NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS POLYMERASE COMPLEX: MOLECULAR ORGANIZATION, DIAGNOSTIC TARGETS, AND CONTROL STRATEGIES

Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus, remains a significant threat to the global poultry industry. The virus’s ability to replicate and cause disease is fundamentally dependent on its polymerase complex, comprising the nucleoprotein (NP), phosphoprotein (P), and the large polymerase (L) protein. This review synthesizes recent literature (2015–2024), supplemented by foundational research, to provide a mechanistic overview of these three proteins. We focus on their molecular structures, functions in viral replication and pathogenesis, and their roles as targets for diagnostics and control, with an emphasis on virulent genotypes like VII and XIII that dominate current outbreaks in chickens and other domestic poultry. The review covers molecular diagnostic methods, including RT-PCR and sequencing, and discusses a multi-pronged control strategy encompassing next-generation vaccines, antiviral agents, genetic resistance, and biosecurity.