Transitions to and from the CD4-Bound Conformation Are Modulated by a Single-Residue Change in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gp120 Inner Domain

Binding to the primary receptor CD4 induces conformational changes in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 envelope glycoprotein that allow binding to the coreceptor (CCR5 or CXCR4) and ultimately trigger viral membrane-cell membrane fusion mediated by the gp41 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein. Here we report the derivation of an HIV-1 gp120 variant, H66N, that confers envelope glycoprotein resistance to temperature extremes. The H66N change decreases the spontaneous sampling of the CD4-bound conformation by the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, thus diminishing CD4-independent infection. The H66N change also stabilizes the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein complex once the CD4-bound state is achieved, decreasing the probability of CD4-induced inactivation and revealing the enhancing effects of soluble CD4 binding on HIV-1 infection. In the CD4-bound conformation, the highly conserved histidine 66 is located between the receptor-binding and gp41-interactive surfaces of gp120. Thus, a single amino acid change in this strategically positioned gp120 inner domain residue influences the propensity of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins to negotiate conformational transitions to and from the CD4-bound state.Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the cause of AIDS (6, 29, 66), infects target cells by direct fusion of the viral and target cell membranes. The viral fusion complex is composed of gp120 and gp41 envelope glycoproteins, which are organized into trimeric spikes on the surface of the virus (10, 51, 89). Membrane fusion is initiated by direct binding of gp120 to the CD4 receptor on target cells (17, 41, 53). CD4 binding creates a second binding site on gp120 for the chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4, which serve as coreceptors (3, 12, 19, 23, 25). Coreceptor binding is thought to lead to further conformational changes in the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins that facilitate the fusion of viral and cell membranes. The formation of an energetically stable six-helix bundle by the gp41 ectodomain contributes to the membrane fusion event (9, 10, 79, 89, 90).The energy required for viral membrane-cell membrane fusion derives from the sequential transitions that the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins undergo, from the high-energy unliganded state to the low-energy six-helix bundle. The graded transitions down this energetic slope are initially triggered by CD4 binding (17). The interaction of HIV-1 gp120 with CD4 is accompanied by an unusually large change in entropy, which is thought to indicate the introduction of order into the conformationally flexible unliganded gp120 glycoprotein (61). In the CD4-bound state, gp120 is capable of binding CCR5 with high affinity; moreover, CD4 binding alters the quaternary structure of the envelope glycoprotein complex, resulting in the exposure of gp41 ectodomain segments (27, 45, 77, 92). The stability of the intermediate state induced by CD4 binding depends upon several variables, including the virus (HIV-1 versus HIV-2/simian immunodeficiency virus [SIV]), the temperature, and the nature of the CD4 ligand (CD4 on a target cell membrane versus soluble forms of CD4 [sCD4]) (30, 73). For HIV-1 exposed to sCD4, if CCR5 binding occurs within a given period of time, progression along the entry pathway continues. If CCR5 binding is impeded or delayed, the CD4-bound envelope glycoprotein complex decays into inactive states (30). In extreme cases, the binding of sCD4 to the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins induces the shedding of gp120 from the envelope glycoprotein trimer (31, 56, 58). Thus, sCD4 generally inhibits HIV-1 infection by triggering inactivation events, in addition to competing with CD4 anchored in the target cell membrane (63).HIV-1 isolates vary in sensitivity to sCD4, due in some cases to a low affinity of the envelope glycoprotein trimer for CD4 and in other cases to differences in propensity to undergo inactivating conformational transitions following CD4 binding (30). HIV-1 isolates that have been passaged extensively in T-cell lines (the tissue culture laboratory-adapted [TCLA] isolates) exhibit lower requirements for CD4 than primary HIV-1 isolates (16, 63, 82). TCLA viruses bind sCD4 efficiently and are generally sensitive to neutralization compared with primary HIV-1 isolates. Differences in sCD4 sensitivity between primary and TCLA HIV-1 strains have been mapped to the major variable loops (V1/V2 and V3) of the gp120 glycoprotein (34, 42, 62, 81). Sensitivity to sCD4 has been shown to be independent of envelope glycoprotein spike density or the intrinsic stability of the envelope glycoprotein complex (30, 35).In general, HIV-1 isolates are more sensitive to sCD4 neutralization than HIV-2 or SIV isolates (4, 14, 73). The relative resistance of SIV to sCD4 neutralization can in some cases be explained by a reduced affinity of the envelope glycoprotein trimer for sCD4 (57); however, at least some SIV isolates exhibit sCD4-induced activation of entry into CD4-negative, CCR5-expressing target cells that lasts for several hours after exposure to sCD4 (73). Thus, for some primate immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoproteins, activated intermediates in the CD4-bound conformation can be quite stable.The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein elements important for receptor binding, subunit interaction, and membrane fusion are well conserved among different viral strains (71, 91). Thus, these elements represent potential targets for inhibitors of HIV-1 entry. Understanding the structure and longevity of the envelope glycoprotein intermediates along the virus entry pathway is relevant to attempts at inhibition. For example, peptides that target the heptad repeat 1 region of gp41 exhibit major differences in potency against HIV-1 strains related to efficiency of chemokine receptor binding (20, 21), which is thought to promote the conformational transition to the next step in the virus entry cascade. The determinants of the duration of exposure of targetable HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein elements during the entry process are undefined.To study envelope glycoprotein determinants of the movement among the distinct conformational states along the HIV-1 entry pathway, we attempted to generate HIV-1 variants that exhibit improved stability. Historically, labile viral elements have been stabilized by selecting virus to replicate under conditions, such as high temperature, that typically weaken protein-protein interactions (38, 39, 76, 102). Thus, we subjected HIV-1 to repeated incubations at temperatures between 42°C and 56°C, followed by expansion and analysis of the remaining replication-competent virus fraction. In this manner, we identified an envelope glycoprotein variant, H66N, in which histidine 66 in the gp120 N-terminal segment was altered to asparagine. The resistance of HIV-1 bearing the H66N envelope glycoproteins to changes in temperature has been reported elsewhere (37). Here, we examine the effect of the H66N change on the ability of the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins to negotiate conformational transitions, either spontaneously or in the presence of sCD4. The H66N phenotype was studied in the context of both CD4-dependent and CD4-independent HIV-1 variants.     

