Method for identifying new anti-picornaviral compounds

Abstract

The present invention is broadly directed to methods of screening viral-binding compounds. In particular, the present invention provides cell-free assays to rapidly screen libraries of compounds for viral-capsid binding activity. Such compounds are useful for anti-viral treatments.

1 . A method for screening viral-binding compounds comprising the steps of: 
 incubating in vitro one or more compounds with viral sites, wherein binding of a compound to the viral site inhibits viral infection,    separating a viral site-bound compound from an unbound compound,    and detecting the viral site-bound compound.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the viral site is contained within a virus.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the virus is a picornavirus.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the picornavirus is selected from the group consisting of poliovirus and rhinovirus, Coxsackie B virus, Coxsackie A virus, echovirus, or human enterovirus.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the viral site is contained within a viral capsid.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the viral site is a conserved hydrophobic pocket at the core of VP1.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the viral site-bound compound is detected via mass spectroscopy.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the number of compounds is less than or equal to the number of viral sites.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the number of compounds is in excess of the number of viral sites.