Potential Inhibition of COVID-19 RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase by Hepatitis C Virus Non-nucleoside Inhibitors: An In-silico Perspective

Choong, Y. S.; Lim, T. S.; Liu, H. N.; Jiang, R. B.; Cai, Z. M.; Ge, Y.

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel member of the genus betacoronavirus in the Coronaviridae family. It has been identified as the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), spreading rapidly in Asia, America and Europe. Like some other RNA viruses, RNA replication and transcription of SARS-CoV-2 rely on its RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), which is a therapeutic target of clinical importance. Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 was solved recently (PDB ID 6M71) with some missing residues. Objective: We used SARS-CoV-2 RdRP as a target protein to screen for possible chemical molecules with potential anti-viral effects. Methods: Here we modelled the missing residues 896-905 via homology modelling and then analysed the interactions of Hepatitis C virus allosteric non-nucleoside inhibitors (NNIs) in the reported NNIs binding sites in SARS-CoV-2 RdRP. Results: We found that MK-3281, filibuvir, setrobuvir and dasabuvir might be able to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 RdRP based on their binding affinities in the respective binding sites. Conclusion: Further in vitro and in vivo experimental research will be carried out to evaluate their effectiveness in COVID-19 treatment in the near future.