2ht8

Description of Model: Influenza is a single stranded RNA virus surrounded by a protein capsid and lipid membrane. Studded in the membrane is the enzyme neuraminidase which is responsible for facilitating the exit of the virus from host cells, allowing them to spread to other cells for further replication. It does this by hydrolysing the Sialic acid in the host cell plasma membrane, releasing newly formed virions. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is a neuraminidase inhibitor, which is used for prophylaxis or the treatment of Influenza infection. It is a transition state analogue of Sialic acid and works by binding into the active site of neuraminidase, forming a stable network of hydrogen bonds. The annotations above show some of the important hydrogen bond interactions between neuraminidase (subtype N8) and oseltamivir.