Biomedical subjects

A Hizi

Publications and source records attributed to A Hizi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

New acylated sulfoglycolipids and digalactolipids and related known glycolipids from cyanobacteria with a potential to inhibit the reverse transcriptase of HIV-1.

Five novel diacylated sulfoglycolipids (1-5) were isolated from the cyanobacterium Scytonema sp. (TAU strain SL-30-1-4) and four novel acylated diglycolipids (6-9) were isolated from the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria raoi (TAU strain IL-76-1-2). These two groups of glycolipids and related known glycolipids isolated from these two and three other strains of cyanobacteria, Phormidium tenue (TAU strain IL-144-1), O. trichoides (TAU strain IL-104-3-2), and O. limnetica (TAU strain NG-4-1-2), were found to inhibit HIV-1 RT enzymatic activity to different extents. The structure elucidation of the various compounds is based on the selective hydrolysis of the glycerol ester moieties, GCMS analysis of the methyl ester derivatives of the liberated fatty acids, homo- and heteronuclear-2D-NMR techniques, and MS. The use of negative-ion FABMS for analyzing the combination and distribution of the fatty acids in glycolipids is demonstrated.

Cyanobacteria↗

PubMed1997

Subunit-specific mutagenesis of the cysteine 280 residue of the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1: effects on sensitivity to a specific inhibitor of the RNase H activity.

Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) selectively inhibits the RNase H activity. The cysteine residue at position 280 (C280) is the target for NEM; HIV-1 RT carrying the mutation C280S is resistant to NEM. Since HIV-1 RT is composed of two related subunits (p66 and p51) that play distinct roles, we asked whether the C280 in p51 or the C280 in p66 is responsible for the sensitivity of the enzyme to NEM. HIV-1 RT versions were prepared that had one mutant and one wild-type subunit. When these chimeric enzymes were tested, both the p51 and p66 subunits were found to contribute to the sensitivity of the enzyme to NEM. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of the structure of the enzyme.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1996

The interaction of the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 with 3'-terminally mispaired DNA.

The extension of mismatched 3'-termini of DNA was implicated as a major determinant that contributes to the low fidelity of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT). However, HIV-1 RT exhibits variations in its comparative efficiency to extend different 3'-mismatched base pairs that can result either from the differences in the binding capacity of the enzyme to various mispaired DNAs or from differences in the rate of extension of mispairs by a DNA-bound enzyme. In the current study we have examined the interaction of HIV-1 RT with mispaired template-primer 3'-termini, using a gel retardation assay. HIV-1 RT was found to bind mismatched template-primers with purine-pyrimidine (i.e., A . C) and purine-purine (i.e., A . A and A . G) 3'-terminal mispairs to about the same extent. Hence, HIV-1 RT can be considered (in addition to its other basic features) as a 3'-mismatched DNA binding protein. The stability of the complexes formed between HIV-1 RT and the mismatched template-primers tested seems to be unaffected significantly by neighboring sequences and by the presence of the next complementary dNTP. Thus, the dissimilarities observed previously in extension frequencies in the extension of 3'-terminal mismatches are likely to be due to an inherent property of the HIV-1 RT. The fact that HIV-1 RT binds 3'-mismatch-containing template-primers suggests that unextended mismatched DNA can undergo a rebinding process followed by a 3'-mismatch extension, contributing to further understanding of the low fidelity characteristic of HIV-1 RT. It is possible, therefore, that the interaction of the RT with the DNA may constitute an additional suitable target for the development of specific anti-HIV-1 RT drugs.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Mutational studies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase: the involvement of residues 183 and 184 in the fidelity of DNA synthesis.

