Effect of synthetic peptides belonging to E2 envelope protein of GB virus C on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

J Med Chem. 2010 Aug 26;53(16):6054-63. doi: 10.1021/jm100452c.

Abstract

The use of synthetic peptides as HIV-1 inhibitors has been subject to research over recent years. Although the initial therapeutic attempts focused on HIV-coded enzymes, structural HIV proteins and, more specifically, the mechanisms that the virus uses to infect and replicate are now also considered therapeutic targets. The interest for viral fusion and entry inhibitors is growing significantly, given that they are applicable in combined therapies or when resistance to other antiretroviral drugs is seen and that they act before the virus enters the cell. The 124 synthetic sequences of the GBV-C E2 envelope protein have been obtained by SPPS. The interaction of certain GBV-C peptide sequences with the HIV-1 fusion peptide has been proven through the use of biophysical techniques. We also show how GBV-C E2 domains notably decrease cellular membrane fusion and interfere with the HIV-1 infectivity in a dose-dependent manner, highlighting their potential utility in future anti-HIV-1 therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anti-HIV Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / chemistry
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Membrane Fusion / drug effects
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • Oligopeptides
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein E2, GB virus C