Antiviral Activity of DG-35-VIII,a Potent Inhibitor of the Protease of Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The protease of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important target for antiretroviral drug therapy. The synthesis and in vitro antiviral activity of a novel protease inhibitor, DG-35-VIII, which contains an hydroxyethylhydrazide core unit, is described. DG-35-VIII had potent activity against HIV-1 and related viruses (HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus) in an acutely infected T lymphocyte line (MT-2) and was also active in cells chronically infected with HIV-1, where it inhibited processing of the Pr55^gag and Pr160 ^gag-pal precursor proteins.