Peptides as Therapeutic Agents for Dengue Virus

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Drug Discovery
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Dengue virus (DENV) causes an estimated 390 million infections annually worldwide.
• Current vaccine (CYD-TDV) efficacy against all four DENV serotypes is limited, highlighting the need for new therapeutics.
• Peptide-based therapeutics are regaining interest due to technological advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the design, antiviral activities, and mechanisms of action of peptides and peptidomimetics against DENV.
• To discuss the development of peptides as inhibitors of viral entry, replication, and translation.
• To identify potential novel anti-DENV therapeutics targeting host cell receptors, viral structural proteins, and non-structural proteins.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of peptide and peptidomimetic drug design for antiviral applications.
• Analysis of studies focusing on peptide inhibition of DENV at different life cycle stages.
• Examination of targeting strategies for host cell receptors, viral structural proteins, and non-structural proteins.

Main Results:

• Peptides and peptidomimetics demonstrate potential antiviral activities against DENV.
• Various peptide-based strategies can inhibit DENV entry, replication, and translation.
• Targeting host and viral proteins with peptides offers a promising avenue for drug development.

Conclusions:

• Peptide-based drugs represent a viable strategy for developing novel dengue therapeutics.
• Further research into peptide and peptidomimetic design can lead to effective anti-DENV treatments.
• Targeting specific viral and host factors with peptides may overcome limitations of current dengue interventions.