The high error rates characteristic of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) are a presumptive source of the viral hypermutability that impedes prevention and therapy of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We have analyzed two mutants of HIV-1 RT by conducting a comparative study of the accuracy of DNA synthesis. Each mutant bears a single amino acid substitution adjacent to the two aspartic acid residues at positions 185 and 186 in the highly conserved DNA polymerase active site. The first mutant, Met 184-->Leu (M184L), displays a marked reduction in both misinsertion and mispair extension, suggesting a fidelity of DNA synthesis significantly higher than that of the wild-type HIV-1 RT. The second mutant, Tyr 183-->Phe (Y183F), shows a decrease in mispair extension with no significant change in misincorporation. Thus, the overall pattern of error-proneness of DNA synthesis is: wild-type HIV-1 RT > Y183F > M184L. Taken together, it is possible that residues 183 and 184 contribute to the low fidelity of DNA synthesis characteristic of the reverse transcriptases of HIV-1, HIV-2 and possibly, of other lentiviruses. Our observations may bear on the nature of potential mutations responsible for resistance to the nucleoside analogs used in chemotherapy of AIDS.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Mechanism of inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase by toxiusol, a novel general inhibitor of retroviral and cellular DNA polymerases.

Toxiusol, a natural product isolated from the Red Sea sponge Toxiclona toxius, has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of various viral reverse transcriptases (RT) [i.e., of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), equine infectious anemia virus, and murine leukemia virus] and cellular DNA polymerases (i.e., of DNA polymerases alpha and beta and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I). A thorough investigation of the mode of inhibition was conducted with HIV-1 RT-associated DNA polymerase activity. The inhibition is unaffected by the nature of template-primer used. The inhibitory active site of toxiusol is attributable to the polar moieties at the benzene ring. The presence of either sulfate groups in the natural lead compound or hydroxyl groups in the corresponding hydroquinone is critical, because both compounds are equally effective at low micromolar concentrations. Conversely, the presence of acetyl groups in the same position in the derivative toxiusol diacetate lowers significantly or abolishes the inhibitory activity. Toxiusol binds the HIV-1 RT irreversibly and in a noncompetitive way with high affinity (Ki = 1.2 microM), probably through polar groups. The replacement with acetyl moieties in the analog toxiusol diacetate hampers the binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme (Ki increases to about 26 microM). Still, the compound binds irreversibly, probably through its hydrophobic structure skeleton. Toxiusol diacetate loses its ability to inhibit the first step in the DNA polymerization process (that is, the formation of the DNA-enzyme complex as measured by a gel retardation assay), which contributes to its poor inhibitory capacity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Peyssonols A and B, two novel inhibitors of the reverse transcriptases of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2.

Two new sesquiterpene hydroquinones, peyssonol A and peyssonol B, of the Red Sea algae Peyssonelia sp., have been shown to be potent inhibitors of the RNA-directed DNA synthesis of the reverse transcriptases (RTs) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and HIV-2. The DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity is inhibited to a lesser extent, whereas the RNase H activity is unaffected. The inhibition of the DNA polymerase activities is independent of the nature of the template primers used. Peyssonol A probably binds the RT at a site distinct from those occupied by the substrates of the RNA-directed DNA synthesis, since the mode of inhibition is noncompetitive with respect to both dNTP's and template primer. This is partially true for peyssonol B, which is noncompetitive with respect to only dNTP, but is competitive with respect to the template primer. We have speculated that, since peyssonol B and the template primer bear no apparent structural resemblance, the competitive pattern of inhibition can be explained by an indirect steric hindrance or by the overlap of the inhibitor and the substrate distinct binding sites of the enzyme. Alternatively, the binding of the inhibitor to a distinct site induces conformational changes that distort the binding of the template primer. Furthermore, we have shown that both peyssonol A and peyssonol B interfere with the direct binding of the RT to the template primer, offering an explanation for the mechanism of the enzyme inhibition. The insensitivity of DNA polymerase beta and the poor response of DNA polymerase alpha to peyssonol A make this inhibitor more attractive for the future development of a potent anti-HIV RT drug.

DNA Primers↗

PubMed1995

Resistance to nucleoside analogs of selective mutants of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 reverse transcriptase.

