Inhibition of influenza virus replication in cultured cells by RNA-cleaving DNA enzyme

Influenza virus replication has been effectively inhibited by antisense pho sphothioate oligonucleotides targeting the AUG initiation codon of PB2 mRNA , We designed RNA-cleaving DNA enzymes from 10-23 catalytic motif to target PB2-AUG initiation codon and measured their RNA-cleaving activity in vitro . Although the RNA-cleaving activity was not optimal under physiological co nditions, DNA enzymes inhibited viral replication in cultured cells more ef fectively than antisense phosphothioate oligonucleotides. Our data indicate d that DNA enzymes could be useful for the control of viral infection. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Sc ience B.V, All rights reserved.