Molecular mechanisms of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and potential anti-COVID19 pharmacological targets since the outbreak of the pandemic

Dimitrios Vlachakis; Eleni Papakonstantinou; Thanasis Mitsis; Katerina Pierouli; Io Diakou; George Chrousos; Flora Bacopoulou

doi:10.1016/j.fct.2020.111805

Molecular mechanisms of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and potential anti-COVID19 pharmacological targets since the outbreak of the pandemic

Food Chem Toxicol. 2020 Dec:146:111805. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111805. Epub 2020 Oct 8.

Authors

Dimitrios Vlachakis¹, Eleni Papakonstantinou², Thanasis Mitsis², Katerina Pierouli², Io Diakou², George Chrousos³, Flora Bacopoulou⁴

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece; University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
² Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Athens, 11855, Greece.
³ University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece; Lab of Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, Athens, 11527, Greece.
⁴ University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 8 Levadias Street, Athens, 11527, Greece. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a severe threat against public health and global economies. COVID-19, the disease caused by this virus, is highly contagious and has led to an ongoing pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 affects, mainly, the respiratory system, with most severe cases primarily showcasing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Currently, no targeted therapy exists, and since the number of infections and death toll keeps rising, it has become a necessity to study possible therapeutic targets. Antiviral drugs can target various stages of the viral infection, and in the case of SARS-CoV-2, both structural and non-structural proteins have been proposed as potential drug targets. This review focuses on the most researched SARS-CoV-2 proteins, their structure, function, and possible therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Protein; SARS-CoV-2; Spike.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
COVID-19 / virology*
COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
Disease Outbreaks
Humans
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism
SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity*
Viral Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

Antiviral Agents
Viral Proteins