The Sound of Evolution
Ganciclovir
Mechanism of action:
Ganciclovir is a guanosine nucleoside analog. Ganciclovir is phosphorylated by the viral UL97 protein kinase into ganciclovir monophosphate, and is then further converted by host cell kinases into the active form, ganciclovir triphosphate. Ganciclovir triphosphate competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase and can be incorporated into viral DNA, thereby blocking DNA synthesis and preventing the virus from completing DNA replication.
Reference(s):
1. Boivin G et al. (2005). Analysis of cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase (UL54) mutations in solid organ transplant patients receiving valganciclovir or ganciclovir prophylaxis. J Med Virol.
2. Wang JT et al. (2005). Detection of Epstein-Barr virus BGLF4 protein kinase in virus replication compartments and virus particles. J Gen Virol.