Inhibition of HIV-1 Maturation via Small-Molecule Targeting of the Amino-Terminal Domain in the Viral Capsid Protein

Analysis of the Contribution of 6-mer Seed Toxicity to HIV-1-Induced Cytopathicity

HIV-1 (HIV) infects CD4+ T cells, the gradual depletion of which can lead to AIDS in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Some cells, however, survive HIV infection and persist as part of the latently infected reservoir that causes recurrent viremia after ART cessation. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of HIV-mediated cell death could lead to a way to clear the latent reservoir. Death induced by survival gene elimination (DISE), an RNA interference (RNAi)-based mechanism, kills cells through short RNAs (sRNAs) with toxic 6-mer seeds (positions 2 to 7 of sRNA). These toxic seeds target the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs, decreasing the expression of hundreds of genes critical for cell survival. In most cells under normal conditions, highly expressed cell-encoded nontoxic microRNAs (miRNAs) block access of toxic sRNAs to the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) that mediates RNAi, promoting cell survival. HIV has been shown to inhibit the biogenesis of host miRNAs in multiple ways. We now report that HIV infection of cells deficient in miRNA expression or function results in enhanced RISC loading of an HIV-encoded miRNA HIV-miR-TAR-3p, which can kill cells by DISE through a noncanonical (positions 3 to 8) 6-mer seed. In addition, cellular RISC-bound sRNAs shift to lower seed viability. This also occurs after latent HIV provirus reactivation in J-Lat cells, suggesting independence of permissiveness of cells to viral infection. More precise targeting of the balance between protective and cytotoxic sRNAs could provide new avenues to explore novel cell death mechanisms that could be used to kill latent HIV. IMPORTANCE Several mechanisms by which initial HIV infection is cytotoxic to infected cells have been reported and involve various forms of cell death. Characterizing the mechanisms underlying the long-term survival of certain T cells that become persistent provirus reservoirs is critical to developing a cure. We recently discovered death induced by survival gene elimination (DISE), an RNAi-based mechanism of cell death whereby toxic short RNAs (sRNAs) containing 6-mer seed sequences (exerting 6-mer seed toxicity) targeting essential survival genes are loaded into RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) complexes, resulting in inescapable cell death. We now report that HIV infection in cells with low miRNA expression causes a shift of mostly cellular RISC-bound sRNAs to more toxic seeds. This could prime cells to DISE and is further enhanced by the viral microRNA (miRNA) HIV-miR-TAR-3p, which carries a toxic noncanonical 6-mer seed. Our data provide multiple new avenues to explore novel cell death mechanisms that could be used to kill latent HIV.

Design, synthesis, and antiviral activity of phenylalanine derivatives as HIV-1 capsid inhibitors

The HIV-1 Capsid (CA) is considered as a promising target for the development of potent antiviral drugs, due to its multiple roles during the viral life cycle. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and antiviral activity evaluation of series of novel phenylalanine derivatives as HIV-1 CA protein inhibitors. Among them, 4-methoxy-N-methylaniline substituted phenylalanine (II-13c) and indolin-5-amine substituted phenylalanine (V-25i) displayed exceptional anti-HIV-1 activity with the EC₅₀ value of 5.14 and 2.57 μM respectively, which is slightly weaker than that of lead compound PF-74 (EC₅₀ = 0.42 μM). Besides, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding assay demonstrated II-13c and V-25i prefer to combine with CA hexamer rather than monomer, which is similar to PF-74. Subsequently, molecular dynamics simulation (MD) revealed potential interactions between representative compounds with HIV-1 CA hexamer. Overall, this work laid a solid foundation for further structural optimization to discover novel promising HIV-1 CA inhibitors.

