Envelope glycoprotein and CD4 independence of vpu-facilitated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 capsid export

Advances in RNA Viral Vector Technology to Reprogram Somatic Cells: The Paramyxovirus Wave

Ethical issues are a significant barrier to the use of embryonic stem cells in patients due to their origin: human embryos. To further the development of stem cells in a patient application, alternative sources of cells were sought. A process referred to as reprogramming was established to create induced pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells, resolving the ethical issues, and vectors were developed to deliver the reprogramming factors to generate induced pluripotent stem cells. Early viral vectors used integrating retroviruses and lentiviruses as delivery vehicles for the transcription factors required to initiate reprogramming. However, because of the inherent risk associated with vectors that integrate into the host genome, non-integrating approaches were explored. The development of non-integrating viral vectors offers a safer alternative, and these modern vectors are reliable, efficient, and easy to use to achieve induced pluripotent stem cells suitable for direct patient application in the growing field of individualized medicine. This review summarizes all the RNA viral vectors in the field of reprogramming with a special focus on the emerging delivery vectors based on non-integrating  Paramyxoviruses, Sendai and measles viruses. We discuss their design and evolution towards being safe and efficient reprogramming vectors in generating induced pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells.

The antiviral activities of tetherin

Tetherin (BST2/CD317) has emerged as a key host cell defense molecule, inhibiting the release and spread of diverse enveloped virions from infected cells. In this chapter, I review the molecular and cellular basis for tetherin's antiviral activities and the function of virally encoded countermeasures that disrupt its function. I further describe recent advances in our understanding of tetherin's associated role in viral pattern recognition and the evidence for its role in limiting viral pathogenesis in vivo.

Viral proteins function as ion channels

Viral ion channels are short membrane proteins with 50–120 amino acids and play an important role either in regulating virus replication, such as virus entry, assembly and release or modulating the electrochemical balance in the subcellular compartments of host cells. This review summarizes the recent advances in viral encoded ion channel proteins (or viroporins), including PBCV-1 KcV, influenza M2, HIV-1 Vpu, HCV p7, picornavirus 2B, and coronavirus E and 3a. We focus on their function and mechanisms, and also discuss viral ion channel protein serving as a potential drug target.

HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu internalizes cell-surface BST-2/tetherin through transmembrane interactions leading to lysosomes

Bone marrow stromal antigen 2 (BST-2, also known as tetherin) is a recently identified interferon-inducible host restriction factor that can block the production of enveloped viruses by trapping virus particles at the cell surface. This antiviral effect is counteracted by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory protein viral protein U (Vpu). Here we show that HIV-1 Vpu physically interacts with BST-2 through their mutual transmembrane domains and leads to the degradation of this host factor via a lysosomal, not proteasomal, pathway. The degradation is partially controlled by a cellular protein, beta-transducin repeat-containing protein (betaTrCP), which is known to be required for the Vpu-induced degradation of CD4. Importantly, targeting of BST-2 by Vpu occurs at the plasma membrane followed by the active internalization of this host protein by Vpu independently of constitutive endocytosis. Thus, the primary site of action of Vpu is the plasma membrane, where Vpu targets and internalizes cell-surface BST-2 through transmembrane interactions, leading to lysosomal degradation, partially in a betaTrCP-dependent manner. Also, we propose the following configuration of BST-2 in tethering virions to the cell surface; each of the dimerized BST-2 molecules acts as a bridge between viral and cell membranes.

The formation of cysteine-linked dimers of BST-2/tetherin is important for inhibition of HIV-1 virus release but not for sensitivity to Vpu

Background

The Human Immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu protein enhances virus release from infected cells and induces proteasomal degradation of CD4. Recent work identified BST-2/CD317 as a host factor that inhibits HIV-1 virus release in a Vpu sensitive manner. A current working model proposes that BST-2 inhibits virus release by tethering viral particles to the cell surface thereby triggering their subsequent endocytosis.

Results

Here we defined structural properties of BST-2 required for inhibition of virus release and for sensitivity to Vpu. We found that BST-2 is modified by N-linked glycosylation at two sites in the extracellular domain. However, N-linked glycosylation was not important for inhibition of HIV-1 virus release nor did it affect surface expression or sensitivity to Vpu. Rodent BST-2 was previously found to form cysteine-linked dimers. Analysis of single, double, or triple cysteine mutants revealed that any one of three cysteine residues present in the BST-2 extracellular domain was sufficient for BST-2 dimerization, for inhibition of virus release, and sensitivity to Vpu. In contrast, BST-2 lacking all three cysteines in its ectodomain was unable to inhibit release of wild type or Vpu-deficient HIV-1 virions. This defect was not caused by a gross defect in BST-2 trafficking as the mutant protein was expressed at the cell surface of transfected 293T cells and was down-modulated by Vpu similar to wild type BST-2.

Conclusion

While BST-2 glycosylation was functionally irrelevant, formation of cysteine-linked dimers appeared to be important for inhibition of virus release. However lack of dimerization did not prevent surface expression or Vpu sensitivity of BST-2, suggesting Vpu sensitivity and inhibition of virus release are separable properties of BST-2.

Host restriction factors blocking retroviral replication

Retroviruses are highly successful intracellular parasites, and as such they are found in nearly all branches of life. Some are relatively benign, but many are highly pathogenic and can cause either acute or chronic diseases. Therefore, there is tremendous selective pressure on the host to prevent retroviral replication, and for this reason cells have evolved a variety of restriction factors that act to inhibit or block the viruses. This review is a survey of the best-characterized restriction factors capable of inhibiting retroviral replication and aims to highlight the diversity of strategies used for this task.

Identification of calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand as a human host restriction to HIV-1 release overcome by Vpu

The HIV-1 Vpu protein is required for efficient viral release from human cells. For HIV-2, the envelope (Env) protein replaces the role of Vpu. Both Vpu and HIV-2 Env enhance virus release by counteracting an innate host-cell block within human cells that is absent in African green monkey (AGM) cells. Here we identify calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML) as a Vpu-interacting host factor that restricts HIV-1 release. Expression of human CAML (encoded by CAMLG) in AGM cells conferred a strong restriction of virus release that was reversed by Vpu and HIV-2 Env, suggesting that CAML is the mechanistic link between these two viral regulators. Depletion of CAML in human cells eliminated the need for Vpu in enhancing HIV-1 and murine leukemia virus release. These results point to CAML as a Vpu-sensitive host restriction factor that inhibits HIV release from human cells. The ability of CAML to inhibit virus release should illuminate new therapeutic strategies against HIV.

Requirements for the selective degradation of CD4 receptor molecules by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein in the endoplasmic reticulum

Background

HIV-1 Vpu targets newly synthesized CD4 receptor for rapid degradation by a process reminiscent of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein degradation (ERAD). Vpu is thought to act as an adaptor protein, connecting CD4 to the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome degradative system through an interaction with β-TrCP, a component of the SCF^β-TrCP E3 Ub ligase complex.

Results

Here, we provide direct evidence indicating that Vpu promotes trans-ubiquitination of CD4 through recruitment of SCF^β-TrCP in human cells. To examine whether Ub conjugation occurs on the cytosolic tail of CD4, we substituted all four Ub acceptor lysine residues for arginines. Replacement of cytosolic lysine residues reduced but did not prevent Vpu-mediated CD4 degradation and ubiquitination, suggesting that Vpu-mediated CD4 degradation is not entirely dependent on the ubiquitination of cytosolic lysines and as such might also involve ubiquitination of other sites. Cell fractionation studies revealed that Vpu enhanced the levels of ubiquitinated forms of CD4 detected in association with not only the ER membrane but also the cytosol. Interestingly, significant amounts of membrane-associated ubiquitinated CD4 appeared to be fully dislocated since they could be recovered following sodium carbonate salt treatment. Finally, expression of a transdominant negative mutant of the AAA ATPase Cdc48/p97 involved in the extraction of ERAD substrates from the ER membrane inhibited Vpu-mediated CD4 degradation.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results are consistent with a model whereby HIV-1 Vpu targets CD4 for degradation by an ERAD-like process involving most likely poly-ubiquitination of the CD4 cytosolic tail by SCF^β-TrCP prior to dislocation of receptor molecules across the ER membrane by a process that depends on the AAA ATPase Cdc48/p97.

Role of envelope processing and gp41 membrane spanning domain in the formation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) fusion-competent envelope glycoprotein complex

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into target cells is directed by the envelope (Env) glycoproteins, which are present on the surface of HIV-1 virion or infected cells in the form of trimers consisting of gp120/gp41 complexes. The surface subunit, gp120, initiates the entry process by interacting sequentially with the CD4 receptor and a co-receptor, thereby inducing a conformational change that allows the transmembrane (TM) gp41 subunit to mediate fusion between viral and target cell membranes. Cleavage of Env into its gp120 and gp41 components is necessary for activation of its fusogenic activity. Here, the gp41 TM glycoprotein was altered by either deleting an isoleucine residue (DeltaI642) in a critical region of its ectodomain or by substituting its membrane spanning domain (MSD) by that of the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein (TM-HA) to examine the contribution of these regions to Env functions. Characterization of these mutant forms of gp41 revealed that they both affected the infectivity of pseudotyped virions, however, through distinct defects in Env functions. While deletion of Ile 642 drastically altered processing of Env, replacement of gp41 MSD by that of HA led to a marked fusion defect even though the TM-HA Env was efficiently processed and incorporated into viral particles. Interestingly, both DeltaI642 and TM-HA Env were found to act as trans dominant-negative mutant of viral infectivity, presumably via their ability to form hetero-oligomers with wild type Env. Together, these results support a previously proposed model whereby all three gp120-gp41 monomers must be cleaved for the Env homo-trimer to function and suggest that the gp41 MSD plays a critical role in the formation of fusion-competent Env trimers.

SARS coronavirus E protein forms cation-selective ion channels

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Coronaviruses including SARS-CoV encode an envelope (E) protein, a small, hydrophobic membrane protein. We report that, in planar lipid bilayers, synthetic peptides corresponding to the SARS-CoV E protein forms ion channels that are more permeable to monovalent cations than to monovalent anions. Affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies recognizing the N-terminal 19 residues of SARS-CoV E protein were used to establish the specificity of channel formation by inhibiting the ion currents generated in the presence of the E protein peptides.

Higher frequency of premature stop codon mutations at vpu gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 CRF01_AE compared with those of other subtypes

Our previous study demonstrated the anti-apoptosis function of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vpu gene product in normal CD4+ T lymphocytes. In this study, using sequences obtained from the HIV sequence database, we compared vpu sequences from 184 preparations of various subtypes of HIV-1 from diverse geographical regions. Our analysis revealed that CRF01_AE isolates had premature stop codon mutations at the vpu gene at a much higher rate (36%) than other subtypes (0-9%). The premature stop codon mutations in vpu existed mostly at two amino acid residues: the methionine initiation codon and the boundary between the transmembrane (TM) and cytoplasmic domains. The mutations at the latter site were more often detected in CRF01_AE. The higher mutation rates at vpu in CRF01_AE were confirmed by sequence comparison of polymerase chain reaction products newly obtained directly from the DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but not from the RNA from the plasma, in CRF01_AE- and subtype B-infected individuals. This finding may indicate the possibility that the more abundant population of HIV-1 CRF01_AE is able to induce apoptosis in CD4+ T lymphocytes than the populations of other subtypes.

Vpr and Vpu are important for efficient human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication and CD4+ T-cell depletion in human lymphoid tissue ex vivo

The relevance of the accessory vpr, vpu, and nef genes for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in human lymphoid tissue (HLT), the major site of viral replication in vivo, is largely unknown. Here, we show that an individual deletion of nef, vpr, or vpu significantly decreases HIV-1 replication and prevents CD4+ T-cell depletion in ex vivo HLT. However, only combined defects in all three accessory genes entirely disrupt the replicative capacity of HIV-1. Our results demonstrate that nef, vpr, and vpu are all essential for efficient viral spread in HLT, suggesting an important role in AIDS pathogenesis.

The vpu protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 plays a protective role against virus-induced apoptosis in primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes

Previous data revealed that primary cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were killed by apoptosis at higher rates after infection with two CRF01_AE primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) than after infection with five other CRF01_AE primary isolates, five subtype B primary isolates, and two subtype B laboratory strains. Here, we show evidence that mutations at the vpu gene which were exclusively identified only in the two CRF01_AE isolates mentioned above are involved in their abilities to induce massive apoptosis in primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes. The rates of virus production by these two isolates in the culture media of infected PBMCs were lower (the same as those of the other CRF01_AE isolates) than those of the subtype B isolates. To confirm the correlation between the higher apoptosis-inducing abilities and the mutations at the vpu gene, infectious molecular clone pNL4-3-based vpu mutants were constructed and examined for their apoptosis induction levels. The apoptosis induction levels after introduction of the vpu mutations were greatly increased in primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes. In contrast, the apoptosis induction abilities of these vpu mutants were lower in human T-cell line MT-4. Thus, the Vpu protein of HIV-1 could play a protective role against virus-induced apoptosis in primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes.

The HIV-1 Vpu protein: a multifunctional enhancer of viral particle release

HIV accessory genes are expressed throughout the viral life cycle and regulate wide-ranging aspects of virus replication including viral infectivity (Vif and Nef), viral gene expression (Vpr) and progeny virion production (Vpu). While in many cases the molecular basis of accessory protein function is not fully understood, a consensus is emerging that these viral products are generally devoid of enzymatic activity and instead act as multifunctional adapters, subverting normal cellular processes to serve the needs of the virus. This review focuses on presenting our current knowledge of the HIV-1-specific Vpu protein and its essential role in regulating viral particle release, viral load and expression of the CD4 receptor.

Vpu exerts a positive effect on HIV-1 infectivity by down-modulating CD4 receptor molecules at the surface of HIV-1-producing cells

Human immunodeficiencey virus, type 1 (HIV-1) encodes three proteins, Nef, Vpu, and gp160, that down-modulate surface expression of the CD4 receptor during viral infection. In the present study, we have investigated the role of CD4 down-modulation in the HIV-1 infection cycle, primarily from the perspective of Vpu function. We report here that, like Nef, Vpu-mediated CD4 degradation modulates positively HIV-1 infectivity. Our data reveal that accumulation of CD4 at the cell surface of Vpu-deficient HIV-1-producing cells leads to an efficient recruitment of CD4 into virions and to an impairment of viral infectivity. This CD4-mediated inhibition of viral infectivity was not observed when a CD4 mutant unable to bind Env gp120 was used or when VSV-G glycoprotein was utilized to pseudotype viruses, suggesting that an interaction between CD4 and gp120 is required for interference. Indeed, protein analysis of Vpu-defective viral particles reveals that CD4 recruitment is associated with an increased formation of gp120-CD4 complexes at the virion surface. Interestingly, we did not detect any difference at the level of total virion-associated Env glycoproteins between wild-type and Vpu-defective virus, indicating that accumulation of CD4 at the cell surface and recruitment of CD4 into Vpu-defective HIV-1 particles exert a negative effect on viral infectivity, most likely by promoting the formation of nonfunctional gp120-CD4 complexes at the virion surface. Finally, we show that both Vpu- and Nef-induced CD4 down-modulation activities are required for production of fully infectious particles in CD4+ T cell lines and primary cells, an observation that has clear implications for viral spread in vivo.

Naturally occurring amino acid substitutions in the HIV-2 ROD envelope glycoprotein regulate its ability to augment viral particle release

The envelope glycoprotein of HIV-2 ROD10 has the intriguing ability to enhance the rate of viral particle release from infected cells. However, not all HIV-2 envelope glycoproteins are active in this regard. Indeed, we have previously noted that, despite a high degree of identity with that of ROD10, the envelope protein of the ROD14 isolate was unable to enhance virus production. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis was employed to reveal that a single naturally occurring alanine-to-threonine substitution at position 598, located in the extracellular part of the TM subunit, fully accounted for the lack of activity of the ROD14 Env in HeLa and 12D7 cells. A second mutation at position 422, substituting a lysine residue in ROD10 for an arginine in ROD14, was additionally required for efficient virus release from infected H9 cells, suggesting cell-type-specific requirements for this activity. Interestingly, the ROD14 Env protein exhibited a trans-dominant negative effect on particle release by ROD10 Env, suggesting that the viral release activity of the HIV-2 ROD envelope protein may be regulated by its ability to assemble into functional oligomeric structures.

Human Jurkat lymphocytes clones differ in their capacity to support productive human immunodeficiency virus type 1 multiplication

CD4-positive human lymphocytic cell lines are essential tools for the study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication. Jurkat cells are among cells more frequently used for this purpose. In the current study, various cell clones or cells stocks derived from this cell line were shown to vary substantially in their response to viral infection and in their ability to support productive virus multiplication. The formation of syncytia, the effect of Vpu on viral export, and especially the specific infectivity of the viruses released, can vary significantly among independent cell stocks. This suggests that the choice of an adequate cell clone or cell line could be critical while evaluating specific properties of the virus and further stresses the limitations of tissue culture models. However, these observations also raise the possibility of exploiting these differences among cells to study specific aspects of host-cell interactions contributing to viral multiplication.

vpu transmembrane peptide structure obtained by site-specific fourier transform infrared dichroism and global molecular dynamics searching

The recently developed method of site-directed Fourier transform infrared dichroism for obtaining orientational constraints of oriented polymers is applied here to the transmembrane domain of the vpu protein from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The infrared spectra of the 31-residue-long vpu peptide reconstituted in lipid vesicles reveal a predominantly alpha-helical structure. The infrared dichroism data of the (13)C-labeled peptide yielded a helix tilt beta = (6.5 +/- 1.7) degrees from the membrane normal. The rotational pitch angle omega, defined as zero for a residue located in the direction of the helix tilt, is omega = (283 +/- 11) degrees for the (13)C labels Val(13)/Val(20) and omega = (23 +/- 11) degrees for the (13)C labels Ala(14)/Val(21). A global molecular dynamics search protocol restraining the helix tilt to the experimental value was performed for oligomers of four, five, and six subunits. From 288 structures for each oligomer, a left-handed pentameric coiled coil was obtained, which best fits the experimental data. The structure reveals a pore occluded by Trp residues at the intracellular end of the transmembrane domain.

Compatibility of Vpu-like activity in the four groups of primate immunodeficiency viruses

Env-minus mutants of the viruses of major four human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIVs and SIVs) were monitored for their progeny virion production upon transfection into the cells, which are dependent on the HIV-1 Vpu for efficient particle release. Of the env mutants of HIV-1 (one mutant), HIV-2/SIVmac (three mutants), SIVagm (one mutant), and SIVmnd (one mutant) examined, the mutant of SIVmnd generated a very low level of progeny virions similar to that by the HIV-1 Vpu-minus mutant. This effect of the mutation was not observed in the cells which are independent on the Vpu for virion release. The Env of SIVmnd efficiently enhanced virion release of heterologous viruses like the HIV-1 Vpu.

