Retroviral integration is promoted by the viral integrase (IN) enzyme, which enters the cell as a component of the virion particle. Integrase enables retrovirus genetic material to be integrated into the host chromosome. It is essential to retrovirus replication. Integrase catalyzes two spatially and temporally distinct reactions within the context of the preintegration complex (PIC), a large structure derived from the virus core. The integrase inhibitors provide a novel target for antiretroviral therapy.
