| Protease
Inhibitor Action To make the virus infectious it is essential that new viral proteins are cut and structured correctly. Protease inhibitors work by blocking the site where the cutting takes place, preventing the new virus from maturing and infecting any other cells. Protease is essential for production of infectious, mature virus particles. By cutting the new viral multi-proteins into individual, internal structural (core) proteins, protease action is a key step in the structuring of these proteins, which must occur if the virus is to become infectious. Protease inhibitors are attracted to protease enzymes, and bind to them blocking the site where protein cutting occurs. Once in place protease inhibitors do not leave the site, making the protease inactive. If the protease is unable to work the proteins inside the immature viruses will not be cut and structured correctly. The viral RNA will not be properly stabilised, the virus core will not be made ready for the entry procedure and the virion will remain non-infectious. |
|