Chaoping Chen | College of Natural Sciences – Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Office: Molecular Radiological Bioscie 233

Education:

PhD, Purdue University
MS, Chinease Academy of Science, Institute of Microbiology

About

Many viruses—including retroviruses and several pathogens of pandemic potential (PPPs) such as coronaviruses, flaviviruses, and picornaviruses—share a conserved replication strategy that depends on polyprotein precursors containing a virus-encoded protease. These precursors undergo tightly regulated autoprocessing to release mature enzymes essential for viral replication. While mature viral proteases are well-established antiviral targets, their precursor forms remain largely unexplored.

Our lab investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate precursor autoprocessing in HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, and explores novel antiviral strategies targeting this unique process. Recently, we identified small-molecule hit compounds that effectively suppress both wild-type and drug-resistant mutants with comparable efficacy, providing compelling proof of concept for this new therapeutic direction.

We combine molecular virology, cell biology, and fluorescence microscopy with high-throughput screening to uncover new insights and advance the discovery of next-generation antivirals targeting viral protease autoprocessing.

Publications

“High-Throughput Screening and Characterization of Novel Inhibitors Targeting HIV-1 Protease Precursor Autoprocessing” Ryan H. Jeep, Liangqun Huang, Tram A. Ngo, Fu-Yue Zeng, James Boehlke, Luke Bennett, Stanton Ashman, Ian Pass, Thomas D. Y. Chung, and Chaoping Chen Scientific Reports 15:35287, 2025
“Assay Development and Validation for Innovative Antiviral Development Targeting the N-Terminal Autoprocessing of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Precursors” Liangqu Huang, Megan Gish, James Boehlke, Ryan H Jeep and Chaoping Chen Viruses 16:1218, 2024
“Targeting HIV-1 Protease Autoprocessing for High-throughput Drug Discovery and Drug Resistance Assessment” Huang L, Li L, Tien C, LaBarbera DV, Chen C Sci Rep, 9:301, 2019
“Context-dependent Autoprocessing of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease Precursors” Tien C, Huang L, Watanabe SM, Speidel JT, Carter CA, *Chen C PLoS One, 13:e0191372, 2018
“The HIV-1 Late Domain-2 S40A Polymorphism in Antiretroviral (or ART)-exposed Individuals Influences Protease Inhibitor Susceptibility” Watanabe SM, Simon V, Durham ND, Kemp BR, Machihara S, Kemal KS, Shi B, Foley B, Li H, Chen BK, Weiser B, Burger H, Anastos K, *Chen C, Carter CA Retrovirology, 13:64, 2016
“A Functional Interplay between Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease Residues 77 and 93 Involved in Differential Regulation of Precursor Autoprocessing and Mature Protease Activity” Counts CJ, Ho PS, Donlin MJ, Tavis JE, Chen C PLoS One, 10:e0123561, 2015
“Understanding HIV-1 Protease Autoprocessing for Novel Therapeutic Development” Huang L, Chen C Future Med Chem, 5:1215, 2013
“Flexible Catalytic Site Conformations Implicated in Modulation of HIV-1 Protease Autoprocessing Reactions” Huang L, Li Y, *Chen C Retrovirology 8:79, 2011
“Modulation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease Autoprocessing by Charge Properties of Surface Residue 69” Huang LQ, Sayer JM, Swinford M, Louis JM, *Chen C J Virol 83:7789, 2009
“Functions of Early (AP-2) and Late (AIP1/ALIX) Endocytic Proteins in Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Budding” Chen C, Vincent O, Jin J, Weisz OA, Montelaro RC. J Biol Chem 280:40474, 2005
“Differential Effects of Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics on Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Particle Production” Chen C, Weisz OA, Stolz DB, Watkin SC, Montelaro RC J Virol 78:882, 2004
“Characterization of RNA Elements That Regulate Gag-Pol Ribosomal Frameshifting in Equine Infectious Anemia Virus” Chen C and Montelaro RC J Virol 77:10280, 2003