International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences, 2013, 2, 3, 89-98.
Published: September 2013
Type: Review Article
Authors: Repon Kumer Saha, Takashi Suzuki, and Yasuo Suzuki
Author(s) affiliations:
Repon Kumer Saha1*, Takashi Suzuki2, Yasuo Suzuki3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan.
3Professor, College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University, Japan.
Abstract
Influenza A viruses are enveloped RNA viruses and composed of eight single-stranded, negative-sensed RNA segments. Among eight single strand components of influenza A virion hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, two surface glycoproteins, are interesting targets for antiviral drug discovery. Scientists are trying to discover newer antiviral compounds for the prevention of future pandemic and resistant strains of influenza A viruses targeting the surface glycoproteins. These viruses cause respiratory diseases in humans and animals with a high morbidity and mortality. In this review, various methods are described for screening of antiviral compounds of influenza A viruses by targeting the surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.