Identification of small molecule compounds targeting the interaction of HIV-1 Vif and human APOBEC3G by virtual screening and biological evaluation

Sci Rep. 2018 May 23;8(1):8067. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26318-3.

Abstract

Human APOBEC3G (hA3G) is a restriction factor that inhibits human immunodeficiency 1 virus (HIV-1) replication. The virally encoded protein Vif binds to hA3G and induces its degradation, thereby counteracting the antiviral activity of hA3G. Vif-mediated hA3G degradation clearly represents a potential target for anti-HIV drug development. Herein, we have performed virtual screening to discover small molecule inhibitors that target the binding interface of the Vif/hA3G complex. Subsequent biochemical studies have led to the identification of a small molecule inhibitor, IMB-301 that binds to hA3G, interrupts the hA3G-Vif interaction and inhibits Vif-mediated degradation of hA3G. As a result, IMB-301 strongly inhibits HIV-1 replication in a hA3G-dependent manner. Our study further demonstrates the feasibility of inhibiting HIV replication by abrogating the Vif-hA3G interaction with small molecules.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • APOBEC-3G Deaminase / chemistry
  • APOBEC-3G Deaminase / genetics
  • APOBEC-3G Deaminase / metabolism*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / metabolism
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / drug effects*
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / chemistry
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • vif Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • vif protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • APOBEC-3G Deaminase
  • APOBEC3G protein, human