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Effect of DNA modifications on DNA processing by HIV-1 integrase and inhibitor binding: role of DNA backbone flexibility and an open catalytic site.

Integration of the viral cDNA into host chromosomes is required for viral replication. Human immunodeficiency virus integrase catalyzes two sequential reactions, 3'-processing (3'-P) and strand transfer (ST). The first integrase inhibitors are undergoing clinical trial, but interactions of inhibitors with integrase and DNA are not well understood in the absence of a co-crystal structure. To increase our understanding of integrase interactions with DNA, we examined integrase catalysis with oligonucleotides containing DNA backbone, base, and groove modifications placed at unique positions surrounding the 3'-processing site. 3'-Processing was blocked with substrates containing constrained sugars and alpha-anomeric residues, suggesting that integrase requires flexibility of the phosphodiester backbone at the 3'-P site. Of several benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide (BaP DE) adducts tested, only the adduct in the minor groove at the 3'-P site inhibited 3'-P, suggesting the importance of the minor groove contacts for 3'-P. ST occurred in the presence of bulky BaP DE DNA adducts attached to the end of the viral DNA suggesting opening of the active site for ST. Position-specific effects of these BaP DE DNA adducts were found for inhibition of integrase by diketo acids. Together, these results demonstrate the importance of DNA structure and specific contacts with the viral DNA processing site for inhibition by integrase inhibitors.

Base Sequence↗

Arylamide inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase.

Based on data derived from a large number of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors, similar structural features can be observed, which consist of two aryl units separated by a central linker. For many inhibitors fitting this pattern, at least one aryl ring also requires ortho bis-hydroxylation for significant inhibitory potency. The ability of such catechol species to undergo in situ oxidation to reactive quinones presents one potential limitation to their utility. In an effort to address this problem, a series of inhibitors were prepared which did not contain ortho bishydroxyls. None of these analogues exhibited significant inhibition. Therefore an alternate approach was taken, whose aim was to increase potency rather than eliminate catechol substructures. In this latter study, naphthyl nuclei were utilized as aryl components, since a previous report had indicated that fused bicyclic rings may afford higher affinity relative to monocyclic phenyl-based systems. In preliminary work with monomeric units, it was found that the 6,7-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (17) (IC50 = 4.7 microM) was approximately 10-fold more potent than its 5,6-dihydroxy isomer 19 (IC50 = 62.4 microM). Of particular note was the dramatic difference in potency between free acid 17 and its methyl ester 21 (IC50 > 200 microM). The nearly total loss of activity induced by esterification strongly indicates that the free carboxylic -OH is important for high potency of this compound. This contrasts with the isomeric 5,6-dihydroxy species 19, where esterification had no effect on inhibitory potency (23, IC50 = 52.7 microM). These data provide evidence that the monomeric 6,7- and 5,6-dihydroxynaphthalenes may be interacting with the enzyme in markedly different fashions. However, when these naphthyl nuclei were incorporated into dimeric structures, significant enhancements in potencies each relative to the monomeric acids were observed, with bis-6,7-dihydroxy analogue 49 and bis-5,6-dihydroxy analogue 51 both exhibiting approximately equal potencies (IC50 values of 0.81 and 0.11 microM, respectively).

Caffeic Acids↗

A series of 5-(5,6)-dihydrouracil substituted 8-hydroxy-[1,6]naphthyridine-7-carboxylic acid 4-fluorobenzylamide inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase and viral replication in cells.

Introduction of a 5,6-dihydrouracil functionality in the 5-position of N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-8-hydroxy-[1,6]naphthyridine-7-carboxamide 1 led to a series of highly active HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. These compounds displayed low nanomolar activity in inhibiting both the strand transfer process of HIV-1 integrase and viral replication in cells. Compound 11 is a 150-fold more potent antiviral agent than 1, with a CIC(95) of 40 nM in the presence of human serum. It displays good pharmacokinetics when dosed in rats and dogs.

Animals↗

Thalassiolins A-C: new marine-derived inhibitors of HIV cDNA integrase.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication requires integration of viral cDNA into the host genome, a process mediated by the viral enzyme integrase. We describe a new series of HIV integrase inhibitors, thalassiolins A-C (1-3), isolated from the Caribbean sea grass Thalassia testudinum. The thalassiolins are distinguished from other flavones previously studied by the substitution of a sulfated beta-D-glucose at the 7-position, a substituent that imparts increased potency against integrase in biochemical assays. The most active of these molecules, thalassiolin A (1), displays in vitro inhibition of the integrase catalyzed strand transfer reaction (IC50=0.4 microM) and an antiviral IC50 of 30 microM. Molecular modeling studies indicate a favorable binding mode is probable at the catalytic core domain of HIV-1 integrase.

Binding Sites↗

New hope from new classes of therapy.

A number of very interesting new drugs were discussed in sessions at Barcelona. Two represent new classes of therapy--entry inhibitors and integrase inhibitors--while others seek to offer improvements over drugs in existing classes. Both are welcome advances.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Dihydroxythiophenes are novel potent inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus integrase with a diketo acid-like pharmacophore.

We have identified dihydroxythiophenes (DHT) as a novel series of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase inhibitors with broad antiviral activities against different HIV isolates in vitro. DHT were discovered in a biochemical integrase high-throughput screen searching for inhibitors of the strand transfer reaction of HIV-1 integrase. DHT are selective inhibitors of integrase that do not interfere with virus entry, as shown by the inhibition of a vesicular stomatitis virus G-pseudotyped retroviral system. Moreover, in quantitative real-time PCR experiments, no effect on the synthesis of viral cDNA could be detected but rather an increase in the accumulation of 2-long-terminal-repeat cycles was detected. This suggests that the integration of viral cDNA is blocked. Molecular modeling and the structure activity relationship of DHT demonstrate that our compound fits into a two-metal-binding motif that has been suggested as the essential pharmacophore for diketo acid (DKA)-like strand transfer inhibitors (Grobler et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:6661-6666, 2002.). This notion is supported by the profiling of DHT on retroviral vectors carrying published resistance mutations for DKA-like inhibitors where DHT showed partial cross-resistance. This suggests that DHT bind to a common site in the catalytic center of integrase, albeit with an altered binding mode. Taken together, our findings indicate that DHT are novel selective strand transfer inhibitors of integrase with a pharmacophore homologous to DKA-like inhibitors.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Hydroxylated aromatic inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase.

Efficient replication of HIV-1 requires integration of a DNA copy of the viral genome into a chromosome of the host cell. Integration is catalyzed by the viral integrase, and we have previously reported that phenolic moieties in compounds such as flavones, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE, 2), and curcumin confer inhibitory activity against HIV-1 integrase. We now extend these findings by performing a comprehensive structure-activity relationship using CAPE analogues. Approximately 30 compounds have been prepared as HIV integrase inhibitors based on the structural lead provided by CAPE, which has previously been shown to exhibit an IC50 value of 7 microM in our integration assay. These analogues were designed to examine specific features of the parent CAPE structure which may be important for activity. Among the features examined for their effects on inhibitory potency were ring substitution, side chain length and composition, and phenyl ring conformational orientation. In an assay which measured the combined effect of two sequential steps, dinucleotide cleavage and strand transfer, several analogues have IC50 values for 3'-processing and strand transfer lower than those of CAPE. Inhibition of strand transfer was assayed using both blunt-ended and "precleaved" DNA substrates. Disintegration using an integrase mutant lacking the N-terminal zinc finger and C-terminal DNA-binding domains was also inhibited by these analogues, suggesting that the binding site for these compounds resides in the central catalytic core. Several CAPE analogues were also tested for selective activity against transformed cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the development of novel antiviral agents for the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome can be based upon inhibition of HIV-1 integrase.

Animals↗

Natural selection results in conservation of HIV-1 integrase activity despite sequence variability.

