Elsevier

Antiviral Research

Volume 96, Issue 1, October 2012, Pages 21-31
Antiviral Research

Review
The viral RNA capping machinery as a target for antiviral drugs

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.07.007Get rights and content

Abstract

Most viruses modify their genomic and mRNA 5′-ends with the addition of an RNA cap, allowing efficient mRNA translation, limiting degradation by cellular 5′–3′ exonucleases, and avoiding its recognition as foreign RNA by the host cell. Viral RNA caps can be synthesized or acquired through the use of a capping machinery which exhibits a significant diversity in organization, structure and mechanism relative to that of their cellular host. Therefore, viral RNA capping has emerged as an interesting field for antiviral drug design. Here, we review the different pathways and mechanisms used to produce viral mRNA 5′-caps, and present current structures, mechanisms, and inhibitors known to act on viral RNA capping.

Highlights

► RNA viral capping mechanisms. ► Enzymology of viral RNA capping. ► Structures of viral RNA capping enzymes. ► Structures of viral RNA capping main «lead» inhibitors.

Keywords

5′-Triphosphatase
Guanylyltransferase
Methyltransferase
Endonuclease
Cap snatching
Mechanism
Structure
Inhibitor

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