scholarly journals Identification of a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoprotein Variant Resistant to Cold Inactivation

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 4476-4488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aemro Kassa ◽  
Andrés Finzi ◽  
Marie Pancera ◽  
Joel R. Courter ◽  
Amos B. Smith ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein trimer consists of gp120 and gp41 subunits and undergoes a series of conformational changes upon binding to the receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4, that promote virus entry. Surprisingly, we found that the envelope glycoproteins of some HIV-1 strains are functionally inactivated by prolonged incubation on ice. Serial exposure of HIV-1 to extremes of temperature, followed by expansion of replication-competent viruses, allowed selection of a temperature-resistant virus. The envelope glycoproteins of this virus resisted cold inactivation due to a single passage-associated change, H66N, in the gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein. Histidine 66 is located within the gp41-interactive inner domain of gp120 and, in other studies, has been shown to decrease the sampling of the CD4-bound conformation by unliganded gp120. Substituting asparagine or other amino acid residues for histidine 66 in cold-sensitive HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins resulted in cold-stable phenotypes. Cold inactivation of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins occurred even at high pH, indicating that protonation of histidine 66 is not necessary for this process. Increased exposure of epitopes in the ectodomain of the gp41 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein accompanied cold inactivation, but shedding of gp120 did not. An amino acid change in gp120 (S375W) that promotes the CD4-bound state or treatment with soluble CD4 or a small-molecule CD4 mimic resulted in increased cold sensitivity. These results indicate that the CD4-bound intermediate of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins is cold labile; avoiding the CD4-bound state increases temperature stability.

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (17) ◽  
pp. 8364-8378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aemro Kassa ◽  
Navid Madani ◽  
Arne Schön ◽  
Hillel Haim ◽  
Andrés Finzi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Binding to the primary receptor CD4 induces conformational changes in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 envelope glycoprotein that allow binding to the coreceptor (CCR5 or CXCR4) and ultimately trigger viral membrane-cell membrane fusion mediated by the gp41 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein. Here we report the derivation of an HIV-1 gp120 variant, H66N, that confers envelope glycoprotein resistance to temperature extremes. The H66N change decreases the spontaneous sampling of the CD4-bound conformation by the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, thus diminishing CD4-independent infection. The H66N change also stabilizes the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein complex once the CD4-bound state is achieved, decreasing the probability of CD4-induced inactivation and revealing the enhancing effects of soluble CD4 binding on HIV-1 infection. In the CD4-bound conformation, the highly conserved histidine 66 is located between the receptor-binding and gp41-interactive surfaces of gp120. Thus, a single amino acid change in this strategically positioned gp120 inner domain residue influences the propensity of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins to negotiate conformational transitions to and from the CD4-bound state.


2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 4634-4642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinzhen Yang ◽  
Juliette Lee ◽  
Erin M. Mahony ◽  
Peter D. Kwong ◽  
Richard Wyatt ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The envelope glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) function as a trimer composed of three gp120 exterior glycoproteins and three gp41 transmembrane proteins. Soluble gp140 glycoproteins composed of the uncleaved ectodomains of gp120 and gp41 form unstable, heterogeneous oligomers, but soluble gp140 trimers can be stabilized by fusion with a C-terminal, trimeric GCN4 motif (X. Yang et al., J. Virol. 74:5716-5725, 2000). To understand the influence of the C-terminal trimerization domain on the properties of soluble HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimers, uncleaved, soluble gp140 glycoproteins were stabilized by fusion with another trimeric motif derived from T4 bacteriophage fibritin. The fibritin construct was more stable to heat and reducing conditions than the GCN4 construct. Both GCN4- and fibritin-stabilized soluble gp140 glycoproteins exhibited patterns of neutralizing and nonneutralizing antibody binding expected for the functional envelope glycoprotein spike. Of note, two potently neutralizing antibodies, immunoglobulin G1b12 and 2G12, exhibited the greatest recognition of the stabilized, soluble trimers, relative to recognition of the gp120 monomer. The observed similarities between the GCN4 and fibritin constructs indicate that the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein ectodomains dictate many of the antigenic and structural features of these fusion proteins. The melting temperatures and ligand recognition properties of the GCN4- and fibritin-stabilized soluble gp140 glycoproteins suggest that these molecules assume conformations distinct from that of the fusion-active, six-helix bundle.


2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 3500-3508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinzhen Yang ◽  
Svetla Kurteva ◽  
Sandra Lee ◽  
Joseph Sodroski

ABSTRACT The human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoproteins function as trimers on the viral surface, where they are targeted by neutralizing antibodies. Different monoclonal antibodies neutralize human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infectivity by binding to structurally and functionally distinct moieties on the envelope glycoprotein trimer. By measuring antibody neutralization of viruses with mixtures of neutralization-sensitive and neutralization-resistant envelope glycoproteins, we demonstrate that the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer is inactivated by the binding of a single antibody molecule. Virus neutralization requires essentially all of the functional trimers to be occupied by at least one antibody. This model applies to antibodies differing in neutralizing potency and to virus isolates with various neutralization sensitivities. Understanding these requirements for HIV-1 neutralization by antibodies will assist in establishing goals for an effective AIDS vaccine.