The Role of Capsid in the Early Steps of HIV-1 Infection: New Insights into the Core of the Matter

In recent years, major advances in research and experimental approaches have significantly increased our knowledge on the role of the HIV-1 capsid in the virus life cycle, from reverse transcription to integration and gene expression. This makes the capsid protein a good pharmacological target to inhibit HIV-1 replication. This review covers our current understanding of the role of the viral capsid in the HIV-1 life cycle and its interaction with different host factors that enable reverse transcription, trafficking towards the nucleus, nuclear import and integration into host chromosomes. It also describes different promising small molecules, some of them in clinical trials, as potential targets for HIV-1 therapy.

Three Major Phosphoacceptor Sites in HIV-1 Capsid Protein Enhances its Structural Stability and Resistance Against the Inhibitor: Explication Through Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Molecular Docking and DFT Analysis

BACKGROUND

Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) is a lentivirus, which causes various HIV-associated infections. The HIV-1 core dissociation is essential for viral cDNA synthesis and phosphorylation of HIV-1 capsid protein (HIV-1 CA) plays an important role in it.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explicate the role of three phosphoserine sites i.e. Ser109, Ser149 and Ser178 in the structural stability of HIV-1 CA, and it's binding with GS-CA1, a novel potent inhibitor.

METHODS

Eight complexes were analyzed and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to observe the stability of HIV-1 CA in the presence and absence of phosphorylation of serine residues at four different temperatures i.e. 300K, 325K, 340K and 350K, along with molecular docking and DFT analysis.

RESULTS

The structures showed maximum stability in the presence of phosphorylated serine residue. However, GS-CA1 docked most strongly with the native structure of HIV-1 CA i.e. binding affinity was -8.5 kcal/mol (Ki = 0.579 µM).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the phosphorylation of these three serine residues weakens the binding of GS-CA1 with CA and casts derogatory effect on inhibition potential of this inhibitor, but it supports the stability of HIV-1 CA structure that can enhance regulation and replication of HIV-1 in host cells.

Visualizing HIV-1 Capsid and Its Interactions with Antivirals and Host Factors

Understanding of the construction and function of the HIV capsid has advanced considerably in the last decade. This is due in large part to the development of more sophisticated structural techniques, particularly cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryoET). The capsid is known to be a pleomorphic fullerene cone comprised of capsid protein monomers arranged into 200-250 hexamers and 12 pentamers. The latter of these induce high curvature necessary to close the cone at both ends. CryoEM/cryoET, NMR, and X-ray crystallography have collectively described these interactions to atomic or near-atomic resolutions. Further, these techniques have helped to clarify the role the HIV capsid plays in several parts of the viral life cycle, from reverse transcription to nuclear entry and integration into the host chromosome. This includes visualizing the capsid bound to host factors. Multiple proteins have been shown to interact with the capsid. Cyclophilin A, nucleoporins, and CPSF6 promote viral infectivity, while MxB and Trim5α diminish the viral infectivity. Finally, structural insights into the intra- and intermolecular interactions that govern capsid function have enabled development of small molecules, peptides, and truncated proteins to disrupt or stabilize the capsid to inhibit HIV replication. The most promising of these, GS6207, is now in clinical trial.

Capsid Lattice Destabilization Leads to Premature Loss of the Viral Genome and Integrase Enzyme during HIV-1 Infection

