title: Oligomeric nucleic acids as antivirals.
abstract: Based on the natural functions and chemical characteristics of nucleic acids, a variety of novel synthetic drugs and tools to explore biological systems have become available in recent years. To date, a great number of antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference-based tools, CpG‑containing oligonucleotides, catalytic oligonucleotides, decoys and aptamers has been produced synthetically and applied successfully for understanding and manipulating biological processes and in clinical trials to treat a variety of diseases. Their versatility and potency make them equally suited candidates for fighting viral infections. Here, we describe the different types of nucleic acid-based antivirals, their mechanism of action, their advantages and limitations, and their future prospects.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine (CSCM), Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mescalchin
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Restle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014764:Viral Proteins