Potential Antiviral Target for SARS-CoV-2:A Key Early Responsive Kinase during Viral Entry

Currently,there is no effective antiviral medication for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)and the knowledge on the potential therapeutic target is in great need.Guided by a time-course transmission electron microscope(TEM)imaging,we analyzed early phosphorylation dynamics within the first 15 min during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)viral entry.Based on alterations in the phosphorylation events,we found that kinase activities such as protein kinase C(PKC),interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4(IRAK4),MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 3(MARK3),and TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1)were affected within 15 min of infection.Application of the corresponding kinase inhibitors of PKC,IRAK4,and p38 showed significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication.Additionally,proinflammatory cytokine production was reduced by applying PKC and p38 inhibitors.By an acquisition of a combined image data using positiveand negative-sense RNA probes,as well as pseudovirus entry assay,we demonstrated that PKC contributed to viral entry into the host cell,and therefore,could be a potential COVID-19 therapeutic target.

How hepatitis C virus invades hepatocytes: The mystery of viral entry

Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is a global health problem,with an estimated 170 million people being chronically infected.HCV cell entry is a complex multi-step process,involving several cellular factors that trigger virus uptake into the hepatocytes.The high-density lipoprotein receptor scavenger receptor class B type I,tetraspanin CD81,tight junction protein claudin-1,and occludin are the main receptors that mediate the initial step of HCV infection.In addition,the virus uses cell receptor tyrosine kinases as entry regulators,such as epidermal growth factor receptor and ephrin receptor A2.This review summarizes the current understanding about how cell surface molecules are involved in HCV attachment,internalization,and membrane fusion,and how host cell kinases regulate virus entry.The advances of the potential antiviral agents targeting this process are introduced.

Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment for hepatitis C virus infection

Pegylated interferon α (IFNα) in combination with ribavirin is currently recommended as a standard-of-care treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This combination therapy has drastically improved the rate of sustained virological response, specifically in difficult-to-treat patients. Recently, individualized treatment, such as response-guided therapy, is being developed based on host-, HCV- and treatment-related factors. Furthermore, modified regimens with currently available medications, novel modified IFNα and ribavirin or combinations with specifically targeted antiviral therapy for HCV agents, are currently being investigated. The purpose of this review is to address some issues and epoch-making topics in the treatment of chronic HCV infection, and to discuss more optimal and highly individualized therapeutic strategies for HCV-infected patients.

Functional interplay among the flavivirus NS3 protease, helicase, and cofactors

Flaviviruses are positive-sense RNA viruses, and many are important human pathogens. Nonstructural protein 2B and 3 of the flaviviruses(NS2BNS3) form an endoplasmic reticulum(ER) membrane-associated hetero-dimeric complex through the NS2B transmembrane region. The NS2BNS3 complex is multifunctional. The N-terminal region of NS3, and its cofactor NS2B fold into a protease that is responsible for viral polyprotein processing, and the C-terminal domain of NS3 possesses NTPase/RNA helicase activities and is involved in viral RNA replication and virus particle formation. In addition, NS2BNS3 complex has also been shown to modulate viral pathogenesis and the host immune response. Because of the essential functions that the NS2BNS3 complex plays in the flavivirus life cycle, it is an attractive target for antiviral development. This review focuses on the recent biochemical and structural advances of NS2BNS3 and provides a brief update on the current status of drug development targeting this viral protein complex.

SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity:the good,the bad,and the"goldilocks"

An ancient conflict between hosts and pathogens has driven the innate and adaptive arms of immunity.Knowledge about this interplay can not only help us identify biological mechanisms but also reveal pathogen vulnerabilities that can be leveraged therapeutically.The humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been the focus of intense research,and the role of the innate immune system has received significantly less attention.Here,we review current knowledge of the innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the various means SARS-CoV-2 employs to evade innate defense systems.We also consider the role of innate immunity in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and in the phenomenon of long COVID.

Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein RNA binding domain reveals potential unique drug targeting sites

The outbreak of coronavirus disease(COVID-19)caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus continually lead to worldwide human infections and deaths.Currently,there is no specific viral protein-targeted therapeutics.Viral nucleocapsid protein is a potential antiviral drug target,serving multiple critical functions during the viral life cycle.However,the structural information of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein remains unclear.Herein,we have determined the 2.7 A crystal structure of the N-terminal RNA binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein.Although the overall structure is similar as other reported coronavirus nucleocapsid protein N-terminal domain,the surface electrostatic potential characteristics between them are distinct.Further comparison with mild virus type HCoV-OC43 equivalent domain demonstrates a unique potential RNA binding pocket alongside theβ-sheet core.Complemented by in vitro binding studies,our data provide several atomic resolution features of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein N-terminal domain,guiding the design of novel antiviral agents specific targeting to SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-Coronavirus-2 Nsp13 Possesses NTPase and RNA Helicase Activities That Can Be Inhibited by Bismuth Salts

The ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)has become a global public health emergency.SARScoronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2),the causative pathogen of COVID-19,is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae.For RNA viruses,virus-encoded RNA helicases have long been recognized to play pivotal roles during viral life cycles by facilitating the correct folding and replication of viral RNAs.Here,our studies show that SARS-CoV-2-encoded nonstructural protein 13(nsp13)possesses the nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase(NTPase)and RNA helicase activities that can hydrolyze all types of NTPs and unwind RNA helices dependently of the presence of NTP,and further characterize the biochemical characteristics of these two enzymatic activities associated with SARS-CoV-2 nsp13.Moreover,we found that some bismuth salts could effectively inhibit both the NTPase and RNA helicase activities of SARS-CoV-2 nsp13 in a dose-dependent manner.Thus,our findings demonstrate the NTPase and helicase activities of SARS-CoV-2 nsp13,which may play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 replication and serve as a target for antivirals.