Inhibition of hepatitis C replicon RNA synthesis by beta-d-2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-2'-C-methylcytidine: a specific inhibitor of hepatitis C virus replication

Authors

L. J. Stuyver
T. R. McBrayer
P. M. Tharnish
J. Clark
L. Hollecker
S. Lostia
T. Nachman
J. Grier
M. A. Bennett
M-Y. Xie
R. F. Schinazi
John D. Morrey, Utah State UniversityFollow
Justin G. Julander, Utah State UniversityFollow
P. A. Furman
M. J. Otto

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy

Volume

17

Publication Date

2006

First Page

79

Last Page

87

Abstract

β-D-2′-Deoxy-2′-fluoro-2′-C-methylcytidine (PSI-6130) is a cytidine analogue with potent and selective anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity in the subgenomic HCV replicon assay, 90% effective concentration (EC₉₀)=4.6 +2.0 µM. The spectrum of activity and cytotoxicity profile of PSI-6130 was evaluated against a diverse panel of viruses and cell types, and against two additional HCV-1b replicons. The S282T mutation, which confers resistance to 2′-C-methyl adenosine and other 2′-methylated nucleosides, showed only a 6.5-fold increase in EC₉₀. When assayed for activity against bovine diarrhoea virus (BVDV), which is typically used as a surrogate assay to identify compounds active against HCV, PSI-6130 showed no anti-BVDV activity. Weak antiviral activity was noted against other flaviviruses, including West Nile virus, Dengue type 2, and yellow fever virus. These results indicate that PSI-6130 is a specific inhibitor of HCV. PSI-6130 showed little or no cytotoxicity against various cell types, including human peripheral blood mononuclear and human bone marrow progenitor cells. No mitochondrial toxicity was observed with PSI-6130. The reduced activity against the RdRp S282T mutant suggests that PSI-6130 is an inhibitor of replicon RNA synthesis. Finally, the no-effect dose for mice treated intraperitoneally with PSI-6130 for six consecutive days was ≥100 mg/kg per day.

Recommended Citation

Stuyver, L.J., T.R. McBrayer, P.M. Tharnish, J. Clark, L. Hollecker, S. Lostia, T. Nachman, J. Grier, M.A. Bennett, M.-Y. Xie, R.F. Sch 2006. Inhibition of hepatitis C replicon RNA synthesis by b-d-2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-2'-C-methylcytidine: a specific inhibitor of hepatitis C virus replication. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 17: 79-87.