Oseltamivir exerts its antiviral effect against influenza by inhibiting neuraminidase. The essential function blocked by this inhibition is:

• A Cleavage of hemagglutinin precursor HA0 inside endosomes
• B Cap-snatching of host mRNA primers by the polymerase
• C Uncoating of the virion via the M2 ion channel
• D Release of newly formed virions by cleaving sialic acid residues from cell surface glycoproteins ✓

Explanation

Neuraminidase removes terminal sialic acid residues from glycoproteins on the infected cell surface, allowing budding virions to detach and preventing self-aggregation. Blocking this step traps progeny virus at the cell membrane. Hemagglutinin cleavage is performed by host proteases, uncoating depends on the M2 proton channel targeted by amantadine, and cap-snatching is a polymerase function unaffected by neuraminidase inhibitors.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.