Question

This is a biochemistry problem. Please answer all parts and made sure to provide the necessary mechanisms for full credit!

9) The HIV virus has an RNA genome that encodes the gene for reverse transcriptase (an RNA-dependent DNA polymersase) whereas the Ebola (or Coronavirus) has an RNA genome that encodes the gene for an RNA dependent RNA polymerase.

a. Show the chemical mechanisms for the viral replication reactions

b. Describe the template and product differences for the two viral polymerases.

c. Explain why both are very attractive targets for pharmaceutical products.

Answer 1

a. In HIV, the RNA encodes Reverse transcriptase convert genomic RNA to single stranded and then DNA polymerase convert single stranded DNA into double stranded DNA. Then this double stranded DA codes for RNA and then these RNA are translated into proteins.  

But in Ebola virus, the single stranded RNA is not converted into DNA, on the other hand, RNA dependent RNA polymerase convert negative sense single stranded genomic RNA of virus to polyadenylated, monocistronic mRNAs which codes for proteins that induce pathogenicity.

b. In HIV, template is RNA and product is double stranded DNA

In Ebola , template is negative sense single stranded RNA and product is polyadenylated, monocistronic mRNAs Then these mRNAS ccodes for viral proteins.

c. As mode of transmission is different, different approaches are necessary for treating these two types of diseases. So these are very attractive targets for pharmaceutical companies.