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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a major drug class of antiviral agents?
What is the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of antiviral agents?
The relationship between the chemical structure of a compound and its biological activity.
What type of viruses do Acyclovir specifically target?
All viruses contain RNA and DNA.
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What is the role of viral thymidine kinase in Acyclovir metabolism?
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Acyclovir is a synthetic analogue of ______.
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Study Notes
Antiviral Agents Overview
- Viruses are non-cellular infectious agents that require host cells for survival and replication.
- All viruses contain either RNA or DNA, never both.
Classification of Antiviral Agents
- Divided into:
- Antiviral drugs for DNA viruses, targeting viral nucleic acid replication.
- Antiviral drugs for RNA viruses, effective against:
- HIV (including Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors and Protease Inhibitors).
- Influenza virus.
Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR)
- Acyclovir is a synthetic analogue of deoxyguanosine.
- Contains a unique acyclic sugar moiety lacking the 3' hydroxyl group found in cyclic sugars.
Acyclovir Specifics
- Functions as a pro-drug: inactive in its original form but activated within the body.
- Poor bioavailability: only 15-30% is absorbed.
- Metabolically activated by viral thymidine kinase, converting into Acyclovir Monophosphate.
Modes of Action
- Acyclovir disrupts viral DNA replication by mimicking nucleotide components necessary for DNA synthesis.
- Acts specifically on viral replication processes while minimizing effects on host cell DNA.
Metabolic Pathway of Acyclovir
- Active when converted through phosphorylation by viral enzymes, enhancing selectivity against infected cells.
- Continuous research focuses on improving delivery and efficacy for better therapeutic outcomes.
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Description
This quiz covers key aspects of antiviral agents in pharmaceutical chemistry. It includes classifications of major drug classes, structure-activity relationships, and modes of action. Test your understanding of how these agents function and their metabolic pathways.
