Abstract
S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase) controls intracellular levels of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy). AdoHcyase is a cytoplasmic enzyme which is responsible for catalysing the hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine to adenosine and L-homocysteine. When this enzyme is inhibited accumulation of S-adenosylhomocysteine occurs, which in turn inhibits cellular S-adenosyl-L-methionine dependent transmethylation reactions. Inhibition of methylation interferes with the formation of the 5c-terminal-methylated N7-guanosine mRNA cap of most animal infecting viruses, without which replication of this viruses becomes impossible. Thus effective AdoHcyase inhibitors can be proved as broad spectrum antiviral drugs. Many compounds have been synthesized and evaluated as AdoHcyase inhibitors. These inhibitors are largely classified into two groups Type I and Type II. Amongst these Type I is reversible whereas Type II is irreversible inhibitors. With the help of this review clearer insights on targeting of S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase as antiviral drugs is described which can lead to newer future prospects for research in antiviral drugs.
