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Unraveling the Structure of the Variola Topoisomerase IB-DNA Complex: A Possible New Twist on Smallpox Therapy

Department of Biochemistry and Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-1046

SUMMARY

Smallpox is a serious and highly contagious disease that is caused by the variola virus. It is one of the most severe infectious human diseases known, with mortality rates as high as 30%. A successful worldwide vaccination program led to the eradication of smallpox in 1980. However, the high transmission rate of variola virus, coupled with the deadly nature of smallpox, makes this virus a potentially devastating weapon for bioterrorism. Currently, there is no specific treatment for smallpox. However, a recent article on the structure of a variola topoisomerase IB–DNA complex provides an intriguing starting point for the rational design of drugs with potential activity against smallpox.