Targeting Virus-Induced Reprogrammed Cell Metabolism via Glycolytic Inhibitors: An Effective Therapeutic Approach Against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Reprogrammed cell metabolism has been observed in a wide range of virally infected cells. Viruses do not have their metabolism; they rely on the cellular metabolism of the host to ensure the energy and macromolecules requirement for replication. Like other viruses, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) does not own its metabolism, but virus infected cells adopt aberrant cell metabolism. Infected viral use the energy and macromolecules to make their own copies; to do so, they need to increase the rate of metabolism to ensure the requirement of macromolecules. In contrast, the cellular metabolism of noninfected cells is more plastic than infected cells. Therefore, it is essential to examine the virus infection in the context of metabolic alterations of host cells. A novel therapeutic approach is urgently required to treat highly infectious COVID-19 disease and its pathogenesis. Interference of glucose metabolism might be a promising strategy to determine COVID-19 treatment options. Based on the recent research, this mini-review aims to understand the impact of reprogrammed cell metabolism in COVID-19 pathogenesis and explores the potential of targeting metabolic pathways with small molecules as a new strategy for the development of a novel drug to treat COVID-19 disease. This type of research line provides new hope in the development of antiviral drugs by targeting hijacked cell metabolism in case of viral diseases and also in COVID-19.

Keywords: Aberrant cell metabolism; COVID-19; Glycolytic inhibitors; SARS-CoV-2; antiviral drugs; metabolic inhibitors; small molecules.