1
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Eschbach JE, Puray-Chavez M, Mohammed S, Wang Q, Xia M, Huang LC, Shan L, Kutluay SB. HIV-1 capsid stability and reverse transcription are finely balanced to minimize sensing of reverse transcription products via the cGAS-STING pathway. mBio 2024; 15:e0034824. [PMID: 38530034 PMCID: PMC11077976 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00348-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A critical determinant for early post-entry events, the HIV-1 capsid (CA) protein forms the conical core when it rearranges around the dimeric RNA genome and associated viral proteins. Although mutations in CA have been reported to alter innate immune sensing of HIV-1, a direct link between core stability and sensing of HIV-1 nucleic acids has not been established. Herein, we assessed how manipulating the stability of the CA lattice through chemical and genetic approaches affects innate immune recognition of HIV-1. We found that destabilization of the CA lattice resulted in potent sensing of reverse transcription products when destabilization per se does not completely block reverse transcription. Surprisingly, due to the combined effects of enhanced reverse transcription and defects in nuclear entry, two separate CA mutants that form hyperstable cores induced innate immune sensing more potently than destabilizing CA mutations. At low concentrations that allowed the accumulation of reverse transcription products, CA-targeting compounds GS-CA1 and lenacapavir measurably impacted CA lattice stability in cells and modestly enhanced innate immune sensing of HIV. Interestingly, innate immune activation observed with viruses containing unstable cores was abolished by low doses of lenacapavir. Innate immune activation observed with both hyperstable and unstable CA mutants was dependent on the cGAS-STING DNA-sensing pathway and reverse transcription. Overall, our findings demonstrate that CA lattice stability and reverse transcription are finely balanced to support reverse transcription and minimize cGAS-STING-mediated sensing of the resulting viral DNA. IMPORTANCE In HIV-1 particles, the dimeric RNA genome and associated viral proteins and enzymes are encased in a proteinaceous lattice composed of the viral capsid protein. Herein, we assessed how altering the stability of this capsid lattice through orthogonal genetic and chemical approaches impacts the induction of innate immune responses. Specifically, we found that decreasing capsid lattice stability results in more potent sensing of viral reverse transcription products, but not the genomic RNA, in a cGAS-STING-dependent manner. The recently developed capsid inhibitors lenacapavir and GS-CA1 enhanced the innate immune sensing of HIV-1. Unexpectedly, due to increased levels of reverse transcription and cytosolic accumulation of the resulting viral cDNA, capsid mutants with hyperstable cores also resulted in the potent induction of type I interferon-mediated innate immunity. Our findings suggest that HIV-1 capsid lattice stability and reverse transcription are finely balanced to minimize exposure of reverse transcription products in the cytosol of host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E. Eschbach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Maritza Puray-Chavez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Shawn Mohammed
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Qiankun Wang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ming Xia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lin-Chen Huang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Liang Shan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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2
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Piacentini J, Allen DS, Ganser-Pornillos BK, Chanda SK, Yoh SM, Pornillos O. Molecular Determinants of PQBP1 Binding to the HIV-1 Capsid Lattice. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168409. [PMID: 38128824 PMCID: PMC10885737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) stimulates innate immune responses upon infection, including cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) signaling that results in type I interferon production. HIV-1-induced activation of cGAS requires the host cell factor polyglutamine binding protein 1 (PQBP1), an intrinsically disordered protein that bridges capsid recognition and cGAS recruitment. However, the molecular details of PQBP1 interactions with the HIV-1 capsid and their functional implications remain poorly understood. Here, we show that PQBP1 binds to HIV-1 capsids through charge complementing contacts between acidic residues in the N-terminal region of PQBP1 and an arginine ring in the central channel of the HIV-1 CA hexamer that makes up the viral capsid. These studies reveal the molecular details of PQBP1's primary interaction with the HIV-1 capsid and suggest that additional elements are likely to contribute to stable capsid binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Piacentini
- University of Virginia, Department of Molecular Physiology & Biological Physics, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Dale S Allen
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Barbie K Ganser-Pornillos
- University of Virginia, Department of Molecular Physiology & Biological Physics, Charlottesville, VA, USA; University of Utah, Department of Biochemistry, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sumit K Chanda
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sunnie M Yoh
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Owen Pornillos
- University of Virginia, Department of Molecular Physiology & Biological Physics, Charlottesville, VA, USA; University of Utah, Department of Biochemistry, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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3
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Gifford LB, Melikyan GB. HIV-1 Capsid Uncoating Is a Multistep Process That Proceeds through Defect Formation Followed by Disassembly of the Capsid Lattice. ACS NANO 2024; 18:2928-2947. [PMID: 38241476 PMCID: PMC10832047 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c07678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
The HIV-1 core consists of a cone-shaped capsid shell made of capsid protein (CA) hexamers and pentamers encapsulating the viral genome. HIV-1 capsid disassembly, referred to as uncoating, is important for productive infection; however, the location, timing, and regulation of uncoating remain controversial. Here, we employ amber codon suppression to directly label CA. In addition, a fluid phase fluorescent probe is incorporated into the viral core to detect small defects in the capsid lattice. This double-labeling strategy enables the visualization of uncoating of single cores in vitro and in living cells, which we found to always proceed through at least two distinct steps─the formation of a defect in the capsid lattice that initiates gradual loss of CA below a detectable level. Importantly, intact cores containing the fluid phase and CA fluorescent markers enter and uncoat in the nucleus, as evidenced by a sequential loss of both markers, prior to establishing productive infection. This two-step uncoating process is observed in different cells, including a macrophage line. Notably, the lag between the release of fluid phase marker and terminal loss of CA appears to be independent of the cell type or reverse transcription and is much longer (>5-fold) for nuclear capsids compared to cell-free cores or cores in the cytosol, suggesting that the capsid lattice is stabilized by capsid-binding nuclear factors. Our results imply that intact HIV-1 cores enter the cell nucleus and that uncoating is initiated through a localized defect in the capsid lattice prior to a global loss of CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levi B. Gifford
- Department
of Pediatrics, Emory University School of
Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Gregory B. Melikyan
- Department
of Pediatrics, Emory University School of
Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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4
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Schirra RT, Dos Santos NFB, Zadrozny KK, Kucharska I, Ganser-Pornillos BK, Pornillos O. A molecular switch modulates assembly and host factor binding of the HIV-1 capsid. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:383-390. [PMID: 36759579 PMCID: PMC10023569 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00913-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid is a fullerene cone made of quasi-equivalent hexamers and pentamers of the viral CA protein. Typically, quasi-equivalent assembly of viral capsid subunits is controlled by a molecular switch. Here, we identify a Thr-Val-Gly-Gly motif that modulates CA hexamer/pentamer switching by folding into a 310 helix in the pentamer and random coil in the hexamer. Manipulating the coil/helix configuration of the motif allowed us to control pentamer and hexamer formation in a predictable manner, thus proving its function as a molecular switch. Importantly, the switch also remodels the common binding site for host factors that are critical for viral replication and the new ultra-potent HIV-1 inhibitor lenacapavir. This study reveals that a critical assembly element also modulates the post-assembly and viral replication functions of the HIV-1 capsid and provides new insights on capsid function and inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall T Schirra
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Nayara F B Dos Santos
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kaneil K Zadrozny
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Iga Kucharska
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Barbie K Ganser-Pornillos
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Owen Pornillos
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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5
