A potential role for Galectin-3 inhibitors in the treatment of COVID-19

Glycovirology

This was the first journal article to hypothesize galectin inhibitors as a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2. The article cited the significance of the structure of the S-1 spike protein and how it was very similar to a Galectin-3. It talked about a dual mechanism for cell entry that was needed beyond just the requirement of an ACE-2 receptor. Galectin-3 inhibition was thought to interrupt the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 to the S1-NTD to GM1 gangliosides on the cell surface.

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