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 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.

scholarly journals Natural scrub typhus antibody suppresses HIV CXCR4(X4) viruses

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Watt ◽  
Pacharee Kantipong ◽  
Thierry Burnouf ◽  
Cecilia Shikuma ◽  
Sean Philpott
Keyword(s):  
Scrub Typhus ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Viral Population ◽  
Hiv Replication ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Hiv Gp120 ◽  
Hiv 1

Viral load generally rises in HIV-infected individuals with a concomitant infection, but falls markedly in some individuals with scrub typhus (ST), a common Asian rickettsial infection. ST infection appears to shift the viral population from CXCR4-using (X4) to CCR5-utilizing (R5) strains, and there is evidence of cross-reactivity between ST-specific antibodies and HIV-1. We examined the mechanism of ST suppression of HIV by measuring the effects of ST infection on X4 and R5 viruses <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em>, and assessing the relative contributions of antibodies and chemokines to the inhibitory effect. <em>In vivo</em>, a single scrub typhus plasma infusion markedly reduced the subpopulation of HIV-1 viruses using the X4 co-receptor in all 8 recipients, and eliminated X4 viruses 6 patients. <em>In vitro</em>, the 14 ST sera tested all inhibited the replication of an X4 but not an R5 virus. This inhibitory effect was maintained if ST sera were depleted of chemokines but was lost upon removal of antibodies. Sera from ST-infected mice recognized a target that co-localized with X4 HIV gp120 in immunofluorescent experiments. These <em>in vivo </em>and <em>in vitro </em>data suggest that acute ST infection generates cross-reactive antibodies that produce potent suppression of CXCR4- but not CCR5-using HIV-1 viruses. ST suppression of HIV replication could reveal novel mechanisms that could be exploited for vaccination strategies, as well as aid in the development of fusion inhibitors and other new therapeutic regimens. This also appears to be the first instance where one pathogen is neutralized by antibody produced in response to infection by a completely unrelated organism.

scholarly journals The essential OST2 gene encodes the 16-kD subunit of the yeast oligosaccharyltransferase, a highly conserved protein expressed in diverse eukaryotic organisms.

1995 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Silberstein ◽  
P G Collins ◽  
D J Kelleher ◽  
R Gilmore
Keyword(s):  
Protein Sequence ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Microsomal Membranes ◽  
High Mannose ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms

Oligosaccharyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of a preassembled high mannose oligosaccharide from a dolichol-oligosaccharide donor to consensus glycosylation acceptor sites in newly synthesized proteins in the lumen of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae oligosaccharyltransferase is an oligomeric complex composed of six non-identical subunits (alpha-zeta). The alpha, beta, gamma, and delta subunits of the oligosaccharyltransferase are encoded by the OST1, WBP1, OST3, and SWP1 genes, respectively. Here we describe the functional characterization of the OST2 gene that encodes the epsilon-subunit of the oligosaccharyltransferase. Genomic disruption of the OST2 locus was lethal in haploid yeast showing that expression of the Ost2 protein is essential for viability. Overexpression of the Ost2 protein suppresses the temperature-sensitive phenotype of the wbp1-2 allele and increases in vivo and in vitro oligosaccharyltransferase activity in a wbp1-2 strain. An analysis of a series of conditional ost2 mutants demonstrated that defects in the Ost2 protein cause pleiotropic underglycosylation of soluble and membrane-bound glycoproteins. Microsomal membranes isolated from ost2 mutant yeast show marked reductions in the in vitro transfer of high mannose oligosaccharide from exogenous lipid-linked oligosaccharide to a glycosylation site acceptor tripeptide. Surprisingly, the Ost2 protein was found to be 40% identical to the DAD1 protein (defender against apoptotic cell death), a highly conserved protein initially identified in vertebrate organisms. The protein sequence of ost2 mutant alleles revealed mutations at highly conserved residues in the Ost2p/DAD1 protein sequence.

scholarly journals C-Terminal gp40 Peptide Analogs Inhibit Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: Cell Fusion and Virus Spread

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (18) ◽  
pp. 9079-9086 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Medinas ◽  
D. M. Lambert ◽  
W. A. Tompkins
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Synthetic Peptides ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Transmembrane Glycoprotein ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT The envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), gp160, is synthesized as a protein precursor that when proteolytically cleaved yields two subunits, gp120 and gp41. gp120 is the surface glycoprotein on HIV-1 responsible for binding to CD4, and gp41 is the transmembrane glycoprotein involved in the membrane fusion process. gp41 is divided into the N-terminal fusion peptide, the heptad repeat 1 (HR1) and HR2 regions, and the C-terminal transmembrane region, which are collectively responsible for virus fusion and entry into the cell. Synthetic peptides derived from the HR2 and HR1 regions of HIV-1LAI have been shown to prevent virus-cell fusion and infection in vitro. In phase II clinical trials in HIV patients, data revealed that T20 has antiviral efficacy and is well tolerated. Similar results were obtained in vitro with HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus, supporting the conservation of the gp41 ectodomain among lentiviruses. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in the cat has been used as a model to develop potential antivirals for HIV. To determine if synthetic gp40 analogs capable of inhibiting FIV infection could be identified, 15 overlapping 35-amino-acid peptides derived from the C-terminal HR2 domain of FIV gp40 were synthesized. These peptides were tested for efficacy against FIV in a syncytium-forming assay with FIV-infected CrFK cells and HeLa cells expressing the FIV receptor CXCR4. Several peptides exhibited activity at the nanogram level. Antiviral activity was confirmed by suppression of reverse transcriptase in a FIV feline CD4+-T-cell (FCD4-E) acute-infection assay. These data demonstrate that synthetic peptides derived from the HR2 domain of the FIV gp41 protein are effective inhibitors of FIV infection.

scholarly journals EWI-2 Inhibits Cell–Cell Fusion at the HIV-1 Virological Presynapse

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1082
Author(s):  
Emily E. Whitaker ◽  
Nicholas J. Matheson ◽  
Sarah Perlee ◽  
Phillip B. Munson ◽  
Menelaos Symeonides ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Virological Synapse ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Producer Cell ◽  
Cellular Components ◽  
Cell To Cell Transfer ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Cell Cell

Cell-to-cell transfer of virus particles at the Env-dependent virological synapse (VS) is a highly efficient mode of HIV-1 transmission. While cell–cell fusion could be triggered at the VS, leading to the formation of syncytia and preventing exponential growth of the infected cell population, this is strongly inhibited by both viral (Gag) and host (ezrin and tetraspanins) proteins. Here, we identify EWI-2, a protein that was previously shown to associate with ezrin and tetraspanins, as a host factor that contributes to the inhibition of Env-mediated cell–cell fusion. Using quantitative fluorescence microscopy, shRNA knockdowns, and cell–cell fusion assays, we show that EWI-2 accumulates at the presynaptic terminal (i.e., the producer cell side of the VS), where it contributes to the fusion-preventing activities of the other viral and cellular components. We also find that EWI-2, like tetraspanins, is downregulated upon HIV-1 infection, most likely by Vpu. Despite the strong inhibition of fusion at the VS, T cell-based syncytia do form in vivo and in physiologically relevant culture systems, but they remain small. In regard to that, we demonstrate that EWI-2 and CD81 levels are restored on the surface of syncytia, where they (presumably) continue to act as fusion inhibitors. This study documents a new role for EWI-2 as an inhibitor of HIV-1-induced cell–cell fusion and provides novel insight into how syncytia are prevented from fusing indefinitely.

scholarly journals Polyethylene Glycol 40-Modified Peptide with High Therapeutic Efficacy in Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acutely Infected Rhesus Monkeys

