Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection can progress into a persistent and life-threatening disease in infants and immune-compromised individuals, especially when resistant to available antiviral therapies. The purpose of this project was to study two proposed cellular activation pathways of antiviral drug MBX 2168, a nucleoside analog that inhibits viral DNA replication. This project specifically examined the de-alkylation of MBX 2168 monophosphate (upper pathway) and mono-phosphorylation of synguanol by viral-encoded kinase UL97 (lower pathway). The results indicate that both pathways theoretically participate in drug activation, but the cell prefers the upper pathway for MBX 2168 activation.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Jones, Brittany A.

Contributors

• Komazin-Meredith, Gloria

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042914-151020

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2014

Sponsor

• Microbiotix, Inc.

Date created

• 2014-04-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-09-20