Question

Looking at the five steps in viral replication, can you identify some promising ways to prevent or control viral infections?

Answer 1

The five steps involved in viral replication are entry, uncoating, transcription, protein synthesis and exiting.

The entry of virus into the host cell can be prevented by the use of various entry inhibitors. Antibodies can be used to block the entry of virus into the host cell.

The uncoating of viruses can be prevented by the use various uncoating inhibitors. The capsid of virus contains a proton channel, the proton channel acidifies the capsid and forces it to burst and release the viral DNA or RNA material inside the host cell. Drugs such as amantadine, which block the proton channel from functioning, can be used to inhibit the uncoating of virus. This will prevent the viral DNA or RNA material from being released into the host cell, and hence, stop viral replication.

Various retro-viruses use integrase enzyme to cut the DNA of host cell and insert their own DNA between two scissored segments of the host's DNA. The use integrase inhibitors such as raltegravir, can prevent the action of integrase enzyme.

The transcription process of virus can be haulted by the use polymerase inhibitors. DNA polymerase is an important enzyme required for the process of transcription. Polymerase inhibitors such as zidovudine inhibit the action of enzyme DNA polymerase, and hence prevent the virus from replicating.