Antiviral drugs antisense

The process of transcription can also occur in reverse, from RNA to DNA, when the sequence coded in RNA is transcribed into antisense DNA by reverse transcriptase enzymes first discovered by Temin and Mizutani [18] and Baltimore [19]. Further integrase enzymes insert the DNA sequence into the native DNA. This is the mechanism by which viruses infect their host organisms and can be stopped by antiviral drugs, such as azidothymine (AZT) that inhibits F1IV reverse transcriptase. Other processes such as the extension of telomeres at the ends of chromosomes by telomerase, to control programmed cell death, use the same mechanism. 

Fomivirsen (Vitravene), an anti-CMV agent, is the first antisense oligonucleotide to be approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an antiviral therapy. Fomivirsen is an oligonucleotide complementary to the major immediate early region 2 (IE2) of CMV mRNA. By binding to IE2 mRNA, fomivirsen prevents its translation to protein and thereby blocks viral replication. Because this mechanism of action is... 

Mechanism of Action. Fomivirsen has a unique mechanism of antiviral action. This drug contains an amino acid sequence that is opposite or complimentary to the messenger RNA sequence controlling CMV replication. Because of this opposing or antisense sequence, fomivirsen inhibits several aspects of CMV replication, and also inhibits the viruses ability to adsorb to the surface of host cells. 

---