Screening and discovery of an antiviral candidate inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 envelope (2-E) channel.

ABSTRACT: The SARS-CoV-2-encoded 2-E channel is critical in the viral life cycle and pathogenesis. By facilitating viral replication, it promotes the dysregulation of inflammatory pathways, leading to cytokine storm, and triggers DNA damage response (DDR), thus exacerbating disease progression. The 2-E channel, a viroporin, is a promising antiviral target. However, the lack of specific inhibitors and effective screening methods has hindered therapeutic exploitation of the 2-E channel. To address this gap, we report on a fluorescence-based screening assay that targets the 2-E channel activity, resulting in the identification of potential inhibitory molecules. After performing both electrophysiological studies and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analyses, we identified the top-ranked candidate, TPN105

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12167022 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature