1
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Marković V, Szczepańska A, Berlicki Ł. Antiviral Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3205-3231. [PMID: 38394369 PMCID: PMC10945500 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Continually repeating outbreaks of pathogenic viruses necessitate the construction of effective antiviral strategies. Therefore, the development of new specific antiviral drugs in a well-established and efficient manner is crucial. Taking into account the strong ability of viruses to change, therapies with diversified molecular targets must be sought. In addition to the widely explored viral enzyme inhibitor approach, inhibition of protein-protein interactions is a very valuable strategy. In this Perspective, protein-protein interaction inhibitors targeting HIV, SARS-CoV-2, HCV, Ebola, Dengue, and Chikungunya viruses are reviewed and discussed. Antibodies, peptides/peptidomimetics, and small molecules constitute three classes of compounds that have been explored, and each of them has some advantages and disadvantages for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Marković
- Wrocław
University of Science and Technology, Department
of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
- University
of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science,
Department of Chemistry, R. Domanovića 12, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Anna Szczepańska
- Wrocław
University of Science and Technology, Department
of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Łukasz Berlicki
- Wrocław
University of Science and Technology, Department
of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
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2
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Sun L, Nie P, Luan L, Herdewijn P, Wang YT. Synthetic approaches and application of clinically approved small-molecule Anti-HIV drugs: An update. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115847. [PMID: 37801826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Application of chemotherapeutic agents to inhibit the HIV replication process has brought about a significant metamorphosis in the landscape of AIDS. Substantial declines in morbidity and mortality rates have been attained, accompanied by notable decreases in healthcare resource utilization. However, treatment modalities do not uniformly inhibit HIV replication in every patient, while the emergence of drug-resistant viral strains poses a substantial obstacle to subsequent therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, chronic administration of therapy may lead to the manifestation of toxicities. These challenges necessitate the exploration of novel pharmacological agents and innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at effectively managing the persistent viral replication characteristic of chronic infection. This review examines the role of clinically approved small-molecule drugs in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, which provides an in-depth analysis of the major classes of small-molecule drugs, including nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), integrase inhibitors, entry inhibitors, and pharmacokinetic enhancers. The review mainly discusses the application, synthetic routes, and mechanisms of action of small-molecule drugs employed in the treatment of HIV, as well as their use in combination with antiretroviral therapy, presenting viewpoints on forthcoming avenues in the development of novel anti-HIV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Sun
- Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, China
| | - Peng Nie
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute of Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Li Luan
- Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, China.
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute of Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ya-Tao Wang
- First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, Henan Province, Shangqiu, 476100, China; Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute of Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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3
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Anang S, Zhang S, Fritschi C, Chiu TJ, Yang D, Smith III AB, Madani N, Sodroski J. V3 tip determinants of susceptibility to inhibition by CD4-mimetic compounds in natural clade A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins. J Virol 2023; 97:e0117123. [PMID: 37888980 PMCID: PMC10688366 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01171-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mcs) are small-molecule inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) entry into host cells. CD4mcs target a pocket on the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) spike that is used for binding to the receptor, CD4, and is highly conserved among HIV-1 strains. Nonetheless, naturally occurring HIV-1 strains exhibit a wide range of sensitivities to CD4mcs. Our study identifies changes distant from the binding pocket that can influence the susceptibility of natural HIV-1 strains to the antiviral effects of multiple CD4mcs. We relate the antiviral potency of the CD4mc against this panel of HIV-1 variants to the ability of the CD4mc to activate entry-related changes in Env conformation prematurely. These findings will guide efforts to improve the potency and breadth of CD4mcs against natural HIV-1 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Anang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shijian Zhang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher Fritschi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ta-Jung Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Derek Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amos B. Smith III
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Navid Madani
