3'-processing and strand transfer catalysed by retroviral integrase in crystallo

Retroviral integrase (IN) is responsible for two consecutive reactions, which lead to insertion of a viral DNA copy into a host cell chromosome. Initially, the enzyme removes di- or trinucleotides from viral DNA ends to expose 3'-hydroxyls attached to the invariant CA dinucleotides (3'-processing reaction). Second, it inserts the processed 3'-viral DNA ends into host chromosomal DNA (strand transfer). Herein, we report a crystal structure of prototype foamy virus IN bound to viral DNA prior to 3'-processing. Furthermore, taking advantage of its dependence on divalent metal ion cofactors, we were able to freeze trap the viral enzyme in its ground states containing all the components necessary for 3'-processing or strand transfer. Our results shed light on the mechanics of retroviral DNA integration and explain why HIV IN strand transfer inhibitors are ineffective against the 3'-processing step of integration. The ground state structures moreover highlight a striking substrate mimicry utilized by the inhibitors in their binding to the IN active site and suggest ways to improve upon this clinically relevant class of small molecules.     

Inhibitory profile of a LEDGF/p75 peptide against HIV-1 integrase: insight into integrase-DNA complex formation and catalysis

A lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75 peptide was evaluated for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase (IN) inhibitory activity. The LEDGF/p75 peptide modestly inhibited IN catalysis and was dependent on IN-DNA assembly. The peptide was also effective at disrupting LEDGF/p75-IN complex formation. We next investigated the activity of the LEDGF/p75 peptide on IN mutant proteins that are unable to catalyze the DNA strand transfer reaction. The LEDGF/p75 peptide displayed an increased potency on these IN proteins, from 5-fold to greater than 10-fold, indicating the IN multimeric state greatly influences the peptide inhibitory effects. These results shed light on IN-DNA multimeric formation, and how this process influences the LEDGF/p75-IN interaction.     

Interactions of the human T-cell leukemia virus type-II integrase with the conserved CA in the retroviral long terminal repeat end

Retroviral integrases (INs) interact with termini of retroviral DNA in the conserved 5'-C(A/G)T. For most integrases, modifications of critical moieties in the major and minor grooves of these sequences decrease 3'-processing. However, for human immunodeficiency virus type-2 (HTLV-2) IN, the replacement of the guanine with 6-methylguanine or hypoxanthine not only reduced 3'-processing, but also promoted cleavage at a second site. This novel cleavage activity required an upstream ACA, unique to the HTLV-2 U5 end. 3'-Processing assays with additional isosteric modifications at Gua and filter binding experiments revealed that the mechanism of the second site cleavage differed among the major groove, minor groove, and mismatch modifications. Importantly, the decrease in 3'-processing activity noted with the minor groove and mismatch modifications were attributed to a decrease in binding. Major groove modifications, however, decreased the level of 3'-processing, but did not affect binding. This suggests that integrase binds the viral end through the minor groove, but relies on major groove contacts for 3'-processing. Several modifications were also examined in strand transfer and disintegration substrates. HTLV-2 IN showed reduced activity with strand transfer and disintegration substrates containing major groove, but not minor groove modifications. This suggests major groove interactions at guanine also provide an important role in these reactions.     

Functional identification of nucleotides conferring substrate specificity to retroviral integrase reactions.

The long terminal repeats (LTRs) that flank the retroviral DNA genome play a distinct role in the integration process by acting as specific substrates for the integrase (IN). The role of LTR sequences in providing substrate recognition and specificity to integration reactions was investigated for INs from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV), human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), and human T-cell leukemia virus type 2 (HTLV-2). Overall, these INs required specific LTR sequences for optimal catalysis of 3'-processing reactions, as opposed to strand transfer and disintegration reactions. It is of particular note that in strand transfer reactions the sites of integration were similar among the four INs. In the 3'-processing reaction, sequence specificity for each IN was traced to the three nucleotides proximal to the conserved CA. Reactions catalyzed by M-MuLV IN were additionally influenced by upstream regions. The nucleotide requirements for optimal catalysis differed for each IN. HIV-1 IN showed a broad range of substrate specificities, while HTLV-1 IN and HTLV-2 IN had more defined sequence requirements. M-MuLV IN exhibited greater activity with the heterologous LTR substrates than with its own wild-type substrate. This finding was further substantiated by the high levels of activity catalyzed by the IN on modified M-MuLV LTRs. This work suggests that unlike the other INs examined, M-MuLV IN has evolved with an IN-LTR interaction that is suboptimal.     

Folding of the multidomain human immunodeficiency virus type-I integrase.

Protein folding conditions were established for human immunodeficiency virus integrase (IN) obtained from purified bacterial inclusion bodies. IN was denatured by 6 M guanidine.HCl-5 mM dithiothreitol, purified by gel filtration, and precipitated by ammonium sulfate. The reversible solvation of precipitated IN by 6 M guanidine.HCl allowed for wide variation of protein concentration in the folding reaction. A 6-fold dilution of denatured IN by 1 M NaCl buffer followed by dialysis produced enzymatically active IN capable of 3' OH end processing, strand transfer, and disintegration using various human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat DNA substrates. The specific activities of folded IN preparations for these enzymatic reactions were comparable to those of soluble IN purified directly from bacteria. The subunit composition and enzymatic activities of IN were affected by the folding conditions. Standard folding conditions were defined in which monomers and protein aggregates sedimenting as dimers and tetramers wree produced. These protein aggregates were enzymatically active, whereas monomers had reduced strand transfer activity. Temperature modifications of the folding conditions permitted formation of mainly monomers. Upon assaying, these monomers were efficient for strand transfer and disintegration, but the oligomeric state of IN under the conditions of the assay is determinate. Our results suggest that monomers of the multidomain HIV-1 IN are folded correctly for various catalytic activities, but the conditions for specific oligomerization in the absence of catalytic activity are undefined.     

Design and discovery of 5-hydroxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-4-carboxamide inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase

Raltegravir (RAL) is a first clinically approved integrase (IN) inhibitor for the treatment of HIV but rapid mutation of the virus has led to chemo-resistant strains. Therefore, there is a medical need to develop new IN inhibitors to overcome drug resistance. At present, several IN inhibitors are in different phases of clinical trials and few have been discontinued due to toxicity and lack of efficacy. The development of potent second-generation IN inhibitors with improved safety profiles is key for selecting new clinical candidates. In this article, we report the design and synthesis of potent 5-hydroxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-4-carboxamide analogues as second-generation IN inhibitors. These compounds satisfy two structural requirements known for potent inhibition of HIV-1 IN catalysis: a metal chelating moiety and a hydrophobic functionality necessary for selectivity against the strand transfer reaction. Most of the new compounds described herein are potent and selective for the strand transfer reaction and show antiviral activity in cell-based assays. Furthermore, this class of compounds are drug-like and suitable for further optimization and preclinical studies.     

Discovery of 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2-pyranone derivatives and their difluoridoborate complexes as a novel class of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

HIV-1 integrase (IN) has emerged as an important therapeutic target for anti-HIV drug development. Its uniqueness to the virus and its critical role in the viral life cycle makes IN suitable for selective inhibition. The recent approval of Raltegravir (MK-0518) has created a surge in interest and great optimism in the field. In our ongoing IN drug design research, we herein report the discovery of substituted analogs of 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2-pyranones and their difluoridoborate complexes as novel IN inhibitors. In many of these compounds, complexation with boron difluoride increased the potency and selectivity of IN inhibition. Compound 9 was most active with an IC(50) value of 9 microM and 3 microM for 3'-processing and strand transfer inhibition, respectively.     

Synthesis and HIV-1 integrase inhibitory activity of spiroundecane(ene) derivatives

Fifteen 2,4-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane ketone and 2,4-dioxa-spiro[5.5]undec-8-ene (spiroundecane(ene)) derivatives were synthesized using the Diels-Alder reaction. Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus integrase (IN) was examined. Eight spiroundecane(ene) derivatives inhibited both 3'-processing and strand transfer reactions catalyzed by IN. SAR studies showed that the undecane core with at least one furan moiety is preferred for IN inhibition. Moreover, crosslinking experiments showed that spiroundecane derivatives did not affect IN-DNA binding at concentrations that block IN catalytic activity, indicating spiroundecane derivatives inhibit preformed IN-DNA complex. The moderate toxicity of spiroundecane(ene) derivatives encourages the further design of therapeutically relevant analogues based on this novel chemotype of IN inhibitors.     

