Targeting the glycans of glycoproteins: a novel paradigm for antiviral therapy.
Several chronic viral infections (such as HIV and hepatitis C virus) are highly prevalent and are a serious health risk. The adaptation of animal viruses to the human host, as recently exemplified by influenza viruses and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, is also a continuous threat. There is a high demand, therefore, for new antiviral lead compounds and novel therapeutic concepts. In this Review, an original therapeutic concept for suppressing enveloped viruses is presented that is based on a specific interaction of carbohydrate-binding agents (CBAs) with the glycans present on viral-envelope glycoproteins. This approach may also be extended to other pathogens, including parasites, bacteria and fungi.
Balzarini
Jan
J
Rega Institute for Medical Research, K.U.Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. jan.balzarini@rega.kuleuven.be
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000737:chemistry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins