Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for the prevention or treatment of infections by negative strand RNA viruses, such as influenza virus and measles virus, wherein said compounds delay or inhibit viral replication by modulating the level or activity of a polypeptide involved in the synthesis or degradation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in a cell, tissue, or subject. The methods involve administration of one or more compounds which modulate the level of gene expression, where the gene encodes a polypeptide involved in regulating the metabolic level of S1P, or modulate the level or activity of a polypeptide involved in regulating the metabolic level of S1P, such as sphingosine kinase (SK) and S1P lyase (SPL). Exemplary methods are directed towards reducing the level of SW by reducing the level or activity of one or more SKs, increasing the level or activity of one or more SPLs, or a combination of both steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for the prevention or treatment of infections by negative strand RNA viruses, such as influenza virus and measles virus, wherein said compounds delay or inhibit viral replication by modulating the level or activity of a polypeptide involved in the synthesis or degradation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in a cell, tissue, or subject. The methods involve administration of one or more compounds which modulate the level of gene expression, where the gene encodes a polypeptide involved in regulating the metabolic level of S1P, or modulate the level or activity of a polypeptide involved in regulating the metabolic level of S1P, such as sphingosine kinase (SK) and S1P lyase (SPL). Exemplary methods are directed towards reducing the level of SW by reducing the level or activity of one or more SKs, increasing the level or activity of one or more SPLs, or a combination of both steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) replicon that efficiently replicates in an eukaryotic cell. The HCV replicon includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a subgenomic fragments of HCV of any genotype that confer on the RNA the ability to replicate, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetyl transferase selectable marker, such as puromycin. Also provided is an HCV type 1a replicon that efficiently replicates in an eukaryotic cell and includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding subgenomic fragments of type 1a HCV that confer on the RNA the ability to replicate, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a acetyl transferase selectable marker. Further provided are eukaryotic cell lines that include an HCV replicon or an HCV type 1a replicon which efficiently replicate in the eukaryotic cell. The present invention also provides screening methods for identifying candidate compounds that inhibit the propagation of HCV.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) replicon that efficiently replicates in an eukaryotic cell. The HCV replicon includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a subgenomic fragments of HCV of any genotype that confer on the RNA the ability to replicate, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetyl transferase selectable marker, such as puromycin. Also provided is an HCV type 1a replicon that efficiently replicates in an eukaryotic cell and includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding subgenomic fragments of type 1a HCV that confer on the RNA the ability to replicate, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a acetyl transferase selectable marker. Further provided are eukaryotic cell lines that include an HCV replicon or an HCV type 1a replicon which efficiently replicate in the eukaryotic cell. The present invention also provides screening methods for identifying candidate compounds that inhibit the propagation of HCV.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid virus comprising poliovirus and the hepatitis C virus protease NS3 and a target site for NS3. The hybrid virus is useful for screening for drugs against hepatitis C virus.