Abstract: Disclosed are small molecules capable of activating the type I interferon (IFN) response by way of the transcription factor IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) were identified. A high throughput in vitro screen yielded 4-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyl)-N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]thiazine-6-carboxamide (referred to herein as G10), which was found to trigger IRF3/IFN-associated transcription in human fibroblasts. To define cellular proteins essential to elicitation of the antiviral activity by the compound a reverse genetics approach that utilized genome editing via CRISPR/Cas9 technology was employed. This allowed the identification of IRF3, the IRF3-activating adaptor molecule STING, and the IFN-associated transcription factor STAT1 as required for observed gene induction and antiviral effects.

Abstract: Applicants have used microarrays, gene expression profiling, and gene silencing methods to identify and provide a plurality of ‘validated’ virus-induced cellular gene sequences (e.g., HMG20B, HRH1, NP and c-YES (src family kinases)) and pathways useful as therapeutic targets for modulation of viral-mediated cellular effects. Particular embodiments provide therapeutic compositions, and methods for modulation of viral infection, replication, maturation, progression, or other virally-related conditions or diseases, comprising inhibition of virally-induced gene sequences and gene products. Additional embodiments provide screening assays for compounds useful to modulate viral infection, replication, maturation or progression, or viral-related conditions or diseases. Further embodiments provide diagnostic and/or prognostic assays for viral infection, replication, maturation or progression. Preferably, the viruses all selected from the group consisting of retroviruses (e.g.