Biochemical screening for SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors.

ABSTRACT: The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic represents a global challenge. SARS-CoV-2's ability to replicate in host cells relies on the action of its non-structural proteins, like its main protease (Mpro). This cysteine protease acts by processing the viruses' precursor polyproteins. As proteases, together with polymerases, are main targets of antiviral drug design, we here have performed biochemical high throughput screening (HTS) with recombinantly expressed SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. A fluorescent assay was used to identify inhibitors in a compound library containing known drugs, bioactive molecules and natural products. These screens led to the identification of 13 inhibitors with IC50 values ranging from 0.2 μM to 23 μM. The screens confirmed several known SARS-C

SUBMITTER: Coelho C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7537881 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature