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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
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
In 1999, a French study first confirmed that hair loss was a side effect of men using the protease inhibitor Crixivan (indinavir).
—Emily Rekstis, Allure, 26 Oct. 2022
Paxlovid combines nirmatrelvir, an inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPro, also known as 3CL or nsp5), and ritonavir, an HIV-1 protease inhibitor and CYP3A inhibitor.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 9 June 2022
But a protease is an enzyme that is involved in copying a virus’ genetic material, which meant that testing a protease inhibitor would involve using live viruses.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 28 Apr. 2022
Another protease inhibitor, which needed to be given intravenously, had been put into the clinic in 2020, but its development would be discontinued in February 2022.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 28 Apr. 2022
Viracept’s approval thrusts Agouron, a company with 540 employees and no sales to date, into competition with Merck, which markets Crixivan, now the best-selling protease inhibitor.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2022
Viracept became the best-selling drug in its class, called a protease inhibitor.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protease inhibitor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 4 Jul. 2024.
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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