Title |
Antiviral Activity Against SARS‑CoV‑2 Variants Using in Silico and in Vitro Approaches |
Author |
Hee‑Jung Lee1, Hanul Choi1, Aleksandra Nowakowska1, Lin‑Woo Kang2, Minjee Kim1*, and Young Bong Kim1* |
Address |
1Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea, 2Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea |
Bibliography |
Journal of Microbiology, 61(7),703-711, 2023,
|
DOI |
10.1007/s12275-023-00062-4
|
Key Words |
Drug repurposing · SARS-CoV-2 · In silico · In vitro assay · Fenofibrate |
Abstract |
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emergence in 2019 led to global health crises and the persistent
risk of viral mutations. To combat SARS-CoV-2 variants, researchers have explored new approaches to identifying
potential targets for coronaviruses. This study aimed to identify SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors using drug repurposing. In silico
studies and network pharmacology were conducted to validate targets and coronavirus-associated diseases to select potential
candidates, and in vitro assays were performed to evaluate the antiviral effects of the candidate drugs to elucidate the
mechanisms of the viruses at the molecular level and determine the effective antiviral drugs for them. Plaque and cytopathic
effect reduction were evaluated, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription was used to evaluate the antiviral activity
of the candidate drugs against SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro. Finally, a comparison was made between the molecular docking
binding affinities of fenofibrate and remdesivir (positive control) to conventional and identified targets validated from
protein–protein interaction (PPI). Seven candidate drugs were obtained based on the biological targets of the coronavirus,
and potential targets were identified by constructing complex disease targets and PPI networks. Among the candidates,
fenofibrate exhibited the strongest inhibition effect 1 h after Vero E6 cell infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants. This study
identified potential targets for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and SARS-CoV-2 and suggested fenofibrate as a potential
therapy for COVID-19. |