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Allosteric Site of ACE-2 as a Drug Target for COVID-19

Kunal Dutta1

  • 1Department of Human Physiology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, 721102 West Bengal, India.

ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science
|March 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 vaccines protect against SARS-CoV-2, but mutations raise concerns. Targeting the ACE-2 and SARS-CoV-2 RBD interaction via allosteric ACE-2 modulation may inhibit viral entry.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts global health and healthcare systems.
  • Current vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are effective but face challenges due to viral mutations.
  • The SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) interacts with host cell ACE-2, a critical step for viral entry.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore allosteric modulation of ACE-2 as a novel therapeutic strategy.
  • To investigate the potential of targeting the ACE-2-RBD interaction for antiviral drug development.

Main Methods:

  • The study focuses on the biochemical and structural aspects of the ACE-2-RBD interaction.
  • It proposes allosteric modulation as a method to inhibit this interaction.

Main Results:

  • Allosteric modulation of ACE-2 presents a promising approach to combat SARS-CoV-2.
  • This strategy could lead to the development of new antiviral therapies effective against current and future variants.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting the ACE-2-RBD interaction through allosteric modulation is a viable strategy.
  • This approach holds potential for developing next-generation therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses.

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