Targeting RNA G-Quadruplex in SARS-CoV-2: A Promising Therapeutic Target for COVID-19?
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
; 60(1): 432-438, 2021 01 04.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-774564
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a global threat. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing innovative treatments are extremely urgent. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are important noncanonical nucleic acid structures with distinct biofunctions. Four putative G4-forming sequences (PQSs) in the SARS-CoV-2 genome were studied. One of them (RG-1), which locates in the coding sequence region of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (N), has been verified to form a stable RNA G4 structure in live cells. G4-specific compounds, such as PDP (pyridostatin derivative), can stabilize RG-1 G4 and significantly reduce the protein levels of SARS-CoV-2 N by inhibiting its translation both in vitro and in vivo. This result is the first evidence that PQSs in SARS-CoV-2 can form G4 structures in live cells, and that their biofunctions can be regulated by a G4-specific stabilizer. This finding will provide new insights into developing novel antiviral drugs against COVID-19.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Antiviral Agents
/
RNA, Viral
/
G-Quadruplexes
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Topics:
Traditional medicine
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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