Overview:

SARS-CoV-2 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro) is the nonstructural protein number 5, also a cysteine protease that is released from the virally encoded polyprotein by extensive proteolytic processing. The 3CLpro cleaves the C-terminus of the large replicase polyprotein 1ab (~790 kDa) at no fewer than 11 sites (1). Inhibiting the activity of this enzyme would block viral replication (2). The functional importance of 3CLpro in the viral life cycle makes this protease an attractive target for the development of drugs directed against SARS and other coronavirus infections (3).

Gene Aliases:

SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro; NSP5; Mpro

Genbank Number:

QHD43415

References:

1. Hegyi, A. et al: Conservation of substrate specificities among coronavirus main proteases. J Gen Virol. 2002,83:595-599. 2. Zhang L. et al: Crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease provides a basis for design of improved α-ketoamide inhibitors. Science. 2020, 368:409-412. 3. Anand K. et al: Coronavirus main proteinase (3CLpro) structure: Basis for design of anti-SARS drugs. Science. 2003, 300:1763-1767.