Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 Integrase (HIV-2 Integrase)

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) integrase is a viral enzyme essential for the integration of the viral DNA into the host cell genome, a critical step in the retroviral replication cycle. Like all retroviral integrases, HIV-2 integrase catalyzes two main reactions: 3'-processing and strand transfer. These activities enable stable insertion of viral genetic material into host chromosomes, establishing lifelong infection. Integrase inhibitors are key antiretroviral drugs targeting this enzyme's catalytic activity—especially strand transfer inhibition. Resistance to these drugs can develop rapidly due to intrinsic polymorphisms.

Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibition