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Updated: Jul 16, 2025
Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance
Published on: June 14, 2022
Chemically modified antiviral peptides against SARS-CoV-2
Michael Quagliata1, Anna Maria Papini1, Paolo Rovero2
1Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
Abstract:
To date, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a potentially lethal disease. Although both vaccines and specific antiviral drugs have been approved, the search for more specific therapeutic approaches is still ongoing. The infection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 consists of several stages, and each one can be selectively blocked to disrupt viral infection. Peptides are a promising class of antiviral compounds, which may be suitably modified to be more stable, more effective, and more selective towards a specific viral replication step. The latter two goals might be obtained by increasing the specificity and/or the affinity of the interaction with a specific target and often imply the stabilization of the secondary structure of the active peptide. This review is focused on modified antiviral peptides against SARS-CoV-2 acting at different stages of virus replication, including ACE2-RBD interaction, membrane fusion mechanism, and the proteolytic cleavage by different viral proteases. Therefore, the landscape presented herein provides a useful springboard for the design of new and powerful antiviral therapeutics.
Insights
Modified peptides offer a promising strategy to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) by targeting various stages of viral replication. These enhanced antiviral compounds show potential for developing new therapeutics against COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, remains a significant global health threat.
- While vaccines and antivirals exist, novel therapeutic strategies are crucial.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection involves multiple stages, offering targets for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review modified antiviral peptides targeting SARS-CoV-2.
- To explore peptides acting on different viral replication stages.
- To highlight peptides for improved stability, efficacy, and specificity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of modified peptides against SARS-CoV-2.
- Analysis of peptides targeting ACE2-RBD interaction.
- Examination of peptides inhibiting membrane fusion.
- Review of peptides acting on viral proteases.
Main Results:
- Modified peptides demonstrate potential for enhanced stability and specificity.
- Peptides targeting viral entry (ACE2-RBD, fusion) show promise.
- Peptides inhibiting viral proteases offer alternative therapeutic avenues.
- Structural modifications can improve peptide affinity and efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Modified antiviral peptides represent a viable therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2.
- Targeting specific viral replication steps with peptides can disrupt infection.
- Further research into peptide design can lead to potent COVID-19 therapeutics.
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