Prospects for the use of viral proteins for the construction of chimeric toxins

Abstract

One of the actively developing areas of drug development is the creation of chimeric toxins, recombinant bifunctional molecules designed to affect target cells selectively. The prevalent approach involves fusing bacterial and plant toxins with molecules that facilitate targeted delivery. However, the therapeutic use of such toxins often encounters challenges associated with negative side effects. Concurrently, viruses encode proteins possessing toxin-like properties, exerting multiple effects on the vital activity of cells. In contrast to bacterial and plant toxins, the impact of viral proteins is typically milder, presenting a significant advantage by potentially reducing the likelihood of side effects. This review delineates the characteristics of extensively studied viral proteins with toxic and immunomodulatory properties and explores the prospects of incorporating them into chimeric toxins.