malik, Shristi Kishore, Sagnik Nag, Archna Dhasmana, Subham Preetam, Oishi Mitra, Darwin A. Leon-Figueroa, Aroop Mohanty, Vijay Kumar Chattu, Marjan Assefi, Bijaya K. Padhi, Ranjit Sah
Summary: The global outbreaks of Ebola virus disease in Sudan, Uganda, and Western Africa highlight the limitations of pre-designed vaccines for battling EVD, emphasizing the urgent need for a systematic protocol to produce Ebola vaccines prior to outbreaks. Various vaccines, including virus-like particle-based vaccines and DNA-based vaccines, are currently being developed through preclinical and human-based clinical trials. The challenges in developing Ebola vaccines include selecting immunogenic, rapid-responsive, and cross-protective vaccines that provide prolonged protection. Manufacturing and distribution of vaccines also require post authorization, licensing, and surveillance to ensure efficacy against Ebola outbreaks.
Article
Virology
Lauren Garnett, Kaylie N. Tran, Zachary Schiffman, Kristina A. Muise, Quinn E. Fletcher, Yvonne A. Dzal, Anders Leung, Alix Albietz, Bryce M. Warner, Bryan D. Griffin, Darwyn Kobasa, Craig K. R. Willis, James E. Strong
Summary: This study reveals that adipose tissue may serve as a previously overlooked tissue supporting Ebola virus infection and suggests that the metabolism of this tissue may play a role in pathogenesis, viral transmission, and/or zoonotic spillover events.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hyeon Jin Kim, Mi Suk Jeong, Se Bok Jang
Summary: The influenza virus causes significant human morbidity and mortality worldwide. Developing new anti-influenza drugs is urgently needed, with small molecules targeting NS1 being identified as a potential pathway for drug development. NS1 plays a crucial role in host antiviral responses, making it a key target for new therapeutic interventions against the virus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hongyu Li, Qiong Zhang, Qinglan Feng, Qidong You, Xiaoke Guo
Summary: In mammals, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common and conserved mRNA modification, and METTL3 is the primary regulator of this modification. Small molecules targeting METTL3 have potential as therapeutics for various diseases, especially cancer. This review provides a systematic overview of the discovery and future development of small molecules targeting METTL3 for researchers in this field.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yi-Han Xu, Wei-Ming Zhu, Zhen Guo
Summary: Treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease are evolving with the development of biologics and small molecule drugs. However, not all patients respond to these drugs, leading to a need for optimizing their use and predicting therapeutic responses. The development of new drugs with novel mechanisms is urgently needed, as is the exploration of combination therapies to enhance treatment efficacy.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mona Ahmed Samy, Nada Mohamady Abd El Fatah, Safa Elsayed Yahia, Reem K. Arafa
Summary: As cancer remains a leading cause of mortality, various treatment options are being explored, with focus shifting to potential drug targets within the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Within this system, UCHL3, a member of the UCH protease family, is emerging as a therapeutic target due to its significant role in tumorigenesis.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Leilei Fu, Wenke Jin, Jiahui Zhang, Lingjuan Zhu, Jia Lu, Yongqi Zhen, Lan Zhang, Liang Ouyang, Bo Liu, Haiyang Yu
Summary: Drug repurposing refers to the use of a drug for treating diseases other than its original indication. Repurposing non-oncology drugs has become an attractive approach in improving cancer therapy, with potential cost and time advantages. This review focuses on summarizing the therapeutic potential of non-oncology drugs in human cancers and discussing their novel targets and signaling pathways.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mila Collados Rodriguez, Patrick Maillard, Alexandra Journeaux, Anastassia V. Komarova, Valerie Najburg, Raul-Yusef Sanchez David, Olivier Helynck, Mingzhe Guo, Jin Zhong, Sylvain Baize, Frederic Tangy, Yves Jacob, Helene Munier-Lehmann, Eliane F. Meurs
Summary: Researchers have identified two compounds that can inhibit infection by Ebola virus and measles virus. These compounds exert antiviral effects by restoring intrinsic immunity. Further testing on other species and negative-sense RNA viruses is needed to evaluate their effectiveness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Huihui Yang, Weiwei Yao, Jinfei Yang
Summary: Like tuberculosis and AIDS, hepatitis B is a globally recognized major public health threat. There are currently no approved drugs that can eradicate the pathogenic DNA in patients, leading to the need for long-term medication to control HBV amplification. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus, the development of anti-HBV small molecule drugs, and highlights the role of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. It also proposes potential strategies for cccDNA eradication in the future, providing meaningful guidance for achieving a functional cure for viral hepatitis B.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Ching-Hsuan Liu, Yee-Tung Hu, Shu Hui Wong, Liang-Tzung Lin
Summary: Since the 2014-2016 epidemic, Ebola virus has become a major threat to global health. Despite the approval of several anti-Ebola vaccines and therapeutics, the high fatality rate highlights the need for continuous development of antiviral strategies.
Review
Physiology
Dan Liu, Xingxing Li, Lin Zhang, Bin Hu, Sang Hu, Xiao Zhang, Jing Hu
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease that mainly damages articular cartilage, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. The treatment options are limited and the common drugs have frequent and serious adverse reactions. The development of safer and more effective anti-osteoarthritis drugs is essential and urgent. This review summarizes recent advances in pharmacological treatment, focusing on inhibitors targeting cartilage remodeling and optimizing the dosage form of traditional drugs to reduce adverse effects.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Lisa Schlicher, Luke G. Green, Andrea Romagnani, Florian Renner
Summary: In recent years, the concept of using small molecules to interfere with negative regulators of anti-tumor immune responses has emerged. Some negative regulators have been validated as promising targets, and clinical trials with small molecule inhibitors are underway. Inhibitory immunomodulation and intratumoral immunosuppressive signals have also received attention.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mamta Singh, Rajat Gupta, Lucia Comez, Alessandro Paciaroni, Reshma Rani, Vinit Kumar
Summary: This review discusses the structural aspects, binding affinity, selectivity, and biological activity of well-characterized BCL2 G4 binding ligands in vitro and in vivo, as well as explores future directions in the research and development of G4-based anticancer therapeutics.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Abhishek N. Prasad, Adam J. Ronk, Steven G. Widen, Thomas G. Wood, Christopher F. Basler, Alexander Bukreyev
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Megan R. Edwards, Gai Liu, Sampriti De, Julien Sourimant, Colette Pietzsch, Britney Johnson, Gaya K. Amarasinghe, Daisy W. Leung, Alexander Bukreyev, Richard K. Plemper, Zachary Aron, Terry L. Bowlin, Donald T. Moir, Christopher F. Basler
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Priya Luthra, Manu Anantpadma, Sampriti De, Julien Sourimant, Robert A. Davey, Richard K. Plemper, Christopher F. Basler
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Virology
Amanda Pinski, Courtney Woolsey, Allen Jankeel, Robert Cross, Christopher F. Basler, Thomas Geisbert, Ilhem Messaoudi
Summary: Infection with Zaire ebolavirus causes a severe disease characterized by high levels of viremia, inflammation, coagulopathy, and lymphopenia. The viral protein VP35 plays a critical role in immune evasion. Research shows that infection with a mutant VP35 strain results in distinct transcriptional responses compared to wild-type EBOV infection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Timothy R. Keiffer, Michael J. Ciancanelli, Megan R. Edwards, Christopher F. Basler
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jingjing Pei, Nicole D. Wagner, Angela J. Zou, Srirupa Chatterjee, Dominika Borek, Aidan R. Cole, Preston J. Kim, Christopher F. Basler, Zbyszek Otwinowski, Michael L. Gross, Gaya K. Amarasinghe, Daisy W. Leung
Summary: The nonstructural protein NS2 of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) inhibits host interferon responses by targeting early steps in the IFN-signaling pathway. NS2 directly interacts with inactive RIG-I and MDA5, preventing RLR ubiquitination and modulating host responses. The N terminus of NS2 is essential for binding to RIG-I and mutations in this region result in increased levels of IFN beta mRNA.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Virology
Alexander S. Jureka, Caroline G. Williams, Christopher E. Basler
Summary: The study demonstrates that broad-spectrum, pulsed UV light is an effective technology for inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces. The UV dose needed for inactivation varies on different surfaces.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Joyce Sweeney Gibbons, Sudip Khadka, Caroline G. Williams, Lin Wang, Stewart W. Schneller, Chong Liu, JoAnn M. Tufariello, Christopher F. Basler
Summary: 3-deazaneplanocin A (DzNep) and its 3-brominated analogs inhibit replication of several RNA viruses by targeting viral methyltransferases, impairing translation of viral transcripts. The compounds exhibit antiviral activity in nanomolar concentrations, with some enantiomers showing reduced inhibition of the target enzyme. A CL123-resistant mutant of VSV exhibited cross-resistance to neplanocin analogs, suggesting a common mechanism of action involving impairment of viral mRNA cap methylation.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Naglaa Salem El-Sayed, Alexander S. Jureka, Megan R. Edwards, Sandeep Lohan, Caroline G. Williams, Patrick T. Keiser, Robert A. Davey, Jennifer Totonchy, Rakesh K. Tiwari, Christopher F. Basler, Keykavous Parang
