Pharmacophore model of influenza neuraminidase inhibitors--a systematic review

Recently, the worldwide spread of A/H5N1 avian influenza with high virulence has highlighted the potential threat of a human influenza pandemic. The viral surface glycoprotein, neuraminidase (NA), has been found to be a potential target to control influenza virus. With an understanding of the enzyme mechanism, the X-ray crystallographic structures of NA and its substrate or inhibitors, and progress in computational chemistry, the information about NA binding sites and pharmacophore models is derived from existing inhibitors and will serve as design guidelines of more potent agents against NA. This article gives a systematic review of the recent advances in this area.