Human ACE2 peptide-mimics block SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary cells infection.

ABSTRACT: In light of the recent accumulated knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 and its mode of human cells invasion, the binding of viral spike glycoprotein to human Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor plays a central role in cell entry. We designed a series of peptides mimicking the N-terminal helix of hACE2 protein which contains most of the contacting residues at the binding site, exhibiting a high helical folding propensity in aqueous solution. Our best peptide-mimics are able to block SARS-CoV-2 human pulmonary cell infection with an inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) in the nanomolar range upon binding to the virus spike protein with high affinity. These first-in-class blocking peptide mimics represent powerful tools that might be used in prophylactic and therapeutic approaches to f

SUBMITTER: Karoyan P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7881012 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature