Protease inhibitor inhibits the progression of the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by blocking the protease enzymes, thereby controlling the production of the HIV proteins. Some, such types of drugs are atazanavir, indinavir and ritonavir.
HIV protease acts as a hybrid of protease inhibitor. The HIV is a subgroup of retrovirus and causes infection of HIV as well as after some time leads to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). A situation affects humans as well as results in progression of failure of the human immune system.
HIV protease deals with the long strands of the RNA (ribonucleic acid) of the virus. The RNA is cleaved in the presence of proteases. These drugs act via cleaving of protein precursors that are important for the assembly of infectious viral particles.
Specific pockets are present in the HIV protease binding site. It is involved in recalling hydrophobic amino acid on the natural substrates. The potential of those inhibitors that bear hydrophobic groups complement these areas, and is therefore, increased. Some of the residues of the binding site of the enzyme are able to make H-bonds, with hydrophilic groups.