2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 6645-6659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason A. LaBonte ◽  
Navid Madani ◽  
Joseph Sodroski

ABSTRACT T-tropic (X4) and dualtropic (R5X4) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins kill primary and immortalized CD4+ CXCR4+ T cells by mechanisms involving membrane fusion. However, because much of HIV-1 infection in vivo is mediated by M-tropic (R5) viruses whose envelope glycoproteins use CCR5 as a coreceptor, we tested a panel of R5 and R5X4 envelope glycoproteins for their ability to lyse CCR5+ target cells. As is the case for CXCR4+ target cells, HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins expressed by single-round HIV-1 vectors killed transduced CD4+ CCR5+ cells in a membrane fusion-dependent manner. Furthermore, a CD4-independent R5 HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein was able to kill CD4-negative target cells expressing CCR5, demonstrating that CD4 is not intrinsically required for the induction of death. Interestingly, high levels of CD4 expression protected cells from lysis and syncytium formation mediated by the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that high levels of CD4 coexpression inhibited proteolytic processing of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein precursor gp160. This inhibition could be overcome by decreasing the CD4 binding ability of gp120. Studies were also undertaken to investigate the ability of virion-bound HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins to kill primary CD4+ T cells. However, neither X4 nor R5X4 envelope glycoproteins on noninfectious virions caused death in primary CD4+ T cells. These results demonstrate that the interaction of CCR5 with R5 HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins capable of inducing membrane fusion leads to cell lysis; overexpression of CD4 can inhibit cell killing by limiting envelope glycoprotein processing.


1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 4116-4126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary E. Kiernan ◽  
Akira Ono ◽  
George Englund ◽  
Eric O. Freed

ABSTRACT The matrix protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has been reported to play a crucial role in the targeting of the Gag polyprotein precursor to the plasma membrane and in the incorporation of viral envelope glycoproteins into budding virions. In this report, we present evidence that mutation of a highly conserved Leu at matrix amino acid 20 blocks or markedly delays virus replication in a range of cell types, including T-cell lines, primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and monocyte-derived macrophages. These mutations do not impair virus assembly and release, RNA encapsidation, or envelope glycoprotein incorporation into virions but rather cause significant defects in an early step in the virus life cycle, as measured by single-cycle infectivity assays and the analysis of viral DNA synthesis early postinfection. This infectivity defect is independent of the type of envelope glycoprotein carried on mutant virions; similar results are obtained in pseudotyping experiments using wild-type or truncated HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, the amphotropic murine leukemia virus envelope, or the vesicular stomatitis G protein. Intriguingly, matrix residue 20 mutations also increase the apparent binding of Gag to membrane, accelerate the kinetics of Gag processing, and induce defects in endogenous reverse transcriptase activity without affecting virion density or morphology. These results help elucidate the function of matrix in HIV-1 replication.


2016 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Navid Madani ◽  
Amy M. Princiotto ◽  
Connie Zhao ◽  
Fatemeh Jahanbakhshsefidi ◽  
Max Mertens ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into cells is mediated by the viral envelope glycoproteins (Env), a trimer of three gp120 exterior glycoproteins, and three gp41 transmembrane glycoproteins. The metastable Env is triggered to undergo entry-related conformational changes when gp120 binds sequentially to the receptors, CD4 and CCR5, on the target cell. Small-molecule CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mc) bind gp120 and act as competitive inhibitors of gp120-CD4 engagement. Some CD4mc have been shown to trigger Env prematurely, initially activating Env function, followed by rapid and irreversible inactivation. Here, we study CD4mc with a wide range of anti-HIV-1 potencies and demonstrate that all tested CD4mc are capable of activating as well as inactivating Env function. Biphasic dose-response curves indicated that the occupancy of the protomers in the Env trimer governs viral activation versus inactivation. One CD4mc bound per Env trimer activated HIV-1 infection. Envs with two CD4mc bound were activated for infection of CD4-negative, CCR5-positive cells, but the infection of CD4-positive, CCR5-positive cells was inhibited. Virus was inactivated when all three Env protomers were occupied by the CD4mc, and gp120 shedding from the Env trimer was increased in the presence of some CD4mc. Env reactivity and the on rates of CD4mc binding to the Env trimer were found to be important determinants of the potency of activation and entry inhibition. Cross-sensitization of Env protomers that do not bind the CD4mc to neutralization by an anti-V3 antibody was not evident. These insights into the mechanism of antiviral activity of CD4mc should assist efforts to optimize their potency and utility. IMPORTANCE The trimeric envelope glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mediate virus entry into host cells. Binding to the host cell receptors, CD4 and CCR5, triggers changes in the conformation of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer important for virus entry. Small-molecule CD4-mimetic compounds inhibit HIV-1 infection by multiple mechanisms: (i) direct blockade of the interaction between the gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein and CD4; (ii) premature triggering of conformational changes in the envelope glycoproteins, leading to irreversible inactivation; and (iii) exposure of cryptic epitopes to antibodies, allowing virus neutralization. The consequences of the binding of the CD4-mimetic compound to the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins depends upon how many of the three subunits of the trimer are bound and upon the propensity of the envelope glycoproteins to undergo conformational changes. Understanding the mechanistic factors that influence the activity of CD4-mimetic compounds can help to improve their potency and coverage of diverse HIV-1 strains.


