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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance

Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance

Published on: June 14, 2022

Antivirals that target the host IMPα/β1-virus interface.

Alexander J Martin¹, David A Jans¹

¹Nuclear Signaling Lab., Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Biochemical Society Transactions

|January 13, 2021

Summary

Small molecules targeting the importin (IMP) α/β1-virus interface show broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Ivermectin and 4-HPR are promising agents, with clinical trials underway for various viral infections.

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2 Zika virus antiviral agents dengue virus importin ivermectin

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Last Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Engineering Antiviral Agents via Surface Plasmon Resonance

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Published on: June 14, 2022

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

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High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

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Published on: May 5, 2014

Area of Science:

Virology
Molecular Biology
Drug Discovery

Background:

Nuclear import mediated by importin (IMP) α/β1 is crucial for viral replication.
Many viruses, including HIV-1, DENV, and ZIKV, rely on the IMPα/β1-virus interface for infection.
Small molecule inhibitors targeting this interface have emerged as a promising antiviral strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the antiviral potential of targeting the IMPα/β1-virus interface.
To highlight key small molecule inhibitors, ivermectin and 4-HPR.
To discuss the clinical progress and therapeutic potential of these agents.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on IMPα/β1-dependent nuclear import inhibitors.
Analysis of high-throughput compound screening data.
Summary of clinical trial outcomes and preliminary results for ivermectin and 4-HPR.

Main Results:

Ivermectin, an FDA-approved drug, demonstrates broad-spectrum activity against numerous viruses (HIV-1, DENV, ZIKV, SARS-CoV-2).
Phase III trials for Dengue and numerous trials for SARS-CoV-2 are ongoing, with preliminary data suggesting clinical benefit.
N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) specifically targets viral non-structural protein 5 (NS5) and inhibits DENV and ZIKV infections, with Phase II trials planned.

Conclusions:

The IMPα/β1-virus interface represents a viable therapeutic target for broad-spectrum antiviral drug development.
Ivermectin and 4-HPR show significant promise, supported by ongoing clinical investigations.
Rigorous randomized clinical trials are essential to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of these IMPα/β1-targeting agents.