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Gruenke PR, Aneja R, Welbourn S, Ukah OB, Sarafianos SG, Burke DH, Lange MJ. Selection and identification of an RNA aptamer that specifically binds the HIV-1 capsid lattice and inhibits viral replication. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:1701-1717. [PMID: 35018437 PMCID: PMC8860611 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid core participates in several replication processes. The mature capsid core is a lattice composed of capsid (CA) monomers thought to assemble first into CA dimers, then into ∼250 CA hexamers and 12 CA pentamers. CA assembly requires conformational flexibility of each unit, resulting in the presence of unique, solvent-accessible surfaces. Significant advances have improved our understanding of the roles of the capsid core in replication; however, the contributions of individual CA assembly forms remain unclear and there are limited tools available to evaluate these forms in vivo. Here, we have selected aptamers that bind CA lattice tubes. We describe aptamer CA15-2, which selectively binds CA lattice, but not CA monomer or CA hexamer, suggesting that it targets an interface present and accessible only on CA lattice. CA15-2 does not compete with PF74 for binding, indicating that it likely binds a non-overlapping site. Furthermore, CA15-2 inhibits HIV-1 replication when expressed in virus producer cells, but not target cells, suggesting that it binds a biologically-relevant site during virus production that is either not accessible during post-entry replication steps or is accessible but unaltered by aptamer binding. Importantly, CA15-2 represents the first aptamer that specifically recognizes the HIV-1 CA lattice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige R Gruenke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Rachna Aneja
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Sarah Welbourn
- Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Obiaara B Ukah
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Donald H Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Margaret J Lange
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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6
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Ingram Z, Fischer DK, Ambrose Z. Disassembling the Nature of Capsid: Biochemical, Genetic, and Imaging Approaches to Assess HIV-1 Capsid Functions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112237. [PMID: 34835043 PMCID: PMC8618418 DOI: 10.3390/v13112237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid and its disassembly, or capsid uncoating, has remained an active area of study over the past several decades. Our understanding of the HIV-1 capsid as solely a protective shell has since shifted with discoveries linking it to other complex replication events. The interplay of the HIV-1 capsid with reverse transcription, nuclear import, and integration has led to an expansion of knowledge of capsid functionality. Coincident with advances in microscopy, cell, and biochemistry assays, several models of capsid disassembly have been proposed, in which it occurs in either the cytoplasmic, nuclear envelope, or nuclear regions of the cell. Here, we discuss how the understanding of the HIV-1 capsid has evolved and the key methods that made these discoveries possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Ingram
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (Z.I.); (D.K.F.)
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Douglas K. Fischer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (Z.I.); (D.K.F.)
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Zandrea Ambrose
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; (Z.I.); (D.K.F.)
- Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Correspondence:
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7
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Dynactin 1 negatively regulates HIV-1 infection by sequestering the host cofactor CLIP170. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102884118. [PMID: 34686593 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102884118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many viruses directly engage and require the dynein-dynactin motor-adaptor complex in order to transport along microtubules (MTs) to the nucleus and initiate infection. HIV type 1 (HIV-1) exploits dynein, the dynein adaptor BICD2, and core dynactin subunits but unlike several other viruses, does not require dynactin-1 (DCTN1). The underlying reason for HIV-1's variant dynein engagement strategy and independence from DCTN1 remains unknown. Here, we reveal that DCTN1 actually inhibits early HIV-1 infection by interfering with the ability of viral cores to interact with critical host cofactors. Specifically, DCTN1 competes for binding to HIV-1 particles with cytoplasmic linker protein 170 (CLIP170), one of several MT plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs) that regulate the stability of viral cores after entry into the cell. Outside of its function as a dynactin subunit, DCTN1 also functions as a +TIP that we find sequesters CLIP170 from incoming particles. Deletion of the Zinc knuckle (Zn) domain in CLIP170 that mediates its interactions with several proteins, including DCTN1, increased CLIP170 binding to virus particles but failed to promote infection, further suggesting that DCTN1 blocks a critical proviral function of CLIP170 mediated by its Zn domain. Our findings suggest that the unique manner in which HIV-1 binds and exploits +TIPs to regulate particle stability leaves them vulnerable to the negative effects of DCTN1 on +TIP availability and function, which may in turn have driven HIV-1 to evolve away from DCTN1 in favor of BICD2-based engagement of dynein during early infection.
