Longevity & AgingAI Metabolic Modeling Identifies Two Drugs That Fight Multiple Viruses
Researchers built a computational workflow integrating single-cell RNA sequencing data with genome-scale metabolic models to identify host cell enzymes critical for viral replication. Analyzing SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and dengue virus infections, they predicted metabolic targets whose inhibition would block viral replication without harming normal cells. Two compounds emerged: phenformin, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, suppressed SARS-CoV-2 and dengue replication in vitro and showed antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Syrian hamsters. Atpenin A5, a succinate dehydrogenase blocker, inhibited four viruses—SARS-CoV-2, dengue, RSV, and influenza A—with high selectivity. This work positions host metabolism as a viable broad-spectrum antiviral target and offers a reusable modeling framework for pandemic preparedness.
