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Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Non-Structural Proteins

Donald Tam1, Ana C Lorenzo-Leal1, Luis Ricardo Hernández2

  • 1Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

This study reviews severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) non-structural protein (NSP) inhibitors. Natural product database searches suggest similar structures may inhibit these vital viral proteins.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global pandemic.
  • SARS-CoV-2 encodes non-structural proteins (NSPs) essential for viral replication.
  • NSPs are located in open reading frame 1a (ORF1a) and open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compile existing literature on SARS-CoV-2 NSP inhibitors.
  • To identify potential NSP inhibitors from natural product databases.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of NSP inhibitors.
  • Natural product database screening for compounds with structural similarity to NSPs.

Main Results:

  • A collection of available literature on NSP inhibitors was gathered.
  • Structural similarities were identified between natural products and SARS-CoV-2 NSPs.

Conclusions:

  • Natural products with structural similarities to SARS-CoV-2 NSPs are potential candidates for inhibitor development.
  • Further research is warranted to validate these natural products as effective antiviral agents.
Keywords:
RNA capping machinerySARS-CoV-2drug targetingmulti-drug regimennon-structural proteinreplication transcription complexvirulence factors

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