Molecular mechanisms by which human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase stimulates the early steps of reverse transcription

An interchangeable prion-like domain is required for Ty1 retrotransposition

Retrotransposons and retroviruses shape genome evolution and can negatively impact genome function. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its close relatives harbor several families of LTR-retrotransposons, the most abundant being Ty1 in several laboratory strains. The cytosolic foci that nucleate Ty1 virus-like particle (VLP) assembly are not well understood. These foci, termed retrosomes or T-bodies, contain Ty1 Gag and likely Gag-Pol and the Ty1 mRNA destined for reverse transcription. Here, we report an intrinsically disordered N-terminal prion-like domain (PrLD) within Gag that is required for transposition. This domain contains amino acid composition similar to known yeast prions and is sufficient to nucleate prionogenesis in an established cell-based prion reporter system. Deleting the Ty1 PrLD results in dramatic VLP assembly and retrotransposition defects but does not affect Gag protein level. Ty1 Gag chimeras in which the PrLD is replaced with other sequences, including yeast and mammalian prionogenic domains, display a range of retrotransposition phenotypes from wild type to null. We examine these chimeras throughout the Ty1 replication cycle and find that some support retrosome formation, VLP assembly, and retrotransposition, including the yeast Sup35 prion and the mouse PrP prion. Our interchangeable Ty1 system provides a useful, genetically tractable in vivo platform for studying PrLDs, complete with a suite of robust and sensitive assays. Our work also invites study into the prevalence of PrLDs in additional mobile elements.

An interchangeable prion-like domain is required for Ty1 retrotransposition

Retrotransposons and retroviruses shape genome evolution and can negatively impact genome function. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its close relatives harbor several families of LTR-retrotransposons, the most abundant being Ty1 in several laboratory strains. The cytosolic foci that nucleate Ty1 virus-like particle (VLP) assembly are not well-understood. These foci, termed retrosomes or T-bodies, contain Ty1 Gag and likely Gag-Pol and the Ty1 mRNA destined for reverse transcription. Here, we report a novel intrinsically disordered N-terminal pr ion-like d omain (PrLD) within Gag that is required for transposition. This domain contains amino-acid composition similar to known yeast prions and is sufficient to nucleate prionogenesis in an established cell-based prion reporter system. Deleting the Ty1 PrLD results in dramatic VLP assembly and retrotransposition defects but does not affect Gag protein level. Ty1 Gag chimeras in which the PrLD is replaced with other sequences, including yeast and mammalian prionogenic domains, display a range of retrotransposition phenotypes from wildtype to null. We examine these chimeras throughout the Ty1 replication cycle and find that some support retrosome formation, VLP assembly, and retrotransposition, including the yeast Sup35 prion and the mouse PrP prion. Our interchangeable Ty1 system provides a useful, genetically tractable in vivo platform for studying PrLDs, complete with a suite of robust and sensitive assays, and host modulators developed to study Ty1 retromobility. Our work invites study into the prevalence of PrLDs in additional mobile elements.

Significance

Retrovirus-like retrotransposons help shape the genome evolution of their hosts and replicate within cytoplasmic particles. How their building blocks associate and assemble within the cell is poorly understood. Here, we report a novel pr ion-like d omain (PrLD) in the budding yeast retrotransposon Ty1 Gag protein that builds virus-like particles. The PrLD has similar sequence properties to prions and disordered protein domains that can drive the formation of assemblies that range from liquid to solid. We demonstrate that the Ty1 PrLD can function as a prion and that certain prion sequences can replace the PrLD and support Ty1 transposition. This interchangeable system is an effective platform to study additional disordered sequences in living cells.

Cis-Allosteric Regulation of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase by Integrase

Reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN) are encoded tandemly in the pol genes of retroviruses. We reported recently that HIV-1 RT and IN need to be supplied as the pol precursor intermediates, in which RT and IN are in fusion form (RTIN) to exert efficient reverse transcription in the context of HIV-1 replication. The mechanism underlying RTIN's effect, however, remains to be elucidated. In this study, we examined the effect of IN fusion on RT during reverse transcription by an in vitro cell-free assay, using recombinant HIV-1 RTIN (rRTIN). We found that, compared to recombinant RT (rRT), rRTIN generated significantly higher cDNAs under physiological concentrations of dNTPs (less than 10 μM), suggesting increased affinity of RTIN to dNTPs. Importantly, the cleavage of RTIN with HIV-1 protease reduced cDNA levels at a low dose of dNTPs. Similarly, sensitivities against RT inhibitors were significantly altered in RTIN form. Finally, analysis of molecular dynamics simulations of RT and RTIN suggested that IN can influence the structural dynamics of the RT active center and the inhibitor binding pockets in cis. Thus, we demonstrated, for the first time, the cis-allosteric regulatory roles of IN in RT structure and enzymatic activity.

The C-Terminal Domain of RNase H and the C-Terminus Amino Acid Residue Regulate Virus Release and Autoprocessing of a Defective HIV-1 Possessing M50I and V151I Changes in Integrase

Previously, we reported that an HIV-1 variant containing Met-to-Ile change at codon 50 and Val-to-Ile mutation at codon 151 of integrase (IN), HIV(IN:M50I/V151I), was an impaired virus. Despite the mutations being in IN, the virus release was significantly suppressed (p < 0.0001) and the initiation of autoprocessing was inhibited; the mechanism of the defect remains unknown. In the current study, we attempted to identify the critical domains or amino acid (aa) residue(s) that promote defects in HIV(IN:M50I/V151I), using a series of variants, including truncated or aa-substituted RNase H (RH) or IN. The results demonstrated that virus release and the initiation of autoprocessing were regulated by the C-terminal domains (CTDs) of RH and IN. Further studies illustrated that Asp at codon 109 of RH CTD and Asp at the C terminus of IN induces the defect. This result indicated that the CTDs of RH and IN in GagPol and particular aa positions in RH and IN regulated the virus release and the initiation of autoprocessing, and these sites could be potential targets for the development of new therapies.

Scaffolding viral protein NC nucleates phase separation of the HIV-1 biomolecular condensate

Membraneless biomolecular condensates (BMCs) contribute to the replication of a growing number of viruses but remain to be functionally characterized. Previously, we demonstrated that pan-retroviral nucleocapsid (NC) proteins phase separated into condensates regulating virus assembly. Here we discover that intrinsically disordered human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) core proteins condense with the viral genomic RNA (vRNA) to assemble as BMCs attaining a geometry characteristic of viral reverse transcription complexes. We explore the predisposition, mechanisms, and pharmacologic sensitivity of HIV-1 core BMCs in living cells. HIV-1 vRNA-interacting NC condensates were found to be scaffolds onto which client capsid, reverse transcriptase, and integrase condensates assemble. HIV-1 core BMCs exhibit fundamental characteristics of BMCs and are drug-sensitive. Lastly, protease-mediated maturation of Gag and Gag-Pol precursor proteins yield abundant and visible BMCs in cells. This study redefines HIV-1 core components as fluid BMCs and advances our understanding of the nature of viral cores during ingress.

The C-Terminal Domain of HIV-1 Integrase: A Swiss Army Knife for the Virus?

