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. 2023 May 22;257:115491. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115491

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Fig. 2 — Structure and function of SARS-CoV-2 M^pro. (A) The structure of coronavirus. (B) Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) genome. (C) Overall scheme of natural amide substrate hydrolysis by Cys145 and His41 at the active site of M^pro: a. The first step in the process is the deprotonation of the Cys145-thiol; b. In the second step, the anionic sulfur next attacks the substrate carbonyl carbon; c. Then, the product with an amino terminus is released, while the His41 is restored its deprotonated form; d. Next, the generated thioester is hydrolyzed to release the carboxylic acid. e. In the last step, the Cys-His catalytic binary is formed again for the next proteolytic cycle.