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Journal of Virology, December 1999, p. 10000-10009, Vol. 73, No. 12
LaboRetro, Unité de Virologie Humaine
INSERM-ENS no. 412, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 69364 Lyon
Cedex 07, France
Received 16 June 1999/Accepted 30 August 1999
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nucleocapsid protein is a major
structural component of the virion core and a key factor involved in
proviral DNA synthesis and virus formation. 2,2'-Dithiobenzamides (DIBA-1) and related compounds that are inhibitors of NCp7 are thought
to eject zinc ions from NCp7 zinc fingers, inhibiting the maturation of
virion proteins. Here, we show that the presence of DIBA-1 at the time
of virus formation causes morphological malformations of the virus and
reduces proviral DNA synthesis. Thus, it seems that DIBA-1 is
responsible for a "core-freezing effect," as shown by electron
microscopy analyses. DIBA-1 can also directly interfere with the fate
of the newly made proviral DNA in a manner independent of its effects
on virion core formation. These data strongly suggest that nucleocapsid
protein is a prime target for new compounds aimed at inhibiting human
immunodeficiency virus and other retroviruses.
0022-538X/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Multiple Effects of an Anti-Human Immunodeficiency
Virus Nucleocapsid Inhibitor on Virus Morphology and
Replication

*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: LaboRetro,
Unité de Virologie Humaine INSERM-ENS #412, Ecole Normale
Supérieure, 46 Allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon, Cedex 07, France. Phone: 33-4-72-72-81-69. Fax: 33-4-72-72-87-77. E-mail:
Jean-Luc.Darlix{at}ens-lyon.fr.
Present address: Myles H. Thaler Center, University of Virginia,
Charlottesville, VA 22908.
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