Scientists of the Bonn University discovered 2 families of active substances that can block the replication of the SARS-CoV-2, by switching off the key enzyme of the virus, the Mpro main protease. Angewandte Chemie journal's article notices that the virus' RNA first penetrates a protein strand, after which the protease cleaves it into individual pieces.

Study researchers the structure of protease and its working mechanisms, which led to the development of even more potential inhibitors that are able to bind to the enzyme and inhibit its activity.

The researchers also prepared molecules to which a light-emitting molecule was attached. When the protease was active, the substrate was cleaved and illuminated. However, if the inhibitor was effective and blocked the protease, there was no radiation.