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More model informationHIV protease is an enzyme that cleaves large HIV proteins into active and infectious smaller proteins, via hydrolysis of the peptide bonds. This enzyme functions as a homodimer (one shown in teal, one shown in mauve), which requires two identical proteins joined together to carry out a function. Without the action of the HIV protease, HIV proteins would not be able to infect humans. This makes HIV protease a good mark to direct efforts for a vaccine or treatment. One such treatment is Saquinavir (SQV, shown in yellow) which is a drug consumed via the mouth, that acts as a competitive inhibitor for HIV. SQV was designed as a replication of the transition state of HIV, that is more stable, so the protease binds Saquinavir instead of HIV.
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