The picornaviral 3C proteinases: cysteine nucleophiles in serine proteinase folds. 1995

B A Malcolm
Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

The 3C proteinases are a novel group of cysteine proteinases with a serine proteinase-like fold that are responsible for the bulk of polyprotein processing in the Picornaviridae. Because members of this viral family are to blame for several ongoing global pandemic problems (rhinovirus, hepatitis A virus) as well as sporadic outbreaks of more serious pathologies (poliovirus), there has been continuing interest over the last two decades in the development of antiviral therapies. The recent determination of the structure of two of the 3C proteinases by X-ray crystallography opens the door for the application of the latest advances in computer-assisted identification and design of anti-proteinase therapeutic/chemoprophylactic agents.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010849 Picornaviridae A family of small RNA viruses comprising some important pathogens of humans and animals. Transmission usually occurs mechanically. There are nine genera: APHTHOVIRUS; CARDIOVIRUS; ENTEROVIRUS; ERBOVIRUS; HEPATOVIRUS; KOBUVIRUS; PARECHOVIRUS; RHINOVIRUS; and TESCHOVIRUS. Avihepatovirus,Pasivirus,Picornaviruses,Rosavirus,Sapelovirus,Senecavirus,Sicinivirus,Tremovirus,Avihepatoviruses,Pasiviruses,Rosaviruses,Sapeloviruses,Senecaviruses,Siciniviruses,Tremoviruses
D002384 Catalysis The facilitation of a chemical reaction by material (catalyst) that is not consumed by the reaction. Catalyses
D003545 Cysteine A thiol-containing non-essential amino acid that is oxidized to form CYSTINE. Cysteine Hydrochloride,Half-Cystine,L-Cysteine,Zinc Cysteinate,Half Cystine,L Cysteine
D003546 Cysteine Endopeptidases ENDOPEPTIDASES which have a cysteine involved in the catalytic process. This group of enzymes is inactivated by CYSTEINE PROTEINASE INHIBITORS such as CYSTATINS and SULFHYDRYL REAGENTS.
D000086042 3C Viral Proteases A class of cysteine proteases which play an essential role in VIRUS REPLICATION. They cleave precursor viral POLYPROTEINS to produce functional proteins and enzymes. In addition, they cleave certain host cell proteins such as EUKARYOTIC INITIATION FACTOR-4G. 3C Proteases,3C Proteinases,3C-like Viral Proteases,3Cpro Proteinases,Proteases, 3C,Proteases, 3C-like Viral,Proteinases, 3C,Viral Proteases, 3C-like
D001665 Binding Sites The parts of a macromolecule that directly participate in its specific combination with another molecule. Combining Site,Binding Site,Combining Sites,Site, Binding,Site, Combining,Sites, Binding,Sites, Combining
D012697 Serine Endopeptidases Any member of the group of ENDOPEPTIDASES containing at the active site a serine residue involved in catalysis. Serine Endopeptidase,Endopeptidase, Serine,Endopeptidases, Serine
D013379 Substrate Specificity A characteristic feature of enzyme activity in relation to the kind of substrate on which the enzyme or catalytic molecule reacts. Specificities, Substrate,Specificity, Substrate,Substrate Specificities
D014764 Viral Proteins Proteins found in any species of virus. Gene Products, Viral,Viral Gene Products,Viral Gene Proteins,Viral Protein,Protein, Viral,Proteins, Viral
D017510 Protein Folding Processes involved in the formation of TERTIARY PROTEIN STRUCTURE. Protein Folding, Globular,Folding, Globular Protein,Folding, Protein,Foldings, Globular Protein,Foldings, Protein,Globular Protein Folding,Globular Protein Foldings,Protein Foldings,Protein Foldings, Globular
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