Viruses harness YxxØ motif to interact with host AP2M1 for replication: A vulnerable broad-spectrum antiviral target

Shuofeng Yuan, Hin Chu, Jingjing Huang, Xiaoyu Zhao, Zi Wei Ye, Pok Man Lai, Lei Wen, Jian Piao Cai, Yufei Mo, Jianli Cao, Ronghui Liang, Vincent Kwok-Man Poon, Kong Hung Sze, Jie Zhou, Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Zhiwei Chen, Honglin Chen, Dong Yan Jin, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kwok Yung Yuen

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47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Targeting a universal host protein exploited by most viruses would be a game-changing strategy that offers broad-spectrum solution and rapid pandemic control including the current COVID-19. Here, we found a common YxxØ-motif of multiple viruses that exploits host AP2M1 for intracellular trafficking. A library chemical, N-(p-amylcinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (ACA), was identified to interrupt AP2M1-virus interaction and exhibit potent antiviral efficacy against a number of viruses in vitro and in vivo, including the influenza A viruses (IAVs), Zika virus (ZIKV), human immunodeficiency virus, and coronaviruses including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. YxxØ mutation, AP2M1 depletion, or disruption by ACA causes incorrect localization of viral proteins, which is exemplified by the failure of nuclear import of IAV nucleoprotein and diminished endoplasmic reticulum localization of ZIKV-NS3 and enterovirus-A71-2C proteins, thereby suppressing viral replication. Our study reveals an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of protein-protein interaction between host and virus that can serve as a broad-spectrum antiviral target.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaba7910
JournalScience advances
Volume6
Issue number35
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2020
Externally publishedYes

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