Peptidomimetic Analogues Act as Effective Inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 by Blocking the Function of Cathepsin L.

Cathepsin L (CatL) is a promising antiviral drug target of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as an important protease for cleaving the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and enhancing viral entry to cells. We identified a tripeptide aldehyde candidate, , which exhibited inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells. The protease screening analysis and protein pull-down assays demonstrated the direct binding of to CatL.

The structure-based design of peptidomimetic inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 3C like protease as Potent anti-viral drug candidate.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as the pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has infected millions of people and took hundreds of thousands of lives. Unfortunately, there is deficiency of effective medicines to prevent or treat COVID-19. 3C like protease (3CL) of SARS-CoV-2 is essential to the viral replication and transcription, and is an attractive target to develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.

Comprehensive Insights into the Catalytic Mechanism of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome 3C-Like Protease and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 3C-Like Protease.

Coronavirus 3C-like protease (3CL) is a highly conserved cysteine protease employing a catalytic dyad for its functions. 3CL is essential to the viral life cycle and, therefore, is an attractive target for developing antiviral agents. However, the detailed catalytic mechanism of coronavirus 3CL remains largely unknown.

Crystal Structure of African Swine Fever Virus pS273R Protease and Implications for Inhibitor Design.

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs that is responsible for serious economic and production losses. It is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), a large and complex icosahedral DNA virus of the family. Currently, there is no effective treatment or approved vaccine against the ASFV.