Pharmacologic Substance
zalcitabine
zal·cit·a·bine
Effect:
Decreased Reverse Transcription to DNA; Increased Immunologically Active Molecule Activity
May Treat:
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Definitions related to zalcitabine:
-
A dideoxynucleoside compound in which the 3'-hydroxy group on the sugar moiety has been replaced by a hydrogen. This modification prevents the formation of phosphodiester linkages which are needed for the completion of nucleic acid chains. The compound is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication at low concentrations, acting as a chain-terminator of viral DNA by binding to reverse transcriptase. Its principal toxic side effect is axonal degeneration resulting in peripheral neuropathy.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
A synthetic dideoxynucleoside. After intracellular phosphorylation to its active metabolite, zalcitabine preferentially inhibits the gamma form of DNA polymerase present in tumor cell mitochondria, resulting in the inhibition of tumor cell mitochondrial DNA replication and tumor cell death. (NCI04)NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
(2'3' dideoxycytidine) Cytidine analog which inhibits reverse transcriptase and has potential efficacy against AIDS.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> Z
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.