Structure of complex of synthetic HIV-1 protease with a substrate-based inhibitor at 2.3 A resolution

The structure of a complex between a peptide inhibitor with the sequence N-acetyl-Thr-Ile-Nle-psi[CH2-NH]-Nle-Gln-Arg.amide (Nle, norleucine) with chemically synthesized HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus 1) protease was determined at 2.3 A resolution (R factor of 0.176). Despite the symmetric nature of the unliganded enzyme, the asymmetric inhibitor lies in a single orientation and makes extensive interactions at the interface between the two subunits of the homodimeric protein. Compared with the unliganded enzyme, the protein molecule underwent substantial changes, particularly in an extended region corresponding to the "flaps" (residues 35 to 57 in each chain), where backbone movements as large as 7 A are observed.     

Design, activity, and 2.8 A crystal structure of a C2 symmetric inhibitor complexed to HIV-1 protease

A two-fold (C2) symmetric inhibitor of the protease of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) has been designed on the basis of the three-dimensional symmetry of the enzyme active site. The symmetric molecule inhibited both protease activity and acute HIV-1 infection in vitro, was at least 10,000-fold more potent against HIV-1 protease than against related enzymes, and appeared to be stable to degradative enzymes. The 2.8 angstrom crystal structure of the inhibitor-enzyme complex demonstrated that the inhibitor binds to the enzyme in a highly symmetric fashion.     

Conserved folding in retroviral proteases: crystal structure of a synthetic HIV-1 protease

The rational design of drugs that can inhibit the action of viral proteases depends on obtaining accurate structures of these enzymes. The crystal structure of chemically synthesized HIV-1 protease has been determined at 2.8 angstrom resolution (R factor of 0.184) with the use of a model based on the Rous sarcoma virus protease structure. In this enzymatically active protein, the cysteines were replaced by alpha-amino-n-butyric acid, a nongenetically coded amino acid. This structure, in which all 99 amino acids were located, differs in several important details from that reported previously by others. The interface between the identical subunits forming the active protease dimer is composed of four well-ordered beta strands from both the amino and carboxyl termini and residues 86 to 94 have a helical conformation. The observed arrangement of the dimer interface suggests possible designs for dimerization inhibitors.     

Long-term high-titer neutralizing activity induced by octameric synthetic HIV-1 antigen

A titer for homologous viral neutralization activity (greater than 1:19,683) was observed after a 3.5-year immunization period with an octameric, branching peptide representing the principal neutralizing determinant (PND) of the human immunodeficiency virus-1IIIB envelope protein. Booster immunizations elicited persistent and potent antibodies in guinea pigs, exceeding responses produced by a conventional bovine serum albumin conjugate by 100-fold. Peptide length, central presentation of a conserved sequence, and inclusion of an upstream sequence contributed to immunogenicity. Titers (greater than 1:1,000) of heterotypic neutralizing antibodies also developed. Octameric PND peptides are a promising approach for an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) vaccine.     

Virus-specific splicing inhibitor in extracts from cells infected with HIV-1

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), in contrast with most other retroviruses, encodes trans-regulatory proteins for virus gene expression. It is shown in this study, by means of an in vitro splicing system, that nuclear extracts obtained from cells infected with HIV-1 contain a factor (or factors) that specifically inhibits splicing of a synthetic SP6/HIV pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA)-containing donor and acceptor splice sites in the coding region for the envelope protein. It is also shown that the SP6/HIV pre-mRNA is not capable of assembly in a ribonucleoprotein complex, spliceosome, in extracts from infected cells. These findings raise the possibility that specific inhibition of pre-mRNA splicing in the envelope protein coding region by HIV-1 trans-regulatory factors might be one control mechanism for efficient production of structural viral proteins and virion assembly.     

Protein design of an HIV-1 entry inhibitor

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) membrane fusion is promoted by the formation of a trimer-of-hairpins structure that brings the amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions of the gp41 envelope glycoprotein ectodomain into close proximity. Peptides derived from the carboxyl-terminal region (called C-peptides) potently inhibit HIV-1 entry by binding to the gp41 amino-terminal region. To test the converse of this inhibitory strategy, we designed a small protein, denoted 5-Helix, that binds the C-peptide region of gp41. The 5-Helix protein displays potent (nanomolar) inhibitory activity against diverse HIV-1 variants and may serve as the basis for a new class of antiviral agents. The inhibitory activity of 5-Helix also suggests a strategy for generating an HIV-1 neutralizing antibody response that targets the carboxyl-terminal region of the gp41 ectodomain.     

Molecular modeling of the HIV-1 protease and its substrate binding site

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) encodes a protease that is essential for viral replication and is a member of the aspartic protease family. The recently determined three-dimensional structure of the related protease from Rous sarcoma virus has been used to model the smaller HIV-1 dimer. The active site has been analyzed by comparison to the structure of the aspartic protease, rhizopuspepsin, complexed with a peptide inhibitor. The HIV-1 protease is predicted to interact with seven residues of the protein substrate. This information can be used to design protease inhibitors and possible antiviral drugs.     

Broad-spectrum antiviral activity of Virazole: 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide

Virazole is a synthetic nucleoside active in tissue culture against at least 16 DNA and RNA viruses. Applied topically, it inhibits herpetic keratitis in rabbits and tail lesions induced by herpes, vaccinia, and vesicular stomatitis viruses in mice. Injected intraperitoneally into mice, it inhibits splenomegaly and hepatomegaly induced by Friend leukemia virus and respiratory infections caused by influenza A(O), A(2), and B viruses and parainfluenza 1 virus. infections is also effective.     

香蕉BBI 型蛋白酶抑制剂（MaBBI1）的诱导、变性和复性

BBI(Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor)是一种富含半胱氨酸的植物蛋白酶抑制剂,其抑制的蛋白酶主要包括胰蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶和弹性蛋白酶等丝氨酸蛋白酶。以从香蕉(Musa acuminata L.cv.Brazilian)根中提取的总RNA逆转录成的c DNA为模板,根据NCBI公布的野生型马来西亚蕉(Musa acuminata subsp.Malaccensis)BBI基因(收录号:XM_009415512)的序列设计引物,克隆了1个BBI型蛋白酶抑制剂基因(MaBBI1)。MaBBI1基因大小为381 bp,编码126个氨基酸,包括12个半胱氨酸(9.5%),将该基因构建到载体p GEX-6P-1上转化大肠杆菌Rossetta菌株进行重组蛋白GST-MaBBI1的诱导表达。在IPTG诱导3 h后,一个预测分子量为40.8953 ku的GST-MaBBI1融合蛋白被大量表达。IPTG诱导后的GST-MaBBI1融合蛋白是不溶的并累积成包涵体,通过对包涵体进行变性和复性的方法得到可溶的GST-MaBBI1融合蛋白,为进一步在体外研究该蛋白的功能奠定基础。     

Fluorometric detection of enzyme activity with synthetic supramolecular pores

The reversible blockage of synthetic pores formed by rigid-rod beta barrels, either by substrates or products, was used to sense a variety of enzymatic reactions in high-throughput format with "naked-eye" fluorescent detection. Improvement of sensor sensitivity beyond three orders of magnitude by straightforward internal mutations underscores the functional plasticity of rigid-rod beta barrels. Such detectors of enzyme activity with the aforementioned characteristics are needed in areas as diverse as proteomics and environmentally benign organic synthesis.     

Structure of the protease domain of memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) complexed with inhibitor

Memapsin 2 (beta-secretase) is a membrane-associated aspartic protease involved in the production of beta-amyloid peptide in Alzheimer's disease and is a major target for drug design. We determined the crystal structure of the protease domain of human memapsin 2 complexed to an eight-residue inhibitor at 1.9 angstrom resolution. The active site of memapsin 2 is more open and less hydrophobic than that of other human aspartic proteases. The subsite locations from S4 to S2' are well defined. A kink of the inhibitor chain at P2' and the change of chain direction of P3' and P4' may be mimicked to provide inhibitor selectivity.     

犬α1干扰素在毕赤酵母中的分泌表达及其抗病毒活性研究

亚克隆犬α1干扰素(CaIFN-α1)成熟蛋白编码基因并克隆到表达载体pPICZα-A,构建转移重组载体pPICZα-A-CaIFN-α。pPICZα-A-CaIFN-α经SacⅠ酶切线性化后电转化导入毕赤酵母菌株X-33。转化子经PCR分析鉴定后利用甘油增菌和甲醇诱导,实现了CaIFN-α1在毕赤酵母系统中的分泌表达。SDS-PAGE检测结果表明表达产物相对分子质量约为2.7×104,比其推导结果(约1.9×104)大,推测可能是发生了糖基化。酵母分泌表达的CaIFN-α1具有较高的抗病毒活性,约为1.45×106U·mL-1,蛋白含量约为96mg·L-1,比活性为1.49×107U·mg-1。重组CaIFN-α1的生物学活性具有较强的种属特异性,在犬肾细胞(MDCK)上具有很高的抗病毒活性,在鸡胚成纤维细胞上活性较低,而在猫肾细胞(F81)和牛肾细胞(MDBK)上几乎没有抗病毒活性。进一步研究发现,重组犬α1干扰素对犬瘟热病毒和伪狂犬病毒在犬肾细胞中的增殖具有显著抑制作用。     

A quantitative bioassay for HIV-1 based on trans-activation

A bioassay that is based on trans-activation has been developed for the detection and quantitation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Indicator cell lines were constructed that contain the HIV-1 long terminal repeat ligated to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Infection of these cells by HIV activates the expression of CAT protein. Isolates of HIV-1 with divergent nucleotide sequences activated the indicator cell lines to a similar extent, approximately 500- to 1000-fold. Human T cell lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2, equine infectious anemia virus, and herpes simplex virus 1 did not activate the indicator cell lines. Isolates of simian immunodeficiency virus and human T cell lymphotropic virus type 4 activated these cells to a much lesser extent, which suggests that these viruses contain similar, but distinct, trans-activators. This assay can be used for the detection, quantitation, and typing of HIV and for studying the effect of drugs on the replication of HIV in different cellular backgrounds.     

An inhibitor of FtsZ with potent and selective anti-staphylococcal activity

FtsZ is an essential bacterial guanosine triphosphatase and homolog of mammalian beta-tubulin that polymerizes and assembles into a ring to initiate cell division. We have created a class of small synthetic antibacterials, exemplified by PC190723, which inhibits FtsZ and prevents cell division. PC190723 has potent and selective in vitro bactericidal activity against staphylococci, including methicillin- and multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The putative inhibitor-binding site of PC190723 was mapped to a region of FtsZ that is analogous to the Taxol-binding site of tubulin. PC190723 was efficacious in an in vivo model of infection, curing mice infected with a lethal dose of S. aureus. The data validate FtsZ as a target for antibacterial intervention and identify PC190723 as suitable for optimization into a new anti-staphylococcal therapy.     

Contribution of human alpha-defensin 1, 2, and 3 to the anti-HIV-1 activity of CD8 antiviral factor

It has been known since 1986 that CD8 T lymphocytes from certain HIV-1-infected individuals who are immunologically stable secrete a soluble factor, termed CAF, that suppresses HIV-1 replication. However, the identity of CAF remained elusive despite an extensive search. By means of a protein-chip technology, we identified a cluster of proteins that were secreted when CD8 T cells from long-term nonprogressors with HIV-1 infection were stimulated. These proteins were identified as alpha-defensin 1, 2, and 3 on the basis of specific antibody recognition and amino acid sequencing. CAF activity was eliminated or neutralized by an antibody specific for human alpha-defensins. Synthetic and purified preparations of alpha-defensins also inhibited the replication of HIV-1 isolates in vitro. Taken together, our results indicate that alpha-defensin 1, 2, and 3 collectively account for much of the anti-HIV-1 activity of CAF that is not attributable to beta-chemokines.     

Secretion of neurotoxins by mononuclear phagocytes infected with HIV-1

Mononuclear phagocytes (microglia, macrophages, and macrophage-like giant cells) are the principal cellular targets for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) in the central nervous system (CNS). Since HIV-1 does not directly infect neurons, the causes for CNS dysfunction in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remain uncertain. HIV-1-infected human monocytoid cells, but not infected human lymphoid cells, released toxic agents that destroy chick and rat neurons in culture. These neurotoxins were small, heat-stable, protease-resistant molecules that act by way of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Macrophages and microglia infected with HIV-1 may produce neurologic disease through chronic secretion of neurotoxic factors.     

Preventing AIDS but not HIV-1 infection with a DNA vaccine

Although there has been some success in treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients with triple drug therapy (highly active antiretroviral therapy or HAART), the best hope for combating AIDS (the disease caused by HIV) could be a combination of drug therapy and vaccination, according to Shen and Siliciano in their Perspective. A new study in rhesus monkeys treated with a DNA vaccine (Barouch et al.) demonstrates that a powerful vaccine-induced CD8(+) cytolytic T cell response reduces the amount of virus in the blood to very low levels preventing the drastic decrease in CD4(+) T helper cells and subsequent immunodeficiency. As the Perspective authors explain, vaccinating HIV patients that are receiving HAART may enable HIV levels to be permanently brought under control such that the drug treatment can eventually be stopped.     

Biologic features of HIV-1 that correlate with virulence in the host

Individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) may be asymptomatic or have AIDS-related complex or the acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Little is known about the factors that influence progression of infection to AIDS. In this study of isolates of HIV-1 obtained at intervals during the infection of four individuals, the development of disease was found to be correlated with the emergence of HIV-1 variants that were more cytopathic in vitro as the disease progressed and that replicated more efficiently in a wide variety of different human cells. The biologic properties of HIV-1 in vitro thus appear to reflect its virulence in the host. Further studies of such sequentially isolated viruses may lead to the identification of viral genes that govern pathogenesis.