Furin activates numerous viral glycoproteins, and its inhibition prevents virus replication and spread. Through the replacement of arginine by the less basic canavanine, new inhibitors targeting furin in the trans-Golgi network were developed. These inhibitors exert potent antiviral activity in cell culture with much lower toxicity than arginine-derived analogues, most likely due to their reduced protonation in the blood circulation. Thus, despite its important physiological functions, furin might be a suitable antiviral drug target.
© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.