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Mutational analysis of Lys65 of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

ABSTRACT: Amino acid Lys(65) is part of the highly flexible beta3-beta4 loop in the fingers domain of the 66 kDa subunit of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT). Recent crystal data show that the epsilon-amino group of Lys(65) interacts with the gamma-phosphate of the bound deoxynucleoside triphosphate ('dNTP') substrate [Huang, Chopra, Verdine and Harrison (1998) Science 282, 1669-1675]. In order to biochemically define the function of RT Lys(65), we have used site-specific mutagenesis to generate RT with a variety of substitutions at this position, including K65E, K65Q, K65A and K65R. Kinetic analyses demonstrate that if Lys(65) in RT is substituted with an amino acid other than arginine the enzyme exhibits dramatic decreases in the binding affinity (K(m)) for all dNTP substrates, in RT catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) and in the mutant enzyme's ability to carry out pyrophosphorolysis, the reverse reaction of DNA synthesis. The pH optimum for the DNA polymerase activity of K65E RT was 6.5, compared to 7.5 for the wild-type enzyme, and 8.0 for the K65R, K65A and K65Q mutants. Molecular modelling studies show that mutations of Lys(65) do not affect the geometry of the loop's alpha-carbon backbone, but rather lead to changes in positioning of the side chains of residues Lys(70) and Arg(72). In particular, Glu in K65E can form a salt bridge with Arg(72), leading to the diminution of the latter residue's interaction with the alpha-phosphate of the dNTP residue. This alteration in dNTP-binding may explain the large pH-dependent changes in both dNTP-binding and catalytic efficiency noted with the enzyme. Furthermore, the K65A, K65Q and K65E mutant enzymes are 100-fold less sensitive to all dideoxynucleoside triphosphate ('ddNTP') inhibitors, whereas the K65R mutation results in a selective 10-fold decrease in binding of ddCTP and ddATP only. This implies that mutations at position 65 in HIV-1 RT influence the nucleotide-binding specificity of the enzyme.

SUBMITTER: Sluis-Cremer N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1221038 | biostudies-other | 2000 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:BackgroundN348I in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) confers resistance to zidovudine (AZT) and nevirapine. Biochemical studies demonstrated that N348I indirectly increases AZT resistance by decreasing the frequency of secondary ribonuclease H (RNase H) cleavages that reduce the RNA/DNA duplex length of the template/primer (T/P) and diminish the efficiency of AZT-monophosphate (MP) excision. By contrast, there is some discrepancy in the literature in regard to the mechanisms associated with nevirapine resistance: one study suggested that it is due to decreased inhibitor binding while others suggest that it may be related to the decreased RNase H cleavage phenotype. From a structural perspective, N348 in both subunits of RT resides distal to the enzyme's active sites, to the T/P binding tract and to the nevirapine-binding pocket. As such, the structural mechanisms associated with the resistance phenotypes are not known.ResultsUsing a novel modelled structure of RT in complex with an RNA/DNA T/P, we identified a putative interaction between the β14-β15 loop in the p51 subunit of RT and the RNA template. Substitution of the asparagine at codon 348 in the p51 subunit with either isoleucine or leucine abrogated the observed protein-RNA interaction, thus, providing a possible explanation for the decreased RNase H phenotype. By contrast, alanine or glutamine substitutions exerted no effect. To validate this model, we introduced the N348I, N348L, N348A and N348Q mutations into RT and purified enzymes that contained subunit-specific mutations. N348I and N348L significantly decreased the frequency of secondary RNase H cleavages and increased the enzyme's ability to excise AZT-MP. As predicted by the modelling, this phenotype was due to the mutation in the p51 subunit of RT. By contrast, the N348A and N348Q RTs exhibited RNase H cleavage profiles and AZT-MP excision activities similar to the wild-type enzyme. All N348 mutant RTs exhibited decreased nevirapine susceptibility, although the N348I and N348L mutations conferred higher fold resistance values compared to N348A and N348Q. Nevirapine resistance was also largely due to the mutation present in the p51 subunit of RT.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that N348I-mediated AZT and nevirapine resistance is due to the mutation in the p51 subunit of RT.

Project description:ObjectivesAntiretroviral therapy (ART) efficacy is jeopardized by the emergence of drug resistance mutations in HIV, compromising treatment effectiveness. This study aims to propose novel analogs of Effavirenz (EFV) as potential direct inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase, employing computer-aided drug design methodologies.MethodsThree key approaches were applied: a mutational profile study, molecular dynamics simulations, and pharmacophore development. The impact of mutations on the stability, flexibility, function, and affinity of target proteins, especially those associated with NRTI, was assessed. Molecular dynamics analysis identified G190E as a mutation significantly altering protein properties, potentially leading to therapeutic failure. Comparative analysis revealed that among six first-line antiretroviral drugs, EFV exhibited notably low affinity with viral reverse transcriptase, further reduced by the G190E mutation. Subsequently, a search for EFV-similar inhibitors yielded 12 promising molecules based on their affinity, forming the basis for generating a pharmacophore model.ResultsMutational analysis pinpointed G190E as a crucial mutation impacting protein properties, potentially undermining therapeutic efficacy. EFV demonstrated diminished affinity with viral reverse transcriptase, exacerbated by the G190E mutation. The search for EFV analogs identified 12 high-affinity molecules, culminating in a pharmacophore model elucidating key structural features crucial for potent inhibition.ConclusionThis study underscores the significance of EFV analogs as potential inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase. The findings highlight the impact of mutations on drug efficacy, particularly the detrimental effect of G190E. The generated pharmacophore model serves as a pivotal reference for future drug development efforts targeting HIV, providing essential structural insights for the design of potent inhibitors based on EFV analogs identified in vitro.

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Mutational analysis of Lys65 of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

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