Figure 1. Synthesis of HIV Proteins

In the process of making new HIV proteins, the HIV DNA is first transcribed into HIV messenger RNA. The HIV DNA consists of nucleotides grouped into triplets (codons). The mRNA is translated into long chains of amino acids that form polypeptides. One mRNA nucleotide triplet codes for a single amino acid. Last, the posttranslational processing occurs with significant modifications of the polypeptides which lead to the generation of an HIV protein.

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