Neuraminidase as a target for drugs for the treatment of influenza

Abstract

Neuraminidase, or sialidase, is a surface glycoprotein that possesses enzymatic activity essential for viral replication in both influenza A and B anuses. To date, 9 neuraminidase subtypes (N1-N9) have been identified from influenza A viruses and only 1 subtype has been identified from influenza B viruses. Because of the importance of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection and the close correspondence of the conserved residues of the active sites from all influenza neuraminidases, the enzyme structure has been successfully used for the design of neuraminidase inhibitors, which would be effective for various influenza viruses. The neuraminidase inhibitors zanamivir and oseltamivir are now commonly used for the therapy of influenza virus infections with minimal adverse effects, and they can also be used for the prophylaxis of influenza, especially when vaccination is unsuitable or ineffective. Up to now, the data on neuraminidase inhibitors suggest that the enzyme is an attractive target for the discovery of new antiinfluenza drugs.