Nonstructural Protein 4B (NS4B)

Nonstructural protein 4B (NS4B) is a membrane-associated viral protein found in several members of the Flaviviridae family, including flaviviruses such as Dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). NS4B is approximately 27 kDa in size. NS4B plays a central role in viral replication by facilitating formation of the viral replication complex, recruiting host proteins to alter the topology of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and organizing membranous structures that serve as scaffolds for RNA synthesis. The protein contains multiple transmembrane domains and flexible regions. It interacts with other nonstructural proteins such as NS1, NS2A/B, NS3 and NS4A. NS4B is considered a promising target for drug discovery, however, no clinically approved drugs are currently available.

Unknown, but targeted by small molecule inhibitors in development