Washington University

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Natalia Frias-Staheli

Adolfo Garcia-Sastre

Herbert W Virgin

Nadia Vicki Giannakopoulos

Viruses having an impaired ability to deISGylate ISG15 conjugates, in particular, viral mutants comprising a mutation in the viral genome that reduces or eliminates the ability of the viral OTU domain-containing protein encoded by the viral genome to deISGylate ISG15 conjugates and/or deubiquitinate ubiquitinated proteins and/or deNeddylate Neddylated proteins are disclosed. Such viral mutants may be used in the formulation of immunogenic compositions for inducing an immune response and preventing, managing and/or treating a viral infection. Also disclosed are methods for identifying anti-viral compounds, in particular, methods of identifying compounds that reduce or inhibit the deISGylation activity and/or deubiquitination and/or deNeddylation activity of a viral OTU domain-containing protein. The compounds identified using such methods may be used as antiviral agents for the prevention, treatment and/or management of viral infections.

Growing community of inventors

New York, NY, United States of America

Natalia Frias-Staheli