A promising new drug compound identified as having the potential to treat viruses such as COVID-19, influenza and Ebola

The compound UMB18 (multicolor) binds to the 3D structure of the SKI protein complex shown in silver.Credits: University of Maryland School of Medicine

Research could accelerate efforts to develop new antivirals to combat influenza, Ebola, and new coronaviruses such as: COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) (# If there is no character limit, add parentheses when it first appears..

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and the University of Medicine (UMSOP) have discovered new drug compounds that have the potential to treat the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. These compounds disrupt the function of protein complexes in human cells, which researchers have found to be important for coronavirus replication and survival. According to a new study published today, this finding could lead to the development of new broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that target viruses such as influenza, Ebola, and coronavirus. Minutes of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) Journal.

A protein complex, called the SKI complex, is a group of human proteins that regulate various aspects of the normal functioning of cells. In a new study, researchers found that this complex plays an important role in helping the virus replicate its genetic material. RNA, In the cell it infects.

“We found that destroying the SKI complex prevented the virus from copying itself and essentially destroys the virus,” said a research-responsive author who is an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at UMSOM. Dr. Matthew Frieman said. “We have also identified compounds that target the SKI complex and inhibit not only the coronavirus, but also the influenza and filoviruses that cause Ebola.”

He and his colleagues at the Computer-Assisted Drug Design Center in Pharmacies and the Biomolecule Therapy Center at UMSOM used computer modeling to identify the binding site for the SKI complex and the compounds that could bind to this site. Subsequent analysis has shown that these compounds have antiviral activity against coronavirus, influenza virus, and filovirus (such as Ebola). Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases also participated in this study.

The study was funded by Emergent BioSolutions, a biopharmacy company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

“These findings are an important first step in identifying new antiviral drugs that could be used to treat a number of deadly infections,” said UMSOM’s researcher and lead author. Dr. Stuart Weston said. Such drugs have the potential to treat future pandemic-related infections. The next steps include conducting animal studies to learn more about the safety and efficacy of these compounds that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

In other federally funded research activities, Dr. Freeman and his team have been approved and sold under other conditions to see if they can be reused to prevent or treat COVID-19. We are testing hundreds of drugs quickly.

“Researchers are continuing their efforts to drive innovation as COVID-19 may face a long and harsh winter,” said E. E., Executive Vice President of Healthcare at UM Baltimore. Dr. Albert Reese, MBA, and John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers are prominent professors and dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “Basic research continues to be an important part of this effort to keep us ready for the next pandemic.”

Reference: “The SKI complex is a broad spectrum host-directed antiviral target for coronavirus, influenza, and filovirus,” Stuart Weston, Lauren Baracco, Chloe Keller, Krystal Matthews, Marisa E. McGrath, James Logue, Janie Liang, Julie Dyall, Michael R. Holbrook, Lisa E. Hensley, Peter B. Jahrling, Wenbo Yu, Alexander D. MacKerell Jr, Matthew B. Frieman, Minutes of the National Academy of Sciences..
DOI: 10.1073 / pnas.2012939117