Accession Number:

ADA090372

Title:

Mechanism of Action of Ribavirin: An Antiviral Drug of Military Importance,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH INST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES FREDERICK MD

Personal Author(s):

• Canonico,Peter G.
• Little,James S.
• Jahrling,Peter B.
• Stephen,Edward L.

Report Date:

1980-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

12.0

Abstract:

Ribavirin 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide is a nucleoside analogue having broad spectrum antiviral activity against both DNA and RNA viruses 18. A variety of specific effects on host cell metabolism have been attributed to ribavirin or its metabolites. For example, ribavirin is reported to be a strong inhibitor of thymidine phosphorylation 6 and its 5-monophosphate derivative RMP is a potent competitive inhibitor of inosine-5-phosphate dehydrogenase 19. Ribavirin is also reported to decrease DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and reduce the size of the cellular guanosine-5-triphosphate pool 5,12. Numerous other reports, however, contradict many of the alleged cellular effects of ribavirin 2,14,15,17. As a result, the pharmacological mechanism of action of ribavirin remains obscure. It is not yet clear whether this compound is specifically antiviral or whether it inhibits virus replication as a result of its effects on host cellular metabolism. The study reported here attempts to clarify the mode and specificity of action of ribavirin. We have examined its effects on cellular metabolism and on the replication of Venezualan equine encephalomyelitis virus VEE grown in BHK-21 cells. Author

Descriptors:

• *ANTIVIRAL AGENTS
• PROTEINS
• METABOLISM
• RIBONUCLEIC ACIDS
• BIOSYNTHESIS
• METABOLITES
• PHARMACOLOGY

Subject Categories:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE