The mammalian SKI complex is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug target that upregulates cellular cholesterol to inhibit viral replication

There is a need for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral compounds that can act as first line therapeutic countermeasures to emerging viral infections. Host-directed approaches present a promising avenue of development and carry the benefit of mitigating risks of viral escape mutants. We have previously found the SKI (super killer) complex to be a broad-spectrum, host-target with our lead compound ("UMB18") showing activity against influenza, coronaviruses, and filoviruses. The SKI complex is a cytosolic RNA helicase and we previously found that targeting it with UMB18 inhibited viral RNA production but did not further define the mechanism. Here, transcriptomic analysis of UMB18 treated A549 cells revealed an upregulation of genes in the mevalonate pathway which drives cholesterol synthesis. Further investigation validated the genetic upregulation and confirmed an increase in total cellular cholesterol. This upregulation was dependent on the SKI complex, the sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) and their regulator SCAP, the major regulators for cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis. Depletion of the SREBPs or SCAP with siRNA, or extraction of cholesterol with methyl beta-cyclodextrin attenuated UMB18 antiviral activity, emphasizing the role of increased cholesterol synthesis in this mechanism of action. Our findings further define the antiviral mechanism of a developmental host-directed therapeutic approach with broad applicability against emerging viral pathogens.