This invention provides methods of inducing cell death with Flavivirus or
Pestivirus capsid protein, such as West Nile virus (WNV) capsid protein,
and functional fragments thereof. The invention also provides methods of
treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by
hyperproliferating cells by administering pharmaceutical compositions
comprising WNV or other virus including Flavivirus or Pestivirus capsid
or other protein or a nucleic acid molecule encoding the same. Methods of
identifying compounds which have anti-viral and/or anti-WNV and/or
anti-Flavivirus and/or anti-Pestivirus capsid or other protein activity
are disclosed. The invention also provides vaccine compositions
comprising capsid or other proteins, or fragments thereof, or nucleic
acids encoding same, from WNV or other virus including Flavivirus or
Pestivirus and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also
provides diagnostic methods and kits for identifying individuals exposed
to WNV or other viruses including Flavivirus or Pestivirus.