Protein Target for Anti-Viral Drug Found

U.S. researchers say they have used small molecules containing platinum to inhibit proteins important in the development of HIV and cancer.

The researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center in Richmond, Va., say the findings may help researchers develop new drugs to fight HIV or cancer by selectively targeting proteins known as zinc fingers.

The scientists say a zinc finger protein, HIV NCp7, can be inhibited when exposed to a platinum complex, with the zinc portion of the molecule being ejected from the protein chain. That causes the protein to lose its tertiary structure or overall shape. For the molecules, shape is an important property that enables the protein to carry out certain biological functions.

The process — active site displacement — involved design of a platinum drug with higher affinity for the protein peptide backbone, thus eliminating the zinc from its active site.

The researchers say they believe if they can inhibit the action of the zinc finger protein, they can stop the spread of the virus.

The study appears in the journal Chemistry & Biology.