After entering cells, most viruses will use the host cell RNA polymerase to tran

Question

After entering cells, most viruses will use the host cell RNA polymerase to transcribe their DNA into RNA, which will get translated into proteins that are needed for virus function. There has been a lot of interest over the past couple of years regarding the use of anti-viral drugs that act to halt the viral replication cycle. Scientists are continually trying to develop new drugs that target different aspects of the viral life cycle. Do you think it would effective to target a drug to cellular RNA polymerase to halt viral replication? Why or why NOT?

Explanation / Answer

It would not be an effective drug to target cellular RNA polymerase to halt viral replication as toxicity of that drug would be high. Even thoug it may halt the viral replication, the cellular transcription will also halt and cells will no longer survive.

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