University of Minnesota researchers have discovered a
first-of-its-kind series of compounds possessing anti-human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) activity. The compounds present a new target for potential HIV drug
development and future treatment options.
Complete findings are printed in today's issue of The
Journal of Virology.
The compounds, known as ribonucleoside analogs
8-azaadenosine, formycin A, 3-deazauridine, 5-fluorocytidine and 2’-C-methylcytidine,
were found to stop the replication and spread of HIV by blocking HIV DNA
synthesis or by inducing lethal mutagenesis. Lethal mutagenesis annihilates HIV
by causing it to mutate to the point of extinction.
The compound 3-deazauridine stopped HIV by creating so many
mutations in the virus that the virus was no longer able to spread throughout
the body by infecting other cells. The other compounds caused early termination
of HIV DNA synthesis, again preventing the virus from being able to reproduce. Studies prior to this one determined certain
ribonucleosides analogs impact HIV DNA synthesis, a process called reverse
transcription. The extent to which they worked was not previously known.