Host targeted antiviral (HTA): functional inhibitor compounds of scaffold protein RACK1 inhibit herpes simplex virus proliferation
Report shows that the RACK1 inhibitor identified and patented by the Dr. Hemayet Ullah and his research team provide inhibits HSV-1 proliferation in a HEp-2 cell line. The RACK1 inhibiting drug showed similar efficacy as the commercially available anti-herpes simplex virus drug acyclovir and showed supralinear effect when applied in a combinatorial manner. As an increasing number of viruses are reported to use host RACK1 proteins, and more than 100 diverse animals and plant disease-causing viruses are known to use IRES-based translation, these drugs can be established as host-targeted broad antiviral drugs.