3D Molecular Modelling of the Helicase Enzyme of the Endemic, Zoonotic Greek Goat Encephalitis Virus

Abstract

The Flaviviridae family of viruses infects vertebrates and is primarily spread through arthropod vectors. The Greek Goat Encephalitis flavivirus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and specifically to the genus Flavivirus. GGE virus, which is endemic in Greece, is the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis, an infection of the central nervous system that can be transmitted from animals to humans by ticks. However, despite the severity of Flaviviridae causing diseases (e.g. Hepatitis C, Dengue fever, Yellow fever, Classical swine fever, Japanese encephalitis), currently there is not any available anti-flaviviridae therapy. Thus, there is a need for the development of effective anti-GGE viral pharmaceutical strategies. It has been shown that RNA helicases represent promising antiviral targets. Therefore, we suggest that establishing the 3D structure of the GGE viral helicase would be an effective approach of interrupting the life cycle of the GGE virus. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.