Figure 20.4

-The structures of the influenza drug Tamiflu and sialic acid, the substrate for influenza virus's neuramidase, are shown in Figure 20.4. What is the method of action of Tamiflu?

Question

Figure 20.4
 
-The structures of the influenza drug Tamiflu and sialic acid, the substrate for influenza virus's neuramidase, are shown in Figure 20.4. What is the method of action of Tamiflu?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tamiflu is a competitive inhibitor of the neuramidase enzyme, which is used by the influenza virus to cleave sialic acid from host cells and release newly formed virus particles. By binding to neuramidase, Tamiflu prevents the release of viruses from infected cells, limiting the spread of the infection.

Figure 20.4 -The Structures of the Influenza Drug Tamiflu and Sialic Acid