Synergistic Interactions of Repurposed Drugs that Inhibit Nsp1, a Major Virulence Factor for COVID-19

Abstract

Nsp1 is the first protein expressed from the SARS-CoV-2 genome and is a major virulence factor for COVID -19. A rapid multiplexed assay for detecting the action of Nsp1 was developed in cultured lung cells. The assay is based on the acute cytopathic effects induced by Nsp1. Virtual screening was used to stratify compounds that interact with two functional Nsp1 sites: the RNA-binding groove and C-terminal helix-loop-helix region. Experimental screening focused on compounds that could be readily repurposed to treat COVID-19. Multiple synergistic combinations of compounds that significantly inhibited Nsp1 action were identified. Among the most promising combinations are Ponatinib, Rilpivirine, and Montelukast, which together, reversed the toxic effects of Nsp1 to the same extent as null mutations in the Nsp1 gene.

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“…In SARS-CoV-2, Nsp1 is likely to play many different key roles in the host cell [15]. Other previously published studies have reported that Nsp1 inhibits host protein translation and disrupts the mRNA export machinery to inhibit host gene expression [16][17][18].…”