Anti-HIV activity of a series of cosalane amino acid conjugates

The binding of the anti-HIV agent cosalane to CD4 is thought to involve ionic interactions of negatively charged carboxylates of the ligand with positively charged residues on the surface of the protein. The purpose of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that the two carboxyl groups of cosalane could be sacrificed through conjugation to amino acids, and the anti-HIV activity still be retained, provided that at least two new carboxyl groups are contributed by the amino acid residues.