Summary: This study describes the synthesis, purification, and characterization of mono- and di-fatty acyl conjugates of remdesivir (RDV) and their antiviral activity. Mono-fatty acyl conjugates showed weaker activity compared to RDV, but fatty acylation could improve the half-life and antiviral activity of RDV.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Sudip Khadka, Caroline G. Williams, Joyce Sweeney-Gibbons, Christopher F. Basler
Summary: The study shows that MARV and EBOV 3' UTRs can modulate translation, sometimes negatively. Editing by ADAR1 or deletion of specific regions within the translation suppressing 3' UTRs can alleviate their negative effects. These findings suggest that filovirus 3' UTRs contain translation regulatory elements modulated by ADAR1 activation, indicating a complex interplay between filovirus gene expression and innate immunity.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Megan R. Edwards, Olivia A. Vogel, Hiroyuki Mori, Robert A. Davey, Christopher F. Basler
Summary: This study investigates the role of VP30 in Marburg virus transcription. It demonstrates that VP30 is essential for the transcription reinitiation at the GP gene start site, resulting in the loss of expression of GP and downstream genes when VP30 is absent. The study also identifies a region at the GP gene start site and a zinc binding motif in VP30 as critical factors for transcription reinitiation. These findings enhance our understanding of Marburg virus gene expression regulation.
Article
Virology
Anitha D. D. Jayaprakash, Adam J. J. Ronk, Abhishek N. N. Prasad, Michael F. F. Covington, Kathryn R. R. Stein, Toni M. M. Schwarz, Saboor Hekmaty, Karla A. A. Fenton, Thomas W. W. Geisbert, Christopher F. F. Basler, Alexander Bukreyev, Ravi Sachidanandam
Summary: Filoviruses cause severe diseases in humans and nonhuman primates but have subclinical effects in bats. By infecting Egyptian rousette bats with Marburg and Ebola viruses, researchers identified various immune responses and pathways involved in bat resistance to these viruses, providing insights for the development of new strategies to treat and mitigate the diseases caused by these viruses in humans.
Article
Virology
Palaniappan Ramanathan, Bersabeh Tigabu, Rodrigo I. Santos, Philipp A. Ilinykh, Natalia Kuzmina, Olivia A. Vogel, Naveen Thakur, Hamza Ahmed, Chao Wu, Gaya K. Amarasinghe, Christopher F. Basler, Alexander Bukreyev
Summary: Members of the Ebolavirus genus exhibit varying levels of pathogenicity in humans, with Ebola (EBOV) being the most pathogenic, Bundibugyo (BDBV) less pathogenic, and Reston (RESTV) not known to cause disease. The VP24 protein encoded by these viruses plays a role in blocking the immune response, contributing to virulence. By studying the interaction between VP24 and host proteins, researchers found that modifying the interface between EBOV VP24 and host karyopherin alpha can attenuate its ability to antagonize the immune response. This study highlights the importance of VP24 in the pathogenicity of Ebolaviruses.
Article
Virology
Camilla M. Donnelly, Olivia A. Vogel, Megan R. Edwards, Paige E. Taylor, Justin A. Roby, Jade K. Forwood, Christopher F. Basler
Summary: Nipah and Hendra viruses are highly pathogenic viruses that cause severe respiratory disease and encephalitis. This study investigates the interaction between viral proteins and cellular structures to gain a better understanding of viral transmission and develop potential therapeutics.
Review
Immunology
Yonatan K. Sapadin, Elazar Mermelstein, Robert G. Phelps, Christopher F. Basler, JoAnn M. Tufariello, Mark G. Lebwohl
Summary: Lichen planus is a distinct mucocutaneous disease with established criteria. Lichenoid eruptions are similar and can be indistinguishable. COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with lichenoid eruptions and reactions. This study reviews existing literature and presents a case series of vaccine-induced lichenoid eruptions, highlighting the rare Blaschkoid distribution and its association with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
