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Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors

Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors

Antiviral Nucleoside InhibitorsAntiviral nucleoside inhibitors are structural analogs of natural nucleosides that interfere with viral DNA or RNA synthesis. These compounds selectively target viral polymerases due to their resemblance to host nucleosides, thereby disrupting viral genome replication.Mechanism of Acyclovir ActionAcyclovir is a guanosine analog with a three-carbon acyclic side chain. It selectively targets herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),...

Inhibitors Of Virion Release

Inhibitors Of Virion Release

Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...

RNA Interference

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...

RNA Interference

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

Published on: May 5, 2014

MicroRNA-like antivirals.

Patrick Arbuthnot¹

¹University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. Patrick.Arbuthnot@wits.ac.za

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta

|May 28, 2011

Summary

Engineered DNA templates expressing antiviral microRNAs (miRNAs) offer durable gene silencing for chronic viral infections like HIV-1. Advanced lentiviral vector delivery shows promise in clinical trials, but safety and efficacy require further validation.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Virology
Gene Therapy

Background:

Engineered DNA templates expressing antiviral microRNAs (miRNAs) hold significant therapeutic potential for chronic viral infections.
Durable gene silencing via RNA interference (RNAi) activators is crucial for combating viruses such as HIV-1, hepatitis B, C, and dengue.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the development and therapeutic potential of expressed antiviral miRNA sequences.
To discuss advancements in miRNA expression strategies and delivery systems for viral infections.
To highlight challenges and future directions for clinical application.

Main Methods:

Utilizing engineered DNA templates with Pol III and Pol II promoters to express antiviral miRNA mimics.
Developing combinatorial miRNA expression cassettes for multitargeting siRNAs.

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Published on: October 29, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses

Published on: May 5, 2014

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

Published on: February 6, 2017

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds

Published on: October 29, 2015

Employing viral vectors, including lentiviruses, for efficient delivery of antiviral sequences.

Main Results:

Combinatorial miRNA cassettes offer multitargeting capabilities against viral escape.
Viral vectors, particularly lentiviruses, facilitate efficient delivery to target cells.
Preclinical and clinical trials using lentiviral vectors for HIV-1 gene silencing show promising results.

Conclusions:

Expressed antiviral miRNA sequences represent a promising therapeutic strategy for viral infections.
Further research is needed to establish safety, optimize delivery, and ensure scalable production of vector formulations for widespread clinical use.