Discovery of novel inhibitors targeting movement protein for controlling the transmission of banana bunchy top virus infection in plantain by structure-based virtual screening

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the pathogen causing banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) belongs to the genus Babuvirus of the family Nanoviridae and produces significant yield loss. BBTD is the most destructive viral diseases affecting bananas worldwide causing infections that result in bunched leaves, stunted and fruitless plants. So far, there are no effective control measures for controlling and preventing this viral disease. The amino terminal region of the movement protein is responsible for cell-to-cell movement. The present study aims at inhibiting this target region by discovering novel inhibitors through virtual screening of small molecule libraries coupled with post-docking analysis of most potent inhibitors. Our study based on virtual screening of small molecule datasets determined 10 most potential inhibitors to be considered as lead compounds in controlling the spread of BBTV infection in plantain.