Indinavir Sulfate (CAS 157810-81-6)

Indinavir sulfate is a sulfate salt form of indinavir, a potent inhibitor of the HIV-1 protease enzyme. As a crucial component in the study of HIV replication, indinavir sulfate has been extensively used in research to understand the dynamics of HIV protease inhibition and its impact on the viral life cycle. The mechanism of action of indinavir sulfate involves the selective inhibition of HIV-1 protease. This enzyme is vital for the maturation of infectious HIV particles, as it cleaves the viral Gag-Pol polyprotein into functional proteins needed for virus assembly and replication. By binding to the active site of the protease, indinavir sulfate prevents this cleavage, leading to the production of immature, non-infectious viral particles. This blockage is essential for studying the interruption of viral replication and the analysis of subsequent viral dynamics. In research settings, indinavir sulfate is primarily used to study the inhibition of HIV-1 protease and the resultant effects on viral assembly and maturation. Researchers utilize this compound to dissect the protease′s role in the viral replication process and to explore how the inhibition of this enzyme affects the overall viral life cycle. Furthermore, indinavir sulfate is used in structural biology and biochemistry to determine the three-dimensional structure of the HIV-1 protease in complex with inhibitors. These studies provide critical insights into the molecular interactions and conformational changes that underpin inhibitor binding and enzyme inhibition. By analyzing these structures, researchers can design more effective inhibitors based on the structural and functional data obtained from indinavir sulfate complexes.