Structure and biochemical analysis of Kokobera virus helicase.

Here, we report the three-dimensional structure and biochemical investigation of wild-type Kokobera virus helicase and of a mutant targeting a residue of motif Ia. This study has been carried out within the framework of the Vizier project (www.vizier-europe.org) that is aimed at the molecular characterization of the replicative machinery of RNA viruses. The comparative analysis of the flavivirus helicase structures is the first step towards the development of antiviral compounds interfering with the activity of these essential replicative enzymes.