Position-specific suppression and enhancement of HIV-1 integrase reactions by minor groove benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide deoxyguanine adducts: implications for molecular interactions between integrase and substrates

The viral protein HIV-1 integrase is required for insertion of the viral genome into human chromosomes and for viral replication. Integration proceeds in two consecutive integrase-mediated reactions: 3'-processing and strand transfer. To investigate the DNA minor groove interactions of integrase relative to known sites of integrase action, we synthesized oligodeoxynucleotides containing single covalent adducts of known absolute configuration derived from trans-opening of benzo-[a]pyrene 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide by the exocyclic 2-amino group of deoxyguanosine at specific positions in a duplex sequence corresponding to the terminus of the viral U5 DNA. Because the orientations of the hydrocarbon in the minor groove are known from NMR solution structures of duplex oligonucleotides containing these deoxyguanosine adducts, a detailed analysis of the relationship between the position of minor groove ligands and integrase interactions is possible. Adducts placed in the DNA minor groove two or three nucleotides from the 3'-processing site inhibited both 3'-processing and strand transfer. Inosine substitution showed that the guanine 2-amino group is required for efficient 3'-processing at one of these positions and for efficient strand transfer at the other. Mapping of the integration sites on both strands of the DNA substrates indicated that the adducts both inhibit strand transfer specifically at the minor groove bound sites and enhance integration at sites up to six nucleotides away from the adducts. These experiments demonstrate the importance of position-specific minor groove contacts for both the integrase-mediated 3'-processing and strand transfer reactions.     

A novel short peptide is a specific inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase

The retroviral encoded protein integrase (IN) is required for the insertion of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral DNA into the host genome. In spite of the crucial role played by IN in the retroviral life cycle, which makes this enzyme an attractive target for the development of new anti-AIDS agents, very few inhibitors have been described and none seems to have a potential use in anti-HIV therapy. To obtain potent and specific IN inhibitors, we used the two-hybrid system to isolate short peptides. Using HIV-1 IN as a bait and a yeast genomic library as the source of inhibitory peptides (prey), we isolated a 33-mer peptide (I33) that bound tightly to the enzyme. I33 inhibited both in vitro IN activities, i.e. 3' end processing and strand transfer. Further analysis led us to select a shorter peptide, EBR28, corresponding to the N-terminal region of I33. Truncated variants showed that EBR28 interacted with the catalytic domain of IN interfering with the binding of the DNA substrate. Alanine single substitution of each EBR28 residue (alanine scanning) allowed the identification of essential amino acids involved in the inhibition. The EBR28 NMR structure shows that this peptide adopts an alpha-helical conformation with amphipathic properties. Additionally, EBR28 showed a significant antiviral effect when assayed on HIV-1 infected human cells. Thus, this potentially important short lead peptide may not only be helpful to design new anti-HIV agents, but also could prove very useful in further studies of the structural and functional characteristics of HIV-1 IN.     

New class of HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors with a dual mode of action

tert-Butoxy-(4-phenyl-quinolin-3-yl)-acetic acids (tBPQA) are a new class of HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors that are structurally distinct from IN strand transfer inhibitors but analogous to LEDGINs. LEDGINs are a class of potent antiviral compounds that interacts with the lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF) binding pocket on IN and were identified through competition binding against LEDGF. LEDGF tethers IN to the host chromatin and enables targeted integration of viral DNA. The prevailing understanding of the antiviral mechanism of LEDGINs is that they inhibit LEDGF binding to IN, which prevents targeted integration of HIV-1. We showed that in addition to the properties already known for LEDGINs, the binding of tBPQAs to the IN dimer interface inhibits IN enzymatic activity in a LEDGF-independent manner. Using the analysis of two long terminal repeat junctions in HIV-infected cells, we showed that the inhibition by tBPQAs occurs at or prior to the viral DNA 3'-processing step. Biochemical studies revealed that this inhibition operates by compound-induced conformational changes in the IN dimer that prevent proper assembly of IN onto viral DNA. For the first time, tBPQAs were demonstrated to be allosteric inhibitors of HIV-1 IN displaying a dual mode of action: inhibition of IN-viral DNA assembly and inhibition of IN-LEDGF interaction.     

