Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Systematic approaches towards the development of host-directed antiviral therapeutics
Andrew Prussia1, Pahk Thepchatri, James P Snyder
1Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; E-Mails: aprussi@emory.edu (A.P.); jsnyder@emory.edu (J.P.S.).
Abstract:
Since the onset of antiviral therapy, viral resistance has compromised the clinical value of small-molecule drugs targeting pathogen components. As intracellular parasites, viruses complete their life cycle by hijacking a multitude of host-factors. Aiming at the latter rather than the pathogen directly, host-directed antiviral therapy has emerged as a concept to counteract evolution of viral resistance and develop broad-spectrum drug classes. This approach is propelled by bioinformatics analysis of genome-wide screens that greatly enhance insights into the complex network of host-pathogen interactions and generate a shortlist of potential gene targets from a multitude of candidates, thus setting the stage for a new era of rational identification of drug targets for host-directed antiviral therapies. With particular emphasis on human immunodeficiency virus and influenza virus, two major human pathogens, we review screens employed to elucidate host-pathogen interactions and discuss the state of database ontology approaches applicable to defining a therapeutic endpoint. The value of this strategy for drug discovery is evaluated, and perspectives for bioinformatics-driven hit identification are outlined.
Related Concept Videos
Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Human Virome
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
The Antiviral System of Bacteria and Archaea: CRISPR

