An inhibitor of the Tat/TAR RNA interaction that effectively suppresses HIV-1 replication

One of the first steps in HIV gene expression is the recruitment of Tat protein to the transcription machinery after its binding to the RNA response element TAR. Starting from a pool of 3.2 x 10(6) individual chemical entities, we were able to select a hybrid peptoid/peptide oligomer of 9 residues (CGP64222) that was able to block the formation of the Tat/TAR RNA complex in vitro at nanomolar concentrations. NMR studies demonstrated that the compound binds similarly to polypeptides derived from the Tat protein and induces a conformational change in TAR RNA at the Tat-binding site. In addition, 10-30 microM CGP64222 specifically inhibited Tat activity in a cellular Tat-dependent transactivation assay [fusion-induced gene stimulation (FIGS) assay] and blocked HIV-1 replication in primary human lymphocytes. By contrast, peptides of a comparable size and side-chain composition inhibited cell fusion in the FIGS assay and only partially inhibited HIV-1 replication in primary human lymphocytes. Thus, we have discovered a compound, CGP64222, that specifically inhibits the Tat/TAR RNA interaction, both in vitro and in vivo.