HIV-1整合酶及其抑制剂的研究进展

HIV-1整合酶是由HIV病毒pol基因编码的分子量为32KD的蛋白质,是HIV病毒复制的必需酶之一,它催化病毒DNA整合入宿主染色体DNA。人类细胞中没有HIV 整合酶的类似物[1],理论上抑制整合酶对人体副作用很小。因此HIV-1整合酶成为继HIV-1蛋白酶,逆转录酶后治疗艾滋病的富有吸引力和合理的靶标。本文综述了HIV整合酶结构,抑制剂的研究以及以HIV-1 整和酶为靶点治疗AIDS方法的最新研究进展。     

Identification of membrane-active regions of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41 using a 15-mer gp41-peptide scan

The identification of membrane-active regions of the ectodomain of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41 has been made by determining the effect on membrane integrity of a 15-mer gp41-derived peptide library. By monitoring the effect of this peptide library on membrane leakage, we have identified three regions on the gp41 ectodomain with membrane-interacting capabilities: Region 1, which would roughly correspond to the polar sequence which follows the fusion domain and extends to the N-terminal heptad repeat region; Region 2, which would correspond to the immunodominant loop; and Region 3, which would correspond to the pre-transmembrane region of gp41. The identification of these three regions supports their direct role in membrane fusion as well as facilitating the future development of HIV-1 entry inhibitors.     

HIV-1 gp41的酵母表面展示及表达优化

以His标签检测蛋白的表达, 利用酿酒酵母表面展示系统, 成功地将HIV-1 gp41片段锚定在酵母表面, 并检测到gp41的活性。以pMD18T-gp41为模板, 通过PCR技术克隆了gp41基因, 将gp41基因通过双酶切连接到载体pICAS-His上,构建了gp41酵母表面展示载体, 并将其转化至酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)MT8-1中。重组菌经培养, 利用免疫荧光染色方法进行染色, 显微镜观察发现重组酵母细胞表面有绿色荧光, 流式细胞仪结果进一步证实gp41正确折叠展示于酵母细胞表面。采用不同浓度的葡萄糖培养基进行表达优化。当葡萄糖浓度为1%时, 82.46%的酵母细胞表达了gp41抗原; 随着葡萄糖浓度升高, 蛋白表达受到抑制。     

HIV-1 gp41的酵母表面展示及表达优化

以His标签检测蛋白的表达, 利用酿酒酵母表面展示系统, 成功地将HIV-1 gp41片段锚定在酵母表面, 并检测到gp41的活性。以pMD18T-gp41为模板, 通过PCR技术克隆了gp41基因, 将gp41基因通过双酶切连接到载体pICAS-His上,构建了gp41酵母表面展示载体, 并将其转化至酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)MT8-1中。重组菌经培养, 利用免疫荧光染色方法进行染色, 显微镜观察发现重组酵母细胞表面有绿色荧光, 流式细胞仪结果进一步证实gp41正确折叠展示于酵母细胞表面。采用不同浓度的葡萄糖培养基进行表达优化。当葡萄糖浓度为1%时, 82.46%的酵母细胞表达了gp41抗原; 随着葡萄糖浓度升高, 蛋白表达受到抑制。     

Identification of the HIV-1 gp41 core-binding motif--HXXNPF

The HIV-1 gp41 core, a six-helix bundle formed between the N- and C-terminal heptad repeats, plays a critical role in fusion between the viral and target cell membranes. Using N36(L8)C34 as a model of the gp41 core to screen phage display peptide libraries, we identified a common motif, HXXNPF (X is any of the 20 natural amino acid residues). A selected positive phage clone L7.8 specifically bound to N36(L8)C34 and this binding could be blocked by a gp41 core-specific monoclonal antibody (NC-1). JCH-4, a peptide containing HXXNPF motif, effectively inhibited HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein-mediated syncytium-formation. The epitope of JCH-4 was proven to be linear and might locate in the NHR regions of the gp41 core. These data suggest that HXXNPF motif may be a gp41 core-binding sequence and HXXNPF motif-containing molecules can be used as probes for studying the role of the HIV-1 gp41 core in membrane fusion process.     

Conserved arginine residue in the membrane-spanning domain of HIV-1 gp41 is required for efficient membrane fusion

Despite the high mutation rate of HIV-1, the amino acid sequences of the membrane-spanning domain (MSD) of HIV-1 gp41 are well conserved. Arginine residues are rarely found in single membrane-spanning domains, yet an arginine residue, R⁶⁹⁶ (the numbering is based on that of HXB2), is highly conserved in HIV-1 gp41. To examine the role of R⁶⁹⁶, it was mutated to K, A, I, L, D, E, N, and Q. Most of these substitutions did not affect the expression, processing or surface distribution of the envelope protein (Env). However, a syncytia formation assay showed that the substitution of R⁶⁹⁶ with amino acid residues other than K, a naturally observed mutation in the gp41 MSD, decreased fusion activity. Substitution with hydrophobic amino acid residues (A, I, and L) resulted in a modest decrease, while substitution with D or E, potentially negatively-charged residues, almost abolished the syncytia formation. All the fusion-defective mutants showed slower kinetics with the cell-based dual split protein (DSP) assay that scores the degree of membrane fusion based on pore formation between fusing cells. Interestingly, the D and E substitutions did show some fusion activity in the DSP assays, suggesting that proteins containing D or E substitutions retained some fusion pore-forming capability. However, nascent pores failed to develop, due probably to impaired activity in the pore enlargement process. Our data show the importance of this conserved arginine residue for efficient membrane fusion.     

Molecular dynamics studies of the transmembrane domain of gp41 from HIV-1

Helix-helix interactions in the putative three-helix bundle formation of the gp41 transmembrane (TM) domain may contribute to the process of virus-cell membrane fusion in HIV-1 infection. In this study, molecular dynamics is used to analyze and compare the conformations of monomeric and trimeric forms of the TM domain in various solvent systems over the course of 4 to 23-ns simulations. The trimeric bundles of the TM domain were stable as helices and remained associated in a hydrated POPE lipid bilayer for the duration of the 23-ns simulation. Several stable inter-chain hydrogen bonds, mostly among the three deprotonated arginine residues located at the center of each of the three TM domains, formed in a right-handed bundle embedded in the lipid bilayer. No such bonds were observed when the bundle was left-handed or when the central arginine residue in each of the three TM helices was replaced with isoleucine (R_I mutant), suggesting that the central arginine residues may play an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the three-helix bundle. These observations suggest that formation of the three-helix bundle of the TM domain may play a role in the trimerization of gp41, thought to occur during the virus-cell membrane fusion process.     

Structural requirements for and consequences of an antiviral porphyrin binding to the V3 loop of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp120

Several porphyrin derivatives were reported to have anti-HIV-1 activity. Among them, meso-teta(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (MYCPP) and other carboxyphenyl derivatives were the most potent inhibitors (EC₅₀ < 0.7 μM). MTCPP bound to the HIV-1 enveloope glycoprotein gp120 and to full-length V3 loop peptides corresponding to several HIV-1 isolates but not to other peptides from gp120+gp41. However, it remained possible that MTCPP bound to HIV-1 envelop glycoprotein gp120 and to full-length V3 loop peptides corresponding to several HIV-1 isolates but not to other peptides from gp120+gp41. However, it remained possible that MTCPP bound to regions on gp120 which cannot be mimicked by peptides. Further characterization of the binding domain for MTCPP is important for understanding the antiviral activity of porphyrins and for the design of anit-HIV-1 drugs interfering with functions of the virus envelope. Results presented here show that: (i) deletion of the V3 loop from the gp120 sequence resulted in drastically diminished MTCPP binding, suggesting that the V3 loop is the dominant if not the only target site on gp120; (ii) this site was only partially mimicked by full-length V3 loop peptides; (iii) MTCPP binding to the gp120 V3 loop elicited allosteric effects resulting in decreased accessibility of the CD4 receptor binding site; (iv) the binding site for MTCPP lies within the central portion of the V3 loop (KSIHIGPGRAFY for the HIV-1 subtype B consensus sequence) and does not involve directly the GPG apex of the loop. These results may help in designing antiviral compounds with improved activity.     

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.     

HIV-1包膜蛋白gp41优势抗原的构建及可溶性表达

目的:筛选1型人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV-1)中国流行株中包膜蛋白gp41的优势抗原片段,构建具有区域流行代表性的HIV-1 gp41重组抗原,为改进现有HIV-1初筛试剂盒中使用的同类抗原奠定基础。方法:利用免疫斑点杂交和生物信息学方法,从收集自重庆、广州、上海的区域代表性150份HIV-1感染者血清标本中筛选gp41抗原性强的候选样本,利用RT-PCR及巢式PCR方法扩增包含重要抗原表位决定蔟的gp41基因片段,与原核表达载体pQE30连接,转化大肠杆菌M15构建gp41重组抗原表达菌株,表达后经亲和层析纯化、SDS-PAGE和Western印迹鉴定。结果:兔源HRP标记的gp41多抗能识别标本中gp41抗原性差异,得到候选样本,扩增包含gp41主要抗原表位片段;构建了包含gp41抗原表达簇的重组原核表达质粒,表达、纯化后经His标签抗体Western印迹鉴定为阳性。结论:高纯度的重组优势gp41抗原的构建和鉴定,为进一步改进现有HIV初筛诊断奠定了基础。     

Development of a high-throughput assay for the HIV-1 integrase disintegration reaction

Both HIV-1 integrase (IN) and the central catalytic domain of IN (IN-CCD) catalyze the disintegration reaction in vitro. In this study, IN and IN-CCD proteins were expressed and purified, and a high-throughput format enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the disintegration reaction. IN exhibited a marked preference for Mn²⁺ over Mg²⁺ as the divalent cation cofactor in disintegration. Baicalein, a known IN inhibitor, was found to be an IN-CCD inhibitor. The assay is sensitive and specific for the study of disintegration reaction as well as for the in vitro identification of antiviral drugs targeting IN, especially targeting IN-CCD.     

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.     

HIV-1 infection: Functional competition between gp41 and interleukin-2

To determine whether the gp41 of HIV-1 could adhere to the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor at the surface of target cells in vitro, we analysed in vitro the possible functional competition between various forms of the HIV-1 gp41 molecule (i.e. peptides, trimeric or primary structures) and IL-2. This competition has been analysed in a test involving the proliferation of an IL-2-dependent cell line (CTLL2). The putative interaction between the IL-2 molecule and HIV-1 has also been assayed on MT4 cells (CD4⁺ T lymphocytes) in culture. The gp41 trimeric molecule and an HIV-1 gp41 peptide (578–590 aminoacid sequence) dramatically inhibited CTLL2 cell proliferation, despite the presence of IL-2. The addition of serum, containing anti-gp41 antibodies, from HIV-1 patients resulted in a significant abolition of this inhibition. The concomitant incubation of IL-2 and HIV-1 with MT4 cells resulted in a strong decrease (70%) in HIV-1 p24 release. These data suggest that the gp41 of HIV-1 can use the IL-2 receptor during the process of HIV-1 infection and that there is some functional mimesis between gp41 and IL-2.     

Single amino acid substitution in HIV-1 integrase catalytic core causes a dramatic shift in inhibitor selectivity

HIV-1 integrase (IN) mediates the insertion of viral cDNA into the cell genome, a vital process for replication. This step is catalyzed by two separate DNA reaction events, termed 3'-processing and strand transfer. Here, we show that six inhibitors from five structurally different classes of compounds display a selectivity shift towards preferential strand transfer inhibition over the 3'-processing activity of IN when a single serine is substituted at position C130. Even though IN utilizes the same active site for both reactions, this finding suggests a distinct conformational dissimilarity in the mechanistic details of each IN catalytic event.     

双抗体夹心ELISA检测HIV-1 gp41抗原方法的建立

目的:建立检测HIV-1gp41抗原的双抗体夹心ELISA,并探讨其临床应用的可行性。方法:用饱和硫酸铵(SAS)纯化抗HIV-1gp41-5单克隆抗体(mAb),用HRP标记后建立双抗体夹心ELISA法,对其灵敏度及特异性进行检测,并用该方法对40份HIV-1阳性血清进行了检测。结果:用mAbE12(5μg/mL)为包被抗体,2H6为酶标记抗体(1∶900)建立了双抗体夹心ELISA法,检测gp41-5多肽的灵敏度是100pg/mL。对HIV-1阳性血清中gp41抗原的检出率为67.5%(27/40)。结论:建立了特异性强、灵敏度良好的检测HIV-1gp41抗原的双抗体夹心ELISA法。     

The interaction of a glycosaminoglycan heparin,with HIV-1 major envelope glycoprotein

