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Xu X, Zhang QY, Chu XY, Quan Y, Lv BM, Zhang HY. Facilitating Antiviral Drug Discovery Using Genetic and Evolutionary Knowledge. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112117. [PMID: 34834924 PMCID: PMC8626054 DOI: 10.3390/v13112117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the course of human history, billions of people worldwide have been infected by various viruses. Despite rapid progress in the development of biomedical techniques, it is still a significant challenge to find promising new antiviral targets and drugs. In the past, antiviral drugs mainly targeted viral proteins when they were used as part of treatment strategies. Since the virus mutation rate is much faster than that of the host, such drugs feature drug resistance and narrow-spectrum antiviral problems. Therefore, the targeting of host molecules has gradually become an important area of research for the development of antiviral drugs. In recent years, rapid advances in high-throughput sequencing techniques have enabled numerous genetic studies (such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) screening, etc.) for human diseases, providing valuable genetic and evolutionary resources. Furthermore, it has been revealed that successful drug targets exhibit similar genetic and evolutionary features, which are of great value in identifying promising drug targets and discovering new drugs. Considering these developments, in this article the authors propose a host-targeted antiviral drug discovery strategy based on knowledge of genetics and evolution. We first comprehensively summarized the genetic, subcellular location, and evolutionary features of the human genes that have been successfully used as antiviral targets. Next, the summarized features were used to screen novel druggable antiviral targets and to find potential antiviral drugs, in an attempt to promote the discovery of new antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qing-Ye Zhang
- Correspondence: (Q.-Y.Z.); (H.-Y.Z.); Tel.: +86-27-8728-0877 (H.-Y.Z.)
| | | | | | | | - Hong-Yu Zhang
- Correspondence: (Q.-Y.Z.); (H.-Y.Z.); Tel.: +86-27-8728-0877 (H.-Y.Z.)
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Dang LVP, Pham HV, Dinh TT, Nguyen TH, Vu QTH, Vu NTP, Le PTB, Nguyen LV, Le HT, Vu PT, Olson L. Characterization of envelope sequence of HIV virus in children infected with HIV in Vietnam. SAGE Open Med 2020; 8:2050312120937198. [PMID: 32637106 PMCID: PMC7323269 DOI: 10.1177/2050312120937198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: HIV is characterized by high levels of genetic variability, including increased numbers of heterogeneous sequences of the envelope region. Therefore, studying genetic variability of HIV in relation to viral replication might facilitate prognosis of disease progression. Methods: The study was designed as cross-sectional; data and samples of participants collected and analyzed env genes were obtained from 23 children enrolled by Vietnam National Children’s Hospital. Results: Substantial mutations in the C2 region were found in patients with high levels of viral replication while changes in the C3 region were mostly found in patients with low viral load. In the V1 region, we found profound amino acid modifications in patients with low HIV viral loads in contrast to the V2 sequence, where we identified single point mutations in patients with increased HIV viral load. The V3 region was relatively homogeneous, while profound deletions in the V4 region were detected in patients with increased viral replication. Conclusion: Our results suggest that genetic variations in different regions of the HIV envelope sequence, including both conserved C2 and C3 and variable V1/V2 and V4 regions, might be involved in increased viral infectivity and replication capacity. Such knowledge might help improve prediction of HIV progress and treatment in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Phuong Thi Vu
- Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Linus Olson
- Training and Research Academic Collaboration (TRAC) - Sweden - Vietnam.,Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Woman's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Comparison of Procleix Ultrio Elite and Procleix Ultrio NAT Assays for Screening of Transfusion Transmitted Infections among Blood Donors in India. Int J Microbiol 2016; 2016:2543156. [PMID: 26904124 PMCID: PMC4745391 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2543156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Introduction of nucleic acid testing (NAT) has helped in decreasing window period donations, resulting in increased safety of blood supplies. NAT combines the advantages of direct and highly sequence-specific detection of viral genomes. We analysed the performance of newer Procleix Ultrio Elite (PUE) and Procleix Ultrio assay (PUA) for the screening of the viral markers in our donor population. Material and Methods. 10,015 donor samples were screened by routine immunoassays and both versions of NAT. NAT yields detected were subjected to viral load estimation and to other serological markers. Results. A total of 21 NAT yields were detected; three were positive by both NAT systems, whereas 18 samples were reactive by PUE only. NAT yields include 18 HBV and 3 HCV yields, of which 17 HBV yields were occult infections and 1 was window period (WP) infection. All 3 HCV yields were WP infections. No HIV-1/HIV-2 yield was found. Conclusion. Efficient target capture chemistry in the new TMA assay version significantly improved sensitivity. NAT is superior to serological immunoassays for screening of the viral markers; and the efficient target capture system in the newer TMA assay, namely, the PUE system, has significantly improved sensitivity over the earlier versions.
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Sehgal S, Minz RW, Saikia B, Pasricha N. Slow progressor of human immunodeficiency virus: 20 years follow-up of a case from North India. Indian J Med Microbiol 2014; 32:75-6. [DOI: 10.4103/0255-0857.124325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Zhao W, Liu Y, Timani KA, He JJ. Tip110 protein binds to unphosphorylated RNA polymerase II and promotes its phosphorylation and HIV-1 long terminal repeat transcription. J Biol Chem 2013; 289:190-202. [PMID: 24217245 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.529784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription plays an important role in both HIV-1 gene expression and replication and mandates complicated but coordinated interactions between the host and virus. Our previous studies have shown that an HIV-1 Tat-interacting protein of 110 kDa, Tip110, binds to and enhances Tat function in Tat-mediated HIV-1 gene transcription and replication (Liu, Y., Li, J., Kim, B. O., Pace, B. S., and He, J. J. (2002) HIV-1 Tat protein-mediated transactivation of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat promoter is potentiated by a novel nuclear Tat-interacting protein of 110 kDa, Tip110. J. Biol. Chem. 277, 23854-23863). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which this takes place were not understood. In this study, we demonstrated that Tip110 bound to unphosphorylated RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in a direct and specific manner. In addition, we detected Tip110 at the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter and found that Tip110 expression was associated with increased phosphorylation of serine 2 of the heptapeptide repeats within the RNAPII C-terminal domain and increased recruitment of positive transcription elongation factor b to the LTR promoter. Consistent with these findings, we showed that Tip110 interaction with Tat directly enhanced transcription elongation of the LTR promoter. Taken together, these findings have provided additional and mechanistic evidence to support Tip110 function in HIV-1 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weina Zhao
- From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 and
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Araújo LAL, Almeida SEM. HIV-1 diversity in the envelope glycoproteins: implications for viral entry inhibition. Viruses 2013; 5:595-604. [PMID: 23389465 PMCID: PMC3640516 DOI: 10.3390/v5020595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Revised: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Entry of HIV-1 into a host cell is a multi-step process, with the viral envelope gp120 and gp41 acting sequentially to mediate the viral attachment, CD4 binding, coreceptor binding, and fusion of the viral and host membranes. The emerging class of antiretroviral agents, collectively known as entry inhibitors, interfere in some of these steps. However, viral diversity has implications for possible differential responses to entry inhibitors, since envelope is the most variable of all HIV genes. Different HIV genetic forms carry in their genomes genetic signatures and polymorphisms that could alter the structure of viral proteins which are targeted by drugs, thus impairing antiretroviral binding and efficacy. This review will examine current research that describes subtype differences in envelope at the genetic level and the effects of mutations on the efficacy of current entry inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Augusto Luvison Araújo
- Centro de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CDCT), Fundação Estadual de Produção e Pesquisa em Saúde (FEPPS), Porto Alegre, 90610-000, Brazil.
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Duri K, Gumbo F, Kristiansen K, Mapingure M, Munjoma M, Chirenje M, Rusakaniko S, Stray-Pedersen B, Műller F. Phylogenetic analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype C env gp120 sequences among four drug-naive families following subsequent heterosexual and vertical transmissions. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2012; 28:885-93. [PMID: 22206228 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2011.0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To characterize phylogenetic relatedness of plasma HIV-1 RNA subtype C env gp120 viral variants capable of establishing an infection following heterosexual and subsequent vertical transmission events a 650-base pair fragment within the C2-V5 subregion was sequenced from four HIV-1-infected families each consisting of biological parent(s), index children (first), and subsequent (second) siblings. None of the family members had received antiretroviral therapy at the time of sample collection. Sequence alignment and analysis were done using Gene Doc, Clustal X, and MEGA software programs. Second siblings' sequences were homogeneous and clustered in a single branch while first siblings' sequences were more heterogeneous, clustering in separate branches, suggestive of more than one donor variants responsible for the infection or evolution from founder variant(s) could have occurred. While the directionality for heterosexual transmission could not be determined, homogeneous viral variants were a unique characteristic of maternal variants as opposed to the more heterogeneous paternal variants. Analysis of families' sequences demonstrated a localized expansion of the subtype C infection. We demonstrated that families' sequences clustered quite closely with other regional HIV-1 subtype C sequences supported by a bootstrap value of 86%, confirming the difficulty of classifying subtype C sequences on a geographic basis. Data are indicative of several mechanisms that may be involved in both vertical and heterosexual transmission. Larger studies are warranted to address the caveats of this study and build on the strengths. Our study could be the beginning of family-based HIV-1 intervention research in Zimbabwe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerina Duri
- Department of Immunology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Felicity Gumbo
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Knut Kristiansen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Munyaradzi Mapingure
