HIV-1 RNA processing as therapeutic target: characterization of small molecule modulators of HIV-1 RNA processing and transport

Background Control of RNA processing plays a central role in the expression of the HIV-1 genome. From a single 9kb transcript, more than 40 mRNAs are generated through suboptimal splicing, a subset of which are dependent upon the HIV-1 factor Rev for export to the cytoplasm. To identify small molecule modulators of HIV-1 RNA processing, we performed a screen to isolate compounds capable of inhibiting HIV-1 gene expression postintegration.