Quasispecies, error catastrophe, and the antiviral activity of ribavirin

Jason D. Graci; Craig E. Cameron

doi:10.1006/viro.2002.1487

Quasispecies, error catastrophe, and the antiviral activity of ribavirin

Jason D. Graci, Craig E. Cameron

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

111 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ribavirin is the first synthetic, broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside. Despite its more than 30 year history, the mechanism of action of this compound remains unclear and somewhat controversial. Recent data suggest the possibility that the activity of ribavirin against RNA viruses is a reflection of incorporation of ribavirin into the viral genome. Because ribavirin incorporation is not specific, this event leads to lethal mutagenesis of the virus population. The data supporting this new proposal for the mechanism of action of ribavirin are reviewed herein. In addition, we discuss briefly the challenges that remain for development of lethal mutagenesis as an effective antiviral strategy.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	175-180
Number of pages	6
Journal	Virology
Volume	298
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1006/viro.2002.1487
State	Published - 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Virology

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10.1006/viro.2002.1487

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title = "Quasispecies, error catastrophe, and the antiviral activity of ribavirin",

abstract = "Ribavirin is the first synthetic, broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside. Despite its more than 30 year history, the mechanism of action of this compound remains unclear and somewhat controversial. Recent data suggest the possibility that the activity of ribavirin against RNA viruses is a reflection of incorporation of ribavirin into the viral genome. Because ribavirin incorporation is not specific, this event leads to lethal mutagenesis of the virus population. The data supporting this new proposal for the mechanism of action of ribavirin are reviewed herein. In addition, we discuss briefly the challenges that remain for development of lethal mutagenesis as an effective antiviral strategy.",

author = "Graci, {Jason D.} and Cameron, {Craig E.}",

note = "Funding Information: J.D.G. is the recipient of a Daniel R. Tershak Memorial Graduate Fellowship from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University. C.E.C. is the recipient of a Howard Temin Award from NCI, National Institutes of Health. C.E.C. thanks his collaborators, Shane Crotty, Raul Andino, Zhi Hong, and Johnson Lau, for significant contributions to his studies on lethal mutagenesis.",

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doi = "10.1006/viro.2002.1487",

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AU - Graci, Jason D.

AU - Cameron, Craig E.

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PY - 2002

Y1 - 2002

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AB - Ribavirin is the first synthetic, broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside. Despite its more than 30 year history, the mechanism of action of this compound remains unclear and somewhat controversial. Recent data suggest the possibility that the activity of ribavirin against RNA viruses is a reflection of incorporation of ribavirin into the viral genome. Because ribavirin incorporation is not specific, this event leads to lethal mutagenesis of the virus population. The data supporting this new proposal for the mechanism of action of ribavirin are reviewed herein. In addition, we discuss briefly the challenges that remain for development of lethal mutagenesis as an effective antiviral strategy.

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Quasispecies, error catastrophe, and the antiviral activity of ribavirin

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