The New High Resolution Crystal Structure of NS2B-NS3 Protease of Zika Virus

Zika virus (ZIKV) is the cause of a significant viral disease affecting humans, which has spread throughout many South American countries and has also become a threat to Southeastern Asia. This commentary discusses the article “Crystal structure of unlinked NS2B-NS3 protease from Zika virus” publish...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Syed Lal Badshah, Abdul Naeem, Yahia Mabkhot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2017-01-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/9/1/7
Description
Summary:Zika virus (ZIKV) is the cause of a significant viral disease affecting humans, which has spread throughout many South American countries and has also become a threat to Southeastern Asia. This commentary discusses the article “Crystal structure of unlinked NS2B-NS3 protease from Zika virus” published recently in the journal Science by Zhang et al. of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. They resolved a 1.58 Å resolution structure of the NS2B-NS3 protease of ZIKV and demonstrated how peptide and non-peptide inhibitors interact with this structure, along with the different conformational states that were observed. This protease crystal structure offers new opportunities for the design and development of novel antiviral drugs used for the treatment and control of ZIKV.
ISSN:1999-4915