scholarly journals Conserved Residue Asn-145 in the C-Terminal Heptad Repeat Region of HIV-1 gp41 is Critical for Viral Fusion and Regulates the Antiviral Activity of Fusion Inhibitors

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuzhu Geng ◽  
Zixuan Liu ◽  
Danwei Yu ◽  
Bo Qin ◽  
Yuanmei Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Structural And Functional Properties ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Hiv 1

Entry of HIV-1 into target cells is mediated by its envelope (Env) glycoprotein composed of the receptor binding subunit gp120 and the fusion protein gp41. Refolding of the gp41 N- and C-terminal heptad repeats (NHR and CHR) into a six-helix bundle (6-HB) conformation drives the viral and cellular membranes in close apposition and generates huge amounts of energy to overcome the kinetic barrier leading to membrane fusion. In this study, we focused on characterizing the structural and functional properties of a single Asn-145 residue, which locates at the middle CHR site of gp41 and is extremely conserved among all the HIV-1, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) isolates. By mutational analysis, we found that Asn-145 plays critical roles for Env-mediated cell-cell fusion and HIV-1 entry. As determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), the substitution of Asn-145 with alanine (N145A) severely impaired the interactions between the NHR and CHR helices. Asn-145 was also verified to be important for the antiviral activity of CHR-derived peptide fusion inhibitors and served as a turn-point for the inhibitory potency. Intriguingly, Asn-145 could regulate the functionality of the M-T hook structure at the N-terminus of the inhibitors and displayed comparable activities with the C-terminal IDL anchor. Crystallographic studies further demonstrated the importance of Asn-145-mediated interhelical and intrahelical interactions in the 6-HB structure. Combined, the present results have provided valuable information for the structure-function relationship of HIV-1 gp41 and the structure-activity relationship of gp41-dependent fusion inhibitors.

scholarly journals Trimeric heptad repeat synthetic peptides HR1 and HR2 efficiently inhibit HIV-1 entry

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olfa Mzoughi ◽  
Meritxell Teixido ◽  
Rémi Planès ◽  
Manutea Serrero ◽  
Ibtissem Hamimed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Helical Structures ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Antiviral Activities ◽  
Physical Interactions ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Hiv 1

Abstract The trimeric heptad repeat domains HR1 and HR2 of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) gp41 play a key role in HIV-1-entry by membrane fusion. To develop efficient inhibitors against this step, the corresponding trimeric-N36 and C34 peptides were designed and synthesized. Analysis by circular dichroism of monomeric and trimeric N36 and C34 peptides showed their capacities to adopt α-helical structures and to establish physical interactions. At the virological level, while trimeric-C34 conserves the same high anti-fusion activity as monomeric-C34, trimerization of N36-peptide induced a significant increase, reaching 500-times higher in anti-fusion activity, against R5-tropic virus-mediated fusion. This result was associated with increased stability of the N36 trimer peptide with respect to the monomeric form, as demonstrated by the comparative kinetics of their antiviral activities during 6-day incubation in a physiological medium. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that while the trimerization of C34 peptide had no beneficial effect on its stability and antiviral activity, the trimerization of N36 peptide strengthened both stability and antiviral activity. This approach, promotes trimers as new promising HIV-1 inhibitors and point to future development aimed toward innovative peptide fusion inhibitors, microbicides or as immunogens.

scholarly journals Structural and Functional Characterization of the Secondary Mutation N126K Selected by Various HIV-1 Fusion Inhibitors

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 326
Author(s):  
Danwei Yu ◽  
Yang Su ◽  
Xiaohui Ding ◽  
Yuanmei Zhu ◽  
Bo Qin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Secondary Mutation ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Hiv 1

Peptides derived from the C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR) region of HIV-1 gp41 is potent viral membrane fusion inhibitors, such as the first clinically approved peptide drug T20 and a group of newly-designed peptides. The resistance profiles of various HIV-1 fusion inhibitors were previously characterized, and the secondary mutation N126K in the gp41 CHR was routinely identified during the in vitro and in vivo selections. In this study, the functional and structural relevance of the N126K mutation has been characterized from multiple angles. First, we show that a single N126K mutation across several HIV-1 isolates conferred mild to moderate cross-resistances. Second, the N126K mutation exerted different effects on Env-mediated HIV-1 entry and cell-cell fusion. Third, the N126K mutation did not interfere with the expression and processing of viral Env glycoproteins, but it disrupted the Asn126-based glycosylation site in gp41. Fourth, the N126K mutation was verified to enhance the thermal stability of 6-HB conformation. Fifth, we determined the crystal structure of a 6-HB bearing the N126K mutation, which revealed the interhelical and intrahelical interactions underlying the increased thermostability. Therefore, our data provide new information to understand the mechanism of HIV-1 gp41-mediated cell fusion and its resistance mode to viral fusion inhibitors.

scholarly journals Electron tomography visualization of HIV-1 fusion with target cells using fusion inhibitors to trap the pre-hairpin intermediate

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Ladinsky ◽  
Priyanthi N.P. Gnanapragasam ◽  
Zhi Yang ◽  
Anthony P. West ◽  
Michael S Kay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Viral Egress ◽  
Hiv 1

AbstractFusion of HIV-1 with the membrane of its target cell, an obligate first step in virus infectivity, is mediated by binding of the viral envelope (Env) spike protein to its receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4, on the cell surface. The process of viral fusion appears to be fast compared with viral egress and has not been visualized by electron microscopy (EM). To capture fusion events for EM, the process must be slowed or stopped by trapping Env-receptor binding at an intermediate stage. Here we describe using fusion inhibitors to trap HIV-1 virions attached to target cells by Envs in an extended pre-hairpin intermediate state. Electron tomography revealed HIV-1 virions bound to TZM-bl cells by 2-4 narrow spokes, with slightly more spokes present when evaluated with mutant virions that lacked the Env cytoplasmic tail. These results represent the first direct visualization of the hypothesized pre-hairpin intermediate and improve our understanding of Env-mediated HIV-1 fusion and infection of host cells.

scholarly journals Mechanism of HIV-1 Resistance to Short-Peptide Fusion Inhibitors Targeting the Gp41 Pocket

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (11) ◽  
pp. 5801-5811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Su ◽  
Huihiui Chong ◽  
Zonglin Qiu ◽  
Shengwen Xiong ◽  
Yuxian He
Keyword(s):  
Structure Function ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Short Peptide ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Structure Function Relationship ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Function Relationship ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACTThe deep hydrophobic pocket on the N trimer of HIV-1 gp41 has been considered an ideal drug target. On the basis of the M-T hook structure, we recently developed short-peptide-based HIV-1 fusion inhibitors (MTSC22 and HP23), which mainly target the pocket site and possess highly potent antiviral activity. In this study, we focused on investigating their resistance pathways and mechanisms by escape HIV-1 mutants to SC22EK, a template peptide for MTSC22 and HP23. Two substitutions, E49K and N126K, located, respectively, at the N- and C-heptad repeat regions of gp41, were identified as conferring high resistance to the inhibitors targeting the pocket and cross-resistance to enfuvirtide (T20) and sifuvirtide (SFT). The underlying mechanisms of SC22EK-induced resistance include the following: (i) significantly reduced binding affinity of the inhibitors, (ii) dramatically enhanced interaction of the viral six-helix bundle, and (iii)severely damaged functionality of the viral Env complex. Our data have provided important information for the structure-function relationship of gp41 and the structure-activity relationship of viral fusion inhibitors.IMPORTANCEEnfuvirtide (T20) is the only HIV-1 fusion inhibitor in clinical use, but the problem of resistance significantly limits its use, calling for new strategies or concepts to develop next-generation drugs. On the basis of the M-T hook structure, short-peptide HIV-1 fusion inhibitors specifically targeting the gp41 pocket site exhibit high binding and antiviral activities. Here, we investigated the molecular pathway of HIV-1 resistance to the short inhibitors by selecting and mapping the escape mutants. The key substitutions for resistance and the underlying mechanisms have been finely characterized. The data provide important information for the structure-function relationship of gp41 and its inhibitors and will definitely help our future development of novel drugs that block gp41-dependent fusion.