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph Sodroski
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Dam KMA, Fan C, Yang Z, Bjorkman PJ. Intermediate conformations of CD4-bound HIV-1 Env heterotrimers. Nature 2023; 623:1017-1025. [PMID: 37993719 PMCID: PMC10686819 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06639-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 envelope (Env) exhibits distinct conformational changes in response to host receptor (CD4) engagement. Env, a trimer of gp120 and gp41 heterodimers, has been structurally characterized in a closed, prefusion conformation with closely associated gp120s and coreceptor binding sites on gp120 V3 hidden by V1V2 loops1-4 and in fully saturated CD4-bound open Env conformations with changes including outwardly rotated gp120s and displaced V1V2 loops3-9. To investigate changes resulting from substoichiometric CD4 binding, we solved single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of soluble, native-like heterotrimeric Envs bound to one or two CD4 molecules. Most of the Env trimers bound to one CD4 adopted the closed, prefusion Env state, with a minority exhibiting a heterogeneous partially open Env conformation. When bound to two CD4s, the CD4-bound gp120s exhibited an open Env conformation including a four-stranded gp120 bridging sheet and displaced gp120 V1V2 loops that expose the coreceptor sites on V3. The third gp120 adopted an intermediate, occluded-open state10 that showed gp120 outward rotation but maintained the prefusion three-stranded gp120 bridging sheet with only partial V1V2 displacement and V3 exposure. We conclude that most of the engagements with one CD4 molecule were insufficient to stimulate CD4-induced conformational changes, whereas binding two CD4 molecules led to Env opening in CD4-bound protomers only. The substoichiometric CD4-bound soluble Env heterotrimer structures resembled counterparts derived from a cryo-electron tomography study of complexes between virion-bound Envs and membrane-anchored CD4 (ref. 11), validating their physiological relevance. Together, these results illuminate intermediate conformations of HIV-1 Env and illustrate its structural plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim-Marie A Dam
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Chengcheng Fan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Zhi Yang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Pamela J Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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5
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Pincus SH, Stackhouse M, Watt C, Ober K, Cole FM, Chen HC, Smith III AB, Peters T. Soluble CD4 and low molecular weight CD4-mimetic compounds sensitize cells to be killed by anti-HIV cytotoxic immunoconjugates. J Virol 2023; 97:e0115423. [PMID: 37772823 PMCID: PMC10617435 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01154-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE HIV infection can be effectively treated to prevent the development of AIDS, but it cannot be cured. We have attached poisons to anti-HIV antibodies to kill the infected cells that persist even after years of effective antiviral therapy. Here we show that the killing of infected cells can be markedly enhanced by the addition of soluble forms of the HIV receptor CD4 or by mimics of CD4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth H. Pincus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Megan Stackhouse
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Connie Watt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Kelli Ober
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Frances M. Cole
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Hung-Ching Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amos B. Smith III
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tami Peters
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
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6
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Bennett AL, Edwards RJ, Kosheleva I, Saunders C, Bililign Y, Williams A, Manosouri K, Saunders KO, Haynes BF, Acharya P, Henderson R. Microsecond dynamics control the HIV-1 envelope conformation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.17.541130. [PMID: 37292605 PMCID: PMC10245784 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.17.541130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The HIV-1 Envelope (Env) glycoprotein facilitates host cell fusion through a complex series of receptor-induced structural changes. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the structures of various Env conformations and transition intermediates that occur within the millisecond timescale, faster transitions in the microsecond timescale have not yet been observed. In this study, we employed time-resolved, temperature-jump small angle X-ray scattering to monitor structural rearrangements in an HIV-1 Env ectodomain construct with microsecond precision. We detected a transition correlated with Env opening that occurs in the hundreds of microseconds range and another more rapid transition that preceded this opening. Model fitting indicated that the early rapid transition involved an order-to-disorder transition in the trimer apex loop contacts, suggesting that conventional conformation-locking design strategies that target the allosteric machinery may be ineffective in preventing this movement. Utilizing this information, we engineered an envelope that locks the apex loop contacts to the adjacent protomer. This modification resulted in significant angle-of-approach shifts in the interaction of a neutralizing antibody. Our findings imply that blocking the intermediate state could be crucial for inducing antibodies with the appropriate bound state orientation through vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Bennett
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - R J Edwards
