Small molecule inhibitors of influenza A and B viruses that act by disrupting subunit interactions of the viral polymerase.

ABSTRACT: Influenza viruses are the cause of yearly epidemics and occasional pandemics that represent a significant challenge to public health. Current control strategies are imperfect and there is an unmet need for new antiviral therapies. Here, we report the identification of small molecule compounds able to effectively and specifically inhibit growth of influenza A and B viruses in cultured cells through targeting an assembly interface of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Using an existing crystal structure of the primary protein-protein interface between the PB1 and PA subunits of the influenza A virus polymerase, we conducted an in silico screen to identify potential small molecule inhibitors. Selected compounds were then screened for their ability to inhibit the interaction between PB1 a

SUBMITTER: Muratore G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3341009 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature