Multifunctional viral protein R of human immunodeficiency virus-1 as a potential drug target

Abstract

The viral protein R (Vpr) plays a pivotal role in the infectious lifecycle of human immunodeficiency virus-1. The objective of this study is to find the degree of conservation of Vpr and to detect conserved binding sites, which might be used as target sites for potential anti-Vpr drugs. The conservation analysis was based on 5301 amino acid sequences identified novel conserved and highly conserved sites.  The novel conserved sites which have been identified are: Leu42, Gly43 and Val57; Arg73 and Cys76; Glu24, His33, Cys76 and Ser79. The outcome of this study provide the foundation for developing anti-Vpr drugs which have abridged potential to induce drug resistance through mutations.