HIV-1 gp120 as a therapeutic target: navigating a moving labyrinth

Introduction: The HIV-1 gp120 envelope (Env) glycoprotein mediates attachment of virus to human target cells that display requisite receptors, CD4 and co-receptor, generally CCR5. Despite high-affinity interactions with host receptors and proof-of-principle by the drug maraviroc that interference with CCR5 provides therapeutic benefit, no licensed drug currently targets gp120.

Areas covered: An overview of the role of gp120 in HIV-1 entry and of sites of potential gp120 vulnerability to therapeutic inhibition is presented. Viral defenses that protect these sites and turn gp120 into a moving labyrinth are discussed together with strategies for circumventing these defenses to allow therapeutic targeting of gp120 sites of vulnerability.

Expert opinion: The gp120 envelope glycoprotein interacts with host proteins through multiple interfaces and has conserved structural features at these interaction sites. In spite of this, targeting gp120 for therapeutic purposes is challenging. Env mechanisms that have evolved to evade the humoral immune response also shield it from potential therapeutics. Nevertheless, substantial progress has been made in understanding HIV-1 gp120 structure and its interactions with host receptors, and in developing therapeutic leads that potently neutralize diverse HIV-1 strains. Synergies between advances in understanding, needs for therapeutics against novel viral targets and characteristics of breadth and potency for a number of gp120-targetting lead molecules bodes well for gp120 as a HIV-1 therapeutic target.     

一个新的HIV-1治疗靶点-Rev蛋白

目的 研究治疗AIDS的创新药物-Rev蛋白抑制剂体外抗HIV感染作用及其作用机制。方法Rev是HIV-1病毒进行复制的一个十分重要的蛋白质。Rev的生物学功能决定它是一个理想的开发抗AIDS药物的靶蛋白。本研究以S-Pombe酵母菌株为模型建立HIV载量测定方法用于筛选Rev蛋白抑制剂，并应用分子生物探针等方法在分子生物学和生物化学水平解析其抑制Rev蛋白质传送的作用机理和活性部位。结果 1‘-乙酰氧基胡椒酚乙酸酯在1mμg/ml的浓度下完全阻止S.Pombe酶母的融合蛋白从细胞核向细胞质的传送，在2mμM的浓度下对HIV增殖(p24产生量)的抑制率为85％，且不显示任何细胞毒性，其分子式为C33H14O4，分子量为234．25，具有抗HIV感染活性的1‘-乙酰氧基胡椒酚乙酸酯为S构型，活性部位为1-acetoxy-2-ene。结论 1‘-乙酰氧基胡椒酚乙酸酯作为Rev蛋白抑制剂抗HIV感染治疗艾滋病新战略创新药物的研究开发具有深远的意义。     

Cyclin-dependent kinases as therapeutic targets for HIV-1 infection

Introduction: A number of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) mediate key steps in the HIV-1 replication cycle and therefore have potential to serve as therapeutic targets for HIV-1 infection, especially in HIV-1 cure strategies. Current HIV-1 cure strategies involve the development of small molecules that are able to activate HIV-1 from latent infection, thereby allowing the immune system to recognize and clear infected cells.

Areas covered: The role of seven CDK family members in the HIV-1 replication cycle is reviewed, with a focus on CDK9, as the mechanism whereby the viral Tat protein utilizes CDK9 to enhance viral replication is known in considerable detail.

Expert opinion: Given the essential roles of CDKs in cellular proliferation and gene expression, small molecules that inhibit CDKs are unlikely to be feasible therapeutics for HIV-1 infection. However, small molecules that activate CDK9 and other select CDKs such as CDK11 have potential to reactivate latent HIV-1 and contribute to a functional cure of infection.     

Ras as a therapeutic target in hematologic malignancies

The RAS gene product is normally a membrane-localized G protein (N-Ras, K-Ras and H-Ras) of 21 kDa classically described as a molecular off/on switch. It is inactive when bound to guanosine diphosphate and active when bound to GTP. When mutated, the gene produces an abnormal protein resistant to GTP hydrolysis by GTPase, resulting in a constitutively active GTP-bound protein that stimulates a critical network of signal transduction pathways that lead to cellular proliferation, survival and differentiation. At least three downstream effector pathways have been described, including Raf/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT and RalGDS, but they are not completely understood. Ras pathways are also important downstream effectors of several receptor tyrosine kinases localized in the cell membrane, most notably the BCR-ABL fusion protein seen in patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia. An important consideration in designing strategies to block Ras stimulatory effect is that Ras proteins are synthesized in the cytosol, but require post-translational modifications and attachment to anchor proteins or membrane binding sites in the cell membrane to be biologically active. Farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs) are probably the best-studied class of Ras inhibitors in hematologic malignancies. They block the enzyme farnesyl-transferase (FTase), which is essential for post-translational modification. However, it has been observed that the Ras proteins also can be geranylgeranylated in the presence of FTIs, thus allowing membrane localization and activation, which limits their effectiveness. It is now hypothesized that their mechanism of action may be through FTase inhibition involving other signal transduction pathways. S-trans, trans-farnesylthiosalicylic acid, which was first designed as a prenylated protein methyltransferase inhibitor, has shown in vitro activity against all activated Ras proteins by dislodging them from their membrane-anchoring sites. Here, Ras biology, its signaling pathways and its implications as a therapeutic target in hematologic malignancies are reviewed.     

The status of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 as a therapeutic target

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the major physiological inhibitor of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). An increase in the plasma concentration of PAI-1 has been proposed as a risk factor in thrombotic disease and elevated PAI-1 is associated with a poor prognosis in a variety of cancers. These observations have led to numerous studies addressing the physiological and pathophysiological role of PAI-1 and to the proposal that manipulation of PAI-1 activity presents a new therapeutic target. Recent experimental studies with anti-PAI-1 antibodies and low molecular weight inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in both arterial and venous thrombosis models. These studies have confirmed the potential clinical benefit of reducing PAI-1 activity. As it is now possible to manipulate PAI-1 activity in vivo, future studies should be aimed at confirming the importance of PAI-1 as a major therapeutic target.     

Akt as a therapeutic target in cancer

Background: The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is central in the transmission of growth regulatory signals originating from cell surface receptors. Objective: This review discusses how mutations occur that result in elevated expression the PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway and lead to malignant transformation, and how effective targeting of this pathway may result in suppression of abnormal growth of cancer cells. Methods: We searched the literature for articles which dealt with altered expression of this pathway in various cancers including: hematopoietic, melanoma, non-small cell lung, pancreatic, endometrial and ovarian, breast, prostate and hepatocellular. Results/conclusions: The PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway is frequently aberrantly regulated in various cancers and targeting this pathway with small molecule inhibitors and may result in novel, more effective anticancer therapies.     

HIV-1蛋白酶抑制剂的研究新进展

HIV-1蛋白酶抑制剂（PI）是一类重要的抗HIV/AIDS药物。近年来，药物化学家们从大量化合物中筛选出一些具有抑制HIV-1蛋白酶活性的非核苷的拟肽类化合物。尤其是近2-3年，FDA陆续批准了多种HIV-1 PI进入临床后，艾滋病治疗出现了很大进燕尾服。HIV-1 PI与HIV-1逆转录酶抑制剂的联合应用，大大降低了病毒在体内的复制水平，提高了抗病毒效能。HIV-1 PI多为拟肽类化合物。本文就HIV-1 PI的研究进展作一综述。     

Potential of transglutaminase 2 as a therapeutic target

Importance of the field: Increased expression and activity of transglutaminase 2 – a calcium-dependent enzyme which catalyzes protein cross-linking, polyamination or deamidation at selective glutamine residues – are involved in the etiopathogenesis of several pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases. Inhibition of enzyme activity has potential for therapeutic management of these diseases.

Areas covered in this review: The major results achieved in the last twelve years of research in the field of inhibition of tranglutaminase activity using cell cultures as well as in vivo models of high-social-impact or widespread diseases, such as CNS neurodegenerative disorders, celiac sprue, cancer and fibrotic diseases.

What the reader will gain: Beneficial effects of enzyme activity inhibition have been observed in neurodegeneration and fibrosis in vivo models by delivery of the competitive inhibitor cystamine and more recently designed inhibitors, such as thiomidaziolium or norleucine derivatives, which irreversibly bind the active site cysteine residue. Transglutaminase 2 targeting with specific antibodies has also been shown to be a promising tool for celiac disease treatment.

Take home message: New insights from transglutaminase inhibition studies dealing with side effects of in vivo administration of pan-transglutaminase inhibitors will help in design of novel therapeutic approaches to various diseases.     

Disubstituted Bis-THF Moieties as New P2 Ligands in Nonpeptidal HIV-1 Protease Inhibitors

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The potential of heparanase as a therapeutic target in cancer

Heparanase has generated substantial interest as therapeutic target for antitumor therapy, because its activity is implicated in malignant behavior of cancer cells and in tumor progression. Increased heparanase expression was found in numerous tumor types and correlates with poor prognosis. Heparanase, an endoglucuronidase responsible for heparan sulfate cleavage, regulates the structure and function of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, leading to disassembly of the extracellular matrix. The action of heparanase is involved in multiple regulatory events related, among other effects, to augmented bioavailability of growth factors and cytokines. Inhibitors of heparanase suppress tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis by modulating growth factor-mediated signaling, ECM barrier function and cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, targeting heparanase has potential implications for anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory therapies. Current approaches for heparanase inhibition include development of chemically modified heparins, small molecule inhibitors and neutralizing antibodies. The available evidence supports the emerging utility of heparanase inhibition as a promising antitumor strategy, specifically in rational combination with other agents. The recent studies with compounds designed to block heparanase (e.g., modified heparins) provide a rational basis for their therapeutic application and optimization.     

Bruton's tyrosine kinase as a new therapeutic target

Targeting Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) with a small molecule inhibitor may be useful in treatment of BTK-expressing malignancies because of the anti-apoptotic function of BTK in cancer cells. Furthermore, BTK inhibitors also exhibit anti-thrombotic properties that may be desirable in the context of the increased risk of thromboembolic complications in cancer patients. This review will focus on the role of BTK in drug resistance in cancer, thromboembolism, and various pathologic immune responses, such as graft versus host disease. The therapeutic potential of targeting BTK is illustrated by discussion of the biologic activity profile of the rationally designed BTK inhibitor LFM-A13.     

作用于HIV gp120的进入抑制剂研究进展

HIV-1病毒为包膜病毒,其感染靶细胞的第一步是由HIV包膜蛋白表面亚基gp120与靶细胞上的CD4分子和辅助受体（趋化因子受体CCR5或CXCR4等）结合,导致gp41的构型发生改变,启动病毒包膜与靶细胞膜的融合。与gp120相结合的一些抗体、蛋白、多糖、多肽和小分子化合物,都可能影响HIV-1病毒包膜和靶细胞膜融合的过程,从而起到抗HIV-1病毒的作用。该文对近年来以HIV gp120为靶点的HIV进入抑制剂的研究进展进行综述。     

PSGL-1 as a novel therapeutic target

The first events of leukocyte recruitment into the tissues are leukocyte tethering (capture) and rolling along the vessel wall, which are mediated primarily by selectins. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is a dimeric, mucin-type glycoprotein ligand expressed by all leukocytes and is a ligand for E-, P- and L-selectin. Quantitative and qualitative differences in the expression, affinity binding to the selectins and glycosylation of PSGL-1 between leukocyte subtypes suggest that potential PSGL-1 blockade should not have broad negative consequences in physiology and host defense. PSGL-1 has a well-documented role in organ targeting during inflammation in animal models, and inhibition of PSGL-1, though challenging, represents an attractive basis for antiinflammatory strategies. The consistent number of studies accumulated in the last 10 years since PSGL-1 was first characterized should induce us to ask whether we should put more effort into developing new drugs aimed to target more effectively PSGL-1 function in human diseases.     

The potential utility of PFKFB3 as a therapeutic target

Introduction: It has been known for over half a century that tumors exhibit an increased demand for nutrients to fuel their rapid proliferation. Interest in targeting cancer metabolism to treat the disease has been renewed in recent years with the discovery that many cancer-related pathways have a profound effect on metabolism. Considering the recent increase in our understanding of cancer metabolism and the enzymes and pathways involved, the question arises as to whether metabolism is cancer’s Achilles heel.

Areas covered: This review summarizes the role of 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) in glycolysis, cell proliferation, and tumor growth, discussing PFKFB3 gene and isoenzyme regulation and the changes that occur in cancer and inflammatory diseases. Pharmacological options currently available for selective PFKFB3 inhibition are also reviewed.

Expert opinion: PFKFB3 plays an important role in sustaining the development and progression of cancer and might represent an attractive target for therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, clinical trials are needed to follow up on the promising results from preclinical studies with PFKFB3 inhibitors. Combination therapies with PFKFB3 inhibitors, chemotherapeutic drugs, or radiotherapy might improve the efficacy of cancer treatments targeting PFKFB3.     

Inhibition of HIV-2 protease by HIV-1 protease inhibitors in clinical use

Over the past 10 years, protease inhibitors have been a key component in antiretroviral therapies for HIV/AIDS. While the vast majority of HIV/AIDS cases in the world are due to HIV-1, HIV-2 infection must also be addressed. HIV-2 is endemic to Western Africa, and has also appeared in European countries such as Portugal, Spain, and Estonia. Current protease inhibitors have not been optimized for treatment of HIV-2 infection; therefore, it is important to assess the effectiveness of currently FDA-approved protease inhibitors against the HIV-2 protease, which shares only 50% sequence identity with the HIV-1 protease. Kinetic inhibition assays were performed to measure the inhibition constants (K(i)) of the HIV-1 protease inhibitors indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir, amprenavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, tipranavir, and darunavir against the HIV-2 protease. Lopinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir, and darunavir exhibit the highest potency with K(i) values of 0.7, 0.6, 0.45, and 0.17 nm, respectively. These K(i) values are 84, 2, 24, and 17 times weaker than the corresponding values against the HIV-1 protease. In general, inhibitors show K(i) ratios ranging between 2 and 80 for the HIV-2 and HIV-1 proteases. The relative drop in potency is proportional to the affinity of the inhibitor against the HIV-1 protease and is related to specific structural characteristics of the inhibitors. In particular, the potency drop is high when the maximum cap size of the inhibitors consists of very few atoms. Caps are groups located at the periphery of the molecule that are added to core structures to increase the specificity of the inhibitor to its target. The caps positioned on the HIV-1 protease inhibitors affect selectivity through interactions with distinct regions of the binding pocket. The flexibility and adaptability imparted by the higher number of rotatable bonds in large caps enables an inhibitor to accommodate changes in binding pocket geometry between HIV-1 and HIV-2 protease.