Skip to content
2000
Volume 12, Issue 11
  • ISSN: 1381-6128
  • E-ISSN: 1873-4286

Abstract

Viral DNA and RNA polymerases are enzymes, which are responsible for copying the genetic materials of viruses and are therefore central components in the life cycles of viruses. The polymerases are essentially required for the replication of viruses. The reverse transcriptase (RT) of the retroviruses and the hepadnaviruses is the sole viral enzyme required for the synthesis of DNA from viral RNA. Viral polymerases are therefore an extremely favorable target for the development of antiviral therapy. The success of anti-HIV-1 therapy using inhibitors specifically targeting HIV RT suggests that other viral polymerases can be the valid molecular targets for the design of antiviral drugs. Intensive structural and functional studies of viral polymerases have been conducted and have opened new avenues for the development of more effective antiviral therapy. This review summarizes the insights gained from recent structural and functional studies of antiviral agents, which target viral polymearses. The primary focus will be on hepatitis C virus (HCV), herpesviruses, HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and influenza virus.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/cpd/10.2174/138161206776361156
2006-04-01
2025-05-08
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/content/journals/cpd/10.2174/138161206776361156
Loading
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test