NTPase/helicase of Flaviviridae: inhibitors and inhibition of the enzyme

Acta Biochim Pol. 2002;49(3):597-614.

Abstract

RNA nucleoside triphosphatases (NTPase)/helicases represent a large family of proteins that are ubiquitously distributed over a wide range of organisms. The enzymes play essential role in cell development and differentiation, and some of them are involved in transcription and replication of viral single-stranded RNA genomes. The enzymatic activities of a NTPase/helicase were also detected in the carboxyl-terminal non-structural protein 3 (NS3) of members of the Flaviviridae family. The crucial role of the enzyme for the virus life cycle was demonstrated in knock out experiments and by using NTPase/helicase specific inhibitors. This makes the enzyme an attractive target for development of Flaviviridae-specific antiviral therapies. This review will summarize our knowledge about the function and structure of the enzyme, update the spectrum of inhibitors of the enzymatic activities of the NTPase/helicase and describe the different mechanisms by which the compounds act. Some of the compounds reviewed herein could show potential utility as antiviral agents against Flaviviridae viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / chemistry
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / metabolism
  • DNA Helicases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • DNA Helicases / chemistry
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Flaviviridae / enzymology*
  • Flaviviridae / genetics
  • Genome, Viral
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleoside-Triphosphatase
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Acid Anhydride Hydrolases
  • Nucleoside-Triphosphatase
  • DNA Helicases