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The retroviral enzymes

R A Katz1, A M Skalka

  • 1Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111.

Annual Review of Biochemistry
|January 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review covers three essential retroviral enzymes: protease (PR), reverse transcriptase (RT), and integrase (IN). Understanding their interrelated functions and structures is key to developing effective antiviral therapies for retroviral infections like AIDS.

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology

Background:

  • Retroviruses possess three key enzymes: protease (PR), reverse transcriptase (RT), and integrase (IN).
  • These enzymes' activities are interdependent, with PR processing precursors for RT and IN, and RT generating the substrate for IN.
  • All three enzymes function as multimers, though their specific multimeric structures differ.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge of the three core retroviral enzymes.
  • To highlight the interrelationships between PR, RT, and IN activities.
  • To discuss the potential of these enzymes as targets for antiviral drug development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on retroviral enzymes.
  • Analysis of the enzymatic activities and structural properties of PR, RT, and IN.

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  • Examination of the role of these enzymes in the retroviral life cycle.

    • Main Results:

    • PR functions as a symmetric homodimer, RT as an asymmetric heterodimer, and IN minimally as a dimer.
    • Enzymatic activities are coordinated, with PR and RT playing crucial roles in processing and DNA synthesis.
    • The distinct multimeric structures of these enzymes are critical for their function.

    Conclusions:

    • Retroviral enzymes PR, RT, and IN are vital targets for antiviral therapies.
    • Development of inhibitors for PR and RT is ongoing, with potential for IN inhibitors.
    • Combination therapies targeting multiple enzymes offer a promising strategy for treating retroviral infections like AIDS.