Human Immunodeficiency Virus Integrase Enzyme (Integrase)

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrase enzyme is a 32 kDa viral protein essential for the replication of HIV. It catalyzes the integration of viral DNA into the host cell genome, a critical step in the retroviral life cycle that enables persistent infection and viral propagation. Integrase is one of three key enzymes encoded by HIV, alongside reverse transcriptase and protease. Integrase performs two main biochemical reactions during HIV replication: 3'-Processing and Strand Transfer. Because integration is unique to retroviruses like HIV—and absent from normal human cellular processes—integrase represents an attractive drug target. Inhibitors known as integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) block this enzyme’s action by interfering with its ability to bind metallic cofactors or interact with substrate DNAs. Resistance can develop through mutations in integrase’s active site regions.

Other names

HIV IntegraseIN

Inhibition of integrase enzyme activity, blocking strand transfer