EXPLORE!

Antiviral Therapy Update: Mechanism of molnupiravir-induced SARS-CoV-2 mutagenesis

  1298 Views

eMediNexus    14 January 2022

Molnupiravir is an orally administered antiviral drug proposed for managing COVID-19 patients. It has been shown to enhance viral RNA mutations and deform SARS-CoV-2 replication in animal models and humans. 

A study explained the molecular mechanisms of molnupiravir-induced RNA mutagenesis by utilizing viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). RdRp uses the active form of molnupiravir, β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) triphosphate, as a substrate has been proven by the Biochemical assays. Furthermore, when the RdRp utilizes the formed RNA as a template, NHC guides the infiltration of either G or A, generating mutated RNA products. 

RdRp–RNA complexes incorporating mutagenesis products, in the Structural analysis, has demonstrated the capability of NHC to produce stable base pairs with either G or A in the RdRp active centre, in turn describing the escape from proofreading and synthesizing mutated RNA. This dual-phase mutagenesis mechanism can hold true to other viral polymerases as well and it provides discernment into the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of molnupiravir.

Source- Nat Struct Mol Biol 28, 740–746 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-021-00651-0

To comment on this article,
create a free account.

Sign Up to instantly get access to 10000+ Articles & 1000+ Cases

Already registered?

Login Now

Most Popular Articles

News and Updates

eMediNexus provides latest updates on medical news, medical case studies from India. In-depth medical case studies and research designed for doctors and healthcare professionals.