Development of a biosensor assessing SARS-CoV-2 main protease proteolytic activity in living cells for antiviral drugs screening

Virol Sin. 2022 Jun;37(3):459-461. doi: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.04.002. Epub 2022 May 2.

¹ Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
² Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
³ Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Children's Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 430015, China.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics, Wuhan Children's Hospital, Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 430015, China. Electronic address: songxiaohui@zgwhfe.com.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China. Electronic address: zhengzh@wh.iov.cn.

Abstract

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The biosensor reported in our study can monitor SARS-CoV-2 M^pro activity in living cells instead of in vitro solutions.
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The biosensor reported in our study is sensitive and easy to operate.
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It is suitable for high-throughput screening.
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It has the potential to be used in small animal models.