HIV infects T cells and requires a fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. HIV “hijacks” cells’ membranes in order for it to reproduce. The GP120 and GP41 protein react with host cells’ surface receptors i.e. the CD4 receptors found on T-cells. Following that the HIV virus will bond to CXCR4 and CCR5 coreceptors allowing the HIV capsid to enter the cell and insert its genetic material. The RNA of the virus is reversed transcribed to DNA by a reverse transcriptase or RT. The new DNA enters the nucleus and is integrated into the genetic material of the cell by the integrase, another virally encoded enzyme. Activation of the host cell leads to the transcription of the viral DNA into mRNA. The mRNA is then translated into viral proteins and the third virally encoded enzyme, namely HIV protease, is required to cleave a viral polyprotein precursor into individual mature proteins. The viral RNA and viral proteins assemble at the surface of the cell into new virions. The virions bud from the cell and are released to infect other cells. Protease inhibitors prevent proteolysis of certain enzymes that allow the HIV virus to fully mature to its infectious state. (1.2)