Digging deeper into this helped experts convert the strength of SARS-CoV-2 into its weakness.
‘STM2457, at its highest dosage, suppressed the multiplication of SARS-CoV-2 by more than 90%’
The team found that two additional proteins, YTHDF1 and YTHDF3 , were also crucial in the viral replication inside our body. They then partnered with the UK-based Storm therapeutics and experimented with finding the best-matching compound that blocks and inactivates METTL3.
On comparing the effect of STM2457, a METTL3 inhibitor with an inactive control compound called STM2120 against the cells infected by HCoV-OC43 (an animal flu virus) and SARS-CoV-2, they found that,
STM2457, at its highest dose, reduced the number of HCoV-OC43-infected cells by 80%
STM2457 in the exact dosage suppressed the multiplication of SARS-CoV-2 by more than 90%
Ian Mohr, the senior author of the study, explained, “This represents a necessary step in drug development, identifies new targets, and reveals an unexpected strategy to halt the coronavirus lifecycle.”
Source: Medindia
