Dynamic features of virus protein 1 and substitutions in the 3-phenyl ring determine the potency and broad-spectrum activity of capsid-binding pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines against rhinoviruses

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines represent one potent class of well tolerated and highly active rhinovirus (RV) inhibitors that act as capsid binders. The lead compound OBR-5-340 inhibits a broad-spectrum of RVs. Aiming to improve lead activity, we evaluated the impact of structural modifications in the 3-phenyl ring of OBR-5-340 on its potency and spectrum of anti-RV activity vitro. Our results demonstrate the crucial role of substitution at position 4 for strong, broad-spectrum anti-RV activity. The 4-methyl (RCB23137) and 4-chloro (RCB23138) derivatives outperformed OBR-5-340 in terms of potency and anti-RV activity spectrum. Based on these findings, the compounds were selected for computational binding studies. Molecular dynamic simulations with six RVs differing in OBR-5-340, RCB23137, and RCB23138 sensitivity proved the impact of dynamic features of two VP1 loops enveloping these inhibitors on antiviral potency. [Display omitted] •Rhinoviruses (RVs) differ in their sensitivity to the capsid-binding pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine OBR-5-340.•Substitutions at position 4 in the 3-phenly ring of OBR-5-340 facilitated stronger, broad-spectrum anti-RV activity.•The 4-methyl and 4-chloro derivatives outperformed OBR-5-340 in terms of potency and anti-RV spectrum.•Dynamic features of VP1-compound complexes determine the binding affinity of considered compounds.