The present invention relates to novel methods for identifying antiviral agents which selectively interfere with viral proteins that override the
interferon(IFN)-induced cellular defense mechanisms against
viral infection. In particular, the present invention relates to screening assays that identify agents which selectively inhibit the interaction between viral proteins containing an
interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) and IFN-induced PKR
protein kinase. The present invention more particularly relates to screening assays that identify agents which selectively inhibit the interaction between
hepatitis C
virus (HCV) nonstructural 5A
protein (NS5A), which contains an ISDR, and IFN-induced PKR
protein kinase. The interaction between the viral ISDR and IFN-induced PKR protein
kinase results in the override of IFN-induced cellular defense mechanisms to combat
viral infection. Therefore the agents identified using the assays of the invention may have utility as antiviral agents.