A drug discovery platform: A simplified immunoassay for analyzing HIV protease activity

► A convenient proteolytic analysis of HIV protease was created based on a standard ELISA-based system. ► Two specific monoclonal antibodies were used for monitoring of the alteration in cleaved matrix-capsid polypeptide. ► The influence of various mutations in HIV-PRs isolated from drug-resistant strains could be validated. ► The assay provides a high-throughput technique for validating the efficiency and facilitating the discovery of new PIs.