Incorporation of Vpr into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 requires a direct interaction with the p6 domain of the p55 gag precursor

The 96-amino acid Vpr protein is the major virion-associated accessory protein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). As Vpr is not part of the p55 Gag polyprotein precursor (Pr55(gag)), its incorporation requires an anchor to associate with the assembling viral particles. Although the molecular mechanism is presently unclear, the C-terminal region of the Pr55(gag) corresponding to the p6 domain appears to constitute such an anchor essential for the incorporation of the Vpr protein. In order to clarify the mechanism by which the Vpr accessory protein is trans-incorporated into progeny virion particles, we tested whether HIV-1 Vpr interacted with the Pr55(gag) using the yeast two-hybrid system and the maltose-binding protein pull-down assay. The present study provides genetic and biochemical evidence indicating that the Pr55(gag) can physically interact with the Vpr protein. Furthermore, point mutations affecting the integrity of the conserved L-X-S-L-F-G motif of p6(gag) completely abolish the interaction between Vpr and the Pr55(gag) and, as a consequence, prevent Vpr virion incorporation. In contrast to other studies, mutations affecting the integrity of the NCp7 zinc fingers impaired neither Vpr virion incorporation nor the binding between Vpr and the Pr55(gag). Conversely, amino acid substitutions in Vpr demonstrate that an intact N-terminal alpha-helical structure is essential for the Vpr-Pr55(gag) interaction. Vpr and the Pr55(gag) demonstrate a strong interaction in vitro as salt concentrations as high as 900 mM could not disrupt the interaction. Finally, the interaction is efficiently competed using anti-Vpr sera. Together, these results strongly suggest that Vpr trans-incorporation into HIV-1 particles requires a direct interaction between its N-terminal region and the C-terminal region of p6(gag). The development of Pr55(gag)-Vpr interaction assays may allow the screening of molecules that can prevent the incorporation of the Vpr accessory protein into HIV-1 virions, and thus inhibit its early functions.

Vpu increases susceptibility of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected cells to fas killing

The importance of the Fas death pathway in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been the subject of many studies. Missing from these studies is direct measurement of infected cell susceptibility to Fas-induced death. To address this question, we investigated whether T cells infected with HIV are more susceptible to Fas-induced death. We found that Fas cross-linking caused a decrease in the number of HIV-infected Jurkat T cells and CD4(+) peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs). We confirmed this finding by demonstrating that there were more apoptotic infected than uninfected cells after Fas ligation. The increase in sensitivity of HIV-infected cells to Fas killing mapped to vpu, while nef, vif, vpr, and second exon of tat did not appear to contribute. Furthermore, expression of Vpu in Jurkat T cells rendered them more susceptible to Fas-induced death. These results show that HIV-infected cells are more sensitive to Fas-induced death and that the Vpu protein of HIV contributes to this sensitivity. The increased sensitivity of HIV-infected cells to Fas-induced death might help explain why these cells have such a short in vivo half-life.

Structural and functional analysis of the membrane-spanning domain of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vpu gene product is a class I integral membrane phosphoprotein that is capable of oligomerization. Two distinct biological activities have been attributed to Vpu: induction of CD4 degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum and enhancement of viral particle release from the plasma membrane of infected cells. These two biological activities were shown to involve two separable structural domains: the N-terminal transmembrane (TM) domain and the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. The TM domain mediates enhancement of viral particle release, whereas phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain is essential for Vpu-induced CD4 degradation. In this study, we performed a mutational analysis of the TM domain of Vpu to delineate amino acids that are important in the process of viral particle release or in Vpu-induced CD4 degradation. Substitution of conserved amino acids from the N-terminal, middle, or C-terminal parts of the native VpuTM domain generated proteins that integrated normally into canine pancreatic microsomal membranes, exhibited subcellular localization similar to those of wild-type Vpu, but partially lost their ability to enhance viral particle release, strongly suggesting that the VpuTM domain contains determinants responsible for Vpu-mediated enhancement of viral particle release. Interestingly, the C-terminal TM mutant VpuIVW, in contrast to the other mutants, also lost its ability to bind and consequently degrade the CD4 molecule, indicating that the alteration of the C-terminal part of the TM did interfere with this function of Vpu. Taken together, our study supports the notion that both structural elements of Vpu (TM and cytoplasmic) contribute to the biological activities of Vpu.

Virion-targeted viral inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by using Vpr fusion proteins

Inactivation of progeny virions with chimeric virion-associated proteins represents a novel therapeutic approach against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication. The HIV type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr gene product, which is packaged into virions, is an attractive candidate for such a strategy. In this study, we developed Vpr-based fusion proteins that could be specifically targeted into mature HIV-1 virions to affect their structural organization and/or functional integrity. Two Vpr fusion proteins were constructed by fusing to the first 88 amino acids of HIV-1 Vpr the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase enzyme (VprCAT) or the last 18 C-terminal amino acids of the HIV-1 Vpu protein (VprIE). These Vpr fusion proteins were initially designed to quantify their efficiency of incorporation into HIV-1 virions when produced in cis from the provirus. Subsequently, CD4+ Jurkat T-cell lines constitutively expressing the VprCAT or the VprIE fusion protein were generated with retroviral vectors. Expression of the VprCAT or the VprIE fusion protein in CD4+ Jurkat T cells did not interfere with cellular viability or growth but conferred substantial resistance to HIV replication. The resistance to HIV replication was more pronounced in Jurkat-VprIE cells than in Jurkat-VprCAT cells. Moreover, the antiviral effect mediated by VprIE was dependent on an intact p6(gag) domain, indicating that the impairment of HIV-1 replication required the specific incorporation of Vpr fusion protein into virions. Gene expression, assembly, or release was not affected upon expression of these Vpr fusion proteins. Indeed, the VprIE and VprCAT fusion proteins were shown to affect the infectivity of progeny virus, since HIV virions containing the VprCAT or the VprIE fusion proteins were, respectively, 2 to 3 times and 10 to 30 times less infectious than the wild-type virus. Overall, this study demonstrated the successful transfer of resistance to HIV replication in tissue cultures by use of Vpr-based antiviral genes.