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid (CA) protein forms a conical lattice around the viral ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNP) consisting of a dimeric viral genome and associated proteins, together constituting the viral core. Upon entry into target cells, the viral core undergoes a process termed uncoating, during which CA molecules are shed from the lattice. Although the timing and degree of uncoating are important for reverse transcription and integration, the molecular basis of this phenomenon remains unclear. Using complementary approaches, we assessed the impact of core destabilization on the intrinsic stability of the CA lattice in vitro and fates of viral core components in infected cells. We found that substitutions in CA can impact the intrinsic stability of the CA lattice in vitro in the absence of vRNPs, which mirrored findings from an assessment of CA stability in virions. Altering CA stability tended to increase the propensity to form morphologically aberrant particles, in which the vRNPs were mislocalized between the CA lattice and the viral lipid envelope. Importantly, destabilization of the CA lattice led to premature dissociation of CA from vRNPs in target cells, which was accompanied by proteasomal-independent losses of the viral genome and integrase enzyme. Overall, our studies show that the CA lattice protects the vRNP from untimely degradation in target cells and provide the mechanistic basis of how CA stability influences reverse transcription.IMPORTANCE The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid (CA) protein forms a conical lattice around the viral RNA genome and the associated viral enzymes and proteins, together constituting the viral core. Upon infection of a new cell, viral cores are released into the cytoplasm where they undergo a process termed "uncoating," i.e., shedding of CA molecules from the conical lattice. Although proper and timely uncoating has been shown to be important for reverse transcription, the molecular mechanisms that link these two events remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that destabilization of the CA lattice leads to premature dissociation of CA from viral cores, which exposes the viral genome and the integrase enzyme for degradation in target cells. Thus, our studies demonstrate that the CA lattice protects the viral ribonucleoprotein complexes from untimely degradation in target cells and provide the first causal link between how CA stability affects reverse transcription.

Going beyond Integration: The Emerging Role of HIV-1 Integrase in Virion Morphogenesis

The HIV-1 integrase enzyme (IN) plays a critical role in the viral life cycle by integrating the reverse-transcribed viral DNA into the host chromosome. This function of IN has been well studied, and the knowledge gained has informed the design of small molecule inhibitors that now form key components of antiretroviral therapy regimens. Recent discoveries unveiled that IN has an under-studied yet equally vital second function in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. This involves IN binding to the viral RNA genome in virions, which is necessary for proper virion maturation and morphogenesis. Inhibition of IN binding to the viral RNA genome results in mislocalization of the viral genome inside the virus particle, and its premature exposure and degradation in target cells. The roles of IN in integration and virion morphogenesis share a number of common elements, including interaction with viral nucleic acids and assembly of higher-order IN multimers. Herein we describe these two functions of IN within the context of the HIV-1 life cycle, how IN binding to the viral genome is coordinated by the major structural protein, Gag, and discuss the value of targeting the second role of IN in virion morphogenesis.

HIV-1 Maturation: Lessons Learned from Inhibitors

Since the emergence of HIV and AIDS in the early 1980s, the development of safe and effective therapies has accompanied a massive increase in our understanding of the fundamental processes that drive HIV biology. As basic HIV research has informed the development of novel therapies, HIV inhibitors have been used as probes for investigating basic mechanisms of HIV-1 replication, transmission, and pathogenesis. This positive feedback cycle has led to the development of highly effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), which has helped stall the progression to AIDS, prolong lives, and reduce transmission of the virus. However, to combat the growing rates of virologic failure and toxicity associated with long-term therapy, it is important to diversify our repertoire of HIV-1 treatments by identifying compounds that block additional steps not targeted by current drugs. Most of the available therapeutics disrupt early events in the replication cycle, with the exception of the protease (PR) inhibitors, which act at the virus maturation step. HIV-1 maturation consists of a series of biochemical changes that facilitate the conversion of an immature, noninfectious particle to a mature infectious virion. These changes include proteolytic processing of the Gag polyprotein by the viral protease (PR), structural rearrangement of the capsid (CA) protein, and assembly of individual CA monomers into hexamers and pentamers that ultimately form the capsid. Here, we review the development and therapeutic potential of maturation inhibitors (MIs), an experimental class of anti-HIV-1 compounds with mechanisms of action distinct from those of the PR inhibitors. We emphasize the key insights into HIV-1 biology and structure that the study of MIs has provided. We will focus on three distinct groups of inhibitors that block HIV-1 maturation: (1) compounds that block the processing of the CA-spacer peptide 1 (SP1) cleavage intermediate, the original class of compounds to which the term MI was applied; (2) CA-binding inhibitors that disrupt capsid condensation; and (3) allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs) that block the packaging of the viral RNA genome into the condensing capsid during maturation. Although these three classes of compounds have distinct structures and mechanisms of action, they share the ability to block the formation of the condensed conical capsid, thereby blocking particle infectivity.

