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Updated: May 4, 2026

Evaluation of the Efficacy And Toxicity of RNAs Targeting HIV-1 Production for Use in Gene or Drug Therapy
Published on: September 5, 2016
Targeting RNA-protein interactions within the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 lifecycle
Neil M Bell1, Anne L'Hernault, Pierre Murat
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge , Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, U.K.
Abstract:
RNA-protein interactions are vital throughout the HIV-1 life cycle for the successful production of infectious virus particles. One such essential RNA-protein interaction occurs between the full-length genomic viral RNA and the major structural protein of the virus. The initial interaction is between the Gag polyprotein and the viral RNA packaging signal (psi or Ψ), a highly conserved RNA structural element within the 5'-UTR of the HIV-1 genome, which has gained attention as a potential therapeutic target. Here, we report the application of a target-based assay to identify small molecules, which modulate the interaction between Gag and Ψ. We then demonstrate that one such molecule exhibits potent inhibitory activity in a viral replication assay. The mode of binding of the lead molecules to the RNA target was characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.
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