Abstract: The invention discloses a use of dithiocarbamate compounds having the structural formula R1R2NCS2H, in which R1 and R2, independently of each other, represent a straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl, or, with the nitrogen atom, form an aliphatic ring with 4 to 6 C atoms, in which R1, R2, or the aliphatic ring is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from OH, NO2, NH2, COOH, SH, F, Cl, Br, I, methyl or ethyl, and oxidized forms of these compounds, in particular dimers thereof, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, to prepare an agent for treating or preventing an infection by RNA viruses which attack the respiratory tract and cause disease there.

Abstract: A substantially pure receptor with binding activity for rhinoviruses of the minor human receptor group is disclosed, which has the following characteristics:(a) a molecular weight of 120 kD on a polyacrylamide gel in the presence of SDS;(b) a sedimentation constant, determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation in the presence of detergents, corresponding to about 28.4 S;(c) is bound by Lens culinaris lectin;(d) is not bound by heparin-sepharose;(e) is bound irreversibly to an anion exchanger;(f) has binding activity which is insensitive to neuraminidase;(g) consists of sub-units connected by intermolecular disulfide bridges;(h) shows no binding activity to rhinoviruses in the presence of EDTA; and(i) has a binding activity to rhinoviruses which is only slightly influenced by iodoacetamide.Methods of providing protection against infection by rhinoviruses of the minor receptor group with the substantially pure receptor of the present invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially pure receptor with binding activity for rhinoviruses of the minor human receptor group is disclosed, which has the following characteristics:(a) a molecular weight of 120 kD on a polyacrylamide gel in the presence of SDS;(b) a sedimentation constant, determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation in the presence of detergents, corresponding to about 28.4 S;(c) is bound by Lens culinaris lectin;(d) is not bound by heparin-sepharose;(e) is bound irreversibly to an anion exchanger;(f) has binding activity which is insensitive to neuraminidase;(g) consists of sub-units connected by intermolecular disulfide bridges;(h) shows no binding activity to rhinoviruses in the presence of EDTA; and(i) has a binding activity to rhinoviruses which is only slightly influenced by iodoacetamide.A receptor subunit of the above-described receptor, produced by complete reduction of said receptor, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially pure receptor with binding activity for rhinoviruses of the small receptor group is disclosed, which has the following characteristics:(a) a molecular weight of 120 kD on a polyacrylamide gel in the presence of SDS;(b) a sedimentation constant, determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation in the presence of detergents, corresponding to about 28.4 S;(c) is bound by Lens culinaris lectin;(d) is not bound by heparin-sepharose;(e) is bound irreversibly to an anion exchanger;(f) has binding activity which is insensitive to neuraminidase;(g) consists of sub-units connected by intermolecular disulfide bridges;(h) shows no binding activity to rhinoviruses in the presence of EDTA; and(i) has a binding activity to rhinoviruses which is only slightly influenced by iodoacetamide.A receptor subunit of the above-described receptor, produced by complete reduction of said receptor, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially pure receptor with binding activity for rhinoviruses of the small receptor group is disclosed, which has the following characteristics:(a) a molecular weight of 120 KD on a polyacrylamide gel in the presence of SDS;(b) a sedimentation constant, determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation in the presence of detergents, corresponding to about 28.4 S;(c) is bound by Lens culinaris lectin;(d) is not bound by heparin-sepharose;(e) is bound irreversibly to an anion exchanger;(f) has binding activity which is insensitive to neuraminidase;(g) consists of sub-units connected by intermolecular disulfide bridges;(h) shows no binding activity to rhinoviruses in the presence of EDTA; and(i) has a binding activity to rhinoviruses which is only slightly influenced by iodoacetamide.A receptor subunit of the above-described receptor, produced by complete reduction of said receptor, is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a DNA molecule or a functional derivative thereof coding for a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising an enzymatically active component and a non-enzymatically active polypeptide component which may be cleaved therefrom, an expression system which contains the DNA molecule, the use thereof as a test system for inhibitors of viral proteases, and an assay for identifying viral inhibitors.