Retroviral integrase is a multimeric enzyme that catalyzes the integration of reverse-transcribed viral DNA into the cellular genome. Beyond integration, the Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase is also involved in many other steps of the viral life cycle, such as reverse transcription, nuclear import, virion morphogenesis and proviral transcription. All these additional functions seem to depend on the action of the integrase C-terminal domain (CTD) that works as a molecular hub, interacting with many different viral and cellular partners. In this review, we discuss structural issues concerning the CTD, with particular attention paid to its interaction with nucleic acids. We also provide a detailed map of post-translational modifications and interaction with molecular partners.

Multimodal Functionalities of HIV-1 Integrase

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.

Structure and function of retroviral integrase

A hallmark of retroviral replication is establishment of the proviral state, wherein a DNA copy of the viral RNA genome is stably incorporated into a host cell chromosome. Integrase is the viral enzyme responsible for the catalytic steps involved in this process, and integrase strand transfer inhibitors are widely used to treat people living with HIV. Over the past decade, a series of X-ray crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy studies have revealed the structural basis of retroviral DNA integration. A variable number of integrase molecules congregate on viral DNA ends to assemble a conserved intasome core machine that facilitates integration. The structures additionally informed on the modes of integrase inhibitor action and the means by which HIV acquires drug resistance. Recent years have witnessed the development of allosteric integrase inhibitors, a highly promising class of small molecules that antagonize viral morphogenesis. In this Review, we explore recent insights into the organization and mechanism of the retroviral integration machinery and highlight open questions as well as new directions in the field.

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.

Binding interface and impact on protease cleavage for an RNA aptamer to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

RNA aptamers that bind HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibit RT in enzymatic and viral replication assays. Some aptamers inhibit RT from only a few viral clades, while others show broad-spectrum inhibition. Biophysical determinants of recognition specificity are poorly understood. We investigated the interface between HIV-1 RT and a broad–spectrum UCAA-family aptamer. SAR and hydroxyl radical probing identified aptamer structural elements critical for inhibition and established the role of signature UCAA bulge motif in RT-aptamer interaction. HDX footprinting on RT ± aptamer shows strong contacts with both subunits, especially near the C-terminus of p51. Alanine scanning revealed decreased inhibition by the aptamer for mutants P420A, L422A and K424A. 2D proton nuclear magnetic resonance and SAXS data provided constraints on the solution structure of the aptamer and enable computational modeling of the docked complex with RT. Surprisingly, the aptamer enhanced proteolytic cleavage of precursor p66/p66 by HIV-1 protease, suggesting that it stabilizes the productive conformation to allow maturation. These results illuminate features at the RT-aptamer interface that govern recognition specificity by a broad-spectrum antiviral aptamer, and they open new possibilities for accelerating RT maturation and interfering with viral replication.

Histone deacetylase 1 interacts with HIV-1 Integrase and modulates viral replication

Background

HIV-1 hijacks the cellular machinery for its own replication through protein-protein interactions between viral and host cell factors. One strategy against HIV-1 infection is thus to target these key protein complexes. As the integration of reverse transcribed viral cDNA into a host cell chromosome is an essential step in the HIV-1 life cycle, catalyzed by the viral integrase and other important host factors, we aimed at identifying new integrase binding partners through a novel approach.

Methods

A LTR-derived biotinylated DNA fragment complexed with the integrase on magnetic beads was incubated with extracts from integrase-expressing 293 T cells. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation/pull-down experiments were used for the identification of binding partners. Transfections of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) expression vectors and/or specific siRNA were conducted in HeLa-CD4 and 293 T cells followed by infection with fully infectious NL4–3 and luciferase-expressing pseudotyped viruses or by proviral DNA transfection. Fully infectious and pseudotyped viruses produced from HDAC1-silenced 293 T cells were tested for their infectivity toward HeLa-CD4 cells, T cell lines and primary CD4+ T cells. Late RT species and integrated viral DNA were quantified by qPCR and infectivity was measured by luciferase activity and p24 ELISA assay. Results were analyzed by the Student’s t-test.

Results

Using our integrase-LTR bait approach, we successfully identified new potential integrase-binding partners, including HDAC1. We further confirmed that HDAC1 interacted with the HIV-1 integrase in co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down experiments. HDAC1 knockdown in infected HeLa cells was shown to interfere with an early preintegration step of the HIV-1 replication cycle, which possibly involves reverse transcription. We also observed that, while HDAC1 overexpression inhibited HIV-1 expression after integration, HDAC1 knockdown had no effect on this step. In virus producer cells, HDAC1 knockdown had a limited impact on virus infectivity in either cell lines or primary CD4+ T cells.

Conclusions

Our results show that HDAC1 interacts with the HIV-1 integrase and affects virus replication before and after integration. Overall, HDAC1 appears to facilitate HIV-1 replication with a major effect on a preintegration step, which likely occurs at the reverse transcription step.

Shifting Retroviral Vector Integrations Away from Transcriptional Start Sites via DNA-Binding Protein Domain Insertion into Integrase

The unique ability of retroviruses to integrate genes into host genomes is of great value for long-term expression in gene therapy, but only when integrations occur at safe genomic sites. To reap the benefit of using retroviruses without severe detrimental effects, we developed several murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based gammaretroviral vectors with safer integration patterns by perturbing the structure of the integrase via insertion of DNA-binding zinc-finger domains (ZFDs) into an internal position of the enzyme. ZFD insertion significantly reduced the inherent, strong MLV integration preference for genomic regions near transcriptional start sites (TSSs), which are the most dangerous spots. The altered retroviral integration pattern was related to increased formation of residual primer-binding site sequences at the 3' end of proviruses. Several ZFD insertion mutants showed lower frequencies of integrations into the TSS genome regions when having the residual primer-binding site sequences in the proviruses. Our findings not only can extend the use of retroviruses in biomedical applications, but also provide a glimpse into the mechanisms underlying retroviral integration.

Critical Contribution of Tyr15 in the HIV-1 Integrase (IN) in Facilitating IN Assembly and Nonenzymatic Function through the IN Precursor Form with Reverse Transcriptase

Nonenzymatic roles for HIV-1 integrase (IN) at steps prior to the enzymatic integration step have been reported. To obtain structural and functional insights into the nonenzymatic roles of IN, we performed genetic analyses of HIV-1 IN, focusing on a highly conserved Tyr15 in the N-terminal domain (NTD), which has previously been shown to regulate an equilibrium state between two NTD dimer conformations. Replacement of Tyr15 with alanine, histidine, or tryptophan prevented HIV-1 infection and caused severe impairment of reverse transcription without apparent defects in reverse transcriptase (RT) or in capsid disassembly kinetics after entry into cells. Cross-link analyses of recombinant IN proteins demonstrated that lethal mutations of Tyr15 severely impaired IN structure for assembly. Notably, replacement of Tyr15 with phenylalanine was tolerated for all IN functions, demonstrating that a benzene ring of the aromatic side chain is a key moiety for IN assembly and functions. Additional mutagenic analyses based on previously proposed tetramer models for IN assembly suggested a key role of Tyr15 in facilitating the hydrophobic interaction among IN subunits, together with other proximal residues within the subunit interface. A rescue experiment with a mutated HIV-1 with RT and IN deleted (ΔRT ΔIN) and IN and RT supplied in trans revealed that the nonenzymatic IN function might be exerted through the IN precursor conjugated with RT (RT-IN). Importantly, the lethal mutations of Tyr15 significantly reduced the RT-IN function and assembly. Taken together, Tyr15 seems to play a key role in facilitating the proper assembly of IN and RT on viral RNA through the RT-IN precursor form.

IMPORTANCE

Inhibitors of the IN enzymatic strand transfer function (INSTI) have been applied in combination antiretroviral therapies to treat HIV-1-infected patients. Recently, allosteric IN inhibitors (ALLINIs) that interact with HIV-1 IN residues, the locations of which are distinct from the catalytic sites targeted by INSTI, have been discovered. Importantly, ALLINIs affect the nonenzymatic role(s) of HIV-1 IN, providing a rationale for the development of next-generation IN inhibitors with a mechanism that is distinct from that of INSTI. Here, we demonstrate that Tyr15 in the HIV-1 IN NTD plays a critical role during IN assembly by facilitating the hydrophobic interaction of the NTD with the other domains of IN. Importantly, we found that the functional assembly of IN through its fusion form with RT is critical for IN to exert its nonenzymatic function. Our results provide a novel mechanistic insight into the nonenzymatic function of HIV-1 IN and its prevention.

HIV Genome-Wide Protein Associations: a Review of 30 Years of Research

The HIV genome encodes a small number of viral proteins (i.e., 16), invariably establishing cooperative associations among HIV proteins and between HIV and host proteins, to invade host cells and hijack their internal machineries. As a known example, the HIV envelope glycoprotein GP120 is closely associated with GP41 for viral entry. From a genome-wide perspective, a hypothesis can be worked out to determine whether 16 HIV proteins could develop 120 possible pairwise associations either by physical interactions or by functional associations mediated via HIV or host molecules. Here, we present the first systematic review of experimental evidence on HIV genome-wide protein associations using a large body of publications accumulated over the past 3 decades. Of 120 possible pairwise associations between 16 HIV proteins, at least 34 physical interactions and 17 functional associations have been identified. To achieve efficient viral replication and infection, HIV protein associations play essential roles (e.g., cleavage, inhibition, and activation) during the HIV life cycle. In either a dispensable or an indispensable manner, each HIV protein collaborates with another viral protein to accomplish specific activities that precisely take place at the proper stages of the HIV life cycle. In addition, HIV genome-wide protein associations have an impact on anti-HIV inhibitors due to the extensive cross talk between drug-inhibited proteins and other HIV proteins. Overall, this study presents for the first time a comprehensive overview of HIV genome-wide protein associations, highlighting meticulous collaborations between all viral proteins during the HIV life cycle.

HIV Genome-Wide Protein Associations: a Review of 30 Years of Research

The HIV genome encodes a small number of viral proteins (i.e., 16), invariably establishing cooperative associations among HIV proteins and between HIV and host proteins, to invade host cells and hijack their internal machineries. As a known example, the HIV envelope glycoprotein GP120 is closely associated with GP41 for viral entry. From a genome-wide perspective, a hypothesis can be worked out to determine whether 16 HIV proteins could develop 120 possible pairwise associations either by physical interactions or by functional associations mediated via HIV or host molecules. Here, we present the first systematic review of experimental evidence on HIV genome-wide protein associations using a large body of publications accumulated over the past 3 decades. Of 120 possible pairwise associations between 16 HIV proteins, at least 34 physical interactions and 17 functional associations have been identified. To achieve efficient viral replication and infection, HIV protein associations play essential roles (e.g., cleavage, inhibition, and activation) during the HIV life cycle. In either a dispensable or an indispensable manner, each HIV protein collaborates with another viral protein to accomplish specific activities that precisely take place at the proper stages of the HIV life cycle. In addition, HIV genome-wide protein associations have an impact on anti-HIV inhibitors due to the extensive cross talk between drug-inhibited proteins and other HIV proteins. Overall, this study presents for the first time a comprehensive overview of HIV genome-wide protein associations, highlighting meticulous collaborations between all viral proteins during the HIV life cycle.

Drug Susceptibility and Viral Fitness of HIV-1 with Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor Resistance Substitution Q148R or N155H in Combination with Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Resistance Substitutions

In clinical trials of coformulated elvitegravir (EVG), cobicistat (COBI), emtricitabine (FTC), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), emergent drug resistance predominantly involved the FTC resistance substitution M184V/I in reverse transcriptase (RT), with or without the tenofovir (TFV) resistance substitution K65R, accompanied by a primary EVG resistance substitution (E92Q, N155H, or Q148R) in integrase (IN). We previously reported that the RT-K65R, RT-M184V, and IN-E92Q substitutions lacked cross-class phenotypic resistance and replicative fitness compensation. As a follow-up, the in vitro characteristics of mutant HIV-1 containing RT-K65R and/or RT-M184V with IN-Q148R or IN-N155H were also evaluated, alone and in combination, for potential interactions. Single mutants displayed reduced susceptibility to their corresponding inhibitor classes, with no cross-class resistance. Viruses with IN-Q148R or IN-N155H exhibited reduced susceptibility to EVG (137- and 40-fold, respectively) that was not affected by the addition of RT-M184V or RT-K65R/M184V. All viruses containing RT-M184V were resistant to FTC (>1,000-fold). Mutants with RT-K65R had reduced susceptibility to TFV (3.3- to 3.6-fold). Without drugs present, the viral fitness of RT and/or IN mutants was diminished relative to that of the wild type in the following genotypic order: wild type > RT-M184V ≥ IN-N155H ≈ IN-Q148R ≥ RT-M184V + IN-N155H ≥ RT-M184V + IN-Q148R ≥ RT-K65R/M184V + IN-Q148R ≈ RT-K65R/M184V + IN-N155H. In the presence of drug concentrations approaching physiologic levels, drug resistance counteracted replication defects, allowing single mutants to outcompete the wild type with one drug present and double mutants to outcompete single mutants with two drugs present. These results suggest that during antiretroviral treatment with multiple drugs, the development of viruses with combinations of resistance substitutions may be favored despite diminished viral fitness.

Retroviral Integrase: Then and Now

The retroviral integrases are virally encoded, specialized recombinases that catalyze the insertion of viral DNA into the host cell's DNA, a process that is essential for virus propagation. We have learned a great deal since the existence of an integrated form of retroviral DNA (the provirus) was first proposed by Howard Temin in 1964. Initial studies focused on the genetics and biochemistry of avian and murine virus DNA integration, but the pace of discovery increased substantially with advances in technology, and an influx of investigators focused on the human immunodeficiency virus. We begin with a brief account of the scientific landscape in which some of the earliest discoveries were made, and summarize research that led to our current understanding of the biochemistry of integration. A more detailed account of recent analyses of integrase structure follows, as they have provided valuable insights into enzyme function and raised important new questions.

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.

Multifunctional facets of retrovirus integrase

The retrovirus integrase (IN) is responsible for integration of the reverse transcribed linear cDNA into the host DNA genome. First, IN cleaves a dinucleotide from the 3’ OH blunt ends of the viral DNA exposing the highly conserved CA sequence in the recessed ends. IN utilizes the 3’ OH ends to catalyze the concerted integration of the two ends into opposite strands of the cellular DNA producing 4 to 6 bp staggered insertions, depending on the retrovirus species. The staggered ends are repaired by host cell machinery that results in a permanent copy of the viral DNA in the cellular genome. Besides integration, IN performs other functions in the replication cycle of several studied retroviruses. The proper organization of IN within the viral internal core is essential for the correct maturation of the virus. IN plays a major role in reverse transcription by interacting directly with the reverse transcriptase and by binding to the viral capsid protein and a cellular protein. Recruitment of several other host proteins into the viral particle are also promoted by IN. IN assists with the nuclear transport of the preintegration complex across the nuclear membrane. With several retroviruses, IN specifically interacts with different host protein factors that guide the preintegration complex to preferentially integrate the viral genome into specific regions of the host chromosomal target. Human gene therapy using retrovirus vectors is directly affected by the interactions of IN with these host factors. Inhibitors directed against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) IN bind within the active site of IN containing viral DNA ends thus preventing integration and subsequent HIV/AIDS.

Reduced viral fitness and lack of cross-class resistance with integrase strand transfer inhibitor and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance mutations

The most common pattern of emergent resistance in the phase III clinical trials of coformulated elvitegravir (EVG)-cobicistat (COBI)-emtricitabine (FTC)-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) was the EVG resistance substitution E92Q in integrase (IN) with the FTC resistance substitution M184V in reverse transcriptase (RT), with or without the tenofovir (TFV) resistance substitution K65R. In this study, the effect of these IN and RT substitutions alone and in combination in the same genome on susceptibility to antiretroviral inhibitors and viral replication fitness was characterized. Single resistance substitutions (E92Q in IN [IN-E92Q], M184V in RT [RT-M184V], and K65R in RT [RT-K65R]) specifically affected susceptibility to the corresponding inhibitor classes, with no cross-class resistance observed. The IN-E92Q mutant displayed reduced susceptibility to EVG (50-fold), which was not impacted by the addition of RT-M184V or RT-K65R/M184V. Viruses containing RT-M184V had high-level resistance to FTC (>1,000-fold) that was not affected by the addition of IN-E92Q or RT-K65R. During pairwise growth competitions, each substitution contributed to decreased viral fitness, with the RT-K65R/M184V + IN-E92Q triple mutant being the least fit in the absence of drug. In the presence of drug concentrations approaching physiologic levels, however, drug resistance offset the replication defects, resulting in single mutants outcompeting the wild type with one drug present, and double and triple mutants outcompeting single mutants with two drugs present. Taken together, these results suggest that the reduced replication fitness and phenotypic resistance associated with RT and IN resistance substitutions are independent and additive. In the presence of multiple drugs, viral growth is favored for viruses with multiple substitutions, despite the presence of fitness defects.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 employs the cellular dynein light chain 1 protein for reverse transcription through interaction with its integrase protein

In this study, we examined the requirement for host dynein adapter proteins such as dynein light chain 1 (DYNLL1), dynein light chain Tctex-type 1 (DYNLT1), and p150(Glued) in early steps of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. We found that the knockdown (KD) of DYNLL1, but not DYNLT1 or p150(Glued), resulted in significantly lower levels of HIV-1 reverse transcription in cells. Following an attempt to determine how DYNLL1 could impact HIV-1 reverse transcription, we detected the DYNLL1 interaction with HIV-1 integrase (IN) but not with capsid (CA), matrix (MA), or reverse transcriptase (RT) protein. Furthermore, by mutational analysis of putative DYNLL1 interaction motifs in IN, we identified the motifs (52)GQVD and (250)VIQD in IN as essential for DYNLL1 interaction. The DYNLL1 interaction-defective IN mutant HIV-1 (HIV-1IN(Q53A/Q252A)) exhibited impaired reverse transcription. Through further investigations, we have also detected relatively smaller amounts of particulate CA in DYNLL1-KD cells or in infections with HIV-1IN(Q53A/Q252A) mutant virus. Overall, our study demonstrates the novel interaction between HIV-1 IN and cellular DYNLL1 proteins and suggests the requirement of this virus-cell interaction for proper uncoating and efficient reverse transcription of HIV-1.

IMPORTANCE

Host cellular DYNLL1, DYNLT1, and p150(Glued) proteins have been implicated in the replication of several viruses. However, their roles in HIV-1 replication have not been investigated. For the first time, we demonstrated that during viral infection, HIV-1 IN interacts with DYNLL1, and their interaction was found to have a role in proper uncoating and efficient reverse transcription of HIV-1. Thus, interaction of IN and DYNLL1 may be a potential target for future anti-HIV therapy. Moreover, while our study has evaluated the involvement of IN in HIV-1 uncoating and reverse transcription, it also predicts a possible mechanism by which IN contributes to these early viral replication steps.

Retroviral DNA Transposition: Themes and Variations

Retroviruses and LTR retrotransposons are transposable elements that encapsidate the RNAs that are intermediates in the transposition of DNA copies of their genomes (proviruses), from one cell (or one locus) to another. Mechanistic similarities in DNA transposase enzymes and retroviral/retrotransposon integrases underscore the close evolutionary relationship among these elements. The retroviruses are very ancient infectious agents, presumed to have evolved from Ty3/Gypsy LTR retrotransposons (1), and DNA copies of their sequences can be found embedded in the genomes of most, if not all, members of the tree of life. All retroviruses share a specific gene arrangement and similar replication strategies. However, given their ancestries and occupation of diverse evolutionary niches, it should not be surprising that unique sequences have been acquired in some retroviral genomes and that the details of the mechanism by which their transposition is accomplished can vary. While every step in the retrovirus lifecycle is, in some sense, relevant to transposition, this Chapter focuses mainly on the early phase of retroviral replication, during which viral DNA is synthesized and integrated into its host genome. Some of the initial studies that set the stage for current understanding are highlighted, as well as more recent findings obtained through use of an ever-expanding technological toolbox including genomics, proteomics, and siRNA screening. Persistence in the area of structural biology has provided new insight into conserved mechanisms as well as variations in detail among retroviruses, which can also be instructive.

G118R and F121Y mutations identified in patients failing raltegravir treatment confer dolutegravir resistance

OBJECTIVES

Strand transfer inhibitors (raltegravir, elvitegravir and dolutegravir) are now commonly used to inhibit HIV-1 integration. To date, three main pathways conferring raltegravir/elvitegravir resistance, involving residues Y143, Q148 and N155, have been described. However, no pathway has been clearly described for dolutegravir resistance. The aim of this study was to characterize the susceptibility of two mutations, F121Y and G118R, originally described in patients failing raltegravir-containing regimens, to dolutegravir and raltegravir, and then to compare the resistance of these mutations with that of other well-known mutations involved in raltegravir resistance.

METHODS

Both the F121Y and G118R mutations were introduced by site-directed mutagenesis into the pNL4.3 backbone and studied in cell-based and in vitro assays. The effects of the mutations were characterized at the different steps of infection by quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

Results obtained with in vitro and ex vivo assays consistently showed that both mutations impaired the catalytic properties of integrase, especially at the integration step. Moreover, both mutations conferred an intermediate level of resistance to dolutegravir. Interestingly, the F121Y mutation, but not the G118R mutation, displayed differential resistance to raltegravir and dolutegravir. Indeed, the F121Y mutation was more resistant to raltegravir than to dolutegravir.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations at G118 and F121, which have been described in patients failing raltegravir-containing regimens, must be included in drug-resistance-testing algorithms.

HIV-1 Nef inhibits Protease activity and its absence alters protein content of mature viral particles

Nef is an important player for viral infectivity and AIDS progression, but the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. It was previously demonstrated that Nef interacts with GagPol through p6*-Protease region. Because p6* and Protease are involved in processing, we explored the effect of Nef on viral Protease activity and virion assembly. Using in vitro assays, we observed that Nef is highly capable of inhibiting Protease activity. The IC50 for nef-deficient viruses in drug susceptibility assays were 1.7- to 3.5-fold higher than the wild-type counterpart varying with the type of the Protease inhibitor used. Indicating that, in the absence of Nef, Protease is less sensitive to Protease inhibitors. We compared the protein content between wild-type and nef-deficient mature viral particles by gradient sedimentation and observed up to 2.7-fold reduction in the Integrase levels in nef-deficient mature particles. This difference in levels of Integrase correlated with the difference in infectivity levels of wild type and nef-deficient viral progeny. In addition, an overall decrease in the production of mature particles was detected in nef-deficient viruses. Collectively, our data support the hypothesis that the decreased infectivity typical of nef-deficient viruses is due to an abnormal function of the viral Protease, which is in turn associated with less mature particles being produced and the loss of Integrase content in these particles, and these results may characterize Nef as a regulator of viral Protease activity.

Multimodal mechanism of action of allosteric HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

Integrase (IN) is required for lentivirus replication and is a proven drug target for the prevention of AIDS in HIV-1-infected patients. While clinical strand transfer inhibitors disarm the IN active site, allosteric inhibition of enzyme activity through the disruption of IN-IN protein interfaces holds great therapeutic potential. A promising class of allosteric IN inhibitors (ALLINIs), 2-(quinolin-3-yl) acetic acid derivatives, engage the IN catalytic core domain dimerisation interface at the binding site for the host integration co-factor LEDGF/p75. ALLINIs promote IN multimerisation and, independent of LEDGF/p75 protein, block the formation of the active IN-DNA complex, as well as inhibit the IN-LEDGF/p75 interaction in vitro. Yet, rather unexpectedly, the full inhibitory effect of these compounds is exerted during the late phase of HIV-1 replication. ALLINIs impair particle core maturation as well as reverse transcription and integration during the subsequent round of virus infection. Recapitulating the pleiotropic phenotypes observed with numerous IN mutant viruses, ALLINIs provide insight into underlying aspects of IN biology that extend beyond its catalytic activity. Therefore, in addition to the potential to expand our repertoire of HIV-1 antiretrovirals, ALLINIs afford important structural probes to dissect the multifaceted nature of the IN protein throughout the course of HIV-1 replication.

The N-end rule and retroviral infection: no effect on integrase

BACKGROUND

Integration of double stranded viral DNA is a key step in the retroviral life cycle. Virally encoded enzyme, integrase, plays a central role in this reaction. Mature forms of integrase of several retroviruses (i.e. HIV-1 and MLV) bear conserved destabilizing N-terminal residues of the N-end rule pathway - a ubiquitin dependent proteolytic system in which the N-terminal residue of a protein determines its half life. Substrates of the N-end rule pathway are recognized by E3 ubiquitin ligases called N-recognins. We have previously shown that the inactivation of three of these N-recognins, namely UBR1, UBR2 and UBR4 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) leads to increased stability of ectopically expressed HIV-1 integrase. These findings have prompted us to investigate the involvement of the N-end rule pathway in the HIV-1 life cycle.

RESULTS

The infectivity of HIV-1 but not MLV was decreased in N-recognin deficient cells in which three N-recognins (UBR1, UBR2 and UBR4) were depleted. HIV-1 integrase mutants of N-terminal amino acids (coding for stabilizing or destabilizing residues) were severely impaired in their infectivity in both human and mouse cells. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that this inhibition was mainly caused by a defect in reverse transcription. The decreased infectivity was independent of the N-end rule since cells deficient in N-recognins were equally refractory to infection by the integrase mutants. MLV integrase mutants showed no difference in their infectivity or intravirion processing of integrase.

CONCLUSIONS

The N-end rule pathway impacts the early phase of the HIV-1 life cycle; however this effect is not the result of the direct action of the N-end rule pathway on the viral integrase. The N-terminal amino acid residue of integrase is highly conserved and cannot be altered without causing a substantial decrease in viral infectivity.

A homology model of HIV-1 integrase and analysis of mutations designed to test the model

Although there are structures of the different domains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN), there is no structure of the entire protein. The recently determined crystal structures of the prototype foamy virus (PFV) IN tetramer, in complexes with viral DNA, led to the generation of models of full-length HIV-1 IN. These models were generated, in part, by superimposing the structures of the domains of HIV-1 IN onto the structure of full-length PFV IN. We developed a model for HIV-1 IN-based solely on its sequence alignment with PFV IN-that differs in several ways from the previous models. Specifically, in our model, the junction between the catalytic core domain and C-terminal domain adopts a helix-loop-helix motif that is similar to the corresponding segment of PFV IN and differs from the crystal structures of these two HIV-1 IN domains. The alignment of residues in the C-terminal domain also differs from the previous models. Our model can be used to explain the phenotype of previously published HIV-1 IN mutants. We made additional mutants, and the behavior of these new mutants provides additional support for the model.

Monitoring the emergence of resistance mutations in patients infected with HIV-1 under salvage therapy with raltegravir in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a follow-up study

The present study describes a follow-up of a prospective and observational cohort of patients infected with HIV-1 and treated with raltegravir for salvage therapy in Brazil. Two groups of patients were analyzed: switching from T20 to RAL (Group 1, n = 9) and salvage therapy containing RAL (Group 2, n = 10). Blood samples were drawn for CD4(+) T-cell counts and HIV-1 viral load determinations. Protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase genotyping were performed at baseline and at the time of virologic failure. CD4(+) T-cells increased at 6 and 12 months in both groups; HIV-1 viral load was continuously suppressed for Group 1, and for Group 2 it significantly decreased after starting a RAL-containing regimen. Three out of 10 patients from Group 2 could not suppress HIV-1 viral load. The mutations Q148H + G140S were observed for two patients and for the third patient only mutations to PR/RT inhibitors were detected. The genotypic sensitivity score (GSS) was analyzed for all patients of Group 2 and both patients who developed resistance to raltegravir presented a GSS < 2.0 for the RAL-containing scheme, which could be associated to the lack of effectiveness of the proposed scheme. The present study describes, for the first time in Brazil, the close follow-up of a series of patients using a raltegravir-containing HAART, showing the safety of the enfuvirtide switch to RAL and the effectiveness of a therapeutic regimen with RAL in promoting immune reconstitution and suppressing HIV replication, as well as documenting the occurrence of resistance to integrase inhibitors in the country.

Eukaryotic elongation factor 1 complex subunits are critical HIV-1 reverse transcription cofactors

Cellular proteins have been implicated as important for HIV-1 reverse transcription, but whether any are reverse transcription complex (RTC) cofactors or affect reverse transcription indirectly is unclear. Here we used protein fractionation combined with an endogenous reverse transcription assay to identify cellular proteins that stimulated late steps of reverse transcription in vitro. We identified 25 cellular proteins in an active protein fraction, and here we show that the eEF1A and eEF1G subunits of eukaryotic elongation factor 1 (eEF1) are important components of the HIV-1 RTC. eEF1A and eEF1G were identified in fractionated human T-cell lysates as reverse transcription cofactors, as their removal ablated the ability of active protein fractions to stimulate late reverse transcription in vitro. We observed that the p51 subunit of reverse transcriptase and integrase, two subunits of the RTC, coimmunoprecipitated with eEF1A and eEF1G. Moreover eEF1A and eEF1G associated with purified RTCs and colocalized with reverse transcriptase following infection of cells. Reverse transcription in cells was sharply down-regulated when eEF1A or eEF1G levels were reduced by siRNA treatment as a result of reduced levels of RTCs in treated cells. The combined evidence indicates that these eEF1 subunits are critical RTC stability cofactors required for efficient completion of reverse transcription. The identification of eEF1 subunits as unique RTC components provides a basis for further investigations of reverse transcription and trafficking of the RTC to the nucleus.

The removal of RNA primers from DNA synthesized by the reverse transcriptase of the retrotransposon Tf1 is stimulated by Tf1 integrase

The Tf1 retrotransposon represents a group of long terminal repeat retroelements that use an RNA self-primer for initiating reverse transcription while synthesizing the minus-sense DNA strand. Tf1 reverse transcriptase (RT) was found earlier to generate the self-primer in vitro. Here, we show that this RT can remove from the synthesized cDNA the entire self-primer as well as the complete polypurine tract (PPT) sequence (serving as a second primer for cDNA synthesis). However, these primer removals, mediated by the RNase H activity of Tf1 RT, are quite inefficient. Interestingly, the integrase of Tf1 stimulated the specific Tf1 RT-directed cleavage of both the self-primer and PPT, although there was no general enhancement of the RT's RNase H activity (and the integrase by itself is devoid of any primer cleavage). The RTs of two prototype retroviruses, murine leukemia virus and human immunodeficiency virus, showed only a partial and nonspecific cleavage of both Tf1-associated primers with no stimulation by Tf1 integrase. Mutagenesis of Tf1 integrase revealed that the complete Tf1 integrase protein (excluding its chromodomain) is required for stimulating the Tf1 RT primer removal activity. Nonetheless, a double mutant integrase that has lost its integration functions can still stimulate the RT's activity, though heat-inactivated integrase cannot enhance primer removals. These findings suggest that the enzymatic activity of Tf1 integrase is not essential for stimulating the RT-mediated primer removal, while the proper folding of this protein is obligatory for this function. These results highlight possible new functions of Tf1 integrase in the retrotransposon's reverse transcription process.

Characterization of the R263K mutation in HIV-1 integrase that confers low-level resistance to the second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitor dolutegravir

Integrase (IN) strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have been developed to inhibit the ability of HIV-1 integrase to irreversibly link the reverse-transcribed viral DNA to the host genome. INSTIs have proven their high efficiency in inhibiting viral replication in vitro and in patients. However, first-generation INSTIs have only a modest genetic barrier to resistance, allowing the virus to escape these powerful drugs through several resistance pathways. Second-generation INSTIs, such as dolutegravir (DTG, S/GSK1349572), have been reported to have a higher resistance barrier, and no novel drug resistance mutation has yet been described for this drug. Therefore, we performed in vitro selection experiments with DTG using viruses of subtypes B, C, and A/G and showed that the most common mutation to emerge was R263K. Further analysis by site-directed mutagenesis showed that R263K does confer low-level resistance to DTG and decreased integration in cell culture without altering reverse transcription. Biochemical cell-free assays performed with purified IN enzyme containing R263K confirmed the absence of major resistance against DTG and showed a slight decrease in 3' processing and strand transfer activities compared to the wild type. Structural modeling suggested and in vitro IN-DNA binding assays show that the R263K mutation affects IN-DNA interactions.

Correlation of recombinant integrase activity and functional preintegration complex formation during acute infection by replication-defective integrase mutant human immunodeficiency virus

Previous studies characterized two types of replication-defective human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase mutants: class I, which are specifically blocked at the integration step, and class II, which harbor additional virion production and/or reverse transcription defects. Class I mutant enzymes supported little if any metal ion-dependent 3'-processing and DNA strand transfer activities in vitro, whereas class II enzymes displayed partial or full catalytic function in studies with simplified assay designs, suggesting that defective interaction(s) with heterologous integrase binding proteins might underlie the class II mutant viral phenotype. To address this hypothesis, class I and II mutant enzymes were interrogated under expanded sets of in vitro conditions. The majority failed to catalyze the concerted integration of two viral DNA ends into target DNA, highlighting defective integrase function as the root cause of most class II in addition to all class I mutant virus infection defects. One mutant protein, K264E, in contrast, could support the wild-type level of concerted integration activity. After accounting for its inherent reverse transcription defect, HIV-1(K264E) moreover formed preintegration complexes that supported the efficient integration of endogenous viral DNA in vitro and normal levels and sequences of 2-long terminal repeat-containing circle junctions during acute infection. K264E integrase furthermore efficiently interacted in vitro with two heterologous binding partners, LEDGF/p75 and reverse transcriptase. Our results underscore the physiological relevance of concerted integration assays for tests of integrase mutant function and suggest that the K264E mutation disrupts an interaction with an intranuclear integrase binding partner that is important for HIV-1 integration.

Characterization of the R263K mutation in HIV-1 integrase that confers low-level resistance to the second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitor dolutegravir

Integrase (IN) strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have been developed to inhibit the ability of HIV-1 integrase to irreversibly link the reverse-transcribed viral DNA to the host genome. INSTIs have proven their high efficiency in inhibiting viral replication in vitro and in patients. However, first-generation INSTIs have only a modest genetic barrier to resistance, allowing the virus to escape these powerful drugs through several resistance pathways. Second-generation INSTIs, such as dolutegravir (DTG, S/GSK1349572), have been reported to have a higher resistance barrier, and no novel drug resistance mutation has yet been described for this drug. Therefore, we performed in vitro selection experiments with DTG using viruses of subtypes B, C, and A/G and showed that the most common mutation to emerge was R263K. Further analysis by site-directed mutagenesis showed that R263K does confer low-level resistance to DTG and decreased integration in cell culture without altering reverse transcription. Biochemical cell-free assays performed with purified IN enzyme containing R263K confirmed the absence of major resistance against DTG and showed a slight decrease in 3' processing and strand transfer activities compared to the wild type. Structural modeling suggested and in vitro IN-DNA binding assays show that the R263K mutation affects IN-DNA interactions.

Non-Enzymatic Functions of Retroviral Integrase: The Next Target for Novel Anti-HIV Drug Development

Integrase (IN) is a retroviral enzyme that catalyzes the insertion of viral DNA (vDNA) into host chromosomal DNA, which is necessary for efficient viral replication. The crystal structure of prototype foamy virus IN bound to cognate vDNA ends, a complex referred to as the intasome, has recently been resolved. Structure analysis of the intasome revealed a tetramer structure of IN that was required for its catalytic function, and also showed the inhibitory mechanism of the IN inhibitor. Genetic analysis of IN has revealed additional non-enzymatic roles during viral replication cycles at several steps other than integration. However, the higher order structure of IN that is required for its non-enzymatic functions remains to be delineated. This is the next major challenge in the field of IN structural biology hoping to be a platform for the development of novel IN inhibitors to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infectious disease.

[Viral and host factors affecting efficient revere transcription of HIV-1 genome]

Reverse transcription of retroviral RNA into double stranded DNA is a characteristic feature of rertoviruses including human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1). There has been accumulating evidence for the involvement of retroviral integrase (IN) in the reverse transcription of viral RNA. Here, we summarized recent our studies demonstrating direct functional roles of IN and its binding partner of host factor, Gemin2 in the reverse transcription. We established new in vitro cell-free assay to mimic natural reverse transcription and found that HIV-1 IN and host factor, Gemin2 synergistically stimulate reverse transcriptase (RT) activity. Analysis of intracellular stability and multimer formation of IN suggest that that high-ordered structures, especially tetramer formation of IN is critical for the function. In addition, Gemin2 might have a role to keep the higher-order structure of IN. Thus, we provide new aspects of reverse transcription of HIV-1 through IN and host factors in addition to RT.

Sequential deletion of the integrase (Gag-Pol) carboxyl terminus reveals distinct phenotypic classes of defective HIV-1

A requisite step in the life cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the insertion of the viral genome into that of the host cell, a process catalyzed by the 288-amino-acid (32-kDa) viral integrase (IN). IN recognizes and cleaves the ends of reverse-transcribed viral DNA and directs its insertion into the chromosomal DNA of the target cell. IN function, however, is not limited to integration, as the protein is required for other aspects of viral replication, including assembly, virion maturation, and reverse transcription. Previous studies demonstrated that IN is comprised of three domains: the N-terminal domain (NTD), catalytic core domain (CCD), and C-terminal domain (CTD). Whereas the CCD is mainly responsible for providing the structural framework for catalysis, the roles of the other two domains remain enigmatic. This study aimed to elucidate the primary and subsidiary roles that the CTD has in protein function. To this end, we generated and tested a nested set of IN C-terminal deletion mutants in measurable assays of virologic function. We discovered that removal of up to 15 residues (IN 273) resulted in incremental diminution of enzymatic function and infectivity and that removal of the next three residues resulted in a loss of infectivity. However, replication competency was surprisingly reestablished with one further truncation, corresponding to IN 269 and coinciding with partial restoration of integration activity, but it was lost permanently for all truncations extending N terminal to this position. Our analyses of these replication-competent and -incompetent truncation mutants suggest potential roles for the IN CTD in precursor protein processing, reverse transcription, integration, and IN multimerization.

Novel integrase inhibitors for HIV

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Integrase inhibitors are the newest class of antiretroviral agents developed to treat HIV-1 infection. Raltegravir (RAL), the only integrase inhibitor (INI) currently approved for the treatment of HIV-infected patients, has proven to be a potent and well-tolerated antiretroviral (ARV) agent. It is currently approved and used for the treatment of both ARV-experienced and ARV-naive patients. Nevertheless, the relatively low genetic barrier for resistance of RAL encourages the search for new INIs with different mechanisms of actions and resistance profiles.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

Here we review the data available about INI that are currently being tested in clinical trials or are in preclinical development: elvitegravir (EVG), S/GSK1349572, S/GSK1265744 and LEDGINs. We focus on their clinical efficacy, pharmacokinetic, safety and resistance profiles.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

Up-to-date overview on the currently available, clinically relevant INIs and promising preclinical inhibitors at all phases of development.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Integrase inhibitors represent the newest therapeutic class available to treat HIV-1 infection. There are a variety of compounds either available in the clinic (RAL), advancing to Phase III trials (EVG), or in earlier phases of development. Taken together, this class offers new treatment options for the HIV-infected individual.

Role of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase in uncoating of the viral core

After membrane fusion with a target cell, the core of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) enters into the cytoplasm, where uncoating occurs. The cone-shaped core is composed of the viral capsid protein (CA), which disassembles during uncoating. The underlying factors and mechanisms governing uncoating are poorly understood. Several CA mutations can cause changes in core stability and a block at reverse transcription, demonstrating the requirement for optimal core stability during viral replication. HIV-1 integrase (IN) catalyzes the insertion of the viral cDNA into the host genome, and certain IN mutations are pleiotropic. Similar to some CA mutants, two IN mutants, one with a complete deletion of IN (NL-DeltaIN) and the other with a Cys-to-Ser substitution (NL-C130S), were noninfectious, with a replication block at reverse transcription. Compared to the wild type (WT), the cytoplasmic CA levels of the IN mutants in infected cells were reduced, suggesting accelerated uncoating. The role of IN during uncoating was examined by isolating and characterizing cores from NL-DeltaIN and NL-C130S. Both IN mutants could form functional cores, but the core yield and stability were decreased. Also, virion incorporation of cyclophilin A (CypA), a cellular peptidyl-prolyl isomerase that binds specifically to CA, was decreased in the IN mutants. Cores isolated from WT virus depleted of CypA had an unstable-core phenotype, confirming a role of CypA in promoting optimal core stability. Taken together, our results indicate that IN is required during uncoating for maintaining CypA-CA interaction, which promotes optimal stability of the viral core.

Maturation of the HIV reverse transcription complex: putting the jigsaw together

Upon HIV attachment, fusion and entry into the host cell cytoplasm, the viral core undergoes rearrangement to become the mature reverse transcription complex (RTC). Reduced infectivity of viral deletion mutants of the core proteins, capsid and negative factor (Nef), can be complemented by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudotyping suggesting a role for these viral proteins in a common event immediately post-entry. This event may be necessary for correct trafficking of the early complex. Enzymatic activation of the complex occurs either before or during RTC maturation, and may be dependent on the presence of deoxynucleotides in the host cell. The RTC initially becomes enlarged immediately after entry, which is followed by a decrease in its sedimentation rate consistent with core uncoating. Several HIV proteins associated with the RTC and recently identified host-cell proteins are important for reverse transcription while genome-wide siRNA knockdown studies have identified additional host cell factors that may be required for reverse transcription. Determining precisely how these proteins assist the RTC function needs to be addressed.

The HIV-1 integrase genotype strongly predicts raltegravir susceptibility but not viral fitness of primary virus isolates

OBJECTIVE

: Resistance to raltegravir is associated with three genetic pathways defined by the mutations Y143R/C, Q148H/R/K or N155H in integrase, which also infer a viral fitness cost. Additionally, the three major HIV-1 drug-targeted enzymes protease, reverse transcriptase and integrase mature from the same polyprotein, suggesting the potential for interaction between them. This study aims to elucidate the relative contribution of protease-reverse transcriptase, integrase and the rest of the HIV-1 genome to viral fitness and susceptibility to raltegravir.

METHODS

: Recombinant viruses included integrase, protease-reverse transcriptase or the complete pol-coding region from three patients whose raltegravir-containing regimen had failed. The first had the mutations G140S+Q148H+S230N, the second had Y143R+G163R and the third had no evidence of genotypic resistance in integrase. Primary virus isolates were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In-vitro phenotypic resistance and changes in replication capacity were assessed.

RESULTS

: Virus isolates, and integrase-recombinant and pol-recombinant viruses from the patients harboring integrase resistance mutations showed a decrease in raltegravir susceptibility, with no differences between them. Defects in viral fitness were modulated by resistance mutations within protease, reverse transcriptase and integrase, which were further compensated by regions outside pol. Moreover, protease-reverse transcriptase rescued replication capacity of viruses containing integrase resistance mutations, although integrase was unable to compensate defects in replication capacity caused by protease-reverse transcriptase resistance mutations.

