Leveraging SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) for COVID-19 Mitigation with Selenium-Based Inhibitors.
Int J Mol Sci
; 25(2)2024 Jan 12.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38256046
ABSTRACT
The implementation of innovative approaches is crucial in an ongoing endeavor to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The present study examines the strategic application of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) as a prospective instrument in the repertoire to combat the virus. The cloning, expression, and purification of Mpro, which plays a critical role in the viral life cycle, through heterologous expression in Escherichia coli in a completely soluble form produced an active enzyme. The hydrolysis of a specific substrate peptide comprising a six-amino-acid sequence (TSAVLQ) linked to a p-nitroaniline (pNA) fragment together with the use of a fluorogenic substrate allowed us to determine effective inhibitors incorporating selenium moieties, such as benzoselenoates and carbamoselenoates. The new inhibitors revealed their potential to proficiently inhibit Mpro with IC50-s in the low micromolar range. Our study contributes to the development of a new class of protease inhibitors targeting Mpro, ultimately strengthening the antiviral arsenal against COVID-19 and possibly, related coronaviruses.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Selênio
/
Proteases 3C de Coronavírus
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Mol Sci
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália