In silico characterisation of a novel SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein inhibitor and in vitro validation against murine coronavirus

Bioorganic Chemistry 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Nina Kobe, Lennart Dreisewerd, Miha Lukšič, Matic Pavlin, Uroš Grošelj, Črtomir Podlipnik, Mojca Janc, Živa Lengar, Polona Mrak, Magda Tušek Žnidarič, Maruša Pompe Novak, Urška Kuhar
+5 more Peter Hostnik, Federica Dattola, Tea Carletti, Alessandro Marcello, Polona Kogovšek
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2026.109949
Cited by: 1
References: 72

Abstract

of approximately 12 μM was within the same micromolar range as those observed for the reference Epro inhibitors 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride and rimantadine. Quantitative PCR experiments showed delayed RNA replication in LC-treated infected cells, while light and transmission electron microscopy displayed the reduced release of virions and prevention of cell lysis. These results emphasise the central role of the Epro ion channel in the coronavirus life cycle and present LC as a promising candidate for the further development of novel coronavirus inhibitors.

Fields of Study & Subjects

SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies Computational Drug Discovery Methods

Publication details

Journal / source
Bioorganic Chemistry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
178
Pages
109949–109949
Publication date
6 May 2026
Language
EN