A Systematic Study on the Optimal Nucleotide Analogue Concentration and Rate Limiting Nucleotide of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase


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Author / Producer

Date

2022

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

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Data

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity of more efficient antiviral compounds. The antiviral efficacy of adenosine-based analogs, the main repurposed drugs for SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibition, is mainly assessed through in vitro or cell-free polymerization assays, under arbitrary conditions that do not reflect the physiological environment. We show that SARS-CoV-2 RdRp inhibition efficiency of remdesivir and cordycepin, two common adenosine analogs, is influenced by endogenous adenosine level, and that the current clinically approved concentrations for COVID-19 treatment are suboptimal for effective RdRp inhibition. Furthermore, we identified GTP as the rate-limiting nucleotide of SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our results demonstrate that nucleotide sensitivity of the RdRp complex and competition of nucleoside analog drugs against endogenous concentrations of nucleotides are crucial elements to be considered when designing new SARS-CoV-2 antiviral compounds.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

23 (15)

Pages / Article No.

8302

Publisher

MDPI

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

SARS-CoV-2; RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; COVID-19; coronavirus; remdesivir; cordycepin; GS-5734; EIDD-2801; NUC-7738; GS-443902

Organisational unit

Notes

Funding

182880 - NCCR RNA#38;Disease (51NF40-182880): Flexibility Grant (SNF)

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