Exportin-1 (XPO1, CRM1) inhibitors for the management of viral infection

A therapeutic gap exists between new emerging infectious diseases and effective treatments. Targeting host factors involved in the replication strategies of evolutionarily diverse viruses may bridge this gap. Exportin-1 (XPO1, also termed chromosome region maintenance 1 [CRM1]) is a cellular nuclear export receptor for cellular and viral protein and ribonucleoprotein cargos harboring a nuclear export signal. XPO1 inhibition suppresses replication of numerous evolutionarily diverse viruses and one XPO1 inhibitor has entered clinical trials for the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the etiologic agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This review examines current and potential strategies and challenges in targeting XPO1-mediated nuclear export for treating established, emerging and future virus infections.

Automated summary

The therapeutic gap between new emerging infectious diseases and effective treatments can potentially be bridged by targeting host factors involved in the replication strategies of evolutionarily diverse viruses. XPO1 inhibition has shown efficacy in suppressing replication of various viruses, with one XPO1 inhibitor entering clinical trials for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review examines strategies and challenges in targeting XPO1-mediated nuclear export for treating different virus infections.