# Identification of novel small chemical compounds that inhibit Ebola virus VP40-mediated virus-like particle production

## TL;DR

Researchers developed new chemical compounds that inhibit Ebola virus particle production with lower toxicity than existing compounds.

## Contribution

Identification of four novel compounds derived from NUSU#1 with reduced cell toxicity and inhibitory effects on Ebola VLP production.

## Key findings

- Forty-five compounds were synthesized and tested for their effects on Ebola virus-like particle production.
- Four compounds showed statistically significant inhibition of Ebola VP40-mediated VLP production.
- The four compounds exhibited less cell toxicity compared to the original NUSU#1 compound.

## Abstract

•Forty-five chemical compounds were synthesized that were derived from the NUSU#1.•Four compounds were identified that inhibited Ebola VLP production.•Identified four compounds exhibited less cell toxicity than NUSU#1.

Forty-five chemical compounds were synthesized that were derived from the NUSU#1.

Four compounds were identified that inhibited Ebola VLP production.

Identified four compounds exhibited less cell toxicity than NUSU#1.

The central role of Ebola virus (EBOV) VP40 in nascent virion assembly and budding from infected host cells makes it an important therapeutic target. Previously, we reported two novel chemical compounds (NUSU#1 and NUSU#2) that inhibit EBOV VP40-mediated virus-like particle (VLP) production. In this study, we aimed to develop and identify novel synthetic compounds derived from NUSU#1. Forty-five compounds were synthesized and examined for their effects in vitro. Through cell viability and screening assays that we previously developed and reported, five novel synthesized compounds were selected for their inhibitory effects on EBOV VP40-mediated VLP production. Although none of them showed a stronger inhibitory effect on VLP production than NUSU#1, four of the five selected compounds exhibited a statistically significant reduction in EBOV VP40-mediated VLP production compared with the control treatment using a VLP assay.