SH3-mediated Hck tyrosine kinase activation and fibroblast transformation by the Nef protein of HIV-1

An SH3-binding allosteric modulator stabilizes the global conformation of the AML-associated Src-family kinase, Hck

While ATP-site inhibitors for protein-tyrosine kinases are often effective drugs, their clinical utility can be limited by off-target activity and acquired resistance mutations due to the conserved nature of the ATP-binding site. However, combining ATP-site and allosteric kinase inhibitors can overcome these shortcomings in a double-drugging framework. Here we explored the allosteric effects of two pyrimidine diamines, PDA1 and PDA2, on the conformational dynamics and activity of the Src-family tyrosine kinase Hck, a promising drug target for acute myeloid leukemia. Using 1H-15N HSQC NMR, we mapped the binding site for both analogs to the SH3 domain. Despite the shared binding site, PDA1 and PDA2 had opposing effects on near-full-length Hck dynamics by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, with PDA1 stabilizing and PDA2 disrupting the overall kinase conformation. Kinase activity assays were consistent with these observations, with PDA2 enhancing kinase activity while PDA1 was without effect. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted selective bridging of the kinase domain N-lobe and SH3 domain by PDA1, a mechanism of allosteric stabilization supported by site-directed mutagenesis of N-lobe contact sites. Cellular thermal shift assays confirmed SH3 domain-dependent interaction of PDA1 with WT Hck in myeloid leukemia cells and with a kinase domain gatekeeper mutant (T338M). These results identify PDA1 as a starting point for Src-family kinase allosteric inhibitor development that may work in concert with ATP-site inhibitors to suppress the evolution of resistance.

Computer-aided de novo design and optimization of novel potential inhibitors of HIV-1 Nef protein

Nef is a small accessory protein pivotal in the HIV-1 viral replication cycle. It is a multifunctional protein and its interactions with kinases in host cells have been well characterized through many in vitro and structural studies. Nef forms a homodimer to activate the kinases and subsequently the phosphorylation pathways. The disruption of its homodimerization represents a valuable approach in the search for novel classes of antiretroviral. However, this research avenue is still underdeveloped as just a few Nef inhibitors have been reported so far, with very limited structural information about their mechanism of action. To address this issue, we have employed an in silico structure-based drug design strategy that combines de novo ligand design with molecular docking and extensive molecular dynamics simulations. Since the Nef pocket involved in homodimerization has high lipophilicity, the initial de novo-designed structures displayed poor drug-likeness and solubility. Taking information from the hydration sites within the homodimerization pocket, structural modifications in the initial lead compound have been introduced to improve the solubility and drug-likeness, without affecting the binding profile. We propose lead compounds that can be the starting point for further optimizations to deliver long-awaited, rationally designed Nef inhibitors.

Apoptosis regulation by the tyrosine-protein kinase CSK

C-terminal Src kinase (CSK) is a cytosolic tyrosine-protein kinase with an important role in regulating critical cellular decisions, such as cellular apoptosis, survival, proliferation, cytoskeletal organization and many others. Current knowledge on the CSK mechanisms of action, regulation and functions is still at an early stage, most of CSK's known actions and functions being mediated by the negative regulation of the SRC family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs) through phosphorylation. As SFKs play a vital role in apoptosis, cell proliferation and survival regulation, SFK inhibition by CSK has a pro-apoptotic effect, which is mediated by the inhibition of cellular signaling cascades controlled by SFKs, such as the MAPK/ERK, STAT3 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Abnormal functioning of CSK and SFK activation can lead to diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurological manifestations. This review describes apoptosis regulation by CSK, CSK inhibition of the SFKs and further explores the clinical relevance of CSK in important pathologies, such as cancer, autoimmune, autoinflammatory, neurologic diseases, hypertension and HIV/AIDS.

The HIV-1 protein Nef activates the Tec family kinase Btk by stabilizing an intermolecular SH3-SH2 domain interaction

The Nef protein produced by the viruses HIV-1 and SIV drives efficient viral replication partially by inducing constitutive activation of host cell tyrosine kinases, including members of the Src and Tec families. Here, we uncovered the mechanism by which both HIV-1 and SIV Nef enhanced the activity of the Tec family kinase Btk in vitro and in cells. A Nef mutant that could not bind to the SH3 domain of Src family kinases activated Btk to the same extent as did wild-type Nef, demonstrating that Nef activated Src and Tec family kinases by distinct mechanisms. The Btk SH3-SH2 region formed a homodimer requiring the CD loop in the SH2 domain, which was stabilized by the binding of Nef homodimers. Alanine substitution of Pro327 in the CD loop of the Btk SH2 domain destabilized SH3-SH2 dimers, abolished the interaction with Nef, and prevented activation by Nef in vitro. In cells, Nef stabilized and activated wild-type but not P327A Btk homodimers at the plasma membrane. These data reveal that the interaction with Nef stabilizes Btk dimers through the SH3-SH2 interface to promote kinase activity and show that the HIV-1 Nef protein evolved distinct mechanisms to activate Src and Tec family tyrosine kinases to enhance viral replication.

Antiretroviral Drug Discovery Targeting the HIV-1 Nef Virulence Factor

While antiretroviral drugs have transformed the lives of HIV-infected individuals, chronic treatment is required to prevent rebound from viral reservoir cells. People living with HIV also are at higher risk for cardiovascular and neurocognitive complications, as well as cancer. Finding a cure for HIV-1 infection is therefore an essential goal of current AIDS research. This review is focused on the discovery of pharmacological inhibitors of the HIV-1 Nef accessory protein. Nef is well known to enhance HIV-1 infectivity and replication, and to promote immune escape of HIV-infected cells by preventing cell surface MHC-I display of HIV-1 antigens. Recent progress shows that Nef inhibitors not only suppress HIV-1 replication, but also restore sufficient MHC-I to the surface of infected cells to trigger a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response. Combining Nef inhibitors with latency reversal agents and therapeutic vaccines may provide a path to clearance of viral reservoirs.

A Model for the Signal Initiation Complex Between Arrestin-3 and the Src Family Kinase Fgr

Arrestins regulate a wide range of signaling events, most notably when bound to active G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Among the known effectors recruited by GPCR-bound arrestins are Src family kinases, which regulate cellular growth and proliferation. Here, we focus on arrestin-3 interactions with Fgr kinase, a member of the Src family. Previous reports demonstrated that Fgr exhibits high constitutive activity, but can be further activated by both arrestin-dependent and arrestin-independent pathways. We report that arrestin-3 modulates Fgr activity with a hallmark bell-shaped concentration-dependence, consistent with a role as a signaling scaffold. We further demonstrate using NMR spectroscopy that a polyproline motif within arrestin-3 interacts directly with the SH3 domain of Fgr. To provide a framework for this interaction, we determined the crystal structure of the Fgr SH3 domain at 1.9 Å resolution and developed a model for the GPCR-arrestin-3-Fgr complex that is supported by mutagenesis. This model suggests that Fgr interacts with arrestin-3 at multiple sites and is consistent with the locations of disease-associated Fgr mutations. Collectively, these studies provide a structural framework for arrestin-dependent activation of Fgr.

