Oxazolidinones: a new class of antibacterials

The oxazolidinones represent the first truly new class of antibacterial agents to reach the marketplace in several decades. They have a unique mechanism of action involving inhibition of the initiation step of protein synthesis and are not cross-resistant to other classes of antibiotics. The first marketed member of that class, linezolid (Zyvox), shows good efficacy with an impressive antibacterial spectrum (including activity against gram-positive organisms resistant to other drugs), and a pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic relationship best characterized by time above the minimum inhibitory concentration. The agent is effective by both the intravenous and oral route of administration. Although technically classified as bacteriostatic against a number of pathogens in vitro, linezolid behaves in vivo like a bactericidal antibiotic.

Novel 1,5-diphenylpyrazole nonnucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors with enhanced activity versus the delavirdine-resistant P236L mutant: lead identification and SAR of 3- and 4-substituted derivatives

Through computationally directed broad screening, a novel 1, 5-diphenylpyrazole (DPP) class of HIV-1 nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) has been discovered. Compound 2 (PNU-32945) was found to have good activity versus wild-type (IC(50) = 2.3 microM) and delavirdine-resistant P236L (IC(50) = 1.1 microM) reverse transcriptase (RT). Also, PNU-32945 has an ED(50) for inhibition of viral replication in cell cultures of 0.1 microM and was shown to be noncytotoxic with a CC(50) > 10 microM. Structure-activity relationship studies on the 3- and 4-positions of PNU-32945 led to interesting selectivity and activity within the class. In particular, the 3-hydroxyethyl-4-ethyl congener 29 is a potent inhibitor of the P236L mutant (IC(50) = 0.65 microM), whereas it is essentially inactive versus the wild-type enzyme (IC(50) > 50 microM). Furthermore, this compound was significantly more active versus the P236L mutant than delavirdine. The synthesis and RT inhibitory activity of various 3- and 4-substituted analogues are discussed.

Pyrimidine thioethers: a novel class of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors with activity against BHAP-resistant HIV

A series of pyrimidine thioethers was synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory properties against wild-type HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and an RT carrying the resistance-conferring mutation P236L. Modifications of both the pyrimidine and the functionality attached through the thioether yielded several analogues, which demonstrated activity against both enzyme types, with IC50 values as low as 190 nM against wild-type and 66 nM against P236L RT. Evaluation of a select number of pyrimidine thioethers in cell culture showed that these compounds have excellent activity against HIV-1IIIB-WT and retain good activity against a laboratory-derived HIV-1MF delavirdine-resistant variant.

Antiviral activity of the dihydropyrone PNU-140690, a new nonpeptidic human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor

PNU-140690 is a member of a new class of nonpeptidic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (sulfonamide-containing 5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-pyrones) discovered by structure-based design. PNU-140690 has excellent potency against a variety of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) laboratory strains and clinical isolates, including those resistant to the reverse transcriptase inhibitors zidovudine or delavirdine. When combined with either zidovudine or delavirdine, PNU-140690 contributes to synergistic antiviral activity. PNU-140690 is also highly active against HIV-1 variants resistant to peptidomimetic protease inhibitors, underscoring the structural distinctions between PNU-140690 and substrate analog protease inhibitors. PNU-140690 retains good antiviral activity in vitro in the presence of human plasma proteins, and preclinical pharmacokinetic studies revealed good oral bioavailability. Accordingly, PNU-140690 is a candidate for clinical evaluation.

Targeting delavirdine/atevirdine resistant HIV-1: identification of (alkylamino)piperidine-containing bis(heteroaryl)piperazines as broad spectrum HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors

A novel class of bis(heteroaryl)piperazine (BHAP) analogs which possesses the ability to inhibit NNRTI (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) resistant recombinant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and NNRTI resistant variants of HIV-1 has been identified via targeted screening. Further investigation of the structure-activity relationships of close congeners of these novel (alkylamino)piperidine BHAPs (AAP-BHAPs) led to the synthesis of several compounds possessing the desired phenotype (e.g., activity against recombinant RTs carrying the Y181C and P236L substitutions). Further structural modifications were required to inhibit metabolism and modulate solubility in order to obtain compounds with the desired biological profile as well as appropriate pharmaceutical properties. The AAP-BHAPs with the most suitable characteristics were compounds 7, 15, and 36.

A drug resistance mutation in the inhibitor binding pocket of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase impairs DNA synthesis and RNA degradation

Selection of the IIIB strain of human immunodeficiency virus type (HIV-1) resistant to the (alkylamino)piperidine-bis(heteroaryl)piperazine (AAP-BHAP) U-104489 results in substitution of a glycine to glutamate at residue 190 (G190E) of reverse transcriptase (RT). The AAP-BHAP resistant HIV-1 displays reduced in vitro replication capacity [Olmsted, R. A., et. al. (1966) J. Virol. 70, 3698-3705]. We report here that the G190E mutation in recombinant heterodimeric HIV-1 RT, compared to the wild-type RT (G190) or a G190A control mutant, results in a 40% and 80% reduction in the polymerase and RNase H specific enzymatic activities, respectively. A primer-extension assay that allowed determination of DNA elongation by the G190E mutant RT on a heteropolymeric HIV-1 gag-based RNA template showed an overall decrease in DNA polymerization. The size distribution of products generated by G190E RT-associated RNase H digestion of RNA from [35S]poly(rA).poly(dT) was markedly distinct from that of the G190A RT and was consistent with the observed reduction in RT-associated RNase H activity of the G190E RT. When challenged with unlabeled substrates, the G190E RT was relatively nonprocessive with respect to DNA synthesis and RNA degradation. It is concluded that the deleterious effect of the G190E resistance mutation on both of these RT functions is most likely involved in the observed retarded replication capacity of the AAP-BHAP-(U-104489-) resistant HIV-1.

(Alkylamino) piperidine bis(heteroaryl)piperizine analogs are potent, broad-spectrum nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors of drug-resistant isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and select for drug-resistant variants of HIV-1IIIB with reduced replication phenotypes

The (alkylamino)piperidine bis(heteroaryl)piperizines (AAP-BHAPs) are a new class of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific inhibitors which were identified by targeted screening of recombinant reverse transcriptase (RT) enzymes carrying key nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance-conferring mutations and NNRTI-resistant variants of HIV-1. Phenotypic profiling of the two most potent AAP-BHAPs, U-95133 and U-104489, against in vitro-selected drug-resistant HIV-1 variants carrying the NNRTI resistance-conferring mutation (Tyr->Cys) at position 181 of the HIV-1 RT revealed submicromolar 90% inhibitory concentration estimates for these compounds. Moreover, U-104489 demonstrated potent activity against BHA-P-resistant HIV-1MF harboring the Pro-236->Leu RT substitution and significantly suppressed the replication of clinical isolates of HIV-1 resistant to both delavirdine (BHAP U-90152T) and zidovudine. Biochemical and phenotypic characterization of AAP-BHAPresistant HIV-1IIIB variants revealed that high-level resistance to the AAP-BHAPs was mediated by a Gly-190->Glu substitution in RT, which had a deleterious effect on the integrity and enzymatic activity of virion-associated RT heterodimers, as well as the replication capacity of these resistant viruses.

The benzylthio-pyrimidine U-31,355, a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

U-31,355, or 4-amino-2-(benzylthio)-6-chloropyrimidine is an inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) and possesses anti-HIV activity in HIV-1-infected lymphocytes grown in tissue culture. The compound acts as a specific inhibitor of the RNA-directed DNA polymerase function of HIV-1RT and does not impair the functions of the DNA-catalyzed DNA polymerase or the Rnase H of the enzyme. Kinetic studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanism of RT inhibition by U-31,355. The data were analyzed using Briggs-Haldane kinetics, assuming that the reaction is ordered in that the template:primer binds to the enzyme first, followed by the addition of dNTP, and that the polymerase is a processive enzyme. Based on these assumptions, a velocity equation was derived that allows the calculation of all the essential forward and backward rate constants for the reactions occurring between the enzyme, its substrates, and the inhibitor. The results obtained indicate that U-31,355 acts as a mixed inhibitor with respect to the template:primer and dNTP binding sites associated with the RNA-directed DNA polymerase domain of the enzyme. The inhibitor possessed a significantly higher binding affinity for the enzyme-substrate complexes, than for the free enzyme and consequently did not directly affect the functions of the substrate binding sites. Therefore, U-31,355 appears to impair an event occurring after the formation of the enzyme-substrate complexes, which involves either inhibition of the phosphoester bond formation or translocation of the enzyme relative to its template:primer following the formation of the ester bond. Moreover, the potency of U-31,355 depends on the base composition of the template:primer in that the inhibitor showed a much higher binding affinity for the enzyme-poly (rC):(dG)10 complexes than for the poly (rA):(dT)10 complexes.

Characterization of the p68/p58 heterodimer of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 reverse transcriptase

Recently we demonstrated that the p58 subunit of p68/p58 HIV-2 reverse transcriptase (RT) heterodimer, produced by processing of p68/p68 homodimer with recombinant HIV-2 protease, terminates at Met484 [Fan, N., et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 13573-13579]. Here we describe purification and characterization of the p68/p58 heterodimer of recombinant HIV-2 RT. It exhibited both RT and RNase H activities, obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and was competitively inhibited by the DNA chain terminator ddTTP (Ki[app] = 305 +/- 20 nM). The HIV-2 RT-associated RNase H exhibited a marked preference for RNA hydrolysis from a HIV-1 gag-based heteropolymeric RNA/DNA hybrid in the presence of either Mg2+ or Mn2+, compared to the [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT) or [3H]poly(rG).poly(dC) homopolymeric substrates. Relative to HIV-1 RT, the RNase H activity of HIV-2 RT was only 5% toward the [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT) in the presence of Mg2+. The size distribution of products generated from [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT) by HIV-2 RT-associated RNase H was markedly distinct from that of HIV-1 RT in the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+. The p68/p58 HIV-2 RT heterodimer, produced by specific cleavage using HIV-2 protease, should be useful for inhibition and biophysical studies aimed at discovering and designing drugs directed toward HIV-2.

Validation of a quantitative RNA PCR assay for HIV-1 in human plasma

A quantitative human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA polymerase chain reaction assay has been validated analytically and clinically in > 13,000 samples. The assay is highly reproducible with intra- and inter-assay precision of 16% and 19%, respectively. In 1,542 of 1,548 subjects with CD4+ counts of 0-500 cells per mm3, viral RNA levels were quantifiable and ranged from approximately 3,000-52,200,000 copies per milliliter. Median plasma HIV-1 RNA values were inversely proportional to CD4+ counts from 0-400 cells per mm3. When patients were off antiretroviral therapies for approximately 14 days prior to the initial baseline RNA PCR evaluation, the mean variance between the two baseline values was 23% (0.1 log). Of these patients, 95% had a sufficient plasma viral load to quantitate a 10-fold (1 log) diminution in viral load caused by antiviral therapy. In contrast, only 20% and 45% of these subjects had sufficient p24 and ICD p24 levels to detect a 50% diminution in circulating virus. The high precision and reproducibility of this quantitative RNA PCR assay provide an enhanced means of evaluating therapeutic drug regimens for HIV-1.

Simultaneous mutations at Tyr-181 and Tyr-188 in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase prevents inhibition of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity by the bisheteroarylpiperazine (BHAP) U-90152s

The replacement of either Tyr-181 or Tyr-188 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) by the corresponding HIV-2 RT amino acids Ile-181 or Leu-188 is known to result in active mutant enzymes (Y181I; Y188L) with virtual loss of sensitivity towards three structural classes of nonnucleoside RT inhibitors; L-697,661, nevirapine, and TIBO R82913. The bisheteroarylpiperazine (BHAP) U-90152S, a highly specific inhibitor (IC50, 0.29 +/- 0.01 microM) of HIV-1 RT, inhibited the recombinant Y181I and Y188L HIV-1 RT mutants with IC50 values of 3.6 +/- 0.15 microM and 0.71 +/- 0.02 microM, respectively. Construction and in vitro analysis of double mutants Y181I/Y188L and Y181C/Y188L of HIV-1 RT showed > 150-fold resistance to U-90152S. An HIV-2 RT mutant containing amino acids 176-190 from HIV-1 RT acquired full sensitivity to U-90152S (IC50, 0.26 +/- 0.01 microM). It is concluded that simultaneous mutations at Tyr-181 and Tyr-188 of HIV-1 RT promotes resistance to U-90152S.

The differential processing of homodimers of reverse transcriptases from human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 and 2 is a consequence of the distinct specificities of the viral proteases

Active, recombinant p68 reverse transcriptase (RT) from human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2), with an NH2-terminal extension containing a hexahistidine sequence was isolated from extracts of Escherichia coli by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Treatment of the purified p68/p68 homodimer of HIV-2 RT with recombinant HIV-2 protease generates stable, active heterodimer (p68/p58) that is resistant to further hydrolysis. Analysis of this p68/p58 HIV-2 RT heterodimer revealed that while one subunit is intact p68, the p58 subunit is COOH-terminally truncated by cleavage, not at Phe440 as is seen in processing of the p66/p66 HIV-1 RT homodimer by HIV-1 protease, but at Met484. The expected COOH-terminal p10 fragment resulting from hydrolysis of p68 at Met484 is not released intact, but undergoes further cleavage at Asn494, Met503, and Tyr532. Processing of p68/p68 HIV-2 RT with the HIV-1 protease led to cleavage of the Phe440-Tyr441 bond, exactly as is seen with p66/p66 HIV-1 RT, to give the analogous p53 subunit. Studies of a peptide substrate modeled after residues 437-444 in HIV-2 RT showed that while the HIV-1 protease was able to cleave the Phe440 bond, this bond was resistant to cleavage by the HIV-2 enzyme. Our findings provide a rationale for the previous observation that the RT heterodimer isolated from HIV-2 lysates is larger than that from HIV-1. We conclude that the p68/p58 HIV-2 RT heterodimer, containing the Met484 truncated p58 subunit, is a biologically relevant form of the enzyme in vivo.

Mechanism of resistance to U-90152S and sensitization to L-697,661 by a proline to leucine change at residue 236 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase

Bisheteroarylpiperazines (BHAPs) are highly specific inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT). BHAP-resistant HIV-1 is sensitized to other classes of nonnucleoside RT inhibitors and this has been primarily attributed to a proline-to-leucine substitution at amino acid 236 (P236L) of HIV-1 RT. To understand the basis for the in vitro sensitization-resistance phenomenon, single base pair mutations at amino acid P236 in HIV-1 RT were introduced to obtain P236L, P236T, P236H, P236R, and P236A HIV-1 RT mutants. Active HIV-1 RT mutants H235W, D237T, and H235W/D237T/T240K, containing substitutions from HIV-2 RT, were also cloned, expressed, and purified. Three BHAPs (U-88204E, U-87201E, and U-90125S) and the pyridinone L-697,661 were selected to quantitatively assess the effects of these amino acid substitutions on sensitization to L-697,661 and resistance to the BHAPs. The HIV-1 RT mutants bearing single (H235W; D237T) or multiple (H235W/D237T/T240K) HIV-2 RT substitutions around the conserved P236 conferred little resistance or sensitization to these RT inhibitors. The inhibition profiles of the P236 HIV-1 RT mutants demonstrated a direct correlation between sensitization to L-697,661 and resistance to the BHAPs. These results suggest alterations in the shape of the binding pocket as the mechanism by which the P236L mutation confers resistance to the BHAPs and sensitization to L-697,661.

An active recombinant p15 RNase H domain is functionally distinct from the RNase H domain associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase

An active p15 RNase H domain, consisting of amino acids 427-560 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) and a genetically engineered penta-histidine N-terminal affinity tag, was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to apparent homogeneity by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. The purified p15 RNase H domain exhibited no substrate preference for [3H]poly(rG).poly(dC) compared to [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT), in contrast with the HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H, which showed a 30-fold preference for the former substrate. Unlike the HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H, when challenged with unlabeled substrate, the recombinant p15 RNase H domain was relatively nonprocessive in RNA degradative activity of the [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT) duplex. Kinetic studies using p15 RNase H showed substrate inhibition with an apparent K(i) value of 0.12 micron for the [3H]poly(rA).poly(dT) hybrid. Substrate inhibition was not observed for the HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H. The results show that the isolated p15 HIV-1 RNase H domain is functionally distinct from the recombinant HIV-1 RT-associated RNase H.

Kinetic studies with the non-nucleoside human immunodeficiency virus type-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor U-90152E

The bisheteroarylpiperazine U-90152E is a potent inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) and possesses excellent anti-HIV activity in HIV-1-infected lymphocytes grown in tissue culture. The compound inhibits both the RNA- and DNA-directed DNA polymerase functions of HIV-1 RT. Kinetic studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanism of RT inhibition by U-90152E. Michaelis-Menten kinetics, which are based on the establishment of a rapid equilibrium between the enzyme and its substrates, proved inadequate for the analysis of the experimental data. The data were thus analyzed using Briggs-Haldane kinetics, assuming that the reaction is ordered in that the template:primer binds to the enzyme first, followed by the addition of dNTP and that the polymerase is a processive enzyme. Based on these assumptions, a velocity equation was derived, which allows the calculation of all the essential forward and backward rate constants for the reactions occurring between the enzyme, its substrates and the inhibitor. The results obtained indicate that U-90152E acts exclusively as a mixed inhibitor with respect to the template: primer and dNTP binding sites for both the RNA- and DNA-directed DNA polymerase domains of the enzyme. The inhibitor shows a significantly higher binding affinity for the enzyme-substrate complexes than for the free enzyme and consequently does not directly impair the functions of the substrate binding sites. Therefore, U-90152E appears to impair an event occurring after the formation of the enzyme-substrate complexes, which involves either inhibition of the phosphoester bond formation or translocation of the enzyme relative to its template:primer following the formation of the ester bond.

Inhibition of the protease of human immunodeficiency virus blocks replication and infectivity of the virus in chronically infected macrophages

Because of the importance of monocytes/macrophages (M/M) as an in vivo reservoir of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a study was done to investigate whether viral replication in chronically infected macrophages (HIV M/M) could be inhibited by various drugs, including U-75875, an inhibitor of HIV protease. HIV replication in M/M and in chronically infected T cells was dramatically decreased by U-75875, while other drugs, including zidovudine, interferon-alpha, and an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide against the rev gene, were effective antiviral agents only in de novo-infected cells. Virus titer in HIV M/M was reduced approximately 10(5)-fold by nontoxic concentrations of U-75875, while no effect on HIV DNA or virus antigen expression on cell membrane was achieved in M/M infected either chronically or de novo. Thus, U-75875 essentially worked against late stages of viral replication. These data support the use of protease inhibitors, alone or in combination, in the therapy of HIV-infected patients.

Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected cells with combinations of HIV-1-specific inhibitors results in a different resistance pattern than does treatment with single-drug therapy

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected CEM cells were treated by the HIV-1-specific inhibitors bis-heteroarylpiperazine (BHAP), 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-5-methylimidazo[4,5,1-jk][1,4]benzodiazepin-2(1 H)-on e (TIBO) R82913, nevirapine, and the N3-methylthymine derivative of [2',5'-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl]-3'-spiro- 5''-(4''-amino-1'',2''-oxathiole-2'',2''-dioxide) (TSAO-m3T), as single agents or in combination, at escalating concentrations. When used individually, the compounds led to the emergence of drug-resistant virus strains within two to five subcultivations. The resulting strains were designated HIV-1/BHAP, HIV-1/TIBO, HIV-1/Nev, and HIV-1/TSAO-m3T, respectively. The mutant viruses showed the following amino acid substitutions in their reverse transcriptase (RT): Leu-100-->Ile for HIV-1/BHAP; Lys-103-->Asn for HIV-1/TIBO; Val-106-->Ala for HIV-1/Nev; and Glu-138-->Lys for HIV-1/TSAO-m3T. Both the Tyr-181-->Cys and Val-106-->Ala mutations were found in another mutant emerging following treatment with nevirapine at escalating concentrations. The BHAP-resistant virus remained fully sensitive to the inhibitory effects of nevirapine and TSAO-m3T, whereas the TSAO-m3T-resistant virus remained fully sensitive to the inhibitory effects of nevirapine and BHAP. When different pairs of nonnucleoside RT inhibitors (i.e., BHAP plus TSAO-m3T, nevirapine plus TSAO-m3T, TIBO plus TSAO-m3T, nevirapine plus TIBO, and BHAP plus nevirapine) were used, resistant virus emerged as fast as with single-drug therapy. In all cases the Tyr-181-->Cys mutation appeared; the virus showed markedly reduced sensitivity to all HIV-1-specific inhibitors but retained sensitivity to 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside analogs such as zidovudine, ddC, and ddI. Our findings argue against simultaneous combination of two different nonnucleoside RT inhibitors that are unable to inhibit HIV-1 mutant strains containing the Tyr-181-->Cys mutation when administered as single drugs.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in vitro by the bisheteroarylpiperazine atevirdine (U-87201E) in combination with zidovudine or didanosine

The bisheteroarylpiperazine nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor atevirdine effectively inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro. Clinical isolates with a wide range of 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of zidovudine (IC50, 0.003 to > 2.0 microM) and didanosine (IC50, 0.02 to > 10.0 microM) were inhibited by atevirdine (median IC50, 0.74 microM; range, 0.06-1.60). Cross-resistance to atevirdine in zidovudine- or didanosine-resistant isolates was not observed. Combinations of atevirdine and zidovudine were highly synergistic against zidovudine-resistant clinical isolates of HIV-1. By contrast, these combinations were mostly additive when tested against zidovudine-susceptible isolates. Combinations of atevirdine and didanosine were additive in their effects against both didanosine-susceptible and -resistant isolates. These data suggest that the interaction of atevirdine with HIV-1 RT is different than that of other nonnucleoside RT inhibitors and that combinations of atevirdine and zidovudine may be useful in patients with AIDS who have initially received monotherapy with zidovudine.

Association of integrase, matrix, and reverse transcriptase antigens of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 with viral nucleic acids following acute infection

We have examined components of the preintegration complex of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and have analyzed features which govern the association of these components. HIV-1 nucleoprotein complexes, isolated from nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts of CD4+ cells after acute virus infection, contained viral RNA and DNA in association with viral matrix (MA), integrase (IN), and reverse transcriptase (RT) antigens but not capsid (CA) antigens and possessed integration activity in vitro. Association of IN but not RT or MA antigens with viral DNA was detergent-stable. Analysis of viral DNA synthesis and nuclear import of viral nucleoprotein complexes in the presence of a reversible RT inhibitor demonstrated that reverse transcription of viral RNA could be completed entirely in the host cell nucleus. Our studies demonstrate structural and functional features of the nucleoprotein (preintegration) complex of HIV-1 which are pertinent to the understanding of early events in the lentiviral life cycle.

A mutation in reverse transcriptase of bis(heteroaryl)piperazine-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 that confers increased sensitivity to other nonnucleoside inhibitors

Several nonnucleoside inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) have been described, including Nevirapine, thiobenzimidazolone (TIBO) derivatives, pyridinone derivatives such as L-697,661, and the bis(heteroaryl)piperazines (BHAPs). HIV-1 resistant to L-697,661 or Nevirapine emerges rapidly in infected patients treated with these drugs, and the resistance is caused primarily by substitutions at amino acids 181 and 103 of RT that also confer cross resistance to the other nonnucleoside inhibitors. We describe derivation and characterization of two BHAP-resistant HIV-1 variants that differ from this pattern of cross resistance. With both variants, HIV-1 resistance to BHAP RT inhibitors was caused by a RT mutation that results in a proline-to-leucine substitution at amino acid 236 (P236L). Rather than conferring cross resistance to other RT inhibitors, this substitution sensitized RT 7- to 10-fold to Nevirapine, TIBO R82913, and L-697,661 without influencing sensitivity to nucleoside analogue RT inhibitors. This sensitization caused by P236L was also observed in cell culture with BHAP-resistant HIV-1. The effects of the P236L RT substitution suggest that emergence of BHAP-resistant virus in vivo could produce a viral population sensitized to inhibition by these other nonnucleoside RT inhibitors.

Inhibitors of the protease from human immunodeficiency virus: synthesis, enzyme inhibition, and antiviral activity of a series of compounds containing the dihydroxyethylene transition-state isostere

A number of potential HIV protease inhibitory peptides that contain the dihydroxyethylene isostere were prepared and evaluated for their enzyme binding affinity and antiviral activity in cell cultures. From the template of a previously reported active peptide A, modifications at the N- and C-terminal groups were assessed for potential maintenance of good inhibitory activity of the resulting peptides. Among the active peptides found, peptide XVIII exhibited potent enzyme inhibitory activity. Interestingly, the previously reported, effective 1(S)-amino-2(R)-hydroxyindan C-terminal group for the preparation of very active HIV protease inhibitory peptides could not be applied to the template of peptide XVIII. Molecular modeling of peptide XVIII was studied using the X-ray crystal structure of peptide A as a starting point in order to study the likely conformation of peptide XVIII in the active-site cleft. Relative binding conformations of peptide A and XVIII were obtained, although the reason for poor binding affinity for a number of congeneric peptides in this report was not straightforwardly apparent. More importantly, however, peptide XVIII was found to exhibit more effective antiviral activity in the HIV-1/PBMC assay than the reference peptide A which was previously reported to be approximately equal in efficacy to the reverse transcriptase inhibitor AZT in this assay.

Steady-state kinetic studies with the non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor U-87201E

The multifunctional HIV-1 RT (human immunodeficiency virus type 1-reverse transcriptase) enzyme possesses three main functions including the RNA- and DNA-directed DNA polymerases and the RNase H. The bisheteroarylpiperazine U-87201E inhibits the two polymerase functions but not the RNase H. Enzymatic kinetic studies of the HIV-1 RT-catalyzed RNA- and DNA-directed DNA polymerase activities were carried out in order to determine if the inhibitor interferes with either the template:primer or the deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP)-binding sites of the enzyme. The data were analyzed using steady-state kinetics, considering that the polymerase reaction is ordered in that the template:primer is added first, followed by the dNTP and that the enzyme functions processively. The data were consistent with the model. The steady-state rate constants for the forward and backward reactions were of similar magnitude for both the RNA- and DNA-catalyzed DNA polymerases and suggest that both functions share the same substrate-binding sites. The dissociation constants for the enzyme-inhibitor and enzyme-substrate-inhibitor complexes were somewhat higher for the DNA-directed DNA polymerase function as compared to the RNA directed one. This indicates that U-87201E is a more potent inhibitor for the RNA-directed DNA polymerase than the DNA-directed DNA polymerase. The pattern of inhibition exerted by U-87201E was noncompetitive with respect to both the nucleic acid and nucleotide-binding sites of the RT enzyme for both the RNA- and DNA-directed DNA polymerases. Hence, U-87201E inhibits these functions by interacting with a site distinct from the template:primer and dNTP-binding sites. HIV-2 RT was insensitive to U-87201E, demonstrating the unique sensitivity of HIV-1 RT to this inhibitor.

Prevention of the spread of HIV-1 infection with nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Certain bisheteroarylpiperazines (BHAPs) directly inhibit the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and block the spread of infection to susceptible populations of cells. At a 1 microM concentration three analogs, U-87201, U-88204, and U-89674, inhibited the replication of HIV-1 in MT-2 cells by 83, 100, and 93%, respectively. At the same concentration, U-88204 completely inhibited replication of primary HIV-1 isolates in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Replication of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT)-resistant strains of HIV-1 was also inhibited by U-88204. When MT-2 cells that were lytically infected with HIV-1 were mixed with uninfected MT-2 cells, U-88204 provided complete protection to the uninfected cells. Integrated proviral DNA sequences were not detected by the polymerase chain reaction technique in this culture after 15 days in the presence of drug. The resultant healthy cell culture was subsequently maintained without drug with no evidence of latent proviral DNA. Serial passage of a laboratory strain and a primary isolate of HIV-1 in cell culture in the presence of increasing concentrations of U-88204 yielded virus populations which were at least 100-fold resistant to the drug. These resistant viruses also showed cross-resistance to the pyridinone class of nonnucleoside inhibitors but were sensitive to AZT. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of resistant viruses revealed mutations at conserved regions of the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene. The results presented here suggest the therapeutic potential of U-88204 in the combination therapy for HIV-1 infection.

Purification of an active monomeric recombinant HIV-1 trans-activator

A method for the purification of a truncated, biologically active human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) trans-activator (rTAT) from recombinant Escherichia coli is reported here. The purification steps utilized include mild extraction (French press), concentration by ammonium sulfate precipitation, chromatography in 8 M urea on an S-Sepharose fast-protein liquid chromatography column, and finally, resolution by C-4 reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. After the final step, the rTAT is dried and stored under salt-free conditions. Amino acid compositional analysis and N-terminal sequence analysis confirm that the purified protein is rTAT. Unlike other methods reported for purification of recombinant HIV-1 trans-activator, our protocol uses urea instead of guanidine HCl. The rTAT is fully soluble in buffered solutions at concentrations exceeding 10 mg/ml, migrates as a single 14 kDa species on both sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and two-dimensional PAGE gels with a pI of 9.3 +/- 0.3. Additionally, the rTAT migrates as a monomer on size-exclusion chromatography columns under native conditions. Finally, purified rTAT exhibits trans-activator activity when introduced into appropriate reporter cells. Since rTAT is monomeric when tested by gel filtration, and yet exhibits biological activity, we conclude that the method of purification we have utilized is distinct from all other methods reported to date.

Resolution of microheterogeneity associated with recombinant HIV-1 heterodimeric reverse transcriptase

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) has been successfully expressed as a biologically active recombinant protein in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. After partial purification, RT was obtained primarily in a heterodimeric form represented by two subunits of 66 and 51 kDa, but the preparation also included several forms distinguishable in size and charge by chromatography on ionic-exchange and gel-filtration columns. We have developed a purification method that yields a single heterodimeric form of RT. Our strategy involves the selection of RT molecules exhibiting uniformity in elution from QAE Sepharose anion-exchange columns and Superose 12 gel-filtration columns. In the former, RT is resolved into multiple peaks on the basis of enzymatic activity, one of which represents highly active and pure p66:p51 heterodimeric RT. This highly active RT fraction, after gel-filtration chromatography, yields a compositionally pure protein product free of observable microheterogeneity by 1D and 2D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under a variety of conditions. Furthermore, the RNAse H enzymatic activity associated with HIV-1 RT has been demonstrated to coelute with the purified polymerase activity during gel filtration at a size (120 kDa) consistent with its location on the heterodimeric protein molecule.

On the engineering of rDNA proteins for purification by immobilized metal affinity chromatography: applications to alternating histidine-containing chimeric proteins from recombinant Escherichia coli

Recently we reported (D. B. Evans, W. G. Tarpley, and S. K. Sharma, 1991, Protein Expression Purif. 2, 205-213) the cloning, expression, and characterization of recombinant chimeric proteins with an N-terminal metal-binding peptide (mbp), His-Asp-His-Asp-His, and a renin cleavage site. Using these chimerics as examples, we describe here the use of genetically engineered alternating histidines in the purification of these chimerics by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). In these chimerics, an alternate histidine-containing peptide was fused to the N-termini of HIV reverse transcriptase (HIV RT) and beta-galactosidase. These chimerics were retarded on immobilized nickel very strongly and could be completely eluted only by the use of 100 mM imidazole, whereas the wildtype HIV RT and Escherichia coli contaminating proteins were eluted between 10 and 35 mM imidazole. When the DNA coding for the mbp was removed, the resulting chimerics were recovered from the IMAC column at 35 mM imidazole. The strong and specific interaction between the chimeric protein and the immobilized metal ion was also abolished when the mbp was specifically cleaved by human renin. It is concluded from these studies that tailoring recombinant proteins with three or more alternate histidines should result in the isolation of such chimeric proteins from crude mixtures in a single step. Since IMAC is amendable to scale up, the tailored specificity engineered into the protein of interest via an mbp should allow one to achieve large-scale isolation of recombinant proteins from bacterial and nonbacterial hosts in a highly predictable manner.

The binding of a novel bisheteroarylpiperazine mediates inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase

The bisheteroarylpiperazines (BHAPs) are potent inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) and specifically block HIV-1 replication (Romero, D. L., Busso, M., Tan, C.-K., Reusser, F., Palmer, J. R., Poppe, S. M., Aristoff, P. A., Downey, K. M., So, A. G., Resnick, L., and Tarpley, W. G. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 8806-8810). Here we show that the radiolabeled BHAP [3H]U-88204 binds specifically to HIV-1 RT with high affinity (KD of 50 nM) and a stoichiometry of 1 mol of U-88204 per 1 mol of p66/p51 RT heterodimer. Binding of [3H]U-88204 to RT is unaffected by the presence of saturating poly(rC).oligo (dG)12-18 template-primer. Direct measurement of competition between [3H]U-88204 and other RT inhibitors for binding to RT reveals mutually exclusive competition between [3H]U-88204 and the non-nucleoside RT inhibitor BI-RG-587 (Kopp, E. B., Miglietta, J. J., Shrutkowski, A. G., Shih, C.-K., Grob, P. M. and Skoog, M.T. (1991) Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 3035-3039), indicating that both share the same binding site. Phosphonoformate in concentrations up to 50 microM shows no competition with [3H]U-88204 for binding to RT either alone or in the presence of template-primer. Dideoxynucleotide RT inhibitors affect the binding of [3H]U-88204 to RT when complementary template-primer is present. [3H]U-88204 and the dideoxynucleotide ddGTP can bind RT simultaneously, but the presence of one ligand decreases the affinity of RT for the second. Inasmuch as ddGTP approximates the nucleotide substrate of RT, the direct demonstration of an RT-dideoxynucleotide-[3H]U-88204 complex validates the use of indirect kinetic methods to assess the strength of BHAP interaction with RT and suggests that RT inhibition by U-88204 is achieved via effects on nucleotide substrate binding.

A recombinant ribonuclease H domain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase that is enzymatically active

We report here a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) recombinant ribonuclease H (RNase H) domain engineered to contain an N-terminal tag for its isolation by affinity chromatography. The purified protein is active in hydrolyzing RNA-DNA hybrids in two separate in vitro assay systems. In light of recent reports of similar HIV-1 RNase H domains which were enzymatically inactive (Becerra, S. P., Clore, G. M., Gronenborn, A. M., Karlstrom, A. R., Stahl, S. J., Wilson, S.M., and Wingfield, P.T. (1990) FEBS Lett. 270, 76-80; Hostomsky, Z., Hostomska, Z., Hudson, G. O., Moomaw, E. W., and Nodes, B. R. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 88, 1148-1152), our results suggest that a stretch of 20-30 residues immediately upstream of the polymerase-RNase H junction (residues 440-441 of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase) may be required for productive binding and alignment of the hybrid RNA-DNA substrate. The active HIV-1 RNase H domain is suitable for structural analysis, thereby providing a unique active molecule to better understand the structural basis for the functional organization of RNase associated with the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Effects of a soluble CD4 and CD4-Pseudomonas exotoxin A chimeric protein on human peripheral blood lymphocytes: lymphocyte activation and anti-HIV activity in vitro

Recombinant sCD4-based proteins were evaluated for their effects on antigen-stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and for antiviral activity against PBMC infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIVD34). Two sCD4-based proteins were solubilized, refolded, and purified to homogeneity from recombinant E. coli and consisted of the 178 amino-terminal residues of CD4 fused with the translocating and catalytic domains of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (sCD4-PE40) or 183 amino-terminal residues of CD4 (sCD4-183); a third sCD4 consisting of 369 amino acids of CD4 was purified from recombinant mammalian cells for comparative purposes (sCD4-369). Increasing molar concentrations of these sCD4s were evaluated for inhibition of PBMC proliferation induced by alloantigen (MLR), by tetanus toxoid (TTOX), or in response to crosslinking with antibody to CD3 (OKT3). In addition, the concentrations of each protein required to inhibit replication of the HIVD34 isolate in primary PBMC was determined by quantitation of HIV p24 antigen released into supernatant fluids by infected cells. By comparing antiviral activity with anti-proliferative activity a relative estimate of the selectivity index for each recombinant sCD4 was determined. Proliferation of PBMC in response to alloantigen or OKT3 was less sensitive to inhibition than proliferation induced by TTOX, and the selectivity indices estimated for sCD4-PE40 were 170, 170 and 17, respectively. The selectivity index for sCD4-183 was greater than 350 under all assay conditions. Comparative evaluation of alloantigen-stimulated proliferation with antiviral activity of sCD4-183 versus sCD4-369 suggested that the E. coli-derived sCD4-183 may have a higher selectivity index under these conditions than its mammalian cell-derived counterpart.

Metal affinity chromatography of recombinant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase containing a human renin cleavable metal binding domain

A metal binding peptide, hexahistidine, preceding a renin cleavage sequence (Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Val-Ile-His-) was engineered on to the N-terminus of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). The chimeric protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized after purification by DEAE chromatography and HPLC. Amino-terminal sequencing confirmed the presence of the first 15 amino acids of the chimeric protein. The chimeric exhibited RT activity like that of HIV-1 RT and was cleaved by human renin at the expected site. The potential of a hexa-histidine fusion in the purification of recombinant HIV-1 RT by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) on the commonly used resin (IDA-Ni2+) was investigated. The chimeric gene product from a crude E. coli extract was strongly retarded on a immobilized nickel column, while most of the contaminating E. coli proteins were eliminated after elution with 20-35 mM imidazole. The bound chimeric protein was eluted with 300 mM imidazole and appeared predominantly as a single band on an SDS-polyacrylamide gel. The remarkable specificity of this affinity tail was further demonstrated by separating the chimeric protein from HIV-1 RT in a crude extract prepared by mixing extracts from cells expressing HIV-1 RT and the hexahistidine recombinant chimeric protein. The usefulness of a enzymatically cleavable metal binding peptide in the rapid purification and production of HIV-1 RT without proteolysis to a heterodimer is discussed.

Inhibitors of the protease from human immunodeficiency virus: design and modeling of a compound containing a dihydroxyethylene isostere insert with high binding affinity and effective antiviral activity

The peptidomimetic template and the dihydroxyethylene isostere insert that were applied successfully to the design of renin inhibitors have been extended to the related protease from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The present report describes the structure-activity study leading to the identification of an inhibitor with a Ki of less than 1 nM for the HIV type-1 protease (compound II). This compound, containing a diol insert, is highly effective in blocking polyprotein processing in in vitro cell culture assays. Results obtained from kinetic analysis, studies of the stereochemistry of the insert, and modeling have led to insights as to the requisites involved in the active site-inhibitor interaction.

Expression and characterization of chimeric rDNA proteins engineered for purification and enzymatic cleavage

A strategy for the purification and cleavage of chimeric recombinant proteins based on a genetically engineered metal-binding peptide and a human renin cleavage site is described. Vectors were constructed to direct the synthesis of chimeric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase (RT) or beta-galactosidase in Escherichia coli. As shown below, two control chimerics without the metal-binding peptide were also included: 1. Pro-Ile-His-Asp-His-Asp-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Val-Ile-His-Ser-HIV RT 2. Pro-Ile-His-Asp-His-Asp-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Tyr-Tyr-Ser-HIV RT 3. Pro-Ile-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Val-Ile-His-Ser-HIV RT 4. Pro-Ile-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Tyr-Tyr-Ser-HIV RT 5. Pro-Ile-His-Asp-His-Asp-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-beta-galactosidase Both N-terminal sequencing and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay utilizing antibodies to the metal-binding peptide were used to characterize the purified chimeric proteins. The relative RT activity of the chimeric protein was indistinguishable from the HIV-1 RT without the fusion sequence, indicating that the metal-binding and renin-cleavage sequences have no effect on the polymerase function of HIV-1 RT. The cleavage by recombinant human renin occurred at the expected site. A future paper will describe results on the use of genetically engineered alternating histidines in the purification of these chimerics by immobilized metal affinity chromatography.

Functional characterization of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase and RNase H activities of a recombinant HIV reverse transcriptase

The DNA polymerase and RNase H activities of HIV reverse transcriptase are both essential for HIV replication. Although the two activities are both catalyzed by a single polypeptide, they are physically separate; i.e., the DNA polymerase resides in the N-terminal domain whereas the RNase H is localized in the C-terminal domain. The present study was undertaken to characterize the enzymatic properties of these two activities and to determine whether the two catalytic sites are also functionally distinct. We have observed that EGTA specifically stimulates, whereas CaCl2 selectively inhibits, the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity but that neither compound has any effect on the RNase H activity of a recombinant HIV reverse transcriptase. The stimulation of the DNA polymerase activity by EGTA is dependent on the Mg2+ concentration; the greatest stimulation is observed at low Mg2+ concentrations. Similarly, the inhibition of DNA polymerase activity by Ca2+ is influenced by Mg2+ concentration. Ca2+ inhibition can be reversed by increasing Mg2+ concentrations, suggesting the possibility that CaCl2 inhibits the reverse transcriptase activity by competing for a metal-binding site on the enzyme. The pyrophosphate analogue phosphonoformate selectively inhibits the polymerase activity but not the RNase H activity of HIV reverse transcriptase. In contrast, the RNase H activity can be selectively inhibited by deoxyadenosine 5'-monophosphate, whereas the DNA polymerase activity is not inhibited. These results suggest that the DNA polymerase and RNase activities are not only physically separate but that they are also functionally distinct.

An inhibitor of the protease blocks maturation of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses and spread of infection

The activity of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease is essential for processing of the gag-pol precursor proteins and maturation of infectious virions. We have prepared a peptidomimetic inhibitor, U-75875, that inhibited HIV-1 gag-pol protein processing in an essentially irreversible manner. Noninfectious virus particles produced in the presence of the drug contained gag precursors and were morphologically immature. In human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in a continuous cell line, U-75875 completely blocked HIV replication; in the latter case, no spread occurred over a period of 4 weeks. U-75875, on a molar basis, was as potent as 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine in blocking HIV-1 replication in human lymphocytes and also inhibited HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus proteases, demonstrating that it has broad activity. These results provide further evidence for the therapeutic potential of protease inhibitors in HIV infection.

P388 leukaemia cells resistant to the anthracycline menogaril lack multidrug resistant phenotype

Menogaril is an anthracycline presently in Phase II clinical trials. Menogaril-resistant mouse leukaemia P388 cells were developed in vitro by 4 months of exposure to step-wise increasing concentrations of menogaril after which resistant cells (P388/MEN) were cloned in 320 ng ml-1 menogaril. P388/MEN cells were 40-fold more resistant to menogaril in vitro compared to P388/O and were also resistant in vivo. Resistance to menogaril was stable for at least 2 months in the absence of the drug. The results indicate that P388/MEN, although resistant to an anthracycline, did not display the typical multidrug resistant phenotype. It was not cross-resistant to several structurally unrelated drugs such as actinomycin D, cisplatin, or vinblastine, but it was cross-resistant to the anthracycline, adriamycin. Uptake and efflux of menogaril was similar in sensitive and resistant cell lines. Also, resistance was not reversed by verapamil. No major karyotypic difference was noted between P388/O and P388/MEN. There was no significant amplification or overexpression of the mdr gene in P388/MEN compared to P388/O. In contrast to P388/MEN, P388 cells resistant to adriamycin displayed the typical multidrug resistant phenotype. Glutathione content of P388/MEN cells was similar to that of P388/O and depletion of glutathione did not potentiate menogaril cytotoxicity. Therefore, we conclude that glutathione is not likely to be involved in menogaril resistance to P388/MEN cells.

Escherichia coli expression, purification, and biological activity of a truncated soluble CD4

A truncated molecule containing the N-terminal 183 amino acid residues of CD4 (sCD4-183) has been produced in Escherichia coli at high levels, using the trp promoter and an AT-rich ribosome binding site to direct expression in a pBR322-derived vector. A culture has been selected which allows large-scale fermentation and production of this material as an insoluble inclusion body protein. Procedures which solubilize, refold, and purify sCD4-183 have been developed. The purified sCD4-183 binds gp120 in solution and blocks human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.

Denaturation/refolding of purified recombinant HIV reverse transcriptase yields monomeric enzyme with high enzymatic activity

We engineered a prokaryotic expression vector encoding the HIV reverse transcriptase (RT). We grew Escherichia coli JM109 carrying the vector in a 250-liter stirred tank fermentor and purified RT (p66) under native conditions to apparent homogeneity. Purified p66 (greater than or equal to 5 mg/ml) was not stable, and was rapidly processed to its 51 kD derivative (p51), until p66:p51 levels were approximately 1:1. These latter RT preparations were chromatographed as heterodimers and had approximately fivefold higher specific RT enzymatic activities compared with those containing predominantly p66. P66 purified under dilute concentrations (less than or equal to 0.5 mg/ml) was monomeric in solution, resistant to p51 processing for weeks at 4 degrees C, but also had low specific RT enzymatic activities. To attempt the preparation of homogeneous p66 with specific RT enzymatic activities equivalent to p66:p51 heterodimers, purified heterodimers were denatured and p66 was purified and refolded during extensive dialysis (refolded p66). Refolded p66 (less than or equal to 0.5 mg/ml) was monomeric in solution and had identical specific RT enzymatic activities, Km for dTTP, and inhibition by 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine triphosphate compared with heterodimeric p66:p51 RT. The data indicates that HIV RT obtained from recombinant E. coli under native conditions is extensively processed at concentrations promoting dimerization. Moreover, RT denaturation and refolding yields apparently homogeneous monomeric p66, with specific RT enzymatic activities equivalent to heterodimeric RT.

A synthetic HIV-1 protease inhibitor with antiviral activity arrests HIV-like particle maturation

A synthetic peptidemimetic substrate of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) protease with a nonhydrolyzable pseudodipeptidyl insert at the protease cleavage site was prepared. The peptide U-81749 inhibited recombinant HIV-1 protease in vitro (inhibition constant Ki of 70 nanomolar) and HIV-1 replication in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (inhibitory concentration IC50 of 0.1 to 1 micromolar). Moreover, 10 micromolar concentrations of U-81749 significantly inhibited proteolysis of the HIV-1 gag polyprotein (p55) to the mature viral structural proteins p24 and p17 in cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the HIV-1 gag-pol genes. The HIV-1 like particles released from inhibitor-treated cells contained almost exclusively p55 and other gag precursors, but not p24. Incubation of HIV-like particles recovered from drug-treated cultures in drug-free medium indicated that inhibition of p55 proteolysis was at least partially reversible, suggesting that U-81749 was present within the particles.

A rapid, quantitative bioassay based on the human immunodeficiency virus trans-activator

We constructed a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) trans-activator cDNA (tat) encoding the N-terminal 76 amino acids of the viral trans-activator followed by two additional amino acids (val and pro). This cDNA encoded a functional trans-activator (TAT) as shown by cotransfection into murine cells with a HIV promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase DNA construct. The tat cDNA was cloned into an avian retroviral expression vector, a modified spleen necrosis virus (SNV), and high-titer infectious stocks of recombinant virus (SNV-tat) were recovered from dog cells. Hybridization analyses indicated that SNV-tat was stably propagated in these cells for months. We also prepared recombinant cells that stably carry reporter genes, either a human gene encoding a soluble CD4 receptor (sCD4) or the human preprorenin gene, under the transcriptional control of the HIV promoter. Medium obtained from these cell cultures after infection with control viruses or an SNV carrying an antisense tat contained only low background levels of sCD4 or prorenin (HRN) as determined by specific immunoassays (1-10 ng protein per 10(6) cells per ml medium). In contrast, cells infected with SNV carrying tat in the transcriptional sense orientation secreted 75 +/- 7 ng sCD4 and 73 +/- 4 ng HRN per 10(6) cells per ml medium. Moreover, these proteins were constitutively secreted at these levels during months of subculturing. The data indicate that sCD4 and HRN are secreted from these cells because of a TAT-mediated trans-activation of the HIV reporter gene DNA and/or RNA. This combination of recombinant cells, SNV-tat, and specific immunoassays provide a rapid, quantitative, and safe bioassay to seek inhibitors of TAT.

A rapid solution immunoassay to quantify binding of the human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein to soluble CD4

We developed a particle concentration fluorescent immunoassay to quantify the binding in solution of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) external glycoprotein (gp120) to soluble CD4 (sCD4). The assay is rapid (1 hr), quantitative, and requires as little as 0.1 pmole of gp120 per evaluation. We find that gp120, purified from recombinant baculovirus infected insect cells, is suitable for the assay. Moreover, sCD4s obtained either from recombinant E. coli or mammalian cells, consisting of the N-terminal two domains (about 180 amino acids) as well as linked to the active regions of Pseudomonas exotoxin A, bind gp120 similarly.

Regulation of Na+-H+ exchange in normal NIH-3T3 cells and in NIH-3T3 cells expressing the ras oncogene

Our laboratory and others have demonstrated that Na+-H+ exchange can be regulated by two different pathways; one that is mediated by an inositol trisphosphate-stimulated increase in intracellular calcium activity, and one that is mediated by an increase in protein kinase C activity. To determine whether one of these pathways is more important than the other, or whether one pathway is physiologically relevant, we employed normal NIH-3T3 cells (3T3 cells) and NIH-3T3 cells expressing the EJ human bladder ras oncogene (EJ cells). The EJ cells were chosen because they provide a genetic model that does not exhibit serum- or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated inositol trisphosphate release or Ca2+ mobilization. It was found that serum- or PDGF-stimulated Na+-H+ exchange was more pronounced in EJ cells than in control 3T3 cells. As expected, serum- or PDGF-stimulated Na+-H+ exchange in 3T3 cells was inhibited by chelating intracellular Ca2+ with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator quin2, by the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), and by the calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine. In contrast, these agents did not inhibit serum- or PDGF-stimulated Na+-H+ exchange in EJ cells. Activators of protein kinase C (e.g., 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol or biologically active phorbol esters) were found to stimulate Na+-H+ exchange in EJ cells to the same extent as serum. However, these agents were considerably less effective than serum in control 3T3 cells. Despite these findings, PDGF did not stimulate diacylglycerol levels in EJ cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

NIH-3T3 cells transformed by the EJ-ras oncogene exhibit reduced platelet-derived growth factor-mediated Ca2+ mobilization

NIH-3T3 cells transformed by the EJ-ras oncogene synthesize only 10-15% as much inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) as control cells after stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This is despite the fact that the basal (unstimulated) levels of InsP3 synthesized in control and EJ-ras-transformed cells are not significantly different. Using the fluorescent indicator fura-2 and digital-imaging techniques, we have visualized and quantified changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in control and EJ-ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells in response to PDGF. Within 3 min after exposure of control cells to PDGF, intracellular Ca2+ levels are increased 3- to 9-fold, paralleling the increase in InsP3. In contrast, the majority (greater than 90%) of the EJ-ras-transformed cells show no increase in Ca2+ levels after PDGF exposure and the few that did respond exhibited only a small transient increase. Pronounced differences in the intracellular localization of Ca2+ increases in control and the responding EJ-ras-transformed cells were also observed. Despite the inhibition of InsP3 synthesis and subsequent Ca2+ mobilization, the EJ-ras-transformed cells respond mitogenically to PDGF. These data do not support the hypothesis that the EJ-ras gene product (p21) stimulates a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C in NIH-3T3 cells; instead they suggest that the EJ-ras p21 may uncouple the PDGF receptor from phospholipase C resulting in inhibition of PDGF-stimulated activity of phospholipase C, InsP3 synthesis, and Ca2+ mobilization.

The lack of PDGE-stimulated PGE2 release from ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells results from reduced phospholipase C but not phospholipase A2 activity

Our previous work demonstrated that NIH-3T3 cells expressing high levels of the mutated cellular ras oncogene (EJ-ras gene) exhibited reduced hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase and platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated (PDGF) phospholipase A2/C activities. We now report that although the ras-transformed cells display markedly reduced phospholipase C activity, as measured by the levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate synthesized after PDGF-stimulation, normal levels of phospholipase A2 activity can be uncovered; thus, similar levels of prostaglandin E2 were synthesized in EJ-ras transformed and control cells after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and/or the calcium ionophore A-23187, agents which stimulate protein kinase C and intracellular Ca2+ levels, respectively. These data suggest that the EJ-ras gene product uncouples the PDGF receptor from the phospholipase C, resulting in reduced PDGF-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization, protein kinase C stimulation and an apparent decrease in Ca2+-dependent phospholipase A2.

A bacteriophage transcription terminator permits the cloning of a mammalian expression vector carrying the human preprorenin gene in E. coli

We constructed a plasmid-based expression vector carrying the murine metallothionein gene promoter, the human preprorenin gene, the Tn5 neomycin phosphotransferase II gene, and a complete bovine papilloma virus genome. We were unsuccessful in cloning the preprorenin gene in E. coli when it was inserted into a plasmid vector 3' to the metallothionein gene promoter. This result was consistent with our previous data suggesting that expression of the preprorenin gene is toxic to E. coli (Weighous, T.F. et al; (1986) Gene 45: 121-129). We then inserted a DNA fragment from bacteriophage lambda carrying the t1 transcriptional terminator between the promoter and the preprorenin gene; this vector was stably maintained in E. coli. Prior to introducing the vector DNA into mouse cells for expression studies the terminator was removed. Mouse cells carrying the vector DNA secreted high levels of human prorenin for greater than six weeks.

Loss of platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated phospholipase activity in NIH-3T3 cells expressing the EJ-ras oncogene

Data indicating that the 21-kDa protein (p21) Harvey-ras gene product shares sequence homology with guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) has stimulated research on the influence(s) of p21 on G-protein-regulated systems in vertebrate cells. Our previous work demonstrated that NIH-3T3 mouse cells expressing high levels of the cellular ras oncogene isolated from the EJ human bladder carcinoma (EJ-ras) exhibited reduced hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. We now report that in these cells another enzyme system thought to be regulated by G proteins is inhibited, namely phospholipases A2 and C. NIH-3T3 cells incubated in plasma-derived serum release significant levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as determined by radioimmunoassay when exposed to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) at 2 units/ml; the levels of PGE2 released from EJ-ras-transfected cells are only 3% those of controls despite a similar basal (unstimulated) release from control and EJ-ras-transfected cells. The lack of PDGF-stimulated PGE2 release from EJ-ras-transfected cells is not due to a defect in the prostaglandin cyclooxygenase enzyme, since incubation of control cells and EJ-ras-transfected cells in 0.33, 3.3, or 33 microM arachidonate resulted in identical levels of PGE2 release. The lack of PDGF-stimulated PGE2 release from EJ-ras-transfected cells also does not result from the loss of functional PDGF receptors. EJ-ras-transformed cells bind 70% as much 125I-labeled PDGF as control cells and are stimulated to incorporate [3H]thymidine and to proliferate after exposure to PDGF. Moreover, this inhibition is not likely the result of a secondary cellular effect related to the transformed phenotype, since NIH-3T3 cells transformed by v-src released PGE2 at wild-type levels after exposure to PDGF. Determination of total water-soluble inositolphospholipids and changes in the specific activities of phosphatidylcholine in control and EJ-ras-transfected cells demonstrated that PDGF-stimulated phospholipase C and A2 activities are inhibited in the EJ-ras-transfected cells.

Reduced hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in NIH-3T3 cells expressing the EJ human bladder ras oncogene

Recent studies have shown that the 21-kilodalton protein (p21) Ha-ras gene product shares sequence homology with and may exhibit biochemical properties similar to the mammalian guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. These data suggested that one of the biochemical functions of p21 in the vertebrate cell may be to regulate adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1]. We determined both in intact NIH-3T3 murine cells and in membranes isolated from these cells that the hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of cells expressing the EJ human bladder carcinoma oncogene (EJ-ras) is significantly reduced compared with control cells. Thus, the levels of cAMP measured in the EJ-ras-transformed cells by radioimmunoassay are reduced 78% and 93% after prostaglandin and isoproterenol stimulation, respectively, compared with the levels in control cells. Treatment of the EJ-ras-transformed cells with pertussis toxin or cholera toxin did not correct the alterations in adenylate cyclase activity. Cells expressing the normal human Ha-ras gene displayed intermediate levels of adenylate cyclase hormone sensitivity; these levels of adenylate cyclase activity were greater than those in the EJ-ras-transformed cells but lower than in control cells. Hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities in cells transfected with Rous sarcoma virus DNA were similar to those in control cells. These data support the hypothesis that both the normal and mutated Ha-ras p21s are related to guanine nucleotide-binding proteins.

Secretion of enzymatically active human renin from mammalian cells using an avian retroviral vector

Recombinant plasmid-based retroviral expression vectors were constructed using a modified spleen necrosis virus (SNV) containing the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene promoter controlling the expression of the Tn5 neomycin phosphotransferase II gene (NPTII gene). The human renin (HRn) gene (hrn) was inserted into the 5' end of the SNV sequences such that in concatemeric plasmid DNA its expression was controlled by the strong promoter in the SNV long terminal repeat (LTR). Dog cells transfected with the concatemeric plasmid DNA secreted a small amount of a HRn-like 43-kDa protein. After cotransfection of chicken cells with concatemeric plasmid DNA and proviral DNA of reticuloendotheliosis virus strain A, infectious stocks of viruses were recovered. Cells infected with the virus carrying the viral LTR-hrn gene oriented for expression secreted the 43-kDa HRn-like protein at about 100-fold higher levels than the cells transfected with the plasmid DNAs. Biological activity of secreted HRn was determined by measuring levels of angiotensin I generated by incubating culture media with either a porcine or human angiotensinogen substrate. Infected dog cells produce about 40 ng of enzymatically active HRn per 10(6) cells per 24 h. These data indicate that retroviral expression vectors provide a good system for obtaining the secretion of high levels of enzymatically active heterologous proteins from mammalian cells.