Recent progress in structure-based anti-influenza drug design

Seasonal and pandemic influenza have caused high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent emergence of influenza A H5N1 and H1N1 strains has heightened concern, especially as a result of their drug resistance. The life cycle of influenza viruses has been well studied and nearly all the viral proteins are becoming potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we present an overview of recent progress in structure-based anti-influenza drug design, paying close attention to the increasing role of computation and strategies for overcoming drug resistance.

► All flu proteins are becoming drug targets.
► Computation is playing an ever-growing role in structure-based anti-flu drug design.
► Strategies for overcoming drug-resistant flu virus mutations are emerging.