Abstract
Transcription of type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) provirus is governed by the viral long terminal repeat (LTR). Drugs can block HIV-1 replication by inhibiting activity of its LTR. We report that topotecan, beta-lapachone, and curcumin are potent and selective inhibitors of HIV-1 LTR-directed gene expression, at concentrations that have minor effects on cells. At these concentrations, each drug inhibited p24 antigen production in cells either acutely or chronically infected with HIV-1. Their target is transcriptional function of the LTR.
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