rbolo,

RNA and DNA polymerases are the enzymes that actually make DNA and RNA. Causing them to increase their activity would lead to an increase in the amount of RNA present in the virus, potentially creating more mutant versions, helping it replicate, etc. It would not assist in breaking down the RNA.

It is nevertheless an interesting idea: perhaps by getting the virus to devote most of its resources to RNA production, the cell it infects would not be able to make any other components of the virus. I have never actually heard of a drug that can make a polymerase hyperactive, though, and that would require decades of research to perfect.

My two cents!

Travis

Lol..funny. I was thinking more like a chemical reaction that would make the RNA unstable and cause a reaction much like fire where the RNA would disintegrate very rapidly loosing its energy as it recombines into different molecules at the atomic level into useless broken up chains.

I figure resistance would be very unlikely against such a drug as it would tear apart the RNA at the molecular level.

Maybe, I had a misunderstanding of the Polymerase Chain Reaction concept? I had found PCR and a website said it was used to check for HIV more accurately then other tests.

The phrase "polymerase chain fusion reaction" just popped up in my head one day while brain storming. I figure everything living contains energy which is stored in complex molecules...they say RNA is unstable and that is why it adapts so quick but I wanted to use the instability against its ownself!

Hello rbolo28,
Living cells are bundles of RNA plus associated protein. RNA manufactures more RNA and also protein. The ribosomes manufacturing proteins are complexes of both RNA and protein. But RNA also manufactures protein outside of ribosomes, though slowly. RNA is constantly modifying protein molecules within the cell. The RNA World hypothesis says that cells were all RNA-based before a specially modified RNA, called DNA, was developed to serve as an archive. A recent study of one chromosome found that about the same number of references to the DNA were producing RNA (called ncRNA meaning non-coding RNA) from sections of DNA labelled 'junk' as were being produced from 'genes' (meaning sections of DNA coding for protein).

This means that any chemical that destroys or interferes with RNA is potentially very toxic unless it is highly specific.

Lawrence