A novel class of TMPRSS2 inhibitors potently block SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV viral entry and protect human epithelial lung cells
Abstract
MM3122 represents an advanced lead candidate for clinical development as a novel antiviral drug for COVID-19. In addition to being novel drugs, these selective TMRSS2 inhibitors can be used as valuable chemical probes to help elucidate mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. Since TMPRSS2 plays a key role as a viral protein processing protease in the pathogenesis of other coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV) as well as influenza viruses, MM3122 and this class of TMPRSS2 inhibitors hold much promise as new drugs to not only treat SARS-CoV-2 infections but also potentially represent broad-spectrum antivirals.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- October 2021
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.2108728118
- Bibcode:
- 2021PNAS..11808728M