Methods for evaluating the antiviral activity of test compounds are provided. Further aspects of the methods involve the retroviral capsid protein of HIV-1. In another aspect, methods of reducing mortality associated with AIDS with a compound that binds to the apical cleft near the C-terminal end of the N-terminal domain of the HIV-1 capsid protein are provided. Derivatives of CAP-1, CAP-2, CAP-3, CAP-4, CAP-5, CAP-6 and CAP-7 are described that bind to the apical cleft of the N-terminal domain of the HIV-1 capsid protein and inhibit proper assembly of the core particle.