Question

Relenza is a drug used to treat people infected with the flu virus. relenza works as a competitive inhibitor by binding to the enzyme neuraminidase. which statement accurately describes how relenza works?

Answer 1

Relenza (zanamivir) acts as a competitive inhibitor of the neuraminidase enzyme, hindering the spread of influenza virus by preventing the release of viral particles from infected cells, thus reducing flu symptoms and the duration of illness.

Step-by-step explanation:

Relenza, also known as zanamivir, is an antiviral drug that acts as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme neuraminidase found on the surface of the influenza virus. This drug works by binding to neuraminidase, preventing it from cleaving sialic acid residues. As a result, this inhibition stops new viral particles from being released from infected cells, thus limiting the duration of the flu and reducing flu symptoms.

Neuraminidase normally cleaves the connection between the viral hemagglutinin (HA) and the glycoproteins on the host cell surface, which is critical for the release of newly formed viruses. By blocking the action of neuraminidase, Relenza not only prevents the virus from detaching from the host cell but also inhibits the spread of the virus from infected to uninfected cells, providing an effective treatment against influenza.