Virucidal effect of sodium p-chloromercuribenzoate on influenza viruses attributable to inhibition of virus particle-associated RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Sodium p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB) caused a noticeable reduction of infectivity of prototype strains of type A and Lee strain of type B influenza viruses at concentrations of 100 and 200 mug/ml, respectively, after an incubation at 37 C for 60 min. The virucidal effect on A/AA/2/60 (H2N2) strain was dependent on the concentration of the drug and temperature as well as on the time of incubation. The reagent exerted this effect at a concentration which induced little change in the hemagglutinating and neuraminidase activities of the virus. PCMB inhibited by 50% the virus particle-associated RNA polymerase activity of all prototype strains of type A influenza virus at about 2 mug/ml and that of Lee strain of type B influenza virus at 8.5 mug/ml. Other sulfhydryl reagent such as phenylmercuric nitrate also exhibited virucidal effect on A/AA/2/60 virus which paralleled their inhibition of the virus particle-associated RNA polymerase activity. From these results it was considered likely that the virucidal action of PCMB on influenza viruses was attributable to inhibition of the virus particle-associated RNA polymerase activity.     

Vaccinia virus RNA polymerase associated with nuclei of infected HeLa cells.

Though vaccinia virus DNA and RNA replication take place predominantly in the cytoplasm of an infected cell, virus formation requires the presence of a functional nucleus in a yet undefined manner. When the nuclei from cells infected for 3 h are isolated and purified, they are found to synthesize five times more RNA in vitro than do corresponding nuclei from noninfected cells. Fifty percent of the RNA synthesized in vitro by nuclei from infected cells is vaccinia specific, and this vaccinia RNA synthesis is resistant to alpha-amanitin concentrations up to 100 micrograms/ml. Furthermore, when the RNA polymerase activities of these nuclei are separated on DEAE-Sephadex columns, 56% of the total nuclear enzyme activity is found to be the vaccinia-specific RNA polymerase known to be alpha-amanitin resistant. The nucleus associated vaccinia RNA polymerase represents 18% of the total cellular vaccinia RNA polymerase. This synthesis of vaccinia RNA in the nucleus may explain the nuclear requirement for vaccinia virus maturation.     

Inhibition of yeast ribonucleic acid polymerases by thiolutin

Yeast ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase II, isolated after fractionation on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose (DE-52) or on DEAE-Sephadex (A-25), is 50% inhibited by 1.5 mug of alpha-amanitin. This inhibition is independent of the sequence of interaction of enzyme, template, nucleotides, and antibiotic and is expressed immediately on addition of alpha-amanitin to a preparation actively synthesizing RNA. Thus, alpha-amanitin's primary effect is inhibition of elongation of preinitiated RNA sequences in this system, as in others. A single peak of alpha-amanitin-resistant RNA polymerase activity (I) was eluted before enzyme II on either column. On A-25 but not on DE-52, a third peak of activity (III) was eluted after enzyme II. This activity was also resistant to alpha-amanitin. Enzymes I, II, and III were 50% inhibited by 3, 4, and 3 mug of thiolutin per ml, respectively. The extent of inhibition was independent of the nature of the template (native or denatured salmon sperm deoxyribonucleic acid or poly(dA-dT) or of the presence of 0.4 mM dithiothreitol, but this marked inhibition was only seen when enzymes were preincubated with thiolutin in the absence of template. Template protected the enzymes against thiolutin in the absence of nucleotides. Either the sensitive site on the polymerase is only accessible to thiolutin before interaction with template or thiolutin inhibits functional polymerase-template interaction but not elongation of preinitiated RNA chains.     

Influence of Macromolecular Biosynthesis on Cellular Autolysis in Streptococcus faecalis

