M2L2 - Viral therapeutics

Receptor-binding protein

This is a protein on a virus exterior that binds to receptors on the host cell

Direct-acting antiviral

This is an analogue of a critical viral component that competes with and/or sequesters it

Enfuvirtide

This is a synthetic 36-amino acid peptide drug which binds to the surface protein of HIV

Amantadine

This is a defunct synthetic tricyclic amine which binds to a viral membrane protein on influenza-a

Acyclovir

This is a synthetic guanosine analogue which inhibits the replication of the herpes virus

Azidothymidine

This is a synthetic thymidine analogue which inhibits HIV replication

Baloxavir

This is an antiviral which binds to viral RNA polymerase in the influenza virus

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir)

This is an antiviral drug combination which inhibits protease required for viral replication, used to prevent severe illness in coronavirus infection

Maviret (glecaprevir-pibrentasvir)

This is an antiviral combination drug which inhibits protease required for viral replication, used to treat hepatitis-C infection

Tamiflu (oseltamivir)

This is a sialic acid analogue which competes with viral surface protein involved in viral progeny release

Host-directed antiviral

This is a drug which targets host cell factors required for viral infection

Selzentry (maraviroc)

This is a host-receptor binding drug which prevents the attachment of HIV on host cells

Interferon (IFN)

This is an immune factor which induces the expression of ISGs and pro-inflammatory genes

IFN-stimulated gene (ISG)

This is a gene which encodes antiviral proteins that inhibit various stages of the viral life cycle

Pro-inflammatory gene

This is a gene that encodes for pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause inflammation, i.e. congregation of infection-killing immune cells at the infection site

Cytokine storm

This refers to an event in which the immune system becomes overactive in eliminating infection and damages the surrounding tissue

Dexamethasone

This is a steroid drug used to dampen the immune response in patients experiencing cytokine storm