Nuclear localization of dengue virus (DENV) 1–4 non-structural protein 5; protection against all 4 DENV serotypes by the inhibitor Ivermectin

• NS5 from all 4 DENV serotypes traffics to the nucleus, but to differing degrees.
• DENV1 and 2 NS5 bind nuclear import proteins with similar affinity.
• Nuclear import inhibitor, Ivermectin, blocks DENV1–4 replication.

Infection by one of the 4 distinct serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) threatens >40% of the world’s population, with no efficacious vaccine or antiviral agent currently available. DENV replication through the virus-encoded nonstructural protein (NS) 5 protein occurs in the infected cell cytoplasm, but NS5 from DENV2 has thus far been shown to localize strongly in the nucleus throughout infection. Here we use specific antibodies cross-reactive with NS5 from DENV1–4 to demonstrate nuclear localization of NS5 from all DENV serotypes for the first time in both infected as well as transfected cells, although to differing extents. The small-molecule inhibitor Ivermectin was inhibitory towards both DENV 1 and 2 NS5 interaction with its nuclear transporter importin α/β in vitro, and protected against infection from DENV1–4. Ivermectin thus has potential in the clinical setting as a dengue antiviral.