We have studied selected mutants of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) reverse transcriptase (RT) in a cell-free system in order to assess whether the mutant proteins exhibit a reduction in the sensitivity to nucleoside analog inhibitors similar to that of HIV-1 RT. We have modified, by site-directed mutagenesis, several of those amino acid residues so that their equivalent substitutions in HIV-1 RT have led to the formation of HIV-1 RT variants with the highest degree of resistance to dideoxynucleoside triphosphates (i.e., Glu-89-->Gly, Leu-74-->Val, and Ser-215-->Tyr [which is comparable to the Thr-215-->Tyr mutation of HIV-1 RT] and the double mutations Glu-89-->Gly/Ser-215-->Tyr and and Leu-74-->Val/Ser-215-->Tyr). The similarity found between resistance of the newly generated HIV-2 RT mutants to nucleoside analogs and that of the comparable mutants of HIV-1 RT can support the notion that the overall protein folding around the DNA polymerase active site in HIV-2 RT is quite similar to that of HIV-1 RT.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1994

Interaction of the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 with DNA.

During DNA synthesis, the binding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase (RT) to the template-primer precedes its binding to nucleotide triphosphates. The interaction of oligonucleotide DNA with HIV-1 RT was investigated by using a gel retardation assay. Both homodimeric (p66/p66) and heterodimeric (p66/p51) isoforms of HIV-1 RT were capable of binding the DNA oligomers. Thus, all further studies on the interaction of HIV-1 RT with DNA were done with heterodimeric RT. We have studied the conditions for optimal binding. The formation of the RT-DNA complex was primer-independent, and the extent of DNA binding was indistinguishable for both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA (either blunt-ended or recessed). The DNA binding activity of the RT was found to be dependent on oligonucleotide length. HIV-1 RT binds DNA with no apparent sequence specificity. Hence, this enzyme belongs to the sequence nonspecific DNA binding proteins. The interaction was found to be independent of DNA synthesis. The formation of the RT-DNA complex was not influenced by the presence of either template-complementary or noncomplementary dNTPs, indicating that neither DNA polymerization nor binding of the RT to the dNTP affects the stability of the complex. The gel retardation assay was utilized to examine also the effect of various HIV-1 RT inhibitors (i.e., AZT-TP, ddTTP, TIBO, and 3,5,8-trihydroxy-4-quinolone) on the enzyme-DNA interaction. The results indicate differences in the modes of action of these compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed1994

Inhibition of reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and chimeric enzymes of human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 by two novel non-nucleoside inhibitors.

We have studied the effects of two non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI), nitrophenyl phenyl sulfone (NPPS) and a potent derivative of oxathiin carboxanilide (UC-38), on enzymatically active molecular chimeras composed of complementary segments of the reverse transcriptases (RTs) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and -2 (HIV-2). The substances inhibit only the DNA polymerase activity of HIV-1 RT with no effect on HIV-2 RT. The results suggest that there is a protein segment located between residues 158 and 190 that is critical for the inhibition by both compounds. However, there is probably a second segment that resides between residues 192 and 202, as in the case of NPPS, or residues 203 and 224, as in the case of UC-38, that is also crucial for the sensitivity of HIV-1 RT to both inhibitors.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed1994

Synthesis of naphthalenesulfonic acid small molecules as selective inhibitors of the DNA polymerase and ribonuclease H activities of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Over 25 selected naphthalenesulfonic acid derivatives were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on two different functional domains of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), namely the ribonuclease H and DNA polymerase activities. Most of the analogues were found to be either specific toward the DNA polymerase activity or showed nonselective inhibition of both catalytic functions. The most active compounds are either symmetrical derivatives or nonsymmetrical derivatives containing a lipophilic appendage consisting of a palmitoyl or cholesteryl moiety. The six most active compounds in the preliminary screen, derivatives 6, 16, 17, 23, 26, and 27, were subjected to experiments to determine their 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the assays that measure RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP), DNA-dependent DNA polymerase (DDDP), and ribonuclease H (RNase H) functions of HIV-1 RT. The most potent derivative was a nonsymmetric cholesterol-linked 4-amino-5-hydroxy-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid analogue, compound 23, which demonstrated an IC50 value of 0.06 microM for inhibiting RDDP activity. Inhibition of DDDP and RNase H activity for this compound was demonstrated at concentrations that were over 100-fold of that for inhibiting RDDP activity. However, the potency of this active compound does not correlate in the whole virus assay, probably due to a lack of cellular entry. The cholesterol derivative, 23, also possesses HIV-1 protease inhibitory activity and belongs to a unique class of multifunctional HIV-1 inhibitors.

Cholesterol↗

PubMed1994

The catalytic properties of the reverse transcriptase of the lentivirus equine infectious anemia virus.

The reverse transcriptase (RT) of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) shares sequence similarity with the RTs of other lentiviruses, particularly with the RTs of human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2, respectively), the causative agents of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There is a 41-42% sequence identity between EIAV RT and both HIV RTs (which have 61% sequence identity to each other). We have compared the enzymic properties of EIAV RT with those of HIV-1 RT. Several aspects of the activities of EIAV RT differ from the corresponding activities of HIV-1 RT. There are significant differences in the inhibition of the DNA polymerase activities by the deoxynucleoside triphosphate analogs, 3'-azido-2,3'-dideoxythymidine triphosphate, dideoxyTTP and dideoxyGTP and by the nonnucleoside inhibitor, tetrahydroimidazo[4,5,1-jk-1,4]benzodiazepin-2-(1H)-one and thione; in the dependence of DNA polymerase and RNase H activities on pH; in the inhibition of the DNA polymerase activities by the thiol-specific reagent N-ethylmaleimide; in the specific DNA polymerase activity; in the inhibition of the ribonuclease H activity by the zinc chelator orthophenanthroline. However, there are several cases in which EIAV RT and HIV-1 RT are more similar than was previously found for HIV-1 RT and HIV-2 RT. These include the Km values for the DNA polymerase activities, the heat stability of the DNA polymerase functions and the specific activity of the RNase H function.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed1994

3,5,8-Trihydroxy-4-quinolone, a novel natural inhibitor of the reverse transcriptases of human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 and type 2.

The natural product of the Red Sea sponge Verongia sp., identified as 3,5,8-trihydroxy-4-quinolone, was found to be a potent inhibitor of the RNA-directed DNA synthesis of the reverse transcriptases (RTs) of human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 and type 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2, respectively). This inhibition was unaffected by the nature of the primer template used for DNA synthesis. The DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity was inhibited to a lesser extent, whereas the ribonuclease H (RNase H) function associated with both HIV RTs was only slightly inhibited. The inhibition by the trihydroxyquinolone is reversible and noncompetitive with respect to both substrates--dTTP and the template primer poly(rA)n.oligo(dT)12-18. The inhibitor binds HIV-1 RT with a high affinity (Ki = 0.46 microM). This compound was shown also to inhibit the catalytic activities of the RT of murine leukemia virus, establishing the general inhibitory effect on retroviral RTs. Introductions of acetyl or methoxy moieties at positions with potential activity have generated three synthetic analogs of the natural compound. Only one analog, 5,8-dimethoxy-4-quinolone, exhibited an inhibition potency similar to that of the unmodified compound. Analysis of the three analogs has led us to the conclusion that the hydroxyl group at the ortho position to the carbonyl group in the pyridinone ring is a key structural element for the inhibitory activity. Thus, it could well be that the inhibitor interacts with the enzyme through a hydrogen bond of this hydroxyl group. We hope that the identification of the inhibitory site of the compound might be an important step toward the rational design of new potent anti-HIV RT drugs.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Enzymatic properties of two mutants of reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (tyrosine 181-->isoleucine and tyrosine 188-->leucine), resistant to nonnucleoside inhibitors.

A number of structurally diverse compounds have been shown to be potent inhibitors of the DNA polymerase activity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT). The compounds can be grouped into two broad classes: nucleoside analogs and nonnucleoside inhibitors. The nonnucleoside inhibitors are quite specific for the polymerase activity of HIV-1 RT; they do not affect the polymerase activity of HIV-2 RT or the ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity of either HIV-1 RT or HIV-2 RT. Structural, biochemical, and genetic analyses showed that this group of inhibitors binds in a hydrophobic pocket near the polymerase active site. Mutations in amino acids that line this hydrophobic pocket, for example at tyrosine 181, tyrosine 188, or lysine 103, lead to enzymes that are resistant to the nonnucleoside inhibitors. We have investigated the enzymatic properties of two mutants of HIV-1 RT in which residues 181 and 188 were replaced by the corresponding amino acids in HIV-2 RT (tyrosine 181-->isoleucine and tyrosine 188-->leucine). The two tyrosine mutants closely resemble the wild-type HIV-1 RT in almost all the catalytic functions tested, including the heat stability, sensitivity of the DNA polymerase activity to inhibition by deoxynucleoside analogs, inhibition by the zinc chelator o-phenanthroline, and the Km values calculated for the DNA polymerase activity. There is, however, a slight difference in the effect of orthophenanthroline on the RNase H activity. In addition, there is a subtle disparity in the fidelity of DNA synthesis (analyzed by a mispair extension assay), thus indicating that these mutant RTs are not likely to confer any selective advantages or disadvantages to the variant virions over wild-type virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Expression and mutational analysis of the reverse transcriptase of the lentivirus equine infectious anemia virus.

The reverse transcriptase of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) shows sequence similarity with the reverse transcriptases of other lentiviruses, particularly with those of human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2). We have constructed a plasmid that when introduced into E. coli induces the synthesis of substantial quantities of the nearly authentic EIAV reverse transcriptase. The viral and bacterially expressed reverse transcriptases are similar in their molecular weights. The bacterial expression clone was used to generate deletion mutants of the protein. Mutations in both amino and carboxyl terminal regions of the polypeptide strongly affect the DNA polymerase activity of the enzyme. Thus, EIAV reverse transcriptase resembles the reverse transcriptases of HIV-1 and HIV-2 and can serve as a suitable enzyme for studying the structure-function relationship in lentiviral reverse transcriptase.

Cloning, Molecular↗

PubMed1993

Fidelity of DNA synthesis exhibited in vitro by the reverse transcriptase of the lentivirus equine infectious anemia virus.

The lentivirus equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) shows high genetic variations. To gain insight into the relative contribution of the reverse transcription process to the EIAV mutation rate, the accuracy of DNA synthesis catalyzed in vitro by the reverse transcriptase (RT) of EIAV was determined. Since the RT of EIAV shows a relatively high sequence homology with other lentiviral RTs, most notable being the RTs of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIVs), type 1 and type 2, it was of interest to study the fidelity of EIAV RT as part of an investigation of the structure-function relationship in lentiviral RTs. Like other RTs, EIAV RT was found to lack a 3'-->5' exonuclease activity. The fidelity of EIAV RT was analyzed by studying two distinct steps that lead to base substitution mutations: nucleotide misinsertions and elongation from 3'-terminal DNA mispairs. Analysis of misincorporation rates opposite the template adenine residue in native phi x174am3 DNA showed that EIAV RT catalyzes nucleotide mismatches with a specificity of A:C >> A:G > A:A. Interestingly, the same order of specificity was also detected during mispair extension with three templates tested (i.e., phi x174am3 DNA, rRNA, and synthetic oligo DNA). The mispair extension efficiency and mispair formation appear to be affected mainly by the increase in apparent Km values, rather than by the change in Vmax values. Furthermore, EIAV RT exhibits similar mispair extension efficiencies with both RNA and DNA templates with identical surrounding sequences. However, dissimilarities were detected in mispair extension frequencies with two DNAs which have different sequences, thus emphasizing the importance of the sequences copied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacteriophage phi X 174↗

PubMed1993

The interaction of illimaquinone, a selective inhibitor of the RNase H activity, with the reverse transcriptases of human immunodeficiency and murine leukemia retroviruses.

Illimaquinone, a natural marine product, was shown by us to inhibit preferentially the ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity of the reverse transcriptase (RT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We have also shown that illimaquinone inhibits the RNase H activity of HIV-2 RT in addition to that of HIV-1 RT, murine leukemia virus RT, and Escherichia coli RNase H. Chemical modifications of HIV-1 RT by sulfhydryl-specific reagents, such as N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) have been demonstrated to specifically inhibit the RNase H activity of the enzyme. Since our previous studies have suggested that cysteine 280 in HIV-1 RT interacts with the sulfhydryl reagents, we have examined the possibility that illimaquinone interacts with the RT molecules via amino acid residues located in the vicinity of cysteine 280 in both HIV-1 and HIV-2 RTs. In the combined effect studies of illimaquinone and NEM, the two structurally unrelated compounds were shown to be mutually exclusive, exhibiting an antagonistic interaction with both HIV-1 and murine leukemia virus-associated RNase H activities. This implicates cysteine 280, in both HIV-1 and HIV-2 RTs, to be in close proximity to the putative binding site of the enzyme to illimaquinone. The above conclusion is further supported by the fact that the RNase H activity of an enzymatically active mutant of HIV-1 RT, in which cysteine 280 was replaced by serine, was substantially more resistant to illimaquinone than the corresponding activity of the wild-type enzyme. The fact that NEM failed to inhibit E. coli RNase H as opposed to illimaquinone highlights a major difference between the retroviral and bacterial RNase H.

Cloning, Molecular↗

PubMed1993

The fidelity of the reverse transcriptases of human immunodeficiency viruses and murine leukemia virus, exhibited by the mispair extension frequencies, is sequence dependent and enzyme related.

Sequence variations in HIV-1 and HIV-2 probably result in part from inaccurate DNA synthesis by viral reverse transcriptases (RTs). We have studied in vitro the fidelity of both the DNA- and RNA-dependent DNA polymerization functions of the two HIV RTs, as compared to that of murine leukemia virus (MLV) RT. The two HIV RTs were less accurate than MLV RT. The mispair extension frequencies observed previously with ribosomal RNA (rRNA) template were higher than those detected with phi X174am3 DNA template with all three RTs. In the current study we have investigated whether the nature of the copied nucleic acid (RNA vs. DNA) or the template nucleotide sequences affect the accuracy of DNA synthesis. We have analyzed the fidelity of DNA synthesis with DNA sequences identical to those of the rRNA sequences previously employed for reverse transcription. The results indicate that the fidelity of DNA synthesis depends mainly on the nucleotide sequences copied by every given RT. Yet, fidelity of DNA synthesis depends not only on the sequences copied but also on the nature of the enzymes per se. It is possible that these factors are major contributors to the high mutation rates of the two human immunodeficiency viruses.

Bacteriophage phi X 174↗

PubMed1993

Hexaprenoid hydroquinones, novel inhibitors of the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) in the organic extract of the Red Sea sponge Toxiclona toxius was traced by us to five novel natural compounds, namely toxiusol [1], shaagrockol B [3], shaagrockol C [4], toxicol A [6], all of which are sulfated hexaprenoid hydroquinones, and toxicol B [7], the p-hydroquinone derivative of compound 6. The hydrolysis of the two sulfated compounds 1 and 4 yielded the corresponding hydroquinones designated as compounds 2 and 5, and further oxidation of compound 7 afforded the corresponding p-quinone derivative, compound 8. All compounds exhibited inhibitory activity of both DNA polymerizing functions of HIV-1 RT but failed to inhibit the RT-associated ribonuclease H activity. Toxiusol [1] was found to be the most potent inhibitor of the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase function (with 50% inhibition obtained at 1.5 microM and 95% inhibition at 4.6 microM), whereas the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase was significantly less sensitive to the inhibitor (with 50% inhibition achieved at 6.6 microM and 95% inhibition only at 41.6 microM). The fact that compound 1 discriminates between the two DNA polymerase activities of the RT offers new prospects for developing potent and highly specific anti-RT compounds, since the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity of RT is the only unique function that is not expressed at significant levels in uninfected mammalian cells.

Animals↗