Poliovirus polyprotein (PV Polyprotein)

The Poliovirus polyprotein is a large precursor protein translated from the single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome of the poliovirus, a member of the Enterovirus genus. This polyprotein is co-translationally and post-translationally processed by viral-encoded proteases (2Apro and 3Cpro) into functional structural proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4) and non-structural proteins (2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B/VPg, 3C, and 3D). These individual components are essential for the viral life cycle, including the formation of the icosahedral capsid, the replication of the viral RNA genome via the 3D RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and the subversion of host cellular machinery to favor viral production. In the context of disease, poliovirus targets the central nervous system, specifically motor neurons, leading to the characteristic paralysis of poliomyelitis. Therapeutic strategies targeting the poliovirus protein focus on capsid binders like pocapavir, which stabilize the virion to prevent RNA release, or inhibitors of the 3C protease and 3D polymerase to halt viral replication and assembly.

Other names

Poliovirus type 1 polyproteinPoliovirus type 2 polyproteinPoliovirus type 3 polyproteinGenome polyproteinP1-P2-P3 polyprotein

Capsid binding to prevent viral uncoating and attachment; Inhibition of viral 3C protease to prevent polyprotein processing; Inhibition of 3D RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to block viral genome replication.