{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "e9ed5a978d2b46228a1ac90c1aa90d9b", "timestamp": "2026-09-01T08:28:11.965Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/e9ed5a978d2b46228a1ac90c1aa90d9b.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/e9ed5a978d2b46228a1ac90c1aa90d9b"}}, "title": "Naturally occurring dipeptide from elite controllers with dual anti-HIV-1 mechanism.", "authors": [{"family": "Ce\u00f1a-Diez", "given": "Rafael", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Narayanan", "given": "Aswathy", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Ray", "given": "Shilpa", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "van de Klundert", "given": "Maarten", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Rodriguez", "given": "Jimmy E", "initials": "JE"}, {"family": "Nilvebrant", "given": "Johan", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Nygren", "given": "Per-\u00c5ke", "initials": "P\u00c5"}, {"family": "V\u00e9gv\u00e1ri", "given": "\u00c1kos", "initials": "\u00c1"}, {"family": "van Domselaar", "given": "Robert", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "S\u00f6nnerborg", "given": "Anders", "initials": "A"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2023-05-00", "journal": {"title": "Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents", "issn": "1872-7913", "volume": "61", "issue": "5", "pages": "106792", "issn-l": "0924-8579"}, "abstract": "Enhanced levels of a dipeptide, WG-am, have been reported among elite controllers - patients who spontaneously control their HIV-1 infection. This study aimed to evaluate anti-HIV-1 activity and mechanism of action of WG-am.\n\nDrug sensitivity assays in TZM.bl cells, PBMCs and ACH-2 cells using WT and mutated HIV-1 strainswere performed to evaluate the antiviral mechanism of WG-am. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics and Real-time PCR analysis of reverse transcription steps were performed to unravel the second anti-HIV-1 mechanism of WG-am.\n\nThe data suggest that WG-am binds to the CD4 binding pocket of HIV-1 gp120 and blocks its binding to the host cell receptors. Additionally, the time course assay showed that WG-am also inhibited HIV-1 at 4-6 hours post-infection, suggesting a second antiviral mechanism. Drug sensitivity assays under acidic wash conditions confirmed the ability of WG-am to internalise into the host cell in an HIV independent manner. Proteomic studies showed a clustering of all samples treated with WG-am independent of the number of doses or presence or absence of HIV-1. Differentially expressed proteins due to the WG-am treatment indicated an effect on HIV-1 reverse transcription, which was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).\n\nNaturally occurring in HIV-1 elite controllers, WG-am stands out as a new kind of antiviral compound with two independent inhibitory mechanisms of action on HIV-1 replication. WG-am halts HIV-1 entry to the host cell by binding to HIV-1 gp120, thereby blocking the binding of HIV-1 to the host cell. WG-am also exerts a post-entry but pre-integration antiviral effect related to RT-activity.", "doi": "10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106792", "pmid": "36931610", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "S0924-8579(23)00072-9"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T07:56:50.333Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T07:56:50.381Z"}