The Sound of Evolution
Ritonavir
Mechanism of action:
Ritonavir is an HIV protease inhibitor. HIV protease is responsible for cleaving the viral precursor polyproteins Gag and Gag-Pol into functional structural proteins and enzymes. Ritonavir binds with high affinity to the active site of the protease and competitively inhibits its enzymatic activity, causing newly formed viral particles to remain immature and noninfectious. In addition, ritonavir inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), and P-glycoprotein, markedly reducing drug metabolism while also increasing the likelihood of drug interactions.
Reference(s):
1. Hull MW et al. (2011). Ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors in HIV therapy. Ann Med.
2. Myers RP et al. (2015). An update on the management of chronic hepatitis C: 2015 Consensus guidelines from the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol.
3. Sevrioukova IF et al. (2010). Structure and mechanism of the complex between cytochrome P4503A4 and ritonavir. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.