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Irina Kosheleva
- BioCARS, Center for Advanced Radiation Sources, The University of Chicago, 9700 South Cass Ave, Bld 434B, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Carrie Saunders
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yishak Bililign
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ashliegh Williams
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Katayoun Manosouri
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kevin O Saunders
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Barton F Haynes
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Priyamvada Acharya
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rory Henderson
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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7
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Dam KMA, Fan C, Yang Z, Bjorkman PJ. Structural characterization of HIV-1 Env heterotrimers bound to one or two CD4 receptors reveals intermediate Env conformations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.27.525985. [PMID: 36747804 PMCID: PMC9900888 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.27.525985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 envelope (Env) exhibits distinct conformational changes in response to host receptor (CD4) engagement. Env, a trimer of gp120/gp41 heterodimers, has been structurally characterized in a closed, prefusion conformation with closely associated gp120s and coreceptor binding sites on gp120 V3 hidden by V1V2 loops, and in fully-saturated CD4-bound open Env conformations with changes including outwardly rotated gp120s and displaced V1V2 loops. To investigate changes resulting from sub-stoichiometric CD4 binding, we solved 3.4Å and 3.9Å single-particle cryo-EM structures of soluble, native-like Envs bound to one or two CD4 molecules. Env trimer bound to one CD4 adopted the closed, prefusion Env state. When bound to two CD4s, the CD4-bound gp120s exhibited an open Env conformation including a four-stranded gp120 bridging sheet and displaced gp120 V1V2 loops that expose the coreceptor sites on V3. The third gp120 adopted an intermediate, occluded-open state that included gp120 outward rotation but maintained the prefusion, three-stranded gp120 bridging sheet and showed only partial V1V2 displacement and V3 exposure. We conclude that engagement of one CD4 molecule was insufficient to stimulate CD4-induced conformational changes, while binding two CD4 molecules led to Env opening in CD4-bound protomers only. Together, these results illuminate HIV-1 Env intermediate conformations and illustrate the structural plasticity of HIV-1 Env.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim-Marie A Dam
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Chengcheng Fan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Zhi Yang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Present address: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, 13 Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Pamela J Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
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8
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Prévost J, Anand SP, Rajashekar JK, Zhu L, Richard J, Goyette G, Medjahed H, Gendron-Lepage G, Chen HC, Chen Y, Horwitz JA, Grunst MW, Zolla-Pazner S, Haynes BF, Burton DR, Flavell RA, Kirchhoff F, Hahn BH, Smith AB, Pazgier M, Nussenzweig MC, Kumar P, Finzi A. HIV-1 Vpu restricts Fc-mediated effector functions in vivo. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111624. [PMID: 36351384 PMCID: PMC9703018 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-neutralizing antibodies (nnAbs) can eliminate HIV-1-infected cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and were identified as a correlate of protection in the RV144 vaccine trial. Fc-mediated effector functions of nnAbs were recently shown to alter the course of HIV-1 infection in vivo using a vpu-defective virus. Since Vpu is known to downregulate cell-surface CD4, which triggers conformational changes in the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env), we ask whether the lack of Vpu expression was linked to the observed nnAbs activity. We find that restoring Vpu expression greatly reduces nnAb recognition of infected cells, rendering them resistant to ADCC. Moreover, administration of nnAbs in humanized mice reduces viral loads only in animals infected with a vpu-defective but not with a wild-type virus. CD4-mimetics administration, known to "open" Env and expose nnAb epitopes, renders wild-type viruses sensitive to nnAbs Fc-effector functions. This work highlights the importance of Vpu-mediated evasion of humoral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Prévost
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada.
| | - Sai Priya Anand
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jyothi Krishnaswamy Rajashekar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jonathan Richard
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Hung-Ching Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, USA
| | - Yaozong Chen
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Joshua A Horwitz
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael W Grunst
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Susan Zolla-Pazner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Barton F Haynes
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dennis R Burton
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Richard A Flavell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6076, USA
| | - Amos B Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, USA
| | - Marzena Pazgier
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Michel C Nussenzweig
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Priti Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada.
