Exploring peptide studies related to SARS-CoV to accelerate the development of novel therapeutic and prophylactic solutions against COVID-19

Abstract

Recent advances in peptide research revolutionized therapeutic discoveries for various infectious diseases. In view of the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to develop potential therapeutic options. Intense and accomplishing research is being carried out to develop broad-spectrum vaccines and treatment options for corona viruses, due to the risk of recurrent infection by the existing strains or pandemic outbreaks by new mutant strains. Developing a novel medicine is costly and time consuming, which increases the value of repurposing existing therapies. Since, SARS-CoV-2 shares significant genomic homology with SARS-CoV, we have summarized various peptides identified against SARS-CoV using in silico and molecular studies and also the peptides effective against SARS-CoV-2. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying viral infection could yield fundamental insights in the discovery of new antiviral agents, targeting viral proteins or host factors. We postulate that these peptides can serve as effective components for therapeutic options against SARS-CoV-2, supporting clinical scientists globally in selectively identifying and testing the therapeutic and prophylactic agents for COVID-19 treatment. In addition, we also summarized the latest updates on peptide therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.

Peptides as Therapeutic Agents: Challenges and Opportunities in the Green Transition Era

“…Also in this case, peptides endowed with good antiviral potential have been identified. Among these, peptides able to block the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, thus preventing viral recognition and attack, emerged as particularly promising [43,44]. As a title of example, ACE2-blocker mucroporin-M1 (LFRLIKSLIKRLVSAFK, Figure 9) is an engineered peptide analogue carrying four residual mutations with respect to the parent peptide, mucroporin, isolated from the venom of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus.…”

Recent Advances in Formulations for Long-Acting Delivery of Therapeutic Peptides

“…Peptide vaccines can provide a good safety profile, ease of production, and high specificity . In recent years, numerous studies have focused on the development of peptide vaccines for the treatment of various diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) − and the Zaire ebolavirus . Hence, it is expected that there will be a high demand for antiviral peptide delivery formulations to improve the treatment of viral diseases in the near future.…”