G. Balistreri

The α-dystroglycan N-terminus is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and enveloped viruses

This study shows that the N-terminal fragment of α-dystroglycan blocks SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses in cell culture and animal models.

Complete Protection from SARS-CoV-2 Lung Infection in Mice Through Combined Intranasal Delivery of PIKfyve Kinase and TMPRSS2 Protease Inhibitors

This study shows that combining PIKfyve and TMPRSS2 inhibitors intranasally protects mice from SARS-CoV-2 lung infection and reduces cell death.

Alternative cell entry mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 and multiple animal viruses

This study identifies alternative cell entry mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, showing some rely on dynamin while others use actin-dependent pathways.

Inhibition of host N-myristoylation compromises the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 due to Golgi-bypassing egress from lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum

This study shows that inhibiting host N-myristoylation reduces SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by impairing viral envelope protein maturation and causing Golgi-bypassing egress.

Nanomolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection by an unmodified peptide targeting the pre-hairpin intermediate of the spike protein

SARS-CoV-2 requires acidic pH to infect cells

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 requires acidic pH for membrane fusion and genome release, even after proteolytic cleavage by furin or TMPRSS2.

MOLECULAR VIDEOGAMING: SUPER-RESOLVED TRAJECTORY-BASED NANOCLUSTERING ANALYSIS USING SPATIO-TEMPORAL INDEXING

The paper introduces a new method to analyze SMLM data by incorporating temporal information, revealing transient nanoclusters of syntaxin1a and Munc18-1 on the plasma membrane.

Synergistic block of SARS-CoV-2 infection by combined drug inhibition of the host entry factors PIKfyve kinase and TMPRSS2 protease

This study finds that combining apilimod and camostat mesylate or nafamostat mesylate significantly enhances inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro.

Computationally prioritized drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and syncytia formation

The paper identifies two compounds that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and syncytia formation through computational prioritization and in vitro testing.

Pediatric nasal epithelial cells are less permissive to SARS-CoV-2 replication compared to adult cells

The paper compares SARS-CoV-2 replication in pediatric and adult nasal epithelial cells, finding lower viral titers in children for ancestral and Delta variants, but higher replication for Omicron.

Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and provides a possible pathway into the central nervous system

This study shows that neuropilin-1 enhances SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and facilitates viral entry into the central nervous system via the olfactory pathway.