Induced intra- and intermolecular template switching as a therapeutic mechanism against RNA viruses

RNAseq experiments of Enterovirus A71 wild type demonstrate that the pyrazine-carboxamide ribonucleotide stimulates catalyzed intra- and intermolecular template switching. These results suggest that pyrazine-2 carboxamide ribonucleotides do not induce lethal mutagenesis or chain termination, but function by promoting template switching and formation of defective viral genomes. We conclude that RdRp-catalyzed intra- and intermolecular template switching can be induced by pyrazine-carboxamide ribonucleotides, defining an additional mechanistic class of antiviral ribonucleotides with potential for broad-spectrum activity. Overall design: mRNA profiles of Enterovirus A71-inefected RD cells, in presence of different T-1106 concentrations