A "TACK" drug refers to targeted activators of cell kill, specifically designed molecules that target and kill HIV-1 infected cells.
Here's a breakdown of how TACK drugs work:
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Target: These molecules bind to the reverse transcriptase-p66 domain of monomeric Gag-Pol (a crucial component of HIV-1).
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Mechanism: They act as allosteric modulators, accelerating the dimerization of Gag-Pol.
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Outcome: This accelerated dimerization leads to premature intracellular viral protease activation. Essentially, the virus's own machinery is prematurely activated, leading to the death of the HIV-1 infected cell.
In essence, TACK drugs offer a unique approach to combating HIV by triggering the self-destruction of infected cells through premature activation of viral enzymes.
