Targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by stapled hACE2 peptides.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein RBD interacts with the hACE2 receptor to initiate cell entry and infection. We set out to develop lactam-based i,i + 4 stapled hACE2 peptides targeting SARS-CoV-2. In vitro screening demonstrates the inhibition of the Spike protein RBD-hACE2 complex formation by the hACE2A36K-F40E stapled peptide (IC: 3.6 μM, K: 2.1 μM), suggesting that hACE2 peptidomimetics could form the basis for the development of anti-COVID-19 therapeutics.