Metal chelators as potential antiviral agents.

Metal-chelating compounds can inhibit virus-induced enzymes in infected cells by coordinating with metal ions at their active sites. Consideration of the coordinating properties of ligands can explain the antiviral activity of these compounds. The antiviral actions of a number of compounds (e.g., thiosemicarbazones, pyrophosphate analogues, beta-diketones, cyclic polyethers and flavanoids) are discussed in the light of their metal-chelating properties.