Question

what is the function of integrase? name an antiviral that is in this category.

Answer 1

Integrase is the viral enzyme that catalyzes the integration of virally derived DNA into the host cell DNA in the nucleus, forming a provirus that can be activated to produce viral proteins. The main function of integrase is to insert the viral DNA into the host chromosomal DNA, a step that is essential for HIV replication. Integration is in part responsible for the persistence of retroviral infections. After integration, the viral gene expression and particle production may take place immediately or at some point in the future, the timing of which depends on the activity of the chromosomal locus hosting the provirus. The two major catalytic activities of integrase include: an endonucleolytic cleavage at each 3'-OH extremeties of the viral genome, named 3'-precessing, and a strand transfer reaction leading to the insertion of the processed viral DNA into the target DNA by a trans- esterification mechanism. Raltegravir is an antiretroviral drug which is an integrase inhibitor that is used in the treatment of HIV infection. It inhibit HIV by preventing the virus from incorporating its DNA into the host genome.