Question

Which anti-HIV therapeutics specifically target the infecting agent? a. Co-receptors: CCR5 and CXCR4 b. Viral receptor: CD4 c. Viral enzymes required for replication d. Adenylate cyclase

Short answer

Answer: Option C: Viral enzymes required for replication.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Anti-HIV Therapeutics

Anti-HIV therapeutics are drugs or treatments that help prevent the progression of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in the body. These treatments can target various stages of the HIV life cycle, including entry into the host cell, replication, and release of new virus particles.

Analyze Option A: Co-receptors CCR5 and CXCR4

CCR5 and CXCR4 are co-receptors on the surface of CD4+ T cells, which HIV uses to enter and infect the host cell. Some anti-HIV therapeutics target these co-receptors by blocking their interaction with HIV. In doing so, they prevent the virus from entering and infecting the host cell.

Analyze Option B: Viral receptor CD4

CD4 is the primary receptor on the surface of CD4+ T cells that HIV binds to in order to gain entry into the host cell. Therapeutics that target CD4 would aim to block the ability of the virus to bind to CD4, thereby inhibiting its entry into the host cell.

Analyze Option C: Viral enzymes required for replication

HIV has several enzymes that are crucial for viral replication, including reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. Anti-HIV therapeutics can specifically target these enzymes to interrupt the virus’s ability to replicate within the host cell. This helps decrease the amount of virus in the body and slow the progression of the disease.

Analyze Option D: Adenylate cyclase

Adenylate cyclase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. It is not specific to HIV, and does not have a direct role in the life cycle of the virus. Therefore, targeting adenylate cyclase would not be an effective anti-HIV therapeutic.

Determine the Correct Answer

From the above analysis, it is evident that the anti-HIV therapeutics that specifically target the infecting agent are those that target the viral enzymes required for replication, which is option C.