title: The ability of suramin to block CD4-gp120 binding is reversed in the presence of albumin.
abstract: We have shown that suramin can directly inhibit the binding of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 envelope protein to immobilized CD4, thus helping to explain the previously described antiviral properties of suramin. However, physiological concentrations of serum albumin significantly attenuated suramin's antiviral effects, suggesting that only free suramin has antiviral properties. Reported discrepancies between in vitro and clinical activities of suramin may be due to differences between free suramin levels in experimental assays and those achievable clinically.
authors.affiliation: Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Cote-Ste-Catherine, Canada.
authors.forename: X J
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wainberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pollak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002460:Cell Line; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013498:Suramin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D012709:Serum Albumin; D013498:Suramin; D016264:Dextran Sulfate