Work

Ritonavir Inhibits NF-AT Activation Through Effects on the PI-3 Kinase/Akt Pathway

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: The HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir has been reported to have activities unrelated to inhibition of HIV protease, including anti-tumor activity in vivo and in vitro, induction of lipodystrophy in vivo, inhibition of the 20S proteasome, and inhibition of NFkB activation.Here we show that ritonavir also inhibits activation of NF-AT by PMA plus ionomycin and by the HHV-8 vGPCR.Inhibition of NF-AT activation occurs through the PI-3 kinase/Akt/GSK-3 pathway, since ritonavir treatment leads to decreased Akt phosphorylation and a resultant decrease in GSK-3 phosphorylation.Treatment with ritonavir also inhibits the expression of NF-AT-dependent pro-inflammatory factors.Inhibition of multiple signaling pathways may help to explain the anti-tumor and other effects of ritonavir that are unrelated to its anti-retroviral activity.

Source: Retrovirology

DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-2-s1-s44

Authors: Shibani Pati, Anhthu Nguyen, J Scott Foulke, Frank Weichold, Marvin Reitz

Institutions: University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Morgan State University

Language: English

Topic: Signaling Pathways in Disease

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,890