Product Overview
CAS number 36791-04-5
Molecular weight C8H12N4O5 = 244.2
Assay > 98 %
Ribavirin is a synthetic nucleoside analogue structurally related to guanine. Ribavirine inhibits the replication of a wide range of RNA and DNA viruses. The antiviral mechanism of action of Ribavirin is not fully defined; but relates to alteration of cellular nucleotide pools and inhibition of viral mRNA synthesis. Intracellular phosphorylation of ribavirin into phosphate derivatives is mediated by host cell enzymes. Ribavirin monophosphates competatively inhibit cellular inosine-5Â’-phosphate dehydrogenase and interfere with the synthesis of guanosine triphospha-te (GTP) and thus nucleic acid synthesis in general. Ribavirin triphosphate also competively inhibits the GTP dependent 5Â’-capping of viral mRNA.