scholarly journals Structure dynamics of HIV-1 Env trimers on native virions engaged with living T cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Carlon-Andres ◽  
Tomas Malinauskas ◽  
Sergi Padilla-Parra

AbstractThe HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) mediates viral entry into the host cell. Although the highly dynamic nature of Env intramolecular conformations has been shown with single molecule spectroscopy in vitro, the bona fide Env intra- and intermolecular mechanics when engaged with live T cells remains unknown. We used two photon fast fluorescence lifetime imaging detection of single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer occurring between fluorescent labels on HIV-1 Env on native virions. Our observations reveal Env dynamics at two levels: transitions between different intramolecular conformations and intermolecular interactions between Env within the viral membrane. Furthermore, we show that three broad neutralizing anti-Env antibodies directed to different epitopes restrict Env intramolecular dynamics and interactions between adjacent Env molecules when engaged with living T cells. Importantly, our results show that Env-Env interactions depend on efficient virus maturation, and that is disrupted upon binding of Env to CD4 or by neutralizing antibodies. Thus, this study illuminates how different intramolecular conformations and distribution of Env molecules mediate HIV-1 Env–T cell interactions in real time and therefore might control immune evasion.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Carlon-Andres ◽  
Tomas Malinauskas ◽  
Sergi Padilla-Parra

AbstractThe HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) mediates viral entry into the host cell. Although the highly dynamic nature of Env intramolecular conformations has been shown with single molecule spectroscopy in vitro, the bona fide Env intra- and intermolecular mechanics when engaged in live T cells remains unknown. We used both, two photon fast fluorescence lifetime imaging detection of single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer and single molecule photobleaching to reveal transitions between intramolecular and intermolecular conformations that mediate Env clustering. Furthermore, we show that three broad neutralizing anti-Env antibodies directed to different epitopes destabilise Env intramolecular dynamics and their clusters when engaged to living T cells. Importantly, our results show that Env clustering is a common conformation across different HIV-1 Env strains, which depends on efficient virus maturation, and that is disrupted upon binding of Env to CD4 or to neutralizing antibodies. Thus, this study illuminates how different intramolecular conformations and clusters of Env mediate HIV-1 Env–T cell interactions in real time and therefore might control immune evasion.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory Henderson ◽  
Maolin Lu ◽  
Ye Zhou ◽  
Zekun Mu ◽  
Robert Parks ◽  
...  

AbstractThe trimeric HIV-1 Envelope protein (Env) mediates viral-host cell fusion via a network of conformational transitions, with allosteric elements in each protomer orchestrating host receptor-induced exposure of the co-receptor binding site and fusion elements. To understand the molecular details of this allostery, we introduced Env mutations aimed to prevent CD4-induced rearrangements in the HIV-1 BG505 Env trimer. Binding analysis performed on the soluble ectodomain BG505 SOSIP Env trimers, cell-surface expressed BG505 full-length trimers and single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) performed on the full-length virion-bound Env confirmed that these mutations prevented CD4-induced transitions of the HIV-1 Env. Structural analysis by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy performed on the BG505 SOSIP mutant Env proteins revealed rearrangements in the gp120 topological layer contacts with gp41. Specifically, a conserved tryptophan at position 571 (W571) was displaced from its typical pocket at the interface of gp120 topological layers 1 and 2 by lysine 567, disrupting key gp120-gp41 contacts and rendering the Env insensitive to CD4 binding. Vector based analysis of closed Env SOSIP structures revealed the newly designed trimers exhibited a quaternary structure distinct from that typical of SOSIPs and residing near a cluster of Env trimers bound to vaccine-induced fusion peptide-directed antibodies (vFP Mabs). These results reveal the critical function of W571 as a conformational switch in Env allostery and receptor-mediated viral entry and provide insights on Env conformation that are relevant for vaccine design.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anirban Das ◽  
Anju Yadav ◽  
Mona Gupta ◽  
R Purushotham ◽  
Vishram L. Terse ◽  
...  

AbstractProtein folding can go wrong in vivo and in vitro, with significant consequences for the living cell and the pharmaceutical industry, respectively. Here we propose a general design principle for constructing small peptide-based protein-specific folding modifiers. We construct a ‘xenonucleus’, which is a pre-folded peptide that resembles the folding nucleus of a protein, and demonstrate its activity on the folding of ubiquitin. Using stopped-flow kinetics, NMR spectroscopy, Förster Resonance Energy transfer, single-molecule force measurements, and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the ubiquitin xenonucleus can act as an effective decoy for the native folding nucleus. It can make the refolding faster by 33 ± 5% at 3 M GdnHCl. In principle, our approach provides a general method for constructing specific, genetically encodable, folding modifiers for any protein which has a well-defined contiguous folding nucleus.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongbo Gao ◽  
Ayşe N. Ozantürk ◽  
Qiankun Wang ◽  
Gray H. Harlan ◽  
Aaron J. Schmitz ◽  
...  

The latent reservoir of HIV-1 is a major barrier for viral eradication. Potent HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNabs) have been used to prevent and treat HIV-1 infections in animal models and clinical trials. Combination of bNabs and latency-reversing agents (LRAs) is considered a promising approach for HIV-1 eradication. PCR-based assays that can rapidly and specifically measure singly spliced HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA are needed to evaluate the induction of the viral envelope production at the transcription level and bNab-mediated reservoir clearance. Here we reported a PCR-based method to accurately quantify the production of intracellular HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA. With the vpu/env assay, we determined the LRA combinations that could effectively induce vpu/env mRNA production in CD4+ T cells from ART-treated individuals. None of the tested LRAs were effective alone. A comparison between the quantitative viral outgrowth assay (Q-VOA) and the vpu/env assay showed that vpu/env mRNA production was closely associated with the reactivation of replication-competent HIV-1, suggesting that vpu/env mRNA was mainly produced by intact viruses. Finally, antibody-mediated in vitro killing in HIV-1-infected humanized mice demonstrated that the vpu/env assay could be used to measure the reduction of infected cells in tissues and was more accurate than the commonly used gag-based PCR assay which measured unspliced viral genomic RNA. In conclusion, the vpu/env assay allows convenient and accurate assessment of HIV-1 latency reversal and bNab-mediated therapeutic strategies. Importance HIV-1 persists in individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to the long-lived cellular reservoirs that contain dormant viruses. Recent discoveries of HIV-1-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNabs) targeting HIV-1 Env protein rekindled the interest in antibody-mediated elimination of latent HIV-1. Latency-reversing agents (LRAs) together with HIV-1 bNabs is a possible strategy to clear residual viral reservoirs, which makes the evaluation of HIV-1 Env expression upon LRA treatment critical. We developed a PCR-based assay to quantify the production of intracellular HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA. Using patient CD4+ T cells, we found that induction of HIV-1 vpu/env mRNA required a combination of different LRAs. Using in vitro, ex vivo and humanized mouse models, we showed that the vpu/env assay could be used to measure antibody efficacy in clearing HIV-1 infection. These results suggest that the vpu/env assay can accurately evaluate HIV-1 reactivation and bNab-based therapeutic interventions.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 2760-2769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Casoli ◽  
Elisa Vicenzi ◽  
Andrea Cimarelli ◽  
Giacomo Magnani ◽  
Paolo Ciancianaini ◽  
...  

The influence of human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type II (HTLV-II) in individuals also infected with HIV-1 is poorly understood. To evaluate the reciprocal influence of HTLV-II and HIV-1 infection, primary peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures from coinfected individuals were established in the presence of interleukin 2 (IL-2). In these cultures, the kinetics of HTLV-II replication always preceded those of HIV-1. Noteworthy, the kinetics of HIV-1 production were inversely correlated to the HTLV-II proviral load in vivo and its replication ex vivo. These observations suggested a potential interaction between the 2 retroviruses. In this regard, the levels of IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) were measured in the same coinfected PBMC cultures. Endogenous IL-2 was not produced, whereas IL-6 and TNF- were secreted at levels compatible with their known ability to up-regulate HIV-1 expression. The HIV-suppressive CC-chemokines RANTES, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1), and MIP-1β were also determined in IL-2–stimulated PBMC cultures. Of interest, their kinetics and concentrations were inversely related to those of HIV-1 replication. Experiments were performed in which CD8+ T cells or PBMCs from HTLV-II monoinfected individuals were cocultivated with CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 monoinfected individuals separated by a semipermeable membrane in the presence or absence of antichemokine neutralizing antibodies. The results indicate that HTLV-II can interfere with the replicative potential of HIV-1 by up-regulating viral suppressive CC-chemokines and, in particular, MIP-1. This study is the first report indicating that HTLV-II can influence HIV replication, at least in vitro, via up-regulation of HIV-suppressive chemokines.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Eiring ◽  
Ryan McLaughlin ◽  
Siddharth Matikonda ◽  
HAN ZHONGYING ◽  
Lennart Grabenhorst ◽  
...  

