Screening kinase inhibitors identifies MELK as a prime target against influenza virus infections through inhibition of viral mRNA splicing.

ABSTRACT: Influenza epidemics represent a significant threat to global public health, primarily caused by the influenza viruses A and B. Although antiviral drugs targeting the influenza virus, such as zanamivir and oseltamivir, are clinically available, the emergence of virus evolution and drug resistance necessitates the development of host-directed therapies. Protein kinases are essential components of host signaling pathways, including the orchestration of virus-host interactions. By screening a library of kinase inhibitors, we identified that OTS167, a pharmacological inhibitor of maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK), strongly inhibits the infections caused by multiple influenza virus subtypes in cell culture. This antiviral activity was further confirmed by treatment with another MEL

SUBMITTER: Yang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12176825 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature