Combining Protein Interactions and Functionality Classification in NS3 to Determine Specific Antiviral Targets in Dengue

Abstract

Dengue virus (DENV) is a serious worldwide health concern putting about 2.5 billion people in more than 100 countries at-risk Dengue is a member of the flaviviridae family, is transmitted to human via mosquitos. Dengue is a deadly viral disease. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or antiviral that can prevent this infection and that is why researchers are diligently working to find cures. The DENV genome codes for multiple nonstructural proteins one of which is the NS3 enzyme that participates in different steps of the viral life cycle including viral replication, viral RNA genome synthesis and host immune mechanism. Recent studies suggest the role of fatty acid biogenesis during DENV infection, including posttranslational protein modification. Phosphorylation is among the protein post translational modifications and plays essential roles in protein folding, interactions, signal transduction, survival and apoptosis.