1
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Hong JY, Lin SC, Kehn-Hall K, Zhang KM, Luo SY, Wu HY, Chang SY, Hou MH. Targeting protein-protein interaction interfaces with antiviral N protein inhibitor in SARS-CoV-2. Biophys J 2024; 123:478-488. [PMID: 38234090 PMCID: PMC10912909 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses not only pose significant global public health threats but also cause extensive damage to livestock-based industries. Previous studies have shown that 5-benzyloxygramine (P3) targets the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) nucleocapsid (N) protein N-terminal domain (N-NTD), inducing non-native protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that impair N protein function. Moreover, P3 exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against CoVs. The sequence similarity of N proteins is relatively low among CoVs, further exhibiting notable variations in the hydrophobic residue responsible for non-native PPIs in the N-NTD. Therefore, to ascertain the mechanism by which P3 demonstrates broad-spectrum anti-CoV activity, we determined the crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 N-NTD:P3 complex. We found that P3 was positioned in the dimeric N-NTD via hydrophobic contacts. Compared with the interfaces in MERS-CoV N-NTD, P3 had a reversed orientation in SARS-CoV-2 N-NTD. The Phe residue in the MERS-CoV N-NTD:P3 complex stabilized both P3 moieties. However, in the SARS-CoV-2 N-NTD:P3 complex, the Ile residue formed only one interaction with the P3 benzene ring. Moreover, the pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 N-NTD:P3 complex was more hydrophobic, favoring the insertion of the P3 benzene ring into the complex. Nevertheless, hydrophobic interactions remained the primary stabilizing force in both complexes. These findings suggested that despite the differences in the sequence, P3 can accommodate a hydrophobic pocket in N-NTD to mediate a non-native PPI, enabling its effectiveness against various CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhen-Yi Hong
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics and Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chao Lin
- Bachelor Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Kylene Kehn-Hall
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia; Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Kai-Min Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Yuan Luo
- Department of Chemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University. Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Sui-Yuan Chang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics and Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; PhD Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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2
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Sun J, Kessl JJ. Optimizing the Multimerization Properties of Quinoline-Based Allosteric HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors. Viruses 2024; 16:200. [PMID: 38399977 PMCID: PMC10892445 DOI: 10.3390/v16020200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Allosteric HIV-1 Integrase (IN) Inhibitors or ALLINIs bind at the dimer interface of the IN, away from the enzymatic catalytic site, and disable viral replication by inducing over-multimerization of IN. Interestingly, these inhibitors are capable of impacting both the early and late stages of viral replication. To better understand the important binding features of multi-substituted quinoline-based ALLINIs, we have surveyed published studies on IN multimerization and antiviral properties of various substituted quinolines at the 4, 6, 7, and 8 positions. Here we show how the efficacy of these inhibitors can be modulated by the nature of the substitutions at those positions. These features not only improve the overall antiviral potencies of these compounds but also significantly shift the selectivity toward the viral maturation stage. Thus, to fully maximize the potency of ALLINIs, the interactions between the inhibitor and multiple IN subunits need to be simultaneously optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Jacques J. Kessl
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
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3
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Dinh T, Tber Z, Rey JS, Mengshetti S, Annamalai AS, Haney R, Briganti L, Amblard F, Fuchs JR, Cherepanov P, Kim K, Schinazi RF, Perilla JR, Kim B, Kvaratskhelia M. The structural and mechanistic bases for the viral resistance to allosteric HIV-1 integrase inhibitor pirmitegravir. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.26.577387. [PMID: 38328097 PMCID: PMC10849636 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Allosteric HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors (ALLINIs) are investigational antiretroviral agents which potently impair virion maturation by inducing hyper-multimerization of IN and inhibiting its interaction with viral genomic RNA. The pyrrolopyridine-based ALLINI pirmitegravir (PIR) has recently advanced into Phase 2a clinical trials. Previous cell culture based viral breakthrough assays identified the HIV-1(Y99H/A128T IN) variant that confers substantial resistance to this inhibitor. Here, we have elucidated the unexpected mechanism of viral resistance to PIR. While both Tyr99 and Ala128 are positioned within the inhibitor binding V-shaped cavity at the IN catalytic core domain (CCD) dimer interface, the Y99H/A128T IN mutations did not substantially affect direct binding of PIR to the CCD dimer or functional oligomerization of full-length IN. Instead, the drug-resistant mutations introduced a steric hindrance at the inhibitor mediated interface between CCD and C-terminal domain (CTD) and compromised CTD binding to the CCDY99H/A128T + PIR complex. Consequently, full-length INY99H/A128T was substantially less susceptible to the PIR induced hyper-multimerization than the WT protein, and HIV-1(Y99H/A128T IN) conferred >150-fold resistance to the inhibitor compared to the WT virus. By rationally modifying PIR we have developed its analog EKC110, which readily induced hyper-multimerization of INY99H/A128T in vitro and was ~14-fold more potent against HIV-1(Y99H/A128T IN) than the parent inhibitor. These findings suggest a path for developing improved PIR chemotypes with a higher barrier to resistance for their potential clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung Dinh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Zahira Tber
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Juan S Rey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Seema Mengshetti
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Arun S Annamalai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Reed Haney
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Lorenzo Briganti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Franck Amblard
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - James R Fuchs
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - Peter Cherepanov
- Chromatin Structure & Mobile DNA Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Raymond F Schinazi
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Juan R Perilla
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Baek Kim
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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4
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Tocco G, Canton S, Laus A, Caboni P, Le Grice SFJ, Tramontano E, Esposito F. Dihydroxyphenyl- and Heteroaromatic-Based Thienopyrimidinones to Tackle HIV-1 LEDGF/p75-Dependent IN Activity. Molecules 2023; 28:6700. [PMID: 37764476 PMCID: PMC10537185 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) still represents a global public health issue of major concern, and would benefit from unveiling unique viral features as targets for drug design. In this respect, HIV-1 integrase (IN), due to the absence of homologs in human cells, is a popular target for the synthesis of novel selective compounds. Moreover, as drug-resistant viral strains are rapidly evolving, the development of novel allosteric inhibitors is acutely required. Recently, we have observed that Kuwanon-L, quinazolinones and thienopyrimidinones containing at least one polyphenol unit, effectively inhibited HIV-1 IN activity. Thus, in the present research, novel dihydroxyphenyl-based thienopyrimidinone derivatives were investigated for their LEDGF/p75-dependent IN inhibitory activity. Our findings indicated a close correlation between the position of the OH group on the phenyl moiety and IN inhibitory activity of these compounds. As catechol may be involved in cytotoxicity, its replacement by other aromatic scaffolds was also exploited. As a result, compounds 21-23, 25 and 26 with enhanced IN inhibitory activity provided good lead candidates, with 25 being the most selective for IN. Lastly, UV spectrometric experiments suggested a plausible allosteric mode of action, as none of the thienopirimidinones showed Mg2+ chelation properties otherwise typical of IN strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Serena Canton
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Pierluigi Caboni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Stuart F. J. Le Grice
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA;
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
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5
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Sanna C, D’Abrosca B, Fiorentino A, Giammarino F, Vicenti I, Corona A, Caredda A, Tramontano E, Esposito F. HIV-1 Integrase Inhibition Activity by Spiroketals Derived from Plagius flosculosus, an Endemic Plant of Sardinia (Italy) and Corsica (France). Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1118. [PMID: 37631033 PMCID: PMC10457970 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work we investigated, for the first time, the effect of Plagius flosculosus (L.) Alavi & Heywood, a Sardinian-Corsican endemic plant, on HIV-1 integrase (IN) activity. The phytochemical analysis of the leaves chloroform extract led us to isolate and characterize three compounds (SPK1, SPK2, and SPK3) belonging to the spiroketals, a group of naturally occurring metabolites of phytochemical relevance with interesting biological properties. Due to their structural diversity, these cyclic ketals have attracted the interest of chemists and biologists. SPK1, SPK2, and SPK3 were evaluated here for their ability to inhibit HIV-1 integrase activity in biochemical assays. The results showed that all the compounds inhibited HIV-1 IN activity. In particular, the most active one was SPK3, which interfered in a low molecular range (IC50 of 1.46 ± 0.16 µM) with HIV-1 IN activity in the presence/absence of the LEDGF cellular cofactor. To investigate the mechanism of action, the three spiroketals were also tested on HIV-1 RT-associated Ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity, proving to be active in inhibiting this function. Although SPK3 was unable to inhibit viral replication in cell culture, it promoted the IN multimerization. We hypothesize that SPK3 inhibited HIV-1 IN through an allosteric mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Sanna
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Via Sant’Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Brigida D’Abrosca
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, DiSTABiF University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Antonio Fiorentino
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, DiSTABiF University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Federica Giammarino
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.G.); (I.V.)
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.G.); (I.V.)
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.C.); (A.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Alessia Caredda
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.C.); (A.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.C.); (A.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.C.); (A.C.); (E.T.)
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6
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Bonnard D, Le Rouzic E, Singer MR, Yu Z, Le Strat F, Batisse C, Batisse J, Amadori C, Chasset S, Pye VE, Emiliani S, Ledoussal B, Ruff M, Moreau F, Cherepanov P, Benarous R. Biological and Structural Analyses of New Potent Allosteric Inhibitors of HIV-1 Integrase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0046223. [PMID: 37310224 PMCID: PMC10353390 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00462-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 integrase-LEDGF allosteric inhibitors (INLAIs) share the binding site on the viral protein with the host factor LEDGF/p75. These small molecules act as molecular glues promoting hyper-multimerization of HIV-1 IN protein to severely perturb maturation of viral particles. Herein, we describe a new series of INLAIs based on a benzene scaffold that display antiviral activity in the single digit nanomolar range. Akin to other compounds of this class, the INLAIs predominantly inhibit the late stages of HIV-1 replication. A series of high-resolution crystal structures revealed how these small molecules engage the catalytic core and the C-terminal domains of HIV-1 IN. No antagonism was observed between our lead INLAI compound BDM-2 and a panel of 16 clinical antiretrovirals. Moreover, we show that compounds retained high antiviral activity against HIV-1 variants resistant to IN strand transfer inhibitors and other classes of antiretroviral drugs. The virologic profile of BDM-2 and the recently completed single ascending dose phase I trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03634085) warrant further clinical investigation for use in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Moreover, our results suggest routes for further improvement of this emerging drug class.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew R. Singer
- Chromatin Structure and Mobile DNA Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zhe Yu
- Chromatin Structure and Mobile DNA Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Claire Batisse
- IGBMC, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Julien Batisse
- IGBMC, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Céline Amadori
- Biodim, Romainville, France
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Valerie E. Pye
- Chromatin Structure and Mobile DNA Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Marc Ruff
- IGBMC, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | | | - Peter Cherepanov
- Chromatin Structure and Mobile DNA Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Disease, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Corona A, Meleddu R, Delelis O, Subra F, Cottiglia F, Esposito F, Distinto S, Maccioni E, Tramontano E. 5-Nitro-3-(2-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)hydrazineylidene)indolin-2-one derivatives inhibit HIV-1 replication by a multitarget mechanism of action. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1193280. [PMID: 37424782 PMCID: PMC10328743 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1193280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In the effort to identify and develop new HIV-1 inhibitors endowed with innovative mechanisms, we focused our attention on the possibility to target more than one viral encoded enzymatic function with a single molecule. In this respect, we have previously identified by virtual screening a new indolinone-based scaffold for dual allosteric inhibitors targeting both reverse transcriptase-associated functions: polymerase and RNase H. Pursuing with the structural optimization of these dual inhibitors, we synthesized a series of 35 new 3-[2-(4-aryl-1,3-thiazol-2-ylidene)hydrazin-1-ylidene]1-indol-2-one and 3-[3-methyl-4-arylthiazol-2-ylidene)hydrazine-1-ylidene)indolin-2-one derivatives, which maintain their dual inhibitory activity in the low micromolar range. Interestingly, compounds 1a, 3a, 10a, and 9b are able to block HIV-1 replication with EC50 < 20 µM. Mechanism of action studies showed that such compounds could block HIV-1 integrase. In particular, compound 10a is the most promising for further multitarget compound development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Rita Meleddu
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Olivier Delelis
- Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology (LBPA), Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) Cachan, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Cachan, France
| | - Frederic Subra
- Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology (LBPA), Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) Cachan, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Cachan, France
| | - Filippo Cottiglia
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Simona Distinto
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Elias Maccioni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
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8
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Wang C, Adam GC, Burlein C, Carroll S, Dankulich W, Diamond T, Grobler J, Heath J, Johnson A, Klein D, Krosky D, Narayan K, Ou Y, Sanders J, Sharma S, Xu M, Converso A. Discovery of arylsulfonamides as a novel class of allosteric integrase inhibitors with antiviral activity. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 89:129303. [PMID: 37146837 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Lens epithelial-derived growth factor (LEDGF) increases the efficiency of proviral DNA integration into the host genome by interacting with HIV integrase (IN) and directing it to a chromatin environment that favors viral transcription. Allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs), such as known 2-(tert-butoxy)acetic acid (1), bind to the LEDGF pocket on the catalytic core domain (CCD) of IN, but exert more potent antiviral activities by inhibition of late-stage HIV-1 replication events than through disruption of proviral integration at an earlier phase. A high-throughput screen (HTS) for compounds that disrupt IN-LEDGF interaction led to the identification of a novel arylsulfonamide series, as exemplified by 2, possessing ALLINI-like properties. Further SAR studies led to more potent compound 21 and provided key chemical biology probes revealing that arylsulfonamides are a novel class of ALLINIs with a distinct binding mode than that of 2-(tert-butoxy)acetic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Gregory C Adam
- Screening and Protein Science, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | | | - Steven Carroll
- Pharmacology, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | | | - Tracy Diamond
- Infectious Disease Biology Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Jay Grobler
- Infectious Disease Biology Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Jeffrey Heath
- Infectious Disease Biology Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Adam Johnson
- Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Daniel Klein
- Computational and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Daniel Krosky
- Pharmacology, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Kartik Narayan
- Pharmacology, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Yangsi Ou
- Pharmacology, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - John Sanders
- Computational and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Sujata Sharma
- Screening and Protein Science, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Min Xu
- Pharmacology, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
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9
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Eilers G, Gupta K, Allen A, Montermoso S, Murali H, Sharp R, Hwang Y, Bushman FD, Van Duyne G. Structure of a HIV-1 IN-Allosteric inhibitor complex at 2.93 Å resolution: Routes to inhibitor optimization. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011097. [PMID: 36867659 PMCID: PMC10016701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV integrase (IN) inserts viral DNA into the host genome and is the target of the strand transfer inhibitors (STIs), a class of small molecules currently in clinical use. Another potent class of antivirals is the allosteric inhibitors of integrase, or ALLINIs. ALLINIs promote IN aggregation by stabilizing an interaction between the catalytic core domain (CCD) and carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) that undermines viral particle formation in late replication. Ongoing challenges with inhibitor potency, toxicity, and viral resistance motivate research to understand their mechanism. Here, we report a 2.93 Å X-ray crystal structure of the minimal ternary complex between CCD, CTD, and the ALLINI BI-224436. This structure reveals an asymmetric ternary complex with a prominent network of π-mediated interactions that suggest specific avenues for future ALLINI development and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Eilers
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kushol Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Audrey Allen
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Saira Montermoso
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Hemma Murali
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert Sharp
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Young Hwang
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Frederic D. Bushman
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gregory Van Duyne
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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10
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Singer MR, Dinh T, Levintov L, Annamalai AS, Rey JS, Briganti L, Cook NJ, Pye VE, Taylor IA, Kim K, Engelman AN, Kim B, Perilla JR, Kvaratskhelia M, Cherepanov P. The Drug-Induced Interface That Drives HIV-1 Integrase Hypermultimerization and Loss of Function. mBio 2023; 14:e0356022. [PMID: 36744954 PMCID: PMC9973045 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03560-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Allosteric HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors (ALLINIs) are an emerging class of small molecules that disrupt viral maturation by inducing the aberrant multimerization of IN. Here, we present cocrystal structures of HIV-1 IN with two potent ALLINIs, namely, BI-D and the drug candidate Pirmitegravir. The structures reveal atomistic details of the ALLINI-induced interface between the HIV-1 IN catalytic core and carboxyl-terminal domains (CCD and CTD). Projecting from their principal binding pocket on the IN CCD dimer, the compounds act as molecular glue by engaging a triad of invariant HIV-1 IN CTD residues, namely, Tyr226, Trp235, and Lys266, to nucleate the CTD-CCD interaction. The drug-induced interface involves the CTD SH3-like fold and extends to the beginning of the IN carboxyl-terminal tail region. We show that mutations of HIV-1 IN CTD residues that participate in the interface with the CCD greatly reduce the IN-aggregation properties of Pirmitegravir. Our results explain the mechanism of the ALLINI-induced condensation of HIV-1 IN and provide a reliable template for the rational development of this series of antiretrovirals through the optimization of their key contacts with the viral target. IMPORTANCE Despite the remarkable success of combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1 remains among the major causes of human suffering and loss of life in poor and developing nations. To prevail in this drawn-out battle with the pandemic, it is essential to continue developing advanced antiviral agents to fight drug resistant HIV-1 variants. Allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs) are an emerging class of HIV-1 antagonists that are orthogonal to the current antiretroviral drugs. These small molecules act as highly specific molecular glue, which triggers the aggregation of HIV-1 integrase. In this work, we present high-resolution crystal structures that reveal the crucial interactions made by two potent ALLINIs, namely, BI-D and Pirmitegravir, with HIV-1 integrase. Our results explain the mechanism of drug action and will inform the development of this promising class of small molecules for future use in antiretroviral regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Singer
- Chromatin Structure & Mobile DNA Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tung Dinh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Lev Levintov
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Arun S. Annamalai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Juan S. Rey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Lorenzo Briganti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nicola J. Cook
- Chromatin Structure & Mobile DNA Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valerie E. Pye
- Chromatin Structure & Mobile DNA Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian A. Taylor
- Macromolecular Structure Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alan N. Engelman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Baek Kim
- Center for Drug Discovery, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Juan R. Perilla
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Peter Cherepanov
- Chromatin Structure & Mobile DNA Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Disease, St-Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Taoda Y, Sugiyama S, Seki T. New designs for HIV-1 integrase inhibitors: a patent review (2018-present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:51-66. [PMID: 36750766 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2178300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has dramatically reduced morbidity and mortality of HIV-1-infected patients. Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) play an important role as a key drug in cART. The second-generation INSTIs are very potent, but due to the emergence of highly resistant viruses and the demand for more conveniently usable drugs, the development of 'third-generation' INSTIs and mechanistically different inhibitors is actively being pursued. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the patents (from 2018 to the present) for two classes of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors of INSTIs and integrase-LEDGF/p75 allosteric inhibitors (INLAIs). EXPERT OPINION Since the approval of the second-generation INSTI dolutegravir, the design of new INSTIs has been mostly focused on its scaffold, carbamoylpyridone (CAP). This CAP scaffold is used not only for HIV-1 INSTIs but also for drug discoveries targeting other viral enzymes. With the approval of cabotegravir as a regimen of long-acting injection in combination with rilpivirine, there is a growing need for longer-acting agents. INLAIs have been intensely studied by many groups but have yet to reach the market. However, INLAIs have recently been reported to also function as a latency promoting agent (LPA), indicating further development possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Taoda
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd, Toyonaka-shi, Japan
| | - Shuichi Sugiyama
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd, Toyonaka-shi, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seki
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd, Toyonaka-shi, Japan
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12
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Shema Mugisha C, Dinh T, Kumar A, Tenneti K, Eschbach JE, Davis K, Gifford R, Kvaratskhelia M, Kutluay SB. Emergence of Compensatory Mutations Reveals the Importance of Electrostatic Interactions between HIV-1 Integrase and Genomic RNA. mBio 2022; 13:e0043122. [PMID: 35975921 PMCID: PMC9601147 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00431-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 integrase (IN) has a noncatalytic function in virion maturation through its binding to the viral RNA genome (gRNA). Class II IN substitutions inhibit IN-gRNA binding and result in the formation of virions with aberrant morphologies marked by mislocalization of the gRNA between the capsid lattice and the lipid envelope. These viruses are noninfectious due to a block at an early reverse transcription stage in target cells. HIV-1 IN utilizes basic residues within its C-terminal domain (CTD) to bind to the gRNA; however, the molecular nature of how these residues mediate gRNA binding and whether other regions of IN are involved remain unknown. To address this, we have isolated compensatory substitutions in the background of a class II IN mutant virus bearing R269A/K273A substitutions within the IN-CTD. We found that the nearby D256N and D270N compensatory substitutions restored the ability of IN to bind gRNA and led to the formation of mature infectious virions. Reinstating the local positive charge of the IN-CTD through individual D256R, D256K, D278R, and D279R substitutions was sufficient to specifically restore IN-gRNA binding and reverse transcription for the IN R269A/K273A as well as the IN R262A/R263A class II mutants. Structural modeling suggested that compensatory substitutions in the D256 residue created an additional interaction interface for gRNA binding, whereas other substitutions acted locally within the unstructured C-terminal tail of IN. Taken together, our findings highlight the essential role of CTD in gRNA binding and reveal the importance of pliable electrostatic interactions between the IN-CTD and the gRNA. IMPORTANCE In addition to its catalytic function, HIV-1 integrase (IN) binds to the viral RNA genome (gRNA) through positively charged residues (i.e., R262, R263, R269, K273) within its C-terminal domain (CTD) and regulates proper virion maturation. Mutation of these residues results in the formation of morphologically aberrant viruses blocked at an early reverse transcription stage in cells. Here we show that compensatory substitutions in nearby negatively charged aspartic acid residues (i.e., D256N, D270N) restore the ability of IN to bind gRNA for these mutant viruses and result in the formation of accurately matured infectious virions. Similarly, individual charge reversal substitutions at D256 as well as other nearby positions (i.e., D278, D279) are all sufficient to enable the respective IN mutants to bind gRNA, and subsequently restore reverse transcription and virion infectivity. Taken together, our findings reveal the importance of highly pliable electrostatic interactions in IN-gRNA binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Shema Mugisha
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tung Dinh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kasyap Tenneti
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jenna E. Eschbach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Keanu Davis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robert Gifford
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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13
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Allosteric Integrase Inhibitor Influences on HIV-1 Integration and Roles of LEDGF/p75 and HDGFL2 Host Factors. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091883. [PMID: 36146690 PMCID: PMC9502684 DOI: 10.3390/v14091883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Allosteric integrase (IN) inhibitors (ALLINIs), which are promising preclinical compounds that engage the lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75 binding site on IN, can inhibit different aspects of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) replication. During the late phase of replication, ALLINIs induce aberrant IN hyper-multimerization, the consequences of which disrupt IN binding to genomic RNA and virus particle morphogenesis. During the early phase of infection, ALLINIs can suppress HIV-1 integration into host genes, which is also observed in LEDGF/p75-depelted cells. Despite this similarity, the roles of LEDGF/p75 and its paralog hepatoma-derived growth factor like 2 (HDGFL2) in ALLINI-mediated integration retargeting are untested. Herein, we mapped integration sites in cells knocked out for LEDGF/p75, HDGFL2, or both factors, which revealed that these two proteins in large part account for ALLINI-mediated integration retargeting during the early phase of infection. We also determined that ALLINI-treated viruses are defective during the subsequent round of infection for integration into genes associated with speckle-associated domains, which are naturally highly targeted for HIV-1 integration. Class II IN mutant viruses with alterations distal from the LEDGF/p75 binding site moreover shared this integration retargeting phenotype. Altogether, our findings help to inform the molecular bases and consequences of ALLINI action.
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14
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Multi-Substituted Quinolines as HIV-1 Integrase Allosteric Inhibitors. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071466. [PMID: 35891446 PMCID: PMC9324412 DOI: 10.3390/v14071466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Allosteric HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors, or ALLINIs, are a new class of antiviral agents that bind at the dimer interface of the IN, away from the enzymatic catalytic site and block viral replication by triggering an aberrant multimerization of the viral enzyme. To further our understanding of the important binding features of multi-substituted quinoline-based ALLINIs, we have examined the IN multimerization and antiviral properties of substitution patterns at the 6 or 8 position. We found that the binding properties of these ALLINIs are negatively impacted by the presence of bulky substitutions at these positions. In addition, we have observed that the addition of bromine at either the 6 (6-bromo) or 8 (8-bromo) position conferred better antiviral properties. Finally, we found a significant loss of potency with the 6-bromo when tested with the ALLINI-resistant IN A128T mutant virus, while the 8-bromo analog retained full effectiveness.
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15
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Single-Cell Imaging Shows That the Transcriptional State of the HIV-1 Provirus and Its Reactivation Potential Depend on the Integration Site. mBio 2022; 13:e0000722. [PMID: 35708287 PMCID: PMC9426465 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00007-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Current antiretroviral treatment fails to cure HIV-1 infection since latent provirus resides in long-lived cellular reservoirs, rebounding whenever therapy is discontinued. The molecular mechanisms underlying HIV-1 latency are complex where the possible link between integration and transcription is poorly understood. HIV-1 integration is targeted toward active chromatin by the direct interaction with a host protein, lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75). LEDGINs are small-molecule inhibitors of the LEDGF/p75-integrase (IN) interaction that effectively inhibit and retarget HIV-1 integration out of preferred integration sites, resulting in residual provirus that is more latent. Here, we describe a single-cell branched DNA imaging method for simultaneous detection of viral DNA and RNA. We investigated how treatment with LEDGINs affects the location, transcription, and reactivation of HIV-1 in both cell lines and primary cells. This approach demonstrated that LEDGIN-mediated retargeting hampered the baseline transcriptional state and the transcriptional reactivation of the provirus, evidenced by the reduction in viral RNA expression per residual copy. Moreover, treatment of primary cells with LEDGINs induced an enrichment of provirus in deep latency. These results corroborate the impact of integration site selection for the HIV-1 transcriptional state and support block-and-lock functional cure strategies in which the latent reservoir is permanently silenced after retargeting.
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16
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Engelman AN, Kvaratskhelia M. Multimodal Functionalities of HIV-1 Integrase. Viruses 2022; 14:926. [PMID: 35632668 PMCID: PMC9144474 DOI: 10.3390/v14050926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrase is the retroviral protein responsible for integrating reverse transcripts into cellular genomes. Co-packaged with viral RNA and reverse transcriptase into capsid-encased viral cores, human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) integrase has long been implicated in reverse transcription and virion maturation. However, the underlying mechanisms of integrase in these non-catalytic-related viral replication steps have remained elusive. Recent results have shown that integrase binds genomic RNA in virions, and that mutational or pharmacological disruption of integrase-RNA binding yields eccentric virion particles with ribonucleoprotein complexes situated outside of the capsid shell. Such viruses are defective for reverse transcription due to preferential loss of integrase and viral RNA from infected target cells. Parallel research has revealed defective integrase-RNA binding and eccentric particle formation as common features of class II integrase mutant viruses, a phenotypic grouping of viruses that display defects at steps beyond integration. In light of these new findings, we propose three new subclasses of class II mutant viruses (a, b, and c), all of which are defective for integrase-RNA binding and particle morphogenesis, but differ based on distinct underlying mechanisms exhibited by the associated integrase mutant proteins. We also assess how these findings inform the role of integrase in HIV-1 particle maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan N. Engelman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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17
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Ta TM, Malik S, Anderson EM, Jones AD, Perchik J, Freylikh M, Sardo L, Klase ZA, Izumi T. Insights Into Persistent HIV-1 Infection and Functional Cure: Novel Capabilities and Strategies. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:862270. [PMID: 35572626 PMCID: PMC9093714 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.862270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although HIV-1 replication can be efficiently suppressed to undetectable levels in peripheral blood by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), lifelong medication is still required in people living with HIV (PLWH). Life expectancies have been extended by cART, but age-related comorbidities have increased which are associated with heavy physiological and economic burdens on PLWH. The obstacle to a functional HIV cure can be ascribed to the formation of latent reservoir establishment at the time of acute infection that persists during cART. Recent studies suggest that some HIV reservoirs are established in the early acute stages of HIV infection within multiple immune cells that are gradually shaped by various host and viral mechanisms and may undergo clonal expansion. Early cART initiation has been shown to reduce the reservoir size in HIV-infected individuals. Memory CD4+ T cell subsets are regarded as the predominant cellular compartment of the HIV reservoir, but monocytes and derivative macrophages or dendritic cells also play a role in the persistent virus infection. HIV latency is regulated at multiple molecular levels in transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. Epigenetic regulation of the proviral promoter can profoundly regulate the viral transcription. In addition, transcriptional elongation, RNA splicing, and nuclear export pathways are also involved in maintaining HIV latency. Although most proviruses contain large internal deletions, some defective proviruses may induce immune activation by expressing viral proteins or producing replication-defective viral-like particles. In this review article, we discuss the state of the art on mechanisms of virus persistence in the periphery and tissue and summarize interdisciplinary approaches toward a functional HIV cure, including novel capabilities and strategies to measure and eliminate the infected reservoirs and induce immune control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tram M. Ta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Misher College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sajjaf Malik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Misher College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Anderson
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Region 3, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Amber D. Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Misher College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jocelyn Perchik
- Department of Biological Sciences, Misher College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Maryann Freylikh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Misher College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Luca Sardo
- Department of Infectious Disease and Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, United States
| | - Zackary A. Klase
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Center for Neuroimmunology and CNS Therapeutics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Drexel University of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Taisuke Izumi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Misher College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Taisuke Izumi,
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18
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Ilgova E, Galkin S, Khrenova M, Serebryakova M, Gottikh M, Anisenko A. Complex of HIV-1 Integrase with Cellular Ku Protein: Interaction Interface and Search for Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062908. [PMID: 35328329 PMCID: PMC8951179 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of HIV-1 integrase and the cellular Ku70 protein is necessary for HIV replication due to its positive effect on post-integration DNA repair. We have previously described in detail the Ku70 binding site within integrase. However, the integrase binding site in Ku70 remained poorly characterized. Here, using a peptide fishing assay and site-directed mutagenesis, we have identified residues I72, S73, and I76 of Ku70 as key for integrase binding. The molecular dynamics studies have revealed a possible way for IN to bind to Ku70, which is consistent with experimental data. According to this model, residues I72 and I76 of Ku70 form a "leucine zipper" with integrase residues, and, therefore, their concealment by low-molecular-weight compounds should impede the Ku70 interaction with integrase. We have identified such compounds by molecular docking and have confirmed their capacity to inhibit the formation of the integrase complex with Ku70. Our data demonstrate that the site of IN binding within Ku70 identified in the present work may be used for further search for inhibitors of the integrase binding to Ku70.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Ilgova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia; (E.I.); (S.G.); (M.K.); (M.G.)
| | - Simon Galkin
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia; (E.I.); (S.G.); (M.K.); (M.G.)
