Guanosine

Definition

Guanosine is a nucleoside composed of the nitrogenous base guanine attached to a ribose sugar molecule. It plays a critical role in various cellular processes, including serving as a building block for RNA.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Guanosine derivatives can be used as antiviral agents by inhibiting viral replication.
2. Acyclic guanosine analogs like Acyclovir are effective against herpes simplex virus.
3. Ribavirin, another guanosine analogue, is used to treat hepatitis C and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
4. Guanosine triphosphate (GTP) is essential for protein synthesis and signal transduction pathways.
5. In antimicrobial mechanisms, guanosine analogs interfere with nucleic acid synthesis in pathogens.

Review Questions

• What role does guanosine play in antiviral therapies?
• How do acyclic guanosine analogs affect viral replication?
• Why is GTP important in cellular processes?

Related terms

Acyclovir: An antiviral drug that is an acyclic guanosine derivative used primarily to treat herpes simplex infections.

Ribavirin: A broad-spectrum antiviral medication that mimics guanosine and interferes with the replication of RNA and DNA viruses.

Guanine: A purine base found in DNA and RNA, which pairs with cytosine through three hydrogen bonds.