Integrase, catalytic core <p>Integrase comprises three domains capable of folding independently and whose three-dimensional structures are known. However, the manner in which the N-terminal, catalytic, and C-terminal domains interact in the holoenzyme remains obscure. Numerous studies indicate that the enzyme functions as a multimer, minimally a dimer. The integrase proteins from <taxon tax_id="11676">Human immunodeficiency virus 1</taxon> (HIV-1) and <taxon tax_id="11876">Avian sarcoma virus</taxon> (ASV) have been studied most carefully with respect to the structural basis of catalysis. Although the active site of ASV integrase does not undergo significant conformational changes on binding the required metal cofactor, that of HIV-1 does. This active site-mediated conformational change in HIV-1 reorganises the catalytic core and C-terminal domains and appears to promote an interaction that is favourable for catalysis [<cite idref="PUB00006506"/>]. </p><p>Retroviral integrase is synthesised as part of the POL polyprotein that contains; an aspartyl protease, a reverse transcriptase, RNase H and integrase. POL polyprotein undergoes specific enzymatic cleavage to yield the mature proteins. The presence of retrovirus integrase-related gene sequences in eukaryotes is known. Bacterial transposases involved in the transposition of the insertion sequence also belong to this group. </p><p>HIV integrase catalyses the incorporation of virally derived DNA into the human genome. This unique step in the virus life cycle provides a variety of points for intervention and hence is an attractive target for the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of AIDS [<cite idref="PUB00006492"/>]. Substrate recognition by the retroviral integrase enzyme is critical for retroviral integration. To catalyse this recombination event, integrase must recognise and act on two types of substrates, viral DNA and host DNA, yet the necessary interactions exhibit markedly different degrees of specificity [<cite idref="PUB00006507"/>].</p>