PHYTOCHEMICAL TO INTERACT WITH NLS BINDING SITE ON IMA3 TO INHIBIT IMPORTIN Α/Β1 MEDIATED NUCLEAR IMPORT OF SARS-COV-2 CARGO

Objective: Ivermectin is an FDA-approved, broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent. It was originally identified as an inhibitor of interaction between the human 29 immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) integrase protein (IN) and the Importin (IMP) α/β1 30 heterodimers, which are responsible for IN nuclear import. Recent studies demonstrate that ivermectin is worthy of further consideration as a possible SARS-CoV-2 antiviral. Methods: We built the pathogen-host interactome and analyzed it using PHISTO. We compared Ivermectin and plant molecules for their interaction with Importin α3 (IMA3) using molecular docking studies. Results: A phytochemical ATRI001 with the lowest binding energy-7.290 Kcal/mol was found to be superior to Ivermectin with binding energy-4.946 Kcal/mol. Conclusion: ATRI001 may be a potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent; however, it requires clinical evaluation.