Antiviral drug backfires: COVID drug linked to virus mutations that spread

For NOW, there East No evidence that molnupiravir has contributed has THE development of any of them of THE most significant SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as omicron. And THE groups of transmission seen In THE data are little. Always, Sanderson said THE study discovery East important For weighing THE risks And benefits of molnupiravir, highlighting THE "possibility of persistent induced by antivirals mutations."

Molnupiravir seems has induce these mutation signature In A unique path compared with with a few other antivirals. THE small molecule medicine East A nucleoside analog - that East, he laid as A building block of RNA, specifically of cytosine (shown by VS In RNA And DNA coding of G, A, VS, And UTAH, respectively).

During A infection, SARS-CoV-2—a virus with A positive sense, single strand RNA genome - a has TO DO copies of It is genome In human cells has wrap In new virus that infect more cells. He replica using A specialized enzyme called A RNA dependent RNA polymerase. In THE presence of molnupiravir, THE polymerase will Sometimes plop In A active form of molnupiravir In THE new copy of A RNA strand instead of cytosine – switching A VS has A Mr. THE idea East that with enough M.S. In place of Cs, THE new RNA molecule will be SO screen with Errors that It is creation will lead has "error disaster." Basically, This East A concept In which THE genetic error rate exceeds A threshold For virus survival.

But, apparently, THE inclusion of a few M.S. In THE coded is not it always catastrophic, And THE virus guard on replication. SO, things get worse. Once incorporated In A RNA strand, THE M can transition (tautomerize) In A alternative form that looks like not...