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Which class of anti-HIV drug blocks the insertion of viral DNA into the host genome?
AFusion inhibitors
BProtease inhibitors
CIntegrase inhibitors
DNeuraminidase blockers
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Integrase inhibitors
1. Anti-HIV drugs are grouped by which phase of the replicative cycle they block.
2. Fusion inhibitors block the viral envelope from fusing with the host plasma membrane.
3. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors block conversion of the RNA genome into double-stranded DNA.
4. Integrase inhibitors block integration of that viral DNA into the host genome, which is what the question asks for.
5. Protease inhibitors act later still, on the processing of viral proteins.
6. Neuraminidase is an influenza target rather than an HIV one, so that option belongs to another virus.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 21 "Viruses", section 21.3 Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections_
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