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Khrenova
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia; (E.I.); (S.G.); (M.K.); (M.G.)
- Research Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Serebryakova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Marina Gottikh
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia; (E.I.); (S.G.); (M.K.); (M.G.)
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Andrey Anisenko
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia; (E.I.); (S.G.); (M.K.); (M.G.)
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia;
- Correspondence:
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19
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Adu-Ampratwum D, Pan Y, Koneru PC, Antwi J, Hoyte AC, Kessl J, Griffin PR, Kvaratskhelia M, Fuchs JR, Larue RC. Identification and Optimization of a Novel HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitor. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:4482-4491. [PMID: 35155940 PMCID: PMC8829933 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-1, like all retroviruses, stably integrates its vDNA copy into host chromatin, a process allowing for permanent infection. This essential step for HIV-1 replication is catalyzed by viral integrase (IN) and aided by cellular protein LEDGF/p75. In addition, IN is also crucial for proper virion maturation as it interacts with the viral RNA genome to ensure encapsulation of ribonucleoprotein complexes within the protective capsid core. These key functions make IN an attractive target for the development of inhibitors with various mechanisms of action. We conducted a high-throughput screen (HTS) of ∼370,000 compounds using a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence-based assay capable of capturing diverse inhibitors targeting multifunctional IN. Our approach revealed chemical scaffolds containing diketo acid moieties similar to IN strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) as well as novel compounds distinct from all current IN inhibitors including INSTIs and allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs). Specifically, our HTS resulted in the discovery of compound 12, with a novel IN inhibitor scaffold amenable for chemical modification. Its more potent derivative 14e similarly inhibited catalytic activities of WT and mutant INs containing archetypical INSTI- and ALLINI-derived resistant substitutions. Further SAR-based optimization resulted in compound 22 with an antiviral EC50 of ∼58 μM and a selectivity index of >8500. Thus, our studies identified a novel small-molecule scaffold for inhibiting HIV-1 IN, which provides a promising platform for future development of potent antiviral agents to complement current HIV-1 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Adu-Ampratwum
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Yuhan Pan
- Division
of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Pratibha C. Koneru
- Division
of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Janet Antwi
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Ashley C. Hoyte
- Division
of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Jacques Kessl
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University
of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Patrick R. Griffin
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research
Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United
States
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division
of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Division
of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - James R. Fuchs
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Ross C. Larue
- Division
of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Department
of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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20
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Antiviral Activity and Resistance Profile of the Novel HIV-1 Non-Catalytic Site Integrase Inhibitor, JTP-0157602. J Virol 2022; 96:e0184321. [PMID: 35045265 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01843-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 integrase (IN) is an essential enzyme for viral replication. Non-catalytic site integrase inhibitors (NCINIs) are allosteric HIV-1 IN inhibitors and a potential new class of antiretrovirals. In this report, we identified a novel NCINI, JTP-0157602, with an original scaffold. JTP-0157602 exhibited potent antiviral activity against HIV-1 and showed a serum-shifted EC90 of 138 nM, which is comparable to the FDA-approved IN strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). This compound was fully potent against a wide range of recombinant viruses with IN polymorphisms, including amino acids 124/125, a hot spot of IN polymorphisms. In addition, JTP-0157602 retained potent antiviral activity against a broad panel of recombinant viruses with INSTI-related resistant mutations, including multiple substitutions that emerged in clinical studies of INSTIs. Resistance selection experiments of JTP-0157602 led to the emergence of A128T and T174I mutations, which are located at the lens epithelium-derived growth factor/p75 binding pocket of IN. JTP-0157602 inhibited HIV-1 replication mainly during the late-phase of the replication cycle, and HIV-1 virions produced by reactivation from HIV-1 latently-infected Jurkat cells in the presence of JTP-0157602 were non-infectious. These results suggest that JTP-0157602 and analog compounds can be used to treat HIV-1 infectious diseases. IMPORTANCE Non-catalytic site integrase inhibitors (NCINIs) are allosteric HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors that bind to the lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75 binding pocket of IN. NCINIs are expected to be a new class of anti-HIV-1 agents. In this study, we present a novel NCINI, JTP-0157602, which has potent activity against a broad range of HIV-1 strains with IN polymorphisms. Furthermore, JTP-0157602 shows strong antiviral activity against IN strand transfer inhibitor-resistant mutations, suggesting JTP-0157602 and its analogs are potential agents to treat HIV-1 infections. Structural modeling indicated that JTP-0157602 binds to the LEDGF/p75 binding pocket of IN, and the results of in vitro resistance induction revealed the JTP-0157602-resistance mechanism of HIV-1. These data shed light on developing novel NCINIs, which exhibit potent activity against HIV-1 with broad IN polymorphisms and multi-drug resistant HIV-1 variants.
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Advances in the development of HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 225:113787. [PMID: 34425310 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 integrase (IN) is a key enzyme in viral replication that catalyzes the covalent integration of viral cDNA into the host genome. Currently, five HIV-1 IN strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are approved for clinical use. These drugs represent an important addition to the armamentarium for antiretroviral therapy. This review briefly illustrates the development history of INSTIs. The characteristics of the currently approved INSTIs, as well as their future perspectives, are critically discussed.
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Passos DO, Li M, Craigie R, Lyumkis D. Retroviral integrase: Structure, mechanism, and inhibition. Enzymes 2021; 50:249-300. [PMID: 34861940 DOI: 10.1016/bs.enz.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The retroviral protein Integrase (IN) catalyzes concerted integration of viral DNA into host chromatin to establish a permanent infection in the target cell. We learned a great deal about the mechanism of catalytic integration through structure/function studies over the previous four decades of IN research. As one of three essential retroviral enzymes, IN has also been targeted by antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV-infected individuals. Inhibitors blocking the catalytic integration reaction are now state-of-the-art drugs within the antiretroviral therapy toolkit. HIV-1 IN also performs intriguing non-catalytic functions that are relevant to the late stages of the viral replication cycle, yet this aspect remains poorly understood. There are also novel allosteric inhibitors targeting non-enzymatic functions of IN that induce a block in the late stages of the viral replication cycle. In this chapter, we will discuss the function, structure, and inhibition of retroviral IN proteins, highlighting remaining challenges and outstanding questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Min Li
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Robert Craigie
- National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dmitry Lyumkis
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States; The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States.
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Liu S, Koneru PC, Li W, Pathirage C, Engelman AN, Kvaratskhelia M, Musier-Forsyth K. HIV-1 integrase binding to genomic RNA 5'-UTR induces local structural changes in vitro and in virio. Retrovirology 2021; 18:37. [PMID: 34809662 PMCID: PMC8609798 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-021-00582-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During HIV-1 maturation, Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins are proteolytically cleaved and the capsid protein polymerizes to form the honeycomb capsid lattice. HIV-1 integrase (IN) binds the viral genomic RNA (gRNA) and impairment of IN-gRNA binding leads to mis-localization of the nucleocapsid protein (NC)-condensed viral ribonucleoprotein complex outside the capsid core. IN and NC were previously demonstrated to bind to the gRNA in an orthogonal manner in virio; however, the effect of IN binding alone or simultaneous binding of both proteins on gRNA structure is not yet well understood. RESULTS Using crosslinking-coupled selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (XL-SHAPE), we characterized the interaction of IN and NC with the HIV-1 gRNA 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). NC preferentially bound to the packaging signal (Psi) and a UG-rich region in U5, irrespective of the presence of IN. IN alone also bound to Psi but pre-incubation with NC largely abolished this interaction. In contrast, IN specifically bound to and affected the nucleotide (nt) dynamics of the apical loop of the transactivation response element (TAR) and the polyA hairpin even in the presence of NC. SHAPE probing of the 5'-UTR RNA in virions produced from allosteric IN inhibitor (ALLINI)-treated cells revealed that while the global secondary structure of the 5'-UTR remained unaltered, the inhibitor treatment induced local reactivity differences, including changes in the apical loop of TAR that are consistent with the in vitro results. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the binding interactions of NC and IN with the 5'-UTR are largely orthogonal in vitro. This study, together with previous probing experiments, suggests that IN and NC binding in vitro and in virio lead to only local structural changes in the regions of the 5'-UTR probed here. Accordingly, disruption of IN-gRNA binding by ALLINI treatment results in local rather than global secondary structure changes of the 5'-UTR in eccentric virus particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuohui Liu
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Centers for RNA Biology and Retroviral Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Pratibha C. Koneru
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDivision of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Wen Li
- grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Chathuri Pathirage
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Centers for RNA Biology and Retroviral Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Alan N. Engelman
- grid.65499.370000 0001 2106 9910Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDivision of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Centers for RNA Biology and Retroviral Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA
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Studies towards the Design and Synthesis of Novel 1,5-Diaryl-1 H-imidazole-4-carboxylic Acids and 1,5-Diaryl-1 H-imidazole-4-carbohydrazides as Host LEDGF/p75 and HIV-1 Integrase Interaction Inhibitors. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26206203. [PMID: 34684786 PMCID: PMC8540437 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Two targeted sets of novel 1,5-diaryl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acids 10 and carbohydrazides 11 were designed and synthesized from their corresponding ester intermediates 17, which were prepared via cycloaddition of ethyl isocyanoacetate 16 and diarylimidoyl chlorides 15. Evaluation of these new target scaffolds in the AlphaScreenTM HIV-1 IN-LEDGF/p75 inhibition assay identified seventeen compounds exceeding the pre-defined 50% inhibitory threshold at 100 µM concentration. Further evaluation of these compounds in the HIV-1 IN strand transfer assay at 100 μM showed that none of the compounds (with the exception of 10a, 10l, and 11k, with marginal inhibitory percentages) were actively bound to the active site, indicating that they are selectively binding to the LEDGF/p75-binding pocket. In a cell-based HIV-1 antiviral assay, compounds 11a, 11b, 11g, and 11h exhibited moderate antiviral percentage inhibition of 33–45% with cytotoxicity (CC50) values of >200 µM, 158.4 µM, >200 µM, and 50.4 µM, respectively. The antiviral inhibitory activity displayed by 11h was attributed to its toxicity. Upon further validation of their ability to induce multimerization in a Western blot gel assay, compounds 11a, 11b, and 11h appeared to increase higher-order forms of IN.
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Debyser Z, Bruggemans A, Van Belle S, Janssens J, Christ F. LEDGINs, Inhibitors of the Interaction Between HIV-1 Integrase and LEDGF/p75, Are Potent Antivirals with a Potential to Cure HIV Infection. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1322:97-114. [PMID: 34258738 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-0267-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
A permanent cure remains the greatest challenge in the field of HIV research. In order to reach this goal, a profound understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling HIV integration and transcription is needed. Here we provide an overview of recent advances in the field. Lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75), a transcriptional coactivator, tethers and targets the HIV integrase into transcriptionally active regions of the chromatin through an interaction with the epigenetic mark H3K36me2/3. This finding prompted us to propose a "block-and-lock" strategy to retarget HIV integration into deep latency. A decade ago, we pioneered protein-protein interaction inhibitors for HIV and discovered LEDGINs. LEDGINs are small molecule inhibitors of the interaction between the integrase binding domain (IBD) of LEDGF/p75 and HIV integrase. They modify integration site selection and therefore might be molecules with a "block-and-lock" mechanism of action. Here we will describe how LEDGINs may become part in the future functional cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeger Debyser
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Anne Bruggemans
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Siska Van Belle
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Julie Janssens
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frauke Christ
- Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Maehigashi T, Ahn S, Kim UI, Lindenberger J, Oo A, Koneru PC, Mahboubi B, Engelman AN, Kvaratskhelia M, Kim K, Kim B. A highly potent and safe pyrrolopyridine-based allosteric HIV-1 integrase inhibitor targeting host LEDGF/p75-integrase interaction site. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009671. [PMID: 34293041 PMCID: PMC8297771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs) are a class of experimental anti-HIV agents that target the noncatalytic sites of the viral integrase (IN) and interfere with the IN-viral RNA interaction during viral maturation. Here, we report a highly potent and safe pyrrolopyridine-based ALLINI, STP0404, displaying picomolar IC50 in human PBMCs with a >24,000 therapeutic index against HIV-1. X-ray structural and biochemical analyses revealed that STP0404 binds to the host LEDGF/p75 protein binding pocket of the IN dimer, which induces aberrant IN oligomerization and blocks the IN-RNA interaction. Consequently, STP0404 inhibits proper localization of HIV-1 RNA genomes in viral particles during viral maturation. Y99H and A128T mutations at the LEDGF/p75 binding pocket render resistance to STP0404. Extensive in vivo pharmacological and toxicity investigations demonstrate that STP0404 harbors outstanding therapeutic and safety properties. Overall, STP0404 is a potent and first-in-class ALLINI that targets LEDGF/p75 binding site and has advanced to a human trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Maehigashi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Uk-Il Kim
- ST Pharm Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jared Lindenberger
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Adrian Oo
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Pratibha C. Koneru
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Bijan Mahboubi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Alan N. Engelman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | | | - Baek Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Drug Discovery, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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27
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Roberts RA, Campbell RA, Sikakana P, Sadler C, Osier M, Xu Y, Feng JY, Mitchell M, Sakowicz R, Chester A, Paoli E, Wang J, Burns-Naas LA. Species-Specific Urothelial Toxicity with an anti-HIV Non-Catalytic Site Integrase Inhibitor (NCINI) is Related to Unusual pH-Dependent Physicochemical Changes. Toxicol Sci 2021; 183:105-116. [PMID: 34117767 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
GS-9695 and GS-9822 are next generation Non-Catalytic Site Integrase Inhibitors (NCINIs) with significantly improved potency against HIV compared with previous drugs such as BI-224436. Development stopped due to vacuolation of the bladder urothelium seen in cynomolgus monkey but not in rat; this lesion was absent in equivalent preclinical studies with BI-224436 (tested in dog and rat). Lesions were unlikely to be attributable to target since NCINIs specifically target viral integrase protein and no mammalian homologue is known. Secondary pharmacology studies, mitochondrial toxicity studies, immunophenotyping and analysis of proteins implicated in cell-cell interactions and/or bladder integrity (e-cadherin, pan-cytokeratin, uroplakins) failed to offer any plausible explanation for the species-specificity of the lesion. Since it was characterized by inflammation and disruption of urothelial morphology, we investigated physicochemical changes in the bladder of cynomolgus monkey (urinary pH 5.5-7.4) that might not occur in the bladder of rats (urinary pH 7.3-8.5). In measurements of surface activity, GS-9822 showed an unusual transition from a monolayer to a bilayer at the air/water interface with decreasing pH, attributed to the strong association between drug molecules in adjacent bilayer leaflets and expected to be highly disruptive to the urothelium. Structural analysis of GS-9822 and GS-9695 showed zwitterionic characteristics over the range of pH expected in cynomolgus monkey but not rat urine. This exotic surface behaviour is unlikely with BI-224436 since it would transition from neutral to cationic (never zwitterionic) with decreasing pH. These data provide useful insights to guide discovery and development of NCINIs, related compounds and zwitterions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard A Campbell
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom For RAC: University of Manchester
| | | | | | - Mark Osier
- Nonclinical Safety & Pathobiology, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, USA
| | - Yili Xu
- Biology, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, CA, USA
| | - Joy Y Feng
- Biology, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Anne Chester
- Nonclinical Safety & Pathobiology, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, USA
| | - Eric Paoli
- Formulations and Process Development, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, CA, USA
| | - Jianhong Wang
- Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Foster City, CA, USA
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Yoder KE, Rabe AJ, Fishel R, Larue RC. Strategies for Targeting Retroviral Integration for Safer Gene Therapy: Advances and Challenges. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:662331. [PMID: 34055882 PMCID: PMC8149907 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.662331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroviruses are obligate intracellular parasites that must integrate a copy of the viral genome into the host DNA. The integration reaction is performed by the viral enzyme integrase in complex with the two ends of the viral cDNA genome and yields an integrated provirus. Retroviral vector particles are attractive gene therapy delivery tools due to their stable integration. However, some retroviral integration events may dysregulate host oncogenes leading to cancer in gene therapy patients. Multiple strategies to target retroviral integration, particularly to genetic safe harbors, have been tested with limited success. Attempts to target integration may be limited by the multimerization of integrase or the presence of host co-factors for integration. Several retroviral integration complexes have evolved a mechanism of tethering to chromatin via a host protein. Integration host co-factors bind chromatin, anchoring the complex and allowing integration. The tethering factor allows for both close proximity to the target DNA and specificity of targeting. Each retrovirus appears to have distinct preferences for DNA sequence and chromatin features at the integration site. Tethering factors determine the preference for chromatin features, but do not affect the subtle sequence preference at the integration site. The sequence preference is likely intrinsic to the integrase protein. New developments may uncouple the requirement for a tethering factor and increase the ability to redirect retroviral integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine E Yoder
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Anthony J Rabe
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Richard Fishel
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Ross C Larue
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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GS-9822, a preclinical LEDGIN candidate, displays a block-and-lock phenotype in cell culture. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.02328-20. [PMID: 33619061 PMCID: PMC8092873 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02328-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of HIV to integrate into the host genome and establish latent reservoirs is the main hurdle preventing an HIV cure. LEDGINs are small-molecule integrase inhibitors that target the binding pocket of LEDGF/p75, a cellular cofactor that substantially contributes to HIV integration site selection. They are potent antivirals that inhibit HIV integration and maturation. In addition, they retarget residual integrants away from transcription units and towards a more repressive chromatin environment. As a result, treatment with the LEDGIN CX14442 yielded residual provirus that proved more latent and more refractory to reactivation, supporting the use of LEDGINs as research tools to study HIV latency and a functional cure strategy. In this study we compared GS-9822, a potent, pre-clinical lead compound, with CX14442 with respect to antiviral potency, integration site selection, latency and reactivation. GS-9822 was more potent than CX14442 in most assays. For the first time, the combined effects on viral replication, integrase-LEDGF/p75 interaction, integration sites, epigenetic landscape, immediate latency and latency reversal was demonstrated at nanomolar concentrations achievable in the clinic. GS-9822 profiles as a preclinical candidate for future functional cure research.
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Janssens J, Bruggemans A, Christ F, Debyser Z. Towards a Functional Cure of HIV-1: Insight Into the Chromatin Landscape of the Provirus. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:636642. [PMID: 33868195 PMCID: PMC8044952 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.636642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite potent combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1 infection persists due to irreversible integration of the virus in long-living cells of the immune system. The main focus of HIV-1 cure strategies has been on HIV-1 eradication, yet without great success so far. Therefore, HIV-1 remission or a functional cure, whereby the virus is silenced rather than eradicated, is considered as an alternative strategy. Elite controllers, individuals who spontaneously control HIV-1, may point us the way toward a functional HIV-1 cure. In order to achieve such a cure, a profound understanding of the mechanisms controlling HIV-1 expression and silencing is needed. In recent years, evidence has grown that the site of integration as well as the chromatin landscape surrounding the integration site affects the transcriptional state of the provirus. Still, at present, the impact of integration site selection on the establishment and maintenance of the HIV-1 reservoirs remains poorly understood. The discovery of LEDGF/p75 as a binding partner of HIV-1 integrase has led to a better understanding of integration site selection. LEDGF/p75 is one of the important determinants of integration site selection and targets integration toward active genes. In this review, we will provide an overview of the most important determinants of integration site selection. Secondly, we will discuss the chromatin landscape at the integration site and its implications on HIV-1 gene expression and silencing. Finally, we will discuss how interventions that affect integration site selection or modifications of the chromatin could yield a functional cure of HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Janssens
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne Bruggemans
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frauke Christ
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Zeger Debyser
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Targeting protein self-association in drug design. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:1148-1163. [PMID: 33548462 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Protein self-association is a universal phenomenon essential for stability and molecular recognition. Disrupting constitutive homomers constitutes an original and emerging strategy in drug design. Inhibition of homomeric proteins can be achieved through direct complex disruption, subunit intercalation, or by promoting inactive oligomeric states. Targeting self-interaction grants several advantages over active site inhibition because of the stimulation of protein degradation, the enhancement of selectivity, substoichiometric inhibition, and by-pass of compensatory mechanisms. This new landscape in protein inhibition is driven by the development of biophysical and biochemical tools suited for the study of homomeric proteins, such as differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), native mass spectrometry (MS), Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy, 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray crystallography. In this review, we discuss the different aspects of this new paradigm in drug design.
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Optimized binding of substituted quinoline ALLINIs within the HIV-1 integrase oligomer. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100363. [PMID: 33539919 PMCID: PMC7949159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During the integration step, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase (IN) interacts with viral DNA and the cellular cofactor LEDGF/p75 to effectively integrate the reverse transcript into the host chromatin. Allosteric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs) are a new class of antiviral agents that bind at the dimer interface of the IN catalytic core domain and occupy the binding site of LEDGF/p75. While originally designed to block IN-LEDGF/p75 interactions during viral integration, several of these compounds have been shown to also severely impact viral maturation through an IN multimerization mechanism. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that these dual properties of ALLINIs could be decoupled toward late stage viral replication effects by generating additional contact points between the bound ALLINI and a third subunit of IN. By sequential derivatization at position 7 of a quinoline-based ALLINI scaffold, we show that IN multimerization properties are enhanced by optimizing hydrophobic interactions between the compound and the C-terminal domain of the third IN subunit. These features not only improve the overall antiviral potencies of these compounds but also significantly shift the ALLINIs selectivity toward the viral maturation stage. Thus, we demonstrate that to fully maximize the potency of ALLINIs, the interactions between the inhibitor and all three IN subunits need to be simultaneously optimized.
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Zhang DW, Yan HL, Xu XS, Xu L, Yin ZH, Chang S, Luo H. The selenium-containing drug ebselen potently disrupts LEDGF/p75-HIV-1 integrase interaction by targeting LEDGF/p75. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2020; 35:906-912. [PMID: 32228103 PMCID: PMC7170385 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1743282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lens-epithelium-derived growth-factor (LEDGF/p75)-binding site on HIV-1 integrase (IN), is an attractive target for antiviral chemotherapy. Small-molecule compounds binding to this site are referred as LEDGF-IN inhibitors (LEDGINs). In this study, compound libraries were screened to identify new inhibitors of LEDGF/p75-IN interaction. Ebselen (2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3-one), a reported anti-HIV-1 agent, was identified as a moderate micromolar inhibitor of LEDGF/p75-IN interaction. Ebselen inhibited the interaction by binding to LEDGF/p75 and the ability of ebselen to inhibit the interaction could be reversed by dithiothreitol (DTT). BLI experiment showed that ebselen probably formed selenium-sulphur bonds with reduced thiols in LEDGF/p75. To the best of our knowledge, we showed for the first time that small-molecule compound, ebselen inhibited LEDGF/p75-IN interaction by directly binding to LEDGF/p75. The compound discovered here could be used as probe compounds to design and develop new disrupter of LEDGF/p75-IN interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Wei Zhang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Hao-Li Yan
- Center for Food and Drug Evaluation & Inspection of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Shuang Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Hui Yin
- First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shan Chang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Heng Luo
- College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China
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34
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Sun Q, Ramaswamy VSK, Levy R, Deng N. Computational design of small molecular modulators of protein-protein interactions with a novel thermodynamic cycle: Allosteric inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase. Protein Sci 2020; 30:438-447. [PMID: 33244804 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Targeting protein-protein interactions for therapeutic development involves designing small molecules to either disrupt or enhance a known PPI. For this purpose, it is necessary to compute reliably the effect of chemical modifications of small molecules on the protein-protein association free energy. Here we present results obtained using a novel thermodynamic free energy cycle, for the rational design of allosteric inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase (ALLINI) that act specifically in the early stage of the infection cycle. The new compounds can serve as molecular probes to dissect the multifunctional mechanisms of ALLINIs to inform the discovery of new allosteric inhibitors. The free energy protocol developed here can be more broadly applied to study quantitatively the effects of small molecules on modulating the strengths of protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinfang Sun
- Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology and Department of Chemistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vijayan S K Ramaswamy
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ronald Levy
- Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology and Department of Chemistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nanjie Deng
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, New York, New York, USA
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35
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Li Y, Tian Y, Xi Y, Qin Z, Yan A. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Study for HIV-1 LEDGF/p75 Inhibitors. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des 2020; 16:654-666. [DOI: 10.2174/1573409915666190919153959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background:
HIV-1 Integrase (IN) is an important target for the development of the
new anti-AIDS drugs. HIV-1 LEDGF/p75 inhibitors, which block the integrase and LEDGF/p75
interaction, have been validated for reduction in HIV-1 viral replicative capacity.
Methods:
In this work, computational Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models
were developed for predicting the bioactivity of HIV-1 integrase LEDGF/p75 inhibitors. We collected
190 inhibitors and their bioactivities in this study and divided the inhibitors into nine scaffolds
by the method of T-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (TSNE). These 190 inhibitors
were split into a training set and a test set according to the result of a Kohonen’s self-organizing
map (SOM) or randomly. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) models, support vector machine
(SVM) models and two consensus models were built based on the training sets by 20 selected
CORINA Symphony descriptors.
Results:
All the models showed a good prediction of pIC50. The correlation coefficients of all the
models were more than 0.7 on the test set. For the training set of consensus Model C1, which performed
better than other models, the correlation coefficient(r) achieved 0.909 on the training set,
and 0.804 on the test set.
Conclusion:
The selected molecular descriptors show that hydrogen bond acceptor, atom charges
and electronegativities (especially π atom) were important in predicting the activity of HIV-1 integrase
LEDGF/p75-IN inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Institute of Science and Technology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan, Shandong, 250355, China
| | - Yujia Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, P.O. Box 53, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 BeiSanHuan East Road, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yao Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, P.O. Box 53, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 BeiSanHuan East Road, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zijian Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, P.O. Box 53, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 BeiSanHuan East Road, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Aixia Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, P.O. Box 53, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 BeiSanHuan East Road, Beijing 100029, China
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36
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Bester SM, Wei G, Zhao H, Adu-Ampratwum D, Iqbal N, Courouble VV, Francis AC, Annamalai AS, Singh PK, Shkriabai N, Van Blerkom P, Morrison J, Poeschla EM, Engelman AN, Melikyan GB, Griffin PR, Fuchs JR, Asturias FJ, Kvaratskhelia M. Structural and mechanistic bases for a potent HIV-1 capsid inhibitor. Science 2020; 370:360-364. [PMID: 33060363 PMCID: PMC7831379 DOI: 10.1126/science.abb4808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The potent HIV-1 capsid inhibitor GS-6207 is an investigational principal component of long-acting antiretroviral therapy. We found that GS-6207 inhibits HIV-1 by stabilizing and thereby preventing functional disassembly of the capsid shell in infected cells. X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange experiments revealed that GS-6207 tightly binds two adjoining capsid subunits and promotes distal intra- and inter-hexamer interactions that stabilize the curved capsid lattice. In addition, GS-6207 interferes with capsid binding to the cellular HIV-1 cofactors Nup153 and CPSF6 that mediate viral nuclear import and direct integration into gene-rich regions of chromatin. These findings elucidate structural insights into the multimodal, potent antiviral activity of GS-6207 and provide a means for rationally developing second-generation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Bester
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Guochao Wei
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Haiyan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Daniel Adu-Ampratwum
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Naseer Iqbal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Valentine V Courouble
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Ashwanth C Francis
- Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Arun S Annamalai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Parmit K Singh
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nikoloz Shkriabai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Peter Van Blerkom
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - James Morrison
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Eric M Poeschla
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Alan N Engelman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gregory B Melikyan
- Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Patrick R Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - James R Fuchs
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Francisco J Asturias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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37
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Vansant G, Chen HC, Zorita E, Trejbalová K, Miklík D, Filion G, Debyser Z. The chromatin landscape at the HIV-1 provirus integration site determines viral expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:7801-7817. [PMID: 32597987 PMCID: PMC7641320 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 persists lifelong in memory cells of the immune system as latent provirus that rebounds upon treatment interruption. Therefore, the latent reservoir is the main target for an HIV cure. Here, we studied the direct link between integration site and transcription using LEDGINs and Barcoded HIV-ensembles (B-HIVE). LEDGINs are antivirals that inhibit the interaction between HIV-1 integrase and the chromatin-tethering factor LEDGF/p75. They were used as a tool to retarget integration, while the effect on HIV expression was measured with B-HIVE. B-HIVE tracks insert-specific HIV expression by tagging a unique barcode in the HIV genome. We confirmed that LEDGINs retarget integration out of gene-dense and actively transcribed regions. The distance to H3K36me3, the marker recognized by LEDGF/p75, clearly increased. LEDGIN treatment reduced viral RNA expression and increased the proportion of silent provirus. Finally, silent proviruses obtained after LEDGIN treatment were located further away from epigenetic marks associated with active transcription. Interestingly, proximity to enhancers stimulated transcription irrespective of LEDGIN treatment, while the distance to H3K36me3 only changed after treatment with LEDGINs. The fact that proximity to these markers are associated with RNA expression support the direct link between provirus integration site and viral expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerlinde Vansant
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Heng-Chang Chen
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Eduard Zorita
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Katerina Trejbalová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Miklík
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Guillaume Filion
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.,University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Zeger Debyser
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
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38
