AZT-resistant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase: Difference between revisions
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==Inhibition of Reverse Transcriptase Activity== | ==Inhibition of Reverse Transcriptase Activity== | ||
Approximately half of all anti-HIV drugs target the polymerase activity of [[reverse transcriptase]]. Azidothymidine (AZT) is one such medication that affects [[reverse transcriptase]]. AZT is classified as a Nucleoside analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI), meaning that it is a nucleoside analog which impacts the polymerase activity of the enzyme. AZT is specifically a thymidine analog and AZT-sensitive HIV binds azidothymidine triphosphate (AZTTP) almost as efficiently as DNA thymidine triphosphate (dTTP). When reverse transcriptase binds AZTTP, the polymerase activity is halted. Without completion of polymerase activity, the virus is unable to use its RNA as a template for DNA and incorporate its genetic information into the host genome. Preventing reverse transcriptase from creating viral [[DNA]] can greatly impact the progression of the virus by slowing viral replication. This is complicated by the fact that many strains of [[HIV]] are able to develop resistance to AZT and other NRTIs. | Approximately half of all anti-HIV drugs target the polymerase activity of [[reverse transcriptase]]. Azidothymidine (AZT) is one such medication that affects [[reverse transcriptase]]. AZT is classified as a Nucleoside analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI), meaning that it is a nucleoside analog which impacts the polymerase activity of the enzyme. AZT is specifically a thymidine analog and AZT-sensitive HIV binds azidothymidine triphosphate (AZTTP) almost as efficiently as DNA thymidine triphosphate (dTTP). When reverse transcriptase binds AZTTP, the polymerase activity is halted. Without completion of polymerase activity, the virus is unable to use its RNA as a template for DNA and incorporate its genetic information into the host genome. Preventing reverse transcriptase from creating viral [[DNA]] can greatly impact the progression of the virus by slowing viral replication. This is complicated by the fact that many strains of [[HIV]] are able to develop resistance to AZT and other NRTIs. | ||
[[Image:AZT+Thymine.jpg]] | |||
==AZT Resistance== | ==AZT Resistance== | ||