Download MendeleyStructure-guided discovery of a small molecule inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease with potent in vitro and in vivo antiviral activities.
Yuan, S., Wang, J., Sang, X., Xie, Y., Feng, Y., Poon, V.K.M., Chan, C.C.S., Tsang, J.O.L., Chik, K.K.H., Zhou, J., Xu, Y., Han, P., Zheng, W., Fu, L., Huang, L.S.M., Wu, M., An, J., Yuen, K.Y., Qi, J., Huang, Z., Chan, J.F.W.(2025) J Virol : e0100125-e0100125
- PubMed: 41236503
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01001-25
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9IK2 - PubMed Abstract:
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease (M pro ) is a clinically validated target for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we report the hit-to-lead discovery of a new nitrile-based inhibitor, H135 , of SARS-CoV-2 M pro from a series of chemical modifications of a nitrile-warhead-containing compound guided by its 1.8 Å high-resolution crystal structure in complex with SARS-CoV-2 M pro . H135 exhibited potent and selective inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 M pro with IC 50 of 12.7 nM and exerted broad anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in VeroE6-TMPRSS2 cells. Furthermore, H135 -treated golden Syrian hamsters demonstrated significantly lower respiratory tract viral burden compared with solvent-treated control hamsters. H135 may serve as a new lead for developing antiviral therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 infection.IMPORTANCEIn this study, a structure-guided hit-to-lead strategy was employed to develop a nanomolar potent small molecule inhibitor H135 of SARS-CoV-2 M pro with strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection activity in cell cultures and animals. H135 may serve as a new lead for developing antiviral agents targeting the virus's main protease M pro .
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Organizational Affiliation:
