Peptides Mimicking the β7/β8 Loop of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase p51 as "Hotspot-Targeted" Dimerization Inhibitors.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Murcia PA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7236230 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:The dimerization of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT), required to obtain the active form of the enzyme, is influenced by mutations, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide substrates, Mg ions, temperature, and specifically designed dimerization inhibitors. In this study, we have utilized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the [methyl-(13)C]methionine-labeled enzyme and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate how several of these factors influence the dimerization behavior of the p51 subunit. The (1)H-(13)C HSQC spectrum of p51 obtained at micromolar concentrations indicates that a significant fraction of the p51 adopts a "p66-like" conformation. SAXS data obtained for p51 samples were used to determine the fractions of monomer and dimer in the sample and to evaluate the conformation of the fingers/thumb subdomain. All of the p51 monomer observed was found to adopt the compact, "p51C" conformation observed for the p51 subunit in the RT heterodimer. The NMR and SAXS data indicate that the p51 homodimer adopts a structure that is similar to the p66/p51 heterodimer, with one p51C subunit and a second p51 subunit in an extended, "p51E" conformation that resembles the p66 subunit of the heterodimer. The fractional dimer concentration and the fingers/thumb orientation are found to depend strongly on the experimental conditions and exhibit a qualitative dependence on nevirapine and ionic strength (KCl) that is similar to the behavior reported for the heterodimer and the p66 homodimer. The L289K mutation interferes with p51 homodimer formation as it does with formation of the heterodimer, despite its location far from the dimer interface. This effect is readily interpreted in terms of a conformational selection model, in which p51(L289K) has a much greater preference for the compact, p51C conformation. A reduced level of dimer formation then results from the reduced ratio of the p51E(L289K) to p51C(L289K) monomers.
| S-EPMC5590755 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Gram-positive bacteria contain sortase enzymes on their cell surfaces that catalyze transpeptidation reactions critical for proper cellular function. In vitro, sortases are used in sortase-mediated ligation (SML) reactions for a variety of protein engineering applications. Historically, sortase A from Staphylococcus aureus (saSrtA) has been the enzyme of choice to catalyze SML reactions. However, the stringent specificity of saSrtA for the LPXTG sequence motif limits its uses. Here, we describe the impact on substrate selectivity of a structurally conserved loop with a high degree of sequence variability in all classes of sortases. We investigate the contribution of this β7-β8 loop by designing and testing chimeric sortase enzymes. Our chimeras utilize natural sequence variation of class A sortases from eight species engineered into the SrtA sequence from Streptococcus pneumoniae. While some of these chimeric enzymes mimic the activity and selectivity of the WT protein from which the loop sequence was derived (e.g., that of saSrtA), others results in chimeric Streptococcus pneumoniae SrtA enzymes that are able to accommodate a range of residues in the final position of the substrate motif (LPXTX). Using mutagenesis, structural comparisons, and sequence analyses, we identify three interactions facilitated by β7-β8 loop residues that appear to be broadly conserved or converged upon in class A sortase enzymes. These studies provide the foundation for a deeper understanding of sortase target selectivity and can expand the sortase toolbox for future SML applications.
| S-EPMC8361268 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The ongoing development of drug resistance in HIV continues to push for the need of alternative drug targets in inhibiting HIV. One such target is the Reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme which is unique and critical in the viral life cycle-a rational target that is likely to have less off-target effects in humans. Serendipitously, we found two chemical scaffolds from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Diversity Set V that inhibited HIV-1 RT catalytic activity. Computational structural analyses and subsequent experimental testing demonstrated that one of the two chemical scaffolds binds to a novel location in the HIV-1 RT p51 subunit, interacting with residue Y183, which has no known association with previously reported drug resistance. This finding supports the possibility of a novel druggable site on p51 for a new class of non-nucleoside RT inhibitors that may inhibit HIV-1 RT allosterically. Although inhibitory activity was shown experimentally to only be in the micromolar range, the scaffolds serve as a proof-of-concept of targeting the HIV RT p51 subunit, with the possibility of medical chemistry methods being applied to improve inhibitory activity towards more effective drugs.
| S-EPMC7763519 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Recent crystallographic analysis of p66/p51 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 reverse transcriptase (RT) complexed with a non-polypurine tract RNA/DNA hybrid has illuminated novel and important contacts between structural elements at the C terminus of the noncatalytic p51 subunit and the nucleic acid duplex in the vicinity of the ribonuclease H (RNase H) active site. In particular, a short peptide spanning residues Phe-416-Pro-421 was shown to interact with the DNA strand, cross the minor groove of the helix, and then form Van der Waals contacts with the RNA strand adjacent to the scissile phosphate. At the base of the adjoining ?-helix M', Tyr-427 forms a hydrogen bond with Asn-348, the latter of which, when mutated to Ile, is implicated in resistance to both nucleoside and non-nucleoside RT inhibitors. Based on our structural data, we analyzed the role of the p51 C terminus by evaluating selectively mutated p66/p51 heterodimers carrying (i) p51 truncations that encroach on ?-M', (ii) alterations that interrupt the Asn-348-Tyr-427 interaction, and (iii) alanine substitutions throughout the region Phe-416-Pro-421. Collectively, our data support the notion that the p51 C terminus makes an important contribution toward hybrid binding and orienting the RNA strand for catalysis at the RNase H active site.
| S-EPMC3668773 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The vinylogous urea, NSC727447, was proposed to allosterically inhibit ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) by interacting with the thumb subdomain of its non-catalytic p51 subunit. Proximity of the p51 thumb to the p66 RNase H domain implied that inhibitor binding altered active site geometry, whereas protein footprinting suggested a contribution from ?-helix I residues Cys-280 and Lys-281. To more thoroughly characterize the vinylogous urea binding site, horizontal alanine scanning mutagenesis between p51 residues Lys-275 and Thr-286 (comprising ?-helix I and portions of the neighboring ?H/?I and ?I/?J connecting loops) was combined with a limited vertical scan of Cys-280. A contribution from Cys-280 was strengthened by our observation that all substitutions at this position rendered selectively mutated, reconstituted p66/p51 heterodimers ?45-fold less sensitive to inhibition. An ?19-fold reduced IC(50) for p51 mutant T286A coupled with a 2-8-fold increased IC(50) when intervening residues were substituted supports our original proposal of p51 ?-helix I as the vinylogous urea binding site. In contrast to these allosteric inhibitors, mutant enzymes retained equivalent sensitivity to the natural product ?-hydroxytropolone inhibitor manicol, which x-ray crystallography has demonstrated functions by chelating divalent metal at the p66 RNase H active site. Finally, reduced DNA strand-transfer activity together with increased vinylogous urea sensitivity of p66/p51 heterodimers containing short p51 C-terminal deletions suggests an additional role for the p51 C terminus in nucleic acid binding that is compromised by inhibitor binding.
| S-EPMC3281700 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC34610 | biostudies-literature
Project description:In the present study, two isothermal molecular assays viz. reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and reverse transcriptase recombinase amplification (RT-RPA) were developed to detect the cardamom vein clearing virus (CdVCV) infecting cardamom. Assays were optimized for parameters like duration, temperature and concentration of magnesium sulfate, and betaine in the case of RT-LAMP and magnesium acetate in the case of RT-RPA. Detection limits of both assays were determined and compared with conventional RT-PCR and SYBR Green-based real-time RT-PCR. RT-LAMP was found 10,000 times additional sensitive than RT-PCR and one-tenth that of real-time RT-PCR. RT-RPA was found 1000 times additional sensitive than RT-PCR and one-hundredth that of real-time RT-PCR. Both assays were specific, rapid, and sensitive for detecting CdVCV. Compared to real-time RT-PCR, these assays are economical and can be employed in large scale screening of cardamom plants against CdVCV for the selection of virus-free plants.
| S-EPMC7218033 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is the etiological agent of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a lethal disease of felids. The role of molecular methods is controversial for the diagnosis of FIP, while essential for the identification of the shedders. Thus, a fast and inexpensive method for the detection of FCoV could be beneficial, especially in multicat environments. A reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed. RNA extraction and RT-nPCR for FCoV were performed on thirty-two samples (11 faeces, 9 blood, 8 effusions, and 4 lymph nodes) collected from 27 cats. Six RT-LAMP primers were designed from the same conserved region of RT-nPCR, and the assay was run at 63°C for one hour. Results were evaluated through both agarose gel run and hydroxynapthol blue (HNB) dye and then compared with RT-nPCR results for the assessment of sensitivity and specificity. The overall specificity was 100%, but the sensitivity was 50% and 54.5% for agarose gel and HNB respectively. Therefore, RT-LAMP seems optimal to confirm the presence of the virus, but not applicable to exclude it.
| S-EPMC7113849 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a genetically heterogeneous encephalopathy whose pathology is linked to an abnormal type I interferon response induced by self-derived nucleic acids. Data indicate that endogenous retroelements represent one source of interferon-stimulatory self-nucleic acid. No effective therapies are available for this disorder. In this pilot study involving patients with AGS due to mutations in TREX1, RNASEH2A, RNASEH2B or SAMHD1 three nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) were administered over 12 months. Transcription profiling was done by RNA-seq.
2018-12-12 | E-MTAB-7087 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:ObjectivePulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized with pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling mediated by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO)/15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) according to our previous studies. Meanwhile, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activity is highly correlated with vascular injury and remodeling, suggesting that TERT may be an essential determinant in the development of PH. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution and molecular mechanisms of TERT in the pathogenesis of PH.Approach and resultsWe measured the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and ventricular weight, analyzed morphometric change of the pulmonary vessels in the hypoxia or monocrotaline treated rats. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, transwell assay and flow cytometry in pulmonary smooth muscle cells were performed to investigate the roles and relationship of TERT and 15-LO/15-HETE in PH. We revealed that the expression of TERT was increased in pulmonary vasculature of patients with PH and in the monocrotaline or hypoxia rat model of PH. The up-regulation of TERT was associated with experimental elevated RVSP and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments identified TERT as a novel interacting partner of 15-LO-2. TERT and 15-LO-2 augmented protein expression of each other. In addition, the proliferation, migration and cell-cycle transition from G0/G1 phase to S phase induced by hypoxia were inhibited by TERT knockdown, which were rescued by 15-HETE addition.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that TERT regulates pulmonary vascular remodeling. TERT and 15-LO-2 form a positive feedback loop and together promote proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, creating a self-amplifying circuit which propels pulmonary hypertension.
| S-EPMC3871619 | biostudies-literature