Sialidases: structures, biological significance and therapeutic potential
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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Detection of Neu1 Sialidase Activity in Regulating TOLL-like Receptor Activation
Published on: September 7, 2010
1School of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, UK. g.l.taylor@bath.ac.uk
Abstract:
The structure-based design of a potent inhibitor of the influenza-virus neuraminidase (sialidase) is one of the outstanding successes of rational drug design. Recent clinical trials of the drug have stimulated many companies to seek a share of the potentially huge flu market. Sialidases, however, are involved in the pathogenesis of a whole range of other diseases, so perhaps the knowledge and expertise gained from the influenza story can be used in the design of other drugs, given that they all share certain structural features.
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