How Does the Capsid-Binding Drug Pleconaril Inhibit Entry of Picornavirus

Question

How does the capsid-binding drug pleconaril inhibit entry of picornavirus particles?
A) It causes antibodies to bind to the capsid and blocks entry.
B) It causes the capsid to become degraded by proteases.
C) It binds to the same location on the capsid as the host cell receptor.
D) It displaces a lipid normally bound to a pocket on the capsid.
E) It binds to the envelope of the virus and prevents it from fusing with the plasma membrane.

Accepted Answer

Pleconaril inhibits picornavirus entry by binding to a hydrophobic pocket in the viral capsid, displacing a lipid that is normally bound there, which stabilizes the capsid and prevents uncoating.