Key result
The peptide RS02 demonstrated promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro, inhibiting infection with IC50 values of 127 and 436 µM in Vero E6 and E6-ACE2-T2A-TMPRSS2 cell lineages, respectively.
Why the study?
Treating SARS-CoV-2 infections remains challenging, and blocking the interaction between the Spike protein and human ACE2 represents a primary therapeutic target.
Effect estimate: IC50 127 and 436 µM
Peptide RS02 demonstrates in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 by blocking Spike protein interaction with ACE2, serving as a potential model for novel antiviral design.
Does not support clinical use; leaves open further development of these peptides.
Aims Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world continues to face challenges in treating SARS-CoV-2 infections. The virus enters cells by binding its Spike (S) protein to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which has become one of the primary targets for therapeutic interventions. In this study, we present peptide candidates that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in cellular models by specifically blocking this interaction.Methodology The proposed antiviral molecules were identified using in silico tools to search for peptides in our database of thousands of molecules, followed by experimental validation of the predicted results. Nine peptides were identified that demonstrated anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity using Vero cells, E6 and E6-ACE2-T2A-TMPRSS2, as host models.Results The peptide RS02 was found to be the most promising inhibitor, with IC50 values of 127 and 436 µM for each respective cell lineage.Conclusions The peptides presented great antiviral activity and may be used as models to design novel antiviral peptides with increased affinity.
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A 2025 study studied SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antiviral peptides (e.g., RS02) was evaluated on Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection (IC50) (IC50 127 and 436 µM). The peptide RS02 demonstrated promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro, inhibiting infection with IC50 values of 127 and 436 µM in Vero E6 and E6-ACE2-T2A-TMPRSS2 cell lineages, respectively.
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