High-Throughput Screening for Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Protease Using a FRET-Biosensor.

ABSTRACT: The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic started late 2019 and currently continues unabated. The lag-time for developing vaccines means it is of paramount importance to be able to quickly develop and repurpose therapeutic drugs. Protein-based biosensors allow screening to be performed using routine molecular laboratory equipment without a need for expensive chemical reagents. Here we present a biosensor for the 3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease from SARS-CoV-2, comprising a FRET-capable pair of fluorescent proteins held in proximity by a protease cleavable linker. We demonstrate the utility of this biosensor for inhibitor discovery by screening 1280 compounds from the Library of Pharmaceutically Active Compounds collection. The screening identified 65 inhibitors, with the 20 most active exhibiti

SUBMITTER: Brown AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7587356 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature