A 2B Protein-Derived Peptide Effectively Inhibits Coxsackievirus B3 Infection

The nonstructural 2B protein of coxsackievirus B (CVB) is a transmembrane protein that forms a hydrophilic tetramer viroporin on the cellular membrane structures. 2B plays a key role in the replication of CVB. We hypothesized that blocking the polymerization of 2B may interfere with CVB replication. In this study, a 2B-derived peptide 2B_37-50 demonstrated potent anti-CVB3 activity in vitro. A Tat-fused 2B_37-50 (Tat-2B_37-50) showed significant inhibitory effects on the viral protein expression, RNA synthesis, and replication of CVB3. Tat-2B_37-50 treatment elicited a strong in vivo protective efficacy for the myocardial infection caused by CVB3. Tat-2B_37-50 was also effective against the infection of enterovirus A71 and coxsackievirus A16. Taken together, Tat-2B_37-50 has the potential to be a novel peptide drug for the treatment of CVB infection.