Structural Analysis of Inhibitor Binding to the Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV) Main Protease.

ABSTRACT: Coronaviruses include various strains that reside in natural animal reservoirs, with zoonotic transmission posing risks to both domesticated animals and human health. Recent efforts to address coronavirus infections have focused on developing inhibitors targeting the main protease (M^pro), some of which exhibit potential broad-spectrum efficacy. This study presents crystal structures of four clinically relevant inhibitors-GC376, PF-00835231, nirmatrelvir, and ibuzatrelvir-bound to M^pro from the feline coronavirus strain FECV-UU23. Structural analysis identified distinct FECV-specific features within the active site where these inhibitors bind and revealed S4 loop as a susceptible structural region essential for the enhanced binding of inhibitors in UU23 M^pro

SUBMITTER: Maryam A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12656910 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature