title: Observations on the inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by catechins.
abstract: The sensitivity and specificity of the inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by various catechins have been examined. As previously reported, (-)epicatechin 3-gallate inhibits the viral polymerase. However, it is noted here that this inhibition is not observed in the presence of either serum albumin or Triton X-100. Other catechins behave similarly to (-)epicatechin 3-gallate in that they inhibit polymerase activity only in the absence of these reagents. Additionally, other DNA polymerases are inhibited to a similar degree by (-)epicatechin 3-gallate. Taken cumulatively, these results suggest that these catechins, and in particular (-)epicatechin 3-gallate, bind with no apparent selectivity and that the observed inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase is non-specific in nature.
mesh_terms: D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D017830:Octoxynol; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D002392:Catechin; D017830:Octoxynol; C062669:epicatechin gallate; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase