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Cited by 426

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 30 of the 30 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Prediction of the SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) 3C-like protease (3CLpro) structure: virtual screening reveals velpatasvir, ledipasvir, and other drug repurposing candidates

Open access
Chen, Yu Wai, Yiu, Chin-Pang Bennu, Wong, Kwok-Yin·2020·F1000Research

Abstract

We prepared the three-dimensional model of the SARS-CoV-2 (aka 2019-nCoV) 3C-like protease (3CL pro) using the crystal structure of the highly similar (96% identity) ortholog from the SARS-CoV. All residues involved in the catalysis, substrate binding and dimerisation are 100% conserved. Comparison of the polyprotein PP1AB sequences showed 86% identity. The 3C-like cleavage sites on the coronaviral polyproteins are highly conserved. Based on the near-identical substrate specificities and high sequence identities, we are of the opinion that some of the previous progress of specific inhibitors development for the SARS-CoV enzyme can be conferred on its SARS-CoV-2 counterpart. With the 3CL pro molecular model, we performed virtual screening for purchasable drugs and proposed 16 candidates for consideration. Among these, the antivirals ledipasvir or velpatasvir are particularly attractive as therapeutics to combat the new coronavirus with minimal side effects, commonly fatigue and headache. The drugs Epclusa (velpatasvir/sofosbuvir) and Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) could be very effective owing to their dual inhibitory actions on two viral enzymes.

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Metadata

Authors
Chen, Y. W., Yiu, C.-P. B., & Wong, K.-Y.
Venue
F1000Research
Published
2020-04-09
Volume
9
Pages
129
ISSN
2046-1402 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3007386177
Cited by
426
References
30
FWCI
12.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
gold

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Prediction of the SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) 3C-like protease (3CLpro) structure: virtual screening reveals velpatasvir, ledipasvir, and other drug repurposing candidates. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.12688/f1000research.22457.2
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Chen, Y. W., Yiu, C.-P. B., & Wong, K.-Y. (2020). Prediction of the SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) 3C-like protease (3CLpro) structure: virtual screening reveals velpatasvir, ledipasvir, and other drug repurposing candidates. F1000Research. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.22457.2

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