Nitrogen-containing polyhydroxylated aromatics as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors: synthesis,structure-activity relationship analysis,and biological activity

Four series of forty-five nitrogen-containing polyhydroxylated aromatics based on caffeic acid phenethyl ester were designed and synthesized as HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors. Most of these compounds inhibited IN catalytic activities in low micromolar range. Among these new analogues, compounds 9e and 9f were the most potent IN inhibitors with IC₅₀ value of 0.7 μM against strand transfer reaction. Their key structure-activity relationships were also discussed.     

Development of tricyclic hydroxy-1H-pyrrolopyridine-trione containing HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

New tricyclic HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors were prepared that combined structural features of bicyclic pyrimidinones with recently disclosed 4,5-dihydroxy-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-diones. This combination resulted in the introduction of a nitrogen into the aryl ring and the addition of a fused third ring to our previously described inhibitors. The resulting analogues showed low micromolar inhibitory potency in in vitro HIV-1 integrase assays, with good selectivity for strand transfer relative to 3′-processing.     

Identification of the LEDGF/p75 binding site in HIV-1 integrase

Lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75 is an important cellular co-factor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication. We originally identified LEDGF/p75 as a binding partner of integrase (IN) in human cells. The interaction has been mapped to the integrase-binding domain (IBD) of LEDGF/p75 located in the C-terminal part. We have subsequently shown that IN carrying the Q168A mutation remains enzymatically active but is impaired for interaction with LEDGF/p75. To map the integrase/LEDGF interface in more detail, we have now identified and characterized two regions within the enzyme involved in the interaction with LEDGF/p75. The first region centers around residues W131 and W132 while the second extends from I161 up to E170. For the different IN mutants the interaction with LEDGF/p75 and the enzymatic activities were determined. IN(W131A), IN(I161A), IN(R166A), IN(Q168A) and IN(E170A) are impaired for interaction with LEDGF/p75, but retain 3' processing and strand transfer activities. Due to impaired integration, an HIV-1 strain containing the W131A mutation in IN displays reduced replication capacity, whereas virus carrying IN(Q168A) is replication defective. Comparison of the wild-type IN-LEDGF/p75 co-crystal structure with that of the modelled structure of the IN(Q168A) and IN(W131A) mutant integrases corroborated our experimental data.     

Identification by phage display selection of a short peptide able to inhibit only the strand transfer reaction catalyzed by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase catalyzes the integration of proviral DNA into the infected cell genome, so it is an important potential target for antiviral drug design. In an attempt to search for peptides that specifically interact with integrase (IN) and inhibit its function, we used an in vitro selection procedure, the phage display technique. A phage display library of random heptapeptides was used to screen for potential peptide ligands of HIV-1 IN. Several phage clones were identified that specifically bound IN. Two of the selected peptides (FHNHGKQ and HLEHLLF) exhibited a high affinity for IN and were chemically synthesized. High affinity was confirmed by a displacement assay which showed that these two synthetic peptides were able to compete with the phages expressing the corresponding peptide. These agents were assayed on the in vitro IN activities. While none of them inhibited the 3'-processing reaction, the FHNHGKQ peptide was found to be an inhibitor of the strand transfer reaction. Despite its high affinity for IN, the HLEHLLF peptide selected and assayed under the same conditions was unable to inhibit this reaction. We showed that the FHNHGKQ peptide inhibits specifically the strand transfer activity by competing with the target DNA for binding to IN. These IN-binding agents could be used as a base for developing new anti-integrase compounds as well as for structural studies of the still unknown three-dimensional structure of the entire integrase molecule.     