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9
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Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) Envelope Glycoprotein Variants Selected for Resistance to a CD4-Mimetic Compound. J Virol 2022; 96:e0063622. [PMID: 35980207 PMCID: PMC9472635 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00636-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binding to the host cell receptors CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4 triggers conformational changes in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer that promote virus entry. CD4 binding allows the gp120 exterior Env to bind CCR5/CXCR4 and induces a short-lived prehairpin intermediate conformation in the gp41 transmembrane Env. Small-molecule CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mcs) bind within the conserved Phe-43 cavity of gp120, near the binding site for CD4. CD4mcs like BNM-III-170 inhibit HIV-1 infection by competing with CD4 and by prematurely activating Env, leading to irreversible inactivation. In cell culture, we selected and analyzed variants of the primary HIV-1AD8 strain resistant to BNM-III-170. Two changes (S375N and I424T) in gp120 residues that flank the Phe-43 cavity each conferred an ~5-fold resistance to BNM-III-170 with minimal fitness cost. A third change (E64G) in layer 1 of the gp120 inner domain resulted in ~100-fold resistance to BNM-III-170, ~2- to 3-fold resistance to soluble CD4-Ig, and a moderate decrease in viral fitness. The gp120 changes additively or synergistically contributed to BNM-III-170 resistance. The sensitivity of the Env variants to BNM-III-170 inhibition of virus entry correlated with their sensitivity to BNM-III-170-induced Env activation and shedding of gp120. Together, the S375N and I424T changes, but not the E64G change, conferred >100-fold and 33-fold resistance to BMS-806 and BMS-529 (temsavir), respectively, potent HIV-1 entry inhibitors that block Env conformational transitions. These studies identify pathways whereby HIV-1 can develop resistance to CD4mcs and conformational blockers, two classes of entry inhibitors that target the conserved gp120 Phe-43 cavity. IMPORTANCE CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mcs) and conformational blockers like BMS-806 and BMS-529 (temsavir) are small-molecule inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) entry into host cells. Although CD4mcs and conformational blockers inhibit HIV-1 entry by different mechanisms, they both target a pocket on the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) spike that is used for binding to the receptor CD4 and is highly conserved among HIV-1 strains. Our study identifies changes near this pocket that can confer various levels of resistance to the antiviral effects of a CD4mc and conformational blockers. We relate the antiviral potency of a CD4mc against this panel of HIV-1 variants to the ability of the CD4mc to activate changes in Env conformation and to induce the shedding of the gp120 exterior Env from the spike. These findings will guide efforts to improve the potency and breadth of small-molecule HIV-1 entry inhibitors.
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10
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Jin X, Zhao LM, Wang S, Huang WJ, Zhang YX, Pannecouque C, De Clercq E, Chen FE. Structure-Based Discovery of Novel NH 2-Biphenyl-Diarylpyrimidines as Potent Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors with Significantly Improved Safety: From NH 2-Naphthyl-Diarylpyrimidine to NH 2-Biphenyl-Diarylpyrimidine. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8478-8492. [PMID: 35649164 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Results from recently completed studies suggested that the NH2-naphthyl-diarylpyrimidine JX-7 displayed remarkable inhibitory activity against wild-type HIV-1 (EC50 = 5 nM) and numerous clinically observed variants in MT-4 cells; however, its high cytotoxicity (CC50 = 19 μM) precluded its further development as a clinical candidate. One approach we took to improve the safety involved replacing the naphthyl of JX-7 with biphenyl to provide a series of novel NH2-biphenyl-DAPYs. Investigation of the structure-activity relationships (SARs) led to the identification of 4ab, a potent NNRTI with significantly reduced cytotoxicity (CC50 = 120 μM), approximately 6-fold lower than JX-7, which maintained remarkable anti-HIV-1 activity against wild-type HIV-1 (EC50 = 1.9 nM) and multiple mutant strains simultaneously. Also, 4ab displayed weak CYP sensitivity, little inhibition of hERG, and no apparent in vivo acute toxicity. These promising results demonstrate that 4ab can be used as a drug candidate for HIV-1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jin
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center of Industrial Asymmetric Catalysis for Chiral Drugs, Shanghai 200433, China.,Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, P. R. China
| | - Li-Min Zhao
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center of Industrial Asymmetric Catalysis for Chiral Drugs, Shanghai 200433, China.,Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center of Industrial Asymmetric Catalysis for Chiral Drugs, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wen-Juan Huang
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center of Industrial Asymmetric Catalysis for Chiral Drugs, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yin-Xiang Zhang
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center of Industrial Asymmetric Catalysis for Chiral Drugs, Shanghai 200433, China
| | | | - Erik De Clercq
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fen-Er Chen
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center of Industrial Asymmetric Catalysis for Chiral Drugs, Shanghai 200433, China.,Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, P. R. China
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11
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Abstract
The HIV Env glycoprotein is the surface glycoprotein responsible for viral entry into CD4+ immune cells. During infection, Env also serves as a primary target for antibody responses, which are robust but unable to control virus replication. Immune evasion by HIV-1 Env appears to employ complex mechanisms to regulate what antigenic states are presented to the immune system. Immunodominant features appear to be distinct from epitopes that interfere with Env functions in mediating infection. Further, cell-cell transmission studies indicate that vulnerable conformational states are additionally hidden from recognition on infected cells, even though the presence of Env at the cell surface is required for viral infection through the virological synapse. Cell-cell infection studies support that Env on infected cells is presented in distinct conformations from that on virus particles. Here we review data regarding the regulation of conformational states of Env and assess how regulated sorting of Env within the infected cell may underlie mechanisms to distinguish Env on the surface of virus particles versus Env on the surface of infected cells. These mechanisms may allow infected cells to avoid opsonization, providing cell-to-cell infection by HIV with a selective advantage during evolution within an infected individual. Understanding how distinct Env conformations are presented on cells versus viruses may be essential to designing effective vaccine approaches and therapeutic strategies to clear infected cell reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hongru Li
