Bioscience Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 227-237 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 233 detailed maps of gene-protein-disease connections, which can be used to prioritize candidate drug targets (Pietzner et al., 2021). Additionally, computational pipelines can identify synthetic lethality and prioritize tumor-associated antigens for immunotherapy targets, as demonstrated in cancer research (Lei et al., 2023). These methodologies can be adapted to ASFV research to predict interactions between viral proteins and potential antiviral compounds, thereby facilitating the development of targeted therapies. 6.3 Challenges in correlating genomic data with proteomic findings Despite the advantages of integrating genomic and proteomic data, several challenges remain. One significant challenge is the poor correlation between mRNA and protein levels, which complicates the interpretation of data and the identification of true drug targets (Lei et al., 2023). Proteins can exist in multiple forms and locations within the cell, and their functions can vary depending on their cellular context (Butler and Overall, 2009). This pleiotropy necessitates careful interpretation of proteomic data to avoid misidentification of drug targets. Additionally, the dynamic nature of protein expression and modification during viral infection adds another layer of complexity. For instance, ASFV infection leads to significant changes in the host cell proteome, including the overexpression of redox-related proteins and heat shock proteins, which may play distinct roles in the infection process (Alfonso et al., 2004). These challenges highlight the need for robust bioinformatics tools and experimental validation to accurately correlate genomic data with proteomic findings and identify viable drug targets. By addressing these challenges and leveraging the strengths of both genomic and proteomic data, researchers can enhance the identification and validation of ASFV drug targets, ultimately contributing to the development of effective antiviral therapies. 7 Current Advances in ASFV Drug Development 7.1 Overview of current therapeutic strategies against ASFV African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious and deadly virus affecting domestic and wild pigs, with no available vaccine or effective therapy. Current therapeutic strategies primarily focus on antiviral drugs that target various stages of the viral life cycle. One promising approach involves targeting endosomal membrane proteins, which are crucial for viral entry into host cells. Experimental and FDA-approved compounds targeting these proteins have shown significant inhibition of ASFV replication, suggesting that cellular proteins related to the endocytic pathway can serve as suitable targets for broad-spectrum antiviral compounds (Galindo et al., 2020). 7.2 Small molecules and peptide inhibitors targeting ASFV proteins Small molecules and peptide inhibitors have emerged as potent tools in the fight against ASFV. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of small molecules to inhibit RNA-binding proteins, which play crucial roles in various cellular activities and viral replication. These inhibitors can disrupt the interaction between RNA-binding proteins and RNA, thereby impeding viral replication (Wu, 2020). Additionally, peptide-based ligands have shown promise in the affinity purification of biotherapeutics, including those targeting viral proteins. These ligands offer high binding affinity and selectivity, making them excellent candidates for developing next-generation antiviral drugs (Chu et al., 2020). 7.3 Potential for RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies represent cutting-edge approaches for targeting ASFV at the genetic level. CRISPR/Cas9, in particular, has shown remarkable efficacy in inhibiting ASFV replication by targeting the viral p30 gene (CP204L). This gene-editing technology can abrogate plaque formation and significantly reduce virus yields, demonstrating its potential as a robust antiviral strategy (Hübner et al., 2018). Furthermore, RNA-based therapeutics, including small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), have the potential to target undruggable genes and gene products, offering new therapeutic paradigms for ASFV and other viral diseases (Dowdy, 2017). Recent advances in the recruitment of RNAi and CRISPR/Cas pathways in mammalian cells have further underscored their potential as specific and efficient antiviral therapeutics with minimal off-target effects (Chin et al., 2017).
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