Desthiazolylmethyloxycarbonyl Ritonavir (CAS 176655-55-3)

Desthiazolylmethyloxycarbonyl Ritonavir (D-ritonavir) is a derivative of ritonavir, specifically designed for research use to study the biochemical properties of the parent compound. This derivative is particularly useful in the analysis of protease inhibition mechanisms and the metabolic stability of ritonavir. The primary mechanism of action of D-ritonavir involves the inhibition of the HIV-1 protease enzyme, similar to ritonavir. This enzyme plays a critical role in the viral life cycle by cleaving the polyprotein precursors into mature protein components necessary for assembling new virus particles. D-ritonavir binds to the active site of the HIV-1 protease, preventing it from processing the viral polyproteins, thereby leading to the production of immature, non-infectious viral particles. This action allows researchers to dissect how protease inhibitors affect the viral assembly and maturation process. In the context of research, D-ritonavir is used extensively to study the interaction between the protease inhibitor and the protease enzyme in a detailed manner. It helps in understanding the structural basis of enzyme inhibition and the design of more effective protease inhibitors based on the modifications and interactions observed with D-ritonavir. Additionally, D-ritonavir serves as a valuable tool in metabolic studies. Its modified structure makes it a suitable analog for examining how structural changes influence the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties of ritonavir. Researchers use D-ritonavir to investigate how the introduction of the desthiazolylmethyloxycarbonyl group affects the metabolic stability and enzymatic interactions compared to the parent compound.