Modular Nanotransporters Capable of Causing Intracellular Degradation of the N-Protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus in A549 Cells with Temporary Expression of This Protein Fused with a Fluorescent Protein mRuby3.

Modular nanotransporters (MNTs) containing an antibody-like molecule, monobody, to the N‑protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as an amino acid sequence that recruits the Keap1 E3 ligase (E3BP) were created. This MNT also included a site for cleavage of the E3BP monobody from the MNT in acidic endocytic compartments. It was shown that this cleavage by the endosomal protease cathepsin B leads to a 2.7-fold increase in the affinity of the E3BP monobody for the N-protein. Using A549 cells with transient expression of the N-protein fused with the fluorescent protein mRuby3, it was shown that incubation with MNT leads to a significant decrease in mRuby3 fluorescence. It is assumed that the developed MNTs can serve as a basis for the creation of new antiviral drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.