BACKGROUND: Integration of the HIV genome by integrase is absolutely required for productive infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of natural selection on HIV integrase biology. DESIGN: To study the activities of HIV integrases from a limited panel of North American clinical isolates from HIV-infected patients and to compare these proteins with integrases from two laboratory adapted reference strains (HI(VIIIRF) and HIV(NL4--3)). METHODS: HIV was isolated and the particle-associated RNA was reverse transcribed and sequenced. Replication kinetics of molecularly cloned viruses containing each variant integrase were studied in tissue culture. The mutant integrase proteins were expressed, purified and specific activities of the enzymes were derived for both 3' end-processing and disintegration reactions. RESULTS: Despite 3--5% variability in integrase at the amino acid level, viruses showed no statistically significant differences in growth kinetics compared with the reference HIV(NL4--3) virus and only minor differences were observed in 3' end-processing and disintegration activities. All integrase proteins demonstrated similar sensitivity to an integrase inhibitor l-chicoric acid. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that integrase genes derived from HIV-infected individuals can differ from reference sequences but these mutations do not result in loss of function, including susceptibility to an integrase inhibitor; therefore, integrase remains an attractive target for antiviral drug design, as mutability appears to be restricted by function.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Curcumin analogs with altered potencies against HIV-1 integrase as probes for biochemical mechanisms of drug action.

We have previously reported the inhibitory activity of curcumin against human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) integrase. In the present study, we have synthesized and tested analogs of curcumin to explore the structure-activity relationships and mechanism of action of this family of compounds in more detail. We found that two curcumin analogs, dicaffeoylmethane (6) and rosmarinic acid (9), inhibited both activities of integrase with IC50 values below 10 microM. We have previously demonstrated that lysine 136 may play a role in viral DNA binding. We demonstrated equivalent potencies of two curcumin analogs against both this integrase mutant and wild-type integrase, suggesting that the curcumin-binding site and the substrate-binding site may not overlap. Combining one curcumin analog with the recently described integrase inhibitor NSC 158393 resulted in integrase inhibition which was synergistic, reflective of drug-binding sites which may not overlap. We have also determined that these analogs can inhibit binding of the enzyme to the viral DNA but that this inhibition is independent of divalent metal ion. Furthermore, kinetic studies of these analogs suggest that they bind to the enzyme at a slow rate. These studies can provide mechanistic and structural information which may guide the future design of integrase inhibitors.

4-Hydroxycoumarins↗

Discovery of a small-molecule HIV-1 integrase inhibitor-binding site.

Herein, we report the identification of a unique HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitor-binding site using photoaffinity labeling and mass spectrometric analysis. We chemically incorporated a photo-activatable benzophenone moiety into a series of coumarin-containing IN inhibitors. A representative of this series was covalently photo-crosslinked with the IN core domain and subjected to HPLC purification. Fractions were subsequently analyzed by using MALDI-MS and electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS to identify photo-crosslinked products. In this fashion, a single binding site for an inhibitor located within the tryptic peptide (128)AACWWAGIK(136) was identified. Site-directed mutagenesis followed by in vitro inhibition assays resulted in the identification of two specific amino acid residues, C130 and W132, in which substitutions resulted in a marked resistance to the IN inhibitors. Docking studies suggested a specific disruption in functional oligomeric IN complex formation. The combined approach of photo-affinity labeling/MS analysis with site-directed mutagenesis/molecular modeling is a powerful approach for elucidating inhibitor-binding sites of proteins at the atomic level. This approach is especially important for the study of proteins that are not amenable to traditional x-ray crystallography and NMR techniques. This type of structural information can help illuminate processes of inhibitor resistance and thereby facilitate the design of more potent second-generation inhibitors.

4-Hydroxycoumarins↗

Targeting Tn5 transposase identifies human immunodeficiency virus type 1 inhibitors.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) integrase is an underutilized drug target for the treatment of HIV infection. One limiting factor is the lack of costructural data for use in the rational design or modification of integrase inhibitors. Tn5 transposase is a structurally well characterized, related protein that may serve as a useful surrogate. However, little data exist on inhibitor cross-reactivity. Here we screened 16,000 compounds using Tn5 transposase as the target and identified 20 compounds that appear to specifically inhibit complex assembly. Six were found to also inhibit HIV-1 integrase. These compounds likely interact with a highly conserved region presumably within the catalytic core. Most promising, several cinnamoyl derivatives were found to inhibit HIV transduction in cells. The identification of integrase inhibitors from a screen using Tn5 transposase as the target illustrates the utility of Tn5 as a surrogate for HIV-1 integration even though the relationship between the two systems is limited to the active site architecture and catalytic mechanism.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

HIV-1 integration as a target for antiretroviral therapy: a review.

