A highly potent and safe pyrrolopyridine-based allosteric HIV-1 integrase inhibitor targeting host LEDGF/p75-integrase interaction site

PLoS Pathog. 2021 Jul 22;17(7):e1009671. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009671. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs) are a class of experimental anti-HIV agents that target the noncatalytic sites of the viral integrase (IN) and interfere with the IN-viral RNA interaction during viral maturation. Here, we report a highly potent and safe pyrrolopyridine-based ALLINI, STP0404, displaying picomolar IC50 in human PBMCs with a >24,000 therapeutic index against HIV-1. X-ray structural and biochemical analyses revealed that STP0404 binds to the host LEDGF/p75 protein binding pocket of the IN dimer, which induces aberrant IN oligomerization and blocks the IN-RNA interaction. Consequently, STP0404 inhibits proper localization of HIV-1 RNA genomes in viral particles during viral maturation. Y99H and A128T mutations at the LEDGF/p75 binding pocket render resistance to STP0404. Extensive in vivo pharmacological and toxicity investigations demonstrate that STP0404 harbors outstanding therapeutic and safety properties. Overall, STP0404 is a potent and first-in-class ALLINI that targets LEDGF/p75 binding site and has advanced to a human trial.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Integrase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • HIV Integrase Inhibitors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • lens epithelium-derived growth factor