Multimerization of HIV-1 Vif protein as a therapeutic target
US6653443B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 8, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S530/826
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
One approach to treating individuals infected with HIV-1 is to administer to such individuals compounds that directly interfere with and intervene in the machinery by which HIV-1 replicates itself within human cells. Although the specific role of HIV-1 viral protein Vif in the viral life cycle is not known, the vif gene is essential for the pathogenic replication of lentiviruses in vivo. The present invention relates to a method for treating an individual exposed to or infected with HIV-1. Individuals identified as being exposed to or infected by HIV-1 are administered a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds that inhibit or prevent replication of said HIV-1 by interfering with the replicative or other essential functions of HIV-1 viral protein Vif, by interactively blocking the multimerization domain of Vif, thereby preventing multimerization of Vif protein, which is important for Vif function in the lentivirus life cycle. In preferred embodiments, the compound or compounds that interactively block the multimerization domain of Vif are Vif antagonists. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.