scholarly journals Dominant Negative MA-CA Fusion Protein Is Incorporated into HIV-1 Cores and Inhibits Nuclear Entry of Viral Preintegration Complexes

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Anderson-Daniels ◽  
Parmit K. Singh ◽  
Gregory A. Sowd ◽  
Wen Li ◽  
Alan N. Engelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Membrane Binding ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Nuclear Entry ◽  
Gag Polyprotein ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Ca Protein

ABSTRACT Particle maturation is a critical step in the HIV-1 replication cycle that requires proteolytic cleavage of the Gag polyprotein into its constitutive proteins: the matrix (MA), capsid (CA), nucleocapsid (NC), and p6 proteins. The accurate and efficient cleavage of Gag is essential for virion infectivity; inhibitors of the viral protease are potent antivirals, and substitutions in Gag that prevent its cleavage result in reduced HIV-1 infectivity. In a previous study, a mutation inhibiting cleavage at the MA-CA junction was observed to potently inhibit virus infection: incorporation of small amounts of uncleaved MA-CA protein into HIV-1 particles inhibited infectivity by ∼95%, and the resulting viral particles exhibited aberrant capsids. Here we report a detailed mechanistic analysis of HIV-1 particles bearing uncleaved MA-CA protein. We show that the particles contain stable cores and can efficiently saturate host restriction by TRIMCyp in target cells. We further show that MA-CA associates with CA in particles without detectably affecting the formation of intermolecular CA interfaces. Incorporation of MA-CA did not markedly affect reverse transcription in infected cells, but nuclear entry was impaired and integration targeting was altered. Additionally, results from mutational analysis of Gag revealed that membrane-binding elements of MA contribute to the antiviral activity of uncleaved MA-CA protein. Our results suggest that small amounts of partially processed Gag subunits coassemble with CA during virion maturation, resulting in impaired capsid functions. IMPORTANCE To become infectious, newly formed HIV-1 particles undergo a process of maturation in which the viral polyproteins are cleaved into smaller components. A previous study demonstrated that inclusion of even small quantities of an uncleavable mutant Gag polyprotein results in a strong reduction in virus infectivity. Here we show that the mechanism of transdominant inhibition by uncleavable Gag involves inhibition of nuclear entry and alteration of viral integration sites. Additionally, the results of mutational analysis suggest that the membrane-binding activity of Gag is a major requirement for the antiviral activity. These results further define the antiviral mechanism of uncleavable Gag, which may be useful for exploiting this effect to develop new antivirals.

scholarly journals Mutations That Increase the Stability of the Postfusion gp41 Conformation of the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Are Selected by both an X4 and R5 HIV-1 Virus To Escape Fusion Inhibitors Corresponding to Heptad Repeat 1 of gp41, but the gp120 Adaptive Mutations Differ between the Two Viruses

