Inhibitors of One or More Cellular Aurora Kinases Impair the Replication of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Other DNA and RNA Viruses with Diverse Genomes and Life Cycles.

We utilized a high-throughput cell-based assay to screen several chemical libraries for inhibitors of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) gene expression. From this screen, four aurora kinase inhibitors were identified that potently reduced gene expression during HSV-1 lytic infection. HSV-1 is known to interact with cellular kinases to regulate gene expression by modulating the phosphorylation and/or activities of viral and cellular proteins. To date, the role of aurora kinases in HSV-1 lytic infection has not been reported. We demonstrated that three aurora kinase inhibitors strongly reduced the transcript levels of immediate-early (IE) genes ICP0, ICP4, and ICP27 and impaired HSV-1 protein expression from all classes of HSV-1, including ICP0, ICP4, ICP8, and gC. These restrictions caused by the aurora kinase inhibitors led to potent reductions in HSV-1 viral replication. The compounds TAK 901, JNJ 7706621, and PF 03814735 decreased HSV-1 titers by 4,500-, 13,200-, and 8,400-fold, respectively, when present in a low micromolar range. The antiviral activity of these compounds correlated with an apparent decrease in histone H3 phosphorylation at serine 10 (H3S10ph) during viral infection, suggesting that the phosphorylation status of H3 influences HSV-1 gene expression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the aurora kinase inhibitors also impaired the replication of other RNA and DNA viruses. These inhibitors significantly reduced yields of vaccinia virus (a poxvirus, double-stranded DNA, cytoplasmic replication) and mouse hepatitis virus (a coronavirus, positive-sense single-strand RNA [ssRNA]), whereas vesicular stomatitis virus (rhabdovirus, negative-sense ssRNA) yields were unaffected. These results indicated that the activities of aurora kinases play pivotal roles in the life cycles of diverse viruses. IMPORTANCE We have demonstrated that aurora kinases play a role during HSV-1 lytic infection. Three aurora kinase inhibitors significantly impaired HSV-1 immediate-early gene expression. This led to a potent reduction in HSV-1 protein expression and viral replication. Together, our results illustrate a novel role for aurora kinases in the HSV-1 lytic cycle and demonstrate that aurora kinase inhibitors can restrict HSV-1 replication. Furthermore, these aurora kinase inhibitors also reduced the replication of murine coronavirus and vaccinia virus, suggesting that multiple viral families utilize the aurora kinases for their own replication.

Monkeypox emergency: Urgent questions and perspectives.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we now face another public health emergency in the form of monkeypox virus. As of August 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report over 23,000 cases in 80 countries. An inclusive and global collaborative effort to understand the biology, evolution, and spread of the virus as well as commitment to vaccine equity will be critical toward containing this outbreak. We share the voices of leading experts in this space on what they see as the most pressing questions and directions for the community.

Study on the application exploration of blockchain in traceability of imported aquatic products in Zhanjian

In recent years, the import of aquatic products at Zhanjiang port has continued to increase, which has effectively promoted the development of the local economy. However, unqualified imported aquatic products have occurred from time to time, and it has always been an important duty of the customs to control the safety of imported food. Especially with the continuous outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic situation since 2020, it is particularly important to ensure the quality and safety of imported aquatic products, especially the traceability of the products. This article focused on analyzing the characteristics and functions of blockchain technology, combining with the problems of traceability of imported aquatic products in Zhanjiang, combined blockchain technology with three-dimensional customs supervision, explored the establishment of customs blockchain supervision model, and analyzed and studied the feasibility of the application of blockchain in the traceability of imported aquatic products in Zhanjiang. The traceability supervision system including production enterprises, importers and exporters, third-party institutions, logistics, warehousing, banking, insurance and other stakeholders was constructed. Finally, relevant application exploration schemes were put forward, and it was expected to provide some reference for improving the quality of imported products and perfecting the construction of imported food safety traceability management system.

Impact of novel coronavirus pneumonia on China's import and export aquatic products industry and countermeasures

At present, the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic has spread rapidly across the world, and the economies of various countries have been largely suspended, and the real economy has been hit hard. Most of the enterprises involved in the import and export aquatic products industry are labor-intensive enterprises, belonging to the real economy, with the role of stabilizing employment and foreign trade. Affected by the epidemic situation, the production end, demand side and logistics end of the industry are facing greater difficulties and challenges. Aquatic industry is an important part of China's agricultural production, but also the pillar industry in western Guangdong, which plays an important role in promoting local economic development. This paper analyzed the impact of the epidemic on China's import and export aquatic products industry, and put forward the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions.