Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase (None)

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is a multifunctional enzyme essential for the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of AIDS. RT catalyzes the conversion of single-stranded viral RNA into double-stranded DNA. This newly synthesized DNA is then integrated into the host genome, enabling viral replication and persistence. HIV-1 RT is an asymmetric heterodimer composed of two subunits: p66 and p51. The p66 subunit contains both polymerase and RNase H domains; p51 primarily provides structural support. RT’s activities are crucial for converting HIV’s single-stranded RNA genome into double-stranded linear DNA within infected cells’ cytoplasm.

NRTIs mimic natural nucleotides, causing chain termination. NNRTIs bind to an allosteric pocket, inhibiting polymerization noncompetitively.