Chapter 26: Q30P (page 1179)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the retrovirus that causes AIDS. AZT was one of the first drugs designed to interfere with retroviral DNA synthesis. When cells take up AZT, they convert it to AZT-triphosphate. Explain how AZT interferes with DNA synthesis.
Short Answer
AZT is thus incorporated into DNA in such a way that the synthesis of DNA is stopped because AZT does not have a 3'-OH group that can react with another nucleotide triphosphate.