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Evidence of a butterfly-like configuration of structurally diverse allosteric inhibitors of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Although many physicochemical properties of chemically diverse nonnucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (NNRTIs) differ, there is a common three-dimensional feature. This shape is a rigid butterfly-like configuration which fits well into a sizable internal cavity of the allosteric area of the enzyme. The number of amino acids of the allosteric receptor sites that contribute to NNRTIs binding correlates with the degree of the butterfly-like shape. It seems that molecular rigidity of the butterfly-like shape, the drug affinity and the probability of resistance development are closely related.

Antiviral Agents↗

Analysis of amino insertion mutations in the fingers subdomain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

In response to dideoxy inosine/hydroxyurea dual therapy, HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type-1) variants were isolated that had a small amino acid insertion and flanking amino acid substitutions in the fingers subdomain of HIV-1. We have analyzed the reverse transcriptase variants for their effects on HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity. The data suggests that the inserted amino acid residues are responsible for low-level resistance to the nucleoside analog ddITP, while the role of the flanking amino acid substitutions is to compensate for the deleterious effects of the insertion.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Duck hepatitis B virus polymerase produced by in vitro transcription and translation possesses DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase activities.

Activities of the hepadnavirus polymerases are known to include those of DNA polymerase, reverse transcriptase and RNase H. To date, it has been difficult or impossible to clone and express the product as an active enzyme. In this study, full length capped RNA encoding Duck Hepatitis B Virus (DHBV) polymerase was produced by in vitro transcription from a T7 promoter. The RNA was translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system and produced an 35S-Methionine labelled 79 Kd band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The translation product showed DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase activities on exogenous templates (respectively) of DNA or RNA with random DNA hexamer primers. The same RNA transcripts were also microinjected into Xenopus oocytes, but appeared to be toxic and gave no detectable translation product. Production of hepadnavirus polymerase by in vitro transcription/translation may provide a useful tool for structure/function and pharmacological studies on this important group of polymerases.

Animals↗

Comparative analysis of routine histology, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization in diagnosis of Ewing family of tumors.

CONTEXT: The Ewing family of tumors are often difficult to distinguish from other malignant small round cell tumors, but more than 90% have EWS-FLI1 chimeric transcript, which acts as a potential molecular diagnostic marker. OBJECTIVE: To do a comparative analysis of 32 cases with EWS-FLI1: Ewing family of tumors (n = 30), desmoplastic small round cell tumor (n = 1), and undifferentiated sarcoma (n = 1). DESIGN: The initial diagnosis was made on core biopsy (n = 22) and open biopsy (n = 4) specimens by using morphology and immunohistochemistry and on fine-needle aspiration cytology ([FNAC], n = 6) specimens. EWS-FLI1 was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on all 32 fresh FNAC samples and by fluorescence in situ hybridization on 16 paraffin blocks. RESULTS: The 19 male and 13 female patients had bone (n = 19) or soft tissue (n = 13) tumors. Histologic groups were typical Ewing sarcoma (n = 15), atypical Ewing sarcoma (n = 4), Askin Rosai tumors (n = 5), desmoplastic small round cell tumor (n = 1), undifferentiated sarcoma (n = 1), and cases diagnosed as malignant small round cell tumors on FNAC (n = 6). All tumors except desmoplastic small round cell tumor and undifferentiated sarcoma were CD99 positive. EWS-FLI1 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was noted in 15 cases of typical Ewing sarcoma, 4 cases of atypical Ewing sarcoma, 5 cases of Askin Rosai tumor, and no cases of desmoplastic small round cell tumor or undifferentiated sarcoma. With use of fluorescence in situ hybridization, EWS break was detected in 10 of 11 paraffin blocks used and was negative in desmoplastic small round cell tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The excellent correlation of routine histologic findings in Ewing family of tumors with results on immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization on archival material and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on fresh FNAC specimens underscores that the traditional observation on routine histologic examination is a time-tested tool. The diagnosis of Ewing family of tumors can be validated on archival material or fresh biopsy samples, including those obtained by FNAC.

Adolescent↗

A series of diaryltriazines and diarylpyrimidines are highly potent nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors with possible applications as microbicides.

An in vitro model of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MO-DC) and CD4(+) T cells, representing the primary targets of sexual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, was used to evaluate the antiviral and immune suppressive activity of new classes of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, diaryltriazines (DATAs) and diarylpyrimidines (DAPYs), compared to the reference compounds UC-781 and PMPA. Antiviral activity (as reflected by the 50% effective concentration [EC(50)]) was determined by treating HIV-infected MO-DC/CD4(+)-T-cell cocultures with a dose range of a compound during 14 days, followed by analysis of supernatants in HIV p24 antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A limited, 24-h treatment evaluated the compounds as microbicides. Viral rescue was evaluated in a PCR by monitoring proviral DNA in secondary cultures with phytohemagglutinin-interleukin-2 blasts. We determined 50% immunosuppressive concentrations in mixed leukocyte cultures of MO-DC and allogeneic T cells, with compound either continuously present or present only during the first 24 h. The EC(50) values of DATA and DAPY compounds ranged from 0.05 to 3 nM compared to 50 nM for UC-781 and 89 nM for PMPA. When evaluated in the "microbicide" setting, the most potent compounds completely blocked HIV infection at 10 to 100 nM. The immunosuppressive concentrations were well above the EC(50), resulting in favorable therapeutic indices for all compounds tested. The DATA and DAPY compounds described here are more potent than earlier reverse transcriptase inhibitors and show favorable pharmacological profiles in vitro. They could strengthen the antiretroviral armamentarium and might be useful as microbicides.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Simple and rapid quantification of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors nevirapine, delavirdine, and efavirenz in human blood plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorbance detection.

A simple reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography assay for the simultaneous quantitative determination of three HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (nevirapine, delavirdine, and efavirenz) in human blood plasma is described. The method was validated over the range of 10 ng/ml to 50 microg/ml for nevirapine, 25 ng/ml to 25 microg/ml for delavirdine, and 10 ng/ml to 10 microg/ml for efavirenz. The method is accurate (average accuracies over eight concentrations ranging from 87.3 to 113%), and precise (within-day and between-day precision measures ranging from 0.12 to 7.9% and 0.26 to 5.9%, respectively). All three non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors proved to be stable under various conditions. Due to its simplicity, this assay can readily be used for investigational or clinical monitoring of plasma concentrations.

Alkynes↗

Characterization of the p68/p58 heterodimer of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 reverse transcriptase.

Recently we demonstrated that the p58 subunit of p68/p58 HIV-2 reverse transcriptase (RT) heterodimer, produced by processing of p68/p68 homodimer with recombinant HIV-2 protease, terminates at Met484 [Fan, N., et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 13573-13579]. Here we describe purification and characterization of the p68/p58 heterodimer of recombinant HIV-2 RT. It exhibited both RT and RNase H activities, obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and was competitively inhibited by the DNA chain terminator ddTTP (Ki[app] = 305 +/- 20 nM). The HIV-2 RT-associated RNase H exhibited a marked preference for RNA hydrolysis from a HIV-1 gag-based heteropolymeric RNA/DNA hybrid in the presence of either Mg2+ or Mn2+, compared to the [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT) or [3H]poly(rG).poly(dC) homopolymeric substrates. Relative to HIV-1 RT, the RNase H activity of HIV-2 RT was only 5% toward the [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT) in the presence of Mg2+. The size distribution of products generated from [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT) by HIV-2 RT-associated RNase H was markedly distinct from that of HIV-1 RT in the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+. The p68/p58 HIV-2 RT heterodimer, produced by specific cleavage using HIV-2 protease, should be useful for inhibition and biophysical studies aimed at discovering and designing drugs directed toward HIV-2.

Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗

Synthesis of phosphonated carbocyclic 2'-oxa-3'-aza-nucleosides: novel inhibitors of reverse transcriptase.

Phosphonated carbocyclic 2'-oxa-3'-aza-nucleosides have been synthesized in good yields by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methodology. The cytotoxicity and the reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity of the obtained compounds have been investigated. Phosphonated carbocyclic 2'-oxa-3'-aza-nucleosides, while showing low levels of cytotoxicity, exert a specific inhibitor activity on two different reverse transcriptases, which is comparable with that of AZT, opening new perspectives on their possible use as therapeutic agents, in anti-retroviral and anti-HBV chemotherapy.

Antiviral Agents↗

Mutations in the connection domain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase increase 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine resistance.

We previously proposed that a balance between nucleotide excision and template RNA degradation plays an important role in nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) resistance. To explore the predictions of this concept, we analyzed the role of patient-derived C-terminal domains of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) in NRTI resistance. We found that when the polymerase domain contained previously described thymidine analog resistance mutations, mutations in the connection domain increased resistance to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) from 11-fold to as much as 536-fold over wild-type RT. Mutational analysis showed that amino acid substitutions E312Q, G335C/D, N348I, A360I/V, V365I, and A376S were associated strongly with the observed increase in AZT resistance; several of these mutations also decreased RT template switching, suggesting that they alter the predicted balance between nucleotide excision and template RNA degradation. These results indicate that mutations in the C-terminal domain of RT significantly enhance clinical NRTI resistance and should be considered in genotypic and phenotypic drug resistance studies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Synergistic inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by combinations of chain-terminating nucleotides.

Synergistic inhibition of HIV replication in cell culture has been reported for many combinations of reverse transcriptase inhibitors. However, the biochemical basis underlying this interaction is in most cases unknown. It has been previously shown that combinations of L-697,661 or U-90152s with AZT or ddC synergistically inhibit HIV-1 replication in cell culture. The combination of AZT with ddC is also favorable with respect to the inhibition of viral replication. However, the corresponding combinations showed no synergy in inhibiting enzyme activity when tested on conventional polymerase assays using homo- or heteropolymeric RNA and DNA as template. Data obtained suggest that amplification of the effect of chain terminators, a consequence of the high potential number of termination sites present on the template, override the synergistic effect expected for the combination of two independent nucleotide analogs. When a saturating amount of enzyme over template:primer was used, and a single site on the template was available for each chain terminator, the combination of AZTTP and ddCTP synergistically inhibited enzyme activity, whereas, as expected, the combination of AZTTP and ddTTP behaved as merely additive. Under similar conditions the combination of U-90152s and AZTTP was also synergistic. These results suggest that synergy found in antiviral assays with combinations having nucleosidic inhibitors is not related to the synergistic inhibition of reverse transcriptase and might be due to the presence in the viral population of virus strains with different sensitivity to the inhibitors.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

In vitro activity of SPD754, a new deoxycytidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), against 215 HIV-1 isolates resistant to other NRTIs.

SPD754 (also known as AVX-754) is a deoxycytidine analogue nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) with antiretroviral activity against HIV-1 and HIV-2 in vitro and against recombinant viruses containing thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs). In order to better establish the activity of SPD754 against HIV-1 containing TAMs, twelve panels of up to twenty clinical isolates with defined TAM combinations were selected from the ViroLogic database. Phenotypic viral susceptibility to SPD754 and five other NRTIs was tested using the PhenoSense HIV assay and expressed as median fold-change compared with a reference strain. In total, 215 isolates were selected, representing four TAM patterns in both pathways by which TAMs accumulate clinically. The presence of five TAMs in the 41, 215 pathway, at codons 41, 67, 210, 215, and 219 of reverse transcriptase (RT), produced a median 1.8-fold reduction in SPD754 susceptibility, compared with fold reductions to zidovudine, lamivudine, abacavir, didanosine and tenofovir of 438, 4.8, 4.5, 1.4 and 3.6, respectively. Five TAMs in the 67, 70, 219 pathway (at codons 41, 67, 70, 215 and 219) reduced SPD754 susceptibility by a median 1.3-fold, compared with fold reductions for the aforementioned NRTIs of 108, 3.2, 3.0, 1.3 and 2.5, respectively. M184V addition reduced SPD754 susceptibility by 1.8-fold in the presence or absence of TAMs. SPD754 retains a substantial proportion of its antiviral activity against HIV-1 containing multiple TAMs, with or without the M184V mutation. These data suggest that SPD754 is a promising new NRTI for the treatment of NRTI-experienced HIV-infected patients.

Deoxycytidine↗

Mutations that confer resistance to template-analog inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 reverse transcriptase lead to severe defects in HIV replication.

We isolated two template analog reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor-resistant mutants of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 RT by using the DNA aptamer, RT1t49. The mutations associated, N255D or N265D, displayed low-level resistance to RT1t49, while high-level resistance could be observed when both mutations were present (Dbl). Molecular clones of HIV that contained the mutations produced replication-defective virions. All three RT mutants displayed severe processivity defects. Thus, while biochemical resistance to the DNA aptamer RT1t49 can be generated in vitro via multiple mutations, the overlap between the aptamer- and template-primer-binding pockets favors mutations that also affect the RT-template-primer interaction. Therefore, viruses with such mutations are replication defective. Potent inhibition and a built-in mechanism to render aptamer-resistant viruses replication defective make this an attractive class of inhibitors.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Reverse transcriptase and thymidine kinase as markers for tumorigenicity and viral contamination of cells.

Continuous monitoring of enzymes, particularly those involved in nucleic acid synthesis could be a useful means of detecting infections and abnormalities in cells in culture. Model systems using mouse (3T3), human (MRC-5) and chick embryo cells infected with RNA tumour viruses were studied. Reverse transcriptase activities were determined by the incorporation of (3H) nucleotides into synthetic primer-templates or into complementary DNA of endogenous RNA and characterised by their specificity for primer-templates dT12-18.rAn, dG12-18.rCn, dT12-18.DAn and dG10.rCmn, their requirements for metal ions and inhibition by antisera. Measurement of reverse transcriptase is a more sensitive method than the COFAL test for the detection of RAV infection of chick cells. Iododeoxyuridine, bromodeoxyuridine and dexamethasone, which can induce latent C viruses, have no effect on MRC-5 cells; no increases in reverse transcriptase were detected and no C particles were seen by electron microscopy. Solid tumours developed in immunosuppressed mice injected s/c with 3T3 and MRC-5 cells chronically infected with MLV but none formed after injection of cells or virus suspension alone. Thymidine kinase activities of WI-38 and MRC-5 cells are greatly increased by infection with CMV or transformation with SV40. Mammalian tumours and tumour cell lines also show a high specific activity of cytoplasmic thymidine kinase.

