SELECTION AND USE OF ANTIVIRAL PEPTIDES

摘要

The present invention relates to the screening and selection of potential antiviral compounds or peptides. Potential antiviral compounds or peptides are chosen by their ability to interact and interfere with an essential function of a wild type viral protein subsequent to host infection. Potential antiviral compounds or peptides or pools thereof are screened in an in vitro reconstitution assay comprising a wild type viral protein, host cellular trans-acting factors and an appropriate DNA promoter fragment. A potential antiviral agent possesses the ability to form a unique protein:protein or DNA:protein complex in comparison to interactions involving the wild type viral protein in the absence of the antiviral agent.