[Target of developing the new anti-influenza virus reagents]

Two types of specific anti-influenza virus drugs are available in Japan; amantadine and neuraminidase inhibitors(zanamivir and osertamivir). Because of emerging of drug-resistant viruses, we have to develop new types of antiviral reagents. New type anti-influenza virus reagents are developed against viral specific growth steps other than M2 ion channel or NA. Cleavage and activation, attachment, and fusion steps are unique to HA. Transcription initiation step is unique to the viral RNA polymerase. The capped short RNA inhibited the viral RNA polymerase. The peptide derived from matrix protein inhibited the RNA polymerase activity. Antisense oligonucleotide, DNA enzyme and RNAi are also available to inhibit gene expression of influenza virus.