A dynamic target-based pharmacophoric model mapping the CD4 binding site on HIV-1 gp120 to identify new inhibitors of gp120-CD4 protein-protein interactions

A dynamic target-based pharmacophoric model mapping the CD4 binding site on HIV-1 gp120 was built and used to identify new hits able to inhibit gp120-CD4 protein-protein interactions. Two compounds showed micromolar inhibition of HIV-1 replication in cells attributable to an interference with the entry step of infection, by direct interaction with gp120. Inactivity of compounds toward a M475I strain suggested specific contacts with the Phe43 cavity of gp120. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.