The nucleocapsid protein as a target for novel anti-HIV drugs

has been a major center for HIV research since the late 1980s. The first large-scale screen for anti-HIV drugs was established by Weislow et al in 1989 as part of the Developmental Therapeutics Program at Frederick and yielded discoveries that resulted in 2 of the 17 FDA approved drugs for treatment of patients with AIDS, ie 3TC and carbovir (Ziagen). A nucleus of investigators interested in basic science, vaccine development, and chemotherapy evolved at NCI-Frederick and has made seminal contributions in these areas. The expertise and key reagents available has enabled development of a molecular-targeted screen with the potential to identify novel inhibitors of various functions of the nucleocapsid protein. This strategy contrasts with earlier, cell-based assays that were not mechanism-directed.