CC-90009, a Cereblon E3 Ligase Modulator, Exhibits Antiviral Efficacy Against JEV In Vitro and In Vivo via Targeted Degradation of GSPT1 and Viral NS5 Protein

Background: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, remains a leading cause of viral encephalitis. Current management is largely supportive, with no specific antivirals. This study evaluated the antiviral efficacy and mechanism of action of CC-90009 against JEV in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Five targeted protein degraders (TPDs) were screened for anti-JEV activity in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Time-of-addition, binding, and endocytosis assays were used to delineate the phase of action of CC-90009, a cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) and molecular glue degrader. Small interfering RNA knockdown and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) confirmed targets essential for its antiviral effects. The broad-spectrum activity of CC-90009 against other mosquito-borne viruses was also evaluated. In vivo efficacy was tested in a murine JEV model. Results: Of the five TPDs tested, only CC-90009 significantly inhibited JEV infection in SH-SY5Y cells, acting during both viral entry and post-entry phases without reducing adsorbed or internalised virions. CC-90009 reduced JEV RNA and non-structural protein accumulation. Knockdown of G1-to-S phase transition 1 (GSPT1), a key target of CC-90009, suppressed JEV infection and translation; Co-IP confirmed GSPT1 interaction with JEV non-structural protein 5 (NS5). CC-90009 disrupted JEV translation and replication by inducing proteasomal degradation of the GSPT1/NS5 complex, further demonstrating its broad-spectrum antiviral activity through the effective inhibition of West Nile virus and chikungunya virus. In vivo, it protected mice from JEV-induced mortality, reducing viral load, antigen levels, and brain pathology. Conclusions: CC-90009 exerts potent anti-JEV activity both in vitro and in vivo by inducing proteasomal degradation of the GSPT1/NS5 complex, thereby disrupting viral translation and replication. This targeted protein degradation strategy represents a novel host-directed antiviral approach with promising therapeutic potential against mosquito-borne viral encephalitis.