S-Palmitoylation cycles as Relevant Targets for Viral Infections

The understanding of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is greatly benefitted by past research on other viruses as well as bacterial toxins that need to enter mammalian cells. Our previous research on anthrax toxin entry has been instrumental to uncovering the involvement in S-palmitoylation in cellular processes. S-palmitoylation is a post-translational modification that is necessary for anthrax entry as well as for the life cycle of many envelop viruses. We have shown that both palmitoylation and depalmitoylation are essential for anthrax toxin entry. Preliminary experiments already indicate that inhibitors are depalmitoylation have a marked effect of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, actually to similar extents as hydroxychloroquine. As one of the very few expert labs in S-palmitoyation worldwide, we propose to investigate how host S-palmitoylation cycles affects SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, from viral entry to virions release. Our contribution can further the development of pharmaceuticals that target SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, this approach can be extended to any virus, in anticipation of future epidemics.