Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are active inhibitors of reverse transcriptase found in retroviruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The different nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors may be activated differently but they have the same mechanism of action. NRTIs are activated generally by phosphorylation to the triphosphate form by cellular enzymes. It then competes with cellular triphosphates, which are substrates for proviral DNA by viral reverse transcriptase. NRTIs are used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV infection) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).