Merafloxacin (CI-934), a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, is a selective programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting (-1 PRF) inhibitor of beta coronaviruses. Merafloxacin exhibits in vitro activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria[1][2].
Merafloxacin (5-80 μM) dose-dependently inhibits programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting (-1 PRF) of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, hCoVO-C43, and hCoV-HKU1, with IC50s of 19.6 μM, 19.5 μM, 29.7 μM, and 38.6 μM, respectively[1].
[1]. Sun Y, et, al. Restriction of SARS-CoV-2 Replication by Targeting Programmed -1 Ribosomal Frameshifting In Vitro. bioRxiv. 2020 Oct 21;2020.10.21.349225. [2]. Mandell W, et, al. In vitro activity of CI-934, a new quinolone, compared with that of other quinolones and other antimicrobial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1986 May;29(5):852-7.
