Reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Definition

Reverse transcriptase inhibitors are antiviral drugs that inhibit the activity of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme used by retroviruses to replicate their genomes. These inhibitors are crucial in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors are classified into nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs).
2. NRTIs mimic the natural nucleotides and get incorporated into the viral DNA, causing chain termination.
3. NNRTIs bind directly to reverse transcriptase and cause a conformational change that inhibits its activity.
4. These inhibitors are a cornerstone in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for managing HIV infection.
5. Drug resistance can develop if reverse transcriptase undergoes mutations, making adherence to therapy critical.

Review Questions

• What are the two main classes of reverse transcriptase inhibitors?
• How do NRTIs differ from NNRTIs in their mechanism of action?
• Why is adherence to antiretroviral therapy important when using reverse transcriptase inhibitors?

Related terms

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): A treatment regimen used to manage HIV infection using multiple antiretroviral drugs.

HIV/AIDS: Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a chronic condition caused by HIV.

Retrovirus: A type of virus that replicates in a host cell through the process of reverse transcription.