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AMPK inhibitor, compound C, inhibits coronavirus replication in vitro

Minsu Jang1, Rackhyun Park2, Ayane Yamamoto1

  • 1Division of Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.

Plos One
|October 3, 2023
PubMed

Insights

A novel AMPK inhibitor, compound C, effectively suppressed human coronavirus OC43 replication and reduced viral cytotoxicity. This finding suggests compound C as a potential therapeutic for COVID-19 treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Biochemistry
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of deaths, necessitating new antiviral therapies.
  • Existing vaccines and antivirals for SARS-CoV-2 require complementary treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antiviral potential of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitors against human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43).
  • To evaluate compound C as a potential therapeutic agent for coronavirus infections.

Main Methods:

  • Examined HCoV-OC43 replication in control and AMPK-knockout cells.
  • Assessed the impact of compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, on viral replication and cytotoxicity.
  • Investigated the synergistic effect of compound C with chloroquine.

Main Results:

  • AMPK knockout cells exhibited reduced HCoV-OC43 replication.
  • Compound C significantly inhibited HCoV-OC43 replication and decreased virus-induced cytotoxicity.
  • Compound C treatment also inhibited autophagy.
  • Combination therapy with compound C and chloroquine showed synergistic antiviral effects.

Conclusions:

  • AMPK plays a role in HCoV-OC43 replication.
  • Compound C demonstrates potent antiviral activity against HCoV-OC43.
  • Compound C is a promising candidate for developing novel COVID-19 therapeutics.

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