Exploiting Existing Molecular Scaffolds for Long-Term COVID Treatment

Krishna Kumar; Tania J Lupoli

doi:10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00254

Exploiting Existing Molecular Scaffolds for Long-Term COVID Treatment

ACS Med Chem Lett. 2020 Jun 3;11(7):1357-1360. doi: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00254. eCollection 2020 Jul 9.

Authors

Krishna Kumar¹, Tania J Lupoli²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States.
² Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States.

Abstract

Discovery and development of COVID-19 prophylactics and treatments remains a global imperative. This perspective provides an overview of important molecular pathways involved in the viral life cycle of SARS-CoV-2, the infectious agent of COVID-19. We highlight past and recent findings in essential coronavirus proteins, including RNA polymerase machinery, proteases, and fusion proteins, that offer opportunities for the design of novel inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 infection. By discussing the current inventory of viral inhibitors, we identify molecular scaffolds that may be improved by medicinal chemistry efforts for effective therapeutics to treat current and future coronavirus-caused diseases.