Discovery of small molecule inhibitors against the NS3/4A serine protease of Hepatitis C virus genotype 3 via high-throughput virtual screening and in vitro evaluations
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) consists of eight genotypes and 90 subtypes, with genotype (GT) 3 being the second most common globally and is linked to higher incidences of steatosis and rapid development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The NS3/4A serine protease, a heterodimer complex of two HCV non-struct...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
Malaysian Society for Parasitology
2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.um.edu.my/36458/ |
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| Summary: | The hepatitis C virus (HCV) consists of eight genotypes and 90 subtypes, with genotype (GT) 3 being the second most common globally and is linked to higher incidences of steatosis and rapid development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The NS3/4A serine protease, a heterodimer complex of two HCV non-structural proteins, is an effective target for pharmaceutical intervention due to its essential roles in processing HCV polyproteins and inhibiting innate immunity. This study combines structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) of predefined compound libraries, pharmacokinetic prediction (ADME/T) and in vitro evaluation to identify potential low molecular weight (<500 Dalton) inhibitors of the NS3/4A serine protease (GT3). In silico screening of ZINC and PubChem libraries yielded five selected compounds as potential candidates. Dose-dependent inhibition of the NS3/4A serine protease and HCV replication in HuH-7.5 cells revealed that compound A (PubChem ID No. 16672637) exhibited inhibition towards HCV GT3 with an IC50 of 106.7 mu M and BC EC50 of 25.8 mu M, respectively. Thus, compound A may be developed as a potent, low molecular weight drug against the HCV NS3/4A serine protease of GT3. |
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