ROLE OF PROTEOLYTIC PROCESSING OF VIRAL E NVELOPE GLYCOPROTEINS

Mature envelope glycoproteins of animal viruses and retroviruses are p roduced through the proteolytic processing of a precursor by an ubiqui tous cellular endoprotease. Precursors were cleaved after a consensus motif consisting in (Arg/Lys)-X-(Arg/Lys)-Arg. These sequences are als o usually presented in the cleavage site of exported pro-proteins. A f ew cellular enzymes responsible for the cleavage of pro-proteins were recently discovered and are under intensive investigations. Some of th em activate precursors of viral envelope glycoproteins. Inhibition of this step leads to the formation of a non infectious virus. Many inhib itors have been designed and tested by different groups. Discovery of new molecules capable of blocking proteolytic processing of viral prec ursors will open new ways not only for basic research purposes hut als o for therapeutic treatment of viral and retroviral diseases.