Work

Targeting virus–glycan recognition in influenza viruses and coronaviruses: from the molecular principles to glycomimetic antivirals strategies

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: -acetylation, shape viral receptor specificity, host range, and cross-species transmission. Recent advances from structural biology, NMR spectroscopy, glycan arrays, computational modeling, and glycochemistry have substantially expanded our understanding of these dynamic recognition events and their evolutionary consequences. We further highlight how these insights are driving the development of glycomimetic antivirals designed to interfere with the earliest stages of infection. Approaches based on multivalent sialoglycan analogues, stabilized carbohydrate mimetics, and heparan sulfate-inspired scaffolds illustrate the growing potential of targeting glycan-mediated recognition as an alternative or complementary antiviral strategy. By integrating molecular recognition, viral adaptation, and medicinal chemistry, this review underscores the opportunities offered by glycobiology to develop innovative, potentially broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics.

Source: RSC Chemical Biology

DOI: 10.1039/d6cb00215c