- Department of Bioinformatics, Letten Foundation Research Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Marshall Munjoma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mike Chirenje
- Department of Community Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Babill Stray-Pedersen
- Division of Women and Children, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fredrik Műller
- Department of Microbiology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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Neogi U, Sood V, Ronsard L, Singh J, Lata S, Ramachandran VG, Das S, Wanchu A, Banerjea AC. Genetic architecture of HIV-1 genes circulating in north India & their functional implications. Indian J Med Res 2012; 134:769-78. [PMID: 22310812 PMCID: PMC3284088 DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.92624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This review presents data on genetic and functional analysis of some of the HIV-1 genes derived from HIV-1 infected individuals from north India (Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh). We found evidence of novel B/C recombinants in HIV-1 LTR region showing relatedness to China/Myanmar with 3 copies of Nfκb sites; B/C/D mosaic genomes for HIV-1 Vpr and novel B/C Tat. We reported appearance of a complex recombinant form CRF_02AG of HIV-1 envelope sequences which is predominantly found in Central/Western Africa. Also one Indian HIV-1 envelope subtype C sequence suggested exclusive CXCR4 co-receptor usage. This extensive recombination, which is observed in about 10 per cent HIV-1 infected individuals in the Vpr genes, resulted in remarkably altered functions when compared with prototype subtype B Vpr. The Vpu C was found to be more potent in causing apoptosis when compared with Vpu B when analyzed for subG1 DNA content. The functional implications of these changes as well as in other genes of HIV-1 are discussed in detail with possible implications for subtype-specific pathogenesis highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ujjwal Neogi
- Department of Virology, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
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Ahmad N. Molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 infection in neonatal target cells. Future Virol 2012. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.12.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1-infected neonates and infants have a higher viral load and progress to symptomatic AIDS more rapidly than their own infected mothers, as well as other infected adults, with differences in clinical manifestations, recurrent bacterial infections and CNS disorders. Two major reasons have been attributed to this differential HIV pathogenesis and disease; the relative immaturity of the neonate’s immune system and it’s inability to contain the highly replicating and mutating HIV-1, and the more efficient replication of HIV-1 in neonatal cells than in adult target cells. In this context, it has been demonstrated that HIV-1 replicates more efficiently in neonatal (cord) blood monocytes/macrophages and T lymphocytes – including naive and memory T lymphocytes – compared with adult blood cells. We have also determined the mechanisms of the differential HIV-1 replication in cord versus adult blood monocytes/macrophages and T lymphocytes (naive and memory), finding that it was influenced at the level of HIV-1 gene expression. The increased HIV-1 gene expression in neonatal versus adult target cells was regulated by differential expression of host factors, transcription factors (NF-κB, E2F, HAT-1, TFIIE, Cdk9 and Cyclin T1), signal transducers (STAT3 and STAT5A) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10). We also showed that nuclear extracts from cord cells interacted with HIV-1 long terminal repeat cis-acting sequences, including NF-κB, NFAT, AP1 and NF-IL6, to a greater extent when compared with adult peripheral blood mononuclear cell nuclear extracts. Additionally, shRNA of retroviral origin for STAT3 and IL-6 downregulated both their own gene expression as well as that of HIV-1, indicating that these factors influenced the differential expression of HIV-1 genes in cord cells compared with adult cells. In addition, HIV-1 integration plays an important role in differential HIV-1 replication and gene expression in neonatal versus adult cells by integrating into more actively transcribed genes in neonates compared with adults. We characterized 468 HIV-1 integration sites within cord and adult blood T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages, including genes coding for cellular components, and those involved with maintenance of the intracellular environment, enzyme regulation, cellular metabolism, catalytic activity and cation transport, as well as several potential transcription factor binding sites at the sites of integration. Additionally, the genes at the integration sites, transcription factors and transcription binding sites were expressed at higher levels in cord than adult target cells. In summary, the increased HIV-1 gene expression and replication in neonatal target cells due to differential expression of host factors all contribute to an increased viral load and faster disease progression in neonates and infants when compared with similar situations in adult patients. Based on these findings, it may be possible to identify new viral and host targets for use in developing strategies for the treatment and prevention of HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafees Ahmad
- Department of Immunobiology, College of Medicine University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