Visualization of Host Cell Kinase Activation by Viral Proteins Using GFP Fluorescence Complementation and Immunofluorescence Microscopy

Non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinases regulate cellular responses to many external signals and are important drug discovery targets for cancer and infectious diseases. While many assays exist for the assessment of kinase activity in vitro, methods that report changes in tyrosine kinase activity in single cells have the potential to provide information about kinase responses at the cell population level. In this protocol, we combined bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), an established method for the assessment of protein-protein interactions, and immunofluorescence staining with phosphospecific antibodies to characterize changes in host cell tyrosine kinase activity in the presence of an HIV-1 virulence factor, Nef. Specifically, two Tec family kinases (Itk and Btk) as well as Nef were fused to complementary, non-fluorescent fragments of the Venus variant of YFP. Each kinase was expressed in 293T cells in the presence or absence of Nef and immunostained for protein expression and activity with anti-phosphotyrosine (pTyr) antibodies. Multi-color confocal microscopy revealed the interaction of Nef with each kinase (BiFC), kinase activity, and kinase protein expression. Strong BiFC signals were observed when Nef was co-expressed with both Itk and Btk, indicative of interaction, and a strong anti-pTyr immunoreactivity was also seen. The BiFC, pTyr, and kinase expression signals co-localized to the plasma membrane, consistent with Nef-mediated kinase activation in this subcellular compartment. Image analysis allowed calculation of pTyr-to-kinase protein ratios, which showed a range of responses in individual cells across the population that shifted upward in the presence of Nef and back down in the presence of a kinase inhibitor. This method has the potential to reveal changes in steady-state non-receptor tyrosine kinase activity and subcellular localization in a cell population in response to other protein-kinase interactions, information that is not attainable from immunoblotting or other in vitro methods.

Synergy and allostery in ligand binding by HIV-1 Nef

The Nef protein of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses boosts viral pathogenicity through its interactions with host cell proteins. By combining the polyvalency of its large unstructured regions with the binding selectivity and strength of its folded core domain, Nef can associate with many different host cell proteins, thereby disrupting their functions. For example, the combination of a linear proline-rich motif and hydrophobic core domain surface allows Nef to bind tightly and specifically to SH3 domains of Src family kinases. We investigated whether the interplay between Nef's flexible regions and its core domain could allosterically influence ligand selection. We found that the flexible regions can associate with the core domain in different ways, producing distinct conformational states that alter the way in which Nef selects for SH3 domains and exposes some of its binding motifs. The ensuing crosstalk between ligands might promote functionally coherent Nef-bound protein ensembles by synergizing certain subsets of ligands while excluding others. We also combined proteomic and bioinformatics analyses to identify human proteins that select SH3 domains in the same way as Nef. We found that only 3% of clones from a whole-human fetal library displayed Nef-like SH3 selectivity. However, in most cases, this selectivity appears to be achieved by a canonical linear interaction rather than by a Nef-like ‘tertiary' interaction. Our analysis supports the contention that Nef's mode of hijacking SH3 domains is a virus-specific adaptation with no or very few cellular counterparts. Thus, the Nef tertiary binding surface is a promising virus-specific drug target.

Nef homodimers down-regulate SERINC5 by AP-2-mediated endocytosis to promote HIV-1 infectivity

SERINC5 is a multipass intrinsic membrane protein that suppresses HIV-1 infectivity when incorporated into budding virions. The HIV-1 Nef virulence factor prevents viral incorporation of SERINC5 by triggering its down-regulation from the producer cell membrane through an AP-2-dependent endolysosomal pathway. However, the mechanistic basis for SERINC5 down-regulation by Nef remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that Nef homodimers are important for SERINC5 down-regulation, trafficking to late endosomes, and exclusion from newly synthesized viral particles. Based on previous X-ray crystal structures, we mutated three conserved residues in the Nef dimer interface (Leu¹¹², Tyr¹¹⁵, and Phe¹²¹) and demonstrated attenuated homodimer formation in a cell-based fluorescence complementation assay. Point mutations at each position reduced the infectivity of HIV-1 produced from transfected 293T cells, the Jurkat TAg T-cell line, and donor mononuclear cells in a SERINC5-dependent manner. In SERINC5-transfected 293T cells, virion incorporation of SERINC5 was increased by dimerization-defective Nef mutants, whereas down-regulation of SERINC5 from the membrane of transfected Jurkat cells by these mutants was significantly reduced. Nef dimer interface mutants also failed to trigger internalization of SERINC5 and localization to Rab7⁺ late endosomes in T cells. Importantly, fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated that dimerization-defective Nef mutants retained interaction with both SERINC5 and AP-2. These results show that down-regulation of SERINC5 and subsequent enhancement of viral infectivity require Nef homodimers and support a mechanism by which the Nef dimer bridges SERINC5 to AP-2 for endocytosis. Pharmacological disruption of Nef homodimers may control HIV-1 infectivity and viral spread by enhancing virion incorporation of SERINC5.

Structure, function, and inhibitor targeting of HIV-1 Nef-effector kinase complexes

Antiretroviral therapy has revolutionized the treatment of AIDS, turning a deadly disease into a manageable chronic condition. Life-long treatment is required because existing drugs do not eradicate HIV-infected cells. The emergence of drug-resistant viral strains and uncertain vaccine prospects highlight the pressing need for new therapeutic approaches with the potential to clear the virus. The HIV-1 accessory protein Nef is essential for viral pathogenesis, making it a promising target for antiretroviral drug discovery. Nef enhances viral replication and promotes immune escape of HIV-infected cells but lacks intrinsic enzymatic activity. Instead, Nef works through diverse interactions with host cell proteins primarily related to kinase signaling pathways and endosomal trafficking. This review emphasizes the structure, function, and biological relevance of Nef interactions with host cell protein-tyrosine kinases in the broader context of Nef functions related to enhancement of the viral life cycle and immune escape. Drug discovery targeting Nef-mediated kinase activation has allowed identification of promising inhibitors of multiple Nef functions. Pharmacological inhibitors of Nef-induced MHC-I down-regulation restore the adaptive immune response to HIV-infected cells in vitro and have the potential to enhance immune recognition of latent viral reservoirs as part of a strategy for HIV clearance.

Structure, Function, and Regulation of the SRMS Tyrosine Kinase

Src-related kinase lacking C-terminal regulatory tyrosine and N-terminal myristoylation sites (SRMS) is a tyrosine kinase that was discovered in 1994. It is a member of a family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases that also includes Brk (PTK6) and Frk. Compared with other tyrosine kinases, there is relatively little information about the structure, function, and regulation of SRMS. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding SRMS, including recent results aimed at identifying downstream signaling partners. We also present a structural model for the enzyme and discuss the potential involvement of SRMS in cancer cell signaling.

HIV-1 Nef dimers short-circuit immune receptor signaling by activating Tec-family kinases at the host cell membrane

The HIV-1 virulence factor Nef promotes high-titer viral replication, immune escape, and pathogenicity. Nef interacts with interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase (Itk) and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), two Tec-family kinases expressed in HIV-1 target cells (CD4 T cells and macrophages, respectively). Using a cell-based bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay, here we demonstrate that Nef recruits both Itk and Btk to the cell membrane and induces constitutive kinase activation in transfected 293T cells. Nef homodimerization-defective mutants retained their interaction with both kinases but failed to induce activation, supporting a role for Nef homodimer formation in the activation mechanism. HIV-1 infection up-regulates endogenous Itk activity in SupT1 T cells and donor-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, HIV-1 strains expressing Nef variants with mutations in the dimerization interface replicated poorly and were significantly attenuated in Itk activation. We conclude that direct activation of Itk and Btk by Nef at the membrane in HIV-infected cells may override normal immune receptor control of Tec-family kinase activity to enhance the viral life cycle.

Convergent perturbation of the human domain-resolved interactome by viruses and mutations inducing similar disease phenotypes

An important goal of systems medicine is to study disease in the context of genetic and environmental perturbations to the human interactome network. For diseases with both genetic and infectious contributors, a key postulate is that similar perturbations of the human interactome by either disease mutations or pathogens can have similar disease consequences. This postulate has so far only been tested for a few viral species at the level of whole proteins. Here, we expand the scope of viral species examined, and test this postulate more rigorously at the higher resolution of protein domains. Focusing on diseases with both genetic and viral contributors, we found significant convergent perturbation of the human domain-resolved interactome by endogenous genetic mutations and exogenous viral proteins inducing similar disease phenotypes. Pan-cancer, pan-oncovirus analysis further revealed that domains of human oncoproteins either physically targeted or structurally mimicked by oncoviruses are enriched for cancer driver rather than passenger mutations, suggesting convergent targeting of cancer driver pathways by diverse oncoviruses. Our study provides a framework for high-resolution, network-based comparison of various disease factors, both genetic and environmental, in terms of their impacts on the human interactome.

The Src family kinase Fgr is a transforming oncoprotein that functions independently of SH3-SH2 domain regulation

Fgr is a member of the Src family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, which are overexpressed and constitutively active in many human cancers. Fgr expression is restricted to myeloid hematopoietic cells and is markedly increased in a subset of bone marrow samples from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we investigated the oncogenic potential of Fgr using Rat-2 fibroblasts that do not express the kinase. Expression of either wild-type or regulatory tail-mutant constructs of Fgr promoted cellular transformation (inferred from colony formation in soft agar), which was accompanied by phosphorylation of the Fgr activation loop, suggesting that the kinase domain of Fgr functions independently of regulation by its noncatalytic SH3-SH2 region. Unlike other family members, recombinant Fgr was not activated by SH3-SH2 domain ligands. However, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry data suggested that the regulatory SH3 and SH2 domains packed against the back of the kinase domain in a Src-like manner. Sequence alignment showed that the activation loop of Fgr was distinct from that of all other Src family members, with proline rather than alanine at the +2 position relative to the activation loop tyrosine. Substitution of the activation loop of Fgr with the sequence from Src partially inhibited kinase activity and suppressed colony formation. Last, Fgr expression enhanced the sensitivity of human myeloid progenitor cells to the cytokine GM-CSF. Because its kinase domain is not sensitive to SH3-SH2–mediated control, simple overexpression of Fgr without mutation may contribute to oncogenic transformation in AML and other blood cancers.

A single β-octyl glucoside molecule induces HIV-1 Nef dimer formation in the absence of partner protein binding

The HIV-1 Nef accessory protein is essential for viral pathogenicity and AIDS progression. Nef forms complexes with multiple host cell factors to facilitate viral replication and promote immune escape of HIV-infected cells. Previous X-ray crystal structures demonstrate that Nef forms homodimers, the orientation of which are influenced by host cell binding partners. In cell-based fluorescence complementation assays, Nef forms homodimers at the plasma membrane. However, recombinant Nef proteins often exist as monomers in solution, suggesting that membrane interaction may also trigger monomer to dimer transitions. In this study, we show that monomeric Nef core proteins can be induced to form dimers in the presence of low concentrations of the non-ionic surfactant, β-octyl glucoside (βOG). X-ray crystallography revealed that a single βOG molecule is present in the Nef dimer, with the 8-carbon acyl chain of the ligand binding to a hydrophobic pocket formed by the dimer interface. This Nef-βOG dimer interface involves helix αB, as observed in previous dimer structures, as well as a helix formed by N-terminal residues 54-66. Nef dimer formation is stabilized in solution by the addition of βOG, providing biochemical validation for the crystal structure. These observations together suggest that the interaction with host cell lipid mediators or other hydrophobic ligands may play a role in Nef dimerization, which has been previously linked to multiple Nef functions including host cell protein kinase activation, CD4 downregulation, and enhancement of HIV-1 replication.

Remodeling of HIV-1 Nef Structure by Src-Family Kinase Binding

The HIV-1 accessory protein Nef controls multiple aspects of the viral life cycle and host immune response, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Previous X-ray crystal structures of Nef in complex with key host cell binding partners have shed light on protein-protein interactions critical to Nef function. Crystal structures of Nef in complex with either the SH3 or tandem SH3-SH2 domains of Src-family kinases reveal distinct dimer conformations of Nef. However, the existence of these Nef dimer complexes in solution has not been established. Here we used hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry (HX MS) to compare the solution conformation of Nef alone and in complexes with the SH3 or the SH3-SH2 domains of the Src-family kinase Hck. HX MS revealed that interaction with the Hck SH3 or tandem SH3-SH2 domains induces protection of the Nef αB-helix from deuterium uptake, consistent with a role for αB in dimer formation. HX MS analysis of a Nef mutant (position Asp123, a site buried in the Nef:SH3 dimer but surface exposed in the Nef:SH3-SH2 complex), showed a Hck-induced conformational change in Nef relative to wild-type Nef. These results support a model in which Src-family kinase binding induces conformational changes in Nef to expose residues critical for interaction with the μ1 subunit of adaptor protein 1 and the major histocompatibility complex-1 tail, and subsequent major histocompatibility complex-1 downregulation and immune escape of HIV-infected cells required for functional interactions with downstream binding partners.

A switch in nucleotide affinity governs activation of the Src and Tec family kinases

The Tec kinases, closely related to Src family kinases, are essential for lymphocyte function in the adaptive immune system. Whilst the Src and Abl kinases are regulated by tail phosphorylation and N-terminal myristoylation respectively, the Tec kinases are notable for the absence of either regulatory element. We have found that the inactive conformations of the Tec kinase Itk and Src preferentially bind ADP over ATP, stabilising both proteins. We demonstrate that Itk adopts the same conformation as Src and that the autoinhibited conformation of Src is independent of its C-terminal tail. Allosteric activation of both Itk and Src depends critically on the disruption of a conserved hydrophobic stack that accompanies regulatory domain displacement. We show that a conformational switch permits the exchange of ADP for ATP, leading to efficient autophosphorylation and full activation. In summary, we propose a universal mechanism for the activation and autoinhibition of the Src and Tec kinases.

