Background:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel member of the genus
betacoronavirus in the Coronaviridae family. It has been identified as the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) spreading rapidly in Asia, America and Europe. Like some other RNA viruses, RNA replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2 relies on its RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), which is a therapeutic target of clinical importance. Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 that was solved recently (PDB ID 6M71) with some missing residues.
Objective:
We used SARS-CoV-2 RdRP as a target protein to screen for possible chemical molecules with potential antiviral effects.
Method:
Here we modelled the missing residues 896-905 via homology modelling and then analysed the interactions of
Hepatitis C virus allosteric non-nucleoside inhibitors (NNIs) in the reported NNIs binding sites in SARS-CoV-2 RdRP.
Results and Discussion:
We found that MK-3281, filibuvir, setrobuvir and dasabuvir might be able to inhibit SARS-CoV-2
RdRP based on their binding affinities in the respective binding sites.
Conclusion:
Further in vitro and in vivo experimental research will be carried out to evaluate their effectiveness in COVID19 treatment in the near future.
Crystal Structures of the RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Genotype 2a of Hepatitis C Virus Reveal Two Conformations and Suggest Mechanisms of Inhibition by Non-nucleoside Inhibitors
