Flavivirus Protease: NS2B-NS3 Target, Progress & Challenges

Key Insights

• The Core: NS2B–NS3 protease complex is essential for viral polyprotein processing.
• Broad Spectrum: A primary target for DENV, ZIKV, and WNV drug discovery.
• Modern Tools: Structure-based design and HTS are driving inhibitor development.

I. What Is the Flavivirus Protease?

The flavivirus protease is a key viral enzyme required for productive infection and replication. In flaviviruses, the protease function is primarily carried by the NS2B–NS3 protease complex.

This complex performs proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein to generate mature structural and non-structural proteins. This cleavage step is essential for assembling a functional viral replication machinery and completing the viral life cycle.

II. Impact and Overview

III. Research Progress