Characterization of the post-translational modification citrullination during infection with SARS-CoV-2: a new strategyfor host-targeting antivirals drugs

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak, has become a pandemic, threatening millions of lives worldwide. Despite several vaccines and drugs with promising effect in preventing and treating COVID-19 that have been identified so far, many mechanisms still need to be better understood in order to control the spread of the virus and treat clinical cases. In detail, based on our previous results (Pasquero et al., Antiviral Research 2022) here we will characterize the post-translational modification (PTM) known as citrullination or deimination during infection with multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains in order to better elucidate the interaction between the virus and its host. Moreover, we will test a wide range of molecules known as inhibitors of citrullination (namely PAD-inhibitors) for their antiviral activities and for their potential to attenuate SARS-CoV-2-induced pro-inflammatory responses. The ability to modulate both of these aspects would make PAD-inhibitors promising candidates for the control of the COVID-19 disease .