Intrinsic curvature of the HIV-1 CA hexamer underlies capsid topology and interaction with cyclophilin A

The mature retrovirus capsid consists of a variably curved lattice of capsid protein (CA) hexamers and pentamers. High-resolution structures of the curved assembly, or in complex with host factors, have not been available. By devising cryo-EM methodologies for exceedingly flexible and pleomorphic assemblies, we have determined cryo-EM structures of apo-CA hexamers and in complex with cyclophilin A (CypA) at near-atomic resolutions. The CA hexamers are intrinsically curved, flexible and asymmetric, revealing the capsomere and not the previously touted dimer or trimer interfaces as the key contributor to capsid curvature. CypA recognizes specific geometries of the curved lattice, simultaneously interacting with three CA protomers from adjacent hexamers via two noncanonical interfaces, thus stabilizing the capsid. By determining multiple structures from various helical symmetries, we further revealed the essential plasticity of the CA molecule, which allows formation of continuously curved conical capsids and the mechanism of capsid pattern sensing by CypA.

Design, Synthesis, and Mechanism Study of Benzenesulfonamide-Containing Phenylalanine Derivatives as Novel HIV-1 Capsid Inhibitors with Improved Antiviral Activities

The HIV-1 CA protein has gained remarkable attention as a promising therapeutic target for the development of new antivirals, due to its pivotal roles in HIV-1 replication (structural and regulatory). Herein, we report the design and synthesis of three series of benzenesulfonamide-containing phenylalanine derivatives obtained by further structural modifications of PF-74 to aid in the discovery of more potent and drug-like HIV-1 CA inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship studies of these compounds led to the identification of new phenylalanine derivatives with a piperazinone moiety, represented by compound 11l, which exhibited anti-HIV-1_NL4-3 activity 5.78-fold better than PF-74. Interestingly, 11l also showed anti-HIV-2_ROD activity (EC₅₀ = 31 nM), with almost 120 times increased potency over PF-74. However, due to the higher significance of HIV-1 as compared to HIV-2 for the human population, this manuscript focuses on the mechanism of action of our compounds in the context of HIV-1. SPR studies on representative compounds confirmed CA as the binding target. The action stage determination assay demonstrated that these inhibitors exhibited antiviral activities with a dual-stage inhibition profile. The early-stage inhibitory activity of compound 11l was 6.25 times more potent as compared to PF-74 but appeared to work via the accelerating capsid core assembly rather than stabilization. However, the mechanism by which they exert their antiviral activity in the late stage appears to be the same as PF-74 with less infectious HIV-1 virions produced in their presence, as judged p24 content studies. MD simulations provided the key rationale for the promising antiviral potency of 11l. Additionally, 11l exhibited a modest increase in HLM and human plasma metabolic stabilities as compared to PF-74, as well as a moderately improved pharmacokinetic profile, favorable oral bioavailability, and no acute toxicity. These studies provide insights and serve as a starting point for subsequent medicinal chemistry efforts in optimizing these promising HIV inhibitors.

Recent Advances in HIV-1 Gag Inhibitor Design and Development

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has improved the life quality of many patients since its implementation. However, resistance mutations and the accumulation of severe side effects associated with cART remain enormous challenges that need to be addressed with the continual design and redesign of anti-HIV drugs. In this review, we focus on the importance of the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein as the master coordinator of HIV-1 assembly and maturation and as an emerging drug target. Due to its multiple roles in the HIV-1 life cycle, the individual Gag domains are attractive but also challenging targets for inhibitor design. However, recent encouraging developments in targeting the Gag domains such as the capsid protein with highly potent and potentially long-acting inhibitors, as well as the exploration and successful targeting of challenging HIV-1 proteins such as the matrix protein, have demonstrated the therapeutic viability of this important protein. Such Gag-directed inhibitors have great potential for combating the AIDS pandemic and to be useful tools to dissect HIV-1 biology.

