Abstract
Several compounds developed for use as dyes have shown activity against HIV-1. The present study examines one putative mechanism of this anti-HIV activity, inhibition of gp120/CD4 binding, and its contribution to the antiviral effects of three chemical classes of dyes. Although, for most dyes, the ability to inhibit gp120/CD4 binding and the reported anti-HIV activities do not correlate, a group of dyes is identified whose anti-HIV activity does appear to be related to binding inhibition. Qualitative examination of the effect of two of these dyes on the gp120/CD4 binding isotherm suggests that the inhibition is non-competitive. Dyes which act by preventing viral binding may represent prototypes for the development of novel drugs for the treatment or prevention of AIDS.