Neuraminidase
Neuraminidase
Neuraminidase (pronounced: noor-uh-min-i-deys) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the life cycle of influenza viruses. It is also found in several other types of viruses and bacteria.
Etymology
The term "neuraminidase" is derived from "neuraminic acid" and the suffix "-ase". Neuraminic acid is a type of sialic acid, a sugar molecule that neuraminidase acts upon. The "-ase" suffix indicates that it is an enzyme.
Function
Neuraminidase helps viruses to be released after replication from the host cell. It cleaves the chemical links between the virus and the host cell surface, allowing new viruses to spread and infect other cells. This makes neuraminidase a key target for antiviral drugs.
Related Terms
- Influenza virus: The type of virus in which neuraminidase is most commonly studied.
- Sialic acid: The sugar molecule that neuraminidase acts upon.
- Antiviral: A type of drug that can inhibit the function of viruses, such as by blocking the action of neuraminidase.
Neuraminidase Inhibitors
Neuraminidase inhibitors are a class of antiviral drugs that block the function of neuraminidase, preventing the virus from being released from the host cell. This can help to limit the spread of the virus within the body. Examples of neuraminidase inhibitors include oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neuraminidase
- Wikipedia's article - Neuraminidase
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