biostudies-literatureCole AMNIAID NIH HHS1813-8https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC122276biostudies-literatureUnknown99(4)Human bone marrow expresses a pseudogene that encodes an antimicrobial peptide homologous to rhesus monkey circular minidefensins (delta-defensins). We prepared the putative ancestral human peptide by solid-phase synthesis and named it "retrocyclin." Retrocyclin did not cause direct inactivation of HIV-1, and its modest antibacterial properties resembled those of its rhesus homologs. Nevertheless, retrocyclin had a remarkable ability to inhibit proviral DNA formation and to protect immortalized and primary human CD4(+) lymphocytes from in vitro infection by both T-tropic and M-tropic strains of HIV-1. Confocal fluorescent microscopy studies performed with BODIPY-FL-labeled RC-101, a close analog of retrocyclin, showed that the peptide formed patch-like aggregates on the surface of CD4(+) cells. These findings suggest that retrocyclin interferes with an early stage of HIV-1 infection and that retrocyclin-like agents might be useful topical agents to prevent sexually acquired HIV-1 infections.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaRetrocyclin: a primate peptide that protects cells from infection by T- and M-tropic strains of HIV-1.PMC122276AI37945AI43202AI22839P01 AI037945R01 AI052017Boo LMYang OOBristol GZack JAZhao CNguyen THong TWaring AJCole AMLehrer RIfalseRetrocyclin: a primate peptide that protects cells from infection by T- and M-tropic strains of HIV-1.Human bone marrow expresses a pseudogene that encodes an antimicrobial peptide homologous to rhesus monkey circular minidefensins (delta-defensins). We prepared the putative ancestral human peptide by solid-phase synthesis and named it "retrocyclin." Retrocyclin did not cause direct inactivation of HIV-1, and its modest antibacterial properties resembled those of its rhesus homologs. Nevertheless, retrocyclin had a remarkable ability to inhibit proviral DNA formation and to protect immortalized and primary human CD4(+) lymphocytes from in vitro infection by both T-tropic and M-tropic strains of HIV-1. Confocal fluorescent microscopy studies performed with BODIPY-FL-labeled RC-101, a close analog of retrocyclin, showed that the peptide formed patch-like aggregates on the surface of CD4(+) cells. These findings suggest that retrocyclin interferes with an early stage of HIV-1 infection and that retrocyclin-like agents might be useful topical agents to prevent sexually acquired HIV-1 infections.2002-01-01T00:00:00Z2002 Feb2025-05-31T23:23:43.936Z2019-03-27T00:17:09ZS-EPMC1222761185448310.1073/pnas.052706399