title: Inhibition of multiple phases of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by a dithiane compound that attacks the conserved zinc fingers of retroviral nucleocapsid proteins.
abstract: The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) nucleocapsid p7 protein contains two retrovirus-type zinc finger domains that are required for multiple phases of viral replication. Chelating residues (three Cys residues and one His residue) of the domains are absolutely conserved among all strains of HIV-1 and other retroviruses, and mutations in these residues in noninfectious virions. These properties establish the zinc finger domains as logical targets for antiviral chemotherapy. Selected dithiobis benzamide (R-SS-R) compounds were previously found to inhibit HIV-1 replication by mediating an electrophilic attack on the zinc fingers. Unfortunately, reaction of these disulfide-based benzamides with reducing agents yields two monomeric structures (two R-SH structures) that can dissociated and no longer react with the zinc fingers, suggesting that in vivo reduction would inactivate the compounds. Through an extensive drug discovery program of the National Cancer Institute, a nondissociable tethered dithiane compound (1,2-dithiane-4,5-diol, 1,1-dioxide, cis; NSC 624151) has been identified. This compound specifically attacks the retroviral zinc fingers, but not other antiviral targets. The lead compound demonstrated broad antiretroviral activity, ranging from field isolates and drug-resistant strains of HIV-1 to HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus. The compound directly inactivated HIV-1 virions and blocked production of infectious virus from cells harboring integrated proviral DNA. NSC 624151 provides a scaffold from which medicinal chemists can develop novel compounds for the therapeutic treatment of HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Mechanisms, National Cancer Institute-Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, USA. rice@dtpax2.ncifcrf.gov
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Terpening
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clanton
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Buckheit
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Turpin
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002213:Capsid / Q000737:chemistry*; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D002460:Cell Line; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000737:chemistry*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013450:Sulfones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014764:Viral Proteins; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D016335:Zinc Fingers; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: C105419:1,2-dithiane-4,5-diol 1,1-dioxide; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; C071884:NCP7 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D013450:Sulfones; D014764:Viral Proteins; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D005978:Glutathione