The influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a heterotrimeric complex (PA, PB1 and PB2) with multiple enzymatic activities for catalyzing viral RNA transcription and replication. Its critical roles in the influenza virus life cycle and high sequence conservation suggest it should be a major target for therapeutic intervention. However, until very recently, functional studies and drug discovery targeting the influenza polymerase have been hampered by the lack of three-dimensional structural information. The influenza polymerase holds prospects for the development of anti-influenza therapeutics.

Further reading:

• Influenza: Molecular Virology

Labels: Anti-influenza therapeutics., Influenza virus life cycle, NA-dependent RNA polymerase, RNA transcription and replication