Stapled Peptides Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein HR1 Inhibit the Fusion of Virus to Its Cell Receptor

J Med Chem. 2021 Dec 9;64(23):17486-17495. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01681. Epub 2021 Nov 24.

Abstract

The pandemic of acute respiratory disease in 2019 caused by highly pathogenic and infectious SARS-CoV-2 has seriously endangered human public safety. The 6-HB (HR1-HR2 complex) formation occurring in the process of spike protein-mediated membrane fusion could serve as a conserved and potential target for the design of fusion inhibitors. Based on the HR2 domain of 6-HB, we designed and synthesized 32 stapled peptides using an all-hydrocarbon peptide stapling strategy. Owing to the improved proteolytic stability and higher helical contents, the optimized stapled peptides termed SCH2-1-20 and SCH2-1-27 showed better inhibitory activities against pseudo and authentic SARS-CoV-2 compared to the linear counterpart. Of note, SCH2-1-20 and SCH2-1-27 were proved to interfere with S protein-mediated membrane fusion. Structural modeling indicated similar binding modes between SCH2-1-20 and the linear peptide. These optimized stapled peptides could serve as potent fusion inhibitors in treating and preventing SARS-CoV-2, and the corresponding SAR could facilitate further optimization.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antiviral Agents* / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptides* / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides* / chemistry
  • Peptides* / pharmacology
  • SARS-CoV-2* / drug effects
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / chemistry
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects

Substances

  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • Peptides
  • Antiviral Agents