Isolating Compounds that Inhibit EV 71 Virus
Enterovirus 71, or EV 71, is responsible for causing Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease in humans. In particular, it is especially deadly when children and small infants are exposed. The objective of this research paper is to address the possibility of a novel antiviral drug that can be used once infection of EV 71 has occurred. The methods for this research include transformation of E. coli with the genetic information from Enterovirus 71, growth of the E. coli colonies in the lab setting, 2C protein purification, and ATPase assays with drug testing. Of the 364 drugs tested in the ATPase assay, a combination of two of them (Mitrofudil and N6-Benzyladenosine) indicated a stoppage in activity of ATPase, signaling no further activity of the enzyme and viral proliferation.