ABSTRACT

The diversity geometries, coordination numbers, and redox properties of metal complexes make them quite distinguish from organic compounds, resulting in a unique role in disease diagnosis and treatment3. Herein, we found that certain metal complexes including those clinically used metallodrugs, effectively inhibit both MTase activity and ExoN activity of nsp14, especially bismuth(III)- and gold(I)-based compounds. The inhibition mechanism of bismuth(III) and gold(I) compounds was found to displace Zn(II) ions from nsp14 and nsp10 by bismuth(III) or gold(I) ions, leading to change on stability and quaternary structure of the protein. Our study demonstrates a high potential of bismuth(III) and gold(I) compounds as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.

This work was supported by the Research Grants Council (RGC, 17318322, 2122-7S04), ITF (ITS/278/20) of Hong Kong SAR and the University of Hong Kong (URC and Norman & Cecilia Foundation).

References

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2. Lin S.; Chen H.; Lu G. et al. Nucleic Acids Res 2021, 49, 5382-5392.
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