The Activation of c-Src Tyrosine Kinase: Conformational Transition Pathway and Free Energy Landscape

Tyrosine kinases are important cellular signaling allosteric enzymes that regulate cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, differentiation, and migration. Their activity must be tightly controlled, and malfunction can lead to a variety of diseases, particularly cancer. The nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Src, a prototypical model system and a representative member of the Src-family, functions as complex multidomain allosteric molecular switches comprising SH2 and SH3 domains modulating the activity of the catalytic domain. The broad picture of self-inhibition of c-Src via the SH2 and SH3 regulatory domains is well characterized from a structural point of view, but a detailed molecular mechanism understanding is nonetheless still lacking. Here, we use advanced computational methods based on all-atom molecular dynamics simulations with explicit solvent to advance our understanding of kinase activation. To elucidate the mechanism of regulation and self-inhibition, we have computed the pathway and the free energy landscapes for the "inactive-to-active" conformational transition of c-Src for different configurations of the SH2 and SH3 domains. Using the isolated c-Src catalytic domain as a baseline for comparison, it is observed that the SH2 and SH3 domains, depending upon their bound orientation, promote either the inactive or active state of the catalytic domain. The regulatory structural information from the SH2-SH3 tandem is allosterically transmitted via the N-terminal linker of the catalytic domain. Analysis of the conformational transition pathways also illustrates the importance of the conserved tryptophan 260 in activating c-Src, and reveals a series of concerted events during the activation process.

Impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Pathogenesis and Outcome of Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

Background

Improvement in antiviral therapies have been accompanied by an increased frequency of non-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) defining malignancies, such as glioblastoma multiforme. Here, we investigated all reported cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with glioblastoma and evaluated their clinical outcomes. A comprehensive review of the molecular pathogenetic mechanisms underlying glioblastoma development in the setting of HIV/AIDS is provided.

Methods

We performed a PubMed search using keywords “HIV glioma” AND “glioblastoma,” and “AIDS glioma” AND “glioblastoma.” Case reports and series describing HIV-positive patients with glioblastoma (histologically-proven World Health Organization grade IV astrocytoma) and reporting on HAART treatment status, clinical follow-up, and overall survival (OS), were included for the purposes of quantitative synthesis. Patients without clinical follow-up data or OS were excluded. Remaining articles were assessed for data extraction eligibility.

Results

A total of 17 patients met our inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 14 (82.4%) were male and 3 (17.6%) were female, with a mean age of 39.5±9.2 years (range 19–60 years). Average CD4 count at diagnosis of glioblastoma was 358.9±193.4 cells/mm³. Tumor progression rather than AIDS-associated complications dictated patient survival. There was a trend towards increased median survival with HAART treatment (12.0 vs 7.5 months, p=0.10)

Conclusion

Our data suggests that HAART is associated with improved survival in patients with HIV-associated glioblastoma, although the precise mechanisms underlying this improvement remain unclear.

Improving HIV proteome annotation: new features of BioAfrica HIV Proteomics Resource

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the pathogens that cause the greatest global concern, with approximately 35 million people currently infected with HIV. Extensive HIV research has been performed, generating a large amount of HIV and host genomic data. However, no effective vaccine that protects the host from HIV infection is available and HIV is still spreading at an alarming rate, despite effective antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. In order to develop effective therapies, we need to expand our knowledge of the interaction between HIV and host proteins. In contrast to virus proteins, which often rapidly evolve drug resistance mutations, the host proteins are essentially invariant within all humans. Thus, if we can identify the host proteins needed for virus replication, such as those involved in transporting viral proteins to the cell surface, we have a chance of interrupting viral replication. There is no proteome resource that summarizes this interaction, making research on this subject a difficult enterprise. In order to fill this gap in knowledge, we curated a resource presents detailed annotation on the interaction between the HIV proteome and host proteins. Our resource was produced in collaboration with ViralZone and used manual curation techniques developed by UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Our new website also used previous annotations of the BioAfrica HIV-1 Proteome Resource, which has been accessed by approximately 10 000 unique users a year since its inception in 2005. The novel features include a dedicated new page for each HIV protein, a graphic display of its function and a section on its interaction with host proteins. Our new webpages also add information on the genomic location of each HIV protein and the position of ARV drug resistance mutations. Our improved BioAfrica HIV-1 Proteome Resource fills a gap in the current knowledge of biocuration.

Database URL: http://www.bioafrica.net/proteomics/HIVproteome.html

Focal adhesion kinase-dependent focal adhesion recruitment of SH2 domains directs SRC into focal adhesions to regulate cell adhesion and migration

Directed cell migration requires dynamical control of the protein complex within focal adhesions (FAs) and this control is regulated by signaling events involving tyrosine phosphorylation. We screened the SH2 domains present in tyrosine-specific kinases and phosphatases found within FAs, including SRC, SHP1 and SHP2, and examined whether these enzymes transiently target FAs via their SH2 domains. We found that the SRC_SH2 domain and the SHP2_N-SH2 domain are associated with FAs, but only the SRC_SH2 domain is able to be regulated by focal adhesion kinase (FAK). The FAK-dependent association of the SRC_SH2 domain is necessary and sufficient for SRC FA targeting. When the targeting of SRC into FAs is inhibited, there is significant suppression of SRC-mediated phosphorylation of paxillin and FAK; this results in an inhibition of FA formation and maturation and a reduction in cell migration. This study reveals an association between FAs and the SRC_SH2 domain as well as between FAs and the SHP2_N-SH2 domains. This supports the hypothesis that the FAK-regulated SRC_SH2 domain plays an important role in directing SRC into FAs and that this SRC-mediated FA signaling drives cell migration.

Subtle Dynamic Changes Accompany Hck Activation by HIV-1 Nef and are Reversed by an Antiretroviral Kinase Inhibitor

The HIV-1 virulence factor Nef interacts with the macrophage Src-family kinase Hck, resulting in constitutive kinase activation that contributes to viral replication and immune escape. Previous chemical library screens identified the diphenylfuranopyrimdine kinase inhibitor DFP-4AB, which selectively inhibits Nef-dependent Hck activity in biochemical assays and potently blocks HIV replication in vitro. In the present study, hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry (HX MS) was used to study conformational changes in downregulated Hck that result from Nef binding, as well as the impact of DFP-4AB on these changes. Remarkably, interaction with Nef induced only subtle changes in deuterium uptake by Hck, with the most significant changes in the N-lobe of the kinase domain adjacent to the docking site for Nef on the SH3 domain. No changes in hydrogen exchange were observed in the Hck SH2 domain or C-terminal tail, indicating that this regulatory interaction is unaffected by Nef binding. When HX MS was performed in the presence of DFP-4AB, the effect of Nef on Hck N-lobe dynamics was completely reversed. These results show that constitutive activation of Hck by HIV-1 Nef requires only modest changes to the conformational dynamics of the overall kinase structure. DFP-4AB reverses these effects, consistent with its activity against this Nef-induced signaling event in HIV-infected cells.

