HIV-1 proteinase is required for synthesis of pro-viral DNA.

Abstract

HIV-1 proteinase activity is thought to occur primarily post-integration by cleaving the viral Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins. Its role in the pre-integration stages of viral replication, however, has not been studied in detail. Here we report that a synthetic peptide analogue, UK-88,947, which is a specific inhibitor of purified HIV-1 proteinase, inhibits the processing of the viral polyproteins in cultures of HIV-1 infected cells and prevents the formation of mature, infectious virions. Analysis of DNA from HIV-1 infected cells treated with UK-88,947 showed that viral DNA synthesis was inhibited when the compound was added to cultures one hour before infection. Similar results were obtained when AZT was used. Neither HIV-1 reverse transcriptase or the replication of FIV are inhibited by UK-88,947.

• Authors: C Baboonian, A Dalgleish, L Bountiff, J Gross, S Oroszlan, G Rickett, C Smith-Burchnell, P Troke, J Merson
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 179 Issue 1 Pg. 17-24 (Aug 30 1991) ISSN: 0006-291X [Print] United States
• PMID: 1652947 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• DNA, Viral
• HIV Protease Inhibitors
• Oligonucleotide Probes
• Oligopeptides
• Recombinant Proteins
• UK 88947
• Zidovudine
• HIV Protease

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Base Sequence
• Cell Line
• DNA, Viral (biosynthesis, genetics)
• HIV Protease (metabolism, pharmacology)
• HIV Protease Inhibitors
• HIV-1 (enzymology, genetics, physiology)
• Humans
• Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline (drug effects, physiology)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Oligonucleotide Probes
• Oligopeptides (pharmacology)
• Proviruses (genetics, physiology)
• Recombinant Proteins (metabolism)
• Substrate Specificity
• Virus Replication (drug effects)
• Zidovudine (pharmacology)