A cell-penetrating helical peptide as a potential HIV-1 inhibitor

The capsid domain of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag polyprotein is a critical determinant of virus assembly, and is therefore a potential target for developing drugs for AIDS therapy. Recently, a 12-mer α-helical peptide (CAI) was reported to disrupt immature- and mature-like capsid particle assembly in vitro; however, it failed to inhibit HIV-1 in cell culture due to its inability to penetrate cells. The same group reported the X-ray crystal structure of CAI in complex with the C-terminal domain of capsid (C-CA) at a resolution of 1.7 Å. Using this structural information, we have utilized a structure-based rational design approach to stabilize the α-helical structure of CAI and convert it to a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). The modified peptide (NYAD-1) showed enhanced α-helicity. Experiments with laser scanning confocal microscopy indicated that NYAD-1 penetrated cells and colocalized with the Gag polyprotein during its trafficking to the plasma membrane where virus assembly takes place. NYAD-1 disrupted the assembly of both immature- and mature-like virus particles in cell-free and cell-based in vitro systems. NMR chemical shift perturbation analysis mapped the binding site of NYAD-1 to residues 169-191 of the C-terminal domain of HIV-1 capsid encompassing the hydrophobic cavity and the critical dimerization domain with an improved binding affinity over CAI. Furthermore, experimental data indicate that NYAD-1 most likely targets capsid at a post-entry stage. Most significantly, NYAD-1 inhibited a large panel of HIV-1 isolates in cell culture at low micromolar potency. Our study demonstrates how a structure-based rational design strategy can be used to convert a cell-impermeable peptide to a cell-permeable peptide that displays activity in cell-based assays without compromising its mechanism of action. This proof-of-concept cell-penetrating peptide may aid validation of capsid as an anti-HIV-1 drug target and may help in designing peptidomimetics and small molecule drugs targeted to this protein.     

Solution structure of a hydrocarbon stapled peptide inhibitor in complex with monomeric C-terminal domain of HIV-1 capsid

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid protein plays a critical role in virus core particle assembly and is an important target for novel therapeutic strategies. In a previous study, we characterized the binding affinity of a hydrocarbon stapled helical peptide, NYAD-1, for the capsid protein (K(d) approximately 1 mum) and demonstrated its ability to penetrate the cell membrane (Zhang, H., Zhao, Q., Bhattacharya, S., Waheed, A. A., Tong, X., Hong, A., Heck, S., Goger, M., Cowburn, D., Freed, E. O., and Debnath, A. K. (2008) J. Mol. Biol. 378, 565-580). In cell-based assays, NYAD-1 colocalized with the Gag polyprotein during traffic to the plasma membrane and disrupted the formation of mature and immature virus particles in vitro systems. Here, we complement the cellular and biochemical data with structural characterization of the interactions between the capsid and a soluble peptide analogue, NYAD-13. Solution NMR methods were used to determine a high resolution structure of the complex between the inhibitor and a monomeric form of the C-terminal domain of the capsid protein (mCA-CTD). The intermolecular interactions are mediated by the packing of hydrophobic side chains at the buried interface and unperturbed by the presence of the olefinic chain on the solvent-exposed surface of the peptide. The results of the structural analysis provide valuable insight into the determinants for high affinity and selective inhibitors for HIV-1 particle assembly.     

Genetic interactions between Drosophila melanogaster Atg1 and paxillin reveal a role for paxillin in autophagosome formation

Autophagy is a conserved cellular process of macromolecule recycling that involves vesicle-mediated degradation of cytoplasmic components. Autophagy plays essential roles in normal cell homeostasis and development, the response to stresses such as nutrient starvation, and contributes to disease processes including cancer and neurodegeneration. Although many of the autophagy components identified from genetic screens in yeast are well conserved in higher organisms, the mechanisms by which this process is regulated in any species are just beginning to be elucidated. In a genetic screen in Drosophila melanogaster, we have identified a link between the focal adhesion protein paxillin and the Atg1 kinase, which has been previously implicated in autophagy. In mammalian cells, we find that paxillin is redistributed from focal adhesions during nutrient deprivation, and paxillin-deficient cells exhibit defects in autophagosome formation. Together, these findings reveal a novel evolutionarily conserved role for paxillin in autophagy.     

Detection of DNA methylation pattern in thidiazuron-induced blueberry callus using methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism

During the normal developmental process, programmed gene expression is an essential phenomenon in all organisms. In eukaryotes, DNA methylation plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. The extent of cytosine methylation polymorphism was evaluated in leaf tissues collected from the greenhouse grown plants and in in vitro-derived callus of three lowbush and one hybrid blueberry genotypes, using methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) technique. Callus formation started from the leaf segments after 4 weeks of culture on a thidiazuron (TDZ) containing medium. Maximum callus formation (98 %) was observed in the hybrid blueberry at 1.0 mg dm^-3 TDZ. Although noticeable changes in cytosine methylation pattern were detected within the MSAP profiles of both leaf and callus tissues, methylation events were more polymorphic in calli than in leaf tissues. The number of methylated CCGG sites varied significantly within the genotypes ranging from 75 to 100 in leaf tissues and from 215 to 258 in callus tissues. Differences in the methylation pattern were observed not only in a tissue-specific manner but also within the genotype in a treatment specific manner. These results demonstrated the unique effect of TDZ and the tissue culture process on DNA methylation during callus development.     

Short FtsZ filaments can drive asymmetric cell envelope constriction at the onset of bacterial cytokinesis

FtsZ, the bacterial homologue of eukaryotic tubulin, plays a central role in cell division in nearly all bacteria and many archaea. It forms filaments under the cytoplasmic membrane at the division site where, together with other proteins it recruits, it drives peptidoglycan synthesis and constricts the cell. Despite extensive study, the arrangement of FtsZ filaments and their role in division continue to be debated. Here, we apply electron cryotomography to image the native structure of intact dividing cells and show that constriction in a variety of Gram‐negative bacterial cells, including Proteus mirabilis and Caulobacter crescentus, initiates asymmetrically, accompanied by asymmetric peptidoglycan incorporation and short FtsZ‐like filament formation. These results show that a complete ring of FtsZ is not required for constriction and lead us to propose a model for FtsZ‐driven division in which short dynamic FtsZ filaments can drive initial peptidoglycan synthesis and envelope constriction at the onset of cytokinesis, later increasing in length and number to encircle the division plane and complete constriction.     

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.     

Glucose isomerase activity of streptomyces kanamyceticus

Summary Streptomyces kanamyceticus produces a significant level of intracellular glucose isomerase when grown in submerged culture. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity is 90°C, but the optimum pH is changed by the kinds of buffer solution used. The activity is higher at pH 7.0–9.5. Treatment of cells with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide extracts almost the same amount of the enzyme as ultrasonic treatment. The selection of the method of treatment for enzyme extraction depends, however, on the nature of cell growth in synthetic or complex medium.