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ID: ALA5214901
Journal: J Med Chem
Title: Halting the Spread of Herpes Simplex Virus-1: The Discovery of an Effective Dual αvβ6/αvβ8 Integrin Ligand.
Authors: Tomassi S, D'Amore VM, Di Leva FS, Vannini A, Quilici G, Weinmüller M, Reichart F, Amato J, Romano B, Izzo AA, Di Maro S, Novellino E, Musco G, Gianni T, Kessler H, Marinelli L.
Abstract: Over recent years, αvβ6 and αvβ8 Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) integrins have risen to prominence as interchangeable co-receptors for the cellular entry of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). In fact, the employment of subtype-specific integrin-neutralizing antibodies or gene-silencing siRNAs has emerged as a valuable strategy for impairing HSV infectivity. Here, we shift the focus to a more affordable pharmaceutical approach based on small RGD-containing cyclic pentapeptides. Starting from our recently developed αvβ6-preferential peptide [RGD-Chg-E]-CONH2 (1), a small library of N-methylated derivatives (2-6) was indeed synthesized in the attempt to increase its affinity toward αvβ8. Among the novel compounds, [RGD-Chg-(NMe)E]-CONH2 (6) turned out to be a potent αvβ6/αvβ8 binder and a promising inhibitor of HSV entry through an integrin-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, the renewed selectivity profile of 6 was fully rationalized by a NMR/molecular modeling combined approach, providing novel valuable hints for the design of RGD integrin ligands with the desired specificity profile.
CiteXplore: 33961417