We demonstrate in vitro the occurence of a specific but low-affinity interaction between soluble tetrameric rgp160 or soluble monomeric or tetrameric rgp120 and heparin-agarose (HA). This interaction is saturable, pH and temperature-dependent, and can be inhibited by soluble heparin, but not by soluble dextran. In buffer supplemented with 10 mM CaCl₂, the C₅₀ of soluble heparin, i.e., the concentration of soluble heparin which leads to 50% inhibition of the binding of [¹²⁵I]rgp160 or [¹²⁵I]rgp120 to HA, is 1.1. · 10^?4 disaccharidic molar concentration for rgp160 and 3.2 · 10^?4 disaccharidic molar concentration for rgp120, which indicates low-affinity interactions. Upon chromatography on HA, [¹²⁵I]rgp160 is repeatedly eluted as a retarded fraction when compared to the elutions volume of [¹²⁵I]rgp160-soluble heparin complex. Under the same experimental conditions, [¹²⁵I]rgp120 is also eluted, but as a less retarded fraction than [¹²⁵I]rgp160. Taken together, these results suggest that, at least part of the described anti HIV-1 activity of heparin might be mediated by interaction with HIV-1 major envelope glycoprotein.     

HIV-1整合酶的功能及其抑制剂的研究进展

I型人类免疫缺陷病毒（human immunodeflciency virustype1,HIV-1）在宿主细胞内经逆转录得到的cDNA,由整合酶（integrase,ry）催化插入到宿主基因组DNA中,该过程称为整合过程。整合是HIV-1复制周期中不可缺少的步骤,对于病毒的复制至关重要,因此对整合酶的抑制能够有效地起到抗HIV的作用。该文综述了整合酶的结构与功能以及目前关于整合酶抑制剂的最新研究进展。     

Discovery of small-molecule HIV-1 fusion and integrase inhibitors oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol: part II. integrase inhibition

We report molecular modeling and functional confirmation of Ole and HT binding to HIV-1 integrase. Docking simulations identified two binding regions for Ole within the integrase active site. Region I encompasses the conserved D64-D116-E152 motif, while region II involves the flexible loop region formed by amino acid residues 140-149. HT, on the other hand, binds to region II. Both Ole and HT exhibit favorable interactions with important amino acid residues through strong H-bonding and van der Waals contacts, predicting integrase inhibition. To test and confirm modeling predictions, we examined the effect of Ole and HT on HIV-1 integrase activities including 3'-processing, strand transfer, and disintegration. Ole and HT exhibit dose-dependent inhibition on all three activities, with EC(50)s in the nanomolar range. These studies demonstrate that molecular modeling of target-ligand interaction coupled with structural-activity analysis should facilitate the design and identification of innovative integrase inhibitors and other therapeutics.     

D77, one benzoic acid derivative, functions as a novel anti-HIV-1 inhibitor targeting the interaction between integrase and cellular LEDGF/p75

Integration of viral-DNA into host chromosome mediated by the viral protein HIV-1 integrase (IN) is an essential step in the HIV-1 life cycle. In this process, Lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) is discovered to function as a cellular co-factor for integration. Since LEDGF/p75 plays an important role in HIV integration, disruption of the LEDGF/p75 interaction with IN has provided a special interest for anti-HIV agent discovery. In this work, we reported that a benzoic acid derivative, 4-[(5-bromo-4-{[2,4-dioxo-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)-1,3-thiazolidin-5-ylidene]methyl}-2-ethoxyphenoxy)methyl]benzoic acid (D77) could potently inhibit the IN-LEDGF/p75 interaction and affect the HIV-1 IN nuclear distribution thus exhibiting antiretroviral activity. Molecular docking with site-directed mutagenesis analysis and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding assays has clarified possible binding mode of D77 against HIV-1 integrase. As the firstly discovered small molecular compound targeting HIV-1 integrase interaction with LEDGF/p75, D77 might supply useful structural information for further anti-HIV agent discovery.     

HIV-1 gp41 NC六螺旋的结构与功能研究

AIDS是严重危害人类健康的疾病,而HIV是导致这种疾病的病毒。gp41六螺旋在介导HIV-1病毒与靶细胞间的膜融合过程中起着重要作用。因此,对于gp41结合蛋白的研究有助于深入了解gp41在HIV-1感染整个过程中扮演的角色,解释gp41对靶细胞的调控机制,为寻找新的抗艾滋病药物靶点以及艾滋病抑制剂的设计提供有益的思路。作者的实验室相继发现了一批与gp41六螺旋结构相互作用的蛋白质,进而对HIV-1 gp41六螺旋介导的膜融合过程和HIV-1感染机理有了更深入的了解。