A Discovery Strategy for Selective Inhibitors of c-Src in Complex with the Focal Adhesion Kinase SH3/SH2-binding Region

The c-Src tyrosine kinase co-operates with the focal adhesion kinase to regulate cell adhesion and motility. Focal adhesion kinase engages the regulatory SH3 and SH2 domains of c-Src, resulting in localized kinase activation that contributes to tumor cell metastasis. Using assay conditions where c-Src kinase activity required binding to a tyrosine phosphopeptide based on the focal adhesion kinase SH3-SH2 docking sequence, we screened a kinase-biased library for selective inhibitors of the Src/focal adhesion kinase peptide complex versus c-Src alone. This approach identified an aminopyrimidinyl carbamate compound, WH-4-124-2, with nanomolar inhibitory potency and fivefold selectivity for c-Src when bound to the phospho-focal adhesion kinase peptide. Molecular docking studies indicate that WH-4-124-2 may preferentially inhibit the 'DFG-out' conformation of the kinase active site. These findings suggest that interaction of c-Src with focal adhesion kinase induces a unique kinase domain conformation amenable to selective inhibition.

Small molecule inhibitors of the HIV-1 virulence factor, Nef

Although antiretroviral therapy has revolutionized the clinical management of AIDS, life-long treatment is required because these drugs do not eradicate HIV- infected cells. Chronic antiretroviral therapy may not protect AIDS patients from cognitive impairment, raising important quality of life issues. Because of the rise of HIV strains resistant to current drugs and uncertain vaccine prospects, an urgent need exists for the discovery and development of new therapeutic approaches. This review is focused on one such approach, which involves targeting HIV-1 Nef, a viral accessory protein essential for AIDS pathogenesis.

Differential sensitivity of Src-family kinases to activation by SH3 domain displacement

Src-family kinases (SFKs) are non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinases involved in a variety of signaling pathways in virtually every cell type. The SFKs share a common negative regulatory mechanism that involves intramolecular interactions of the SH3 domain with the PPII helix formed by the SH2-kinase linker as well as the SH2 domain with a conserved phosphotyrosine residue in the C-terminal tail. Growing evidence suggests that individual SFKs may exhibit distinct activation mechanisms dictated by the relative strengths of these intramolecular interactions. To elucidate the role of the SH3:linker interaction in the regulation of individual SFKs, we used a synthetic SH3 domain-binding peptide (VSL12) to probe the sensitivity of downregulated c-Src, Hck, Lyn and Fyn to SH3-based activation in a kinetic kinase assay. All four SFKs responded to VSL12 binding with enhanced kinase activity, demonstrating a conserved role for SH3:linker interaction in the control of catalytic function. However, the sensitivity and extent of SH3-based activation varied over a wide range. In addition, autophosphorylation of the activation loops of c-Src and Hck did not override regulatory control by SH3:linker displacement, demonstrating that these modes of activation are independent. Our results show that despite the similarity of their downregulated conformations, individual Src-family members show diverse responses to activation by domain displacement which may reflect their adaptation to specific signaling environments in vivo.

Interaction with the Src homology (SH3-SH2) region of the Src-family kinase Hck structures the HIV-1 Nef dimer for kinase activation and effector recruitment

HIV-1 Nef supports high titer viral replication in vivo and is essential for AIDS progression. Nef function depends on interactions with multiple host cell effectors, including Hck and other Src-family kinases. Here we describe the x-ray crystal structure of Nef in complex with the Hck SH3-SH2 regulatory region to a resolution of 1.86 Å. The complex crystallized as a dimer of complexes, with the conserved Nef PXXPXR motif engaging the Hck SH3 domain. A new intercomplex contact was found between SH3 Glu-93, and Nef Arg-105. Mutagenesis of Hck SH3 Glu-93 interfered with Nef·Hck complex formation and kinase activation in cells. The Hck SH2 domains impinge on the N-terminal region of Nef to stabilize a dimer conformation that exposes Asp-123, a residue critical for Nef function. Our results suggest that in addition to serving as a kinase effector for Nef, Hck binding may reorganize the Nef dimer for functional interaction with other signaling partners.

Protein-protein interactions and human cellular cofactors as new targets for HIV therapy

Two novel approaches for the development of new drugs against AIDS are summarized each leading to the achievement of important discoveries in anti-HIV therapy. Despite the success of HAART in reducing mortality, resistant strains continue to emerge in the clinic, underscoring the importance of developing next-generation drugs. Protein-protein interactions and human cellular cofactors represent the new targets of tomorrow in HIV research. The most relevant results obtained in the last few years by the two new strategies are described herein.

The accessory factor Nef links HIV-1 to Tec/Btk kinases in an Src homology 3 domain-dependent manner

The HIV-1 Nef virulence factor interacts with multiple host cell-signaling proteins. Nef binds to the Src homology 3 domains of Src family kinases, resulting in kinase activation important for viral infectivity, replication, and MHC-I down-regulation. Itk and other Tec family kinases are also present in HIV target cells, and Itk has been linked to HIV-1 infectivity and replication. However, the molecular mechanism linking Itk to HIV-1 is unknown. In this study, we explored the interaction of Nef with Tec family kinases using a cell-based bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay. In this approach, interaction of Nef with a partner kinase juxtaposes nonfluorescent YFP fragments fused to the C terminus of each protein, resulting in YFP complementation and a bright fluorescent signal. Using bimolecular fluorescence complementation, we observed that Nef interacts with the Tec family members Bmx, Btk, and Itk but not Tec or Txk. Interaction with Nef occurs through the kinase Src homology 3 domains and localizes to the plasma membrane. Allelic variants of Nef from all major HIV-1 subtypes interacted strongly with Itk in this assay, demonstrating the highly conserved nature of this interaction. A selective small molecule inhibitor of Itk kinase activity (BMS-509744) potently blocked wild-type HIV-1 infectivity and replication, but not that of a Nef-defective mutant. Nef induced constitutive Itk activation in transfected cells that was sensitive to inhibitor treatment. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that Nef interacts with cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases of the Tec family and suggest that Nef provides a mechanistic link between HIV-1 and Itk signaling in the viral life cycle.

Regulation of Src and Csk nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in the filasterean Ministeria vibrans

The development of the phosphotyrosine-based signaling system predated the evolution of multicellular animals. Single-celled choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives to metazoans, possess numerous tyrosine kinases, including Src family nonreceptor tyrosine kinases. Choanoflagellates also have Csk (C-terminal Src kinase), the enzyme that regulates Src in metazoans; however, choanoflagellate Csk kinases fail to repress the cognate Src. Here, we have cloned and characterized Src and Csk kinases from Ministeria vibrans, a filasterean (the sister group to metazoans and choanoflagellates). The two Src kinases (MvSrc1 and MvSrc2) are enzymatically active Src kinases, although they have low activity toward mammalian cellular proteins. Unexpectedly, MvSrc2 has significant Ser/Thr kinase activity. The Csk homologue (MvCsk) is enzymatically inactive and fails to repress MvSrc activity. We suggest that the low activity of MvCsk is due to sequences in the SH2-kinase interface, and we show that a point mutation in this region partially restores MvCsk activity. The inactivity of filasterean Csk kinases is consistent with a model in which the stringent regulation of Src family kinases arose more recently in evolution, after the split between choanoflagellates and multicellular animals.

Discovery of a diaminoquinoxaline benzenesulfonamide antagonist of HIV-1 Nef function using a yeast-based phenotypic screen

BACKGROUND

HIV-1 Nef is a viral accessory protein critical for AIDS progression. Nef lacks intrinsic catalytic activity and binds multiple host cell signaling proteins, including Hck and other Src-family tyrosine kinases. Nef binding induces constitutive Hck activation that may contribute to HIV pathogenesis by promoting viral infectivity, replication and downregulation of cell-surface MHC-I molecules. In this study, we developed a yeast-based phenotypic screen to identify small molecules that inhibit the Nef-Hck complex.

RESULTS

Nef-Hck interaction was faithfully reconstituted in yeast cells, resulting in kinase activation and growth arrest. Yeast cells expressing the Nef-Hck complex were used to screen a library of small heterocyclic compounds for their ability to rescue growth inhibition. The screen identified a dihydrobenzo-1,4-dioxin-substituted analog of 2-quinoxalinyl-3-aminobenzene-sulfonamide (DQBS) as a potent inhibitor of Nef-dependent HIV-1 replication and MHC-I downregulation in T-cells. Docking studies predicted direct binding of DQBS to Nef which was confirmed in differential scanning fluorimetry assays with recombinant purified Nef protein. DQBS also potently inhibited the replication of HIV-1 NL4-3 chimeras expressing Nef alleles representative of all M-group HIV-1 clades.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the utility of a yeast-based growth reversion assay for the identification of small molecule Nef antagonists. Inhibitors of Nef function discovered with this assay, such as DQBS, may complement the activity of current antiretroviral therapies by enabling immune recognition of HIV-infected cells through the rescue of cell surface MHC-I.

HIV-1 infection of T cells and macrophages are differentially modulated by virion-associated Hck: a Nef-dependent phenomenon

The proline repeat motif (PxxP) of Nef is required for interaction with the SH3 domains of macrophage-specific Src kinase Hck. However, the implication of this interaction for viral replication and infectivity in macrophages and T lymphocytes remains unclear. Experiments in HIV-1 infected macrophages confirmed the presence of a Nef:Hck complex which was dependent on the Nef proline repeat motif. The proline repeat motif of Nef also enhanced both HIV-1 infection and replication in macrophages, and was required for incorporation of Hck into viral particles. Unexpectedly, wild-type Hck inhibited infection of macrophages, but Hck was shown to enhance infection of primary T lymphocytes. These results indicate that the interaction between Nef and Hck is important for Nef-dependent modulation of viral infectivity. Hck-dependent enhancement of HIV-1 infection of T cells suggests that Nef-Hck interaction may contribute to the spread of HIV-1 infection from macrophages to T cells by modulating events in the producer cell, virion and target cell.

T-Cell Signaling in HIV-1 Infection

HIV exploits the T-cell signaling network to gain access to downstream cellular components, which serves as effective tools to break the cellular barriers. Multiple host factors and their interaction with viral proteins contribute to the complexity of HIV-1 pathogenesis and disease progression. HIV-1 proteins gp120, Nef, Tat and Vpr alter the T-cell signaling pathways by activating multiple transcription factors including NF-ĸB, Sp1 and AP-1. HIV-1 evades the immune system by developing a multi-pronged strategy. Additionally, HIV-1 encoded proteins influence the apoptosis in the host cell favoring or blocking T-cell apoptosis. Thus, T-cell signaling hijacked by viral proteins accounts for both viral persistence and immune suppression during HIV-1 infection. Here, we summarize past and present studies on HIV-1 T-cell signaling with special focus on the possible role of T cells in facilitating viral infection and pathogenesis

Identification of Hck inhibitors as hits for the development of antileukemia and anti-HIV agents

Hematopoietic cell kinase (Hck) is a member of the Src family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases. High levels of Hck are associated with drug resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia. Furthermore, Hck activity has been connected with HIV-1. Herein, structure-based drug design efforts were aimed at identifying novel Hck inhibitors. First, an in-house library of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives, which were previously shown to be dual Abl and c-Src inhibitors, was analyzed by docking studies within the ATP binding site of Hck to select the best candidates to be tested in a cell-free assay. Next, the same computational protocol was applied to screen a database of commercially available compounds. As a result, most of the selected compounds were found active against Hck, with Ki values ranging from 0.14 to 18.4 μM, confirming the suitability of the computational approach adopted. Furthermore, selected compounds showed an interesting antiproliferative activity profile against the human leukemia cell line KU-812, and one compound was found to block HIV-1 replication at sub-toxic concentrations.

Lack of Csk-mediated negative regulation in a unicellular SRC kinase

Phosphotyrosine-based signaling plays a vital role in cellular communication in multicellular organisms. Unexpectedly, unicellular choanoflagellates (the closest phylogenetic group to metazoans) possess numbers of tyrosine kinases that are comparable to those in complex metazoans. Here, we have characterized tyrosine kinases from the filasterean Capsaspora owczarzaki, a unicellular protist representing the sister group to choanoflagellates and metazoans. Two Src-like tyrosine kinases have been identified in C. owczarzaki (CoSrc1 and CoSrc2), both of which have the arrangement of SH3, SH2, and catalytic domains seen in mammalian Src kinases. In Capsaspora cells, CoSrc1 and CoSrc2 localize to punctate structures in filopodia that may represent primordial focal adhesions. We have cloned, expressed, and purified both enzymes. CoSrc1 and CoSrc2 are active tyrosine kinases. Mammalian Src kinases are normally regulated in a reciprocal fashion by autophosphorylation in the activation loop (which increases activity) and by Csk-mediated phosphorylation of the C-terminal tail (which inhibits activity). Similar to mammalian Src kinases, the enzymatic activities of CoSrc1 and CoSrc2 are increased by autophosphorylation in the activation loop. We have identified a Csk-like kinase (CoCsk) in the genome of C. owczarzaki. We cloned, expressed, and purified CoCsk and found that it has no measurable tyrosine kinase activity. Furthermore, CoCsk does not phosphorylate or regulate CoSrc1 or CoSrc2 in cells or in vitro, and CoSrc1 and CoSrc2 are active in Capsaspora cell lysates. Thus, the function of Csk as a negative regulator of Src family kinases appears to have arisen with the emergence of metazoans.

HIV-1 Nef interaction influences the ATP-binding site of the Src-family kinase, Hck

Background

Nef is an HIV-1 accessory protein essential for viral replication and AIDS progression. Nef interacts with a multitude of host cell signaling partners, including members of the Src kinase family. Nef preferentially activates Hck, a Src-family kinase (SFK) strongly expressed in macrophages and other HIV target cells, by binding to its regulatory SH3 domain. Recently, we identified a series of kinase inhibitors that preferentially inhibit Hck in the presence of Nef. These compounds also block Nef-dependent HIV replication, validating the Nef-SFK signaling pathway as an antiretroviral drug target. Our findings also suggested that by binding to the Hck SH3 domain, Nef indirectly affects the conformation of the kinase active site to favor inhibitor association.