Functional interaction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu and Gag with a novel member of the tetratricopeptide repeat protein family

Viral protein U (Vpu) is a protein encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) that promotes the degradation of the virus receptor, CD4, and enhances the release of virus particles from cells. We isolated a cDNA that encodes a novel cellular protein that interacts with Vpu in vitro, in vivo, and in yeast cells. This Vpu-binding protein (UBP) has a molecular mass of 41 kDa and is expressed ubiquitously in human tissues at the RNA level. UBP is a novel member of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein family containing four copies of the 34-amino-acid TPR motif. Other proteins that contain TPR motifs include members of the immunophilin superfamily, organelle-targeting proteins, and a protein phosphatase. UBP also interacts directly with HIV-1 Gag protein, the principal structural component of the viral capsid. However, when Vpu and Gag are coexpressed, stable interaction between UBP and Gag is diminished. Furthermore, overexpression of UBP in virus-producing cells resulted in a significant reduction in HIV-1 virion release. Taken together, these data indicate that UBP plays a role in Vpu-mediated enhancement of particle release.

Vpr stimulates viral expression and induces cell killing in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected dividing Jurkat T cells

In this study we investigated the effects of Vpr during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of proliferating Jurkat T cells by using a vesicular stomatitis virus envelope G glycoprotein pseudotyped HIV superinfection system. We observe that the expression of Vpr results in a severe reduction in the life span of HIV type 1 (HIV-1)-infected dividing T cells in culture. In agreement with a recent report (S. A. Stewart, B. Poon, J. B. M. Jowett, and I. S. Chen, J. Virol. 71:5579-5592, 1997), we show that events characteristic of apoptotic cell death are involved in the Vpr-mediated cytopathic effects. Our results also show that infection with viruses expressing the wild-type vpr gene results in an increase in viral gene expression and production. Interestingly, the effects of Vpr on cell viability and on viral gene expression both correlate with the ability of the protein to induce a cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Mutagenesis analyses show that the C terminus of Vpr is essential for these biological activities. Although the role of Vpr is currently associated with the infection of nondividing cells, our results suggest that Vpr can also directly increase viral replication in vivo in infected dividing T cells. Furthermore, these in vitro observations suggest that Vpr-mediated cytotoxic effects could contribute to the CD4+ depletion associated with AIDS progression.

Effects of Vpu expression on Xenopus oocyte membrane conductance

The HIV-1-specific vpu gene encodes an integral membrane phosphoprotein which affects three aspects of the HIV-1 infectious cycle: it enhances virion release from infected cells; it causes degradation of the CD4 protein in the endoplasmic reticulum; and it delays syncytia formation in HIV-1-infected CD4+ T-cells. Although little is known about how Vpu mediates these effects, it has been proposed to function as a nonspecific cation channel. In this report, voltage clamp measurements of Xenopus oocytes show that Vpu expression is not associated with increased transmembrane currents. Instead, Vpu expression diminishes membrane conductance. Injection of 4.6 ng of Vpu mRNA into these cells reduces endogenous potassium conductance by 50%. Only Vpu mutants which retain the ability to degrade CD4 can diminish K+ conductance. Inhibition by Vpu is not unique to K+ channels as it is also observed on several coexpressed membrane proteins but not on a coexpressed cytoplasmic protein. These results indicate that the CD4 degradative capability of Vpu and the Vpu-mediated modulation of membrane protein expression are mechanistically coupled and that Vpu may contribute to HIV pathogenesis by altering plasma membrane protein expression at the cell surface.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpr localization: nuclear transport of a viral protein modulated by a putative amphipathic helical structure and its relevance to biological activity

Protein import into the nucleus is generally considered to involve specific nuclear localization signals (NLS) though it is becoming increasingly clear that efficient and well controlled import of proteins which lack a canonical NLS also occurs in cells. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr is one such protein which does not have an identifiable canonical NLS and yet efficiently localizes to the nuclear compartment. Here, we use confocal microscopy to demonstrate that mutations in the putative central hydrophobic helix of Vpr result in the retention of the protein in highly localized ring-like structures around the nuclear periphery with striking impairment in their ability to enter the nuclear interior. By characterizing other biological activities associated with this protein, such as its ability to incorporate into budding virions and its ability to arrest cells in G2, we show that this helical domain is specific for the nuclear translocation of the protein with very little effect on these other functions. Interestingly, however, perturbation of this helical motif also perturbs the protein's ability to augment viral replication in primary human macrophages indicating that the integrity of this secondary structure is essential for optimal infection in these non-dividing cells.

Mutational analysis of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu transmembrane domain that promotes the enhanced release of virus-like particles from the plasma membrane of mammalian cells

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu is a multifunctional phosphoprotein composed of the N-terminal transmembrane (VpuTM) and C-terminal cytoplasmic domains. Each of these domains regulates a distinct function of the protein; the transmembrane domain is critical in virus release, and phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain is necessary for CD4 proteolysis. We carried our experiments to identify amino acids in the VpuTM domain that are important in the process of virus-like particle (VLP) release from HeLa cells. VLPs are released from the plasma membrane of HeLa cells at constitutive levels, and Vpu expression enhanced the release of VLPs by a factor of 10 to 15. Deletion of two to five amino acids from both N- and C-terminal ends or the middle of the VpuTM domain generated mutant Vpu proteins that have lost the ability to enhance VLP release. These deletion mutants have not lost the ability to associate with the wild-type or mutant Vpu proteins and formed complexes with equal efficiency. They were also transported normally to the Golgi complex. Furthermore, a Vpu protein having the CD4 transmembrane and Vpu cytoplasmic domains was completely inactive, and Vpu proteins harboring hybrid Vpu-CD4 TM domains were also defective in the ability to enhance the release of VLPs. When tested for functional complementation in cotransfected cells, two inactive proteins were not able to reconstitute Vpu activity that enhances the release of Gag particles. Coexpression of functional CD4/Vpu hybrids or wild-type Vpu with inactive mutant CD4/Vpu proteins revealed that mutations in the VpuTM domain could dominantly interfere with Vpu activity in Gag release. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the structural integrity of the VpuTM domain is critical for Vpu activity in the release of VLPs from the plasma membrane of mammalian cells.

The HIV-1 matrix domain of Gag is required for Vpu responsiveness during particle release

HIV-1 viral protein U (Vpu) facilitates virus particle release. To determine whether Gag is sufficient for generation of a target for Vpu-mediated particle release, we expressed HIV-1 Gag protein in the absence of the other viral genes. The resulting particles were still Vpu responsive. Mutational analysis of Gag indicated that the matrix domain (MA) is required for Vpu responsiveness. However, additional mutations in other domains of Gag, which affect the formation of stable virus particles, also abrogate Vpu responsiveness on total Gag release. Coexpression of the wild-type gag gene and a gag mutant lacking the MA domain renders the MA- mutant Vpu responsive. This indicates that Gag molecules lacking MA are still incorporated into particles through association with wild-type Gag molecules and that the resulting composite particles are sufficient for Vpu-mediated exit.

Putative alpha-helical structures in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein and CD4 are involved in binding and degradation of the CD4 molecule

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vpu gene encodes a 16-kDa class I integral membrane phosphoprotein with an N-terminal membrane-spanning region and a C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. In the cytoplasmic domain, two amphipathic alpha-helices joined by a flexible turn containing two phosphoacceptor sites have been predicted. Previous studies have shown that Vpu downregulates CD4 molecules by inducing their specific degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Phosphorylation of serine residues 52 and 56, present within the cytoplasmic domain of the Vpu protein, has been shown to be essential to this Vpu function. However, the contribution of these two phosphoacceptor sites in the mechanism of CD4 degradation remains undefined. Interestingly, a specific interaction between Vpu and CD4 was recently demonstrated in coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Binding of Vpu was shown to be necessary but not sufficient to mediate CD4 degradation, indicating that interaction between Vpu and CD4 represents an early step critical in triggering a process leading to CD4 degradation. To delineate the sequence(s) and/or structural determinant(s) involved in this Vpu-CD4 interaction and in the Vpu-mediated CD4 degradation, we performed a mutational analysis of the cytoplasmic domain of CD4 and Vpu. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments reveal that disruption of the putative alpha-helical structure in the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic domain of CD4 affects the binding to Vpu, suggesting that this structure may act as an interface for the CD4-Vpu interaction that mediates CD4 degradation. Vpu proteins containing mutations in either or both of the phosphoacceptor sites (Ser52 or/and Ser56) were inactive in regard to CD4 degradation yet retained the capacity to interact with the cytoplasmic domain of CD4. In an attempt to define the minimal region responsible for this interaction, we tested a panel of mutations which were designed to affect the integrity of the putative alpha-helices present in the cytoplasmic domain of Vpu. Our results indicate that although both C-terminal alpha-helices are required for degradation of CD4, only alpha-helix I, located in the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic region of Vpu, is involved in the interaction between Vpu and CD4. Taken together, these results demonstrate that alpha-helical structures in the HIV-1 Vpu and CD4 proteins are involved in binding and degradation of CD4 molecules.

Phosphorylation of both phosphoacceptor sites in the HIV-1 Vpu cytoplasmic domain is essential for Vpu-mediated ER degradation of CD4

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu is phosphorylated at two serine residues (Ser52 and Ser56) present within the acidic dodecapeptide region of the 54-aa cytoplasmic domain. Previous experiments have shown that Vpu phosphorylation is critical for the degradation of CD4 in the endoplasmic reticulum. In this study, we carried out experiments to elucidate the role of individual phosphoacceptor sites in CD4 proteolysis. We show here that acidic amino acids could not functionally substitute for phosphoserines in Vpu that is capable of inducing the degradation of CD4. Our studies have further revealed that phosphorylation of either of the two phosphoacceptor sites is not sufficient to generate a functional Vpu protein. When tested for functional complementation, inactive phosphorylation-proficient Vpu mutants failed to generate Vpu proteins that had the ability to induce the degradation of Vpu-sensitive glycoproteins. The failure to complement was not due to assembly defects in the Vpu protein as unphosphorylated Vpu formed oligomeric complexes in the cell. We also showed that Vpu expression inhibits protein transport in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Our studies have thus revealed that both phosphoserines in Vpu are critical participants in a pathway that leads to the proteolysis of CD4 in the ER and that these phosphoserines should be present on the same subunit of the Vpu protein.

The membrane-proximal intracytoplasmic tyrosine residue of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein is critical for basolateral targeting of viral budding in MDCK cells

Budding of retroviruses from polarized epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) takes place specifically at the basolateral membrane surface. This sorting event is suspected to require a specific signal harbored by the viral envelope glycoprotein and it was previously shown that, as for most basolateral proteins, the intracytoplasmic domain plays a crucial role in this targeting phenomenon. It is well known that tyrosine-based motifs are a central element in basolateral targeting signals. In the present study, site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate conservative or non-conservative substitutions of each four intracytoplasmic tyrosines of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein. This approach revealed that the membrane-proximal tyrosine is essential to ensure both the basolateral localization of envelope glycoprotein and the basolateral targeting of HIV-1 virions. Substitutions of the membrane-proximal tyrosine did not appear to affect incorporation of envelope glycoprotein into the virions, as assayed by virion infectivity and protein content, nor its capability to ensure its role in viral infection, as determined by viral multiplication kinetics. Altogether, these results indicate that the intracytoplasmic domain of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein harbors a unique, tyrosine-based, basolateral targeting signal. Such a tyrosine-based targeting signal may play a fundamental role in HIV transmission and pathogenesis.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 2 envelope protein is a functional complement to HIV type 1 Vpu that enhances particle release of heterologous retroviruses

We have recently shown that the envelope glycoprotein of the ROD10 isolate of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) has the ability to positively regulate HIV-2 viral particle release. The activity provided by the ROD10 Env was remarkably similar to that of the HIV-1 Vpu protein, thus raising the possibility that the two proteins act in a related fashion. We now show that the ROD10 Env can functionally replace Vpu to enhance the rate of HIV-1 particle release. When provided in trans, both Vpu and the ROD10 Env restored wild-type levels of particle release in a Vpu-deficient mutant of the NL4-3 molecular clone with indistinguishable efficiencies. This effect was independent of the presence of the HIV-1 envelope protein. The ROD10 Env also enhanced HIV-1 particle release in the context of HIV-2 chimeric viruses containing the HIV-1 gag-pol, indicating a lack of need for additional HIV-1 products in this process. In addition, we show for the first time that HIV-1 Vpu, as well as ROD10 Env, has the ability to enhance simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) particle release. The effects of Vpu and ROD10 Env on SIV particle release were indistinguishable and were observed in the context of full-length SIVmac239 and simian-human immunodeficiency virus chimeras. These results further demonstrate that ROD10 Env can functionally complement Vpu with respect to virus release. In contrast, we found no evidence of a destabilizing activity of ROD10 Env on the CD4 molecule. HIV-1 and HIV-2 thus appear to have evolved genetically distinct but functionally similar strategies to resolve the common problem of efficient release of progeny virus from infected cells.