Since the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) as the causative agent of AIDS in the early eighties, its spread has been dramatic. Current therapeutic strategies for the inhibition of viral replication employ a combination of drugs targeted at the viral reverse transcriptase and protease enzymes. The clinical benefit of this combination therapy is considerable, although often only transient, partly due to the emergence of multiple drug-resistant viral strains. The addition of new anti-HIV drugs targeting a third step of the viral replication may help in preventing resistance development. During HIV replication, the integration of the genome into the cellular chromosome is a vital step, which is catalysed by the viral integrase. The search for antiviral compounds capable of selective inhibition of integrase during viral replication is laborious and the large-scale screening programs for integrase inhibitors have thus far led to only one series of compounds that selectively inhibit the integration step of HIV replication, the diketo acids. In this review we summarize the current knowledge about HIV-1 integrase and integrase inhibitors. We address the issue why it is so difficult to find potent and selective integrase inhibitors, suitable to be included in a therapeutic drug combination and we propose new strategies for the discovery of integration inhibitors.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Potassium-induced loop conformational transition of a potent anti-HIV oligonucleotide.

Spectroscopic, thermal denaturation and kinetic studies have revealed that DNA oligonucleotides 5'-d(GGGTGGGTGGGTGGGT) (T30695) and 5'-d(GTGGTGGGTGGGTGGGT) (T30177) from extremely stable intramolecular G-tetrads via a two-step process that involves the binding of one K+ ion to a central pair of G-quartets and two additional K+ ions, presumably, to the loops (Jing et al., (1997) Biochemistry in press). In that these oligonucleotides are potent HIV-1 inhibitors and among the most active HIV-1 integrase inhibitors yet identified, we have sought to further characterize the K(+)-induced folding process for the purpose of rational chemical modification of these anti-HIV agents. Our NMR investigation demonstrates that in the presence of Li+ ions, T30695 forms an unimolecular tetrad fold, stabilized by a pair of syn-anti-syn-anti G-quartets comprising a central core. The NMR spectrum of T30695 as a function of K+ titration reveals a well-defined transition that saturates upon addition of three K+ ions per oligomer. During this process, the initial Li(+)-dependent G-quartet structure converts into a highly symmetrical, stable form (the NMR detected melting transition temperature is increased by approximately 20 degrees C). The conformation of the G-quartet core remains unchanged, while the loosely structured loop residues become organized in a fashion which is stabilized by K+ ion binding and by interactions with the core. To explain these data, we propose a model wherein K+ binding to the loops induces structural rearrangement, to yield a planar array of loop bases in proximity to the underlying G-quartets. By reference to closely related homologues, which lack activity as an HIV-1 or integrase inhibitor, the possibility is discussed that this ion-coordinated loop structure is crucial to the biological activity of T30695.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Structure of the catalytic domain of avian sarcoma virus integrase with a bound HIV-1 integrase-targeted inhibitor.

The x-ray structures of an inhibitor complex of the catalytic core domain of avian sarcoma virus integrase (ASV IN) were solved at 1.9- to 2.0-A resolution at two pH values, with and without Mn2+ cations. This inhibitor (Y-3), originally identified in a screen for inhibitors of the catalytic activity of HIV type 1 integrase (HIV-1 IN), was found in the present study to be active against ASV IN as well as HIV-1 IN. The Y-3 molecule is located in close proximity to the enzyme active site, interacts with the flexible loop, alters loop conformation, and affects the conformations of active site residues. As crystallized, a Y-3 molecule stacks against its symmetry-related mate. Preincubation of IN with metal cations does not prevent inhibition, and Y-3 binding does not prevent binding of divalent cations to IN. Three compounds chemically related to Y-3 also were investigated, but no binding was observed in the crystals. Our results identify the structural elements of the inhibitor that likely determine its binding properties.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗

New antiretroviral drugs.