The addition of several different antibiotics to growing cultures of Streptococcus faecalis, ATCC 9790, was found to inhibit autolysis of cells in sodium phosphate buffer. When added to exponential-phase cultures, mitomycin C (0.4 mug/ml) or phenethyl alcohol (3 mg/ml) inhibited deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, but did not appreciably affect the rate of cellular autolysis. Addition of chloramphenicol (10 mug/ml), tetracycline (0.5 mug/ml), puromycin (25 mug/ml), or 5-azacytidine (5 mug/ml) to exponential-phase cultures inhibited protein synthesis and profoundly decreased the rate of cellular autolysis. Actinomycin D (0.075 mug/ml) and rifampin (0.01 mug/ml), both inhibitors of ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis, also reduced the rate of cellular autolysis. However, the inhibitory effect of actinomycin D and rifampin on cellular autolysis was more closely correlated with their concomitant secondary inhibition of protein synthesis than with the more severe inhibition of RNA synthesis. The dose-dependent inhibition of protein synthesis by 5-azacytidine was quickly diluted out of a growing culture. Reversal of inhibition was accompanied by a disproportionately rapid increase in the ability of cells to autolyze. Thus, inhibition of the ability of cells to autolyze can be most closely related to inhibition of protein synthesis. Furthermore, the rapidity of the response of cellular autolysis to inhibitors of protein synthesis suggests that regulation is exerted at the level of autolytic enzyme activity and not enzyme synthesis.     

Non-nucleoside inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus NS5B RNA-dependant RNA polymerase: 2-aryl-3-heteroaryl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B RNA polymerase is crucial for replicating the HCV RNA genome and is an attractive target for developing anti-HCV drugs. A novel series of 2,3-diaryl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives were evaluated for their ability to inhibit HCV NS5B. Of this series, compounds 4c, 5b, 5c and 6 emerged as more potent, displaying over 95% inhibition of NS5B RNA polymerase activity in vitro. The two most active compounds 4c and 5c exhibited an IC(50) of 31.9 microM and 32.2 microM, respectively, against HCV NS5B.     

Synthesis of Ribonucleic Acid in Cells Infected with LSc Poliovirus at Elevated Temperatures

The synthesis of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was detected within 2 hr after infection with LSc poliovirus at 35 C. This RNA eluted as a single peak with 0.9 m NaCl on methylated albumin celite columns, was sensitive to ribonuclease, precipitated in the presence of 2 m LiCl, and had an S(20) value at 34 +/- 2 in linear sucrose gradients. When cells were infected at 39 to 40 C, there was also early synthesis of RNA. However, 2 hr after infection this synthesis was drastically inhibited. The absence of net RNA synthesis at 39 to 40 C during the late stages of infection was not caused by rapid degradation of newly formed RNA, since the RNA produced between 1 and 2 hr at 39 to 40 C was still present 3.5 hr after infection. There was a 3 log(10) inhibition in the production of infectious virus when p-fluorophenylalanine was present in the medium at a concentration of 25 mug/ml. This concentration of analogue had little effect upon the production of viral polymerase and viral RNA. Virus grown in the presence of analogue at a concentration of 10 mug/ml exhibited increased heat sensitivity compared to control virus. However, viral polymerase exhibited no change in sensitivity to heat or manganese when cells were exposed to 25 mug of p-fluorophenylalanine per ml during infection. p-Fluorophenylalanine had a relatively selective effect on viral capsid protein but did not reverse the inhibition of synthesis of viral RNA at 39 to 40 C.     

A novel, highly selective inhibitor of pestivirus replication that targets the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

We report on the highly potent and selective antipestivirus activity of 5-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-2-phenyl-5H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine (BPIP). The 50% effective concentration (EC50) for inhibition of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-induced cytopathic effect formation was 0.04 +/- 0.01 microM. Comparable reduction of viral RNA synthesis (EC50 = 0.12 +/- 0.02 microM) and production of infectious virus (EC50= 0.074 +/- 0.003 microM) were observed. The selectivity index (ratio of 50% cytostatic concentration/EC50) of BPIP was approximately 2,000. BPIP was inactive against the hepatitis C virus subgenomic replicon and yellow fever virus but demonstrated weak activity against GB virus. Drug-resistant mutants were at least 300-fold less susceptible to BPIP than wild-type virus; showed cross-resistance to N-propyl-N-[2-(2H-1,2,4-triazino[5,6-b]indol-3-ylthio)ethyl]-1-propanamine (VP32947), and carried the F224S mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). When the F224S mutation was introduced into an infectious clone, the drug-resistant phenotype was obtained. BPIP did not inhibit the in vitro activity of recombinant BVDV RdRp, but did inhibit the activity of replication complexes (RCs). Computational docking revealed that F224 is located at the top of the finger domain of the polymerase. Docking of BPIP in the crystal structure of the BVDV RdRp revealed aromatic ring stacking, some hydrophobic contacts, and a hydrogen bond. Since two structurally unrelated compounds, i.e., BPIP and VP32947, target the same region of the BVDV RdRp, this position may be expected to be critical in the functioning of the polymerase or assembly of the RC. The potential of BPIP for the treatment of pestivirus and hepacivirus infections is discussed.     

