The Path to Therapeutic Furin Inhibitors: From Yeast Pheromones to SARS-CoV-2.
Int J Mol Sci
; 23(7)2022 Mar 22.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2216275
ABSTRACT
The spurious acquisition and optimization of a furin cleavage site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is associated with increased viral transmission and disease, and has generated intense interest in the development and application of therapeutic furin inhibitors to thwart the COVID-19 pandemic. This review summarizes the seminal studies that informed current efforts to inhibit furin. These include the convergent efforts of endocrinologists, virologists, and yeast geneticists that, together, culminated in the discovery of furin. We describe the pioneering biochemical studies which led to the first furin inhibitors that were able to block the disease pathways which are broadly critical for pathogen virulence, tumor invasiveness, and atherosclerosis. We then summarize how these studies subsequently informed current strategies leading to the development of small-molecule furin inhibitors as potential therapies to combat SARS-CoV-2 and other diseases that rely on furin for their pathogenicity and progression.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Furin
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ijms23073435
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