title: Helicases as antiviral drug targets.
abstract: 1. We have demonstrated for the first time that the helicase of a ribonucleic acid virus, the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), is a valid target for drug development. 2. Using high throughput screen and chemical synthesis, several lead compounds targeting the SARS-CoV helicase have been identified. We have shown that these compounds can inhibit SARS-CoV helicase activity and viral growth in cell culture systems. These compounds can potentially be used to target other viruses.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. jdhuang@hkucc.hku.hk
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Huang
authors: B J
authors: BJ
authors: Zheng
authors: H Z
authors: HZ
authors: Sun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D014709:Vero Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004265:DNA Helicases