HIV Protease
null HIV protease is an aspartyl protease encoded within the pol region of the viral genome. It functions as a symmetric homodimer, with each subunit contributing an Asp-Thr-Gly catalytic motif, and it recognizes hydrophobic, often Tyr/Phe-Pro-containing sequences to cleave the Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins into matrix, capsid, nucleocapsid, p6, protease, reverse transcriptase and integrase. This maturation step is indispensable for producing infectious virions, which is why protease inhibitors such as saquinavir, darunavir and ritonavir form the backbone of combination antiretroviral therapy, and resistance mutations in the active site or periphery can compromise treatment. Recombinant protease supports inhibitor screening, resistance profiling and maturation research.
