Fueling HIV-1 integrase drug design with structural insights

Targeting HIV-1 integrase with strand transfer inhibitors

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is a retroviral enzyme essential for integration of genetic material into the DNA of the host cell and hence for viral replication. The absence of an equivalent enzyme in humans makes IN an interesting target for anti-HIV drug design. This review briefly overviews the structural and functional properties of HIV-1 IN. We analyze the binding modes of the established drugs, clinical candidates and a comprehensive library of leads based on innovative chemical scaffolds of HIV-1 IN strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). Computational clustering techniques are applied for identifying structural features relating to bioactivity. From bio- and chemo-informatics analyses, we provide novel insights into structure-activity relationships of INSTIs and elaborate new strategies for design of innovative inhibitors.

LEDGINs, non-catalytic site inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase: a patent review (2006 - 2014)

INTRODUCTION

Integration of the viral genome into the host cell chromatin is a central step in the replication cycle of the HIV. Blocking the viral integrase (IN) enzyme therefore provides an attractive therapeutic strategy, as evidenced by the recent clinical approval of three IN strand transfer inhibitors. Viral resistance and cross-resistance among these inhibitors, however, warrant the search for compounds targeting HIV integration through alternative mechanisms of action.

AREAS COVERED

The most potent class of allosteric IN inhibitors was independently identified at the University of Leuven, Belgium, and at Boehringer Ingelheim, Canada. These compounds, coined LEDGINs (after the lens epithelium-derived growth factor/p75 cofactor binding pocket on IN) or non-catalytic site IN inhibitors (NCINIs) by the respective groups, have shown remarkable antiviral activity. This review provides a brief introduction to the compound class and discusses the recent patent literature (2006 to the present).

EXPERT OPINION

LEDGINs are still early in development. Trials with clinical candidate BI-224436 were put on hold despite promising results. Literature, however, reveals that almost all major pharmaceutical companies active in the treatment of HIV/AIDS have taken a significant interest in this class. As a result, several of these inhibitors may soon enter clinical trials.