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Updated: Oct 15, 2025

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses
Published on: May 5, 2014
Inhibition of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases with clinically relevant nucleotide analogs
Kieran Maheden1, Brendan Todd2, Calvin J Gordon2
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Abstract:
The treatment of viral infections remains challenging, in particular in the face of emerging pathogens. Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs could potentially be used as a first line of defense. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of RNA viruses serves as a logical target for drug discovery and development efforts. Herein we discuss compounds that target RdRp of poliovirus, hepatitis C virus, influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and the growing data on coronaviruses. We focus on nucleotide analogs and mechanisms of action and resistance.
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