Activity and structural analysis of GRL-117C: a novel small molecule CCR5 inhibitor active against R5-tropic HIV-1s

Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 18;9(1):4828. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-41080-w.

Abstract

CCR5 is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor family that serves as an essential co-receptor for cellular entry of R5-tropic HIV-1, and is a validated target for therapeutics against HIV-1 infections. In the present study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel small CCR5 inhibitors and evaluated their antiviral activity. GRL-117C inhibited the replication of wild-type R5-HIV-1 with a sub-nanomolar IC50 value. These derivatives retained activity against vicriviroc-resistant HIV-1s, but did not show activity against maraviroc (MVC)-resistant HIV-1. Structural modeling indicated that the binding of compounds to CCR5 occurs in the hydrophobic cavity of CCR5 under the second extracellular loop, and amino acids critical for their binding were almost similar with those of MVC, which explains viral cross-resistance with MVC. On the other hand, one derivative, GRL-10018C, less potent against HIV-1, but more potent in inhibiting CC-chemokine binding, occupied the upper region of the binding cavity with its bis-THF moiety, presumably causing greater steric hindrance with CC-chemokines. Recent studies have shown additional unique features of certain CCR5 inhibitors such as immunomodulating properties and HIV-1 latency reversal properties, and thus, continuous efforts in developing new CCR5 inhibitors with unique binding profiles is necessary.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-HIV Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Binding Sites / drug effects
  • Blood Buffy Coat / cytology
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists / chemistry
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetulus
  • Drug Resistance, Viral
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions / drug effects
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Maraviroc / pharmacology
  • Maraviroc / therapeutic use
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, CCR5 / ultrastructure
  • Virus Latency / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists
  • CCR5 protein, human
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Maraviroc