Biomaterial Database

An NS3 serine protease inhibitor abrogates replication of subgenomic hepatitis C virus RNA. 2003

Arnim Pause, and George Kukolj, and Murray Bailey, and Martine Brault, and Florence Dô, and Ted Halmos, and Lisette Lagacé, and Roger Maurice, and Martin Marquis, and Ginette McKercher, and Charles Pellerin, and Louise Pilote, and Diane Thibeault, and Daniel Lamarre

Department of Biological Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., Research and Development, Laval, Québec H7S 2G5, Canada.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease is essential for polyprotein maturation and viral propagation, and it has been proposed as a suitable target for antiviral drug discovery. An N-terminal hexapeptide cleavage product of a dodecapeptide substrate identified as a weak competitive inhibitor of the NS3 protease activity was optimized to a potent and highly specific inhibitor of the enzyme. The effect of this potent NS3 protease inhibitor was evaluated on replication of subgenomic HCV RNA and compared with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), which is currently used in the treatment of HCV-infected patients. Treatment of replicon-containing cells with the NS3 protease inhibitor or IFN-alpha showed a dose-dependent decrease in subgenomic HCV RNA that reached undetectable levels following a 14-day treatment. Kinetic studies in the presence of either NS3 protease inhibitor or IFN-alpha also revealed similar profiles in HCV RNA decay with half-lives of 11 and 14 h, respectively. The finding that an antiviral specifically targeting the NS3 protease activity inhibits HCV RNA replication further validates the NS3 enzyme as a prime target for drug discovery and supports the development of NS3 protease inhibitors as a novel therapeutic approach for HCV infection.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006526	Hepatitis C	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by HEPATITIS C VIRUS, a single-stranded RNA virus. Its incubation period is 30-90 days. Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily by contaminated blood parenterally and is often associated with transfusion and intravenous drug abuse. However, in a significant number of cases, the source of hepatitis C infection is unknown.	Hepatitis, Viral, Non-A, Non-B, Parenterally-Transmitted,Parenterally-Transmitted Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis,PT-NANBH,Parenterally Transmitted Non A, Non B Hepatitis
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000998	Antiviral Agents	Agents used in the prophylaxis or therapy of VIRUS DISEASES. Some of the ways they may act include preventing viral replication by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase; binding to specific cell-surface receptors and inhibiting viral penetration or uncoating; inhibiting viral protein synthesis; or blocking late stages of virus assembly.	Antiviral,Antiviral Agent,Antiviral Drug,Antivirals,Antiviral Drugs,Agent, Antiviral,Agents, Antiviral,Drug, Antiviral,Drugs, Antiviral
D012367	RNA, Viral	Ribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of viruses.	Viral RNA
D015842	Serine Proteinase Inhibitors	Exogenous or endogenous compounds which inhibit SERINE ENDOPEPTIDASES.	Serine Endopeptidase Inhibitor,Serine Endopeptidase Inhibitors,Serine Protease Inhibitor,Serine Protease Inhibitors,Serine Proteinase Antagonist,Serine Proteinase Antagonists,Serine Proteinase Inhibitor,Serine Proteinase Inhibitors, Endogenous,Serine Proteinase Inhibitors, Exogenous,Serine Protease Inhibitors, Endogenous,Serine Protease Inhibitors, Exogenous,Antagonist, Serine Proteinase,Endopeptidase Inhibitor, Serine,Inhibitor, Serine Endopeptidase,Inhibitor, Serine Protease,Inhibitor, Serine Proteinase,Protease Inhibitor, Serine,Proteinase Antagonist, Serine,Proteinase Inhibitor, Serine
D016174	Hepacivirus	A genus of FLAVIVIRIDAE causing parenterally-transmitted HEPATITIS C which is associated with transfusions and drug abuse. Hepatitis C virus is the type species.	Hepatitis C virus,Hepatitis C-Like Viruses,Hepaciviruses,Hepatitis C Like Viruses,Hepatitis C viruses,Hepatitis C-Like Virus
D016898	Interferon-alpha	One of the type I interferons produced by peripheral blood leukocytes or lymphoblastoid cells. In addition to antiviral activity, it activates NATURAL KILLER CELLS and B-LYMPHOCYTES, and down-regulates VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR expression through PI-3 KINASE and MAPK KINASES signaling pathways.	Interferon Alfa,Interferon, Leukocyte,Interferon, Lymphoblast,alpha-Interferon,IFN-alpha D,IFN-alpha5,Interferon alpha-1,Interferon alpha-17,Interferon alpha-4,Interferon alpha-5,Interferon alpha-7,Interferon alpha-88,Interferon alpha-J,Interferon alpha-T,Interferon alpha4,Interferon alpha5,Interferon, Lymphoblastoid,Interferon, alpha,LeIF I,LeIF J,Leif D,IFN alpha D,IFN alpha5,Interferon alpha,Interferon alpha 1,Interferon alpha 17,Interferon alpha 4,Interferon alpha 5,Interferon alpha 7,Interferon alpha 88,Interferon alpha J,Interferon alpha T,Leukocyte Interferon,Lymphoblast Interferon,Lymphoblastoid Interferon,alpha Interferon
D017361	Viral Nonstructural Proteins	Proteins encoded by a VIRAL GENOME that are not structural components of VIRUS PARTICLES. Some of these proteins may play roles within the infected cell during VIRUS REPLICATION or act in regulation of virus replication or VIRUS ASSEMBLY.	Nonstructural Proteins, Viral,NS Proteins, Viral,Viral NS Proteins,Viral Non-Structural Proteins,Viral Nonstructural Protein,Viral Nonstructural Proteins NS1,Viral Nonstructural Proteins NS2,Nonstructural Protein, Viral,Viral Non Structural Proteins