A comparison of reactivating efficacy of newly developed oximes (K074, K075) and currently available oximes (obidoxime, HI-6) in soman, cyclosarin and tabun-poisoned rats

The potency of newly developed oximes (K074, K075) and commonly used oximes (obidoxime, HI-6) to reactivate nerve agent-inhibited acetylcholinesterase was evaluated in rats poisoned with soman, tabun or cyclosarin at a lethal dose corresponding to their LD(50) value. In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of soman-inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that only the oxime HI-6 was able to reactivate soman-inhibited acetylcholinesterase in the peripheral (blood) as well as central (brain) compartment. In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of tabun-inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that obidoxime is the most efficacious reactivator of tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase among studied oximes in the peripheral compartment (blood) while K074 seems to be the most efficacious reactivator of tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase among studied oximes in the central compartment (brain). In vivo determined percentage of reactivation of cyclosarin-inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase in poisoned rats showed that HI-6 is the most efficacious reactivator of cyclosarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase among studied oximes. Due to their reactivating effects, both newly developed K oximes can be considered to be promising oximes for the antidotal treatment of acute tabun poisonings while the oxime HI-6 is still the most promising oxime for the treatment of acute soman and cyclosarin poisonings.     

An attempt to assess functionally minimal acetylcholinesterase activity necessary for survival of rats intoxicated with nerve agents

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) is an important enzyme for cholinergic nerve transmission. The action of toxic organophosphates such as nerve agents is based on AChE inhibition. The death following acute nerve agent poisoning is due to central or peripheral respiratory/cardiac failure. Therefore, the changes in AChE activity following nerve agents acting predominantly on the central (sarin, soman) or peripheral (VX) level were studied. It is known that AChE activity in different structures exists in relative excess. Female Wistar rats intoxicated with sarin, soman, and VX in different doses (0.5-2.0xLD(50)) were divided into groups of survived and died animals. AChE activities in diaphragm, brain parts (pontomedullar area, frontal cortex, basal ganglia, in some cases other parts of the brain) were determined and the rest of activity (in %) was correlated with survival/death of animals. More precise elucidation of action of nerve agents and the assessment of minimal AChE activity in different organs compatible with the survival of organism poisoned with nerve agents were the aims of this study.     

