Differential Binding of Rimantadine Enantiomers to Influenza A M2 Proton Channel

J Am Chem Soc. 2016 Feb 10;138(5):1506-9. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5b13129. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

Abstract

Rimantadine hydrochloride (α-methyl-1-adamantane-methalamine hydrochloride) is a chiral compound which exerts antiviral activity against the influenza A virus by inhibiting proton conductance of the M2 ion channel. In complex with M2, rimantadine has always been characterized as a racemic mixture. Here, we report the novel enantioselective synthesis of deuterium-labeled (R)- and (S)-rimantadine and the characterization of their protein-ligand interactions using solid-state NMR. Isotropic chemical shift changes strongly support differential binding of the enantiomers to the proton channel. Position restrained simulations satisfying distance restraints from (13)C-(2)H rotational-echo double-resonance NMR show marked differences in the hydrogen-bonding pattern of the two enantiomers at the binding site. Together these results suggest a complex set of interactions between (R)-rimantadine and the M2 proton channel, leading to a higher stability for this enantiomer of the drug in the channel pore.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Protein Binding
  • Rimantadine / chemistry
  • Rimantadine / metabolism*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • M2 protein, Influenza A virus
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • Rimantadine