A 2B Protein‐Derived Peptide Effectively Inhibits Coxsackievirus B3 Infection

The nonstructural 2B protein of coxsackievirus B (CVB) is a transmembrane protein that forms a hydrophilic tetramer viroporin on the cellular membrane structures. 2B plays a key role in the replication of CVB. We hypothesized that blocking the polymerization of 2B may interfere with CVB replication. In this study, a 2B‐derived peptide 2B 37‐50 demonstrated potent anti‐CVB3 activity in vitro. A Tat‐fused 2B 37‐50 (Tat‐2B 37‐50 ) showed significant inhibitory effects on the viral protein expression, RNA synthesis, and replication of CVB3. Tat‐2B 37‐50 treatment elicited a strong in vivo protective efficacy for the myocardial infection caused by CVB3. Tat‐2B 37‐50 was also effective against the infection of enterovirus A71 and coxsackievirus A16. Taken together, Tat‐2B 37‐50 has the potential to be a novel peptide drug for the treatment of CVB infection.