Host cell and viral protease targets of human SERPINs identified by in silico docking

ABSTRACT: Serine protease inhibitors (SERPINs) are involved in various physiological processes and diseases, such as inflammation, cancer metastasis, and neurodegeneration. Their role in viral infections is poorly understood, as their expression patterns during infection and the range of proteases they target have yet to be fully characterized. Here, we show widespread expression of human SERPINs in response to respiratory virus infections, both in bronchioalveolar lavages from COVID-19 patients and in polarized human airway epithelial cultures. Using in silico docking of 10 SERPINs to 48 host proteases, we confirm known targets and predict new interactions. Protease activity assays validated selected interactions, confirming the newly predicted host targets for PAI-1 (SERPINE1) and PAI-2 (SERPINB2)

SUBMITTER: Joaquin Rodriguez Galvan 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44318-025-00546-6 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other