Question

Antiretroviral agents currently in use include inhibitors of reverse transcriptase, HIV protease, and fusion inhibitors. True/False

Short answer

Answer: True.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding antiretroviral agents

Antiretroviral agents are medications used to treat HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. These medications work by inhibiting different stages of the HIV life cycle, thus preventing the virus from multiplying and reducing the amount of virus in the body. #Step 2: Investigating reverse transcriptase inhibitors#

Reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) target the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is needed for the virus to replicate its genetic material. There are two main classes of RTIs: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). These drugs are currently used as a part of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV. #Step 3: Investigating HIV protease inhibitors#

HIV protease inhibitors

HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) target the HIV protease enzyme, which is responsible for cleaving the large viral polyprotein into individual proteins necessary for the assembly of new infectious viral particles. PIs are another crucial class of antiretroviral agents used in the treatment of HIV infection. #Step 4: Investigating fusion inhibitors#

Fusion inhibitors

Fusion inhibitors block the entry of HIV into host cells by inhibiting the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. Enfuvirtide is a fusion inhibitor that is used as part of the antiretroviral therapy for patients who have developed resistance to other classes of antiretroviral drugs. #Step 5: Answering the True/False statement#

Conclusion

Based on the information from Steps 2-4, it is clear that the statement is True. Antiretroviral agents currently in use include inhibitors of reverse transcriptase, HIV protease, and fusion inhibitors.