Product List
HIV 1 gp41 Antibody
HIV-1 gp41, Rabbit Polyclonal Antibody
HIV 2 gp39 Antibody
HIV-2 gp39, Polyclonal Rabbit Antibody
HIV-1 gp120 Antibody
HIV-1 gp120, Rabbit Antibody
Influenza B Antibody
Influenza-B Jiangsu/10/2003 Hemagglutinin, Rabbit Antibody
M. Tuberculosis RV1681 Antibody
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis RV1681, Polyclonal Rabbit Antibody
T.Vaginalis P65 Antibody
Polyclonal Rabbit Anti Trichomonas Vaginalis P65 Antibody
Zika Envelope Antibody
Polyclonal Rabbit Anti Zika envelope
Introduction
Antiviral agents are medications designed to treat viral infections by inhibiting the development and replication of viruses. Unlike antibiotics, which target bacteria, antivirals are specifically tailored to combat viruses. They can be classified into several categories based on their mechanism of action :
- Nucleoside Analogs: These mimic the building blocks of viral DNA or RNA, disrupting the replication process.
- Non-Nucleoside Polymerase Inhibitors: These inhibit viral polymerase enzymes, preventing the synthesis of viral genetic material.
- Protease Inhibitors: These block viral protease enzymes, which are essential for viral replication.
- Entry Inhibitors: These prevent viruses from entering host cells.
- Uncoating Inhibitors: These prevent the release of viral genetic material inside the host cell.
- Interferons: These boost the immune response to viral infections.
Antiviral agents exhibit various biological properties, including their ability to inhibit viral replication, modulate immune responses, and interact with viral proteins . Their expression patterns and tissue distribution can vary depending on the specific antiviral and the target virus. For instance, some antivirals are designed to be active in respiratory tissues to combat respiratory viruses, while others may target liver tissues for hepatitis viruses.
The primary biological functions of antiviral agents include:
- Inhibiting Viral Replication: By interfering with the viral life cycle at various stages, antivirals prevent the virus from multiplying .
- Modulating Immune Responses: Some antivirals enhance the body’s natural immune response to viral infections .
- Pathogen Recognition: Antivirals can aid in the recognition and elimination of viral pathogens by the immune system .
Antiviral agents operate through several mechanisms :
- Blocking Viral Entry: Preventing the virus from binding to and entering host cells.
- Inhibiting Viral Uncoating: Preventing the release of viral genetic material inside the host cell.
- Inhibiting Viral Replication: Disrupting the synthesis of viral DNA or RNA.
- Inhibiting Viral Protein Synthesis: Preventing the production of viral proteins necessary for replication.
- Inhibiting Viral Assembly and Release: Preventing the assembly of new viral particles and their release from the host cell.
The expression and activity of antiviral agents are regulated through various mechanisms :
- Transcriptional Regulation: The process by which the transcription of antiviral genes is controlled.
- Post-Translational Modifications: Chemical modifications of antiviral proteins that affect their activity and stability.
- Innate Immune Signaling: Modulation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and other immune signaling pathways to enhance antiviral responses.
Antiviral agents have numerous applications in biomedical research, diagnostics, and therapeutics :
- Biomedical Research: Studying the mechanisms of viral infections and developing new antiviral drugs.
- Diagnostic Tools: Detecting viral infections through various assays and tests.
- Therapeutic Strategies: Treating viral infections such as HIV, hepatitis, influenza, and COVID-19.
