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Advances in developing small molecule SARS 3CLpro inhibitors as potential remedy for corona virus infection
Manashjyoti Konwar1,2, Diganta Sarma1
1Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, 786004, Assam, India.
Insights
Small molecules inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease show potential for COVID-19 drug development. This review explores anti-SARS effects and binding interactions of these crucial inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Drug Discovery
- Biochemistry
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a highly contagious and fatal respiratory disease with a significant global mortality rate.
- Previous coronavirus outbreaks, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, also demonstrated high mortality rates, highlighting the need for effective antiviral therapies.
- The chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease (3CLpro) is essential for viral replication within host cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anti-SARS effects of small molecule 3CLpro inhibitors.
- To analyze the binding modes of these inhibitors to the target 3CLpro protein.
- To assess the potential of 3CLpro inhibitors in COVID-19 drug development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on small molecule 3CLpro inhibitors.
- Analysis of reported anti-SARS effects of these inhibitors.
- Examination of binding interactions between inhibitors and the 3CLpro target.
Main Results:
- Several small molecules demonstrate significant anti-SARS effects by inhibiting 3CLpro.
- Different binding modes of interaction between inhibitors and 3CLpro have been identified.
- Understanding these interactions is key to designing potent antiviral drugs.
Conclusions:
- Small molecule 3CLpro inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2.
- Further research into inhibitor design and binding mechanisms can accelerate COVID-19 drug development.
- Targeting 3CLpro is a critical approach for combating current and future coronavirus pandemics.
Abstract:
Originated in China, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)- the highly contagious and fatal respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 has already infected more than 29 million people worldwide with a mortality rate of 3.15% (according to World Health Organization's (WHO's) report, September 2020) and the number is exponentially increasing with no remedy whatsoever discovered till date. But it is not the first time this infectious viral disease has appeared, in 2002 SARS-CoV infected more than 8000 individuals of which 9.6% patients died and in 2012 approximately 35% of MERS-CoV infected patients have died. Literature reports indicate that a chymotripsin-like cystein protease (3CLpro) is responsible for the replication of the virus inside the host cell. Therefore, design and synthesis of 3CLpro inhibitor molecules play a great impact in drug development against this COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we are discussing the anti-SARS effect of some small molecule 3CLpro inhibitors with their various binding modes of interactions to the target protein.
