ArticlePLoS pathogens2023
Targeting RNA G-quadruplex with repurposed drugs blocks SARS-CoV-2 entry.
Article in PLoS pathogens, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 30 citations in OpenAlex.
- Recent advances in functional studies of coronavirus NSP13 helicase and challenges in inhibitor development.Virulence · 2026Review
- Regulatory roles of G-quadruplexes and G-quadruplex-binding proteins across the enhancer and promoter of the HBV genome.Virology journal · 2026Article
- Review
- RNA G-quadruplex structure targeting and imaging: recent advances and future directions.RNA (New York, N.Y.) · 2025Review
- Pathological Glucose Levels Enhance Entry Factor Expression and Hepatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection.Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 2025Article
- Structural basis and mode of action for two broadly neutralizing nanobodies targeting the highly conserved spike stem-helix of sarbecoviruses including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.PLoS pathogens · 2025Article
- Expanding Cas12a Activity Control with an RNA G-Quadruplex at the 5' end of CRISPR RNA.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2025Article
- FDA-approved drug repurposing screen identifies inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus entry.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Article
- Kanamycin and G-Quadruplexes: An Exploration of Binding Interactions.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- A Hierarchical Mechanotransduction System: From Macro to Micro.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2024Review
- Host factors of SARS-CoV-2 in infection, pathogenesis, and long-term effects.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2024Review
- A Review: The Potential Involvement of Growth Arrest-Specific 6 and Its Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Lung Damage and in Coronavirus Disease 2019.Microorganisms · 2023Review
- Interaction of Camptothecin Anticancer Drugs with Ribosomal Proteins L15 and L11: A Molecular Docking Study.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Berbamine, a bioactive alkaloid, suppresses equine herpesvirus type 1Frontiers in veterinary science · 2023Article
- Circular RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma: biogenesis, function, and pathology.Frontiers in genetics · 2023Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
16 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, the complexity of infection, and the functional redundancy of host factors, underscore an urgent need for broad-spectrum antivirals against the continuous COVID-19 pandemic, with drug repurposing as a viable therapeutic strategy. Here we report the potential of RNA G-quadruplex (RG4)-targeting therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 entry. Combining bioinformatics, biochemical and biophysical approaches, we characterize the existence of RG4s in several SARS-CoV-2 host factors. In silico screening followed by experimental validation identify Topotecan (TPT) and Berbamine (BBM), two clinical approved drugs, as RG4-stabilizing agents with repurposing potential for COVID-19. Both TPT and BBM can reduce the protein level of RG4-containing host factors, including ACE2, AXL, FURIN, and TMPRSS2. Intriguingly, TPT and BBM block SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus entry into target cells in vitro and murine tissues in vivo. These findings emphasize the significance of RG4 in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and provide a potential broad-spectrum antiviral strategy for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.