Question

discuss two therapeutic strategies to target the virus.

Answer 1

Viruses are obligate parasites which replicates in a living cell causing lethal diseases such as AIDS, COVID-19, etc., The strategies to target this virus is as follows

1. To prevent the entry of virus into host cell
2. To prevent its replication inside the host cell
3. To prevent protein synthesis and assembly of viral components
4. Release of virus from the host cell

Preventing virus entry into host cell

Virus enters into the host cell by making use of host cell receptors on the cell membrane in most instances. Therefore, by reducing the availability of these receptors to the viral particles will limit the spread of virus in the host system. Maraviroc is a drug which acts by this mechanism. Maraviroc is an antagonist of CCR5 receptor which is widely present on the white blood cells. Human Immunodeficiency Virus use this as a co-receptor to make its entry into cell.

Preventing replication of virus components inside the cell

This can be achieved by interfering in the process of reverse transcription (in case of retroviruses), integration and replication of viral genome. Some of the drugs which targets this processes are lamivudine, dolutegravir and glanciclovir respectively

Preventing protein synthesis and viral assembly

Targeting transcription and translation of viral genome and inhibiting protease with the use of protease inhibitors prevents the synthesis and effective assembly of viral components in the host cell. Examples of drugs targeting this processes are atazanavir, indinavir, etc.,

Preventing release of viral particles

In addition to above targets, viral particles can be arrested in the host cell by preventing its release. Neuraminidase inhibitor drugs such as zanamivir and oseltamivir works by this mechanisms.