[PDF][PDF] A small-molecule oligosaccharyltransferase inhibitor with pan-flaviviral activity

AS Puschnik, CD Marceau, YS Ooi, K Majzoub, N Rinis… - Cell reports, 2017 - cell.com
Cell reports, 2017cell.com
The mosquito-borne flaviviruses include important human pathogens such as dengue, Zika,
West Nile, and yellow fever viruses, which pose a serious threat for global health. Recent
genetic screens identified endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-membrane multiprotein complexes,
including the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex, as critical flavivirus host factors.
Here, we show that a chemical modulator of the OST complex termed NGI-1 has promising
antiviral activity against flavivirus infections. We demonstrate that NGI-1 blocks viral RNA …
Summary
The mosquito-borne flaviviruses include important human pathogens such as dengue, Zika, West Nile, and yellow fever viruses, which pose a serious threat for global health. Recent genetic screens identified endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-membrane multiprotein complexes, including the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex, as critical flavivirus host factors. Here, we show that a chemical modulator of the OST complex termed NGI-1 has promising antiviral activity against flavivirus infections. We demonstrate that NGI-1 blocks viral RNA replication and that antiviral activity does not depend on inhibition of the N-glycosylation function of the OST. Viral mutants adapted to replicate in cells deficient of the OST complex showed resistance to NGI-1 treatment, reinforcing the on-target activity of NGI-1. Lastly, we show that NGI-1 also has strong antiviral activity in primary and disease-relevant cell types. This study provides an example for advancing from the identification of genetic determinants of infection to a host-directed antiviral compound with broad activity against flaviviruses.
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