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Updated: Aug 11, 2025
A Fluorogenic Peptide Cleavage Assay to Screen for Proteolytic Activity: Applications for coronavirus spike protein activation
Published on: January 9, 2019
Peptide-based inhibitors hold great promise as the broad-spectrum agents against coronavirus
Mingxing Tang1,2,3, Xin Zhang3, Yanhong Huang1,3
1Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
Abstract:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the recent SARS-CoV-2 are lethal coronaviruses (CoVs) that have caused dreadful epidemic or pandemic in a large region or globally. Infections of human respiratory systems and other important organs by these pathogenic viruses often results in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Efficient anti-viral drugs are needed. Herein, we firstly take SARS-CoV-2 as an example to present the molecular mechanism of CoV infection cycle, including the receptor binding, viral entry, intracellular replication, virion assembly, and release. Then according to their mode of action, we provide a summary of anti-viral peptides that have been reported in peer-reviewed publications. Even though CoVs can rapidly evolve to gain resistance to the conventional small molecule drugs, peptide-based inhibitors targeting various steps of CoV lifecycle remain a promising approach. Peptides can be continuously modified to improve their antiviral efficacy and spectrum along with the emergence of new viral variants.
Insights
Antiviral peptides show promise against lethal coronaviruses (CoVs) like SARS-CoV-2. These peptides target various stages of the viral infection cycle, offering a flexible approach to combatting drug-resistant viruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Drug Discovery
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Lethal coronaviruses (CoVs), including SARS-CoV, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2, cause severe respiratory infections with high morbidity and mortality.
- The rapid evolution of CoVs necessitates the development of effective antiviral strategies beyond conventional small molecule drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the coronavirus infection cycle using SARS-CoV-2 as a model.
- To summarize and evaluate antiviral peptides reported in peer-reviewed literature based on their mechanisms of action against CoVs.
Main Methods:
- Detailed examination of the SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle, including receptor binding, viral entry, intracellular replication, virion assembly, and release.
- Systematic review and categorization of antiviral peptides targeting different stages of the CoV infection process.
Main Results:
- The study outlines the key molecular events in the CoV infection cycle, providing a framework for understanding viral pathogenesis.
- A comprehensive summary of existing antiviral peptides is presented, highlighting their diverse modes of action against CoVs.
Conclusions:
- Antiviral peptides represent a promising therapeutic avenue for combating CoV infections due to their ability to target multiple stages of the viral lifecycle.
- Peptide-based inhibitors offer advantages in adaptability and potential for improved efficacy against emerging viral variants and drug-resistant strains.
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