Ebolavirus pre-hairpin intermediate mimics and methods of use
Ebolavirus is a highly lethal filovirus that causes hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. With no approved treatments or preventatives, the development of an anti- ebolavirus therapy to protect against natural infections and potential weaponization is an urgent unmet global health need. The design, biophysical characterization, and validation of peptide mimics of the ebolavirus N-trimer (“N-trimer mimics”) are described herein.
1. An Ebolavirus N-trimer mimic comprising a homotrimer of peptide monomers, wherein each peptide monomer comprises an an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23 or SEQ ID NO:21.
2. The Ebolavirus N-trimer mimic of claim 1 , wherein each peptide monomer comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:23.
3. The Ebolavirus N-trimer mimic of claim 1 , wherein each peptide monomer comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:21.
4. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an Ebolavirus N-trimer mimic of claim 1 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
5. A method of inhibiting Ebolavirus entry into a cell exposed to Ebolavirus , the methods comprising delivering an Ebolavirus N-trimer mimic of claim 1 to the cell exposed to Ebolavirus.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the cell is human.