The broad-spectrum antiviral ribonucleoside ribavirin is an RNA virus mutagen
Author: ["Shane Crotty","David Maag","Jamie J. Arnold","Weidong Zhong","Johnson Y. N. Lau","Zhi Hong","Raul Andino","Craig E. Cameron"]
Publication: Nature Medicine
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Abstract
The ribonucleoside analog ribavirin (1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) shows antiviral activity against a variety of RNA viruses and is used in combination with interferon-α to treat hepatitis C virus infection. Here we show in vitro use of ribavirin triphosphate by a model viral RNA polymerase, poliovirus 3Dpol. Ribavirin incorporation is mutagenic, as it templates incorporation of cytidine and uridine with equal efficiency. Ribavirin reduces infectious poliovirus production to as little as 0.00001% in cell culture. The antiviral activity of ribavirin correlates directly with its mutagenic activity. These data indicate that ribavirin forces the virus into `error catastrophe'. Thus, mutagenic ribonucleosides may represent an important class of anti-RNA virus agents.
Cite this article
Crotty, S., Maag, D., Arnold, J. et al. The broad-spectrum antiviral ribonucleoside ribavirin is an RNA virus mutagen. Nat Med 6, 1375–1379 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/82191
