New medicines to block a key enzyme in mosquito-borne (flavivirus) infections
Development of Inhibitors Targeting Flavivirus Methyltransferase
Researchers are developing small-molecule drugs that block a viral enzyme used by many mosquito-borne viruses to help protect people, including infants and children, from serious infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11374858 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will refine current lead compounds and run large-scale laboratory screens to discover more molecules that block the flavivirus methyltransferase enzyme. They will use biochemical experiments, structural biology, and cell-based virus tests to understand how the compounds work. Promising molecules will be optimized with medicinal chemistry and tested for how they behave in the body. Finally, the team will study safety and antiviral activity in animal models as steps toward future human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for or affected by flavivirus infections (for example dengue, Zika, or West Nile) — including infants and children — would be the kinds of patients who could join future clinical testing.
Not a fit: Patients with infections caused by unrelated pathogens or those with medical conditions that prevent antiviral use may not benefit from these flavivirus-targeted drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce broad-spectrum antiviral drugs to treat or prevent illnesses caused by flaviviruses such as dengue, Zika, and West Nile.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and animal studies targeting viral enzymes have shown promise, but broad-spectrum flavivirus methyltransferase inhibitors have not yet become approved treatments for patients.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Hongmin — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Li, Hongmin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.