Adrien Lugari,
Sebastian Breuer,
Thibault Coursindel,
Sandrine Opi,
Audrey Restouin,
Xiaoli Shi, Alexis Nazabal,
Bruce E Torbett,
Jean Martinez,
Yves Collette,
Isabelle Parrot,
Stefan T Arold,
Xavier Morelli
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ABSTRACT: The HIV-1 auxiliary protein Nef is required for the onset and progression of AIDS in HIV-1-infected persons. Here, we have deciphered the mode of action of a second-generation inhibitor of Nef, DLC27-14, presenting a competitive IC(50) of ∼16 μM measured by MALDI-TOF experiments. Thermal protein denaturation experiments revealed a negative effect on stability of Nef in the presence of a saturating concentration of the inhibitor. The destabilizing action of DLC27-14 was confirmed by a HIV protease-based experiment, in which the protease sensitivity of DLC27-14-bound Nef was three times as high as that of apo Nef. The only compatible docking modes of action for DLC27-14 suggest that DLC27-14 promotes an opening of two α-helices that would destabilize the Nef core domain. DLC27-14 thus acts as a specific protein disorder catalyzer that destabilizes the folded conformation of the protein. Our results open novel avenues toward the development of next-generation Nef inhibitors.
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 10/2011; 19(24):7401-6. · 2.82 Impact Factor