Newer tetracycline derivatives: synthesis, anti-HIV, antimycobacterial activities and inhibition of HIV-1 integrase

A series of new tetracycline derivatives has been synthesized by reacting appropriate tetracyclines, formaldehyde and secondary amino (piperazino) function of fluoroquinolones using microwave irradiation with the yield ranging from 41 evaluated for its anti-HIV, antimycobacterial activities and HIV-1 integrase (IN) enzyme inhibition studies. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 10 was found to be the most promising compound active against HIV-1 replication with EC(50) of 5.2 microM and was nontoxic to the CEM cells until 200 microM, and MIC of 0.2 microg/mL against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with moderate inhibition of both 3'-processing and strand transfer steps of HIV-1 IN.     

Defining the DNA Substrate Binding Sites on HIV-1 Integrase

A tetramer model for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) with DNA representing long terminal repeat (LTR) termini was previously assembled to predict the IN residues that interact with the LTR termini; these predictions were experimentally verified for nine amino acid residues [Chen, A., Weber, I. T., Harrison, R. W. & Leis, J. (2006). Identification of amino acids in HIV-1 and avian sarcoma virus integrase subsites required for specific recognition of the long terminal repeat ends. J. Biol. Chem., 281, 4173-4182]. In a similar strategy, the unique amino acids found in avian sarcoma virus IN, rather than HIV-1 or Mason-Pfizer monkey virus IN, were substituted into the structurally related positions of HIV-1 IN. Substitutions of six additional residues (Q44, L68, E69, D229, S230, and D253) showed changes in the 3′ processing specificity of the enzyme, verifying their predicted interaction with the LTR DNA. The newly identified residues extend interactions along a 16-bp length of the LTR termini and are consistent with known LTR DNA/HIV-1 IN cross-links. The tetramer model for HIV-1 IN with LTR termini was modified to include two IN binding domains for lens-epithelium-derived growth factor/p75. The target DNA was predicted to bind in a surface trench perpendicular to the plane of the LTR DNA binding sites of HIV-1 IN and extending alongside lens-epithelium-derived growth factor. This hypothesis is supported by the in vitro activity phenotype of HIV-1 IN mutant, with a K219S substitution showing loss in strand transfer activity while maintaining 3′ processing on an HIV-1 substrate. Mutations at seven other residues reported in the literature have the same phenotype, and all eight residues align along the length of the putative target DNA binding trench.     

Molecular Interactions between HIV-1 Integrase and the Two Viral DNA Ends within the Synaptic Complex that Mediates Concerted Integration

A macromolecular nucleoprotein complex in retrovirus-infected cells, termed the preintegration complex, is responsible for the concerted integration of linear viral DNA genome into host chromosomes. Isolation of sufficient quantities of the cytoplasmic preintegration complexes for biochemical and biophysical analysis is difficult. We investigated the architecture of HIV-1 nucleoprotein complexes involved in the concerted integration pathway in vitro. HIV-1 integrase (IN) non-covalently juxtaposes two viral DNA termini forming the synaptic complex, a transient intermediate in the integration pathway, and shares properties associated with the preintegration complex. IN slowly processes two nucleotides from the 3′ OH ends and performs the concerted insertion of two viral DNA ends into target DNA. IN remains associated with the concerted integration product, termed the strand transfer complex. The synaptic complex and strand transfer complex can be isolated by native agarose gel electrophoresis. In-gel fluorescence resonance energy transfer measurements demonstrated that the energy transfer efficiencies between the juxtaposed Cy3 and Cy5 5′-end labeled viral DNA ends in the synaptic complex (0.68 ± 0.09) was significantly different from that observed in the strand transfer complex (0.07 ± 0.02). The calculated distances were 46 ± 3 Å and 83 ± 5 Å, respectively. DNaseI footprint analysis of the complexes revealed that IN protects U5 and U3 DNA sequences up to ∼ 32 bp from the end, suggesting two IN dimers were bound per terminus. Enhanced DNaseI cleavages were observed at nucleotide positions 6 and 9 from the terminus on U3 but not on U5, suggesting independent assembly events. Protein-protein cross-linking of IN within these complexes revealed the presence of dimers, tetramers, and a larger multimer (> 120 kDa). Our results suggest a new model where two IN dimers individually assemble on U3 and U5 ends before the non-covalent juxtaposition of two viral DNA ends, producing the synaptic complex.