9. Antivirals

Question 1

Describe the 6 steps of viral replication.

Answer 1

1. Attachment and penetration
   - virions attach to specific receptor(s) on host cell surface
   - direct fusion with cell membrane or endocytosis and pH-mediated fusion
2. Uncoating
   - virion disassembles, freeing nucleic acid and viral proteins needed for replication
3. DNA/RNA replication
4. Protein synthesis
   - using host cell machinery
5. Assembly
   - new virions containing viral nucleic acid are formed
6. Release
   - new virions released from the cell via lysis of cell or intra-/extracellular budding

Question 2

Why are antivirals ineffective against latent infections?

Answer 2

Act to inhibit viral replication (which doesn’t occur in latent infections)