Abstract
Emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 and potential novel epidemic coronaviruses underline the importance of investigating various viral proteins as potential drug targets. The papain-like protease of coronaviruses has been less explored than other viral proteins; however, its substantive role in viral replication and impact on the host immune response make it a suitable target to study. This review article focuses on the structure and function of the papain-like protease (PL pro ) of SARS-CoV-2, including variants of concern, and compares it to those of other coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. The protease’s recognition motif is mirrored in ubiquitin and ISG15, which are involved in the antiviral immune response. Inhibitors, including GRL0617 derivatives, and their prospects as potential future antiviral agents are also discussed.
Keywords: COVID-19; antivirals; immune response; posttranslational modifications; protease inhibitors.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, immune response, antivirals, protease inhibitors., posttranslational modifications, 【초록키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, variants of concern, protease, SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, protease inhibitors, immune, Replication, Papain-like protease, Epidemic, Host immune response, targets, antiviral agent, ISG15, antiviral immune response, Viral protein, other coronaviruses, motif, derivatives, variants of SARS-CoV-2, involved, coronavirus, less, in viral, 【제목키워드】 Structure, SARS-CoV-2, inhibition, function,