Enzyme Targets as an Approach to Therapy for HIV Infections

Abstract The life-cycle of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) begins with the binding of the viral envelope glycoprotein (gpl20) to the CD4 receptor of the host cells. Fusion between the viral envelope and the cell membrane follows, whereupon the viral nucleocapsid gains entry into the cell. After entry, uncoating of the nucleocapsid takes place. Once it has been released (at least partially) from its core (group-specific antigen (gag)) proteins, the genomic RNA is converted into double-stranded (proviral) DNA by reverse transcriptase (RT). The pro viral DNA then migrates to the nucleus where it is integrated into the host genome by integrase.