Publications by authors named "Julian Heinze"
Treatment options for COVID-19 remain limited. Here, we report the optimization of an siRNA targeting the highly conserved leader region of SARS-CoV-2. The siRNA was rendered nuclease resistant by the introduction of modified nucleotides without loss of activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInhibitors of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins (iBETs), including JQ-1, have been suggested as potential prophylactics against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, molecular mechanisms underlying JQ-1-mediated antiviral activity and its susceptibility to viral subversion remain incompletely understood. Pretreatment of cells with iBETs inhibited infection by SARS-CoV-2 variants and SARS-CoV, but not MERS-CoV.
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- - The study investigates the replication and cell entry characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 variant Alpha, comparing it to the ancestral B.1 variant, and finds that Alpha spreads less efficiently than B.1 in most models.
- - Although specific genetic elements of Alpha, such as the T716I mutation, might influence its spreading abilities, its overall infectivity appears similar to B.1, with both variants showing comparable resistance to serum neutralization.
- - The research identifies a bronchial cell line (NCI-H1299) where Alpha has a significant growth advantage over B.1, and emphasizes that the variant's replication in these cells is primarily driven by its spike protein rather than ACE2 receptor expression.
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are common among humans and many animals, causing respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases. Currently, only a few antiviral drugs against CoVs are available. Especially for SARS-CoV-2, new compounds for treatment of COVID-19 are urgently needed.
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