Recent status of HIV-1 gene expression inhibitors.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gene expression and transcription is a crucial step in the viral replication cycle, which is considered to be a potential target for inhibition of HIV-1. Among the factors involved in this step, the cellular protein nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB is the most powerful inducer of HIV-1 gene expression. On the other hand, the viral protein Tat plays a central role in sustaining a high level of HIV-1 replication. Several compounds have been reported to selectively inhibit the functions of Tat and NF-kappaB. Tat inhibitors target either the Tat/TAR RNA interaction or the Tat cofactor cyclin-dependent kinase 9/cyclin T1. Antioxidants, protein kinase C inhibitors, and IkappaB kinase inhibitors are known to suppress the activation of NF-kappaB. Although some of the compounds inhibit HIV-1 replication in cell cultures at low concentrations, they also have considerable toxicity to the host cells. Considering the increase of treatment failure cases in highly active antiretroviral therapy due to the emergence of multidrug resistance, HIV-1 gene expression inhibitors should be extensively studied as alternative approach to effective anti-HIV-1 chemotherapy.
Division of Antiviral Chemotherapy, Center for Chronic Viral Diseases, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan. baba@m.kufmkagoshima-u.ac.jp
Masanori
M
Baba
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000187:drug effects*; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015696:Gene Products, tat; D016328:NF-kappa B; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus