From genome to antivirals: SARS as a test tube.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic brought into the spotlight the need for rapid development of effective anti-viral drugs against newly emerging viruses. Researchers have leveraged the 20-year battle against AIDS into a variety of possible treatments for SARS. Most prominently, based solely on viral genome information, silencers of viral genes, viral-enzyme blockers and viral-entry inhibitors were suggested as potential therapeutic agents for SARS. In particular, inhibitors of viral entry, comprising therapeutic peptides, were based on the recently launched anti-HIV drug enfuvirtide. This could represent one of the most direct routes from genome sequencing to the discovery of antiviral drugs.
Kliger
Yossef
Y
Compugen, 72 Pinchas Rosen, Tel Aviv 69512, Israel.
Levanon
Erez Y
EY
Gerber
Doron
D
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006801:Humans; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000998:Antiviral Agents