Biophysical Characterization of p51 and p66 Monomers of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase with Their Inhibitors.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) is responsible for the transcription of viral RNA genomes into DNA genomes and has become an important target for the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study used biophysical techniques to characterize the HIV-1 RT structure, monomer forms, and the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) bound forms. Inactive p66 and p51 were selected as models to study the HIV-1 RT monomer structures.