APOBEC3 proteins can copackage and comutate HIV-1 genomes

Structural insights into PPP2R5A degradation by HIV-1 Vif

HIV-1 Vif recruits host cullin-RING-E3 ubiquitin ligase and CBFβ to degrade the cellular APOBEC3 antiviral proteins through diverse interactions. Recent evidence has shown that Vif also degrades the regulatory subunits PPP2R5(A-E) of cellular protein phosphatase 2A to induce G2/M cell cycle arrest. As PPP2R5 proteins bear no functional or structural resemblance to A3s, it is unclear how Vif can recognize different sets of proteins. Here we report the cryogenic-electron microscopy structure of PPP2R5A in complex with HIV-1 Vif-CBFβ-elongin B-elongin C at 3.58 Å resolution. The structure shows PPP2R5A binds across the Vif molecule, with biochemical and cellular studies confirming a distinct Vif-PPP2R5A interface that partially overlaps with those for A3s. Vif also blocks a canonical PPP2R5A substrate-binding site, indicating that it suppresses the phosphatase activities through both degradation-dependent and degradation-independent mechanisms. Our work identifies critical Vif motifs regulating the recognition of diverse A3 and PPP2R5A substrates, whereby disruption of these host-virus protein interactions could serve as potential targets for HIV-1 therapeutics.

Single-Virion Analysis: A Method to Visualize HIV-1 Particle Content Using Fluorescence Microscopy

HIV-1 virions incorporate viral RNA, cellular RNAs, and proteins during the assembly process. Some of these components, such as the viral RNA genome and viral proteins, are essential for viral replication, whereas others, such as host innate immune proteins, can inhibit virus replication. Therefore, analyzing the virion content is an integral part of studying HIV-1 replication. Traditionally, virion contents have been examined using biochemical assays, which can provide information on the presence or absence of the molecule of interest but not its distribution in the virion population. Here, we describe a method, single-virion analysis, that directly examines the presence of molecules of interest in individual viral particles using fluorescence microscopy. Thus, this method can detect both the presence and the distribution of molecules of interest in the virion population. Single-virion analysis was first developed to study HIV-1 RNA genome packaging. In this assay, HIV-1 unspliced RNA is labeled with a fluorescently tagged RNA-binding protein (protein A) and some of the Gag proteins are labeled with a different fluorescent protein (protein B). Using fluorescence microscopy, HIV-1 particles can be identified by the fluorescent protein B signal and the presence of unspliced HIV-1 RNA can be identified by the fluorescent protein A signal. Therefore, the proportions of particles that contain unspliced RNA can be determined by the fraction of Gag particles that also have a colocalized RNA signal. By tagging the molecule of interest with fluorescent proteins, single-virion analysis can be easily adapted to study the incorporation of other viral or host cell molecules into particles. Indeed, this method has been adapted to examine the proportion of HIV-1 particles that contain APOBEC3 proteins and the fraction of particles that contain a modified Gag protein. Therefore, single-virion analysis is a flexible method to study the nucleic acid and protein content of HIV-1 particles.

APOBEC3 degradation is the primary function of HIV-1 Vif determining virion infectivity in the myeloid cell line THP-1

HIV-1 must overcome multiple innate antiviral mechanisms to replicate in CD4+ T lymphocytes and macrophages. Previous studies have demonstrated that the apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3, A3) family of proteins (at least A3D, A3F, A3G, and stable A3H haplotypes) contribute to HIV-1 restriction in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Virus-encoded virion infectivity factor (Vif) counteracts this antiviral activity by degrading A3 enzymes allowing HIV-1 replication in infected cells. In addition to A3 proteins, Vif also targets other cellular proteins in CD4+ T lymphocytes, including PPP2R5 proteins. However, whether Vif primarily degrades only A3 proteins during viral replication is currently unknown. Herein, we describe the development and characterization of A3F-, A3F/A3G-, and A3A-to-A3G-null THP-1 cells. In comparison to Vif-proficient HIV-1, Vif-deficient viruses have substantially reduced infectivity in parental and A3F-null THP-1 cells, and a more modest decrease in infectivity in A3F/A3G-null cells. Remarkably, disruption of A3A-A3G protein expression completely restores the infectivity of Vif-deficient viruses in THP-1 cells. These results indicate that the primary function of Vif during infectious HIV-1 production from THP-1 cells is the targeting and degradation of A3 enzymes. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 Vif neutralizes the HIV-1 restriction activity of A3 proteins. However, it is currently unclear whether Vif has additional essential cellular targets. To address this question, we disrupted A3A to A3G genes in the THP-1 myeloid cell line using CRISPR and compared the infectivity of wild-type HIV-1 and Vif mutants with the selective A3 neutralization activities. Our results demonstrate that the infectivity of Vif-deficient HIV-1 and the other Vif mutants is fully restored by ablating the expression of cellular A3A to A3G proteins. These results indicate that A3 proteins are the only essential target of Vif that is required for fully infectious HIV-1 production from THP-1 cells.

APOBEC3 degradation is the primary function of HIV-1 Vif for virus replication in the myeloid cell line THP-1

HIV-1 must overcome multiple innate antiviral mechanisms to replicate in CD4 + T lymphocytes and macrophages. Previous studies have demonstrated that the APOBEC3 (A3) family of proteins (at least A3D, A3F, A3G, and stable A3H haplotypes) contribute to HIV-1 restriction in CD4 + T lymphocytes. Virus-encoded virion infectivity factor (Vif) counteracts this antiviral activity by degrading A3 enzymes allowing HIV-1 replication in infected cells. In addition to A3 proteins, Vif also targets other cellular proteins in CD4 + T lymphocytes, including PPP2R5 proteins. However, whether Vif primarily degrades only A3 proteins or has additional essential targets during viral replication is currently unknown. Herein, we describe the development and characterization of A3F -, A3F/A3G -, and A3A -to- A3G -null THP-1 cells. In comparison to Vif-proficient HIV-1, Vif-deficient viruses have substantially reduced infectivity in parental and A3F -null THP-1 cells, and a more modest decrease in infectivity in A3F/A3G -null cells. Remarkably, disruption of A3Aâ€"A3G protein expression completely restores the infectivity of Vif-deficient viruses in THP-1 cells. These results indicate that the primary function of Vif during HIV-1 replication in THP-1 cells is the targeting and degradation of A3 enzymes.

Importance

HIV-1 Vif neutralizes the HIV-1 restriction activity of A3 proteins. However, it is currently unclear whether Vif has additional essential cellular targets. To address this question, we disrupted A3A to A3G genes in the THP-1 myeloid cell line using CRISPR and compared the infectivity of wildtype HIV-1 and Vif mutants with the selective A3 neutralization activities. Our results demonstrate that the infectivity of Vif-deficient HIV-1 and the other Vif mutants is fully restored by ablating the expression of cellular A3A to A3G proteins. These results indicate that A3 proteins are the only essential target of Vif that is required for HIV-1 replication in THP-1 cells.

Host Cell Restriction Factors Blocking Efficient Vector Transduction: Challenges in Lentiviral and Adeno-Associated Vector Based Gene Therapies

Gene therapy relies on the delivery of genetic material to the patient's cells in order to provide a therapeutic treatment. Two of the currently most used and efficient delivery systems are the lentiviral (LV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Gene therapy vectors must successfully attach, enter uncoated, and escape host restriction factors (RFs), before reaching the nucleus and effectively deliver the therapeutic genetic instructions to the cell. Some of these RFs are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells, while others are cell-specific, and others still are expressed only upon induction by danger signals as type I interferons. Cell restriction factors have evolved to protect the organism against infectious diseases and tissue damage. These restriction factors can be intrinsic, directly acting on the vector, or related with the innate immune response system, acting indirectly through the induction of interferons, but both are intertwined. The innate immunity is the first line of defense against pathogens and, as such cells derived from myeloid progenitors (but not only), are well equipped with RFs to detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In addition, some non-professional cells, such as epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, play major roles in pathogen recognition. Unsurprisingly, foreign DNA and RNA molecules are among the most detected PAMPs. Here, we review and discuss identified RFs that block LV and AAV vector transduction, hindering their therapeutic efficacy.

Stability of APOBEC3F in the Presence of the APOBEC3 Antagonist HIV-1 Vif Increases at the Expense of Co-Expressed APOBEC3H Haplotype I

The seven human APOBEC3 enzymes (APOBEC3A through H, excluding E) are host restriction factors. Most of the APOBEC3 enzymes can restrict HIV-1 replication with different efficiencies. The HIV-1 Vif protein combats APOBEC3-mediated restriction by inducing ubiquitination and degradation in the proteasome. APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G can hetero-oligomerize, which increases their restriction capacity and resistance to Vif. Here we determined if APOBEC3C, APOBEC3F, or APOBEC3G could hetero-oligomerize with APOBEC3H haplotype I. APOBEC3H haplotype I has a short half-life in cells due to ubiquitination and degradation by host proteins, but is also resistant to Vif. We hypothesized that hetero-oligomerization with APOBEC3H haplotype I may result in less Vif-mediated degradation of the interacting APOBEC3 and stabilize APOBEC3H haplotype I, resulting in more efficient HIV-1 restriction. Although we found that all three APOBEC3s could interact with APOBEC3H haplotype I, only APOBEC3F affected APOBEC3H haplotype I by surprisingly accelerating its proteasomal degradation. However, this increased APOBEC3F levels in cells and virions in the absence or presence of Vif and enabled APOBEC3F-mediated restriction of HIV-1 in the presence of Vif. Altogether, the data suggest that APOBEC3 enzymes can co-regulate each other at the protein level and that they cooperate to ensure HIV-1 inactivation rather than evolution.

Structural basis of sequence-specific RNA recognition by the antiviral factor APOBEC3G

An essential step in restricting HIV infectivity by the antiviral factor APOBEC3G is its incorporation into progeny virions via binding to HIV RNA. However, the mechanism of APOBEC3G capturing viral RNA is unknown. Here, we report crystal structures of a primate APOBEC3G bound to different types of RNAs, revealing that APOBEC3G specifically recognizes unpaired 5'-AA-3' dinucleotides, and to a lesser extent, 5'-GA-3' dinucleotides. APOBEC3G binds to the common 3'A in the AA/GA motifs using an aromatic/hydrophobic pocket in the non-catalytic domain. It binds to the 5'A or 5'G in the AA/GA motifs using an aromatic/hydrophobic groove conformed between the non-catalytic and catalytic domains. APOBEC3G RNA binding property is distinct from that of the HIV nucleocapsid protein recognizing unpaired guanosines. Our findings suggest that the sequence-specific RNA recognition is critical for APOBEC3G virion packaging and restricting HIV infectivity.

APOBEC3-induced mutation of the hepatitis virus B DNA genome occurs during its viral RNA reverse transcription into (-)-DNA

APOBEC3s are innate single-stranded DNA cytidine-to-uridine deaminases that catalyze mutations in both pathogen and human genomes with significant roles in human disease. However, how APOBEC3s mutate a single-stranded DNA that is available momentarily during DNA transcription or replication in vivo remains relatively unknown. In this study, utilizing hepatitis B virus (HBV) viral mutations, we evaluated the mutational characteristics of individual APOBEC3s with reference to the HBV replication process through HBV whole single-strand (-)-DNA genome mutation analyses. We found that APOBEC3s induced C-to-T mutations from the HBV reverse transcription start site continuing through the whole (-)-DNA transcript to the termination site with variable efficiency, in an order of A3B >> A3G > A3H-II or A3C. A3B had a 3-fold higher mutation efficiency than A3H-II or A3C with up to 65% of all HBV genomic cytidines being converted into uridines in a single mutation event, consistent with the A3B localized hypermutation signature in cancer, namely, kataegis. On the other hand, A3C expression led to a 3-fold higher number of mutation-positive HBV genome clones, although each individual clone had a lower number of C-to-T mutations. Like A3B, A3C preferred both 5'-TC and 5'-CC sequences, but to a lesser degree. The APOBEC3-induced HBV mutations were predominantly detected in the HBV rcDNA but were not detectable in other intermediates including HBV cccDNA and pgRNA by primer extension of their PCR amplification products. These data demonstrate that APOBEC3-induced HBV genome mutations occur predominantly when the HBV RNA genome was reversely transcribed into (-)-DNA in the viral capsid.

Coronavirus genomes carry the signatures of their habitats

Coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 regularly infect host tissues that express antiviral proteins (AVPs) in abundance. Understanding how they evolve to adapt or evade host immune responses is important in the effort to control the spread of infection. Two AVPs that may shape viral genomes are the zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) and the apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme-catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3). The former binds to CpG dinucleotides to facilitate the degradation of viral transcripts while the latter frequently deaminates C into U residues which could generate notable viral sequence variations. We tested the hypothesis that both APOBEC3 and ZAP impose selective pressures that shape the genome of an infecting coronavirus. Our investigation considered a comprehensive number of publicly available genomes for seven coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS infecting Homo sapiens, Bovine CoV infecting Bos taurus, MHV infecting Mus musculus, HEV infecting Sus scrofa, and CRCoV infecting Canis lupus familiaris). We show that coronaviruses that regularly infect tissues with abundant AVPs have CpG-deficient and U-rich genomes; whereas those that do not infect tissues with abundant AVPs do not share these sequence hallmarks. Among the coronaviruses surveyed herein, CpG is most deficient in SARS-CoV-2 and a temporal analysis showed a marked increase in C to U mutations over four months of SARS-CoV-2 genome evolution. Furthermore, the preferred motifs in which these C to U mutations occur are the same as those subjected to APOBEC3 editing in HIV-1. These results suggest that both ZAP and APOBEC3 shape the SARS-CoV-2 genome: ZAP imposes a strong CpG avoidance, and APOBEC3 constantly edits C to U. Evolutionary pressures exerted by host immune systems onto viral genomes may motivate novel strategies for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.

Deaminase-Independent Mode of Antiretroviral Action in Human and Mouse APOBEC3 Proteins

Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) proteins (APOBEC3s) are deaminases that convert cytosines to uracils predominantly on a single-stranded DNA, and function as intrinsic restriction factors in the innate immune system to suppress replication of viruses (including retroviruses) and movement of retrotransposons. Enzymatic activity is supposed to be essential for the APOBEC3 antiviral function. However, it is not the only way that APOBEC3s exert their biological function. Since the discovery of human APOBEC3G as a restriction factor for HIV-1, the deaminase-independent mode of action has been observed. At present, it is apparent that both the deaminase-dependent and -independent pathways are tightly involved not only in combating viruses but also in human tumorigenesis. Although the deaminase-dependent pathway has been extensively characterized so far, understanding of the deaminase-independent pathway remains immature. Here, we review existing knowledge regarding the deaminase-independent antiretroviral functions of APOBEC3s and their molecular mechanisms. We also discuss the possible unidentified molecular mechanism for the deaminase-independent antiretroviral function mediated by mouse APOBEC3.

The Role of APOBECs in Viral Replication

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC) proteins are a diverse and evolutionarily conserved family of cytidine deaminases that provide a variety of functions from tissue-specific gene expression and immunoglobulin diversity to control of viruses and retrotransposons. APOBEC family expansion has been documented among mammalian species, suggesting a powerful selection for their activity. Enzymes with a duplicated zinc-binding domain often have catalytically active and inactive domains, yet both have antiviral function. Although APOBEC antiviral function was discovered through hypermutation of HIV-1 genomes lacking an active Vif protein, much evidence indicates that APOBECs also inhibit virus replication through mechanisms other than mutagenesis. Multiple steps of the viral replication cycle may be affected, although nucleic acid replication is a primary target. Packaging of APOBECs into virions was first noted with HIV-1, yet is not a prerequisite for viral inhibition. APOBEC antagonism may occur in viral producer and recipient cells. Signatures of APOBEC activity include G-to-A and C-to-T mutations in a particular sequence context. The importance of APOBEC activity for viral inhibition is reflected in the identification of numerous viral factors, including HIV-1 Vif, which are dedicated to antagonism of these deaminases. Such viral antagonists often are only partially successful, leading to APOBEC selection for viral variants that enhance replication or avoid immune elimination.

Structural Insights into APOBEC3-Mediated Lentiviral Restriction

Mammals have developed clever adaptive and innate immune defense mechanisms to protect against invading bacterial and viral pathogens. Human innate immunity is continuously evolving to expand the repertoire of restriction factors and one such family of intrinsic restriction factors is the APOBEC3 (A3) family of cytidine deaminases. The coordinated expression of seven members of the A3 family of cytidine deaminases provides intrinsic immunity against numerous foreign infectious agents and protects the host from exogenous retroviruses and endogenous retroelements. Four members of the A3 proteins-A3G, A3F, A3H, and A3D-restrict HIV-1 in the absence of virion infectivity factor (Vif); their incorporation into progeny virions is a prerequisite for cytidine deaminase-dependent and -independent activities that inhibit viral replication in the host target cell. HIV-1 encodes Vif, an accessory protein that antagonizes A3 proteins by targeting them for polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation in the virus producing cells. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the role of human A3 proteins as barriers against HIV-1 infection, how Vif overcomes their antiviral activity, and highlight recent structural and functional insights into A3-mediated restriction of lentiviruses.

Deamination hotspots among APOBEC3 family members are defined by both target site sequence context and ssDNA secondary structure

The human apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3, A3) family member proteins can deaminate cytosines in single-strand (ss) DNA, which restricts human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), retrotransposons, and other viruses such as hepatitis B virus, but can cause a mutator phenotype in many cancers. While structural information exists for several A3 proteins, the precise details regarding deamination target selection are not fully understood. Here, we report the first parallel, comparative analysis of site selection of A3 deamination using six of the seven purified A3 member enzymes, oligonucleotides having 5'TC3' or 5'CT3' dinucleotide target sites, and different flanking bases within diverse DNA secondary structures. A3A, A3F and A3H were observed to have strong preferences toward the TC target flanked by A or T, while all examined A3 proteins did not show a preference for a TC target flanked by a G. We observed that the TC target was strongly preferred in ssDNA regions rather than dsDNA, loop or bulge regions, with flanking bases influencing the degree of preference. CT was also shown to be a potential deamination target. Taken together, our observations provide new insights into A3 enzyme target site selection and how A3 mutagenesis impacts mutation rates.

An Alu Element Insertion in Intron 1 Results in Aberrant Alternative Splicing of APOBEC3G Pre-mRNA in Northern Pig-Tailed Macaques (Macaca leonina) That May Reduce APOBEC3G-Mediated Hypermutation Pressure on HIV-1

APOBEC3 family members, particularly APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G, inhibit the replication and spread of various retroviruses by inducing hypermutation in newly synthesized viral DNA. Viral hypermutation by APOBEC3 is associated with viral evolution, viral transmission, and disease progression. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to targeting APOBEC3G for AIDS therapy. Thus, a controllable model system using species such as macaques, which provide a relatively ideal in vivo system, is needed for the study of APOBEC3-related issues. To appropriately utilize this animal model for biomedical research, important differences between human and macaque APOBEC3s must be considered. In this study, we found that the ratio of APOBEC3G-mediated/APOBEC3-mediated HIV-1 hypermutation footprints was much lower in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from northern pig-tailed macaques than in PBMCs from humans. Next, we identified a novel and conserved APOBEC3G pre-mRNA alternative splicing pattern in macaques, which differed from that in humans and resulted from an Alu element insertion into macaque APOBEC3G gene intron 1. This alternative splicing pattern generating an aberrant APOBEC3G mRNA isoform may significantly dilute full-length APOBEC3G and reduce APOBEC3G-mediated hypermutation pressure on HIV-1 in northern pig-tailed macaques, which was supported by the elimination of other possibilities accounting for this hypermutation difference between the two hosts.IMPORTANCE APOBEC3 family members, particularly APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G, are important cellular antiviral factors. Recently, more attention has been paid to targeting APOBEC3G for AIDS therapy. To appropriately utilize macaque animal models for the study of APOBEC3-related issues, it is important that the differences between human and macaque APOBEC3s are clarified. In this study, we identified a novel and conserved APOBEC3G pre-mRNA alternative splicing pattern in macaques, which differed from that in humans and which may reduce the APOBEC3G-mediated hypermutation pressure on HIV-1 in northern pig-tailed macaques (NPMs). Our work provides important information for the proper application of macaque animal models for APOBEC3-related issues in AIDS research and a better understanding of the biological functions of APOBEC3 proteins.

Structural Determinants of the APOBEC3G N-Terminal Domain for HIV-1 RNA Association

APOBEC3G (A3G) is a cellular protein that inhibits HIV-1 infection through virion incorporation. The interaction of the A3G N-terminal domain (NTD) with RNA is essential for A3G incorporation in the HIV-1 virion. The interaction between A3G-NTD and RNA is not completely understood. The A3G-NTD is also recognized by HIV-1 Viral infectivity factor (Vif) and A3G-Vif binding leads to A3G degradation. Therefore, the A3G-Vif interaction is a target for the development of antiviral therapies that block HIV-1 replication. However, targeting the A3G-Vif interactions could disrupt the A3G-RNA interactions that are required for A3G's antiviral activity. To better understand A3G-RNA binding, we generated in silico docking models to simulate the RNA-binding propensity of A3G-NTD. We simulated the A3G-NTD residues with high RNA-binding propensity, experimentally validated our prediction by testing A3G-NTD mutations, and identified structural determinants of A3G-RNA binding. In addition, we found a novel amino acid residue, I26 responsible for RNA interaction. The new structural insights provided here will facilitate the design of pharmaceuticals that inhibit A3G-Vif interactions without negatively impacting A3G-RNA interactions.

Host Restriction Factors and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1): A Dynamic Interplay Involving All Phases of the Viral Life Cycle

Mammalian cells have evolved several mechanisms to prevent or block lentiviral infection and spread. Among the innate immune mechanisms, the signaling cascade triggered by type I interferon (IFN) plays a pivotal role in limiting the burden of HIV-1. In the presence of IFN, human cells upregulate the expression of a number of genes, referred to as IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), many of them acting as antiviral restriction factors (RFs). RFs are dominant proteins that target different essential steps of the viral cycle, thereby providing an early line of defense against the virus. The identification and characterization of RFs have provided unique insights into the molecular biology of HIV-1, further revealing the complex host-pathogen interplay that characterizes the infection. The presence of RFs drove viral evolution, forcing the virus to develop specific proteins to counteract their activity. The knowledge of the mechanisms that prevent viral infection and their viral counterparts may offer new insights to improve current antiviral strategies. This review provides an overview of the RFs targeting HIV-1 replication and the mechanisms that regulate their expression as well as their impact on viral replication and the clinical course of the disease.

Role of co-expressed APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G in inducing HIV-1 drug resistance

The APOBEC3 enzymes can induce mutagenesis of HIV-1 proviral DNA through the deamination of cytosine. HIV-1 overcomes this restriction through the viral protein Vif that induces APOBEC3 proteasomal degradation. Within this dynamic host-pathogen relationship, the APOBEC3 enzymes have been found to be beneficial, neutral, or detrimental to HIV-1 biology. Here, we assessed the ability of co-expressed APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G to induce HIV-1 resistance to antiviral drugs. We found that co-expression of APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G enabled partial resistance of APOBEC3F to Vif-mediated degradation with a corresponding increase in APOBEC3F-induced deaminations in the presence of Vif, in addition to APOBEC3G-induced deaminations. We recovered HIV-1 drug resistant variants resulting from APOBEC3-induced mutagenesis, but these variants were less able to replicate than drug resistant viruses derived from RT-induced mutations alone. The data support a model in which APOBEC3 enzymes cooperate to restrict HIV-1, promoting viral inactivation over evolution to drug resistance.

Role of APOBEC3 proteins in proteasome inhibitor-mediated reactivation of latent HIV-1 viruses

Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) have been identified as an emerging class of HIV-1 latency-reversing agents (LRAs). These inhibitors can reactivate latent HIV-1 to produce non-infectious viruses. The mechanism underlying reduced infectivity of reactivated viruses is unknown. In this study, we analysed PI-reactivated viruses using biochemical and virological assays and demonstrated that these PIs stabilized the cellular expression of HIV-1 restriction factor, APOBEC3G, facilitating its packaging in the released viruses. Using infectivity assay and immunoblotting, we observed that the reduction in viral infectivity was due to enhanced levels of functionally active APOBEC3 proteins packaged in the virions. Sequencing of the proviral genome in the target cells revealed the presence of APOBEC3 signature hypermutations. Our study strengthens the role of PIs as bifunctional LRAs and demonstrates that the loss of infectivity of reactivated HIV-1 virions may be due to the increased packaging of APOBEC3 proteins in the virus.

APOBEC3G Regulation of the Evolutionary Race Between Adaptive Immunity and Viral Immune Escape Is Deeply Imprinted in the HIV Genome

APOBEC3G (A3G) is a host enzyme that mutates the genomes of retroviruses like HIV. Since A3G is expressed pre-infection, it has classically been considered an agent of innate immunity. We and others previously showed that the impact of A3G-induced mutations on the HIV genome extends to adaptive immunity also, by generating cytotoxic T cell (CTL) escape mutations. Accordingly, HIV genomic sequences encoding CTL epitopes often contain A3G-mutable “hotspot” sequence motifs, presumably to channel A3G action toward CTL escape. Here, we studied the depths and consequences of this apparent viral genome co-evolution with A3G. We identified all potential CTL epitopes in Gag, Pol, Env, and Nef restricted to several HLA class I alleles. We simulated A3G-induced mutations within CTL epitope-encoding sequences, and flanking regions. From the immune recognition perspective, we analyzed how A3G-driven mutations are predicted to impact CTL-epitope generation through modulating proteasomal processing and HLA class I binding. We found that A3G mutations were most often predicted to result in diminishing/abolishing HLA-binding affinity of peptide epitopes. From the viral genome evolution perspective, we evaluated enrichment of A3G hotspots at sequences encoding CTL epitopes and included control sequences in which the HIV genome was randomly shuffled. We found that sequences encoding immunogenic epitopes exhibited a selective enrichment of A3G hotspots, which were strongly biased to translate to non-synonymous amino acid substitutions. When superimposed on the known mutational gradient across the entire length of the HIV genome, we observed a gradient of A3G hotspot enrichment, and an HLA-specific pattern of the potential of A3G hotspots to lead to CTL escape mutations. These data illuminate the depths and extent of the co-evolution of the viral genome to subvert the host mutator A3G.

RNA Editors, Cofactors, and mRNA Targets: An Overview of the C-to-U RNA Editing Machinery and Its Implication in Human Disease

One of the most prevalent epitranscriptomic modifications is RNA editing. In higher eukaryotes, RNA editing is catalyzed by one of two classes of deaminases: ADAR family enzymes that catalyze A-to-I (read as G) editing, and AID/APOBEC family enzymes that catalyze C-to-U. ADAR-catalyzed deamination has been studied extensively. Here we focus on AID/APOBEC-catalyzed editing, and review the emergent knowledge regarding C-to-U editing consequences in the context of human disease.