Potency of several oximes to reactivate human acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibited by paraoxon in vitro

Organophosphorus pesticides (e.g. chlorpyrifos, malathion, and parathion) and nerve agents (sarin, tabun, and VX) are highly toxic organophosphorus compounds with strong inhibition potency against two key enzymes in the human body—acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE; EC 3.1.1.8). Subsequent accumulation of acetylcholine at synaptic clefts can result in cholinergic crisis and possible death of intoxicated organism. For the recovery of inhibited AChE, derivatives from the group of pyridinium or bispyridinium aldoximes (called oximes) are used. Their efficacy depends on their chemical structure and also type of organophosphorus inhibitor. In this study, we have tested potency of selected cholinesterase reactivators (pralidoxime, obidoxime, trimedoxime, methoxime and H-oxime HI-6) to reactivate human erythrocyte AChE and human plasma BuChE inhibited by pesticide paraoxon. For this purpose, modified Ellman's method was used and two different concentrations of oximes (10 and 100 μM), attainable in the plasma within antidotal treatment of pesticide intoxication were tested. Results demonstrated that obidoxime (96.8%) and trimedoxime (86%) only reached sufficient reactivation efficacy in case of paraoxon-inhibited AChE. Other oximes evaluated did not surpassed more than 25% of reactivation. In the case of BuChE reactivation, none of tested oximes surpassed 12.5% of reactivation. The highest reactivation efficacy was achieved for trimedoxime (12.4%) at the concentration 100 μM. From the data obtained, it is clear that only two from currently available oximes (obidoxime and trimedoxime) are good reactivators of paraoxon-inhibited AChE. In the case of BuChE, none of these reactivators could be used for its reactivation.     

A comparison of the therapeutic and reactivating efficacy of newly developed bispyridinium compounds (K206, K269) with currently available oximes against tabun in rats and mice

The potency of newly developed bispyridinium compounds (K206, K269) in reactivating tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase and eliminating tabun-induced lethal toxic effects was compared with commonly used oximes (obidoxime, trimedoxime, the oxime HI-6) using in vivo methods. Studies which determined percentage of reactivation of tabun-inhibited blood and tissue AChE in poisoned rats showed that the reactivating efficacy of both newly developed oximes is comparable with obidoxime and trimedoxime in blood but lower than the reactivating potency of trimedoxime and obidoxime in the diaphragm and brain. Nevertheless, the differences in reactivating efficacy of obidoxime, trimedoxime and K206 was not significant while the potency of K269 to reactivate tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase was significantly lower. Both newly developed oximes were also found to be relatively efficacious in elimination of the lethal toxic effects in tabun-poisoned mice. Their therapeutic efficacy corresponds to the therapeutic potency of obidoxime. The oxime HI-6, relatively efficacious against soman, did not seem to be an adequately effective oxime in reactivation of tabun-inhibited AChE and to counteract lethal effects of tabun. Both newly developed oximes (K206, K269) are significantly more efficacious in reactivating tabun-inhibited AChE in rats and to eliminate lethal toxic effects of tabun in mice than the oxime HI-6 but their reactivating and therapeutic potency does not prevail over the effectiveness of currently available obidoxime and trimedoxime and, therefore, they are not suitable for their replacement of commonly used oximes for the treatment of acute tabun poisoning.     

Diet and food preference of the waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa) in the Pendjari National Park, Benin

This study investigated composition and selectivity in diet for waterbuck in the Pendjari National Park in north-western Benin, through the use of micrographic analysis of faecal samples. Three plant species ( Panicum anabaptistum, Echinochloa stagnina and Andropogon gayanus ) were regularly consumed all year round. Meanwhile, three other species (i.e., Hyparrhenia involucrata, Acroceras amplectens and Oryza barthii ) are mostly found in its diet during the beginning of the rainy season. During the dry season, long life grasses (>40%) and tree forage (about 35%) were the most dominant life form in the diet. On the contrary at the beginning of the rainy season, annual species (> 50%) were dominant. In conclusion, the waterbuck has a grazer regime when plant species are abundant and a mixed diet during the dry season. Waterbuck's food niche breath, defined by Hespenheide [ Ecology and Evolution of communities . Harvard Univ. Press, 1975], was lower than 1, implying this antelope does not eat all food categories in a proportional way. Shannon diversity index showed that the diet was more diversified during the rainy season and less diversified at the end of the dry season. Based on [ Ecology , 64 (1983), 1297] diet selectivity index, waterbuck exerted a positive selection on the major graminaceous species.     

In vitro reactivation of sarin-inhibited brain acetylcholinesterase from different species by various oximes

In vitro as well as in vivo evaluation of the reactivating efficacy of various oximes against nerve agent-inhibited acetylcholinesterase has been usually done with the help of animal experiments. Nevertheless, previously published data indicate that the reactivation potency of oximes may be different in human and animal species, which may hamper the extrapolation of animal data to human data. Therefore, to better evaluate the efficacy of various oximes (pralidoxime, obidoxime, HI-6, K033) to reactivate brain acetylcholinesterase inhibited by sarin by in vitro methods, human, rat and pig brain acetylcholinesterase were used to calculate kinetic parameters for the reactivation. Our results show differences among the species, depending on the type of oxime, and indicate that data from animal experiments needs to be carefully evaluated before extrapolation to humans.