top of page
The Sound of Evolution
Zanamivir
Mechanism of action:
Zanamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor and a structural analog of sialic acid. It binds with high affinity to the active site of neuraminidase on the surface of influenza viruses, blocking its ability to cleave sialic acid residues from the host cell surface. As a result, newly formed viruses are unable to detach from the cell surface and spread to infect other cells.
Reference(s):
1. Meindl P et al. (1974). Inhibition of neuraminidase activity by derivatives of 2-deoxy-2,3-dehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid. Virology.
2. von Itzstein M et al. (1993). Rational design of potent sialidase-based inhibitors of influenza virus replication. Nature.
bottom of page