Anti-Viral Drugs: New Study

 According to recent study from the University of Birmingham, a novel technique to fighting viruses by targeting the 'control center' in viral RNA might lead to broad range anti-viral medications and provide a first line of defense against future pandemics.

Researchers demonstrated how this strategy might be successful against the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic in a recent paper published in Angewandte Chemie. Earlier modeling and in vitro studies by the team, published in Chemical Science, also demonstrated efficacy against the HIV virus.

The study's co-lead author is Professor Mike Hannon of the University of Birmingham's School of Chemistry. "Although SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed at an unprecedented rate, there is still a 12-month wait for development and approval," he stated. Viral pandemics continue to be a major concern, thus broad-spectrum anti-virals are desperately needed to keep illnesses like coronaviruses at bay while effective treatments are produced."

 

The team's method employs cylindrically shaped molecules that may inhibit the operation of a specific region at one end of the RNA strand. These RNA segments, known as untranslated RNA, are critical for viral replication regulation. 

 

 Untranslated RNA has junction sites and bulges, which are basically tiny holes in the structure and are generally recognized by proteins or other RNA fragments - processes that are required for viral reproduction to occur. The cylindrical molecules are drawn to these holes, and once inside, the RNA closes around them, providing a perfect fit that interferes with the virus's ability to multiply.

 

"Our approach offers a very promising new route for anti-viral drug design," Professor Hannon explains. "While most drugs in development target the virus's proteins, we have discovered molecules capable of attacking the virus's most fundamental component - its RNA." Experiments and computer modeling have previously demonstrated that this is effective against SARS-CoV-2 and HIV viruses.

"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how important RNA biology is to understand molecular processes taking place in our cells, to find ways to suppress pathogens, and to make efficient and safe vaccines," said co-lead author Dr Pawel Grzechnik of the University of Birmingham's School of Biosciences. RNA is just now being known to the general public as a key therapeutic tool. At the University of Birmingham, we plan to continue our study and examine the antiviral characteristics of the cylinders."

 

"The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted the pressing need for the development of new antiviral treatments, particularly for RNA viruses," said Dr Zania Stamataki of the University of Birmingham's Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy and co-lead author. We offer cutting-edge confinement in Birmingham.

The researchers will continue to refine the cylindrical molecule's architecture in order to better its efficiency and control, as well as to completely understand how it functions within the virus before trying it in a model organism.

 

The Engineering and Physical Sciences study Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (both part of UK Research and Innovation), the Wellcome Trust, the Royal Society, the Medical Research Foundation, and the EU Marie Curie Fellowship scheme supported the study.

 Previous research on the cylindrical molecules, conducted by Professor Hannon, focused on discovering a means to regulate how the cylinder interacted with DNA and RNA.  This study yielded new chemicals with the potential to be turned into targeted therapies.