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Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
Published on: November 5, 2021
Targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1) with structurally diverse inhibitors: a
Maryam S Hosseini-Zare1, Ramasamy Thilagavathi2, Chelliah Selvam1
1Department of Pharmaceutical and Environmental Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University Houston TX-77004 USA selvam.chelliah@tsu.edu +1-713-313-7552.
Abstract:
Coronaviruses, which were discovered in 1968, can lead to some human viral disorders, like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome-related (MERS), and, recently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The coronavirus that leads to COVID-19 is rapidly spreading all over the world and is the reason for the deaths of thousands of people. Recent research has revealed that there is about 80% sequence homology between the coronaviruses that cause SARS and COVID-19. Considering this fact, we decided to collect the maximum available information on targets, structures, and inhibitors reported so far for SARS-CoV-1 that could be useful for researchers who work on closely related COVID-19. There are vital proteases, like papain-like protease 2 (PL2pro) and 3C-like protease (3CLpro), or main protease (Mpro), that are involved in and are essential for the replication of SARS coronavirus and so are valuable targets for the treatment of patients affected by this type of virus. SARS-CoV-1 NTPase/helicase plays an important role in the release of several non-structural proteins (nsps), so it is another essential target relating to the viral life cycle. In this paper, we provide extensive information about diverse molecules with anti-SARS activity. In addition to traditional medicinal chemistry outcomes, HTS, virtual screening efforts, and structural insights for better understanding inhibitors and SARS-CoV-1 target complexes are also discussed. This study covers a wide range of anti-SARS agents, particularly SARS-CoV-1 inhibitors, and provides new insights into drug design for the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Insights
This study compiles information on SARS-CoV-1 targets and inhibitors, offering insights for developing treatments against the related SARS-CoV-2 virus. Researchers can leverage this data for effective drug design against coronaviruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Drug Discovery
- Medicinal Chemistry
Background:
- Coronaviruses, including SARS, MERS, and COVID-19, cause significant human illness.
- SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 share approximately 80% sequence homology.
- Understanding SARS-CoV-1 is crucial for developing treatments for COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile available information on SARS-CoV-1 targets, structures, and inhibitors.
- To aid researchers in developing drugs for SARS-CoV-2.
- To provide insights into anti-SARS agents and drug design.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and data compilation on SARS-CoV-1.
- Analysis of vital viral proteases (PL2pro, 3CLpro/Mpro) and NTPase/helicase.
- Discussion of traditional medicinal chemistry, HTS, virtual screening, and structural insights.
Main Results:
- Identified key SARS-CoV-1 targets essential for viral replication, including proteases and NTPase/helicase.
- Reviewed diverse molecules with demonstrated anti-SARS activity.
- Detailed various approaches, including HTS and virtual screening, for inhibitor discovery.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-1 research provides a valuable foundation for COVID-19 drug development.
- Specific viral targets and identified inhibitors offer promising avenues for therapeutic intervention.
- This compilation offers new insights for designing effective SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
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