Peptides in the treatment of AIDS

Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2009 Aug;19(4):473-82. doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2009.07.003. Epub 2009 Jul 23.

Abstract

Fusion of HIV-1 and target cells is mediated by the envelope protein gp41 that undergoes a series of conformational changes during the process of infection. Knowledge of the structural biology of gp41 allows the design of potent peptide inhibitors that prevent the virus from entering lymphocytes and macrophages. The design of such inhibitors is the subject of this review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Drug Design
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors
  • Peptides
  • Viral Envelope Proteins