Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease provides a basis for design of improved a-ketoamide inhibitors

Linlin Zhang, Daizong Lin, Xinyuanyuan Sun, Ute Curth, Christian Drosten, Lucie Sauerhering, Stephan Becker, Katharina Rox, Rolf Hilgenfeld*

*Korrespondierende/r Autor/-in für diese Arbeit
515 Zitate (Scopus)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health emergency. An attractive drug target among coronaviruses is the main protease (Mpro, also called 3CLpro) because of its essential role in processing the polyproteins that are translated from the viral RNA. We report the x-ray structures of the unliganded SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and its complex with an a-ketoamide inhibitor. This was derived from a previously designed inhibitor but with the P3-P2 amide bond incorporated into a pyridone ring to enhance the half-life of the compound in plasma. On the basis of the unliganded structure, we developed the lead compound into a potent inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The pharmacokinetic characterization of the optimized inhibitor reveals a pronounced lung tropism and suitability for administration by the inhalative route.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftScience
Jahrgang368
Ausgabenummer6489
Seiten (von - bis)409-412
Seitenumfang4
ISSN0036-8075
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 24.04.2020

Strategische Forschungsbereiche und Zentren

  • Forschungsschwerpunkt: Infektion und Entzündung - Zentrum für Infektions- und Entzündungsforschung Lübeck (ZIEL)

DFG-Fachsystematik

  • 2.11-01 Biochemie

Coronavirus-Bezug

  • Forschung zu SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19

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