A hepatitis C virus NS4B inhibitor suppresses viral genome replication by disrupting NS4B's dimerization/multimerization as well as its interaction with NS5A

Virus Genes. 2013 Dec;47(3):395-407. doi: 10.1007/s11262-013-0956-5. Epub 2013 Jul 19.

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is responsible for severe liver diseases including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. An HCV non-structural protein 4B (NS4B) plays an essential role in viral RNA genome replication by building multi-vesicular structures around endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Especially, the second amphipathic helix of NS4B (NS4B-AH2) was shown to be essential for this process. By screening compounds against a membrane-aggregating activity of NS4B-AH2, several anti-HCV replication small molecules targeting NS4B-AH2 were discovered. However, little is known about detailed molecular mechanism of action for these NS4B-AH2 inhibitors. In this report, we provide evidences that NS4B-AH2 is required for NS4B's dimerization/multimerization, its proper subcellular localization, as well as its interaction with NS5A. More importantly, one of NS4B-AH2 inhibitors called "anguizole" was found to be able to disrupt all of these NS4B-AH2-mediated biological functions of NS4B. This newly elucidated mechanism of action will enable us not only to better understand a central role of NS4B-AH2 in HCV life cycle but also to develop a more safe and effective new class of NS4B-AH2 inhibitors of HCV replication in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dimerization
  • Genome, Viral
  • Hepacivirus / chemistry
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / physiology*
  • Hepatitis C / virology*
  • Humans
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / chemistry*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • NS4B protein, flavivirus
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus