2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG): A Weapon Against COVID-19

 

Nowadays, everyone is talking about 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed the therapeutic application of 2-DG against COVID-19 in collaboration with its industry partner Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL). It is being claimed that 2-DG will help COVID-19 patients in fast recovery. The results of its clinical trial were very positive and encouraging therefor, DCGI approves anti-COVID drug developed by DRDO for emergency use.

2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) is the analog of glucose in which 2-OH is replaced by –H. As we know that glucose is the main source of energy in living beings and generate energy by breakdown of it. Glucose enters in energy producing metabolic pathway through glycolysis. In first step of glycolysis glucose is converted into glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) by hexokinase enzyme.

When 2-DG is presented in cells it phosphorylated by hexokinase to 2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate (2-DG-P). 2-DG-P is not recognized by glycolytic enzymes and further metabolism of glucose cannot occur. We can say that 2-DG is a glycolytic inhibitor. Consequently, energy (ATP) production is stopped because end product of glycolysis (pyruvic acid) is the fuel for further energy producing pathways. Therefore, accumulation of 2-DG-P and depletion of ATP occur. In the same way it acts on COVID-19 infected cells. It accumulates in the virus infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.

Some images are attached here released by Press Information Bureau, Government of India.