{
  "id": 12281104,
  "title": "Bivalent CK2 Inhibition as a Potent Strategy Against SARS-CoV-2 and Other Coronaviruses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/bivalent-ck2-inhibition-as-a-potent-strategy-against-sars-cov-2-and",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-05T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.05.756735v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "CK2, a serine/threonine kinase expressed in all cells, has been identified as a crucial viral host factor for several coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Researchers explored two CK2 inhibitors, CX-4945 and the newly developed bivalent inhibitor AB668, for their antiviral potential. Knockdown of CK2 subunits via siRNA significantly decreased SARS-CoV-2 replication, confirming its essential role in the virus's lifecycle. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein interacts with CK2, binding specifically to the tetrameric CK2 holoenzyme (CK22{beta}2) rather than individual subunits. AB668 demonstrated potent antiviral activity by targeting viral replication, effectively inhibiting both HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E. The study establishes CK2 as a critical factor for SARS-CoV-2 replication and highlights AB668 as a promising broad-spectrum antiviral candidate due to its high selectivity, minimal off-target effects, and efficacy against multiple coronaviruses.",
  "summary": "Protein kinase CK2 (CK2), a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase, has emerged as a key host factor exploited by several viruses, including Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we investigate the role of CK2 subunits in SARS-CoV-2 replication and evaluate the antiviral potential and broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity of two CK2 inhibitors: the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}