Generation of a protective murine monoclonal antibody against the stem of influenza hemagglutinins from group 1 viruses and identification of resistance mutations against it.

Vaccines that elicit broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies, including antibodies that target the conserved stem of hemagglutinin (HA), are being developed as a strategy for next-generation influenza vaccines that protect against influenza across multiple years. However, efficient induction of cross-neutralizing antibodies remains a challenge, and potential escape mutations have not been well characterized. Here we elicited cross-neutralizing antibodies by immunizing animals with the hemagglutinins from H5 and H9 subtype influenza A viruses that are sensitive to neutralization by stem antibodies. We further isolated and characterized an HA stem monoclonal antibody 4C2 that broadly neutralizes group 1 influenza viruses and identified HA mutations that reduced sensitivity to stem antibodies. Our results offer insights for next-generation influenza vaccine strategies for inducing cross-neutralizing antibodies.

Mutations That Increase the Stability of the Postfusion gp41 Conformation of the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Are Selected by both an X4 and R5 HIV-1 Virus To Escape Fusion Inhibitors Corresponding to Heptad Repeat 1 of gp41, but the gp120 Adaptive Mutations Differ between the Two Viruses.

Binding of the gp120 surface subunit of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) of HIV-1 to CD4 and chemokine receptors on target cells triggers refolding of the gp41 transmembrane subunit into a six-helix bundle (6HB) that promotes fusion between virus and host cell membranes. To elucidate details of Env entry and potential differences between viruses that use CXCR4 (X4) or CCR5 (R5) coreceptors, we generated viruses that are resistant to peptide fusion inhibitors corresponding to the first heptad repeat region (HR1) of gp41 that target fusion-intermediate conformations of Env. Previously we reported that an R5 virus selected two resistance pathways, each defined by an early gp41 resistance mutation in either HR1 or the second heptad repeat (HR2), to escape inhibition by an HR1 peptide, but preferentially selected the HR1 pathway to escape inhibition by a trimer-stabilized HR1 peptide. Here, we report that an X4 virus selected the same HR1 and HR2 resistance pathways as the R5 virus to escape inhibition by the HR1 peptide. However, in contrast to the R5 virus, the X4 virus selected a unique mutation in HR2 to escape inhibition by the trimer-stabilized peptide. Significantly, both of these X4 and R5 viruses acquired gp41 resistance mutations that improved the thermostability of the six-helix bundle, but they selected different gp120 adaptive mutations. These findings show that these X4 and R5 viruses use a similar resistance mechanism to escape from HR1 peptide inhibition but different gp120-gp41 interactions to regulate Env conformational changes.IMPORTANCE HIV-1 fuses with cells when the gp41 subunit of Env refolds into a 6HB after binding to cellular receptors. Peptides corresponding to HR1 or HR2 interrupt gp41 refolding and inhibit HIV infection. Previously, we found that a CCR5 coreceptor-tropic HIV-1 acquired a key HR1 or HR2 resistance mutation to escape HR1 peptide inhibitors but only the key HR1 mutation to escape a trimer-stabilized HR1 peptide inhibitor. Here, we report that a CXCR4 coreceptor-tropic HIV-1 selected the same key HR1 or HR2 mutations to escape inhibition by the HR1 peptide but different combinations of HR1 and HR2 mutations to escape the trimer-stabilized HR1 peptide. All gp41 mutations enhance 6HB stability to outcompete inhibitors, but gp120 adaptive mutations differed between these R5 and X4 viruses, providing new insights into gp120-gp41 functional interactions affecting Env refolding during HIV entry.

HIV-1 gp41 Residues Modulate CD4-Induced Conformational Changes in the Envelope Glycoprotein and Evolution of a Relaxed Conformation of gp120.

Entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) into host cells is mediated by conformational changes in the envelope glycoprotein (Env) that are triggered by Env binding to cellular CD4 and chemokine receptors. These conformational changes involve the opening of the gp120 surface subunit, exposure of the fusion peptide in the gp41 transmembrane subunit, and refolding of the gp41 N- and C-terminal heptad repeat regions (HR1 and HR2) first into an extended prehairpin intermediate and then into a compact 6-helix bundle (6HB) that facilitates fusion between viral and host cell membranes. Previously, we reported that Envs resistant to HR1 peptide fusion inhibitors acquired key resistance mutations in either HR1 or HR2 that increased 6HB stability. Here, we identify residues in HR1 that contribute not only to fusion inhibitor resistance and 6HB stability but also to reduced reactivity to CD4-induced conformational changes that lead to 6HB formation. While all Envs show increased neutralization sensitivity to mimetic CD4 (mCD4), Envs with either the E560K or Q577R HR1 mutation reduced conformational reactivity to CD4 that resisted viral inactivation and triggering to the 6HB. Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), we further determined that Envs from both HR1 and HR2 resistance pathways exhibit a relaxed trimer conformation due to gp120 adaptive mutations in different regions of Env that segregate by resistance pathway. These findings highlight regions of cross talk between gp120 and gp41 and identify HR1 residues that play important roles in regulating CD4-induced conformational changes in Env.IMPORTANCE Binding of the HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) to cellular CD4 and chemokine receptors triggers conformational changes in Env that mediate virus entry, but premature triggering of Env conformational changes leads to virus inactivation. Currently, we have a limited understanding of the network of residues that regulate Env conformational changes. Here, we identify residues in HR1 of gp41 that modulate conformational changes in response to gp120 binding to CD4 and show that the mutations in HR1 and HR2 that confer resistance to fusion inhibitors are associated with gp120 mutations in different regions of Env that confer a more open conformation. These findings contribute to our understanding of the regulation of Env conformational changes and efforts to design new entry inhibitors and stable Env vaccine immunogens.

Conformational Stability of the Hemagglutinin of H5N1 Influenza A Viruses Influences Susceptibility to Broadly Neutralizing Stem Antibodies.

Vaccines that elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies to the conserved stem of hemagglutinin (HA) are being developed as universal influenza vaccines that protect against influenza across multiple years. However, different influenza virus strains, even those in the same subtype with identical stem sequences, can vary in susceptibility to broadly neutralizing stem antibodies, and the reasons are not understood. Here we studied potential mechanisms underlying the differing sensitivities of a panel of H5N1 HA pseudoviruses to broadly neutralizing stem antibodies. We found that greater HA conformational stability, as measured by thermal inactivation and pH triggering of conformational changes, correlates with reduced neutralization sensitivity and antibody binding to HA under neutral- and low-pH conditions. Our data indicate that the conformational stability of HA is an important attribute of susceptibility to broadly neutralizing stem antibodies and is influenced by residues outside the stem antibody epitopes.IMPORTANCE The influenza virus surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) mediates virus attachment and membrane fusion between virus and host cells, allowing the viral core to enter the host cell cytoplasm for replication. Fusion occurs when HA undergoes low-pH-induced-conformational changes during endocytosis. Broadly neutralizing antibodies targeted to the conserved stem region of HA interfere with conformational changes required for fusion. Vaccines that elicit such antibodies are being developed as novel universal influenza vaccines for multiyear protection. We investigated why H5N1 HAs from different strains differ in their sensitivity to broadly neutralizing stem antibodies despite having conserved epitopes. We report that HA conformational stability due to residues outside the antibody binding site accounted for much of the variation in susceptibility to neutralization by stem antibodies. These findings highlight the importance of nonepitope residues in influencing neutralization sensitivity to stem antibodies and the complexities in developing universal vaccines targeting conserved epitopes in the HA stem.

Identification of an HIV-1 Mutation in Spacer Peptide 1 That Stabilizes the Immature CA-SP1 Lattice.

UNLABELLED: Upon release of HIV-1 particles from the infected cell, the viral protease cleaves the Gag polyprotein at specific sites, triggering maturation. During this process, which is essential for infectivity, the capsid protein (CA) reassembles into a conical core. Maturation inhibitors (MIs) block HIV-1 maturation by interfering with protease-mediated CA-spacer peptide 1 (CA-SP1) processing, concomitantly stabilizing the immature CA-SP1 lattice; virions from MI-treated cells retain an immature-like CA-SP1 lattice, whereas mutational abolition of cleavage at the CA-SP1 site results in virions in which the CA-SP1 lattice converts to a mature-like form. We previously reported that propagation of HIV-1 in the presence of MI PF-46396 selected for assembly-defective, compound-dependent mutants with amino acid substitutions in the major homology region (MHR) of CA. Propagation of these mutants in the absence of PF-46396 resulted in the acquisition of second-site compensatory mutations. These included a Thr-to-Ile substitution at SP1 residue 8 (T8I), which results in impaired CA-SP1 processing. Thus, the T8I mutation phenocopies PF-46396 treatment in terms of its ability to rescue the replication defect imposed by the MHR mutations and to impede CA-SP1 processing. Here, we use cryo-electron tomography to show that, like MIs, the T8I mutation stabilizes the immature-like CA-SP1 lattice. These results have important implications for the mechanism of action of HIV-1 MIs; they also suggest that T8I may provide a valuable tool for structural definition of the CA-SP1 boundary region, which has thus far been refractory to high-resolution analysis, apparently because of conformational flexibility in this region of Gag. IMPORTANCE: HIV-1 maturation involves dissection of the Gag polyprotein by the viral protease and assembly of a conical capsid enclosing the viral ribonucleoprotein. Maturation inhibitors (MIs) prevent the final cleavage step at the site between the capsid protein (CA) and spacer peptide 1 (SP1), apparently by binding at this site and denying the protease access. Additionally, MIs stabilize the immature-like CA-SP1 lattice, preventing release of CA into the soluble pool. We previously found that T8I, a mutation in SP1, rescues a PF-46396-dependent CA mutant and blocks CA-SP1 cleavage. In this study, we imaged T8I virions by cryo-electron tomography and showed that T8I mutants, like MI-treated virions, contain an immature CA-SP1 lattice. These results lay the groundwork needed to understand the structure of the CA-SP1 interface region and further illuminate the mechanism of action of MIs.

A two-pronged structural analysis of retroviral maturation indicates that core formation proceeds by a disassembly-reassembly pathway rather than a displacive transition.

Retrovirus maturation involves sequential cleavages of the Gag polyprotein, initially arrayed in a spherical shell, leading to formation of capsids with polyhedral or conical morphology. Evidence suggests that capsids assemble de novo inside maturing virions from dissociated capsid (CA) protein, but the possibility persists of a displacive pathway in which the CA shell remains assembled but is remodeled. Inhibition of the final cleavage between CA and spacer peptide SP1/SP blocks the production of mature capsids. We investigated whether retention of SP might render CA assembly incompetent by testing the ability of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) CA-SP to assemble in vitro into icosahedral capsids. Capsids were indeed assembled and were indistinguishable from those formed by CA alone, indicating that SP was disordered. We also used cryo-electron tomography to characterize HIV-1 particles produced in the presence of maturation inhibitor PF-46396 or with the cleavage-blocking CA5 mutation. Inhibitor-treated virions have a shell that resembles the CA layer of the immature Gag shell but is less complete. Some CA protein is generated but usually not enough for a mature core to assemble. We propose that inhibitors like PF-46396 bind to the Gag lattice where they deny the protease access to the CA-SP1 cleavage site and prevent the release of CA. CA5 particles, which exhibit no cleavage at the CA-SP1 site, have spheroidal shells with relatively thin walls. It appears that this lattice progresses displacively toward a mature-like state but produces neither conical cores nor infectious virions. These observations support the disassembly-reassembly pathway for core formation.

Structural engineering of a phage lysin that targets gram-negative pathogens.

Bacterial pathogens are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. As an alternative therapeutic strategy, phage therapy reagents containing purified viral lysins have been developed against gram-positive organisms but not against gram-negative organisms due to the inability of these types of drugs to cross the bacterial outer membrane. We solved the crystal structures of a Yersinia pestis outer membrane transporter called FyuA and a bacterial toxin called pesticin that targets this transporter. FyuA is a ß-barrel membrane protein belonging to the family of TonB dependent transporters, whereas pesticin is a soluble protein with two domains, one that binds to FyuA and another that is structurally similar to phage T4 lysozyme. The structure of pesticin allowed us to design a phage therapy reagent comprised of the FyuA binding domain of pesticin fused to the N-terminus of T4 lysozyme. This hybrid toxin kills specific Yersinia and pathogenic E. coli strains and, importantly, can evade the pesticin immunity protein (Pim) giving it a distinct advantage over pesticin. Furthermore, because FyuA is required for virulence and is more common in pathogenic bacteria, the hybrid toxin also has the advantage of targeting primarily disease-causing bacteria rather than indiscriminately eliminating natural gut flora.

In Sup35p filaments (the [PSI+] prion), the globular C-terminal domains are widely offset from the amyloid fibril backbone.

In yeast cells infected with the [PSI+] prion, Sup35p forms aggregates and its activity in translation termination is downregulated. Transfection experiments have shown that Sup35p filaments assembled in vitro are infectious, suggesting that they reproduce or closely resemble the prion. We have used several EM techniques to study the molecular architecture of filaments, seeking clues as to the mechanism of downregulation. Sup35p has an N-terminal 'prion' domain; a highly charged middle (M-)domain; and a C-terminal domain with the translation termination activity. By negative staining, cryo-EM and scanning transmission EM (STEM), filaments of full-length Sup35p show a thin backbone fibril surrounded by a diffuse 65-nm-wide cloud of globular C-domains. In diameter (∼8 nm) and appearance, the backbones resemble amyloid fibrils of N-domains alone. STEM mass-per-unit-length data yield ∼1 subunit per 0.47 nm for N-fibrils, NM-filaments and Sup35p filaments, further supporting the fibril backbone model. The 30 nm radial span of decorating C-domains indicates that the M-domains assume highly extended conformations, offering an explanation for the residual Sup35p activity in infected cells, whereby the C-domains remain free enough to interact with ribosomes.

HIV-1 maturation inhibitor bevirimat stabilizes the immature Gag lattice.

Maturation of nascent virions, a key step in retroviral replication, involves cleavage of the Gag polyprotein by the viral protease into its matrix (MA), capsid (CA), and nucleocapsid (NC) components and their subsequent reorganization. Bevirimat (BVM) defines a new class of antiviral drugs termed maturation inhibitors. BVM acts by blocking the final cleavage event in Gag processing, the separation of CA from its C-terminal spacer peptide 1 (SP1). Prior evidence suggests that BVM binds to Gag assembled in immature virions, preventing the protease from accessing the CA-SP1 cleavage site. To investigate this hypothesis, we used cryo-electron tomography to examine the structures of (noninfectious) HIV-1 viral particles isolated from BVM-treated cells. We find that these particles contain an incomplete shell of density underlying the viral envelope, with a hexagonal honeycomb structure similar to the Gag lattice of immature HIV but lacking the innermost, NC-related, layer. We conclude that the shell represents a remnant of the immature Gag lattice that has been processed, except at the CA-SP1 sites, but has remained largely intact. We also compared BVM-treated particles with virions formed by the mutant CA5, in which cleavage between CA and SP1 is also blocked. Here, we find a thinner CA-related shell with no visible evidence of honeycomb organization, indicative of an altered conformation and further suggesting that binding of BVM stabilizes the immature lattice. In both cases, the observed failure to assemble mature capsids correlates with the loss of infectivity.

The antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 negatively regulates autophagy and growth arrest induced by the anticancer redox agent mitoquinone.

Mitoquinone (MitoQ) is a synthetically modified, redox-active ubiquinone compound that accumulates predominantly in mitochondria. We found that MitoQ is 30-fold more cytotoxic to breast cancer cells than to healthy mammary cells. MitoQ treatment led to irreversible inhibition of clonogenic growth of breast cancer cells through a combination of autophagy and apoptotic cell death mechanisms. Relatively limited cytotoxicity was seen with the parent ubiquinone coenzyme Q(10.) Inhibition of cancer cell growth by MitoQ was associated with G(1)/S cell cycle arrest and phosphorylation of the checkpoint kinases Chk1 and Chk2. The possible role of oxidative stress in MitoQ activity was investigated by measuring the products of hydroethidine oxidation. Increases in ethidium and dihydroethidium levels, markers of one-electron oxidation of hydroethidine, were observed at cytotoxic concentrations of MitoQ. Keap1, an oxidative stress sensor protein that regulates the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2, underwent oxidation, degradation, and dissociation from Nrf2 in MitoQ-treated cells. Nrf2 protein levels, nuclear localization, and transcriptional activity also increased following MitoQ treatment. Knockdown of Nrf2 caused a 2-fold increase in autophagy and an increase in G(1) cell cycle arrest in response to MitoQ but had no apparent effect on apoptosis. The Nrf2-regulated enzyme NQO1 is partly responsible for controlling the level of autophagy. Keap1 and Nrf2 act as redox sensors for oxidative perturbations that lead to autophagy. MitoQ and similar compounds should be further evaluated for novel anticancer activity.

Mutations in the spacer peptide and adjoining sequences in Rous sarcoma virus Gag lead to tubular budding.

All orthoretroviruses encode a single structural protein, Gag, which is necessary and sufficient for the assembly and budding of enveloped virus-like particles from the cell. The Gag proteins of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) contain a short spacer peptide (SP or SP1, respectively) separating the capsid (CA) and nucleocapsid (NC) domains. SP or SP1 and the residues immediately upstream are known to be critical for proper assembly. Using mutagenesis and electron microscopy analysis of insect cells or chicken cells overexpressing RSV Gag, we defined the SP assembly domain to include the last 8 residues of CA, all 12 residues of SP, and the first 4 residues of NC. Five- or two-amino acid glycine-rich insertions or substitutions in this critical region uniformly resulted in the budding of abnormal, long tubular particles. The equivalent SP1-containing HIV-1 Gag sequence was unable to functionally replace the RSV sequence in supporting normal RSV spherical assembly. According to secondary structure predictions, RSV and HIV-1 SP/SP1 and adjoining residues may form an alpha helix, and what is likely the functionally equivalent sequence in murine leukemia virus Gag has been inferred by mutational analysis to form an amphipathic alpha helix. However, our alanine insertion mutagenesis did not provide evidence for an amphipathic helix in RSV Gag. Taken together, these results define a short assembly domain between the folded portions of CA and NC, which is essential for formation of the immature Gag shell.