High-throughput docking for the identification of new influenza A virus polymerase inhibitors targeting the PA–PB1 protein–protein interaction

A high-throughput molecular docking approach was successfully applied for the selection of potential inhibitors of the Influenza RNA-polymerase which act by targeting the PA-PB1 protein-protein interaction. Commercially available compounds were purchased and biologically evaluated in vitro using an ELISA-based assay. As a result, some compounds possessing a 3-cyano-4,6- diphenyl-pyridine nucleus emerged as effective inhibitors with the best ones showing IC50 values in the micromolar range.