Utility of the Bacteriophage RB69 Polymerase gp43 as a Surrogate Enzyme for Herpesvirus Orthologs

Viruses

Nicholas Bennett¹ 

[1] Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada

关键词: DNA polymerase;    T4 DNA polymerase;    gp43;    herpesviridae;    UL30;    UL54;    HSV1;    HCMV;    RB69 DNA polymerase;   

DOI  :  10.3390/v5010054

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Viral polymerases are important targets in drug discovery and development efforts. Most antiviral compounds that are currently approved for treatment of infection with members of the herpesviridae family were shown to inhibit the viral DNA polymerase. However, biochemical studies that shed light on mechanisms of drug action and resistance are hampered primarily due to technical problems associated with enzyme expression and purification. In contrast, the orthologous bacteriophage RB69 polymerase gp43 has been crystallized in various forms and therefore serves as a model system that provides a better understanding of structure–function relationships of polymerases that belong the type B family. This review aims to discuss strengths, limitations, and opportunities of the phage surrogate with emphasis placed on its utility in the discovery and development of anti-herpetic drugs.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.