Compounds that bind to human immunodeficiency virus rev response element
AssigneeThe United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
InventorsYun-Xing Wang, Ping Yu
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Abstract
Compounds (such as peptides or peptide mimetics) that bind to HIV RRE RNA are provided. In some examples, the compounds inhibit (for example, decrease) binding of Rev to the RRE RNA. In some embodiments, the compounds include two moieties, each of which bind to one of the Rev binding sites in the RRE. In some examples, the moieties include peptides or small molecules. In some examples, the peptides include an arginine-rich motif. The RRE binding compounds may be further linked to a detectable label or cargo moiety. Also provided are methods of treating or inhibiting HIV including administering one or more of the RRE binding compounds to a subject.
Claims11
A compound comprising two covalently linked peptides, wherein the compound binds to a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Rev response element (RRE) RNA:
- wherein the RRE RNA comprises a first Rev binding site and a second Rev binding site and wherein the first peptide binds to the first Rev binding site and the second peptide binds to the second Rev binding site;
- and
- wherein the two peptides are joined by a linkage of about 30-80 Å;
- and
- wherein the first peptide binds to the first Rev binding site with an affinity of about 1 μM to 1 nM and the second peptide binds to the second Rev binding site with an affinity of about 1 mM to 1 μM;
- and
- wherein each of the peptides is 18 to 23 amino acids long, comprises 60-80% alpha-helical secondary structure, and comprises 40-60% arginine residues;
- and
- wherein the two peptides are directly or indirectly linked by a disulfide bond, a thioester bond, or a chemical crosslinker.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.