Antiviral targets of human noroviruses.
Human noroviruses are major causative agents of sporadic and epidemic gastroenteritis both in children and adults. Currently there are no licensed therapeutic intervention measures either in terms of vaccines or drugs available for these highly contagious human pathogens. Genetic and antigenic diversity of these viruses, rapid emergence of new strains, and their ability to infect a broad population by using polymorphic histo-blood group antigens for cell attachment, pose significant challenges for the development of effective antiviral agents. Despite these impediments, there is progress in the design and development of therapeutic agents. These include capsid-based candidate vaccines, and potential antivirals either in the form of glycomimetics or designer antibodies that block HBGA binding, as well as those that target essential non-structural proteins such as the viral protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In addition to these classical approaches, recent studies suggest the possibility of interferons and targeting host cell factors as viable approaches to counter norovirus infection. This review provides a brief overview of this progress.
Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States. Electronic address: vprasad@bcm.edu.
Bv Venkataram
BV
Prasad
Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Sreejesh
S
Shanker
Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Zana
Z
Muhaxhiri
Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Lisheng
L
Deng
Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Jae-Mun
JM
Choi
Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Mary K
MK
Estes
Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Yongcheng
Y
Song
Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Timothy
T
Palzkill
Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Robert L
RL
Atmar
D000906:Antibodies / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029322:Norovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000276:immunology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D053585:Virus Attachment / Q000187:drug effects
D000906:Antibodies; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D007372:Interferons; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases