5 ms·
> A potential worry is that such mutations will also increase in places where we don't want them Can anyone speak to how the drug avoids this? I've tried readi
by SamBam 5y ago
> A potential worry is that such mutations will also increase in places where we don't want them
Can anyone speak to how the drug avoids this? I've tried reading the literature, such as the Nature link above, and have failed to see what makes the drug specific to the virus.
- DominikPeters 5y agoNature link says the drug targets RdRp specifically which is a type of RNA copying mechanism (mostly?) confined to viruses. Wikipedia says about RdRp: > RdRps can be used as drug targets for viral pathogens as their function is not necessary for eukaryotic survival. By inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase function, new RNAs cannot be replicated from an RNA template strand, however, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase will remain functional.
- AndrewBissell 5y agoIt's also known to be mutagenic in mammalian cells, see the link I posted in a reply to the parent.
- rossdavidh 5y agoWell one possibility is that, like chemotherapy or radiation vs. cancer, it's worth the risk. The body has DNA-repair mechanisms that could clean up the mess, if you're only taking the pill for a short time. The virus does not. Just a guess.