W. R. Liu

An Amber-Encoding Helper Phage for More Efficient Phage Display of Noncanonical Amino Acids

This paper introduces a novel helper phage, CMa13ile40, that improves the efficiency of phage display by enabling rapid enrichment of amber codon-containing phage clones and enhancing the production of noncanonical amino acid (ncAA)-containing phages.

An Azapeptide Platform in Conjunction with Covalent Warheads to Uncover High-Potency Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

This study develops an azapeptide platform with covalent warheads to identify potent SARS-CoV-2 MPro inhibitors, including MPI89 with a 10 nM EC50 and high selectivity.

A Systematic Survey of Reversibly Covalent Dipeptidyl Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

This study systematically evaluates dipeptidyl inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease, identifying compounds with high antiviral potency and low cytotoxicity.

Phage-Assisted, Active Site-Directed Ligand Evolution with a Genetically Encoded Nε-Butyryl-ʟ-Lysine to Identify a Cellularly Potent and Selective Inhibitor for the ENL YEATS Domain as an Anti-Leukemia Agent

This study develops a phage-assisted ligand evolution method to identify potent ENL inhibitors, finding a pentapeptide with sub-nanomolar affinity and anti-leukemia activity.

The Prioritization of Eleven-Nineteen-Leukemia Inhibitors as Potential Drug Candidates to Treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This study identifies compound 13 as a potent ENL inhibitor with favorable pharmacokinetic properties for treating AML with MLL-fusion mutations.

Phage-Assisted, Active Site-Directed Ligand Evolution of a Potent and Selective Histone Deacetylase 8 Inhibitor

This paper develops PADLE, a phage-assisted method to evolve potent HDAC8 inhibitors, identifying two highly selective and potent inhibitors with sub-nanomolar Ki values.

A Novel Regioselective Approach to Cyclize Phage-Displayed Peptides in Combination with Epitope-Directed Selection to Identify a Potent Neutralizing Macrocyclic Peptide for SARS-CoV-2

This study constructs and validates a phage-displayed macrocyclic peptide library using regioselective chemical reactions and identifies a potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing peptide through epitope-directed selection.

A Novel Y-Shaped, S-O-N-O-S-Bridged Crosslink between Three Residues C22, C44, and K61 Is a Redox Switch of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

The paper identifies a novel Y-shaped crosslink in SARS-CoV-2 MPro that acts as a redox switch, regulating its catalytic activity and offering new targets for antiviral drug development.

The N-Terminal Carbamate is Key to High Cellular and Antiviral Potency for Boceprevir-Based SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors

This paper identifies that a P4 N-terminal carbamate in boceprevir-based inhibitors is crucial for high antiviral potency against SARS-CoV-2.

The P3 O-Tert-Butyl-Threonine is Key to High Cellular and Antiviral Potency for Aldehyde-Based SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors

This study identifies O-tert-butyl-threonine at the P3 site as critical for enhancing cellular and antiviral potency of MPro inhibitors.

A Recurring Chemogenetic Switch for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells

This paper introduces a chemogenetic switch for CAR-T cells using HCV-NS3 protease, enabling controlled activation through ASV concentration modulation.

MPI8 is Potent Against SARS-CoV-2 by Inhibiting Dually and Selectively the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease and the Host Cathepsin L

The paper evaluates MPro inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2, finding MPI8 selectively inhibits both MPro and host cathepsin L, enhancing antiviral efficacy with reduced toxicity.

Cellular Activities of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors Reveal Their Unique Characteristics

This paper evaluates the cellular potency of SARS-CoV-2 MPro inhibitors using a fluorescent flow cytometry assay, revealing that most inhibitors have weak cellular activity despite strong antiviral effects.

Drug Repurposing for the SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease

This study screens inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 PLpro, identifying several potent compounds with IC50 values below 60 μM, including SJB2-043 with an IC50 of 0.56 μM.

A Speedy Route to Multiple Highly Potent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors

This study designs and synthesizes potent SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors, with some showing IC50 values below 100 nM and high virus inhibition potency in cell assays.

Bepridil is Potent Against SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro

This study identifies bepridil as a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 MPro and virus entry, showing efficacy in vitro at low concentrations.