Microbiology Flashcards
1
Q
What is the mechanism of action of aciclovir
A
Aciclovir is converted by viral thymidine kinase to aciclovir monophosphate.
Host cell kinases convert aciclovir monophosphate to aciclovir triphosphate.
Aciclovir triphosphate is the active form which acts as the nucleic acid analogue competitively inhibiting the viral DNA polymerase by causing DNA chain termination, preventing further viral DNA synthesis.
