JUNCTIONAL RETROVIRAL PEPTIDES AND THEIR USE IN IDENTIFYING NOVEL TARGETS FOR ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS

摘要

Provided in the present invention are novel targets for use in identifying drugs useful for prevention of HIV infectivity in mammalian cells based on the N and C terminal of junctional peptides of HIV, known as matrix, capsid, SP1, nucleocapsid, SP2 and p6. Methods and systems for identifying novel active agents which prevent the interaction of these junctional peptides with proteins in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells are also provided. Uses of the agents identified using such methods in the prevention and treatment of HIV are also provided.