HIV Protease
Protein Data Bank ID: 2PWC
Protein Name: HIV-1 Protease
Organism: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Title of Drawing: “The Rescuer”
The structure is an HIV-1 protease which has an essential role in the virus’ replication process. Proteases are enzymes which can cleave other proteins. The main task of the HIV-1 protease is to cleave proteins which are recently synthesized by the virus. After this processing many viral proteins gain their native structure and become functionally active. Without this specific protease the replication of HIV is not possible. Thus, this protease is used as a drug target in fighting against AIDS.
Both characters (the boy and the dog) are snapshots of the same protein from different perspectives.
Reblogged this on Science of Dogs and commented:
I’m a big fan of Protein Art blog… this one combines three interests of mine; protein structure, dogs and art.
Thanks for following ScienceSprings.
Very cool. I never cease to be amazed by how elegant the structures of life are. You can study the nuts and bolts and forget the art of it–thanks for reminding us.
Thanks!:) My strange hobby played a big role in remaining a scientist.