HIV-1 LTR G-quadruplex targeting by selective and activable "alkylating/cleaving" small molecules: a conceptually innovative antiviral approach

Sara Richter of the University of Padua in Italy will develop a therapeutic to completely clear HIV from the body by targeting a proviral DNA structural motif found in both actively and latently infected host cells. In Phase I they analyzed a highly conserved DNA structural motif of four guanine nucleotides (G-4) found in the integrated HIV-1 proviral DNA and found that it regulates proviral transcription and is likely involved in latent infection. In Phase II, they will screen for small compounds that can selectively bind and damage these HIV G-4 structures with the aim to be able to selectively and fully eradicate HIV infection.