Authors: De Souza, M.V.N.; Almeida, M.V.;
Source: Química Nova, v. 26, n.3, p. 366-373, 2003.
Publisher: Sociedade Brasileira de Química
Abstract
Currently available anti-HIV drugs can be classified into three categories: nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs). In addition to the reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease reaction, various other events in the HIV replicative cycle can be considered as potential targets for chemotherapeutic intervention: (1) viral adsorption, through binding to the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120; (2) viral entry, through blockage of the viral coreceptors CXCR4 and CCR5; (3) virus-cell fusion, through binding to the viral envelope glycoprotein gp 41; (4) viral assembly and disassembly through NCp7 zinc finger-targeted agents; (5) proviral DNA integration, through integrase inhibitors and (6) viral mRNA transcription, through inhibitors of the transcription (transactivation) process. Also, various new NRTIs, NNRTIs and PIs have been developed, possessing different improved characteristics.Keywords: AIDS; new Anti-HIV drugs; replicative cycle. Document Type: Review Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422003000300014 Publication date: 1 de Maio de 2003
