The present invention relates to the identification of host cell proteins that
interact with viral proteins required for virus replication, and high throughput
assays to identify compounds that interfere with the specific interaction between
the viral and host cell protein. Interfering compounds that inhibit viral replication
can be used therapeutically to treat viral infection.
The invention is based, in part, on the Applicants' discovery of novel interactions
between proteins of the influenza virus and a human host cell proteins. One of
these host cell proteins, referred to herein as NPI-1, interacts with influenza
virus protein NP, and may be an accessory protein required for replication of influenza
virus. Another of these host cell proteins, referred to herein as NS1I-1, interacts
with influenza virus protein NS1. Compounds that interfere with the
binding of the host cell and viral proteins, and inhibit viral replication can
be useful for treating viral infection in vivo.
