AEGiS-PRn: Hughes Institute: Scientists Develop Potent New Inhibitors of the AIDS Virus

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Hughes Institute: Scientists Develop Potent New Inhibitors of the AIDS Virus

PR Newswire; Friday July 10, 10:26 am EST

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- In an exciting new discovery scientists at the Hughes Institute have developed potent new inhibitors of the AIDS virus. Designated as S-DABO compounds, these novel drugs prevent the spread of HIV into healthy cells and stop HIV from growing inside the elements of the immune system. More specifically, the drugs paralyze the enzyme critical for the growth of the AIDS virus, known as reverse transcriptase (RT). This new breakthrough in the fight against AIDS is likely to stimulate new research since it describes how powerful anti-AIDS drugs can be prepared by taking advantage of a novel computer model anticipated to significantly facilitate drug discovery efforts against AIDS.

The new anti-AIDS drugs reported by Hughes Institute scientists were developed by applying state-of-the-art methods and tools from multiple scientific disciplines, including physics, mathematics, and chemistry to a rational drug design against the AIDS virus. The lead compound elicited potent anti-HIV activity and completely inhibited the replication of the AIDS virus in human lymphocytes. The treatment was not associated with any toxicity to human lymphocytes.

Hughes Institute scientists are now in a position to make many more potent anti-AIDS drugs using a computer model they established to predict with a degree of accuracy which drugs would be effective against the AIDS virus. The description of the design and synthesis of the potent anti-HIV drugs as well as the novel computer model for rational drug design against AIDS are being reported in this month's issue of the prestigious drug discovery and chemistry journal, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters.

Reference: Vig R, Mao C, Venkatachalam TK, Tuel-Ahlgren L, Sudbeck EA, Uckun FM. 5-Alkyl-2-((methylthiomethyl)thio)-6-(benzyl)-pyridmidin-4-(1H)-ones as potent non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors of S-DABO series. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 8(12):1461-1466, 1998.

SOURCE: Hughes Institute

980710
PR980706

Copyright © 1998 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.prnewswire.com.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1998. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .