Scientists from the Małopolska Center of Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, in close cooperation with the Helmholtz Institute in Munich, have identified a highly specific molecular inhibitor of one of the coronavirus enzymes, which is necessary for virus replication and multiplication.

The studies have shown that this inhibitor is able to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro in a cellular model, ex vivo in a respiratory epithelial model (HAE cultures) and in vivo in a mouse model.

The discovery and description of the unique method of inhibiting the enzyme by acryiflavin at the level of the protein structure will also serve in the near future as the basis for the design and development of new, improved active molecules that will help be prepared for future coronavirus outbreaks.

More:
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.20.436259v1