Identification of an ion channel activity of the Vpu transmembrane domain and its involvement in the regulation of virus release from HIV-1-infected cells

HIV-1 Vpu catalyzes two independent functions, degradation of the virus receptor CD4 in the endoplasmic reticulum and enhancement of virus release from the cell surface. These activities are confined to distinct structural domains of Vpu, the cytoplasmic tail and the transmembrane (TM) anchor, respectively. It was recently reported that Vpu forms cation-selective ion channels in lipid bilayers. Here we report that this property of Vpu is a characteristic of its TM anchor. Expression of full-length Vpu in Xenopus oocytes increases membrane conductance. The Vpu-induced conductance is selective to monovalent cations over anions, does not discriminate Na+ over K+ and shows marginal permeability to divalent cations. Notably, introduction of the scrambled TM sequence into full-length Vpu abrogates its capacity to increase membrane conductance in oocytes and to promote virus release from infected cells. Reconstitution of synthetic Vpu fragments in lipid bilayers identified an ion channel activity for a sequence corresponding to the TM domain of Vpu. In contrast, a peptide with the same amino acid composition but with a scrambled sequence does not form ion channels. Our findings therefore suggest that the ability of Vpu to increase virus release from infected cells may be correlated with an ion channel activity of the TM domain, thereby providing a potential target for drug intervention based on the development of Vpu-specific channel blockers.

Molecular biology of human immunodeficiency virus type-1

Tremendous progress has been made in our understanding of the multiplication and pathogenesis of the human immunodeficiency virus, the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To block virus multiplication several targets in the life cycle of the virus have already been identified for which antiviral drugs can be developed and gene therapy can be envisaged as a possible treatment or cure of AIDS. The combination of several therapies might be needed for effective treatment. Prevention of HIV infections through effective vaccines still awaits novel, unconventional strategies.

The envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 enhances viral particle release: a Vpu-like factor?

The Vpu protein is a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific accessory protein that is required for the efficient release of viral particles from infected cells. Even though HIV-2 does not encode Vpu, we found that this virus is nevertheless capable of efficiently releasing virus particles. In fact, the rate of virus release from HeLa cells transfected with a full-length molecular clone of HIV-2, ROD10, was comparable to that observed for the vpu+ HIV-1 NL4-3 isolate and was not further enhanced by expression of Vpu in trans. However, consistent with previous observations showing that HIV-2 particle release is Vpu responsive in the context of HIV-1/HIV-2 chimeric constructs; exchanging the gag-pol region of NL4-3 with the corresponding region from pROD10 rendered the resulting chimeric virus Vpu responsive. Our finding that the responsiveness of HIV-2 particle release to Vpu is context dependent suggested the presence of a Vpu-like factor(s) encoded by HIV-2. Using chimeric proviruses encoding HIV-2 gag and pol in the context of the HIV-1 provirus that were coexpressed with subgenomic HIV-2 constructs, we found that the HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein had the ability to enhance HIV-2 particle release with an efficiency comparable to that of the HIV-1 Vpu protein. Conversely, inactivation of the HIV-2 env gene in the original ROD10 clone resulted in a decrease in the rate of viral particle release to a level that was comparable to that of Vpu-deficient HIV-1 isolates. Providing the wild-type envelope in trans rescued the particle release defect of the ROD10 envelope mutant. Thus, unlike HIV-1, which encodes two separate proteins to regulate virus release or to mediate viral entry, the HIV-2 Env protein has evolved to perform both functions.

The two biological activities of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein involve two separable structural domains

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu protein is an integral membrane phosphoprotein that induces CD4 degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum and enhances virus release from the cell surface. CD4 degradation is specific, requires phosphorylation of Vpu, and involves the interaction between Vpu and the CD4 cytoplasmic domain. In contrast, regulation of virus release is less specific and not restricted to HIV-1 and may be mechanistically-distinct from CD4 degradation. We show here that a mutant of Vpu, Vpu35, lacking most of its cytoplasmic domain has residual biological activity for virus release but is unable to induce CD4 degradation. This finding suggests that the N terminus of Vpu encoding the transmembrane (TM) anchor represents an active domain important for the regulation of virus release but not CD4 degradation. To better define the functions of Vpu's TM anchor and cytoplasmic domain, we designed a mutant, VpuRD, containing a scrambled TM sequence with a conserved amino acid composition and alpha-helical structure. The resulting protein was integrated normally into membranes, was able to form homo-oligomers, and exhibited expression levels, protein stability, and subcellular localization similar to those of wild-type Vpu. Moreover, VpuRD was capable of binding to CD4 and to induce CD4 degradation with wild-type efficiency, confirming proper membrane topology and indicating that the alteration of the Vpu TM domain did not interfere with this function of Vpu. However, VpuRD was unable to enhance the release of virus particles from infected or transfected cells, and virus encoding VpuRD had replication characteristics in T cells indistinguishable from those of a Vpu-deficient HIV-1 isolate. Mutation of the phosphorylation sites in VpuRD resulted in a protein which was unable to perform either function of Vpu. The results of our experiments suggest that the two biological activities of Vpu operate via two distinct molecular mechanisms and involve two different structural domains of the Vpu protein.

Molecular biology and pathogenesis of animal lentivirus infections

Lentiviruses are a subfamily of retroviruses that are characterized by long incubation periods between infection of the host and the manifestation of clinical disease. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1, the causative agent of AIDS, is the most widely studied lentivirus. However, the lentiviruses that infect sheep, goats, and horses were identified and studied prior to the emergence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. These and other animal lentiviruses provide important systems in which to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of this family of viruses. This review will focus on two animal lentivirus models: the ovine lentivirus visna virus; and the simian lentivirus, simian immunodeficiency virus. These animal lentiviruses have been used to examine, in particular, the pathogenesis of lentivirus-induced central nervous system disease as models for humans with AIDS as well as other chronic diseases.

Augmentation of virus secretion by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu protein is cell type independent and occurs in cultured human primary macrophages and lymphocytes

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific Vpu protein is a small integral membrane phosphoprotein that induces degradation of the virus receptor CD4 in the endoplasmic reticulum and, independently, increases the release of progeny virions from infected cells. To address the importance of Vpu for virus replication in primary human cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), we used three different sets of monocyte-tropic molecular clones of human immunodeficiency virus type 1: a primary isolate, AD8+, and two chimeric variants of the T-cell-tropic isolate NL4-3 carrying the env determinants of either AD8+ or SF162 monocyte-tropic primary isolates. Isogenic variants of these chimeric viruses were constructed to express either wild-type Vpu or various mutants of Vpu. The effects of these mutations in the vpu gene on virus particle secretion from infected MDM or PBMC were assessed by determination of the release of virion-associated reverse transcriptase into culture supernatants, Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of pelleted virions, and steady-state or pulse-chase metabolic labeling. Wild-type Vpu increased virus release four- to sixfold in MDM and two- to threefold in PBMC, while nonphosphorylated Vpu and a C-terminal truncation mutant of Vpu were partially active on virus release in primary cells. These results demonstrate that Vpu regulates virus release in primary lymphocyte and macrophage cultures in a similar manner and to a similar extent to those previously observed in HeLa cells or CD4+ T-cell lines. Thus, our findings provide evidence that Vpu functions in a variety of human cells, both primary cells and continuous cell lines, and mutations in Vpu affect its biological activity independent of the cell type and virus isolate used.

Persistent infection of macaques with simian-human immunodeficiency viruses

Chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIV) containing the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) tat, rev, env, and, in some cases, vpu genes were inoculated into eight cynomolgus monkeys. Viruses could be consistently recovered from the CD8-depleted peripheral blood lymphocytes of all eight animals for at least 2 months. After this time, virus isolation varied among the animals, with viruses continuing to be isolated from some animals beyond 600 days after inoculation. The level of viral RNA in plasma during acute infection and the frequency of virus isolation after the initial 2-month period were higher for the Vpu-positive viruses. All of the animals remained clinically healthy, and the absolute numbers of CD4-positive lymphocytes were stable. Antibodies capable of neutralizing HIV-1 were generated at high titers in animals exhibiting the greatest consistency of virus isolation. Strain-specific HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies were initially elicited, and then more broadly neutralizing antibodies were elicited. env sequences from two viruses isolated more than a year after infection were analyzed. In the Vpu-negative SHIV, for which virus loads were lower, a small amount of env variation, which did not correspond to that found in natural HIV-1 variants, was observed. By contrast, in the Vpu-positive virus, which was consistently isolated from the host animal, extensive variation of the envelope glycoproteins in the defined variable gp120 regions was observed. Escape from neutralization by CD4 binding site monoclonal antibodies was observed for the viruses with the latter envelope glycoproteins, and the mechanism of escape appears to involve decreased binding of the antibody to the monomeric gp120 glycoproteins. The consistency with which SHIV infection of cynomolgus monkeys is initiated and the similarities in the neutralizing antibody response to SHIV and HIV-1 support the utility of this model system for the study of HIV-1 prophylaxis.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) CD4 receptor and its central role in promotion of HIV-1 infection

Interactions between the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120 and the cell surface receptor CD4 are responsible for the entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) into host cells in the vast majority of cases. HIV-1 replication is commonly followed by the disappearance or receptor downmodulation of cell surface CD4. This potentially renders cells nonsusceptible to subsequent infection by HIV-1, as well as by other viruses that use CD4 as a portal of entry. Disappearance of CD4 from the cell surface is mediated by several different viral proteins that act at various stages through the course of the viral life cycle, and it occurs in T-cell lines, peripheral blood CD4+ lymphocytes, and monocytes of both primary and cell line origin. At the cell surface, gp120 itself and in the form of antigen-antibody complexes can trigger cellular pathways leading to CD4 internalization. Intracellularly, the mechanisms leading to CD4 downmodulation by HIV-1 are multiple and complex; these include degradation of CD4 by Vpu, formation of intracellular complexes between CD4 and the envelope precursor gp160, and internalization by the Nef protein. Each of the above doubtless contributes to the ultimate depletion of cell surface CD4, although the relative contribution of each mechanism and the manner in which they interact remain to be definitively established.

Modification of membrane permeability by animal viruses

Animal viruses permeabilize cells at two well-defined moments during infection: (1) early, when the virus gains access to the cytoplasm, and (2) during the expression of the virus genome. The molecular mechanisms underlying both events are clearly different; early membrane permeability is induced by isolated virus particles, whereas late membrane leakiness is produced by newly synthesized virus protein(s) that possess activities resembling ionophores or membrane-active toxins. Detailed knowledge of the mechanisms, by which animal viruses permeabilize cells, adds to our understanding of the steps involved in virus replication. Studies on early membrane permeabilization give clues about the processes underlying entry of animal viruses into cells; understanding gained on the modification by viral proteins of membrane permeability during virus replication indicates that membrane leakiness is required for efficient virus release from infected cells or virus budding, in the case of enveloped viruses. In addition, the activity of these membrane-active virus proteins may be related to virus interference with host cell metabolism and with the cytopathic effect that develops after virus infection.

Solution structure of the hydrophilic region of HIV-1 encoded virus protein U (Vpu) by CD and 1H NMR spectroscopy

The HIV-1 specific Vpu is a class I oligomeric membrane phosphoprotein of unknown structure and mechanism. The first experimental evidence for the position of secondary structural elements present in the hydrophilic C-terminal region of Vpu under various solution regimes is reported. CD data for nine overlapping 15 amino-acid fragments and 3 longer fragments indicate the presence of only transitory amounts of stable structure in aqueous solution alone, while with increasing trifluoroethanol content limiting structures were found indicating two helical segments in the hydrophilic region of Vpu. These limiting structures were more precisely defined from a detailed study of Vpu41-58, Vpu52-74 and Vpu63-81, by a combination of 2D 1H NMR spectroscopy, distance geometry, and restrained molecular dynamics and energy minimization calculations. Sets of low-energy conformations compatible with the quantitative NOE data indicate that Vpu41-58 has an alpha-helix from residues 42 to 50 while a second helix is found for Vpu52-74 from residues 57 to 69. Vpu63-81 shows only the presence of a single reverse turn at residues 74 to 77, without any evidence of helix, under the same conditions. From CD measurements the first helix extends back to residue 30 and is connected to the N-terminal anchor of Vpu. Thus the hydrophilic region of Vpu consists of two alpha-helices joined by a flexible region of 6 or 7 residues, which contains the phosphoacceptor sites of Vpu at positions 52 and 56. The second helix is followed by a single reverse turn and a flexible C-terminus.