Polymorphisms of the cytidine deaminase APOBEC3F have different HIV-1 restriction efficiencies

The APOBEC3 enzyme family are host restriction factors that induce mutagenesis of HIV-1 proviral genomes through the deamination of cytosine to form uracil in nascent single-stranded (-)DNA. HIV-1 suppresses APOBEC3 activity through the HIV-1 protein Vif that induces APOBEC3 degradation. Here we compared two common polymorphisms of APOBEC3F. We found that although both polymorphisms have HIV-1 restriction activity, APOBEC3F 108 A/231V can restrict HIV-1 ΔVif up to 4-fold more than APOBEC3F 108 S/231I and is partially protected from Vif-mediated degradation. This resulted from higher levels of steady state expression of APOBEC3F 108 A/231 V. Individuals are commonly heterozygous for the APOBEC3F polymorphisms and these polymorphisms formed in cells, independent of RNA, hetero-oligomers between each other and with APOBEC3G. Hetero-oligomerization with APOBEC3F 108 A/231V resulted in partial stabilization of APOBEC3F 108 S/231I and APOBEC3G in the presence of Vif. These data demonstrate functional outcomes of APOBEC3 polymorphisms and hetero-oligomerization that affect HIV-1 restriction.

Insights into DNA substrate selection by APOBEC3G from structural, biochemical, and functional studies

Human apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme-catalytic polypeptide-like 3 (A3) proteins are a family of cytidine deaminases that catalyze the conversion of deoxycytidine (dC) to deoxyuridine (dU) in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). A3 proteins act in the innate immune response to viral infection by mutating the viral ssDNA. One of the most well-studied human A3 family members is A3G, which is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1. Each A3 protein prefers a specific substrate sequence for catalysis-for example, A3G deaminates the third dC in the CCCA sequence motif. However, the interaction between A3G and ssDNA is difficult to characterize due to poor solution behavior of the full-length protein and loss of DNA affinity of the truncated protein. Here, we present a novel DNA-anchoring fusion strategy using the protection of telomeres protein 1 (Pot1) which has nanomolar affinity for ssDNA, with which we captured an A3G-ssDNA interaction. We crystallized a non-preferred adenine in the -1 nucleotide-binding pocket of A3G. The structure reveals a unique conformation of the catalytic site loops that sheds light onto how the enzyme scans substrate in the -1 pocket. Furthermore, our biochemistry and virology studies provide evidence that the nucleotide-binding pockets on A3G influence each other in selecting the preferred DNA substrate. Together, the results provide insights into the mechanism by which A3G selects and deaminates its preferred substrates and help define how A3 proteins are tailored to recognize specific DNA sequences. This knowledge contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism of DNA substrate selection by A3G, as well as A3G antiviral activity against HIV-1.

Multiple Inhibitory Factors Act in the Late Phase of HIV-1 Replication: a Systematic Review of the Literature

The use of lentiviral vectors for therapeutic purposes has shown promising results in clinical trials. The ability to produce a clinical-grade vector at high yields remains a critical issue. One possible obstacle could be cellular factors known to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To date, five HIV restriction factors have been identified, although it is likely that more factors are involved in the complex HIV-cell interaction. Inhibitory factors that have an adverse effect but do not abolish virus production are much less well described. Therefore, a gap exists in the knowledge of inhibitory factors acting late in the HIV life cycle (from transcription to infection of a new cell), which are relevant to the lentiviral vector production process. The objective was to review the HIV literature to identify cellular factors previously implicated as inhibitors of the late stages of lentivirus production. A search for publications was conducted on MEDLINE via the PubMed interface, using the keyword sequence "HIV restriction factor" or "HIV restriction" or "inhibit HIV" or "repress HIV" or "restrict HIV" or "suppress HIV" or "block HIV," with a publication date up to 31 December 2016. Cited papers from the identified records were investigated, and additional database searches were performed. A total of 260 candidate inhibitory factors were identified. These factors have been identified in the literature as having a negative impact on HIV replication. This study identified hundreds of candidate inhibitory factors for which the impact of modulating their expression in lentiviral vector production could be beneficial.

