Viral replication pathway

The viral replication pathway refers to the sequence of molecular events by which a virus enters a host cell, replicates its genetic material, produces viral proteins, assembles new virions, and releases them to infect new cells. These pathways are highly diverse across different virus classes, as described by the Baltimore classification system (e.g., dsDNA, ssRNA, retroviruses), and involve both viral and host cellular factors. Many approved antiviral drugs target specific viral enzymes within this pathway (such as RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, proteases, or integrases), or, less commonly, essential host factors involved in the process. The viral replication pathway itself is a concept, not an individual molecule or direct pharmacological target.

Other names

Viral replicationViral replication cycleVirus replication pathwayVirus life cycle

Inhibition of viral enzyme activity (e.g., polymerase inhibitors); Blocking viral entry or fusion; Inhibition of viral protein processing or assembly; Enhancement or modulation of host antiviral responses