Design of inhibitors using a combinatorial library for HIV-Nef and human SH3 domain interaction

The HIV-1 Nef protein has the ability to down regulate important molecules at the immune synapse. These include class I and class II (Human Leukocyte Antigen) HLA on the Antigen Presenting Cells (APC). The receptors in these molecules consist of SH-3 domain and their interaction with the HIV-1 Nef is critical. Therefore, it is important to inhibit this HIV-Nef and human SH3 domain interaction. Thus, we used a combinatorial library to screen for molecules to inhibit this interaction. The exercise identified a group of top ranking compounds for further consideration.