Mechanisms of inhibition of viral RNA replication by nucleotide analogs.

ABSTRACT: Nucleotide analogs are the cornerstone of direct acting antivirals used to control infection by RNA viruses. Here we review what is known about existing nucleotide/nucleoside analogs and the kinetics and mechanisms of RNA and DNA replication, with emphasis on the SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in comparison to HIV reverse transcriptase and Hepatitis C RdRp. We demonstrate how accurate kinetic analysis reveals surprising results to explain the effectiveness of antiviral nucleoside analogs providing guidelines for the design of new inhibitors.

SUBMITTER: Johnson KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8474024 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature