Mass spectrometric analysis of the HIV-1 integrase-pyridoxal 5'-phosphate complex reveals a new binding site for a nucleotide inhibitor

NKNK: a New Essential Motif in the C-Terminal Domain of HIV-1 Group M Integrases

Using coevolution network interference based on comparison of two phylogenetically distantly related isolates, one from the main group M and the other from the minor group O of HIV-1, we identify, in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of integrase, a new functional motif constituted by four noncontiguous amino acids (N₂₂₂K₂₄₀N₂₅₄K₂₇₃). Mutating the lysines abolishes integration through decreased 3' processing and inefficient nuclear import of reverse-transcribed genomes. Solution of the crystal structures of wild-type (wt) and mutated CTDs shows that the motif generates a positive surface potential that is important for integration. The number of charges in the motif appears more crucial than their position within the motif. Indeed, the positions of the K's could be permutated or additional K's could be inserted in the motif, generally without affecting integration per se Despite this potential genetic flexibility, the NKNK arrangement is strictly conserved in natural sequences, indicative of an effective purifying selection exerted at steps other than integration. Accordingly, reverse transcription was reduced even in the mutants that retained wt integration levels, indicating that specifically the wt sequence is optimal for carrying out the multiple functions that integrase exerts. We propose that the existence of several amino acid arrangements within the motif, with comparable efficiencies of integration per se, might have constituted an asset for the acquisition of additional functions during viral evolution.IMPORTANCE Intensive studies of HIV-1 have revealed its extraordinary ability to adapt to environmental and immunological challenges, an ability that is also at the basis of antiviral treatment escape. Here, by deconvoluting the different roles of the viral integrase in the various steps of the infectious cycle, we report how the existence of alternative equally efficient structural arrangements for carrying out one function opens up the possibility of adapting to the optimization of further functionalities exerted by the same protein. Such a property provides an asset to increase the efficiency of the infectious process. On the other hand, though, the identification of this new motif provides a potential target for interfering simultaneously with multiple functions of the protein.

Rapid characterization of structure-dependency gas-phase ion/ion reaction via accumulative tandem MS

To enable the rapid detection of biomolecule reactivity and reaction sites, we developed a method based on gas-phase ion/ion reaction and accumulative tandem mass spectrometry (MS). Structure-dependency reactions in gas-phase were performed between biomolecule ions and their reaction partner ions with opposite polarities in a quadrupole ion trap. Gas-phase peptide bioconjugation with pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) was chosen as a proof-of-principle example. It is found that the Coulomb attraction force holds reaction partners close together, which increasing the reaction probability. Post reaction, reaction sites were identified by the consequent accumulative tandem MS method, in which informative product ions in low abundance were enriched by more than 100 times in another quadrupole ion trap. With enough product ions, tandem MS was performed, and reaction sites could be identified unambiguously. Since those reactions are normally biomolecular structure dependent, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also carried out to understand the reaction mechanism. The method allows for rapid characterization of structure dependent reactivity of a biomolecule, and opens a new avenue for drug development and biomolecule structure analyses.

Identification of pyridoxal phosphate-modified proteins using mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) cooperates with a variety of enzymes in all organisms for many important biological processes. The development of mass spectrometry-based methodology for high-throughput modification analyses could provide an alternative way for PLP identification. The present study aims to identify PLP modification.

METHODS

More PLP site-determining information was obtained by introducing multistage activation (MSA)-assisted collision-induced dissociation (CID). We then utilized immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) with Ti⁴⁺ to enrich the PLP peptides. In addition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was used to remove the phosphoryl group and further confirm the PLP modification site.

RESULTS

MSA was able to greatly enhance the identification and localization of PLP modification. We applied this strategy to analyze PLP-modified proteins in Escherichia coli samples and accurately determine PLP site K270 in tryptophanase.

CONCLUSIONS

MSA-assisted CID was used to provide better identification of PLP-modified peptides. Furthermore, tryptophanase with PLP modification at K270 in E. coli was identified with Ti⁴⁺ -IMAC enrichment followed by ALP treatment. This method provides a promising alternative for investigating biological functions of PLP-modified proteins.

Interaction between Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Is Required for Reverse Transcription during HIV-1 Replication

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication requires reverse transcription of its RNA genome into a double-stranded cDNA copy, which is then integrated into the host cell chromosome. The essential steps of reverse transcription and integration are catalyzed by the viral enzymes reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN), respectively. In vitro, HIV-1 RT can bind with IN, and the C-terminal domain (CTD) of IN is necessary and sufficient for this binding. To better define the RT-IN interaction, we performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy experiments to map a binding surface on the IN CTD in the presence of RT prebound to a duplex DNA construct that mimics the primer-binding site in the HIV-1 genome. To determine the biological significance of the RT-IN interaction during viral replication, we used the NMR chemical shift mapping information as a guide to introduce single amino acid substitutions of nine different residues on the putative RT-binding surface in the IN CTD. We found that six viral clones bearing such IN substitutions (R231E, W243E, G247E, A248E, V250E, and I251E) were noninfectious. Further analyses of the replication-defective IN mutants indicated that the block in replication took place specifically during early reverse transcription. The recombinant INs purified from these mutants, though retaining enzymatic activities, had diminished ability to bind RT in a cosedimentation assay. The results indicate that the RT-IN interaction is functionally relevant during the reverse transcription step of the HIV-1 life cycle.

IMPORTANCE

To establish a productive infection, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) needs to reverse transcribe its RNA genome to create a double-stranded DNA copy and then integrate this viral DNA genome into the chromosome of the host cell. These two essential steps are catalyzed by the HIV-1 enzymes reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN), respectively. We have shown previously that IN physically interacts with RT, but the importance of this interaction during HIV-1 replication has not been fully characterized. In this study, we have established the biological significance of the HIV-1 RT-IN interaction during the viral life cycle by demonstrating that altering the RT-binding surface on IN disrupts both reverse transcription and viral replication. These findings contribute to our understanding of the RT-IN binding mechanism, as well as indicate that the RT-IN interaction can be exploited as a new antiviral drug target.

New class of HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors with a dual mode of action

tert-Butoxy-(4-phenyl-quinolin-3-yl)-acetic acids (tBPQA) are a new class of HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors that are structurally distinct from IN strand transfer inhibitors but analogous to LEDGINs. LEDGINs are a class of potent antiviral compounds that interacts with the lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF) binding pocket on IN and were identified through competition binding against LEDGF. LEDGF tethers IN to the host chromatin and enables targeted integration of viral DNA. The prevailing understanding of the antiviral mechanism of LEDGINs is that they inhibit LEDGF binding to IN, which prevents targeted integration of HIV-1. We showed that in addition to the properties already known for LEDGINs, the binding of tBPQAs to the IN dimer interface inhibits IN enzymatic activity in a LEDGF-independent manner. Using the analysis of two long terminal repeat junctions in HIV-infected cells, we showed that the inhibition by tBPQAs occurs at or prior to the viral DNA 3'-processing step. Biochemical studies revealed that this inhibition operates by compound-induced conformational changes in the IN dimer that prevent proper assembly of IN onto viral DNA. For the first time, tBPQAs were demonstrated to be allosteric inhibitors of HIV-1 IN displaying a dual mode of action: inhibition of IN-viral DNA assembly and inhibition of IN-LEDGF interaction.

Turning pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes into thermostable binding proteins: D-Serine dehydratase from baker's yeast as a case study

D-serine dehydratase from Saccharomyces cerevisae is a recently discovered dimeric enzyme catalyzing the β-elimination of D-serine to pyruvate and ammonia. The reaction is highly enantioselective and depends on cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) and Zn(2+). In our work, the aldimine linkage tethering PLP to recombinant, tagged D-serine dehydratase (Dsd) has been reduced by treatment with NaBH(4) so as to yield an inactive form of the holoenzyme (DsdR), which was further treated with a protease in order to remove the amino-terminal purification tag. Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic analysis revealed that both the reduced form (DsdR) and the reduced/detagged form (DsdRD) maintain the overall secondary structure of Dsd, but featured a significant increased thermal stability. The observed T(m) values for DsdR and for DsdRD shifted to 71.5 °C and 73.3 °C, respectively, resulting in nearly 11 °C and 13 °C higher than the one measured for Dsd. Furthermore, the analysis of the FT-IR spectra acquired in the presence of D-serine and L-serine indicates that, though catalytically inert, DsdRD retains the ability to enantioselectively bind its natural substrate. Sequence analysis of D-serine dehydratase and other PLP-dependent enzymes also highlighted critical residues involved in PLP binding. In virtue of its intrinsic properties, DsdRD represents an ideal candidate for the design of novel platforms based on stable, non-consuming binding proteins aimed at measuring d-serine levels in biological fluids.

Prospective strategies for targeting HIV-1 integrase function

Integration is a key step in the HIV-1 life cycle in which the ends of linear viral DNA are covalently joined with host chromosomal DNA. Integrase is the highly conserved and essential viral protein that performs two catalytically related reactions that ultimately lead to the insertion of the viral genome into that of the host cell. The only chemotherapeutic agents against integrase currently available for HIV-1 infected individuals are those that interrupt strand transfer, the second step of catalysis. Accordingly, this article outlines possible future strategies targeting the first catalytic step, 3' processing, as well as other nonenzymatic, yet indispensible, functions thought to be co-ordinated by integrase. Importantly, the interruption of irremediable recombination between viral and host DNAs represents the last step after viral entry at which an otherwise irreversible infection can be prevented.

Allosteric inhibitor development targeting HIV-1 integrase

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is one of three essential enzymes for viral replication, and is a focus of ardent antiretroviral drug discovery and development efforts. Diligent research has led to the development of the strand-transfer-specific chemical class of IN inhibitors, with two compounds from this group, raltegravir and elvitegravir, advancing the farthest in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process for any IN inhibitor discovered thus far. Raltegravir, developed by Merck & Co., has been approved by the FDA for HIV-1 therapy, whereas elvitegravir, developed by Gilead Sciences and Japan Tobacco, has reached phase III clinical trials. Although this is an undoubted success for the HIV-1 IN drug discovery field, the emergence of HIV-1 IN strand-transfer-specific drug-resistant viral strains upon clinical use of these compounds is expected. Furthermore, the problem of strand-transfer-specific IN drug resistance will be exacerbated by the development of cross-resistant viral strains due to an overlapping binding orientation at the IN active site and an equivalent inhibitory mechanism for the two compounds. This inevitability will result in no available IN-targeted therapeutic options for HIV-1 treatment-experienced patients. The development of allosterically targeted IN inhibitors presents an extremely advantageous approach for the discovery of compounds effective against IN strand-transfer drug-resistant viral strains, and would likely show synergy with all available FDA-approved antiretroviral HIV-1 therapeutics, including the IN strand-transfer-specific compounds. Herein we review the concept of allosteric IN inhibition, and the small molecules that have been investigated to bind non-active-site regions to inhibit IN function.

Inactivation of NEIL2 DNA glycosylase by pyridoxal phosphate reveals a loop important for substrate binding

Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), in addition to its known metabolic functions, inactivates many DNA-dependent enzymes through conjugation to their critical amino groups. We have investigated the ability of PLP to inhibit bifunctional DNA repair glycosylases, which possess a catalytic amine. Of six enzymes tested, only endonuclease VIII-like protein 2 (NEIL2) was significantly inhibited by PLP. The inhibition was due to Schiff base formation between PLP and the enzyme. PLP-conjugated NEIL2 completely lost its ability to bind damaged DNA. Liquid chromatography/nanoelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry of the products of proteolysis of pyridoxylated NEIL2 identified Lys50 as the site of modification. Thus, the beta2/beta3 loop where Lys50 is located in NEIL2 is important for DNA binding, presumably lies next to a phosphate-binding site, and may represent a target for regulation of the enzyme activity.

HIV-1 IN inhibitors: 2010 update and perspectives

Integrase (IN) is the newest validated target against AIDS and retroviral infections. The remarkable activity of raltegravir (Isentress((R))) led to its rapid approval by the FDA in 2007 as the first IN inhibitor. Several other IN strand transfer inhibitors (STIs) are in development with the primary goal to overcome resistance due to the rapid occurrence of IN mutations in raltegravir-treated patients. Thus, many scientists and drug companies are actively pursuing clinically useful IN inhibitors. The objective of this review is to provide an update on the IN inhibitors reported in the last two years, including second generation STI, recently developed hydroxylated aromatics, natural products, peptide, antibody and oligonucleotide inhibitors. Additionally, the targeting of IN cofactors such as LEDGF and Vpr will be discussed as novel strategies for the treatment of AIDS.

HIV-1 Integrase-DNA Recognition Mechanisms

Integration of a reverse transcribed DNA copy of the HIV viral genome into the host chromosome is essential for virus replication. This process is catalyzed by the virally encoded protein integrase. The catalytic activities, which involve DNA cutting and joining steps, have been recapitulated in vitro using recombinant integrase and synthetic DNA substrates. Biochemical and biophysical studies of these model reactions have been pivotal in advancing our understanding of mechanistic details for how IN interacts with viral and target DNAs, and are the focus of the present review.

Probing conformational changes of human DNA polymerase lambda using mass spectrometry-based protein footprinting

Crystallographic studies of the C-terminal DNA polymerase-beta-like domain of full-length human DNA polymerase lambda (fPollambda) suggested that the catalytic cycle might not involve a large protein domain rearrangement as observed with several replicative DNA polymerases and DNA polymerase beta. To examine solution-phase protein conformational changes in fPollambda, which also contains a breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 C-terminal domain and a proline-rich domain at its N-terminus, we used a mass spectrometry-based protein footprinting approach. In parallel experiments, surface accessibility maps for Arg residues were compared for the free fPollambda versus the binary complex of enzyme*gapped DNA and the ternary complex of enzyme*gapped DNA*dNTP (2'-deoxynucleotide triphosphate). These experiments suggested that fPollambda does not undergo major conformational changes during the catalysis in the solution phase. Furthermore, the mass spectrometry-based protein footprinting experiments revealed that active site residue R386 was shielded from the surface only in the presence of both a gapped DNA substrate and an incoming nucleotide. Site-directed mutagenesis and pre-steady-state kinetic studies confirmed the importance of R386 for the enzyme activity and indicated the key role for its guanidino group in stabilizing the negative charges of an incoming nucleotide and the leaving pyrophosphate product. We suggest that such interactions could be shared by and important for catalytic functions of other DNA polymerases.

Mechanistic and pharmacological analyses of HIV-1 integration

Significant advances have transpired in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integration field in recent years. Considering its essential nature, integrase has long been a target of interest for antiviral drug development. The most significant advance was the approval of the Merck compound raltegravir, the first licensed integrase inhibitor, in October 2007. Another milestone was the identification and characterization of specific nucleoprotein complexes that mediate integrase 3' processing and DNA strand transfer activities in vitro. Genome-wide distribution analyses have furthermore revealed that different retroviruses differentially target distinctive regions of chromatin during integration. For examples, lentiviruses favor actively transcribed genes whereas gammaretroviruses such as Moloney murine leukemia virus prefer transcriptional start sites. Though the underlying mechanisms are unknown for most retroviruses, the lentiviral preference is in large part guided through the interaction with the integrase binding protein lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF)/p75. Experimental methods that formed the foundations for each of these advances, as well as other techniques topical to the study of HIV-1 integration, are described in this issue of Methods.

The strand transfer oligonucleotide inhibitors of HIV-integrase

Retroviral integrase participates in two catalytic reactions, which require interactions with the two ends of the viral DNA in the 3'processing reaction, and with a targeted host DNA in the strand transfer reaction. The 3'-hydroxyl group of 2'-deoxyadenosine resulting from the specific removing of GT dinucleotide from the viral DNA in the processing reaction provides the attachment site for the host DNA in a transesterification reaction. We synthesized oligonucleotides (ONs) of various lengths that mimic the processed HIV-1 U5 terminus of the proviral long terminal repeat (LTR) and are ended by 2'-deoxyadenosine containing a 3'-O-phosphonomethyl group. The duplex stability of phosphonomethyl ONs was increased by covalent linkage of the modified strand with its complementary strand by a triethylene glycol loop (TEG). Modified ONs containing up to 10 bases inhibited in vitro the strand transfer reaction catalyzed by HIV-1 integrase at nanomolar concentrations.

Biosimulation of drug metabolism--a yeast based model

Computationally predicting the metabolic fates of drugs is a very complex task which is owed not only to the huge and diverse biochemical network in the living cell, but also to the majority of in vivo transformations that occur through the action of hepatocytes and gastro-intestinal micro-flora. Thus, xenobiotics are metabolised by more than a single cell type. However, the prediction of metabolic fates is definitely a problem worth solving since it would allow facilitate the development of drugs in a way less relying on animal testing. As a first step in this direction, PharmBiosim is being developed, a biosimulation tool which is based on substantial data reduction and on attributing metabolic fates of drug molecules to functional groups and substituents. This approach works with yeast as a model organism and is restricted to drugs that are mainly transformed by enzymes of the central metabolism, especially sugar metabolism. The reason for the latter is that the qualitative functioning of the involved biochemistry is very similar in diverse cell types involved in drug metabolism. Further it allows for using glycolytic oscillations as a tool to quantify interactions of a drug with this metabolic pathway.

