The present invention is directed to the identification and use of ribonucleoside
analogs to induce the mutation of an RNA virus, including BVDV, HIV and HCV, or
a virus which otherwise replicates through an RNA intermediate. The increase in
the mutation rate of the virus results in reduced viability of progeny generations
of the virus, thereby inhibiting viral replication. In addition to these methods
and related compositions, the invention provides methods and combinatorial chemistry
libraries for screening ribonucleoside analogs for mutagenic potential.