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Talia H. Swartz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin K. Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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12
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Chai H, Gu Q, Hughes J, Robertson DL. In silico prediction of HIV-1-host molecular interactions and their directionality. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009720. [PMID: 35134057 PMCID: PMC8856524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continues to be a major cause of disease and premature death. As with all viruses, HIV-1 exploits a host cell to replicate. Improving our understanding of the molecular interactions between virus and human host proteins is crucial for a mechanistic understanding of virus biology, infection and host antiviral activities. This knowledge will potentially permit the identification of host molecules for targeting by drugs with antiviral properties. Here, we propose a data-driven approach for the analysis and prediction of the HIV-1 interacting proteins (VIPs) with a focus on the directionality of the interaction: host-dependency versus antiviral factors. Using support vector machine learning models and features encompassing genetic, proteomic and network properties, our results reveal some significant differences between the VIPs and non-HIV-1 interacting human proteins (non-VIPs). As assessed by comparison with the HIV-1 infection pathway data in the Reactome database (sensitivity > 90%, threshold = 0.5), we demonstrate these models have good generalization properties. We find that the ‘direction’ of the HIV-1-host molecular interactions is also predictable due to different characteristics of ‘forward’/pro-viral versus ‘backward’/pro-host proteins. Additionally, we infer the previously unknown direction of the interactions between HIV-1 and 1351 human host proteins. A web server for performing predictions is available at http://hivpre.cvr.gla.ac.uk/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiting Chai
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Quan Gu
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Hughes
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David L. Robertson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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13
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Yang Z, Dam KMA, Bridges MD, Hoffmann MAG, DeLaitsch AT, Gristick HB, Escolano A, Gautam R, Martin MA, Nussenzweig MC, Hubbell WL, Bjorkman PJ. Neutralizing antibodies induced in immunized macaques recognize the CD4-binding site on an occluded-open HIV-1 envelope trimer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:732. [PMID: 35136084 PMCID: PMC8826976 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28424-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Broadly-neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1 Env can protect from infection. We characterize Ab1303 and Ab1573, heterologously-neutralizing CD4-binding site (CD4bs) antibodies, isolated from sequentially-immunized macaques. Ab1303/Ab1573 binding is observed only when Env trimers are not constrained in the closed, prefusion conformation. Fab-Env cryo-EM structures show that both antibodies recognize the CD4bs on Env trimer with an ‘occluded-open’ conformation between closed, as targeted by bNAbs, and fully-open, as recognized by CD4. The occluded-open Env trimer conformation includes outwardly-rotated gp120 subunits, but unlike CD4-bound Envs, does not exhibit V1V2 displacement, 4-stranded gp120 bridging sheet, or co-receptor binding site exposure. Inter-protomer distances within trimers measured by double electron-electron resonance spectroscopy suggest an equilibrium between occluded-open and closed Env conformations, consistent with Ab1303/Ab1573 binding stabilizing an existing conformation. Studies of Ab1303/Ab1573 demonstrate that CD4bs neutralizing antibodies that bind open Env trimers can be raised by immunization, thereby informing immunogen design and antibody therapeutic efforts. Neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1 are exclusively directed against the viral envelope protein (Env) and mainly target Env in a closed, prefusion state. Here, Yang et al. structurally characterize two heterologously-neutralizing CD4-binding site (CD4bs) antibodies isolated from sequentially immunized macaques, and show that these antibodies recognize the CD4bs on Env trimers in an „occluded-open‟ conformation between closed, as targeted by bNAbs, and fully-open, as recognized by CD4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Kim-Marie A Dam
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Bridges
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Magnus A G Hoffmann
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Andrew T DeLaitsch
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Harry B Gristick
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Amelia Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rajeev Gautam
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Malcolm A Martin
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michel C Nussenzweig
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wayne L Hubbell
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pamela J Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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14
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Recent research results have converted gp120 binders to a therapeutic option for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. A medicinal chemistry point of view. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 229:114078. [PMID: 34992041 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Current therapeutic armamentarium for treatment of HIV-1 infection is based on the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy that, unfortunately, does not act as a curative remedy. Moreover, duration of the therapy often results in lack of compliance with the consequent emergence of multidrug resistance. Finally, drug toxicity issues also arise during treatments. In the attempt to achieve a curative effect, in addition to invest substantial resources in finding new anti-HIV-1 agents and in optimizing antiviral lead compounds and drugs currently available, additional efforts should be done to deplete viral reservoir located within host CD4+ T cells. Gp120 binders represent a class of compounds able to affect the interactions between viral envelope proteins and host CD4, thus avoiding virus-to-cell attachment and fusion, and the consequent viral entry into host cells. This review summarizes the efforts done in the last five years to design new gp120 binders, that finally culminated in the approval of fostemsavir as an anti-HIV-1 drug.
