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HIV Protease Inhibitors

Topic
  • Genetics
  • Gene Expression & Regulation
  • Microbiology
  • Viruses
  • Pathogens & Disease
  • Science Practices
  • Models & Simulations
Resource Type
  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
2 Users
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Description

This demonstration models how the HIV protease enzyme functions and how its activity is blocked by a class of anti-HIV drugs.

This is part of a series of activities and demonstrations focusing on various aspects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) life cycle. This activity focuses on HIV protein production. Two HIV genes (the GAG and POL genes) are transcribed into a single RNA molecule that is then translated into a polyprotein. The GAG-POL polyprotein is then cleaved by the HIV protease enzyme to generate six proteins essential for assembling new virus particles. This demonstration models the production of these six proteins and also shows how inhibiting HIV protease activity prevents the production of new viruses. Protease inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat HIV infection.

Details
Estimated Time
One 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

capsid, DNA, enzyme, genome, inhibitor, integrase, mRNA, polymerase, protease, protein, reverse transcriptase, ribosome, transcription, translation

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Version History
Date Published 02.06.17
Date Updated 02.06.17
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1; SEP2

AP Biology (2019)

IST-1.N, IST-2.A, IST-2.B, IST-4.B, ENE-1.G ; SP2

IB Biology (2016)

2.7, 6.3, 7.2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC3; DP3

Materials
Educator Materials (PDF) 3 MB
Additional Materials
  • wooden dowel ⅞ inch in diameter

  • roll of cash register tape

  • scissors

  • styrofoam cone

Use This Resource With
Video Resource
HIV Life Cycle

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