Vinylogous ureas as a novel class of inhibitors of reverse transcriptase-associated ribonuclease H activity

High-throughput screening of National Cancer Institute libraries of synthetic and natural compounds identified the vinylogous ureas 2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4 H-cyclohepta[ b]thiophene-3-carboxamide (NSC727447) and N-[3-(aminocarbonyl)-4,5-dimethyl-2-thienyl]-2-furancarboxamide (NSC727448) as inhibitors of the ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity of HIV-1 and HIV-2 reverse transcriptase (RT). A Yonetani-Theorell analysis demonstrated that NSC727447, and the active-site hydroxytropolone RNase H inhibitor beta-thujaplicinol were mutually exclusive in their interaction with the RNase H domain. Mass spectrometric protein footprinting of the NSC727447 binding site indicated that residues Cys280 and Lys281 in helix I of the thumb subdomain of p51 were affected by ligand binding. Although DNA polymerase and pyrophosphorolysis activities of HIV-1 RT were less sensitive to inhibition by NSC727447, protein footprinting indicated that NSC727447 occupied the equivalent region of the p66 thumb. Site-directed mutagenesis using reconstituted p66/p51 heterodimers substituted with natural or non-natural amino acids indicates that altering the p66 RNase H primer grip significantly affects inhibitor sensitivity. NSC727447 thus represents a novel class of RNase H antagonists with a mechanism of action differing from active site, divalent metal-chelating inhibitors that have been reported.

Molecular modelling studies on the interactions of human DNA topoisomerase IB with pyridoxal-compounds

Candida guilliermondii and human DNA topoisomerases I are inhibited by PL (pyridoxal), PLP (pyridoxal 5'-phosphate) and PLP-AMP (pyridoxal 5'-diphospho-5'-adenosine) (PL<PLP<PLP-AMP). We have recently shown that PLP acted as a competitive inhibitor of C. guilliermondii topoisomerase I, impeding the formation of the cleavable complex from a selective binding to an active site lysine. The targeted lysine in C. guilliermondii topoisomerase I occupies a position equivalent to that of lysine 532 (K(532)) in human topoisomerase I. K(532) acts as a general acid catalyst and is essential for the enzyme activity. This observation has suggested that, in the cell, PLP could down-regulate topoisomerases IB. We have proposed that PLP could be used as a new lead for anticancer drugs trapping the active site lysine (K(532)) and also as a tool to explore the enzyme dynamics required for catalysis. Now we explore the effects of PL, PLP and PLP-AMP on topoisomerases by a molecular modelling approach using the crystal structure of the human topoisomerase I active site and the conformation of K(39)-PLP moiety in Bacillus subtilis alanine racemase as templates. In the modified topoisomerase I several reactive atoms of the K(532)-PLP moiety are at close distance of the catalytic residues R(488), R(590), H(632) and Y(723,) suggesting that PLP develops disturbing interactions with these important residues. These interactions and the corresponding induced fit in the active site conformation are compared with the ones occurring with PL and PLP-AMP. The results could be useful in the search of topoisomerase I inhibitors related to the pyridoxal family.

Vitamin B6 conjugation to nuclear corepressor RIP140 and its role in gene regulation

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the biologically active form of vitamin B6, is an important cofactor in amino acid metabolism, and supplementary vitamin B6 has protective effects in many disorders. Other than serving as a cofactor, it can also modulate the activities of steroid hormone receptors and transcription factors. However, the molecular basis of this modulation is unclear. Here, we report that mouse nuclear receptor interacting protein 140 (RIP140) can be modified by PLP conjugation. We mapped the modification site to Lys613 by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. This modification enhanced its transcriptional corepressive activity and its physiological function in adipocyte differentiation. We attribute this effect to increased interaction of RIP140 with histone deacetylases and nuclear retention of RIP140. This study uncovers a new physiological role of vitamin B6 in gene regulation by PLP conjugation to a transcriptional coregulator, which represents a new function of an old form of protein post-translational modification that has important biological consequences.

Discovery of a small-molecule HIV-1 integrase inhibitor-binding site

Herein, we report the identification of a unique HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitor-binding site using photoaffinity labeling and mass spectrometric analysis. We chemically incorporated a photo-activatable benzophenone moiety into a series of coumarin-containing IN inhibitors. A representative of this series was covalently photo-crosslinked with the IN core domain and subjected to HPLC purification. Fractions were subsequently analyzed by using MALDI-MS and electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS to identify photo-crosslinked products. In this fashion, a single binding site for an inhibitor located within the tryptic peptide (128)AACWWAGIK(136) was identified. Site-directed mutagenesis followed by in vitro inhibition assays resulted in the identification of two specific amino acid residues, C130 and W132, in which substitutions resulted in a marked resistance to the IN inhibitors. Docking studies suggested a specific disruption in functional oligomeric IN complex formation. The combined approach of photo-affinity labeling/MS analysis with site-directed mutagenesis/molecular modeling is a powerful approach for elucidating inhibitor-binding sites of proteins at the atomic level. This approach is especially important for the study of proteins that are not amenable to traditional x-ray crystallography and NMR techniques. This type of structural information can help illuminate processes of inhibitor resistance and thereby facilitate the design of more potent second-generation inhibitors.