Synthetic peptides outside the spike protein heptad repeat regions as potent inhibitors of SARS-associated coronavirus.

摘要: A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been identified as the aetiological agent of SARS. We previously isolated and characterized SARS-CoV SARS-CoV-like viruses from human animals, respectively, suggesting that SARS could be transmitted wild/farmed animals to humans. Comparison viral genomes indicated sequence variation between animal isolates existed mainly in spike (S) gene. hypothesized these variations may underlie a change binding specificity S protein host cells, permitting transmission Here we report four 20-mer synthetic peptides (S fragments), designed span hotspots, exhibited significant antiviral activities cell line. infectivity was reduced over 10 000-fold through pre-incubation with two peptides, while it completely inhibited presence three peptides. Molecular modelling peplomer suggests map interfaces monomers trimeric rather than heptad repeat region which short are known inhibit entry. Our results revealed regions can targeted infection. The this study further developed into drugs.