The Hidden Power of SARS-CoV-2's Main Protease: Why M pro Matters

The COVID-19 pandemic, stretching over three years, has rocked the world. It's brought about significant changes across medicine, society, politics, and finance. One major challenge has been the virus's ability to mutate and evade our immune systems. The search is on for a stable target to develop vaccines and drugs that work against all forms of SARS-CoV-2. Currently, a critical strategy is to disrupt the virus's life cycle. The main protease, or M pro, is vital for virus replication and maturation. It's a key player at the start of an infection, making it an essential target for drugs. This review dives into the world of M pro . It discusses how this protease works, its self-maturation process, and its role in helping the virus escape our immune system. It also covers the development of antiviral drugs targeting M pro and highlights key drugs in clinical trials. The goal is to equip researchers with a solid understanding of M pro to tackle the pandemic effectively.