Download MendeleyThiazolyl 4-carboxylate ketone as a new warhead for a highly potent SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor.
Theodoropoulou, M.A., El Kilani, H., Mantzourani, C., Jochmans, D., Neyts, J., Zhang, K., Roske, J., Kokotou, M.G., Hilgenfeld, R., Kokotos, G.(2026) Eur J Med Chem 303: 118436-118436
- PubMed: 41344111 Search on PubMed
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118436
- Primary Citation Related Structures:
9H4B, 9T0R - PubMed Abstract:
The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M pro ), an enzyme essential for viral replication and lacking a human homologue, has emerged as a highly attractive target for the development of novel antiviral agents. Although several M pro inhibitors have been developed - some receiving regulatory approval - their use is sometimes limited by drug-drug interactions. In this study, we designed and synthesized peptidomimetic SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibitors incorporating a novel thiazolyl 4-carboxylate ketone warhead, previously employed by our group in the development of cytosolic phospholipase A 2 inhibitors. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory potency against SARS-CoV-2 M pro , and a highly potent M pro inhibitor (GK730) was identified (IC 50 5.75 nM). The melting temperature of the M pro -GK730 complex revealed high stability, consistent with the high inhibitory potency. The X-ray crystal structures of inhibitors GK729 and GK730 bound to M pro were determined, providing insights into the binding interactions and mechanism of action. Studies on the host cell proteases cathepsin B and L showed that GK730 did not inhibit cathepsin B, while exhibited weak inhibition of cathepsin L. Furthermore, GK730 demonstrated an EC 50 value of 5.70 μM against a wild-type SARS-CoV-2 strain in Vero E6 cells and minimal cytotoxicity (CC 50 value greater than 100 μM).
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15771, Athens, Greece; Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15771, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: martheod@chem.uoa.gr.
Organizational Affiliation:
