The infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 progeny virions requires the activity of host cell N-myristoyltransferases and it is severely compromised by their inhibition (preprint)

ABSTRACT

Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite vaccinations, the development and use of neutralising antibodies against the viral surface spike proteins, and small molecule inhibitors targeting the viral replication machinery, COVID-19 remains a global public health crisis. Emerging mutations in the viral genome have the potential to reduce prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of virus-directed treatments. Targeting host cell factors required for infection could, therefore, be a potential strategy to overcome this problem since mutations in the viral genome are unlikely to bypass the requirement for the targeted host factor or function. The enzymatic activity of N-myristoyltransferases (NMTs) are essential to mediate stable membrane binding and function of a diverse class of cellular proteins, many of which regulate intracellular membrane trafficking. Here we report that nanomolar concentrations of the NMT inhibitor IMP-1088 inhibited SARS-CoV-2 spreading in human cells by compromising the infectivity of released viral particles, which was reduced by up to 90%. IMP-1088 also inhibited human Respiratory syncytial virus, the main cause of viral death in infants world-wide, but not the mosquito-delivered alphavirus Semliki Forest virus and the vesiculovirus Vesicular stomatitis virus. The antiviral effect of IMP-1088 against SARS-CoV-2 displayed remarkably slow reversibility, was well tolerated by cells, and is, therefore, a promising candidate for COVID-19 prophylaxis and therapy.