The HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein 7 (NC) is a potential target for effective antiretroviral therapy due to its central role in virus replication, mainly linked to nucleic acid (NA) chaperone activity, and low susceptibility to drug resistance. By screening a compounds library, we identified the aminopyrrolic compound CN14_17, a known carbohydrate binding agent, that inhibits the NC chaperone activity in the low micromolar range. Different from most of available NC inhibitors, CN14_17 fully prevents the NC-induced annealing of complementary NA sequences. Using fluorescence assays and isothermal titration calorimetry, we found that CN14_17 competes with NC for the binding to NAs, preferentially targeting single-stranded sequences. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that binding to cTAR occurs preferably within the guanosine-rich single stranded sequence. Finally, CN14_17 exhibited antiretroviral activity in the low micromolar range, although with a moderate therapeutic index. Overall, CN14_17 might be the progenitor of a new promising class of NC inhibitors.

Ciaco, S., Humbert, N., Real, E., Boudier, C., Francesconi, O., Roelens, S., et al. (2020). A Class of Potent Inhibitors of the HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Protein Based on Aminopyrrolic Scaffolds. ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS, 11(5), 698-705 [10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00558].

A Class of Potent Inhibitors of the HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Protein Based on Aminopyrrolic Scaffolds

Ciaco S.;Mori M.
;
2020-01-01

Abstract

The HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein 7 (NC) is a potential target for effective antiretroviral therapy due to its central role in virus replication, mainly linked to nucleic acid (NA) chaperone activity, and low susceptibility to drug resistance. By screening a compounds library, we identified the aminopyrrolic compound CN14_17, a known carbohydrate binding agent, that inhibits the NC chaperone activity in the low micromolar range. Different from most of available NC inhibitors, CN14_17 fully prevents the NC-induced annealing of complementary NA sequences. Using fluorescence assays and isothermal titration calorimetry, we found that CN14_17 competes with NC for the binding to NAs, preferentially targeting single-stranded sequences. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that binding to cTAR occurs preferably within the guanosine-rich single stranded sequence. Finally, CN14_17 exhibited antiretroviral activity in the low micromolar range, although with a moderate therapeutic index. Overall, CN14_17 might be the progenitor of a new promising class of NC inhibitors.
2020
Ciaco, S., Humbert, N., Real, E., Boudier, C., Francesconi, O., Roelens, S., et al. (2020). A Class of Potent Inhibitors of the HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Protein Based on Aminopyrrolic Scaffolds. ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS, 11(5), 698-705 [10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00558].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/1120396
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