HECT E3 Ligases as therapeutic targets for SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Respiratory(HECORES) Crisis; finanziato dall’Unione europea – Next Generation EU

The aim of the project is to demonstrate the antiviral properties of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) specifically in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and other RNA viruses such as metapneumovirus (hMPV). I3C is made up of a substance called glucobrassicin which is found in vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc. The results in our laboratory demonstrated that this compound exerts an anti-SARS-CoV-2 direct replication activity. Furthermore, we have established that this is a direct interaction between NEDD4 and WWP1 enzymes (HECT-E3 members) with SARS-CoV-2 most likely favoring their exit through ubiquitination. It is therefore conceivable that members of the HECT family may influence the outcome and natural history of COVID-19 and similarly hMPV infection at multiple levels, also affecting non-cellular autonomous antiviral defense mechanisms.