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The Sound of Evolution
Cidofovir
Mechanism of action:
Cidofovir is a cytosine monophosphate analog. Inside the cell, it is converted into cidofovir diphosphate, not triphosphate. This metabolite competes with dCTP and is incorporated into viral DNA by viral DNA polymerase. Because cidofovir is a nucleotide analog, it inhibits the elongation activity of viral DNA polymerase, and once incorporated, it may reduce the efficiency of DNA extension or cause chain termination, thereby suppressing viral growth.
Reference(s):
Magee WC et al. (2005). Mechanism of inhibition of vaccinia virus DNA polymerase by cidofovir diphosphate. Antimicrob Agents Chemother.
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