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HIV Protease Inhibitors

Image from the activity of a pair of scissors

Topic

  • Genetics
  • Gene Expression & Regulation
  • Microbiology
  • Viruses
  • Pathogens & Disease
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Visual & Physical Models

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved 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.

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

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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