Abstract

The following are two major scientific evidences for PAK1-dependency of coronaviral infection: (i) A tumor suppressor phosphatase called PTEN, which inactivates PAK1, suppresses the coronavirus-induced CCL2- dependent fibrosis of lungs, and (ii) CCL2 expression depends on coronaviral receptor called ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) –CK2/RAS-PAK1-RAF-AP1 signaling pathway. Accordingly, in principle, the following several PAK1-blockers readily available in the market could be potentially useful for the treatment of coronaviral infection: a bee product called propolis, Melatonin from pineal glands, Ivermectin, Triptolide from thunder god vine (a Chinese traditional medicine), and an old pain-killer called Ketorolac. Alternatively, since coronavirus, an RNA virus, requires RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) for its replication, a series of its synthetic inhibitors such as Remdesivir would also be useful for tackling this pandemic virus.

Keywords: PAK1 (RAC/CDC42-activated kinase 1); coronavirus (COVID-19); RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP); Propolis; Ivermectin; Ketorolac