BENZOPURPURIN AND RELATED-COMPOUNDS INHIBIT THE BINDING OF GP120 TO GALACTOSYL CERAMIDE SULFATIDE AND INFECTION OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

In an attempt to find compounds capable of inhibiting the binding and infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in neural cel ls, we studied the effect of benzopurpurin and related compounds on th e binding of gp120 to galactosyl ceramide (GalCer) and sulfatide. In t his report, we show that the binding of gp120 to GalCer and sulfatide is inhibited by benzopurpurin and related compounds. These compounds a lso inhibit the binding and entry of HIV-1 to neural cell line, SK-N-M C. Binding studies indicate that benzopurpurin and related compounds b ind to gp120. Studies involving related compounds indicate that the mi nimal structure required for the inhibition is two naphthalene rings w ith amine or sulfonic acids attached to a central biphenyl molecule by an azo group. This approach will be useful for screening of potential anti-HIV compounds.