Despite the availability of 16 antiretroviral drugs approved for the treatment of HIV infection, current combination regimens present challenges. Newer antiretroviral drugs are needed to improve convenience, reduce toxicity and, of particular importance, to provide antiretroviral activity against viral strains resistant to the currently available antiretroviral agents. Candidate drugs with novel properties are in development in the two currently available drug classes: HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nucleoside analogs, non-nucleoside analogs and nucleotide analogs) and HIV protease inhibitors (PI). Investigational nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nRTI) include emtricitabine (FTC) and amdoxovir (DAPD), and investigational non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) include DPC 083 and TMC 125. New protease inhibitors under investigation include atazanavir (BMS-232 632), tipranavir, and TMC 114. In addition, newer agents with novel mechanisms of action such as HIV entry inhibitors (that inhibit the three steps of HIV entry: CD4 attachment, chemokine receptor binding and membrane fusion) and HIV integrase inhibitors are under investigation. Investigational entry inhibitors include PRO 542 (a CD4 attachment inhibitor), Schering C (a chemokine receptor inhibitor), enfuvirtide (T-20) and T-1249, inhibitors of membrane fusion. Investigational HIV integrase inhibitors include S-1360. Continued progress in the treatment of HIV disease will result from the development of new antiretroviral drugs.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

QSAR studies of HIV-1 integrase inhibition.

Compounds from a wide variety of structural classes inhibit HIV-1 integrase. However, a single unified understanding of the relationship between the structures and activities of these compounds still eludes researchers. We report herein the development of QSAR models for integrase inhibition. The genetic function approximation (GFA) was utilized to select descriptors for the development of the QSAR models. The best QSAR model derived for the complete set of 11 structural classes had a correlation coefficient (r(2)) of only 0.54 and a cross-validated correlation coefficient (q(2)) of only 0.42. This indicated that the compounds studied may differ in the exact relationship between structure and inhibition, perhaps through interactions with different subsets of amino acids in the binding pocket, or through the presence of non-overlapping binding pockets. Descriptor-based cluster analysis indicated that the 11 structural classes of integrase inhibitors studied belonged to two clusters, one consisting of five structural classes, and the other six. QSAR models for these two clusters had r(2) values of 0.79 and 0.82 and q(2) values of 0.71 and 0.74, a significant improvement over models obtained for the complete set of compounds. The two models were applied to predict the activities of compounds from the same structural classes as those used to build the models, giving r(2) values of 0.65 and 0.78. The models were also used to predict the activities of compounds shown in crystallographic or docking studies to interact near the active site metal ion. The model describing the larger cluster of structural classes was better able to reproduce the biological activities of these five structures with an average percent residual error of 7.9 compared with the 19.3% residual error for predictions from the other model. This indicated that the six structural classes comprising the larger cluster may bind near the metal ion in a fashion similar to that observed in one publicly available co-crystal structure of an inhibitor bound to HIV-1 integrase. Flexible alignment of inhibitors in the two clusters found different pharmacophores that are consistent with previously published pharmacophores developed on the basis of individual structural classes that have produced novel inhibitory compounds. Thus we expect that these two QSAR models can be used in the search for novel HIV-1 integrase inhibitors as well as to provide insight into the binding modes of such diverse chemical compounds.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

New antiretroviral drugs.

Despite the availability of 21 antiretroviral drugs approved for the treatment of HIV infection, current combination regimens remain hampered by issues of toxicity, convenience, cost, incomplete viral suppression, and drug resistance. Expansion of the currently available therapeutic options through the reformulation of available agents, discovery of new compounds with antiretroviral activity, and the exploitation of novel drug targets are critical. This review describes the status of new nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and fusion inhibitors. We also summarize new classes of antiretroviral therapy in clinical development including the attachment inhibitors, chemokine receptor antagonists, integrase inhibitors, and maturation inhibitors.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Depsides and depsidones as inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase: discovery of novel inhibitors through 3D database searching.

Seventeen lichen acids comprising despides, depsidones, and their synthetic derivatives have been examined for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 integrase, and two pharmacophores associated with inhibition of this enzyme have been identified. A search of the NCI 3D database of approximately 200,000 structures yielded some 800 compounds which contain one or the other pharmacophore. Forty-two of these compounds were assayed for HIV-1 integrase inhibition, and of these, 27 had inhibitory IC50 values of less than 100 microM; 15 were below 50 microM. Several of these compounds were also examined for their activity against HIV-2 integrase and mammalian topoisomerase I.

Anti-HIV Agents↗