Inhibiting virus-capsid assembly by altering the polymerisation pathway

Abstract

Virus capsids assemble through the repeated interaction of well-defined protein subunits in a highly specific process. Basic research into the mechanism of protein polymerisation and virus assembly suggest that inhibition of the protein-protein interactions necessary for assembly is a valid therapeutic strategy. Computer models of virus-capsid assembly have located vulnerable stages in assembly, and small-molecule inhibitors of virus assembly have been identified. The challenge will be identifying agents that block assembly with the required specificity.