[Molecular virology founded models of anti-HIV therapy]

Apart from the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which is characteristic of retroviruses, a number of other steps in the replication cycle of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represent potential targets for chemotherapeutic attack. These include adsorption of the virus particle onto the cell surface, the uncoating of the viral capsid, integration of the proviral DNA into the cell genome, maturation of viral proteins, and the assembly and release of viral progeny. In addition, certain viral regulatory proteins (Tat, Rev, etc., represent novel targets for specific anti-HIV treatment. The development of drugs leading to activation of the intracellular anti-viral mechanism also seems to hold out promise of success.