Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase activity by rubromycins: competitive interaction at the template.primer site.

Rubromycins, a class of quinone antibacterials, were discovered to selectively inhibit human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) RNA-directed DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) (RT) activity more potently than cellular DNA polymerase alpha. beta- and gamma-rubromycin each inhibited equipotently HIV-1 RT and avian myeloblastosis virus RT, in a concentration-dependent manner, and were significantly weaker as inhibitors of calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha. These agents inhibited HIV-1 RT reversibly, were competitive with respect to template.primer, and were noncompetitive with respect to TTP. Dixon analyses yielded HIV RT Ki values of 0.27 +/- 0.014 and 0.13 +/- 0.012 microM for beta- and gamma-rubromycin, respectively. Similarly, using DNA polymerase alpha, the Ki values were 25.1 +/- 4.3 and 3.9 +/- 0.6 microM for beta- and gamma-rubromycin, respectively. Because these agents were toxic to noninfected human T lymphoid cells using concentrations at or above 6 microM, HIV-1 infectivity studies were carried out at 0.8-6 microM. At these concentrations, which are below the range expected to provide protection, no significant antiviral activity was observed. Although beta- and gamma-rubromycins did not possess sufficient HIV RT inhibitory potency or selectivity versus mammalian DNA polymerase to demonstrate antiviral activities, these studies support the hypothesis that specific molecules containing quinone functional groups can selectively inhibit viral polymerase activities over cellular polymerase activities. In addition, these studies suggest that rubromycins may be lead structures for the development of more potent and selective agents.