Quercetin Blocks Ebola Virus Infection by Counteracting the VP24 Interferon-Inhibitory Function
Elisa Fanunza, Mathieu Iampietro, Simona Distinto, Angela Corona, Marina Quartu, Elias Maccioni, Branka Horvat, Enzo Tramontano
Abstract
) of 7.4 μM, was characterized to significantly restore the IFN-I signaling cascade, blocked by VP24, by directly interfering with the VP24 binding to karyopherin-α and thus restoring P-STAT1 nuclear transport and IFN gene transcription. Quercetin significantly blocked viral infection, specifically targeting EBOV VP24 anti-IFN-I function. Overall, quercetin is the first identified inhibitor of the EBOV VP24 anti-IFN function, representing a molecule interacting with a viral binding site that is very promising for further drug development aiming to block EBOV infection at the early steps.
Topics & Concepts
Ebola virusEbolavirusVirologyInterferonInhibitory postsynaptic potentialQuercetinVirusBiologyMedicineBiochemistryAntioxidantNeuroscienceViral Infections and Outbreaks ResearchViral Infections and VectorsHepatitis B Virus Studies