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15
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Fritschi C, Liang S, Mohammadi M, Anang S, Moraca F, Chen J, Madani N, Sodroski JG, Abrams CF, Hendrickson WA, Smith AB. Identification of gp120 Residue His105 as a Novel Target for HIV-1 Neutralization by Small-Molecule CD4-Mimics. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1824-1831. [PMID: 34795873 PMCID: PMC8591726 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The design and synthesis of butyl chain derivatives at the indane ring 3-position of our lead CD4-mimetic compound BNM-III-170 that inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection are reported. Optimization efforts were guided by crystallographic and computational analysis of the small-molecule ligands of the Phe43 cavity of the envelope glycoprotein gp120. Biological evaluation of 11-21 revealed that members of this series of CD4-mimetic compounds are able to inhibit HIV-1 viral entry into target cells more potently and with greater breadth compared to BNM-III-170. Crystallographic analysis of the binding pocket of 14, 16, and 17 revealed a novel hydrogen bonding interaction between His105 and a primary hydroxyl group on the butyl side chain. Further optimization of this interaction with the His105 residue holds the promise of more potent CD4-mimetic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher
J. Fritschi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Shuaiyi Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Department of Physiology
and Cellular
Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Mohammadjavad Mohammadi
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Saumya Anang
- Department of Cancer
Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical
School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Francesca Moraca
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Junhua Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Navid Madani
- Department of Cancer
Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical
School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Joseph G. Sodroski
- Department of Cancer
Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical
School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department
of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard
School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Cameron F. Abrams
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Wayne A. Hendrickson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Department of Physiology
and Cellular
Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Amos B. Smith
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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16
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Quaternary Interaction of the HIV-1 Envelope Trimer with CD4 and Neutralizing Antibodies. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071405. [PMID: 34372611 PMCID: PMC8310203 DOI: 10.3390/v13071405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The entry of HIV-1 into host cells is initiated by the interaction of the viral envelope (Env) spike with the CD4 receptor. During this process, the spike undergoes a series of conformational changes that eventually lead to the exposure of the fusion peptide located at the N-terminus of the transmembrane glycoprotein, gp41. Recent structural and functional studies have provided important insights into the interaction of Env with CD4 at various stages. However, a fine elucidation of the earliest events of CD4 contact and its immediate effect on the Env conformation remains a challenge for investigation. Here, we summarize the discovery of the quaternary nature of the CD4-binding site in the HIV-1 Env and the role of quaternary contact in the functional interaction with the CD4 receptor. We propose two models for this initial contact based on the current knowledge and discuss how a better understanding of the quaternary interaction may lead to improved immunogens and antibodies targeting the CD4-binding site.
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17
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Bennett AL, Henderson R. HIV-1 Envelope Conformation, Allostery, and Dynamics. Viruses 2021; 13:852. [PMID: 34067073 PMCID: PMC8150877 DOI: 10.3390/v13050852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) mediates host cell fusion and is the primary target for HIV-1 vaccine design. The Env undergoes a series of functionally important conformational rearrangements upon engagement of its host cell receptor, CD4. As the sole target for broadly neutralizing antibodies, our understanding of these transitions plays a critical role in vaccine immunogen design. Here, we review available experimental data interrogating the HIV-1 Env conformation and detail computational efforts aimed at delineating the series of conformational changes connecting these rearrangements. These studies have provided a structural mapping of prefusion closed, open, and transition intermediate structures, the allosteric elements controlling rearrangements, and state-to-state transition dynamics. The combination of these investigations and innovations in molecular modeling set the stage for advanced studies examining rearrangements at greater spatial and temporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rory Henderson
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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