Multiple ways of targeting APOBEC3-virion infectivity factor interactions for anti-HIV-1 drug development

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2009 Dec;30(12):638-46. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2009.09.006.

Abstract

HIV-1 infections and the resulting AIDS pandemic remain a global challenge in the absence of a protective vaccine and because of rapid selection of drug-resistant viral variants in response to all currently available antiviral therapies. The development of new and highly active antiviral agents would greatly facilitate effective clinical management of HIV-1 infections and delay the onset of AIDS. Recent advances in our understanding of intracellular immunity conferred by host cytidine deaminases APOBEC3G (A3G) and APOBEC3F (A3F) and the mechanism by which the virally encoded virion infectivity factor (Vif) protein induces their proteasomal degradation provide fresh opportunities for the development of novel antiviral treatments. Interestingly, the Vif-A3G and Vif-A3F interactions that overcome this host defense mechanism are structurally distinct and provide two potential targets for antiviral drug development. This review provides an overview of current knowledge of APOBEC3-Vif interactions and recent efforts to target these interactions for antiviral drug development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • APOBEC Deaminases
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytidine Deaminase
  • Cytosine Deaminase / physiology*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / metabolism*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Virion / genetics
  • Virion / metabolism*
  • Virus Replication
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism*
  • vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Cytosine Deaminase
  • APOBEC Deaminases
  • APOBEC3 proteins, human
  • Cytidine Deaminase