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protease inhibitor
noun
: a substance that inhibits the action of a protease
specifically
: any of various drugs (such as indinavir) that inhibit the action of the protease of HIV so that the cleavage of viral proteins into mature functional infectious particles is prevented and that are used especially in combination with other agents in the treatment of HIV infection
Examples of protease inhibitor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Other ideas for treatments include using protease inhibitors to kill the virus, or stopping it from binding to the ACE2 receptors on human cells.
—Michele Cohen Marill, WIRED, 28 Apr. 2020
The challenges that remain By the late 1990s, the availability of protease inhibitors led AIDS death rates in the U.S. to plummet.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024
Later that year, the F.D.A. evaluated a new protease inhibitor that was still in early-stage trials.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 June 2023
The gene’s technical name, epididymal protease inhibitor, is usually shortened to the friendlier EPPIN.
—Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2022
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Word History
First Known Use
1943, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of protease inhibitor was
in 1943
Dictionary Entries Near protease inhibitor
Cite this Entry
“Protease inhibitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protease%20inhibitor. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Medical Definition
protease inhibitor
noun
: a substance that inhibits the action of a protease
specifically
: any of various drugs (as indinavir or saquinavir) that inhibit the action of HIV protease so that cleavage of viral proteins into mature infectious particles is prevented and that are used especially in combination with other antiretroviral agents in the treatment of HIV infection
More from Merriam-Webster on protease inhibitor
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about protease inhibitor
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