Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
07:22
A High-throughput Cre-Lox Activated Viral Membrane Fusion Assay to Identify Inhibitors of HIV-1 Viral Membrane Fusion
Published on: August 14, 2018
Research and Development of Small Molecule Fusion Inhibitors Against Viruses
Jiali Zhao1, Xiao Qi1, Yajie Zhao1
1Key Laboratory for Candidate medicine Design and Screening Based on Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, P.R.China.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Small molecule fusion inhibitors offer a promising strategy against enveloped viruses like HIV and coronaviruses. Targeting conserved viral fusion proteins, these inhibitors present advantages over peptides for broad-spectrum antiviral development.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Drug Discovery
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Type I enveloped viruses (e.g., HIV, coronaviruses, influenza) cause global health crises due to rapid spread, high pathogenicity, and mutations.
- Viral entry relies on fusion proteins, with the six-helix bundle (6-HB) being a critical intermediate for membrane fusion and a target for inhibitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress of small molecule fusion inhibitors targeting viral fusion proteins.
- To explore novel design pathways and provide perspectives for antiviral research and development.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes current research on small molecule inhibitors.
- Focuses on inhibitors targeting fusion proteins of HIV, coronaviruses, and influenza viruses.
Main Results:
- Small molecule inhibitors demonstrate advantages over peptide-based agents, including better bioavailability and stability.
- These inhibitors show potential for broad-spectrum antiviral activity by targeting conserved viral fusion mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Small molecule fusion inhibitors represent a significant advancement in antiviral research.
- Their development offers new strategies for combating a range of viral infections, including HIV and coronaviruses.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors
Antiviral Nucleoside InhibitorsAntiviral nucleoside inhibitors are structural analogs of natural nucleosides that interfere with viral DNA or RNA synthesis. These compounds selectively target viral polymerases due to their resemblance to host nucleosides, thereby disrupting viral genome replication.Mechanism of Acyclovir ActionAcyclovir is a guanosine analog with a three-carbon acyclic side chain. It selectively targets herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),...
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
01:25Inhibitors Of Virion Release
Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...
01:19Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...