Purification and crystallization of dengue and West Nile virus NS2B–NS3 complexes
- Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, Protease Platform, Klybeckstrasse 144, CH 4002 Basel (Switzerland)
- Novartis Institutes of Tropical Diseases (Singapore)
Crystals of dengue serotype 2 and West Nile virus NS2B–NS3 protease complexes have been obtained and the crystals of both diffract to useful resolution. Sample homogeneity was essential for obtaining X-ray-quality crystals of the dengue protease. Controlled proteolysis produced a crystallizable fragment of the apo West Nile virus NS2B–NS3 and crystals were also obtained in the presence of a peptidic inhibitor. Both dengue and West Nile virus infections are an increasing risk to humans, not only in tropical and subtropical areas, but also in North America and parts of Europe. These viral infections are generally transmitted by mosquitoes, but may also be tick-borne. Infection usually results in mild flu-like symptoms, but can also cause encephalitis and fatalities. Approximately 2799 severe West Nile virus cases were reported this year in the United States, resulting in 102 fatalities. With this alarming increase in the number of West Nile virus infections in western countries and the fact that dengue virus already affects millions of people per year in tropical and subtropical climates, there is a real need for effective medicines. A possible therapeutic target to combat these viruses is the protease, which is essential for virus replication. In order to provide structural information to help to guide a lead identification and optimization program, crystallizations of the NS2B–NS3 protease complexes from both dengue and West Nile viruses have been initiated. Crystals that diffract to high resolution, suitable for three-dimensional structure determinations, have been obtained.
- OSTI ID:
- 22356260
- Journal Information:
- Acta Crystallographica. Section F, Vol. 62, Issue Pt 2; Other Information: PMCID: PMC2150946; PMID: 16511290; PUBLISHER-ID: en5147; OAI: oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:2150946; Copyright (c) International Union of Crystallography 2006; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1744-3091
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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