Patent ID: 7504224
Filing Date: 2009-03-17
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K,C12N

Abstract:
1. A method of identifying a compound or molecule that binds a Five-Helix and inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of mammalian cells, wherein the compound or molecule to be assessed is referred to as a candidate inhibitor, comprising a) combining a candidate inhibitor and the Five-Helix wherein the Five-Helix includes three N-helices and two C-helices of the trimer of hairpin structure of HIV gp41, wherein the helices are separated by linkers, under conditions appropriate for binding of an inhibitor and the Five-Helix to occur and b) determining if binding occurs and if the candidate inhibitor that binds the Five-Helix inhibits HIV infection of mammalian cells, wherein if binding occurs and the candidate inhibitor inhibits HIV infection of mammalian cells, the candidate inhibitor is a compound or molecule that binds the Five-Helix and inhibits HIV infection of mammalian cells.