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Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Assays for the Identification of Novel Antivirals against Bluetongue Virus
Published on: October 11, 2013
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.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in more than six million deaths by October 2022. Vaccines and antivirals for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are now available; however, more effective antiviral drugs are required for effective treatment. Here, we report that a potent AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, compound C/dorsomorphin, inhibits the replication of the human coronavirus OC43 strain (HCoV-OC43). We examined HCoV-OC43 replication in control and AMPK-knockout (KO) cells and found that the virus replication decreased in AMPK-KO cells. Next, we examined the effect of the AMPK inhibitor, compound C on coronavirus replication. Compound C treatment efficiently inhibited the replication and decreased the coronavirus-induced cytotoxicity, further inhibiting autophagy. In addition, treatment with compound C in combination with chloroquine synergistically inhibited coronavirus replication. These results suggest that compound C can be considered as a potential drug candidate for COVID-19.
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