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Elliott JL, Eschbach JE, Koneru PC, Li W, Puray-Chavez M, Townsend D, Lawson DQ, Engelman AN, Kvaratskhelia M, Kutluay SB. Integrase-RNA interactions underscore the critical role of integrase in HIV-1 virion morphogenesis. eLife 2020; 9:54311. [PMID: 32960169 PMCID: PMC7671690 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A large number of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) alterations, referred to as class II substitutions, exhibit pleiotropic effects during virus replication. However, the underlying mechanism for the class II phenotype is not known. Here we demonstrate that all tested class II IN substitutions compromised IN-RNA binding in virions by one of the three distinct mechanisms: (i) markedly reducing IN levels thus precluding the formation of IN complexes with viral RNA; (ii) adversely affecting functional IN multimerization and consequently impairing IN binding to viral RNA; and (iii) directly compromising IN-RNA interactions without substantially affecting IN levels or functional IN multimerization. Inhibition of IN-RNA interactions resulted in the mislocalization of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes outside the capsid lattice, which led to premature degradation of the viral genome and IN in target cells. Collectively, our studies uncover causal mechanisms for the class II phenotype and highlight an essential role of IN-RNA interactions for accurate virion maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Elliott
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, United States
| | - Jenna E Eschbach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, United States
| | - Pratibha C Koneru
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, United States
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Maritza Puray-Chavez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, United States
| | - Dana Townsend
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, United States
| | - Dana Q Lawson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, United States
| | - Alan N Engelman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, United States
| | - Sebla B Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, United States
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39
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A Conformational Escape Reaction of HIV-1 against an Allosteric Integrase Inhibitor. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00486-20. [PMID: 32611758 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00486-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 often acquires drug-resistant mutations in spite of the benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV-1 integrase (IN) is essential for the concerted integration of HIV-1 DNA into the host genome. IN further contributes to HIV-1 RNA binding, which is required for HIV-1 maturation. Non-catalytic-site integrase inhibitors (NCINIs) have been developed as allosteric IN inhibitors, which perform anti-HIV-1 activity by a multimodal mode of action such as inhibition of the IN-lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75 interaction in the early stage and disruption of functional IN multimerization in the late stage of HIV-1 replication. Here, we show that IN undergoes an adaptable conformational change to escape from NCINIs. We observed that NCINI-resistant HIV-1 variants have accumulated 4 amino acid mutations by passage 26 (P26) in the IN-encoding region. We employed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thermal stability assays, and X-ray crystallographic analysis to show that some amino acid mutations affect the stability and/or dimerization interface of the IN catalytic core domains (CCDs), potentially resulting in the severely decreased multimerization of full-length IN proteins (IN undermultimerization). This undermultimerized IN via NCINI-related mutations was stabilized by HIV-1 RNA and restored to the same level as that of wild-type HIV-1 in viral particles. Recombinant HIV-1 clones with IN undermultimerization propagated similarly to wild-type HIV-1. Our study revealed that HIV-1 can eventually counteract NCINI-induced IN overmultimerization by IN undermultimerization as one of the escape mechanisms. Our findings provide information on the understanding of IN multimerization with or without HIV-1 RNA and may influence the development of anti-HIV-1 strategies.IMPORTANCE Understanding the mechanism of HIV-1 resistance to anti-HIV-1 drugs could lead to the development of novel drugs with increased efficiency, resulting in more effective ART. ART composed of more potent and long-acting anti-HIV-1 drugs can greatly improve drug adherence and also provide HIV-1 prevention such as preexposure prophylaxis. NCINIs with a multimodal mode of action exert potent anti-HIV-1 effects through IN overmultimerization during HIV-1 maturation. However, HIV-1 can acquire some mutations that cause IN undermultimerization to alleviate NCINI-induced IN overmultimerization. This undermultimerized IN was efficiently stabilized by HIV-1 RNA and restored to the same level as that of wild-type HIV-1. Our findings revealed that HIV-1 eventually acquires such a conformational escape reaction to overcome the unique NCINI actions. The investigation into drug-resistant mutations associated with HIV-1 protein multimerization may facilitate the elucidation of its molecular mechanism and functional multimerization, allowing us to develop more potent anti-HIV-1 drugs and unique treatment strategies.
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40
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Elliott JL, Kutluay SB. Going beyond Integration: The Emerging Role of HIV-1 Integrase in Virion Morphogenesis. Viruses 2020; 12:E1005. [PMID: 32916894 PMCID: PMC7551943 DOI: 10.3390/v12091005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 integrase enzyme (IN) plays a critical role in the viral life cycle by integrating the reverse-transcribed viral DNA into the host chromosome. This function of IN has been well studied, and the knowledge gained has informed the design of small molecule inhibitors that now form key components of antiretroviral therapy regimens. Recent discoveries unveiled that IN has an under-studied yet equally vital second function in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. This involves IN binding to the viral RNA genome in virions, which is necessary for proper virion maturation and morphogenesis. Inhibition of IN binding to the viral RNA genome results in mislocalization of the viral genome inside the virus particle, and its premature exposure and degradation in target cells. The roles of IN in integration and virion morphogenesis share a number of common elements, including interaction with viral nucleic acids and assembly of higher-order IN multimers. Herein we describe these two functions of IN within the context of the HIV-1 life cycle, how IN binding to the viral genome is coordinated by the major structural protein, Gag, and discuss the value of targeting the second role of IN in virion morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA;
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41
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Kleinpeter AB, Freed EO. HIV-1 Maturation: Lessons Learned from Inhibitors. Viruses 2020; 12:E940. [PMID: 32858867 PMCID: PMC7552077 DOI: 10.3390/v12090940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of HIV and AIDS in the early 1980s, the development of safe and effective therapies has accompanied a massive increase in our understanding of the fundamental processes that drive HIV biology. As basic HIV research has informed the development of novel therapies, HIV inhibitors have been used as probes for investigating basic mechanisms of HIV-1 replication, transmission, and pathogenesis. This positive feedback cycle has led to the development of highly effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), which has helped stall the progression to AIDS, prolong lives, and reduce transmission of the virus. However, to combat the growing rates of virologic failure and toxicity associated with long-term therapy, it is important to diversify our repertoire of HIV-1 treatments by identifying compounds that block additional steps not targeted by current drugs. Most of the available therapeutics disrupt early events in the replication cycle, with the exception of the protease (PR) inhibitors, which act at the virus maturation step. HIV-1 maturation consists of a series of biochemical changes that facilitate the conversion of an immature, noninfectious particle to a mature infectious virion. These changes include proteolytic processing of the Gag polyprotein by the viral protease (PR), structural rearrangement of the capsid (CA) protein, and assembly of individual CA monomers into hexamers and pentamers that ultimately form the capsid. Here, we review the development and therapeutic potential of maturation inhibitors (MIs), an experimental class of anti-HIV-1 compounds with mechanisms of action distinct from those of the PR inhibitors. We emphasize the key insights into HIV-1 biology and structure that the study of MIs has provided. We will focus on three distinct groups of inhibitors that block HIV-1 maturation: (1) compounds that block the processing of the CA-spacer peptide 1 (SP1) cleavage intermediate, the original class of compounds to which the term MI was applied; (2) CA-binding inhibitors that disrupt capsid condensation; and (3) allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs) that block the packaging of the viral RNA genome into the condensing capsid during maturation. Although these three classes of compounds have distinct structures and mechanisms of action, they share the ability to block the formation of the condensed conical capsid, thereby blocking particle infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric O. Freed
- HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
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42
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Vansant G, Bruggemans A, Janssens J, Debyser Z. Block-And-Lock Strategies to Cure HIV Infection. Viruses 2020; 12:E84. [PMID: 31936859 PMCID: PMC7019976 DOI: 10.3390/v12010084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Today HIV infection cannot be cured due to the presence of a reservoir of latently infected cells inducing a viral rebound upon treatment interruption. Hence, the latent reservoir is considered as the major barrier for an HIV cure. So far, efforts to completely eradicate the reservoir via a shock-and-kill approach have proven difficult and unsuccessful. Therefore, more research has been done recently on an alternative block-and-lock functional cure strategy. In contrast to the shock-and-kill strategy that aims to eradicate the entire reservoir, block-and-lock aims to permanently silence all proviruses, even after treatment interruption. HIV silencing can be achieved by targeting different factors of the transcription machinery. In this review, we first describe the underlying mechanisms of HIV transcription and silencing. Next, we give an overview of the different block-and-lock strategies under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerlinde Vansant
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, 3000 Flanders, Belgium
| | - Anne Bruggemans
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, 3000 Flanders, Belgium
| | - Julie Janssens
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, 3000 Flanders, Belgium
| | - Zeger Debyser
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, 3000 Flanders, Belgium
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43
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Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of imidazole and oxazole fragments as HIV-1 integrase-LEDGF/p75 disruptors and inhibitors of microbial pathogens. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115210. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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44
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Esposito F, Sechi M, Pala N, Sanna A, Koneru PC, Kvaratskhelia M, Naesens L, Corona A, Grandi N, di Santo R, D'Amore VM, Di Leva FS, Novellino E, Cosconati S, Tramontano E. Discovery of dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid derivatives as dual allosteric HIV-1 Integrase and Reverse Transcriptase associated Ribonuclease H inhibitors. Antiviral Res 2019; 174:104671. [PMID: 31812637 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection requires life-long treatment that is associated with chronic toxicity and possible selection of drug-resistant strains. A new opportunity for drug intervention is offered by antivirals that act as allosteric inhibitors targeting two viral functions (dual inhibitors). In this work, we investigated the effects of 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) derivatives on both HIV-1 Integrase (IN) and Reverse Transcriptase associated Ribonuclease H (RNase H) activities. Among the tested compounds, the dihydroxyindole-carboxamide 5 was able to inhibit in the low micromolar range (1-18 μM) multiple functions of IN, including functional IN-IN interactions, IN-LEDGF/p75 binding and IN catalytic activity. Docking and site-directed mutagenesis studies have suggested that compound 5 binds to a previously described HIV-1 IN allosteric pocket. These observations indicate that 5 is structurally and mechanistically distinct from the published allosteric HIV-1 IN inhibitors. Moreover, compound 5 also inhibited HIV-1 RNase H function, classifying this molecule as a dual HIV-1 IN and RNase H inhibitor able to impair the HIV-1 virus replication in cell culture. Overall, we identified a new scaffold as a suitable platform for the development of novel dual HIV-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SS554, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy.