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingli Li ◽  
Shuihong Cheng ◽  
Yibo Ding ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Yong Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (anti-HIV-1) fusion peptides have been studied for nearly 2 decades, but few candidates have found useful clinical applications. One factor underlying the failure of such agents to reach the clinic is their poor pharmacokinetic properties, and many efforts have been made to overcome this problem. In this study, we modified C34, a peptide inhibitor of HIV-1 fusion, at its conserved glycosylation site using polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of different molecular weights. PEG40-NC, a conjugate of C34 and branched PEG 40 kDa (PEG40), which has been previously shown to improve the pharmacokinetic profiles of proteins, showed a significantly extended half-life (t1/2; 10.39 h in rats), which compensated for decreased in vitro activity (50% effective concentration [EC50] of 18.51 nM). PEG40-NC also showed a mechanism of action similar to that of C34. PEG40-NC monotherapy in acutely simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected rhesus monkeys significantly suppressed viral load compared with a control treatment. Efficacy was linked to the extended half-life and lymphatic exposure conferred by attached PEG40. These results highlight the potential of further clinical investigations of PEG40-NC in combination with antiretroviral therapy or other anti-HIV agents. IMPORTANCE Poor pharmacokinetics have severely hindered the clinical use of anti-HIV peptides. Different small molecules, such as lipid, cholesterol, and small PEG, were designed to modify peptides to improve their pharmacokinetics. In this study, we incorporated large branched PEG to anti-HIV peptide and obtained a conjugate with extended half-life and improved in vivo efficacy. The strategy we developed in this study can also be applicable for the development of other peptide candidates.

scholarly journals Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) envelope-dependent cell–cell fusion modulation by HIV-positive sera is related to disease progression

2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (7) ◽  
pp. 1961-1966 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Huerta ◽  
G. Gómez-Icazbalceta ◽  
L. Soto-Ramírez ◽  
M. Viveros-Rogel ◽  
R. Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Load Removal ◽  
Dependent Cell ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Cell Cell

Fusion of CD4+ cells by HIV-1 envelope proteins (Env) is a mechanism of virus spread and cell damage. Production of antibodies able to influence cell–cell fusion in vivo may affect the course of the infection. The effect of sera from 49 HIV-1-positive patients was tested on an in vitro fusion assay using Env-expressing and normal Jurkat T cells labelled with DiI and DiO dyes, and flow cytometry for quantification of cell–cell fusion. Sera varied in their activity on fusion: 69·4 % inhibited, 24·5 % had no effect and 6·1 % enhanced cell fusion. Fusion activity correlated positively with the CD4+ T-cell count and inversely with the viral load. Removal of IgG or IgM from sera reduced or eliminated inhibition and enhancing activities, respectively. Antibodies with inhibitory activity predominate in early and intermediate stages of infection, whereas loss of inhibition or enhancement of fusion correlates with progression to AIDS.

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 BST2/Tetherin Overexpression Modulates Morbillivirus Glycoprotein Production to Inhibit Cell–Cell Fusion

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 692 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Kelly ◽  
Stacey Human ◽  
Joseph Alderman ◽  
Fatoumatta Jobe ◽  
Leanne Logan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Measles Virus ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Large Reduction ◽  
Glycosyl Phosphatidylinositol ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Syncytia Formation ◽  
Cell Cell

The measles virus (MeV), a member of the genus Morbillivirus, is an established pathogen of humans. A key feature of morbilliviruses is their ability to spread by virus–cell and cell–cell fusion. The latter process, which leads to syncytia formation in vitro and in vivo, is driven by the viral fusion (F) and haemagglutinin (H) glycoproteins. In this study, we demonstrate that MeV glycoproteins are sensitive to inhibition by bone marrow stromal antigen 2 (BST2/Tetherin/CD317) proteins. BST2 overexpression causes a large reduction in MeV syncytia expansion. Using quantitative cell–cell fusion assays, immunolabeling, and biochemistry we further demonstrate that ectopically expressed BST2 directly inhibits MeV cell–cell fusion. This restriction is mediated by the targeting of the MeV H glycoprotein, but not other MeV proteins. Using truncation mutants, we further establish that the C-terminal glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor of BST2 is required for the restriction of MeV replication in vitro and cell–cell fusion. By extending our study to the ruminant morbillivirus peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and its natural host, sheep, we also confirm this is a broad and cross-species specific phenotype.

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