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8
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Saito A, Yamashita M. HIV-1 capsid variability: viral exploitation and evasion of capsid-binding molecules. Retrovirology 2021; 18:32. [PMID: 34702294 PMCID: PMC8549334 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-021-00577-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 capsid, a conical shell encasing viral nucleoprotein complexes, is involved in multiple post-entry processes during viral replication. Many host factors can directly bind to the HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) and either promote or prevent HIV-1 infection. The viral capsid is currently being explored as a novel target for therapeutic interventions. In the past few decades, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the capsid–host interactions and mechanisms of action of capsid-targeting antivirals. At the same time, a large number of different viral capsids, which derive from many HIV-1 mutants, naturally occurring variants, or diverse lentiviruses, have been characterized for their interactions with capsid-binding molecules in great detail utilizing various experimental techniques. This review provides an overview of how sequence variation in CA influences phenotypic properties of HIV-1. We will focus on sequence differences that alter capsid–host interactions and give a brief account of drug resistant mutations in CA and their mutational effects on viral phenotypes. Increased knowledge of the sequence-function relationship of CA helps us deepen our understanding of the adaptive potential of the viral capsid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akatsuki Saito
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamashita
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
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9
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Aiken C, Rousso I. The HIV-1 capsid and reverse transcription. Retrovirology 2021; 18:29. [PMID: 34563203 PMCID: PMC8466977 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-021-00566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The viral capsid plays a key role in HIV-1 reverse transcription. Recent studies have demonstrated that the small molecule IP6 dramatically enhances reverse transcription in vitro by stabilizing the viral capsid. Reverse transcription results in marked changes in the biophysical properties of the capsid, ultimately resulting in its breakage and disassembly. Here we review the research leading to these advances and describe hypotheses for capsid-dependent HIV-1 reverse transcription and a model for reverse transcription-primed HIV-1 uncoating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Aiken
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Itay Rousso
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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10
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Naghavi MH. HIV-1 capsid exploitation of the host microtubule cytoskeleton during early infection. Retrovirology 2021; 18:19. [PMID: 34229718 PMCID: PMC8259435 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-021-00563-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules (MTs) form a filamentous array that provide both structural support and a coordinated system for the movement and organization of macromolecular cargos within the cell. As such, they play a critical role in regulating a wide range of cellular processes, from cell shape and motility to cell polarization and division. The array is radial with filament minus-ends anchored at perinuclear MT-organizing centers and filament plus-ends continuously growing and shrinking to explore and adapt to the intracellular environment. In response to environmental cues, a small subset of these highly dynamic MTs can become stabilized, acquire post-translational modifications and act as specialized tracks for cargo trafficking. MT dynamics and stability are regulated by a subset of highly specialized MT plus-end tracking proteins, known as +TIPs. Central to this is the end-binding (EB) family of proteins which specifically recognize and track growing MT plus-ends to both regulate MT polymerization directly and to mediate the accumulation of a diverse array of other +TIPs at MT ends. Moreover, interaction of EB1 and +TIPs with actin-MT cross-linking factors coordinate changes in actin and MT dynamics at the cell periphery, as well as during the transition of cargos from one network to the other. The inherent structural polarity of MTs is sensed by specialized motor proteins. In general, dynein directs trafficking of cargos towards the minus-end while most kinesins direct movement toward the plus-end. As a pathogenic cargo, HIV-1 uses the actin cytoskeleton for short-range transport most frequently at the cell periphery during entry before transiting to MTs for long-range transport to reach the nucleus. While the fundamental importance of MT networks to HIV-1 replication has long been known, recent work has begun to reveal the underlying mechanistic details by which HIV-1 engages MTs after entry into the cell. This includes mimicry of EB1 by capsid (CA) and adaptor-mediated engagement of dynein and kinesin motors to elegantly coordinate early steps in infection that include MT stabilization, uncoating (conical CA disassembly) and virus transport toward the nucleus. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of how MT regulators and their associated motors are exploited by incoming HIV-1 capsid during early stages of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan H Naghavi
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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11
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Structure, Function, and Interactions of the HIV-1 Capsid Protein. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11020100. [PMID: 33572761 PMCID: PMC7910843 DOI: 10.3390/life11020100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The capsid (CA) protein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is an essential structural component of a virion and facilitates many crucial life cycle steps through interactions with host cell factors. Capsid shields the reverse transcription complex from restriction factors while it enables trafficking to the nucleus by hijacking various adaptor proteins, such as FEZ1 and BICD2. In addition, the capsid facilitates the import and localization of the viral complex in the nucleus through interaction with NUP153, NUP358, TNPO3, and CPSF-6. In the later stages of the HIV-1 life cycle, CA plays an essential role in the maturation step as a constituent of the Gag polyprotein. In the final phase of maturation, Gag is cleaved, and CA is released, allowing for the assembly of CA into a fullerene cone, known as the capsid core. The fullerene cone consists of ~250 CA hexamers and 12 CA pentamers and encloses the viral genome and other essential viral proteins for the next round of infection. As research continues to elucidate the role of CA in the HIV-1 life cycle and the importance of the capsid protein becomes more apparent, CA displays potential as a therapeutic target for the development of HIV-1 inhibitors.
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