What is another word for nucleic acid analogue?
Pronunciation: [njuːklˈɪɪk ˈasɪd ˈanəlˌɒɡ] (IPA) 
A nucleic acid analogue is a compound that possesses a similar chemical structure to natural nucleotides, but differs in one or more structural elements. Synonyms for "nucleic acid analogue" include nucleotide analog, nucleoside analogue, and nucleic acid mimetic. These compounds are commonly used in drug development, as they can be designed to specifically target viral or cancerous cells while avoiding healthy cells. Some examples of nucleic acid analogues include acyclovir, which is used to treat herpes infections, and azidothymidine (AZT), which was the first drug approved for the treatment of HIV. Nucleic acid analogues also have applications in gene therapy and biochemistry research.
