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Repurposing Fragile X Drugs to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Viral Reproduction

Cara J Westmark1, Maki Kiso2, Peter Halfmann3

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|September 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study proposes repurposing metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor (mGluR5) inhibitors to combat COVID-19. These drugs may block the virus from hijacking host protein synthesis, offering a new therapeutic avenue.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Neuropharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication.
  • Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) plays a role in cellular processes that SARS-CoV-2 may exploit.
  • Fragile X syndrome (FXS) research provides a basis for understanding mGluR5 modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel hypothesis for repurposing mGluR5 inhibitors as an antiviral therapy against COVID-19.
  • To explore the potential of targeting host protein synthesis machinery hijacked by SARS-CoV-2.
  • To provide a mechanistic rationale for testing mGluR5 inhibitors in COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of the role of mGluR5 in host-pathogen interactions.
  • Presentation of a mechanistic hypothesis supported by preliminary data.

Main Results:

  • A hypothesis is presented suggesting mGluR5 inhibitors can interfere with SARS-CoV-2 replication.
  • Preliminary data supports the potential efficacy of mGluR5 inhibitors.
  • The mechanism involves blocking viral hijacking of host protein synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • mGluR5 inhibitors represent a promising class of drugs for repurposing against COVID-19.
  • Further research is warranted to validate the therapeutic potential of mGluR5 inhibitors in COVID-19 patients.
  • This strategy offers a novel approach to combatting the global health crisis.
Keywords:
COVID-19coronavirusfragile X mental retardation proteinmetabotropic glutamate receptor 5protein synthesis

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