Do H-1, H-2 and 5-HTI receptors interference drugs have HIV treatment prospects?
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Human Genome Sciences Receives Patent On AIDS Virus Entry Point
Wednesday, February 16, 2000 08:05 AM
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ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:HGSI, news, msgs) announced today that it was issued a U.S. patent on a human gene that produces what is believed to be the critical entry point for the AIDS virus. The gene, known as the CCR5
receptor gene, gives rise in human cells to a protein that functions as a receptor or docking site for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Scientists learned some years ago that people who lack a functional CCR5 receptor gene are resistant to infection with HIV. The discovery suggested that drugs that interfere with the receptor might be effective treatment for AIDS and triggered a global race to identify suitable compounds.
HGS has provided several of its partners with licenses for the use of the CCR5 receptor gene in drug discovery.
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The CCR5 receptor is found on the surfaces of cells. It is a member of a broad family of human genes whose protein products, known as G-protein coupled receptors, are targets for drugs. Examples include the histamine H-1 receptor, targeted by the well known drug Claritin for treatment of allergies; the stomach H-2 receptor, targeted by Zantac, Tagamet and Pepcid for acid indigestion and ulcers; and the cerebrovascular 5-HT1 receptor, targeted by Imitrex for treatment of migraine headaches.
HGS scientists have discovered more than 66 novel members of this class of receptors. Together with partners, HGS has filed patents describing their importance and medical use. Of these applications, a
total of 13 patents have been issued.
William A. Haseltine, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Human Genome Sciences and one of the founders for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) commented, "The discovery of the CCR5 receptor gene is another example of the power of the genomics approach to drug discovery. It was one of many genes that we found very early in our discovery program.
Experiments confirmed that the CCR5 receptor played a key role in the biology of the immune system and as an AIDS virus receptor." |