Dominant Negative MA-CA Fusion Protein Is Incorporated into HIV-1 Cores and Inhibits Nuclear Entry of Viral Preintegration Complexes

Particle maturation is a critical step in the HIV-1 replication cycle that requires proteolytic cleavage of the Gag polyprotein into its constitutive proteins: the matrix (MA), capsid (CA), nucleocapsid (NC), and p6 proteins. The accurate and efficient cleavage of Gag is essential for virion infectivity; inhibitors of the viral protease are potent antivirals, and substitutions in Gag that prevent its cleavage result in reduced HIV-1 infectivity. In a previous study, a mutation inhibiting cleavage at the MA-CA junction was observed to potently inhibit virus infection: incorporation of small amounts of uncleaved MA-CA protein into HIV-1 particles inhibited infectivity by ∼95%, and the resulting viral particles exhibited aberrant capsids. Here we report a detailed mechanistic analysis of HIV-1 particles bearing uncleaved MA-CA protein. We show that the particles contain stable cores and can efficiently saturate host restriction by TRIMCyp in target cells. We further show that MA-CA associates with CA in particles without detectably affecting the formation of intermolecular CA interfaces. Incorporation of MA-CA did not markedly affect reverse transcription in infected cells, but nuclear entry was impaired and integration targeting was altered. Additionally, results from mutational analysis of Gag revealed that membrane-binding elements of MA contribute to the antiviral activity of uncleaved MA-CA protein. Our results suggest that small amounts of partially processed Gag subunits coassemble with CA during virion maturation, resulting in impaired capsid functions.IMPORTANCE To become infectious, newly formed HIV-1 particles undergo a process of maturation in which the viral polyproteins are cleaved into smaller components. A previous study demonstrated that inclusion of even small quantities of an uncleavable mutant Gag polyprotein results in a strong reduction in virus infectivity. Here we show that the mechanism of transdominant inhibition by uncleavable Gag involves inhibition of nuclear entry and alteration of viral integration sites. Additionally, the results of mutational analysis suggest that the membrane-binding activity of Gag is a major requirement for the antiviral activity. These results further define the antiviral mechanism of uncleavable Gag, which may be useful for exploiting this effect to develop new antivirals.

Off-Pathway Assembly: A Broad-Spectrum Mechanism of Action for Drugs That Undermine Controlled HIV-1 Viral Capsid Formation

The early and late stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication are orchestrated by the capsid (CA) protein, which self-assembles into a conical protein shell during viral maturation. Small molecule drugs known as capsid inhibitors (CIs) impede the highly regulated activity of CA. Intriguingly, a few CIs, such as PF-3450074 (PF74) and GS-CA1, exhibit effects at multiple stages of the viral lifecycle at effective concentrations in the pM to nM regimes, while the majority of CIs target a single stage of the viral lifecycle and are effective at nM to μM concentrations. In this work, we use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that enable CIs to have such curious broad-spectrum activity. Our quantitatively analyzed findings show that CIs can have a profound impact on the hierarchical self-assembly of CA by perturbing populations of small CA oligomers. The self-assembly process is accelerated by the emergence of alternative assembly pathways that favor the rapid incorporation of CA pentamers, and leads to increased structural pleomorphism in mature capsids. Two relevant phenotypes are observed: (1) eccentric capsid formation that may fail to encase the viral genome and (2) rapid disassembly of the capsid, which express at late and early stages of infection, respectively. Finally, our study emphasizes the importance of adopting a dynamical perspective on inhibitory mechanisms and provides a basis for the design of future therapeutics that are effective at low stoichiometric ratios of drug to protein.

