ANTISENSE NUCLEIC-ACIDS - PROSPECTS FOR ANTIVIRAL INTERVENTION

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides are a promising new class of antiviral agent. Because they bind in a sequence-specific manner to complementa ry regions of mRNA, oligos can inhibit gene expression in a sequence-s pecific manner. The 'antisense' approach has been used successfully to block cellular expression and replication of several viruses includin g Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HS V). However, the antiviral effect of oligodeoxynucleotides is not limi ted to sequence-specific inhibition of gene expression. Non sequence-s pecific effects are frequently observed, presumably as a result of the ir properties as polyanions. Occasionally (e.g. for HIV-1) these non s equence-specific effects are also therapeutic. The prospects for antis ense oligodeoxynucleotide therapy for viral disease are discussed.