Knowledge-based structural models of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and their complexes with potential drugs

FEBS Lett. 2020 Jun;594(12):1960-1973. doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.13806. Epub 2020 May 25.

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 a pandemic. There is, however, no confirmed anti-COVID-19 therapeutic currently. In order to assist structure-based discovery efforts for repurposing drugs against this disease, we constructed knowledge-based models of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and compared the ligand molecules in the template structures with approved/experimental drugs and components of natural medicines. Our theoretical models suggest several drugs, such as carfilzomib, sinefungin, tecadenoson, and trabodenoson, that could be further investigated for their potential for treating COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV; coronavirus; crude drug; drug repurposing; homology modeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / metabolism*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects
  • Betacoronavirus / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Viral Proteins