Authors
Caroline G Williams, Alexander S Jureka, Jesus A Silvas, Anthony M Nicolini, Stacie A Chvatal, Jared Carlson-Stevermer, Jennifer Oki, Kevin Holden, Christopher F Basler
Publication date
2021/8/3
Journal
Cell reports
Volume
36
Issue
5
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
Coronaviruses rely on host membranes for entry, establishment of replication centers, and egress. Compounds targeting cellular membrane biology and lipid biosynthetic pathways have previously shown promise as antivirals and are actively being pursued as treatments for other conditions. Here, we test small molecule inhibitors that target the PI3 kinase VPS34 or fatty acid metabolism for anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) activity. Our studies determine that compounds targeting VPS34 are potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Mechanistic studies with compounds targeting multiple steps up- and downstream of fatty acid synthase (FASN) identify the importance of triacylglycerol production and protein palmitoylation as requirements for efficient viral RNA synthesis and infectious virus production. Further, FASN knockout results in significantly impaired SARS-CoV-2 replication that can be …
Total citations
20212022202320241020199
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