Gag-Pol polyprotein

The Gag-Pol polyprotein is a large protein that HIV and similar viruses produce as a single chain during their replication process. It contains essential components like enzymes (such as reverse transcriptase and integrase) and structural proteins needed for the virus to replicate and infect new cells. After production, the Gag-Pol polyprotein is cut into smaller, functional parts by viral enzymes, allowing the virus to assemble new infectious particles. This process is critical for the virus's lifecycle and is a target for antiretroviral drugs that inhibit these enzymes to prevent HIV from multiplying.