Targeting the Viral Polymerase of Diarrhea-Causing Viruses as a Strategy to Develop a Single Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Therapy
Year: 2019
Type: review
Abstract: Viral gastroenteritis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, being particularly severe for children under the age of five. The most common viral agents of gastroenteritis are noroviruses, rotaviruses, sapoviruses, astroviruses and adenoviruses, however, no specific antiviral treatment exists today against any of these pathogens. We here discuss the feasibility of developing a broad-spectrum antiviral treatment against these diarrhea-causing viruses. This review focuses on the viral polymerase as an antiviral target, as this is the most conserved viral protein among the diverse viral families to which these viruses belong to. We describe the functional and structural similarities of the different viral polymerases, the antiviral effect of reported polymerase inhibitors and highlight common features that might be exploited in an attempt of designing such pan-polymerase inhibitor.
Source: Viruses
DOI: 10.3390/v11020173
Institutions: Cardiff University, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,824
OpenAlex ID: W2917897324