Cells, Cultured↗

Viral load outcome of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor regimens for 2203 mainly antiretroviral-experienced patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the factors associated with virologic response to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-containing regimens in a large clinic cohort. DESIGN: Inception cohort. SETTING: HIV clinics in Europe PATIENTS: We identified all patients in EuroSIDA who began a regimen including either nevirapine or efavirenz (not both) after July 1997 and for whom pre-therapy viral load and CD4 cell count were known. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Virological failure. RESULTS: A total of 1325 patients initiated nevirapine and 878 efavirenz. Respectively, median start dates were October 1998 and May 1999. Other factors at baseline, including CD4 cell count, viral load, previous AIDS, previous antiretroviral drug use and make-up of the NNRTI-containing regimen were all approximately similar between the nevirapine and efavirenz groups. A total of 669 patients experienced virological failure during follow-up. In a Cox model, less protease inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) previously used, higher CD4 nadir, lower viral load at baseline, a previous AIDS diagnosis and less NRTIs in the regimen were associated with lower risk of virological failure. The relative hazard of virological failure comparing those on efavirenz with those on nevirapine was 0.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.69; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in virologic outcome between those using nevirapine and efavirenz in this almost entirely drug-experienced population could reflect differences in effectiveness of the drugs in this setting but, despite the similarity between groups at baseline, bias cannot be excluded as an explanation. Replication of these findings in randomized trials and other cohort studies is required.

Adult↗

Evaluation of reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors in two-drug combinations against human immunodeficiency virus replication.

Current treatments for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) include both reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors. Results from in vitro and clinical studies suggest that combination therapy can be more effective than single drugs in reducing viral burden. To evaluate compounds for combination therapy, stavudine (d4T), didanosine (ddI), or BMS-186,318, an HIV protease inhibitor, were combined with other clinically relevant compounds and tested in a T-cell line (CEM-SS) that was infected with HIV-RF or in peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with a clinical HIV isolate. The combined drug effects were analyzed by the methods described by Chou and Talalay (Adv. Enzyme Regul. 22:27-55, 1984) as well as by Prichard et al. (Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 37:540-545, 1993). The results showed that combining two nucleoside analogs (d4T-ddI, d4T-zidovudine [AZT], and d4T-zalcitabine [ddC]), two HIV protease inhibitors (BMS-186,318-saquinavir, BMS-186,318-SC-52151, and BMS-186,318-MK-639) or a reverse transcriptase and a protease inhibitor (BMS-186,318-d4T, BMS-186,318-ddI, BMS-186,318-AZT, d4T-saquinavir, d4T-MK-639, and ddI-MK-639) yielded additive to synergistic antiviral effects. In general, analysis of data by either method gave consistent results. In addition, combined antiviral treatments involving nucleoside analogs gave slightly different outcomes in the two cell types, presumably because of a difference in phosphorylation patterns. Importantly, no strong antagonism was observed with the drug combinations studied. These data should provide useful information for the design of clinical trials of combined chemotherapy.

Cell Line↗

Phosphorylation of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine and preferential inhibition of human and simian immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptases by its 5'-triphosphate.

3'-Azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate was found to be a potent and highly selective inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and simian immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptases. The affinity of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate for the reverse transcriptases was similar to that observed for 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine-5'-triphosphate. Both compounds were competitive inhibitors with respect to the normal substrate dTTP and served at least 100 times better as substrates than did dTTP. In contrast, cellular DNA polymerase alpha showed an about 60-times-higher preference for dTTP as substrate than for either inhibitor. The phosphorylation of thymidine in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell extracts was inhibited in a competitive manner by both 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, with apparent inhibition constants of 290 and 3.4 microM, respectively. The Michaelis-Menten constant, Km, for thymidine was 7.0 microM. 3'-Azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine both served as substrates, with apparent Km values of 67 and 1.4 microM, respectively. The maximal rates of phosphorylation with 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine were 40 and 30%, respectively, of the rate with thymidine. The different affinities of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine for the thymidine kinase and the Km values observed with these compounds as substrates may explain the difference in effects on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells observed when equimolar concentrations of the two compounds are compared.

Cells, Cultured↗