- SARS-CoV and MERS- CoV spike proteins were "pseudotyped with murine leukemia virus to form SARS-S and MERS-S PP carrying luciferase reporter RNA" This caused them to luminesce, leading to easy observation. 
- Susceptible cells were inoculated, incubated, and them luminescence levels were measure (all done in 1536 well plates).

Northwestern University

In this study two SARS-CoV-2  inhibitors were identified and three compounds- cepharanthine, abemaciclib and trimipramine- were discovered to be broad-spectrum spike-mediated entry inhibitors. 
- spike protein: general information
- general procedure
- cepharanthine results
- abemaciclib results
- trimipramine results
- importance/Future Directions

Using SARS-S and MERS-S Inhibitors to Prevent COVID-19

Chen C., Xu M., et al. 11 June 2020. Identifying SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors through drug repurposing screens of SARS- S and MERS-S pseudotyped particles. BioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.10.197988 

Identifying SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors through drug repurposing screens of SARS- S and MERS-S pseudotyped particles

General Procedure 

Rescued susceptible cells from SARS-CoV-2 infection via entry inhibition, although further experimentation is needed to supplement these findings. 

Cepharanthine Results

- displayed selective inhibition of SARS - CoV PP and MERS - CoV PP
- rescued susceptible cells from SARS - CoV - 2
- works as a CDK inhibitor, blocks viral replication

Abemaciclib Results

- rescued susceptible cells for SARS - CoV - 2 infection
- blocks viral entry of Ebola and influenza, showing that it may have a strong future among the coronaviruses, however more investigation is needed

Trimipramine Results

 "The authors believe that these coronavirus specific viral entry inhibitors may have utility in a drug combination therapy with other anti - SARS-CoV-2 drugs that have different mechanisms of action, such as remdesivir (the viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor), or lysomotropic autophagy inhibitors." 

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