Understanding the RNA-Specificity of HCV RdRp: Implications for Anti-HCV Drug Discovery

摘要

Unlike other viral polymerases, HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) has not been successfully inhibited by nucleoside analogues presumably due to its strong substrate specificity for RNA. Thus, in order to understand the RNA-specificity of HCV RdRp, the structural characteristics of the active site was investigated. The hereto unknown 2-OH binding pocket at the active site of RdRp provides invaluable implication for the development of novel anti-HCV nucleoside analogues.