Aurin tricarboxylic acid, the anti-AIDS compound, prevents the binding of interferon-alpha to its receptor |
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| Authors: | Y X Gan J L Weaver P S Pine K C Zoon A Aszalos |
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| Affiliation: | Division of Cytokine Biology and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD. |
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| Abstract: | Binding of HIV to its receptor, the CD4 molecule of lymphocytes, can be prevented by chemical agents. These agents could be considered as potential anti-AIDS drugs. We have shown that aurin tricarboxylic acid (ATA, 3 microM) specifically blocks the binding of gp120, the HIV coat protein, to the CD4 molecule. We have also found that ATA prevents the binding of interferon-alpha to its receptor in a dose-dependent manner (12-50 microM range). Membrane potential shift, associated with binding of interferon-alpha to its receptor, was also blocked by ATA in a dose-dependent fashion. Our results indicate that potential anti-AIDS drugs should be screened for such undesired side effects. |
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