Transcription of specific genes in isolated nuclei from HeLa cells in vitro.

Isolated HeLa cell nuclei were employed to catalyze the synthesis of RNA in vitro. In the presence of low concentrations of alpha-amanitin (1 mug/ml), used to suppress the formation heterogeneous nRNA, these nuclei synthesize RNA very efficiently for extended periods of time (at least 60 min) at an elongation rate of about seven nucleotides per second. The product, analyzed on sucrose density gradients and polyacrylamide gels was found to exist of two predominant size classes. Synthesis of the 45-S ribosomal precursor was completely resistant even to high concentrations of alpha-amanitin (150 mug/ml) and hence was catalyzed by enzyme A (or I). A limited degree of processing of the 45-S precursor occurred in vitro. In addition, a second RNA class of low molecular weight (4-8 S) was synthesized by HeLa cell nuclei in the presence of 1 mug/ml alpha-amanitin in vitro. Analysis on 8% polyacrylamide gels resolved the RNA into four distinct components. Their synthesis was resistant to low (1 mug/ml) but clearly sensitive to high (150 mug/ml) concentrations of alpha-amanitin. Consequently the synthesis of all these small-molecular-weight RNA species is catalyzed by RNA polymerase C (or III). For the assessment of the initiation frequency of the individual classes of RNA, a new technique was developed independent of labelling the 5' end of the RNA molecule with the gamma-phosphate of the initiating nucleotide. It employs the double labelling of an RNA molecule with two different isotopes added sequentially at different stages of completion of the chain. From the incorporation ratio of the two isotopes into a particular class of RNA, conclusions can be drawn concerning their initiation frequency. The results obtained have shown a high reinitiation frequency for the small-molecular-weight RNA species at all stages of the incubation reaction. In contrast, reinitiation of the 45-S precursor RNA occurs only to a limited extent in isolated HeLa cell nuclei in vitro.     

DNA-directed RNA polymerase from HeLa cells. Isolation, characterization and cell-cycle distribution of three enzymes.

DNA-directed RNA polymerase was solubilized from total HeLa cells. Three distinct classes of the enzyme could be clearly differentiated by their sensitivity toward alpha-amanitin. While form A is completely resistant to high concentrations (133 mug/ml) of this toxin, enzyme B is highly sensitive and is completely inhibited by concentrations of 0.1 mug/ml. In contrast, RNA polymerase C shows an intermediate behaviour (50% inhibition at 30% mug/ml). Separation of the three individual enzymes was achieved by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose (to separate enzyme B from A and C) and DEAE-Sephadex (to separate polymerase A from C). All three RNA polymerases were subsequently purified by phosphocellulose chromatography followed by sedimentation through glycerol gradients. Analysis of the purified enzymes by gel electrophoresis under denaturating conditions showed that the A enzyme consists of five subunits with molecular weights of 185, 128, 65, 41 and 32 X 10(3). In contrast, polymerase B is composed of seven subunits in variable stoichiometry with molecular weights of 215, 175, 145, 123, 68, 43 and 31 X 10(3) respectively. The subunit structure of enzyme C is not entirely clear at present and remains to be established. In addition, RNA polymerase activities were solubilized from mitotic and middle-S phase cells in comparison to controls. With respect to amounts and/or activities of all three RNA polymerases A,B and C no significant differences were detectable between logarithmically growing, mitotic and middle-S phase cells.     

