Issue 8, 2021

Targeting the protease of West Nile virus

Abstract

West Nile virus infections can cause severe neurological symptoms. During the last 25 years, cases have been reported in Asia, North America, Africa, Europe and Australia (Kunjin). No West Nile virus vaccines or specific antiviral therapies are available to date. Various viral proteins and host-cell factors have been evaluated as potential drug targets. The viral protease NS2B–NS3 is among the most promising viral targets. It releases viral proteins from a non-functional polyprotein precursor, making it a critical factor of viral replication. Despite strong efforts, no protease inhibitors have reached clinical trials yet. Substrate-derived peptidomimetics have facilitated structural elucidations of the active protease state, while alternative compounds with increased drug-likeness have recently expanded drug discovery efforts beyond the active site.

Graphical abstract: Targeting the protease of West Nile virus

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
09 Mrz 2021
Accepted
17 Mai 2021
First published
26 Mai 2021

RSC Med. Chem., 2021,12, 1262-1272

Targeting the protease of West Nile virus

S. Voss and C. Nitsche, RSC Med. Chem., 2021, 12, 1262 DOI: 10.1039/D1MD00080B

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