CONCLUSION

: Susceptibility to raltegravir is driven by resistance mutations in integrase, whereas other viral genes are involved in restoring defects in viral fitness in patients whose raltegravir-containing regimen fails, suggesting the existence of epistatic effects on replication capacity.

Augmentation of reverse transcription by integrase through an interaction with host factor, SIP1/Gemin2 Is critical for HIV-1 infection

There has been accumulating evidence for the involvement of retroviral integrase (IN) in the reverse transcription of viral RNA. We previously identified a host factor, survival motor neuron-interacting protein 1 (SIP1/Gemin2) that binds to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) IN and supports HIV-1 infection apparently at reverse transcription step. Here, we demonstrated that HIV-1 IN together with SIP1 augments reverse transcriptase (RT) activity by enhancing the assembly of RT on viral RNA in vitro. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the binding motifs within IN that inhibited the IN-SIP1 interaction abrogated reverse transcription in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, knockdown of SIP1 reduced intracellular stability and multimer formation of IN through proteasome-mediated degradation machinery. Taken together, SIP1 appears to stabilize functional multimer forms of IN, thereby promoting the assembly of IN and RT on viral RNA to allow efficient reverse transcription, which is a prerequisite for efficient HIV-1 infection.

Reverse Transcriptase and Cellular Factors: Regulators of HIV-1 Reverse Transcription

There is ample evidence that synthesis of HIV-1 proviral DNA from the viral RNA genome during reverse transcription requires host factors. However, only a few cellular proteins have been described in detail that affect reverse transcription and interact with reverse transcriptase (RT). HIV-1 integrase is an RT binding protein and a number of IN-binding proteins including INI1, components of the Sin3a complex, and Gemin2 affect reverse transcription. In addition, recent studies implicate the cellular proteins HuR, AKAP149, and DNA topoisomerase I in reverse transcription through an interaction with RT. In this review we will consider interactions of reverse transcription complex with viral and cellular factors and how they affect the reverse transcription process.

Identifying and characterizing a functional HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-binding site on integrase

Integrase (IN) from human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) exerts pleiotropic effects in the viral replication cycle. Besides integration, IN mutations can impact nuclear import, viral maturation, and reverse transcription. IN and reverse transcriptase (RT) interact in vitro, and the IN C-terminal domain (CTD) is both necessary and sufficient for binding RT. We used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify a putative RT-binding surface on the IN CTD, and surface plasmon resonance to obtain kinetic parameters and the binding affinity for the IN-RT interaction. An IN K258A substitution that disrupts reverse transcription in infected cells is located at the putative RT-binding surface, and we found that this substitution substantially weakens IN CTD-RT interactions. We also identified two additional IN amino acid substitutions located at the putative RT-binding surface (W243E and V250E) that significantly impair viral replication in tissue culture. These results strengthen the notion that IN-RT interactions are biologically relevant during HIV-1 replication and also provide insights into this interaction at the molecular level.

Integrase and integration: biochemical activities of HIV-1 integrase

Integration of retroviral DNA is an obligatory step of retrovirus replication because proviral DNA is the template for productive infection. Integrase, a retroviral enzyme, catalyses integration. The process of integration can be divided into two sequential reactions. The first one, named 3'-processing, corresponds to a specific endonucleolytic reaction which prepares the viral DNA extremities to be competent for the subsequent covalent insertion, named strand transfer, into the host cell genome by a trans-esterification reaction. Recently, a novel specific activity of the full length integrase was reported, in vitro, by our group for two retroviral integrases (HIV-1 and PFV-1). This activity of internal cleavage occurs at a specific palindromic sequence mimicking the LTR-LTR junction described into the 2-LTR circles which are peculiar viral DNA forms found during viral infection. Moreover, recent studies demonstrated the existence of a weak palindromic consensus found at the integration sites. Taken together, these data underline the propensity of retroviral integrases for binding symmetrical sequences and give perspectives for targeting specific sequences used for gene therapy.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complexes: molecular multitasking revealed

The accurate synthesis of proteins, dictated by the corresponding nucleotide sequence encoded in mRNA, is essential for cell growth and survival. Central to this process are the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), which provide amino acid substrates for the growing polypeptide chain in the form of aminoacyl-tRNAs. The aaRSs are essential for coupling the correct amino acid and tRNA molecules, but are also known to associate in higher order complexes with proteins involved in processes beyond translation. Multiprotein complexes containing aaRSs are found in all three domains of life playing roles in splicing, apoptosis, viral assembly, and regulation of transcription and translation. An overview of the complexes aaRSs form in all domains of life is presented, demonstrating the extensive network of connections between the translational machinery and cellular components involved in a myriad of essential processes beyond protein synthesis.

Quantitative analysis of the interactions between HIV-1 integrase and retroviral reverse transcriptases

The RT (reverse transcriptase) of HIV-1 interacts with HIV-1 IN (integrase) and inhibits its enzymatic activities. However, the molecular mechanisms underling these interactions are not well understood. In order to study these mechanisms, we have analysed the interactions of HIV-1 IN with HIV-1 RT and with two other related RTs: those of HIV-2 and MLV (murine-leukaemia virus). All three RTs inhibited HIV-1 IN, albeit to a different extent, suggesting a common site of binding that could be slightly modified for each one of the studied RTs. Using surface plasmon resonance technology, which monitors direct protein–protein interactions, we performed kinetic analyses of the binding of HIV-1 IN to these three RTs and observed interesting binding patterns. The interaction of HIV-1 RT with HIV-1 IN was unique and followed a two-state reaction model. According to this model, the initial IN–RT complex formation was followed by a conformational change in the complex that led to an elevation of the total affinity between these two proteins. In contrast, HIV-2 and MLV RTs interacted with IN in a simple bi-molecular manner, without any apparent secondary conformational changes. Interestingly, HIV-1 and HIV-2 RTs were the most efficient inhibitors of HIV-1 IN activity, whereas HIV-1 and MLV RTs showed the highest affinity towards HIV-1 IN. These modes of direct protein interactions, along with the apparent rate constants calculated and the correlations of the interaction kinetics with the capacity of the RTs to inhibit IN activities, are all discussed.

Nucleocapsid protein function in early infection processes

The role of nucleocapsid protein (NC) in the early steps of retroviral replication appears largely that of a facilitator for reverse transcription and integration. Using a wide variety of cell-free assay systems, the properties of mature NC proteins (e.g. HIV-1 p7(NC) or MLV p10(NC)) as nucleic acid chaperones have been extensively investigated. The effect of NC on tRNA annealing, reverse transcription initiation, minus-strand-transfer, processivity of reverse transcription, plus-strand-transfer, strand-displacement synthesis, 3' processing of viral DNA by integrase, and integrase-mediated strand-transfer has been determined by a large number of laboratories. Interestingly, these reactions can all be accomplished to varying degrees in the absence of NC; some are facilitated by both viral and non-viral proteins and peptides that may or may not be involved in vivo. What is one to conclude from the observation that NC is not strictly required for these necessary reactions to occur? NC likely enhances the efficiency of each of these steps, thereby vastly improving the productivity of infection. In other words, one of the major roles of NC is to enhance the effectiveness of early infection, thereby increasing the probability of productive replication and ultimately of retrovirus survival.