Maturation of retroviruses

During retrovirus maturation, cleavage of the precursor structural Gag polyprotein by the viral protease induces architectural rearrangement of the virus particle from an immature into a mature, infectious form. The structural rearrangement encapsidates the viral RNA genome in a fullerene capsid, producing a diffusible viral core that can initiate infection upon entry into the cytoplasm of a host cell. Maturation is an important therapeutic window against HIV-1. In this review, we highlight recent breakthroughs in understanding of the structures of retroviral immature and mature capsid lattices that define the boundary conditions of maturation and provide novel insights on capsid transformation. We also discuss emerging insights on encapsidation of the viral genome in the mature capsid, as well as remaining questions for further study.

Multiple Roles of HIV-1 Capsid during the Virus Replication Cycle

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 capsid (HIV-1 CA) is involved in different stages of the viral replication cycle. During virion assembly, CA drives the formation of the hexameric lattice in immature viral particles, while in mature virions CA monomers assemble in cone-shaped cores surrounding the viral RNA genome and associated proteins. In addition to its functions in late stages of the viral replication cycle, CA plays key roles in a number of processes during early phases of HIV-1 infection including trafficking, uncoating, recognition by host cellular proteins and nuclear import of the viral pre-integration complex. As a result of efficient cooperation of CA with other viral and cellular proteins, integration of the viral genetic material into the host genome, which is an essential step for productive viral infection, successfully occurs. In this review, we will summarize available data on CA functions in HIV-1 replication, describing in detail its roles in late and early phases of the viral replication cycle.

Inhibitors of the HIV-1 capsid, a target of opportunity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize recent advances in the discovery of chemical inhibitors targeting the HIV capsid and research on their mechanisms of action.

RECENT FINDINGS

HIV infection is critically dependent on functions of the viral capsid. Numerous studies have reported the identification of a variety of compounds that bind to the capsid protein; some of these inhibit reverse transcription and nuclear entry, steps required for infection. Other capsid-targeting compounds appear to act by perturbing capsid assembly, resulting in noninfectious progeny virions. Inhibitors may bind to several different positions on the capsid protein, including sites in both protein domains. However, the antiviral activity of many reported capsid-targeting inhibitors has not been definitively linked to capsid binding. Until recently, the low-to-moderate potency of reported capsid-targeting inhibitors has precluded their further clinical development. In 2017, GS-CA1, a highly potent capsid inhibitor, was described that holds promise for clinical development.

SUMMARY

Small molecules that bind to the viral capsid protein can be potent inhibitors of HIV infection. Capsid-targeting drugs are predicted to exhibit high barriers to viral resistance, and ongoing work in this area is contributing to an understanding of the molecular biology of HIV uncoating and maturation.

Possible clearance of transfusion-acquired nef/LTR-deleted attenuated HIV-1 infection by an elite controller with CCR5 Δ32 heterozygous and HLA-B57 genotype

BACKGROUND

Subject C135 is one of the members of the Sydney Blood Bank Cohort, infected in 1981 through transfusion with attenuated nef/3' long terminal repeat (LTR)-deleted HIV-1, and has maintained undetectable plasma viral load and steady CD4 cell count, in the absence of therapy. Uniquely, C135 combines five factors separately associated with control of viraemia: nef/LTR-deleted HIV-1, HLA-B57, HLA-DR13, heterozygous CCR5 Δ32 genotype and vigorous p24-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation. Therefore, we studied in detail viral burden and immunological responses in this individual.

METHODS

PBMC and gut and lymph node biopsy samples were analysed for proviral HIV-1 DNA by real-time and nested PCRs, and nef/LTR alleles by nested PCR. HIV-specific antibodies were studied by Western blotting, and CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte responses were measured by proliferation and cytokine production in vitro.

RESULTS

PBMC samples from 1996, but not since, showed amplification of nef alleles with gross deletions. Infectious HIV-1 was never recovered. Proviral HIV-1 DNA was not detected in recent PBMC or gut or lymph node biopsy samples. C135 has a consistently weak antibody response and a substantial CD4+ T cell proliferative response to a previously described HLA-DR13-restricted epitope of HIV-1 p24 in vitro, which augmented a CD8+ T cell response to an immunodominant HLA-B57-restricted epitope of p24, while his T cells show reduced levels of CCR5.

