HIV-1 protease

HIV-1 protease is an aspartyl protease that is essential for the life-cycle of HIV. Inhibition of this protease prevents maturation of HIV particles. As such, many drugs have been developed, so-called protease inhibitors, that target this enzyme. Because HIV is a retrovirus, the active site of this enzyme will change occasionally due to mutations. To combat this, a cocktail of drugs must be used rather than a single one.

Its protein structure has been investigated using the method of X-ray crystallography.