n-(4-(2-methoxyphenoxy)phenyl)-n-(2-2-2-trifluoroethylsulfonyl)pyrid-3-ylmethylamine and Disease-Models--Animal

When Zika virus emerged as a public health emergency there were no drugs or vaccines approved for its prevention or treatment. We used a high-throughput screen for Zika virus protease inhibitors to identify several inhibitors of Zika virus infection. We expressed the NS2B-NS3 Zika virus protease and conducted a biochemical screen for small-molecule inhibitors. A quantitative structure-activity relationship model was employed to virtually screen ∼138,000 compounds, which increased the identification of active compounds, while decreasing screening time and resources. Candidate inhibitors were validated in several viral infection assays. Small molecules with favorable clinical profiles, especially the five-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor, MK-591, inhibited the Zika virus protease and infection in neural stem cells. Members of the tetracycline family of antibiotics were more potent inhibitors of Zika virus infection than the protease, suggesting they may have multiple mechanisms of action. The most potent tetracycline, methacycline, reduced the amount of Zika virus present in the brain and the severity of Zika virus-induced motor deficits in an immunocompetent mouse model. As Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs, the tetracyclines could be quickly translated to the clinic. The compounds identified through our screening paradigm have the potential to be used as prophylactics for patients traveling to endemic regions or for the treatment of the neurological complications of Zika virus infection.

Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Artificial Intelligence; Chlorocebus aethiops; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Immunocompetence; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Methacycline; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Protease Inhibitors; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship; Small Molecule Libraries; Vero Cells; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection

Earlier studies have demonstrated that the agonists of the mGlu(2/3) receptors produced anxiolytic actions after peripheral administration. However, the mechanism of their action is still not clear. Therefore the aim of the present study was to specify the role of the GABAergic and serotonergic system in the mechanism of the anxiolytic activity of group II mGlu receptor activators by using the stress induced hyperthermia test (SIH) in singly housed mice. We used an orthosteric mGlu(2/3) receptor agonist, LY379268, which induced anti-hyperthermic efficacy in the doses of 1-5mg/kg (73% of inhibition after a highest dose). The effect of the second ligand used, a mGlu(2) receptor positive modulator (PAM), LY487379, was observed in a dose range of 0.5-5mg/kg and reached 53% of the inhibition. The blockade of GABAergic system by GABA(A) receptor antagonist flumazenil (10mg/kg) or GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP55845 (10mg/kg), and the blockade of serotonergic system by 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist WAY100635 (0.1 and 1mg/kg) or 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonist ritanserin (0.5mg/kg) had no influence on the anti-hyperthermic effect induced by effective dose of LY379268. However, the action of the effective dose of LY487379 was enhanced when co-administered with flumazenil, WAY100635 (0.1mg/kg) and ritanserin. Similar results were observed for the subeffective dose of LY379268 (0.5mg/kg). WAY100635 in a dose of 1mg/kg did not induce any enhancing effect on the activity of compounds. Therefore, it seems that the antagonism towards GABA(A) receptors, presynaptic 5-HT(1A) and postsynaptic 5-HT(2A/2C) receptors is responsible for the phenomenon. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Anxiety and Depression'.

Topics: Amino Acids; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; Fever; Flumazenil; GABA Antagonists; GABA Modulators; Male; Mice; Phosphinic Acids; Piperazines; Propanolamines; Pyridines; Receptors, AMPA; Ritanserin; Serotonin Antagonists; Social Isolation; Stress, Psychological; Sulfonamides