Identification of a pyridopyrimidinone inhibitor of orthopoxviruses from a diversity-oriented synthesis library

Orthopoxviruses include the prototypical vaccinia virus, the emerging infectious agent monkeypox virus, and the potential biothreat variola virus (the causative agent of smallpox). There is currently no FDA-approved drug for humans infected with orthopoxviruses. We screened a diversity-oriented synthesis library for new scaffolds with activity against vaccinia virus. This screen identified a nonnucleoside analog that blocked postreplicative intermediate and late gene expression. Viral genome replication was unaffected, and inhibition could be elicited late in infection and persisted upon drug removal. Sequencing of drug-resistant viruses revealed mutations predicted to be on the periphery of the highly conserved viral RNA polymerase large subunit. Consistent with this, the compound had broad-spectrum activity against orthopoxviruses in vitro. These findings indicate that novel chemical synthesis approaches are a potential source for new infectious disease therapeutics and identify a potentially promising candidate for development to treat orthopoxvirus-infected individuals.     

Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation of adrenal RNA polymerase I and III activities. Nucleotide incorporation into internal positions and 3' chain termini.

In the presence of 50 mM (NH4)2SO4 and low concentrations of alpha-amanitin (7.7 mug/ml), adrenal nuclei synthesize predominately rRNA as characterized by size and base composition. Approximately 10% of the RNA synthesized under these conditions sediments at 4-5 S; this RNA synthesizing activity is inhibited by high concentrations of alpha-amanitin (231 mug/ml) indicating the presence of RNA polymerase III activity. ACTH administration to guinea pigs results in a twofold increase in adrenal nuclear RNA polymerase I and III activities at 14 hr of hormone treatment. Analysis of the amount of radiolabeled nucleoside triphosphate incorporated in vitro into 3' chain termini and into internal nucleotide positions has been utilized to measure the number of RNA chains and the average chain length synthesized in vitro. Incorporation into 3' chain termini is not changed by ACTH; incorporation into internal nucleotides is doubled in parallel with the increase in RNA polymerase I activity. These results are not due to an altered Km of RNA polymerase I for the four nucleoside triphosphates, nor to differential R Nase or phosphatase activity. These studies suggest that the regulation of RNA polymerase I by ACTH is accomplished in part through an increase in the rate of RNA chain elongation.     

Genetic evidence for vaccinia virus-encoded DNA polymerase: isolation of phosphonoacetate-resistant enzyme from the cytoplasm of cells infected with mutant virus.

Phosphonoacetate (PAA), at concentrations of 200 micrograms/ml or more, prevented growth of vaccinia virus in HeLa and BSC-1 cells. Spontaneous vaccinia virus mutants, selected at high PAA levels, were resistant to the antiviral effects of the drug. The action of PAA was directed toward an early viral function, since the drug was inhibitory only during the first 4 h of the approximately 15-h growth cycle. Conversely, significant reversal of the antiviral effects was obtained only when the drug was removed at or before the fourth hour of infection. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine into cytoplasmic viral DNA was severely inhibited in cells infected with wild-type virus but not in cells infected with mutant virus. Virus-induced DNA polymerase isolated from the cytoplasm of cells infected with wild-type or mutant virus had indistinguishable chromatographic properties on DEAE-cellulose and phosphocellulose columns. However, the wild-type enzyme was inhibited by relatively low concentrations of PAA, whereas 10-fold higher concentrations were needed for equivalent inhibition of the mutant enzyme. Kinetic analysis indicated that PAA inhibition was noncompetitive with deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates; Ki values for wild-type and mutant DNA polymerases were approximately 25 and 300 microM, respectively. Inhibition of wild-type DNA polymerase was immediate and complete even when PAA was added after initiation of DNA synthesis in vitro, suggesting that chain elongation was affected. These results established that the DNA polymerase is a target of the antiviral action of PAA and provided genetic evidence that this enzyme is virus encoded.     

Antiviral Activity of Carbobenzoxy Di- and Tripeptides on Measles Virus

A series of simple carbobenzoxy peptides showed high and consistent antiviral chemotherapeutic activity in cell culture. In general, greatest activity was found against the measles-distemper or herpesvirus groups, or both, but various representatives of the series had quantitatively and qualitatively different antiviral activities. Several of the compounds, showing the highest antimeasles activity, were investigated extensively. In human cell culture plaque assays, these compounds were active against measles virus at levels of from 15 to 500 mug/ml. At single doses of about 250 to 500 mg/kg, orally in three animal species, significant serum levels of drugs were detected in virus cell culture assays. The mode of action appeared to be therapeutic, as an effect was seen in cell systems infected for at least 24 hr before treatment.