Delavirdine is a potent, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with activity specific for HIV-1. When HIV infects a cell, the virus first binds and fuses with the cell, releasing its nucleocapsid containing its RNA and reverse transcriptase into the cytosol of the cell. The reverse transcriptase converts the viral RNA into viral DNA in the cytosol. The viral DNA goes to the nucleus through the nuclear pore complex where it undergoes the process of transcription. The new viral RNA formed from transcription is transported back to the cytosol through the nuclear pore complex and translation occurs to produce viral proteins. These viral proteins are assembled and new HIV viruses bud from the cell. Delavirdine binds directly to reverse transcriptase (RT) and blocks the RNA-dependent and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities by causing a disruption of the enzyme's catalytic site. The activity of delavirdine does not compete with template or nucleoside triphosphates. Inhibiting reverse transcriptase, this prevents the formation of viral DNA. Less viral proteins are therefore produced, and there is a reduction in new viruses being formed.

Delavirdine HIV Reverse transcriptase Inhibitor Pathway References