Respiratory virus genomes

Respiratory virus genomes represent the complete set of genetic instructions—either ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)—required for the replication and pathogenesis of viruses that infect the human respiratory tract, such as Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (NIH, 2023; StatPearls, 2024). These genomes function as essential templates for both the synthesis of new viral copies and the translation of viral proteins using host cell machinery (Nature, 2022). In drug development, the genome is targeted either directly through antisense oligonucleotides and siRNA or indirectly via nucleoside analogs that are incorporated into the nascent strand by viral polymerases, leading to chain termination or lethal mutagenesis (PubMed, 2022; Journal of Virology, 2021). Because these genomes are highly prone to mutation, especially in RNA viruses, they are the primary drivers of drug resistance and seasonal variation in vaccine efficacy (CDC, 2023). Therapeutic interventions must balance high affinity for viral sequences with low cross-reactivity toward host nucleic acids to minimize toxicity and potential mutagenic effects (FDA, 2022).

Other names

Viral genetic materialRespiratory viral RNARespiratory viral DNA

Inhibition of viral replication through chain termination, lethal mutagenesis, or antisense-mediated degradation of the viral genome.