55270-04-7

Described herein are small-molecule mimics of CD4, which both enter the Phe43 cavity and target Asp368 of gpl20, the HIV-1 envelope protein. Also described herein are methods of using these compounds to inhibit the transmission or progression of HIV infection. These compounds exhibit antiviral potency greater than that of a known antiviral, NBD-556, with 100% breadth against clade B and C viruses. Importantly, the compounds do not activate HIV infection of CD4-negative, CCR5-positive cells, in contrast to NBD- 556.

The design, synthesis, thermodynamic and crystallographic characterization of a potent, broad spectrum, second-generation HIV-1 entry inhibitor that engages conserved carbonyl hydrogen bonds within gp120 has been achieved. The optimized antagonist exhibits a submicromolar binding affinity (110 nM) and inhibits viral entry of clade B and C viruses (IC50 geometric mean titer of 1.7 and 14.0 μM, respectively), without promoting CD4-independent viral entry. The thermodynamic signatures indicate a binding preference for the (R,R)- over the (S,S)-enantiomer. The crystal structure of the small-molecule/gp120 complex reveals the displacement of crystallographic water and the formation of a hydrogen bond with a backbone carbonyl of the bridging sheet. Thus, structure-based design and synthesis targeting the highly conserved and structurally characterized CD4-gp120 interface is an effective tactic to enhance the neutralization potency of small-molecule HIV-1 entry inhibitors.