How different drug classes play their part in the HIV lifecycle

STAGES OF THE HIV LIFE CYCLE

1. Binding
HIV attaches to a CD4 cell.

2. Fusion
HIV enters a CD4 cell and HIV proteins and enzymes are released into the cell.

3. Reverse transcription
Reverse transcriptase makes double strand HIV.

4. Integration
Integrase enables HIV to join the cell DNA.

5. Replication
Protease cuts and reassembles new HIV.

6. Maturation and budding
Each cell produces hundreds of new virions.

All of the compounds listed in the image above are investigational; read about some of them in "Coming Attractions."

Source: HIV i-Base (www.i-Base.info)