| | - Mario Sechi
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Nicolino Pala
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Adele Sanna
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pratibha Chowdary Koneru
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Lieve Naesens
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SS554, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SS554, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Roberto di Santo
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maria D'Amore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi, 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SS554, 09042, Monserrato (CA), Italy
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Engelman AN. Multifaceted HIV integrase functionalities and therapeutic strategies for their inhibition. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:15137-15157. [PMID: 31467082 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev119.006901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral inhibitors that are used to manage HIV infection/AIDS predominantly target three enzymes required for virus replication: reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase. Although integrase inhibitors were the last among this group to be approved for treating people living with HIV, they have since risen to the forefront of treatment options. Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are now recommended components of frontline and drug-switch antiretroviral therapy formulations. Integrase catalyzes two successive magnesium-dependent polynucleotidyl transferase reactions, 3' processing and strand transfer, and INSTIs tightly bind the divalent metal ions and viral DNA end after 3' processing, displacing from the integrase active site the DNA 3'-hydroxyl group that is required for strand transfer activity. Although second-generation INSTIs present higher barriers to the development of viral drug resistance than first-generation compounds, the mechanisms underlying these superior barrier profiles are incompletely understood. A separate class of HIV-1 integrase inhibitors, the allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs), engage integrase distal from the enzyme active site, namely at the binding site for the cellular cofactor lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75 that helps to guide integration into host genes. ALLINIs inhibit HIV-1 replication by inducing integrase hypermultimerization, which precludes integrase binding to genomic RNA and perturbs the morphogenesis of new viral particles. Although not yet approved for human use, ALLINIs provide important probes that can be used to investigate the link between HIV-1 integrase and viral particle morphogenesis. Herein, I review the mechanisms of retroviral integration as well as the promises and challenges of using integrase inhibitors for HIV/AIDS management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan N Engelman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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46
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Chromenone derivatives as a versatile scaffold with dual mode of inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated Ribonuclease H function and integrase activity. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111617. [PMID: 31442684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A number of compounds targeting different processes of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) life cycle have been developed in the continuing fight against AIDS. Coumarin-based molecules already proved to act as HIV-1 Protease (PR) or Integrase (IN) inhibitors and also to target HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), blocking the DNA-dependent DNA-polymerase activity or the RNA-dependent DNA-polymerase activity working as common NNRTIs. In the present study, with the aim to exploit a coumarin-based scaffold to achieve the inhibition of multiple viral coded enzymatic functions, novel 4-hydroxy-2H, 5H-pyrano (3, 2-c) chromene-2, 5-dione derivatives were synthesized. The modeling studies calculated the theoretical binding affinity of the synthesized compounds on both HIV-1 IN and RT-associated Ribonuclease H (RNase H) active sites, which was confirmed by biological assays. Our results provide a basis for the identification of dual HIV-1 IN and RT RNase H inhibitors compounds.
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47
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A Ligand-Based Virtual Screening Method Using Direct Quantification of Generalization Ability. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24132414. [PMID: 31262005 PMCID: PMC6651094 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Machine learning plays an important role in ligand-based virtual screening. However, conventional machine learning approaches tend to be inefficient when dealing with such problems where the data are imbalanced and features describing the chemical characteristic of ligands are high-dimensional. We here describe a machine learning algorithm LBS (local beta screening) for ligand-based virtual screening. The unique characteristic of LBS is that it quantifies the generalization ability of screening directly by a refined loss function, and thus can assess the risk of over-fitting accurately and efficiently for imbalanced and high-dimensional data in ligand-based virtual screening without the help of resampling methods such as cross validation. The robustness of LBS was demonstrated by a simulation study and tests on real datasets, in which LBS outperformed conventional algorithms in terms of screening accuracy and model interpretation. LBS was then used for screening potential activators of HIV-1 integrase multimerization in an independent compound library, and the virtual screening result was experimentally validated. Of the 25 compounds tested, six were proved to be active. The most potent compound in experimental validation showed an EC50 value of 0.71 µM.
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48
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Koneru PC, Francis AC, Deng N, Rebensburg SV, Hoyte AC, Lindenberger J, Adu-Ampratwum D, Larue RC, Wempe MF, Engelman AN, Lyumkis D, Fuchs JR, Levy RM, Melikyan GB, Kvaratskhelia M. HIV-1 integrase tetramers are the antiviral target of pyridine-based allosteric integrase inhibitors. eLife 2019; 8:46344. [PMID: 31120420 PMCID: PMC6581505 DOI: 10.7554/elife.46344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Allosteric HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors (ALLINIs) are a promising new class of antiretroviral agents that disrupt proper viral maturation by inducing hyper-multimerization of IN. Here we show that lead pyridine-based ALLINI KF116 exhibits striking selectivity for IN tetramers versus lower order protein oligomers. IN structural features that are essential for its functional tetramerization and HIV-1 replication are also critically important for KF116 mediated higher-order IN multimerization. Live cell imaging of single viral particles revealed that KF116 treatment during virion production compromises the tight association of IN with capsid cores during subsequent infection of target cells. We have synthesized the highly active (-)-KF116 enantiomer, which displayed EC50 of ~7 nM against wild type HIV-1 and ~10 fold higher, sub-nM activity against a clinically relevant dolutegravir resistant mutant virus suggesting potential clinical benefits for complementing dolutegravir therapy with pyridine-based ALLINIs. HIV-1 inserts its genetic code into human genomes, turning healthy cells into virus factories. To do this, the virus uses an enzyme called integrase. Front-line treatments against HIV-1 called “integrase strand-transfer inhibitors” stop this enzyme from working. These inhibitors have helped to revolutionize the treatment of HIV/AIDS by protecting the cells from new infections. But, the emergence of drug resistance remains a serious problem. As the virus evolves, it changes the shape of its integrase protein, substantially reducing the effectiveness of the current therapies. One way to overcome this problem is to develop other therapies that can kill the drug resistant viruses by targeting different parts of the integrase protein. It should be much harder for the virus to evolve the right combination of changes to escape two or more treatments at once. A promising class of new compounds are “allosteric integrase inhibitors”. These chemical compounds target a part of the integrase enzyme that the other treatments do not yet reach. Rather than stopping the integrase enzyme from inserting the viral code into the human genome, the new inhibitors make integrase proteins clump together and prevent the formation of infectious viruses. At the moment, these compounds are still experimental. Before they are ready for use in people, researchers need to better understand how they work, and there are several open questions to answer. Integrase proteins work in groups of four and it is not clear how the new compounds make the integrases form large clumps, or what this does to the virus. Understanding this should allow scientists to develop improved versions of the drugs. To answer these questions, Koneru et al. first examined two of the new compounds. A combination of molecular analysis and computer modelling revealed how they work. The compounds link many separate groups of four integrases with each other to form larger and larger clumps, essentially a snowball effect. Live images of infected cells showed that the clumps of integrase get stuck outside of the virus’s protective casing. This leaves them exposed, allowing the cell to destroy the integrase enzymes. Koneru et al. also made a new compound, called (-)-KF116. Not only was this compound able to tackle normal HIV-1, it could block viruses resistant to the other type of integrase treatment. In fact, in laboratory tests, it was 10 times more powerful against these resistant viruses. Together, these findings help to explain how allosteric integrase inhibitors work, taking scientists a step closer to bringing them into the clinic. In the future, new versions of the compounds, like (-)-KF116, could help to tackle drug resistance in HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha C Koneru
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, United States
| | - Ashwanth C Francis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Nanjie Deng
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, New York, United States
| | - Stephanie V Rebensburg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, United States
| | - Ashley C Hoyte
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, United States
| | - Jared Lindenberger
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, United States
| | | | - Ross C Larue
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, United States
| | - Michael F Wempe
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, United States
| | - Alan N Engelman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, United States.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Dmitry Lyumkis
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, United States
| | - James R Fuchs
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, United States
| | - Ronald M Levy
- Department of Chemistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Gregory B Melikyan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, United States
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, United States
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Gümüş M, Sert Y, Yalkın A, Gökce H, Koca İ. Synthesis, Experimental and Theoretical Characterization of Novel Pyrimidine‐5‐Carboxamides. ChemistrySelect 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201900780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Gümüş
- Akdağmadeni Health CollegeYozgat Bozok University, Yozgat TURKEY
| | - Yusuf Sert
- Sorgun Vocational SchoolYozgat Bozok University, 66700 Yozgat Turkey
| | - Ahmet Yalkın
- Mezitli District National Education Directorate, Mersin TURKEY
| | - Halil Gökce
- Vocational School of Health ServicesGiresun University, 28200 Giresun Turkey
| | - İrfan Koca
- Department of ChemistryFaculty of Art & Sciences, Yozgat Bozok University, 66200Yozgat TURKEY
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50
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Vansant G, Vranckx LS, Zurnic I, Van Looveren D, Van de Velde P, Nobles C, Gijsbers R, Christ F, Debyser Z. Impact of LEDGIN treatment during virus production on residual HIV-1 transcription. Retrovirology 2019; 16:8. [PMID: 30940165 PMCID: PMC6444612 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-019-0472-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Persistence of latent, replication-competent provirus is the main impediment towards the cure of HIV infection. One of the critical questions concerning HIV latency is the role of integration site selection in HIV expression. Inhibition of the interaction between HIV integrase and its chromatin tethering cofactor LEDGF/p75 is known to reduce integration and to retarget residual provirus to regions resistant to reactivation. LEDGINs, small molecule inhibitors of the interaction between HIV integrase and LEDGF/p75, provide an interesting tool to study the underlying mechanisms. During early infection, LEDGINs block the interaction with LEDGF/p75 and allosterically inhibit the catalytic activity of IN (i.e. the early effect). When present during virus production, LEDGINs interfere with proper maturation due to enhanced IN oligomerization in the progeny virions (i.e. the late effect). Results We studied the effect of LEDGINs present during virus production on the transcriptional state of the residual virus. Infection of cells with viruses produced in the presence of LEDGINs resulted in a residual reservoir that was refractory to activation. Integration of residual provirus was less favored near epigenetic markers associated with active transcription. However, integration near H3K36me3 and active genes, both targeted by LEDGF/p75, was not affected. Also in primary cells, LEDGIN treatment induced a reservoir resistant to activation due to a combined early and late effect. Conclusion LEDGINs present a research tool to study the link between integration and transcription, an essential question in retrovirology. LEDGIN treatment during virus production altered integration of residual provirus in a LEDGF/p75-independent manner, resulting in a reservoir that is refractory to activation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12977-019-0472-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerlinde Vansant
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1023, 3000, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Lenard S Vranckx
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1023, 3000, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Irena Zurnic
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1023, 3000, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Dominique Van Looveren
- Laboratory for Viral Vector Technology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1023, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paulien Van de Velde
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1023, 3000, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Christopher Nobles
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Rik Gijsbers
- Laboratory for Viral Vector Technology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1023, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frauke Christ
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1023, 3000, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Zeger Debyser
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 1023, 3000, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.
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