Molecular Modelling Study of the 3D Structure of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) Helicase

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Brancale, Andrea | Vlachaki, Chrisanthy | Vlachakis, Dimitrios

Affiliations: Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3XF, UK | Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave, 176 71 Kallithea, Athens, Greece

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family of viruses and constitutes a very important pathogen for livestock around the world [1]. The viral helicase is an enzyme essential for the proliferation and transmission of the virus. In this work a 3D-model of the BVDV helicase was produced using homology modelling techniques and the known 3D-structure of the hepatitis C helicase of the Flaviviridae family as template, in an attempt to provide the means for structure-based design of novel anti-BVDV agents.

Keywords: Homology modelling, molecular dynamics, helicase, bovine viral diarrhea virus, Flaviviridae

Journal: In Silico Biology, vol. 8, no. 5-6, pp. 461-469, 2008