Research Progress of HIV-1 Nef Inhibitors
Yanhan Lv 1, Yuanxi Meng 1, Jiaqian Zhong 1, Junhui Wan 2, Wei Zou 3
1 The Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China; 2 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China; 3 Department of Infectious Diseases, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
*Correspondence: Jiaqian Zhong, Email not available
Abstract
HIV-1 infection poses a major threat to the public health worldwide. The antiretroviral agents that are currently used to treat HIV-1 infection target viral reverse transcriptase, integrase and protease, or block the fusion of viral envelop and cell membrane. Studies have shown that the HIV-1 encoded protein Nef plays an important role in the pathogenesis of viral infection. Nef ensures efficient counterattack against host immune responses as well as long-term evasion of immune surveillance. In addition, Nef, expressing at a high level early in the viral life cycle, is required for maintaining a high viral load in the persistent infection in vivo and for full pathologic potential. Therefore, Nef may be an excellent target to treat HIV-1 infection. In this manuscript, we reviewed five potential Nef inhibitors, namely, DLC27-14, tightly bound hydroxypyrazole HIV-1 Nef inhibitor B9, 2c-like inhibitors, N-(3-aminoquinoxalin-2-yl)-4-chlorobenzenesulfonamide and compound 1[(7-oxo-7H-benzo[anthracene]-3-yl)amino]anthraquinone, and their working mechanisms. These drugs may be further developed into new regimens for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