Cyanine dyes are exceptionally useful probes for a range of fluorescence-based applications. We recently demonstrated that appending a ring system to the pentamethine cyanine ring system improves the quantum yield and extends the fluorescence lifetime. Here, we report an optimized synthesis of persulfonated variants that enable efficient labeling of nucleic acids and proteins. We demonstrate that a bifunctional sulfonated tertiary amide significantly improves the optical properties of the resulting bioconjugates. These new conformationally restricted cyanines are compared to parent species in a range of contexts including their use on a DNA-nano-antenna, in single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) applications, far-red fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), and single-molecule localization microscopy. These efforts define contexts in which eliminating cyanine isomerization provides meaningful benefits to imaging performance.


2011 ◽  
Vol 392 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Börsch

Abstract Conformational changes of proteins can be monitored in real time by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Two different fluorophores have to be attached to those protein domains which move during function. Distance fluctuations between the fluorophores are measured by relative fluorescence intensity changes or fluorescence lifetime changes. The rotary mechanics of the two motors of FoF1-ATP synthase have been studied in vitro by single-molecule FRET. The results are summarized and perspectives for other transport ATPases are discussed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 1585-1596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joëlle V. Fritz ◽  
Denis Dujardin ◽  
Julien Godet ◽  
Pascal Didier ◽  
Jan De Mey ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT During HIV-1 assembly, the viral protein R (Vpr) is incorporated into newly made viral particles via an interaction with the C-terminal domain of the Gag polyprotein precursor Pr55Gag. Vpr has been implicated in the nuclear import of newly made viral DNA and subsequently in its transcription. In addition, Vpr can affect the cell physiology by causing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Vpr can form oligomers, but their roles have not yet been investigated. We have developed fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy-fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assays to monitor the interaction between Pr55Gag and Vpr in HeLa cells. To that end, we used enhanced green fluorescent protein-Vpr that can be incorporated into the virus and tetracysteine (TC)-tagged Pr55Gag-TC. This TC motif is tethered to the C terminus of Pr55Gag and does not interfere with Pr55Gag trafficking and the assembly of virus-like particles (VLPs). Results show that the Pr55Gag-Vpr complexes accumulated mainly at the plasma membrane. In addition, results with Pr55Gag-TC mutants confirm that the 41LXXLF domain of Gag-p6 is essential for Pr55Gag-Vpr interaction. We also report that Vpr oligomerization is crucial for Pr55Gag recognition and its accumulation at the plasma membrane. On the other hand, Pr55Gag-Vpr complexes are still formed when Pr55Gag carries mutations impairing its multimerization. These findings suggest that Pr55Gag-Vpr recognition and complex formation occur early during Pr55Gag assembly.


2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 457-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajie Diao ◽  
Yuji Ishitsuka ◽  
Woo-Ri Bae

Membrane fusion is one of the most important cellular processes by which two initially distinct lipid bilayers merge their hydrophobic cores, resulting in one interconnected structure. Proteins, called SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptor), play a central role in the fusion process that is also regulated by several accessory proteins. In order to study the SNARE-mediated membrane fusion, the in vitro protein reconstitution assay involving ensemble FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) has been used over a decade. In this mini-review, we describe several single-molecule-based FRET approaches that have been applied to this field to overcome the shortage of the bulk assay in terms of protein and fusion dynamics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Braun ◽  
Elly E. Liao ◽  
Mian Horvath ◽  
Prakriti Kalra ◽  
Karen Acosta ◽  
...  

AbstractWe have developed a high-throughput drug discovery platform, measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) with fluorescent alpha-synuclein (αSN) biosensors, to detect spontaneous pre-fibrillar oligomers in living cells. Our two αSN FRET biosensors provide complementary insight into αSN oligomerization and conformation in order to improve the success of drug discovery campaigns for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. We measure FRET by fluorescence lifetime, rather than traditional fluorescence intensity, providing a structural readout with greater resolution and precision. This facilitates identification of compounds that cause subtle but significant conformational changes in the ensemble of oligomeric states that are easily missed using intensity-based FRET. We screened a 1280-compound small-molecule library and identified 21 compounds that changed the lifetime by >5 SD. Two of these compounds have nanomolar potency in protecting SH-SY5Y cells from αSN-induced death, providing a nearly tenfold improvement over known inhibitors. We tested the efficacy of several compounds in a primary mouse neuron assay of αSN pathology (phosphorylation of mouse αSN pre-formed fibrils) and show rescue of pathology for two of them. These hits were further characterized with biophysical and biochemical assays to explore potential mechanisms of action. In vitro αSN oligomerization, single-molecule FRET, and protein-observed fluorine NMR experiments demonstrate that these compounds modulate αSN oligomers but not monomers. Subsequent aggregation assays further show that these compounds also deter or block αSN fibril assembly.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document