Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
18:10

Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency

Published on: June 16, 2011

Molecular mechanisms of action of ribavirin

J L Patterson1, R Fernandez-Larsson

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

Reviews of Infectious Diseases
|November 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Ribavirin, a broad-spectrum antiviral, is investigated for its controversial mechanisms of action against various viruses, including HIV. Clinical studies suggest it may slow AIDS progression in HIV-infected patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent approved in 1986.
  • It is used as an aerosol for infants with respiratory syncytial virus infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the major mechanisms of action of ribavirin.
  • To explore its controversial molecular mode of action.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing clinical investigations and reported data on ribavirin's efficacy.
  • Analysis of scientific literature concerning its antiviral properties.

Main Results:

  • Ribavirin has shown activity against a variety of viral illnesses, including influenza, Lassa fever, Hantaan virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • Clinical interest exists for its use in treating HIV infections, with reports suggesting it may slow the development of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Conclusions:

  • The molecular mechanisms underlying ribavirin's broad-spectrum antiviral activity require further elucidation.
  • Ribavirin holds potential therapeutic value for various viral infections, notably HIV/AIDS.

More Related Videos

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses11:34

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

Published on: May 5, 2014

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Activity Prediction, and Molecular Dynamics of Non-nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors10:29

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Activity Prediction, and Molecular Dynamics of Non-nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Published on: May 9, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can be...
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can be...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

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 Release01:25

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...
Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors01:22

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),...