HPV11 E6 mutation by overexpression of APOBEC3A and effects of interferon-ω on APOBEC3s and HPV11 E6 expression in HPV11.HaCaT cells

BACKGROUND

Condyloma acuminatum, infected by low-risk human papillomaviruses (e.g., HPV6 and HPV11), is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted diseases. Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3 proteins (APOBEC3s, A3s) are cellular cytidine deaminases acting as antiviral factors through hypermutation of viral genome. However, it remains unknown whether A3s results in HPV11 gene mutations and interferon-ω (IFN-ω) exhibits antiviral activities through the A3s system. Here we investigated whether enhanced APOBEC3A (A3A) resulted in the E6 gene mutations and explore the effects of recombinant human interferon-ω (rhIFN-ω) on A3s/E6 expression in HaCaT keratinocytes containing the genome of HPV 11 (HPV11.HaCaT cells).

METHODS

A3A-overexpressed HPV11.HaCaT (A3A-HPV11.HaCaT) cells were established by lentiviral infection and verified by immunofluorescence and western-blotting. Cell cycle, E6 gene mutations, APOBEC3s/E6 gene expression and subcellular localization were detected by FACS, 3D-PCR and sequencing, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence respectively.

RESULTS

The results suggested that A3A-HPV11.HaCaT cells were successfully established. Enhanced A3A induced S-phase arrest, G > A/C > T mutations and obvious reduction of E6 mRNA expression. A3A/A3B mRNA expression was up-regulated at 6 h and 12 h and obvious A3A staining existed throughout HPV11.HaCaT cells after rhIFN-ω treatment. RhIFN-ω could also inhibit mRNA expression of HPV11 E6 significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced A3A repressed HPV11 E6 expression through gene hypermutation, and rhIFN-ω might be an effective agent against HPV11 infection by up-regulation of A3A.

Mechanism of Enhanced HIV Restriction by Virion Coencapsidated Cytidine Deaminases APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G

The APOBEC3 (A3) enzymes, A3G and A3F, are coordinately expressed in CD4⁺ T cells and can become coencapsidated into HIV-1 virions, primarily in the absence of the viral infectivity factor (Vif). A3F and A3G are deoxycytidine deaminases that inhibit HIV-1 replication by inducing guanine-to-adenine hypermutation through deamination of cytosine to form uracil in minus-strand DNA. The effect of the simultaneous presence of both A3G and A3F on HIV-1 restriction ability is not clear. Here, we used a single-cycle infectivity assay and biochemical analyses to determine if coencapsidated A3G and A3F differ in their restriction capacity from A3G or A3F alone. Proviral DNA sequencing demonstrated that compared to each A3 enzyme alone, A3G and A3F, when combined, had a coordinate effect on hypermutation. Using size exclusion chromatography, rotational anisotropy, and in vitro deamination assays, we demonstrate that A3F promotes A3G deamination activity by forming an A3F/G hetero-oligomer in the absence of RNA which is more efficient at deaminating cytosines. Further, A3F caused the accumulation of shorter reverse transcripts due to decreasing reverse transcriptase efficiency, which would leave single-stranded minus-strand DNA exposed for longer periods of time, enabling more deamination events to occur. Although A3G and A3F are known to function alongside each other, these data provide evidence for an A3F/G hetero-oligomeric A3 with unique properties compared to each individual counterpart.

IMPORTANCE

The APOBEC3 enzymes APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G act as a barrier to HIV-1 replication in the absence of the HIV-1 Vif protein. After APOBEC3 enzymes are encapsidated into virions, they deaminate cytosines in minus-strand DNA, which forms promutagenic uracils that induce transition mutations or proviral DNA degradation. Even in the presence of Vif, footprints of APOBEC3-catalyzed deaminations are found, demonstrating that APOBEC3s still have discernible activity against HIV-1 in infected individuals. We undertook a study to better understand the activity of coexpressed APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G. The data demonstrate that an APOBEC3F/APOBEC3G hetero-oligomer can form that has unique properties compared to each APOBEC3 alone. This hetero-oligomer has increased efficiency of virus hypermutation, raising the idea that we still may not fully realize the antiviral mechanisms of endogenous APOBEC3 enzymes. Hetero-oligomerization may be a mechanism to increase their antiviral activity in the presence of Vif.

Lentiviral vector interactions with the host cell

Lentiviral vectors (LVs)-mediated gene transfer is an efficient method for ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy. Actually, LVs have been used in several clinical trials and therapeutic correction was reached in affected patients. However, in order to be effective gene therapy needs to be efficient without detrimental effects for target cells. Successful cell transduction by LVs can be hampered by several factors such as the activation of innate immune sensors during cell transduction and different restriction factors (RFs) inhibiting viral replication inside the cells. Therefore, a better knowledge of host-vector interactions is important for the development of more efficient gene therapy strategies improving the LVs platform by limiting harmful responses.