Comparison of a retroviral protease in monomeric and dimeric states

Retroviral proteases (RPs) are of high interest owing to their crucial role in the maturation process of retroviral particles. RPs are obligatory homodimers, with a pepsin-like active site built around two aspartates (in DTG triads) that activate a water molecule, as the nucleophile, under two flap loops. Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) is unique among retroviruses as its protease is also stable in the monomeric form, as confirmed by an...