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Zhuang ◽  
Russell Vassell ◽  
Chen Yuan ◽  
Paul W. Keller ◽  
Hong Ling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Envelope Glycoprotein ◽  
Resistance Mutation ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Resistance Mutations ◽  
Adaptive Mutations ◽  
Helix Bundle ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Binding of the gp120 surface subunit of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) of HIV-1 to CD4 and chemokine receptors on target cells triggers refolding of the gp41 transmembrane subunit into a six-helix bundle (6HB) that promotes fusion between virus and host cell membranes. To elucidate details of Env entry and potential differences between viruses that use CXCR4 (X4) or CCR5 (R5) coreceptors, we generated viruses that are resistant to peptide fusion inhibitors corresponding to the first heptad repeat region (HR1) of gp41 that target fusion-intermediate conformations of Env. Previously we reported that an R5 virus selected two resistance pathways, each defined by an early gp41 resistance mutation in either HR1 or the second heptad repeat (HR2), to escape inhibition by an HR1 peptide, but preferentially selected the HR1 pathway to escape inhibition by a trimer-stabilized HR1 peptide. Here, we report that an X4 virus selected the same HR1 and HR2 resistance pathways as the R5 virus to escape inhibition by the HR1 peptide. However, in contrast to the R5 virus, the X4 virus selected a unique mutation in HR2 to escape inhibition by the trimer-stabilized peptide. Significantly, both of these X4 and R5 viruses acquired gp41 resistance mutations that improved the thermostability of the six-helix bundle, but they selected different gp120 adaptive mutations. These findings show that these X4 and R5 viruses use a similar resistance mechanism to escape from HR1 peptide inhibition but different gp120-gp41 interactions to regulate Env conformational changes. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 fuses with cells when the gp41 subunit of Env refolds into a 6HB after binding to cellular receptors. Peptides corresponding to HR1 or HR2 interrupt gp41 refolding and inhibit HIV infection. Previously, we found that a CCR5 coreceptor-tropic HIV-1 acquired a key HR1 or HR2 resistance mutation to escape HR1 peptide inhibitors but only the key HR1 mutation to escape a trimer-stabilized HR1 peptide inhibitor. Here, we report that a CXCR4 coreceptor-tropic HIV-1 selected the same key HR1 or HR2 mutations to escape inhibition by the HR1 peptide but different combinations of HR1 and HR2 mutations to escape the trimer-stabilized HR1 peptide. All gp41 mutations enhance 6HB stability to outcompete inhibitors, but gp120 adaptive mutations differed between these R5 and X4 viruses, providing new insights into gp120-gp41 functional interactions affecting Env refolding during HIV entry.

scholarly journals Electron tomography visualization of HIV-1 fusion with target cells using fusion inhibitors to trap the pre-hairpin intermediate

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S Ladinsky ◽  
Priyanthi NP Gnanapragasam ◽  
Zhi Yang ◽  
Anthony P West ◽  
Michael S Kay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Viral Egress ◽  
Hiv 1

Fusion of HIV-1 with the membrane of its target cell, an obligate first step in virus infectivity, is mediated by binding of the viral envelope (Env) spike protein to its receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4, on the cell surface. The process of viral fusion appears to be fast compared with viral egress and has not been visualized by EM. To capture fusion events, the process must be curtailed by trapping Env-receptor binding at an intermediate stage. We have used fusion inhibitors to trap HIV-1 virions attached to target cells by Envs in an extended pre-hairpin intermediate state. Electron tomography revealed HIV-1 virions bound to TZM-bl cells by 2–4 narrow spokes, with slightly more spokes present when evaluated with mutant virions that lacked the Env cytoplasmic tail. These results represent the first direct visualization of the hypothesized pre-hairpin intermediate of HIV-1 Env and improve our understanding of Env-mediated HIV-1 fusion and infection of host cells.

scholarly journals Prevention of Measles Virus Infection by Intranasal Delivery of Fusion Inhibitor Peptides

2014 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 1143-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Mathieu ◽  
D. Huey ◽  
E. Jurgens ◽  
J. C. Welsch ◽  
I. DeVito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Measles Virus ◽  
Structural Transition ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Receptor Interaction ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Peptides ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors

ABSTRACTMeasles virus (MV) infection is undergoing resurgence and remains one of the leading causes of death among young children worldwide despite the availability of an effective measles vaccine. MV infects its target cells by coordinated action of the MV H and the fusion (F) envelope glycoprotein; upon receptor engagement by H, the prefusion F undergoes a structural transition, extending and inserting into the target cell membrane and then refolding into a postfusion structure that fuses the viral and cell membranes. By interfering with this structural transition of F, peptides derived from the heptad-repeat (HR) regions of F can potently inhibit MV infection at the entry stage. We show here that specific features of H's interaction with its receptors modulate the susceptibility of MV F to peptide fusion inhibitors. A higher concentration of inhibitory peptides is required to inhibit F-mediated fusion when H is engaged to its nectin-4 receptor than when H is engaged to its CD150 receptor. Peptide inhibition of F may be subverted by continued engagement of receptor by H, a finding that highlights the ongoing role of H-receptor interaction after F has been activated and that helps guide the design of more potent inhibitory peptides. Intranasal administration of these peptides results in peptide accumulation in the airway epithelium with minimal systemic levels of peptide and efficiently prevents MV infectionin vivoin animal models. The results suggest an antiviral strategy for prophylaxis in vulnerable and/or immunocompromised hosts.IMPORTANCEMeasles virus (MV) infection causes an acute illness that may be associated with infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and severe neurological disease. No specific treatment is available. We have shown that parenterally delivered fusion-inhibitory peptides protect mice from lethal CNS MV disease. Here we show, using established small-animal models of MV infection, that fusion-inhibitory peptides delivered intranasally provide effective prophylaxis against MV infection. Since the fusion inhibitors are stable at room temperature, this intranasal strategy is feasible even outside health care settings, could be used to protect individuals and communities in case of MV outbreaks, and could complement global efforts to control measles.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Efficacy and Resistance Selection of a Lipopeptide Fusion Inhibitor in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danwei Yu ◽  
Jing Xue ◽  
Huamian Wei ◽  
Zhe Cong ◽  
Ting Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Therapeutic Efficacy ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Fusion Inhibitor ◽  
Resistance Mutations ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT We recently reported a group of lipopeptide-based membrane fusion inhibitors with potent antiviral activities against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). In this study, the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of such a lipopeptide, LP-52, was evaluated in rhesus macaques chronically infected with pathogenic SIVmac239. In a pilot study with one monkey, monotherapy with low-dose LP-52 rapidly reduced the plasma viral loads to below the limit of detection and maintained viral suppression during three rounds of structurally interrupted treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of LP-52 was further verified in four infected monkeys; however, three out of the monkeys had viral rebounds under the LP-52 therapy. We next focused on characterizing SIV mutants responsible for the in vivo resistance. Sequence analyses revealed that a V562A or V562M mutation in the N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR) and a E657G mutation in the C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR) of SIV gp41 conferred high resistance to LP-52 and cross-resistance to the peptide drug T20 and two newly designed lipopeptides (LP-80 and LP-83). Moreover, we showed that the resistance mutations greatly reduced the stability of diverse fusion inhibitors with the NHR site, and V562A or V562M in combination with E657G could significantly impair the functionality of viral envelopes (Envs) to mediate SIVmac239 infection and decrease the thermostability of viral six-helical bundle (6-HB) core structure. In conclusion, the present data have not only facilitated the development of novel anti-HIV drugs that target the membrane fusion step, but also help our understanding of the mechanism of viral evolution to develop drug resistance. IMPORTANCE The anti-HIV peptide drug T20 (enfuvirtide) is the only membrane fusion inhibitor available for treatment of viral infection; however, it exhibits relatively weak antiviral activity, short half-life, and a low genetic barrier to inducing drug resistance. Design of lipopeptide-based fusion inhibitors with extremely potent and broad antiviral activities against divergent HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV isolates have provided drug candidates for clinical development. Here, we have verified a high therapeutic efficacy for the lipopeptide LP-52 in SIVmac239-infected rhesus monkeys. The resistance mutations selected in vivo have also been characterized, providing insights into the mechanism of action of newly designed fusion inhibitors with a membrane-anchoring property. For the first time, the data show that HIV-1 and SIV can share a similar genetic pathway to develop resistance, and that a lipopeptide fusion inhibitor could have a same resistance profile as its template peptide.

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