G-Quadruplexes in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 and Herpes Simplex Virus-1: New Targets for Antiviral Activity by Small Molecules

G-quadruplexes (G-4s) are G-rich non-canonical four-stranded conformations of nucleic acids that act as structural switches of cellular processes. Very little is known on the role of G-4s in viruses yet. The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and the human herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) are important human pathogens: HIV-1 is the etiological agent for the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), while HSV-1 causes vesicular lesions on the mucous membranes, but it can also cause serious diseases, such as encephalitis, in immunocompromised patients and it increases sexual transmission of HIV-1. Both viruses permanently install into the human host and no cure to eradicate them has yet been developed.