Protease, viral

Viral enzyme that cleaves proteins and can thus activate or degrade them.

In the formation of new viruses, the protease catalyses the cutting of precursor proteins. For the spread and genesis of the HI virus, a number of proteins are required, which are initially synthesised in the form of these precursor proteins during propagation. Only from these individual components are new virus particles generated. Protease inhibitors suppress this process. The precursor proteins are separated at the wrong places, thus inhibiting viral genesis.