Results

To test this hypothesis, we engineered a "gatekeeper" mutant of Hck with enhanced sensitivity to the pyrazolopyrimidine tyrosine kinase inhibitor, NaPP1. We also modified the RT loop of the Hck SH3 domain to enhance interaction of the kinase with Nef. This modification stabilized Nef:Hck interaction in solution-based kinase assays, as a way to mimic the more stable association that likely occurs at cellular membranes. Introduction of the modified RT loop rendered Hck remarkably more sensitive to activation by Nef, and led to a significant decrease in the K_m for ATP as well as enhanced inhibitor potency.

Conclusions

These observations suggest that stable interaction with Nef may induce Src-family kinase active site conformations amenable to selective inhibitor targeting.

Rewiring kinase specificity with a synthetic adaptor protein

Signaling cascades are managed in time and space by interactions between and among proteins. These interactions are often aided by adaptor proteins, which guide enzyme-substrate pairs into proximity. Miniature proteins are a class of small, well-folded protein domains possessing engineered binding properties. Here we made use of two miniature proteins with complementary binding properties to create a synthetic adaptor protein that effectively redirects a ubiquitous signaling event: tyrosine phosphorylation. We report that miniature-protein-based adaptor 3 uses templated catalysis to redirect the Src family kinase Hck to phosphorylate hDM2, a negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor and a poor Hck substrate. Phosphorylation occurs with multiple turnover and at a single site targeted by c-Abl kinase in the cell.

Nef alleles from all major HIV-1 clades activate Src-family kinases and enhance HIV-1 replication in an inhibitor-sensitive manner

The HIV-1 accessory factor Nef is essential for high-titer viral replication and AIDS progression. Nef function requires interaction with many host cell proteins, including specific members of the Src kinase family. Here we explored whether Src-family kinase activation is a conserved property of Nef alleles from a wide range of primary HIV-1 isolates and their sensitivity to selective pharmacological inhibitors. Representative Nef proteins from the major HIV-1 subtypes A1, A2, B, C, F1, F2, G, H, J and K strongly activated Hck and Lyn as well as c-Src to a lesser extent, demonstrating for the first time that Src-family kinase activation is a highly conserved property of primary M-group HIV-1 Nef isolates. Recently, we identified 4-amino substituted diphenylfuropyrimidines (DFPs) that selectively inhibit Nef-dependent activation of Src-family kinases as well as HIV replication. To determine whether DFP compounds exhibit broad-spectrum Nef-dependent antiretroviral activity against HIV-1, we first constructed chimeric forms of the HIV-1 strain NL4-3 expressing each of the primary Nef alleles. The infectivity and replication of these Nef chimeras was indistinguishable from that of wild-type virus in two distinct cell lines (U87MG astroglial cells and CEM-T4 lymphoblasts). Importantly, the 4-aminopropanol and 4-aminobutanol derivatives of DFP potently inhibited the replication of all chimeric forms of HIV-1 in both U87MG and CEM-T4 cells in a Nef-dependent manner. The antiretroviral effects of these compounds correlated with inhibition of Nef-dependent activation of endogenous Src-family kinases in the HIV-infected cells. Our results demonstrate that the activation of Hck, Lyn and c-Src by Nef is highly conserved among all major clades of HIV-1 and that selective targeting of this pathway uniformly inhibits HIV-1 replication.

Noise in cellular signaling pathways: causes and effects

Noise caused by stochastic fluctuations in genetic circuits (transcription and translation) is now appreciated as a central aspect of cell function and phenotypic behavior. Noise has also been detected in signaling networks, but the origin of this noise and how it shapes cellular outcomes remain poorly understood. Here, we argue that noise in signaling networks results from the intrinsic promiscuity of protein-protein interactions (PPIs), and that this noise has shaped cellular signal transduction. Features promoted by the presence of this molecular signaling noise include multimerization and clustering of signaling components, pleiotropic effects of gross changes in protein concentration, and a probabilistic rather than a linear view of signal propagation.

On the solution conformation and dynamics of the HIV-1 viral infectivity factor

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) has evolved a cunning mechanism to circumvent the antiviral activity of the APOBEC3 family of host cell enzymes. HIV-1 Vif [viral (also called virion) infectivity factor], one of several HIV accessory proteins, targets APOBEC3 proteins for proteasomal degradation and downregulates their expression at the mRNA level. Despite the importance of Vif for HIV-1 infection, there is little conformational data on Vif alone or in complex with other cellular factors due to incompatibilities with many structural techniques and difficulties in producing suitable quantities of the protein for biophysical analysis. As an alternative, we have turned to hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry (HX MS), a conformational analysis method that is well suited for proteins that are difficult to study using X-ray crystallography and/or NMR. HX MS was used to probe the solution conformation of recombinant full-length HIV-1 Vif. Vif specifically interacted with the previously identified binding partner Hck and was able to cause kinase activation, suggesting that the Vif studied by HX MS retained a biochemically competent conformation relevant to Hck interaction. HX MS analysis of Vif alone revealed low deuteration levels in the N-terminal portion, indicating that this region contained structured or otherwise protected elements. In contrast, high deuteration levels in the C-terminal portion of Vif indicated that this region was likely unstructured in the absence of cellular interacting proteins. Several regions within Vif displayed conformational heterogeneity in solution, including the APOBEC3G/F binding site and the HCCH zinc finger. Taken together, these HX MS results provide new insights into the solution conformation of Vif.

Effects of naturally-arising HIV Nef mutations on cytotoxic T lymphocyte recognition and Nef's functionality in primary macrophages

Background

Although HIV can infect several cellular subsets, such as CD4⁺ T lymphocytes and macrophages, it remains unclear whether an HIV infection in macrophages supports cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) escape. Here, we tested two naturally-arising mutations located in the well-conserved polyproline region of Nef for their effects on CTL recognition, Nef's functionality, and viral replication capacity in macrophages. These mutations were selected because they are known to cause CTL escape in the context of T lymphocytes.

Findings

Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) infected with the wild-type virus, but not with variant viruses, were efficiently killed by CTL clones targeting Nef epitopes, VY8 (VPLRPMTY) and RY11 (RPQVPLRPMTY). The CTL-escape mutation, Arg⁷⁵Thr, or Arg⁷⁵Thr/Tyr⁸⁵Phe double mutation, reduced the HLA class I down-regulation activity and, interestingly, increased the susceptibility of virus-infected MDMs to recognition by CTLs targeting a different epitope. The same mutations reduced the CCR5, but not CD4, down-regulation activity. Moreover, the Nef variants were impaired for Hck activation and enhancement of viral replication in MDMs.

Conclusions

These results suggest that HIV-infected MDMs are killed by CTLs targeting Nef epitopes, contributing to selection and adaptation of CTL-escape viral variants.

