Enzymes and Enzyme Activity Encoded by Nonenveloped Viruses
Kimi Azad1, Manidipa Banerjee1, John E Johnson2
1Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India; email: kimiazad@gmail.com , mbanerjee@bioschool.iitd.ac.in.
Annual Review of Virology
|June 23, 2017
Summary
Nonenveloped viruses encode essential enzymes for replication. This review details viral enzymes, their functions, and the development of targeted antiviral inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites dependent on host cell machinery.
- Nonenveloped viruses, lacking a lipid envelope, encode crucial enzymes for their life cycle.
- These viral enzymes are vital for replication and survival, often performing functions not readily available in host cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review structural, biochemical, and mechanistic data on enzymes encoded by nonenveloped viruses.
- To highlight the role of viral enzymes in different stages of the viral life cycle.
- To discuss advancements in developing antiviral inhibitors targeting these specific viral enzymes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of structural, biochemical, and mechanistic studies.
- Analysis of enzyme functions and autocatalytic activities in nonenveloped viruses.
- Survey of current research on antiviral inhibitor development.
Main Results:
- Nonenveloped viruses encode diverse enzymes essential for replication, assembly, and release.
- Detailed structural and biochemical insights are available for several enzyme classes.
- Autocatalytic viral activities play significant roles in viral protein processing.
- Targeting these viral enzymes presents a promising strategy for antiviral drug development.
Conclusions:
- Viral enzymes are critical for the life cycle of nonenveloped viruses.
- Understanding viral enzyme mechanisms aids in designing effective antiviral therapies.
- Targeted antiviral inhibitors show potential for combating viral infections.
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