VIRAL ENZYME ACTIVATED PROTOTOXOPHORES AND USE OF SAME TO TREAT VIRAL INFECTIONS

摘要

A synthetic prototoxophore, which is a relatively non-toxic compound that includes a toxin moiety and a substrate domain for a viral enzyme, is provided. Upon binding of a viral enzyme to the substrate domain, the catalytic activity of the viral enzyme converts the prototoxophore to a toxophore, which is toxic to a cell. Thus, a toxophore also is provided, as is a pharmaceutical composition containing a prototoxophore, and kits containing a prototoxophore. Also provided are methods of using a prototoxophore to reduce or inhibit viral infectivity, and methods of using a prototoxophore to ameliorate the severity of a viral infection in an individual.