Au(iii) compounds as HIV nucleocapsid protein (NCp7)–nucleic acid antagonists

Abstract

The HIV nucleocapsid NCp7–SL2 RNA interaction is interrupted in the presence of a formally substitution-inert gold(dien)-nucleobase/N-heterocycle AuN₄ compound where the N-heterocycle serves the dual purposes of a template for “non-covalent” molecular recognition of the essential tryptophan of the protein, mimicking the natural reaction and subsequent “fixation” by Au–Cys bond formation providing a chemotype for a new distinct class of nucleocapsid–nucleic acid antagonist.