within cells, zalcitabine is converted to its active metabolite, dideoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate (ddctp), by the sequential action of cellular enzymes. ddctp interferes with viral rna-directed dna polymerase (reverse transcriptase) by competing for utilization of the natural substrate deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate (dctp), as well as incorpating into viral dna.
Parent Term
Biochemical pathway
Parent Definition
A linked series of chemical reactions that occur in a defined order within or between organism cells, and lead to a known function or end product.
Other Metabolites Mapped to 'Zalcitabine Action Pathway'