Recent advances of enterovirus 71 targeting Inhibitors

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Enterovirus-71 (EV71) is the primary cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), particularly in children under five.
• While typically mild, HFMD can lead to severe neurological complications like meningitis and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), with EV71 implicated in fatal cases.
• The viral protease is essential for EV71 replication, yet no effective inhibitors are currently approved, highlighting an urgent need for therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the life cycle of Enterovirus-71 (EV71).
• To elucidate the functions of the viral protease in EV71 infection.
• To summarize recently screened protease inhibitors for potential therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of EV71 pathogenesis and viral protease mechanisms.
• Analysis of existing studies on EV71 protease inhibitors.
• Synthesis of current knowledge on EV71 life cycle and drug targets.

Main Results:

• The viral protease plays a critical role throughout the EV71 life cycle.
• Numerous EV71 protease inhibitors have been investigated, but none have reached clinical approval.
• Understanding protease function is key to developing effective antiviral strategies.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of EV71 protease mechanisms is vital for advancing antiviral drug development.
• This review provides a foundation for screening novel protease inhibitors or designing improved analogues.
• Targeting the viral protease offers a promising avenue for treating and preventing severe EV71 infections.