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Translating bioactive peptides for COVID-19 therapy
Khushwant S Bhullar1, Steven J Drews2, Jianping Wu3
1Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5, Canada.
Abstract:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) is a global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a positive-sense RNA virus. This virus has emerged as a threat to global health, social stability, and the global economy. This pandemic continues to cause rampant mortality worldwide with the dire urgency to develop novel therapeutic agents. To meet this task, this article discusses advances in the research and potential application of bioactive peptides for possible mitigation of infection by SARS-CoV-2. Growing insight into the molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 has revealed potential druggable targets for bioactive peptides. Bioactive peptides with unique amino acid sequences can mitigate such targets including, type II transmembrane serine proteases (TMPRSS2) inhibition, furin cleavage, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) members. Based on current evidence and structure-function analysis, multiple bioactive peptides present potency to neutralize the virus. To date, no SARS-CoV-2-explicit drug has been reported, but we here introduce bioactive peptides in the perspective of their potential activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Insights
Bioactive peptides show promise for combating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. These molecules target key viral mechanisms, offering a potential new therapeutic avenue against COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Biochemistry
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, poses a significant global health and economic threat.
- There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic agents to combat the ongoing pandemic.
- Understanding SARS-CoV-2 molecular biology reveals potential targets for antiviral interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in research and potential applications of bioactive peptides against SARS-CoV-2.
- To explore the role of bioactive peptides in mitigating viral infection.
- To identify druggable targets for peptide-based therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on bioactive peptides and SARS-CoV-2.
- Analysis of molecular targets, including TMPRSS2, furin cleavage, and RAAS.
- Structure-function analysis of potential peptide candidates.
Main Results:
- Bioactive peptides can target critical SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms like TMPRSS2 inhibition and furin cleavage.
- Peptides targeting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are also discussed.
- Multiple bioactive peptides demonstrate potential in vitro and in silico to neutralize the virus.
Conclusions:
- Bioactive peptides represent a promising class of molecules for developing novel COVID-19 therapeutics.
- Targeting specific viral and host factors with peptides offers a viable strategy.
- Further research and development are warranted to translate peptide potential into clinical applications against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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