Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis

Ribonucleic acid synthesis, also known as transcription, is the cellular process by which RNA molecules are generated from a DNA template. This process is catalyzed primarily by the enzyme RNA polymerase in cells, and by viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases in many viruses. The resulting RNAs serve various functions, including coding for proteins (mRNA), structural roles (rRNA), and regulatory or catalytic activities (tRNA, snRNA, etc.). Ribavirin targets ribonucleic acid synthesis through several mechanisms, including direct polymerase inhibition, mutagenesis, IMPDH inhibition, and disruption of capping enzymes. These effects are particularly relevant against many pathogenic viruses, including hepatitis C virus.

Other names

RNA SynthesisTranscriptionViral RNA Replication

Direct inhibition of viral mRNA polymerases, Mutagenesis via incorporation into viral RNA, Inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), Disruption of viral mRNA capping