CONCLUSIONS

Subject C135's early PCR and weak antibody results are consistent with limited infection with a poorly replicating nef/LTR-deleted strain of HIV-1. With his HLA-B57-restricted gag-specific CD8 and helper HLA-DR13-restricted CD4 T cell proliferative responses, C135 appears to have cleared his HIV-1 infection 37 years after transfusion.

New targets for HIV drug discovery

Recent estimates suggest close to one million people per year die globally owing to HIV-related illnesses. Therefore, there is still a need to identify new targets to develop future treatments. Many of the more recently identified targets are host-related and these might be more difficult for the virus to develop drug resistance to. In addition, there are virus-related targets (capsid and RNAse H) that have yet to be exploited clinically. Several of the newer targets also address virulence factors, virus latency or target persistence. The targets highlighted in this review could represent the next generation of viable candidates for drug discovery projects as well as continue the search for a cure for this disease.

Looking for Novel Capsid Protein Multimerization Inhibitors of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a member of the retroviridae family of viruses. It causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in worldwide domestic and non-domestic cats and is a cause of an important veterinary issue. The genome organization of FIV and the clinical characteristics of the disease caused by FIV are similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Both viruses infect T lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages, with a similar replication cycle in infected cells. Thus, the infection of cats with FIV is also a useful tool for the study and development of novel drugs and vaccines against HIV. Anti-retroviral drugs studied extensively with regards to HIV infection have targeted different steps of the virus replication cycle: (1) disruption of the interaction with host cell surface receptors and co-receptors; (2) inhibition of fusion of the virus and cell membranes; (3) blocking of the reverse transcription of viral genomic RNA; (4) interruption of nuclear translocation and integration of viral DNA into host genomes; (5) prevention of viral transcript processing and nuclear export; and (6) inhibition of virion assembly and maturation. Despite the great success of anti-retroviral therapy in slowing HIV progression in humans, a similar therapy has not been thoroughly investigated for FIV infection in cats, mostly because of the little structural information available for FIV proteins. The FIV capsid protein (CA) drives the assembly of the viral particle, which is a critical step in the viral replication cycle. During this step, the CA protein oligomerizes to form a protective coat that surrounds the viral genome. In this work, we perform a large-scale screening of four hundred molecules from our in-house library using an in vitro assembly assay of p24, combined with microscale thermophoresis, to estimate binding affinity. This screening led to the discovery of around four novel hits that inhibited capsid assembly in vitro. These may provide new antiviral drugs against FIV.

Review of Current Cell-Penetrating Antibody Developments for HIV-1 Therapy

The discovery of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996 has significantly reduced the global mortality and morbidity caused by the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, the therapeutic strategy of HAART that targets multiple viral proteins may render off-target toxicity and more importantly results in drug-resistant escape mutants. These have been the main challenges for HAART and refinement of this therapeutic strategy is urgently needed. Antibody-mediated treatments are emerging therapeutic modalities for various diseases. Most therapeutic antibodies have been approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mainly for targeting cancers. Previous studies have also demonstrated the promising effect of therapeutic antibodies against HIV-1, but there are several limitations in this therapy, particularly when the viral targets are intracellular proteins. The conventional antibodies do not cross the cell membrane, hence, the pathogenic intracellular proteins cannot be targeted with this classical therapeutic approach. Over the years, the advancement of antibody engineering has permitted the therapeutic antibodies to comprehensively target both extra- and intra-cellular proteins in various infections and diseases. This review aims to update on the current progress in the development of antibody-based treatment against intracellular targets in HIV-1 infection. We also attempt to highlight the challenges and limitations in the development of antibody-based therapeutic modalities against HIV-1.