Insights into the role of the cobalt(III)-thiosemicarbazone complex as a potential inhibitor of the Chikungunya virus nsP4

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Martins, Daniel Oliveira Silva ; Souza, Rafael Aparecido Carvalho ; Freire, Marjorie Caroline Liberato Cavalcanti ; de Moraes Roso Mesquita, Nathalya Cristina ; Santos, Igor Andrade ; de Oliveira, Debora Moraes ; Nicolau Junior, Nilson ; de Paiva, Raphael Enoque Ferraz ; Harris, Mark ; Oliveira, Carolina Goncalves ; Oliva, Glaucius ; Jardim, Ana Carolina Gomes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY; v. 28, n. 1, p. 15-pg., 2022-12-09.

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the causative agent of chikungunya fever, a disease that can result in disability. Until now, there is no antiviral treatment against CHIKV, demonstrating that there is a need for development of new drugs. Studies have shown that thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes possess biological activities, and their synthesis is simple, clean, versatile, and results in high yields. Here, we evaluated the mechanism of action (MOA) of a cobalt(III) thiosemicarbazone complex named [Co-III(L-1)(2)]Cl based on its in vitro potent antiviral activity against CHIKV previously evaluated (80% of inhibition on replication). Furthermore, the complex has no toxicity in healthy cells, as confirmed by infecting BHK-21 cells with CHIKV-nanoluciferase in the presence of the compound, showing that [Co-III(L-1)(2)]Cl inhibited CHIKV infection with the selective index of 3.26. [Co-III(L-1)(2)]Cl presented a post-entry effect on viral replication, emphasized by the strong interaction of [Co-III(L-1)(2)]Cl with CHIKV non-structural protein 4 (nsP4) in the microscale thermophoresis assay, suggesting a potential mode of action of this compound against CHIKV. Moreover, in silico analyses by molecular docking demonstrated potential interaction of [Co-III(L-1)(2)]Cl with nsP4 through hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The evaluation of ADME-Tox properties showed that [Co-III(L-1)(2)]Cl presents appropriate lipophilicity, good human intestinal absorption, and has no toxicological effect as irritant, mutagenic, reproductive, and tumorigenic side effects. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/21537-6 - Polydentate imine ligands as modulators of copper reactivity in inflammation-related diseases and in bioorthogonal coupling reactions
• Grantee: Raphael Enoque Ferraz de Paiva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral