How do protease inhibitor (PI) drugs prevent viral replication?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Protease inhibitors prevent the production of proteins necessary for viral particles to leave the cell and infect other cells. Specifically, they inhibit the activity of the HIV protease enzyme, which is required for the processing and maturation of viral proteins into functional components of new viral particles. Without properly processed viral proteins, new viral particles are unable to bud off from an infected cell and spread the infection to surrounding cells.

How Do Protease Inhibitor (PI) Drugs Prevent Viral Replication