2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 4388-4395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinzhen Yang ◽  
Svetla Kurteva ◽  
Xinping Ren ◽  
Sandra Lee ◽  
Joseph Sodroski

ABSTRACT The envelope glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) function as a homotrimer of gp120/gp41 heterodimers to support virus entry. During the process of virus entry, an individual HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer binds the cellular receptors CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4 and mediates the fusion of the viral and the target cellular membranes. By studying the function of heterotrimers between wild-type and nonfunctional mutant envelope glycoproteins, we found that two wild-type subunits within an envelope glycoprotein trimer are required to support virus entry. Complementation between HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein mutants defective in different functions to allow virus entry was not evident. These results assist our understanding of the mechanisms whereby the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins mediate virus entry and membrane fusion and guide attempts to inhibit these processes.


1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Ott ◽  
Elena N. Chertova ◽  
Laura K. Busch ◽  
Lori V. Coren ◽  
Tracy D. Gagliardi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The p6Gag protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is produced as the carboxyl-terminal sequence within the Gag polyprotein. The amino acid composition of this protein is high in hydrophilic and polar residues except for a patch of relatively hydrophobic amino acids found in the carboxyl-terminal 16 amino acids. Internal cleavage of p6Gag between Y36 and P37, apparently by the HIV-1 protease, removes this hydrophobic tail region from approximately 30% of the mature p6Gag proteins in HIV-1MN. To investigate the importance of this cleavage and the hydrophobic nature of this portion of p6Gag, site-directed mutations were made at the minor protease cleavage site and within the hydrophobic tail. The results showed that all of the single-amino-acid-replacement mutants exhibited either reduced or undetectable cleavage at the site yet almost all were nearly as infectious as wild-type virus, demonstrating that processing at this site is not important for viral replication. However, one exception, Y36F, was 300-fold as infectious the wild type. In contrast to the single-substitution mutants, a virus with two substitutions in this region of p6Gag, Y36S-L41P, could not infect susceptible cells. Protein analysis showed that while the processing of the Gag precursor was normal, the double mutant did not incorporate Env into virus particles. This mutant could be complemented with surface glycoproteins from vesicular stomatitis virus and murine leukemia virus, showing that the inability to incorporate Env was the lethal defect for the Y36S-L41P virus. However, this mutant was not rescued by an HIV-1 Env with a truncated gp41TM cytoplasmic domain, showing that it is phenotypically different from the previously described MA mutants that do not incorporate their full-length Env proteins. Cotransfection experiments with Y36S-L41P and wild-type proviral DNAs revealed that the mutant Gag dominantly blocked the incorporation of Env by wild-type Gag. These results show that the Y36S-L41P p6Gag mutation dramatically blocks the incorporation of HIV-1 Env, presumably acting late in assembly and early during budding.


2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (19) ◽  
pp. 9875-9889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Beaumont ◽  
Daniela Vendrame ◽  
Bernard Verrier ◽  
Emmanuelle Roch ◽  
François Biron ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Lentiviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), typically encode envelope glycoproteins (Env) with long cytoplasmic tails (CTs). The strong conservation of CT length in primary isolates of HIV-1 suggests that this factor plays a key role in viral replication and persistence in infected patients. However, we report here the emergence and dominance of a primary HIV-1 variant carrying a natural 20-amino-acid truncation of the CT in vivo. We demonstrated that this truncation was deleterious for viral replication in cell culture. We then identified a compensatory amino acid substitution in the matrix protein that reversed the negative effects of CT truncation. The loss or rescue of infectivity depended on the level of Env incorporation into virus particles. Interestingly, we found that a virus mutant with defective Env incorporation was able to spread by cell-to-cell transfer. The effects on viral infectivity of compensation between the CT and the matrix protein have been suggested by in vitro studies based on T-cell laboratory-adapted virus mutants, but we provide here the first demonstration of the natural occurrence of similar mechanisms in an infected patient. Our findings provide insight into the potential of HIV-1 to evolve in vivo and its ability to overcome major structural alterations.


2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 5616-5624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinping Ren ◽  
Joseph Sodroski ◽  
Xinzhen Yang

ABSTRACT Neutralizing antibodies often recognize regions of viral envelope glycoproteins that play a role in receptor binding or other aspects of virus entry. To address whether this is a necessary feature of a neutralizing antibody, we identified the V4 region of the gp120 envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) as a sequence that is tolerant of drastic change and thus appears to play a negligible role in envelope glycoprotein function. An artificial epitope tag was inserted into the V4 region without a significant effect on virus entry or neutralization by antibodies that recognize HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein sequences. An antibody directed against the artificial epitope tag was able to neutralize the modified, but not the wild-type, HIV-1. Thus, the specific target of a neutralizing antibody need not contribute functionally to the process of virus entry.


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