A new class of anti-HIV-1 agents targeted toward the nucleocapsid protein NCp7: the 2,2'-dithiobisbenzamides.

Abstract

As part of the National Cancer Institute's Drug Screening Program, a new class of antiretrovirals active against the human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 has been identified, and the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein NCp7 was proposed as the target of antiviral action. The 2,2'-dithiobis-[4'-(sulfamoyl)benzanilide] (3x) and the 2,2'-dithiobis(5-acetylamino)benzamide (10) represented the prototypic lead structures. A wide variety of 2,2'-dithiobisbenzamides were prepared and tested for anti-HIV-1 activity, cytotoxicity, and their ability to extrude zinc from the zinc fingers for NCp7. The structure-activity relationships demonstrated that the ability to extrude zinc from NCp7 resided in the 2,2'-dithiobisbenzamide core structure. The 3,3' and the 4,4' isomers were inactive. While many analogs based upon the core structure retained the zinc extrusion activity, the best overall anti-HIV-1 activity was only found in a narrow set of derivatives possessing carboxylic acid, carboxamide, or phenylsulfonamide functional groups. These functional groups were more important for reducing cytotoxicity than improving antiviral potency or activity vs NCp7. All of the compounds with antiviral activity also extruded zinc from NCp7. From this study several classes of low microM anti-HIV agents with simple chemical structures were identified as possible chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of AIDS.

• Authors: J M Domagala, J P Bader, R D Gogliotti, J P Sanchez, M A Stier, Y Song, J V Prasad, P J Tummino, J Scholten, P Harvey, T Holler, S Gracheck, D Hupe, W G Rice, R Schultz
• Journal: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry (Bioorg Med Chem) Vol. 5 Issue 3 Pg. 569-79 (Mar 1997) ISSN: 0968-0896 [Print] England
• PMID: 9113335 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Anti-HIV Agents
• Benzamides
• Capsid Proteins
• Gene Products, gag
• NCP7 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
• Viral Proteins
• gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Topics

• Anti-HIV Agents (chemical synthesis, pharmacology)
• Benzamides (chemical synthesis, pharmacology)
• Capsid (drug effects)
• Capsid Proteins
• Gene Products, gag (drug effects)
• Humans
• Structure-Activity Relationship
• Viral Proteins
• Zinc Fingers
• gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus