HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir is a potent drug candidate against echinococcosis by targeting Ddi1-like protein.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), which is caused by larval Echinococcus multilocularis, is one of the world's most dangerous neglected diseases. Currently, no fully effective treatments are available to cure this disease.

Methods

In vitro protoscolicidal assay along with in vivo murine models was applied in repurposing drugs against AE. Genome-wide identification and homology-based modeling were used for predicting drug targets. RNAi, enzyme assay, and RNA-Seq analyses were utilized for investigating the roles in parasite survival and validations for the drug target.

Findings

We identified nelfinavir as the most effective HIV protease inhibitor against larval E. multilocularis. Once-daily oral administration of nelfinavir for 28 days resulted in a remarkable r

SUBMITTER: Liu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9294487 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature