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Yadavar-Nikravesh MS, Milani A, Vahabpour R, Khoobi M, Bakhshandeh H, Bolhassani A. In vitro Anti-HIV-1 Activity of the Recombinant HIV-1 TAT Protein Along With Tenofovir Drug. Curr HIV Res 2021; 19:138-146. [PMID: 33045968 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x18666201012152600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV-1 TAT protein is essential for the regulation of viral genome transcription. The first exon of TAT protein has a fundamental role in the stimulation of the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, but its anti-HIV activity is not clear yet. METHODS In the current study, we firstly cloned the first exon of the TAT coding sequence in the pET-24a expression vector and then protein expression was done in the Rosetta expression host. Next, the expressed TAT protein was purified by Ni-NTA column under native conditions. After that, the protein yield was determined by Bradford kit and NanoDrop spectrophotometry. Finally, the cytotoxicity effect and anti-Scr-HIV-1 activity of the recombinant TAT protein alone and along with Tenofovir drug were assessed by MTT and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS The recombinant TAT protein was successfully generated in E. coli, as confirmed by 13.5% SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The protein yield was ~150-200 μg/ml. In addition, the recombinant TAT protein at a certain dose with low toxicity could suppress Scr-HIV replication in the infected HeLa cells (~30%) that was comparable with a low toxic dose of Tenofovir drug (~40%). It was interesting that the recombinant TAT protein could enhance anti-HIV potency of Tenofovir drug up to 66%. CONCLUSION Generally, a combination of TAT protein and Tenofovir drug could significantly inhibit HIV-1 replication. It will be required to determine their mechanism of action in the next studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouhollah Vahabpour
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khoobi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center (MBRC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haleh Bakhshandeh
- Nanobiotechnology Department, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Tavassoly O, Yue J, Vocadlo DJ. Pharmacological inhibition and knockdown of O-GlcNAcase reduces cellular internalization of α-synuclein preformed fibrils. FEBS J 2020; 288:452-470. [PMID: 32365408 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) is Lewy bodies that form within the brain from aggregated forms of α-synuclein (α-syn). These toxic α-syn aggregates are transferred from cell to cell by release of fibrils from dying neurons into the extracellular environment, followed by their subsequent uptake by neighboring cells. This process leads to spreading of the pathology throughout the brain in a prion-like manner. Identifying new pathways that hinder the internalization of such α-syn fibrils is of high interest for their downstream potential exploitation as a way to create disease-modifying therapeutics for PD. Here, we show that Thiamet-G, a highly selective pharmacological agent that inhibits the glycoside hydrolase O-GlcNAcase (OGA), blunts the cellular uptake of α-syn fibrils. This effect correlates with increased nucleocytoplasmic levels of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc)-modified proteins, and genetic knockdown of OGA expression closely phenocopies both these effects. These reductions in the uptake of α-syn fibrils caused by inhibition of OGA are both concentration- and time-dependent and are observed in multiple cell lines including mouse primary cortical neurons. Moreover, treatment of cells with the OGT inhibitor, 5SGlcNHex, increases the level of uptake of α-syn PFFs, further supporting O-GlcNAcylation of proteins driving these effects. Notably, this effect is mediated through an unknown mechanism that does not involve well-characterized endocytotic pathways. These data suggest one mechanism by which OGA inhibitors might exert their protective effects in prion-like neuropathologies and support exploration of OGA inhibitors as a potential disease-modifying approach to treat PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Tavassoly
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Jefferey Yue
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - David J Vocadlo
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
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Orriss GL, To V, Moya-Torres A, Seabrook G, O'Neil J, Stetefeld J. Solution structure of the cytoplasmic domain of NhaP2 a K +/H + antiporter from Vibrio cholera. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183225. [PMID: 32126231 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
NhaP2 is a K+/H+ antiporter from Vibrio cholerae which consists of a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain of approximately 200 amino acids, both of which are required for cholera infectivity. Here we present the solution structure for a 165 amino acid minimal cytoplasmic domain (P2MIN) form of the protein. The structure reveals a compact N-terminal domain which resembles a Regulator of Conductance of K+ channels (RCK) domain connected to a more open C-terminal domain via a flexible 20 amino acid linker. NMR titration experiments showed that the protein binds ATP through its N-terminal domain, which was further supported by waterLOGSY and Saturation Transfer Difference NMR experiments. The two-domain organisation of the protein was confirmed by BIOSAXS, which also revealed that there are no detectable-ATP-induced conformational changes in the protein structure. Finally, in contrast to all known RCK domain structures solved to date, the current work shows that the protein is a monomer.
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Affiliation(s)
- George L Orriss
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Vu To
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Aniel Moya-Torres
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Genevieve Seabrook
- The OCI/UHN High Field NMR Facility, MaRS Toronto Medical Discovery Tower, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1L7, Canada
| | - Joe O'Neil
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jörg Stetefeld
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada.
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Didehydro-Cortistatin A Inhibits HIV-1 by Specifically Binding to the Unstructured Basic Region of Tat. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.02662-18. [PMID: 30723126 PMCID: PMC6368365 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02662-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered HIV-1 Tat protein binds the viral RNA transactivation response structure (TAR), which recruits transcriptional cofactors, amplifying viral mRNA expression. Limited Tat transactivation correlates with HIV-1 latency. Unfortunately, Tat inhibitors are not clinically available. The small molecule didehydro-cortistatin A (dCA) inhibits Tat, locking HIV-1 in persistent latency, blocking viral rebound. We generated chemical derivatives of dCA that rationalized molecular docking of dCA to an active and specific Tat conformer. These revealed the importance of the cycloheptene ring and the isoquinoline nitrogen's positioning in the interaction with specific residues of Tat's basic domain. These features are distinct from the ones required for inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8), the only other known ligand of dCA. Besides, we demonstrated that dCA activity on HIV-1 transcription is independent of CDK8. The binding of dCA to Tat with nanomolar affinity alters the local protein environment, rendering Tat more resistant to proteolytic digestion. dCA thus locks a transient conformer of Tat, specifically blocking functions dependent of its basic domain, namely the Tat-TAR interaction; while proteins with similar basic patches are unaffected by dCA. Our results improve our knowledge of the mode of action of dCA and support structure-based design strategies targeting Tat, to help advance development of dCA, as well as novel Tat inhibitors.IMPORTANCE Tat activates virus production, and limited Tat transactivation correlates with HIV-1 latency. The Tat inhibitor dCA locks HIV in persistent latency. This drug class enables block-and-lock functional cure approaches, aimed at reducing residual viremia during therapy and limiting viral rebound. dCA may also have additional therapeutic benefits since Tat is also neurotoxic. Unfortunately, Tat inhibitors are not clinically available. We generated chemical derivatives and rationalized binding to an active and specific Tat conformer. dCA features required for Tat inhibition are distinct from features needed for inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8), the only other known target of dCA. Furthermore, knockdown of CDK8 did not impact dCA's activity on HIV-1 transcription. Binding of dCA to Tat's basic domain altered the local protein environment and rendered Tat more resistant to proteolytic digestion. dCA locks a transient conformer of Tat, blocking functions dependent on its basic domain, namely its ability to amplify viral transcription. Our results define dCA's mode of action, support structure-based-design strategies targeting Tat, and provide valuable information for drug development around the dCA pharmacophore.
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Kunihara T, Hayashi Y, Arai M. Conformational diversity in the intrinsically disordered HIV-1 Tat protein induced by zinc and pH. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 509:564-569. [PMID: 30600181 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.12.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) transactivator of transcription (Tat) is an intrinsically disordered protein that exerts multiple functions, including activation of HIV-1 replication and induction of T-cell apoptosis and cytokine secretion via zinc binding and cellular uptake by endocytosis. However, the effects of zinc and endosomal low pH on the structure of isolated Tat protein are poorly understood. Here, we purified a monomeric zinc-bound Tat and studied its structure and acid denaturation by circular dichroism, NMR, and small-angle X-ray scattering. We found that at pH 7, the zinc-bound Tat was in a pre-molten globule state; it exhibited largely disordered conformations with residual helices and was slightly more compact than the fully unfolded states that were observed at pH 4 or in the zinc-free form. Moreover, acid-induced unfolding transitions in secondary structure and molecular size occurred at different pH ranges, indicating the presence of an expanded and helical intermediate at pH ∼6. Taken together, the extent of structural disorder in the intrinsically disordered Tat protein is highly sensitive to zinc and pH, suggesting that zinc binding and pH affect Tat structures and thereby control the versatile functions of Tat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Kunihara
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Yuuki Hayashi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Munehito Arai
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan; Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.
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To V, Dzananovic E, McKenna SA, O’Neil J. The Dynamic Landscape of the Full-Length HIV-1 Transactivator of Transcription. Biochemistry 2016; 55:1314-25. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vu To
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Edis Dzananovic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Sean A. McKenna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Joe O’Neil
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
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Zeitler M, Steringer JP, Müller HM, Mayer MP, Nickel W. HIV-Tat Protein Forms Phosphoinositide-dependent Membrane Pores Implicated in Unconventional Protein Secretion. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:21976-84. [PMID: 26183781 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.667097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-Tat has been demonstrated to be secreted from cells in a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2)-dependent manner. Here we show that HIV-Tat forms membrane-inserted oligomers, a process that is accompanied by changes in secondary structure with a strong increase in antiparallel β sheet content. Intriguingly, oligomerization of HIV-Tat on membrane surfaces leads to the formation of membrane pores, as demonstrated by physical membrane passage of small fluorescent tracer molecules. Although membrane binding of HIV-Tat did not strictly depend on PI(4,5)P2 but, rather, was mediated by a range of acidic membrane lipids, a functional interaction between PI(4,5)P2 and HIV-Tat was critically required for efficient membrane pore formation by HIV-Tat oligomers. These properties are strikingly similar to what has been reported previously for fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), providing strong evidence of a common core mechanism of unconventional secretion shared by HIV-Tat and fibroblast growth factor 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Zeitler
- From the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany and
| | - Julia P Steringer
- From the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany and
| | - Hans-Michael Müller
- From the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany and
| | - Matthias P Mayer
- the Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum-Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg Allianz, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Walter Nickel
- From the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany and
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