Inhibitors of HIV nucleocapsid protein zinc fingers as candidates for the treatment of AIDS

Science. 1995 Nov 17;270(5239):1194-7. doi: 10.1126/science.270.5239.1194.

Abstract

Strategies for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) infection must contend with the obstacle of drug resistance. HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein zinc fingers are prime antiviral targets because they are mutationally intolerant and are required both for acute infection and virion assembly. Nontoxic disulfide-substituted benzamides were identified that attack the zinc fingers, inactivate cell-free virions, inhibit acute and chronic infections, and exhibit broad antiretroviral activity. The compounds were highly synergistic with other antiviral agents, and resistant mutants have not been detected. Zinc finger-reactive compounds may offer an anti-HIV strategy that restricts drug-resistance development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benzamides / chemistry
  • Benzamides / pharmacokinetics
  • Benzamides / pharmacology*
  • Biological Availability
  • Capsid / chemistry
  • Capsid / metabolism*
  • Capsid Proteins*
  • Cell Line
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Disulfides / pharmacokinetics
  • Disulfides / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Drug Synergism
  • Gene Products, gag / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Gene Products, gag / chemistry
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Viral Proteins*
  • Zinc Fingers / drug effects*
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Disulfides
  • Gene Products, gag
  • NCP7 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • Viral Proteins
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus