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Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Kinase Inhibitor Screening In Self-assembled Human Protein Microarrays
Published on: October 23, 2019
Kinases as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Anti-coronaviral Therapy
Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar1, Stefan Laufer1
1Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry and Tuebingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Abstract:
The global coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has affected more than 140 million and killed more than 3 million people worldwide as of April 20, 2021. The novel human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as an etiological agent for COVID-19. Several kinases have been proposed as possible mediators of multiple viral infections, including life-threatening coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-1, Middle East syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2. Viral infections hijack abundant cell signaling pathways, resulting in drastic phosphorylation rewiring in the host and viral proteins. Some kinases play a significant role throughout the viral infection cycle (entry, replication, assembly, and egress), and several of them are involved in the virus-induced hyperinflammatory response that leads to cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), organ injury, and death. Here, we highlight kinases that are associated with coronavirus infections and their inhibitors with antiviral and potentially anti-inflammatory, cytokine-suppressive, or antifibrotic activity.
Insights
Kinases are crucial in coronavirus infections, influencing viral replication and severe disease like ARDS. Inhibitors targeting these kinases may offer antiviral and anti-inflammatory treatments for COVID-19 and other coronavirus diseases.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, cause significant global health burdens.
- Viral infections disrupt host cell signaling pathways, altering protein phosphorylation.
- Kinases are implicated in viral replication and severe disease manifestations like cytokine storm and ARDS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review kinases associated with coronavirus infections.
- To identify kinase inhibitors with potential therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on kinases in coronavirus infections.
- Analysis of kinase roles in viral entry, replication, and host response.
- Identification of inhibitors with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties.
Main Results:
- Several kinases are critical throughout the coronavirus infection cycle.
- Kinases mediate the hyperinflammatory response leading to ARDS and organ injury.
- Kinase inhibitors show promise for treating coronavirus-related pathologies.
Conclusions:
- Kinases are key targets for therapeutic intervention in coronavirus diseases.
- Inhibitors targeting specific kinases may possess antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities.
- Further research into kinase inhibitors could lead to novel treatments for severe COVID-19 and other coronavirus infections.
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