Mechanisms of HIV-1 Nef function and intracellular signaling

Advances in the last several years have enhanced mechanistic understanding of Nef-induced CD4 and MHCI downregulation and have suggested a new paradigm for analyzing Nef function. In both of these cases, Nef acts by forming ternary complexes with significant contributions to stability imparted by non-canonical interactions. The mutational analyses and binding assays that have led to these conclusions are discussed. The recent progress has been dependent on conservative mutations and multi-protein binding assays. The poorly understood Nef functions of p21 activated protein kinase (PAK2) activation, enhancement of virion infectivity, and inhibition of immunoglobulin class switching are also likely to involve ternary complexes and non-canonical interactions. Hence, investigation of these latter Nef functions should benefit from a similar approach. Six historically used alanine substitutions for determining structure-function relationships of Nef are discussed. These are M20A, E62A/E63A/E64A/E65A (AAAA), P72A/P75A (AXXA), R106A, L164A/L165A, and D174A/D175A. Investigations of less-disruptive mutations in place of AAAA and AXXA have led to different interpretations of mechanism. Two recent examples of this alternate approach, F191I for studying PAK2 activation and D123E for the critical residue D123 are discussed. The implications of the new findings and the resulting new paradigm for Nef structure-function are discussed with respect to creating a map of Nef functions on the protein surface. We report the results of a PPI-Pred analysis for protein-protein interfaces. There are three predicted patches produced by the analysis which describe regions consistent with the currently known mutational analyses of Nef function.

Abl family of tyrosine kinases and microbial pathogenesis

Abl nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are activated by multiple stimuli and regulate cytoskeletal reorganization, cell proliferation, survival, and stress responses. Several downstream pathways have direct impact on physiological processes, including development and maintenance of the nervous and immune systems and epithelial morphogenesis. Recent studies also indicated that numerous viral and bacterial pathogens highjack Abl signaling for different purposes. Abl kinases are activated to reorganize the host actin cytoskeleton and promote the direct tyrosine phosphorylation of viral surface proteins and injected bacterial type-III and type-IV effector molecules. However, Abl kinases also play other roles in infectious processes of bacteria, viruses, and prions. These activities have crucial impact on microbial invasion and release from host cells, actin-based motility, pedestal formation, as well as cell-cell dissociation involved in epithelial barrier disruption and other responses. Thus, Abl kinases exhibit important functions in pathological signaling during microbial infections. Here, we discuss the different signaling pathways activated by pathogens and highlight possible therapeutic intervention strategies.

Energetics of Src homology domain interactions in receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling

Intracellular signaling from receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) on extracellular stimulation is fundamental to all cellular processes. The protein-protein interactions which form the basis of this signaling are mediated through a limited number of polypeptide domains. For signal transduction without corruption, based on a model where signaling pathways are considered as linear bimolecular relays, these interactions have to be highly specific. This is particularly the case when one considers that any cell may have copies of similar binding domains found in numerous proteins. In this work, an overview of the thermodynamics of binding of two of the most common of these domains (SH2 and SH3 domains) is given. This, coupled with insight from high-resolution structural detail, provides a comprehensive survey of how recognition of cognate binding sites for these domains occurs. Based on the data presented, we conclude that specificity offered by these interactions of SH2 and SH3 domains is limited and not sufficient to enforce mutual exclusivity in RTK-mediated signaling. This may explain the current lack of success in pharmaceutical intervention to inhibit the interactions of these domains when they are responsible for aberrant signaling and the resulting disease states such as cancer.

Crystal structure of the Src family kinase Hck SH3-SH2 linker regulatory region supports an SH3-dominant activation mechanism

Most mammalian cell types depend on multiple Src family kinases (SFKs) to regulate diverse signaling pathways. Strict control of SFK activity is essential for normal cellular function, and loss of kinase regulation contributes to several forms of cancer and other diseases. Previous x-ray crystal structures of the SFKs c-Src and Hck revealed that intramolecular association of their Src homology (SH) 3 domains and SH2 kinase linker regions has a key role in down-regulation of kinase activity. However, the amino acid sequence of the Hck linker represents a suboptimal ligand for the isolated SH3 domain, suggesting that it may form the polyproline type II helical conformation required for SH3 docking only in the context of the intact structure. To test this hypothesis directly, we determined the crystal structure of a truncated Hck protein consisting of the SH2 and SH3 domains plus the linker. Despite the absence of the kinase domain, the structures and relative orientations of the SH2 and SH3 domains in this shorter protein were very similar to those observed in near full-length, down-regulated Hck. However, the SH2 kinase linker adopted a modified topology and failed to engage the SH3 domain. This new structure supports the idea that these noncatalytic regions work together as a "conformational switch" that modulates kinase activity in a manner unique to the SH3 domain and linker topologies present in the intact Hck protein. Our results also provide fresh structural insight into the facile induction of Hck activity by HIV-1 Nef and other Hck SH3 domain binding proteins and implicate the existence of innate conformational states unique to individual Src family members that "fine-tune" their sensitivities to activation by SH3-based ligands.

Expression of a Src family kinase in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells induces resistance to imatinib in a kinase-dependent manner

The Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor imatinib is remarkably effective in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), although drug resistance is an emerging problem. Myeloid Src family kinases such as Hck and Lyn are often overexpressed in imatinib-resistant CML cells that lack Bcr-Abl mutations. Here we tested whether Hck overexpression is sufficient to induce imatinib resistance using both wild-type Hck and a mutant (Hck-T338A) that is uniquely sensitive to the pyrazolo-pyrimidine inhibitor, NaPP1. Expression of either kinase in K562 CML cells caused resistance to imatinib-induced apoptosis and inhibition of soft-agar colony formation. Treatment with NaPP1 restored sensitivity to imatinib in cells expressing T338A but not wild-type Hck, demonstrating that resistance requires Hck kinase activity. NaPP1 also reduced Hck-mediated phosphorylation of Bcr-Abl at sites that may affect imatinib sensitivity exclusively in cells expressing Hck-T338A. These data show that elevated Src family kinase activity is sufficient to induce imatinib resistance through a mechanism that may involve phosphorylation of Bcr-Abl.

Cancer-associated mutations activate the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Ack1

Ack1 is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that participates in tumorigenesis, cell survival, and migration. Relatively little is known about the mechanisms that regulate Ack1 activity. Recently, four somatic missense mutations of Ack1 were identified in cancer tissue samples, but the effects on Ack1 activity, and function have not been described. These mutations occur in the N-terminal region, the C-lobe of the kinase domain, and the SH3 domain. Here, we show that the cancer-associated mutations increase Ack1 autophosphorylation in mammalian cells without affecting localization and increase Ack1 activity in immune complex kinase assays. The cancer-associated mutations potentiate the ability of Ack1 to promote proliferation and migration, suggesting that point mutation is a mechanism for Ack1 deregulation. We propose that the C-terminal Mig6 homology region (MHR) (residues 802-990) participates in inhibitory intramolecular interactions. The isolated kinase domain of Ack1 interacts directly with the MHR, and the cancer-associated E346K mutation prevents binding. Likewise, mutation of a key hydrophobic residue in the MHR (Phe(820)) prevents the MHR-kinase interaction, activates Ack1, and increases cell migration. Thus, the cancer-associated mutation E346K appears to destabilize an autoinhibited conformation of Ack1, leading to constitutively high Ack1 activity.