| 1. |
- Bollati, Michela, et al.
(author)
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Structure and functionality in flavivirus NS-proteins : perspectives for drug design
- 2010
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In: Antiviral Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-3542 .- 1872-9096. ; 87:2, s. 125-148
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Flaviviridae are small enveloped viruses hosting a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome. Besides yellow fever virus, a landmark case in the history of virology, members of the Flavivirus genus, such as West Nile virus and dengue virus, are increasingly gaining attention due to their re-emergence and incidence in different areas of the world. Additional environmental and demographic considerations suggest that novel or known flaviviruses will continue to emerge in the future. Nevertheless, up to few years ago flaviviruses were considered low interest candidates for drug design. At the start of the European Union VIZIER Project, in 2004, just two crystal structures of protein domains from the flaviviral replication machinery were known. Such pioneering studies, however, indicated the flaviviral replication complex as a promising target for the development of antiviral compounds. Here we review structural and functional aspects emerging from the characterization of two main components (NS3 and NS5 proteins) of the flavivirus replication complex. Most of the reviewed results were achieved within the European Union VIZIER Project, and cover topics that span from viral genomics to structural biology and inhibition mechanisms. The ultimate aim of the reported approaches is to shed light on the design and development of antiviral drug leads.
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| 2. |
- Speroni, Silvia, et al.
(author)
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Structural and Biochemical Analysis of Human Pathogenic Astrovirus Serine Protease at 2.0 angstrom Resolution
- 2009
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In: Journal of Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-2836 .- 1089-8638. ; 387:5, s. 1137-1152
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Astroviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses with a replication strategy based on the proteolytic processing of a polyprotein precursor and subsequent release of the viral enzymes of replication. So far, the catalytic properties of the astrovirus protease as well as its structure have remained uncharacterized. In this study, the three-dimensional crystal structure of the predicted protease of human pathogenic astrovirus has been solved to 2.0 angstrom resolution. The protein displays the typical properties of trypsin-like enzymes but also several characteristic features: (i) a catalytic Asp-His-Ser triad in which the aspartate side chain is oriented away from the histidine, being replaced by a water molecule; (ii) a non-common conformation and composition of the SI pocket; and (iii) the lack of the typical surface beta-ribbons together with a "featureless" shape of the substrate-binding site. Hydrolytic activity assays indicate that the S1 pocket recognises Glu and Asp side chains specifically, which, therefore, are predicted to occupy the P1 position on the substrate cleavage site. The positive electrostatic potential featured by the S1 region underlies this specificity. The comparative structural analysis highlights the peculiarity of the astrovirus protease, and differentiates it from the human and viral serine proteases. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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