[HTML][HTML] Alpha 1 antitrypsin is an inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2–priming protease TMPRSS2
NP Azouz, AM Klingler, V Callahan… - Pathogens And …, 2021 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Pathogens And Immunity, 2021•ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Background: Host proteases have been suggested to be crucial for dissemination of MERS,
SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses, but the relative contribution of membrane
versus intracellular proteases remains controversial. Transmembrane serine protease 2
(TMPRSS2) is regarded as one of the main proteases implicated in the coronavirus S
protein priming, an important step for binding of the S protein to the angiotensin-converting
enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor before cell entry. Methods: We developed a cell-based assay to …
SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses, but the relative contribution of membrane
versus intracellular proteases remains controversial. Transmembrane serine protease 2
(TMPRSS2) is regarded as one of the main proteases implicated in the coronavirus S
protein priming, an important step for binding of the S protein to the angiotensin-converting
enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor before cell entry. Methods: We developed a cell-based assay to …
Abstract
Background:
Host proteases have been suggested to be crucial for dissemination of MERS, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses, but the relative contribution of membrane versus intracellular proteases remains controversial. Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) is regarded as one of the main proteases implicated in the coronavirus S protein priming, an important step for binding of the S protein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor before cell entry.
Methods:
We developed a cell-based assay to identify TMPRSS2 inhibitors. Inhibitory activity was established in SARS-CoV-2 viral load systems.
Results:
We identified the human extracellular serine protease inhibitor (serpin) alpha 1 anti-trypsin (A1AT) as a novel TMPRSS2 inhibitor. Structural modeling revealed that A1AT docked to an extracellular domain of TMPRSS2 in a conformation that is suitable for catalysis, resembling similar serine protease inhibitor complexes. Inhibitory activity of A1AT was established in a SARS-CoV-2 viral load system. Notably, plasma A1AT levels were associated with COVID-19 disease severity.
Conclusions:
Our data support the key role of extracellular serine proteases in SARS CoV-2 infections and indicate that treatment with serpins, particularly the FDA-approved drug A1AT, may be effective in limiting SARS-CoV-2 dissemination by affecting the surface of the host cells.
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