H. Sawa

Native spike flexibility revealed by BSL3 Cryo-ET of active SARS-CoV-2 virions

This study uses cryo-ET to analyze native, active SARS-CoV-2 virions, revealing a transient open-trimer prefusion state and hidden spike flexibility with implications for vaccine design.

Combination therapy with oral antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs improves the efficacy of delayed treatment in severe COVID-19

This study shows that combining an oral antiviral with a corticosteroid improves treatment outcomes in delayed SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters compared to monotherapy.

Morphogenesis of bullet-shaped rabies virus particles requires a functional interplay between the viral matrix protein and ESCRT-I component TSG101

This study identifies the interaction between rabies virus matrix protein and TSG101 as essential for bullet-shaped virion formation and efficient budding.

2-Thiouridine is a broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analogue against positive-strand RNA viruses

This study identifies 2-thiouridine as a broad-spectrum antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 and other positive-strand RNA viruses by inhibiting viral RNA synthesis.

Comparative pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants including BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5

This study compares the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5, finding BA.5 is more fusogenic and induces stronger inflammation than earlier variants.

Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75

This study investigates the virological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75, finding it has higher transmissibility and pathogenicity compared to BA.2 and BA.5, but similar sensitivity to antiviral drugs.

Discovery of Chlorofluoroacetamide-Based Covalent Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease

The paper identifies a new class of covalent inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease with chlorofluoroacetamide warhead, showing potent antiviral activity comparable to nirmatrelvir.

Oral administration of S-217622, a SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor, decreases viral load and accelerates recovery from clinical aspects of COVID-19

This study shows that oral S-217622 reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral load and improves recovery in hamsters, with activity against multiple variants.

Discovery of S-217622, a Non-Covalent Oral SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease Inhibitor Clinical Candidate for Treating COVID-19

This paper describes the discovery of S-217622, an oral non-covalent SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitor showing antiviral activity and favorable pharmacokinetics in preclinical studies.

SARS-CoV-2 bearing a mutation at the S1/S2 cleavage site exhibits attenuated virulence and confers protective immunity

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations at the furin cleavage site are less virulent and induce protective immunity in hamsters.

SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations at the S1/S2 cleavage site are generated in vitro during propagation in TMPRSS2-deficient cells

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations at the S1/S2 cleavage site emerge in TMPRSS2-deficient cells, leading to reduced cell tropism and plaque size.

The tumor suppressor APC is an attenuator of spindle-pulling forces during C. elegans asymmetric cell division

This study identifies APC as an attenuator of spindle-pulling forces during C. elegans asymmetric cell division, showing it stabilizes microtubule plus-ends and reduces catastrophe frequency.