| abstract |
The present invention generally relates to viral RNA polymerases essential for virus regeneration and propagation in a host. Viral RNA polymerase is known to be involved in the replication of a virus once the virus infects the host. The present invention relates to mutants of natural Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA polymerases, which give improved crystallization properties of enzymes and enzyme / compound complexes. The invention also relates to the isolation and identification of allosteric binding gaps in HCV NS5B RNA polymerase, and to their use in the discovery, identification and characterization of inhibitors of such polymerases. |