3CL Protease Inhibitors with an Electrophilic Arylketone Moiety as Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents.
Konno S, Kobayashi K, Senda M, Funai Y, Seki Y, Tamai I, Schäkel L, Sakata K, Pillaiyar T, Taguchi A, Taniguchi A, Gütschow M, Müller CE, Takeuchi K, Hirohama M, Kawaguchi A, Kojima M, Senda T, Shirasaka Y, Kamitani W, Hayashi Y.
The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has been identified as the causative agent for the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. 3CL protease (3CL<sup>pro</sup>) plays a pivotal role in the processing of viral polyproteins. We report peptidomimetic compounds with a unique benzothiazolyl ketone as a warhead group, which display potent activity against SARS-CoV-2 3CL<sup>pro</sup>. The most potent inhibitor YH-53 can strongly block the SARS-CoV-2 replication. X-ray structural analysis revealed that YH-53 establishes multiple hydrogen bond interactions with backbone amino acids and a covalent bond with the active site of 3CL<sup>pro</sup>. Further results from computational and experimental studies, including an <i>in vitro</i> absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion profile, <i>in vivo</i> pharmacokinetics, and metabolic analysis of YH-53 suggest that it has a high potential as a lead candidate to compete with COVID-19.