Evidence for similar recognition of the conserved neutralization epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope gp120 in humans and macaques

We compared the immune responses to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins in humans and macaques with the use of clade A and clade B isogenic V3 loop glycan-possessing and -deficient viruses. We found that the presence or absence of the V3 loop glycan affects to similar extents immune recognition by a panel of anti-HIV human and anti-simian/human immunodeficiency virus (anti-SHIV) macaque sera. All sera tested neutralized the glycan-deficient viruses, in which the conserved CD4BS and CD4i epitopes are more exposed, better than the glycan-containing viruses. The titer of broadly neutralizing antibodies appears to be higher in the sera of macaques infected with glycan-deficient viruses. Collectively, our data add legitimacy to the use of SHIV-macaque models for testing the efficacy of HIV-1 Env-based immunogens. Furthermore, they suggest that antibodies to the CD4BS and CD4i sites of gp120 are prevalent in human and macaque sera and that the use of immunogens in which these conserved neutralizing epitopes are more exposed is likely to increase their immunogenicity.

The N-terminal V3 loop glycan modulates the interaction of clade A and B human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelopes with CD4 and chemokine receptors

We investigated the underlying mechanism by which the highly conserved N-terminal V3 loop glycan of gp120 conferred resistance to neutralization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We find that the presence or absence of this V3 glycan on clade A and B viruses accorded various degrees of susceptibility to neutralization by antibodies to the CD4 binding site, CD4-induced epitopes, and chemokine receptors. Our data suggest that this carbohydrate moiety on gp120 blocks access to the binding site for CD4 and modulates the chemokine receptor binding site of phenotypically diverse clade A and clade B isolates. Its presence also contributes to the masking of CD4-induced epitopes on clade B envelopes. These findings reveal a common mechanism by which diverse HIV-1 isolates escape immune recognition. Furthermore, the observation that conserved functional epitopes of HIV-1 are more exposed on V3 glycan-deficient envelope glycoproteins provides a basis for exploring the use of these envelopes as vaccine components.

Interaction of diphtheria toxin T domain with molten globule-like proteins and its implications for translocation

The transmembrane (T) domain of diphtheria toxin has a critical role in the low pH-induced translocation of the catalytic domain (A chain) of the toxin across membranes. Here it is shown that at low pH, addition of proteins in a partly unfolded, molten globule-like conformation converted the T domain from a shallow membrane-inserted form to its transmembrane form. Fluorescence energy transfer demonstrated that molten globule-like proteins bound to the T domain. Thus, the T domain recognizes proteins that are partly unfolded and may function in translocation of the A chain as a transmembrane chaperone.

Membrane topography of the T domain of diphtheria toxin probed with single tryptophan mutants

The membrane insertion and translocation of diphtheria toxin, which is induced in vivo by low pH, is thought to be directed by the hydrophobic alpha-helices of its transmembrane (T) domain. In this study the structure of membrane-associated T domain was examined. Site-directed mutants of the T domain with single Trp residues were prepared at the two naturally occurring positions, 206 (near the N-terminal end of helix TH1) and 281 (within helix TH5), as well as at three residues in helix TH9, in which the substitutions F355W (near the N-terminal end of TH9), I364W (close to the center of TH9), and Y375W (near the C-terminal end of TH9) were made. All these mutants were found to undergo the low-pH-induced conformational change observed with wild-type T domain and insert into model membranes at low pH. The location of Trp residues relative to the lipid bilayer was characterized in model membrane vesicles by fluorescence emission and by quenching with nitroxide-labeled phospholipids. In TH9, residue 375 was shallowly inserted, residue 364 deeply inserted, and residue 355 located at an intermediate depth. Residues 206 and 281 exhibited moderately deep insertion. It was also found, in agreement with our previous study using bimane-labeled protein (Wang et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 25091-25098), that TH9 switches from a relatively shallowly inserted state to a more deeply inserted state when the concentration of the T domain in the membrane is increased or the thickness of the membrane bilayer is decreased. In particular, the depth of residue 355 was found to increase under the conditions giving deeper insertion. In contrast, residue 375 remained shallowly located in both states, as predicted from its location on the polar C-terminus of TH9. It is concluded that TH1 and TH5 insert into the lipid bilayer in both T domain conformations. In addition, Trp depths suggest that even in the shallowly inserted state there is a significant degree of insertion of TH9. These results suggest regions of the T domain in addition to the hydrophobic TH8/TH9 hairpin insert into membranes. Models for the structure of the membrane-inserted T domain are discussed.

Membrane-inserted colicin E1 channel domain: a topological survey by fluorescence quenching suggests that model membrane thickness affects membrane penetration

The topography of the closed-state membrane-associated, colicin E1 channel domain was examined using depth-dependent fluorescence quenching to determine the membrane location of various single Trp residues introduced into the sequence by site-directed mutagenesis. We have extended previous studies (Palmer, L. R., and Merrill, A. R. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 4187-4193) with additional single Trp residues in the helix 8/9 region, and with an additional quencher located in the polar region of the membrane to detect shallowly located Trp residues. Quenching data for seven single Trp mutants examined in the previous study, but without the shallow quencher, confirmed the previously reported depths. Mutants containing single Trp at residues 355, 460, or 507 were found to be more shallowly located than those at 404, 443, 484, or 495. In addition, analysis of fluorescence in the presence of the shallow quencher eliminated the possibility that there is a predominant population of these residues residing near the membrane-aqueous interface. The fluorescence quenching of three new single Trp at residues 478, 492, or 499 introduced into the channel domain was also evaluated. These residues were found at either medium or deep locations in the bilayer. Of special interest was the position of the Trp at residue 492 (W492), which is within the loop region connecting hydrophobic helices 8 and 9. If helices 8 and 9 were fully transmembraneous, then the predicted W492 location would have been shallow. Instead the quenching pattern demonstrated W492 to be deeply embedded in the lipid bilayer. We also studied the effect of altering bilayer width on protein conformation. Membrane width had little effect on most residues, but Trp at residues 478 and 507 were located more shallowly in thin bilayers. We also examined the effect of bilayer width on the position of Cys 505 labeled with bimane, an environmentally sensitive fluorophore. As the membrane width was decreased, C505-bimane shifted into a more nonpolar environment, as judged by fluorescence emission lambda max and quenching. Models for the conformation of helices 8/9 and the effect of membrane width on these helices are considered. We conclude that helices 8 and 9 probably do not adopt a fully transmembraneous state under the conditions examined in this report.

Identification of shallow and deep membrane-penetrating forms of diphtheria toxin T domain that are regulated by protein concentration and bilayer width

The alpha-helix-rich, hydrophobic transmembrane (T) domain of diphtheria toxin is believed to play a central role in membrane insertion by the toxin and in the translocation of its catalytic domain across membranes. In this report, T domain structure was studied using site-directed single-Cys mutants. The residues chosen, 322 (near the amino-terminal end of helix TH8), 333 (within helix TH8), and 356 (within helix TH9) were substituted with Cys and labeled with the fluorescent probe bimane. (Residues 333 and 356 should be located within the bilayer in the transmembrane state, and residue 322 should not penetrate the bilayer.) After insertion of T domain into model membrane vesicles, the location of bimane label relative to the lipid bilayer was characterized by its fluorescence emission and by its quenching with nitroxide-labeled phospholipids. It was found that when the T domain is added to dioleoylphosphatidylcholine-containing vesicles, all three residues reside close to the outer surface. However, at high T domain concentration or in thinner dimyristoleoylphosphatidylcholine-containing vesicles, a large fraction of residues 333 and 356 penetrate deeply into the membrane. In contrast, residue 322 remains exposed to aqueous solution under these conditions. These conclusions were confirmed by a novel antibody binding method. Antibodies that quench the fluorescence of 4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-3-indacene++ + (BODIPY) groups were used to evaluate the exposure of BODIPY-labeled 322, 333, and 356. Maximum exposure of residues 333 and 356 to externally added antibody was only observed under conditions in which bimane fluorescence showed that these residues do not penetrate the bilayer. In contrast, residue 322 remained exposed under all conditions. We propose that the deeply penetrating T domain conformation represents a transmembrane or near-transmembrane state. The regulation of the transmembrane/nontransmembrane equilibrium should be a key to understanding diphtheria toxin membrane insertion and translocation. Our results suggest that toxin-toxin interactions may play an important role in regulating this behavior.