Download MendeleyDiscovery of quinazolin-4-one-based non-covalent inhibitors targeting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2 M pro ).
Zhang, K., Wang, T., Li, M., Liu, M., Tang, H., Wang, L., Ye, K., Yang, J., Jiang, S., Xiao, Y., Xie, Y., Lu, M., Zhang, X.(2023) Eur J Med Chem 257: 115487-115487
- PubMed: 37257212
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115487
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
8I4S - PubMed Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a great threat to public health while various vaccines are available worldwide. Main protease (M pro ) has been validated as an effective anti-COVID-19 drug target. Using medicinal chemistry and rational drug design strategies, we identified a quinazolin-4-one series of nonpeptidic, noncovalent SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibitors based on baicalein, 5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one. In particular, compound C7 exhibits superior inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 M pro relative to baicalein (IC 50 = 0.085 ± 0.006 and 0.966 ± 0.065 μM, respectively), as well as improved physicochemical and drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) properties. In addition, C7 inhibits viral replication in SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells more effectively than baicalein (EC 50 = 1.10 ± 0.12 and 5.15 ± 1.64 μM, respectively) with low cytotoxicity (CC 50 ＞ 50 μM). An X-ray co-crystal structure reveals a non-covalent mechanism of action, and a noncanonical binding mode not observed by baicalein. These results suggest that C7 represents a promising lead for development of more effective SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibitors and anti-COVID-19 drugs.
Organizational Affiliation:
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
