ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews evidence concerning the structure of viral neuraminidase and theories concerning its function in virus replication and discusses a variety of inhibitors of neuraminidase with respect to their potential as antiviral compounds. Influenza and parainfluenza viruses are unique among animal viruses by virtue of their possession of a virus-coded neuraminidase. The neuraminidases of influenza B viruses have a molecular weight and structure similar to those of influenza A viruses. If the active centers for neuraminidase and hemagglutinating activity of parainfluenza viruses are on the same polypeptide chain and are identical, compounds that inhibit neuraminidase activity may have an effect on hemagglutinating activity as well. Qualitative differences in viral neuraminidases have been invoked as possibly providing an explanation for neurovirulent properties of some strains of influenza A virus. The possibility has been entertained that influenza virus replication might be blocked by agents capable of inhibiting virus neuraminidase activity.