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Duri K, Soko W, Gumbo F, Kristiansen K, Mapingure M, Stray-Pedersen B, Muller, and the BHAMC Group F. Genotypic analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env V3 loop sequences: bioinformatics prediction of coreceptor usage among 28 infected mother-infant pairs in a drug-naive population. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2011; 27:411-9. [PMID: 20969460 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2010.0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We sought to predict virus coreceptor utilization using a simple bioinformatics method based on genotypic analysis of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 (HIV-1) env V3 loop sequences of 28 infected but drug-naive women during pregnancy and their infected infants and to better understand coreceptor usage in vertical transmission dynamics. The HIV-1 env V3 loop was sequenced from plasma samples and analyzed for viral coreceptor usage and subtype in a cohort of HIV-1-infected pregnant women. Predicted maternal frequencies of the X4, R5X4, and R5 genotypes were 7%, 11%, and 82%, respectively. Antenatal plasma viral load was higher, with a mean log(10) (SD) of 4.8 (1.6) and 3.6 (1.2) for women with the X4 and R5 genotypes, respectively, p = 0.078. Amino acid substitution from the conserved V3 loop crown motif GPGQ to GPGR and lymphadenopathy were associated with the X4 genotype, p = 0.031 and 0.043, respectively. The maternal viral coreceptor genotype was generally preserved in vertical transmission and was predictive of the newborn's viral genotype. Infants born to mothers with X4 genotypes were more likely to have lower birth weights relative to those born to mothers with the R5 genotype, with a mean weight (SD) of 2870 (±332) and 3069 (±300) g, respectively. These data show that at least in HIV-1 subtype C, R5 coreceptor usage is the most predominant genotype, which is generally preserved following vertical transmission and is associated with the V3 GPGQ crown motif. Therefore, antiretroviral-naive pregnant women and their infants can benefit from ARV combination therapies that include R5 entry inhibitors following prediction of their coreceptor genotype using simple bioinformatics methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerina Duri
- Department of Immunology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - White Soko
- Department of Immunology, National Institute of Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Felicity Gumbo
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Knut Kristiansen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Babill Stray-Pedersen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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Simon D, Béria JU, Tietzmann DC, Carli RD, Stein AT, Lunge VR. [Prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes in patients of an urban center in Southern Brazil]. Rev Saude Publica 2010; 44:1094-101. [PMID: 20944890 DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102010005000039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2009] [Accepted: 06/06/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes and analyze factors associated. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed with a convenience sample of 80 adult HIV-positive patients, users of an AIDS/STD specialized service, in the city of Canoas, Southern Brazil, between July 2008 and January 2009. Determination of HIV subtypes was performed with the amplification of viral genome fragment, using polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequencing of the amplified fragments. Sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral variables were collected in a structured questionnaire. Univariate statistical analysis was performed, using chi-square test and Student's t-test. RESULTS A higher prevalence of subtype C was found (43.8%; 95% CI: 32.9;54.6), followed by CRF31_BC (35.0%; 95% CI: 24.6;45.5) and subtypes B (18.8%; 95% CI: 10.2;27.3) and F (2.4%; 95% CI: 0;5.9). Other HIV-1 subtypes were not observed. Patients infected with CRF31_BC were diagnosed more recently than patients infected with subtype B (p<0.05). In addition, there was a higher frequency of co-infection with other viruses (hepatitis B and C and human T-lymphotropic viruses) in individuals with CRF31_BC, compared to other subtypes. With regard to sociodemographic aspects, there were no differences in the distribution of subtypes and recombinant forms, in terms of gender and sexual practices. CONCLUSIONS Results obtained indicate a higher frequency of subtype C and CRF31_BC in this urban center of Southern Brazil, with possible different ways of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Simon
- Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, RS, Brasil.
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Romani B, Glashoff RH, Engelbrecht S. Functional integrity of naturally occurring mutants of HIV-1 subtype C Vpr. Virus Res 2010; 153:288-98. [PMID: 20801175 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2010.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2010] [Revised: 08/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/19/2010] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 Vpr, an accessory protein with multiple functions, is involved in the induction of apoptosis, cell cycle G2 arrest, and modulation of gene expression. Many functions of this protein have been documented for the wild-type subtype B Vpr, however the functionality of other subtypes has not sufficiently been addressed. In this study, the functionality of Subtype B Vpr, 6 subtype C mutant Vpr proteins and the consensus sequence of subtype C Vpr were compared with each other. All the subtype B and C Vpr proteins localized to the nucleus of human 293T cells. Subtype C Vpr proteins induced cell cycle G2 arrest in a lower proportion of human 293T cells compared to subtype B Vpr. Subtype B and the naturally mutant Vpr proteins induced apoptosis in a similar manner, ranging from 95.33% to 98.64%. However, an artificially designed Vpr protein containing the consensus sequences of subtype C Vpr indicated a reduced ability in induction of apoptosis. The study of mRNA profile of the transfected cells indicated that all Vpr proteins modulated the apoptotic genes triggering the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Our results indicate that subtype C Vpr is able to exert the same functions previously reported for subtype B Vpr. Most natural mutations in Vpr not only do not disturb the functions of the protein but also potentiate the protein for an increased functionality. The natural mutations of Vpr may thus not always be regarded as defective mutations. The study suggests the adaptive role of the natural mutations commonly found in subtype C Vpr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bizhan Romani
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.
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Neogi U, Prarthana SB, D'Souza G, DeCosta A, Kuttiatt VS, Ranga U, Shet A. Co-receptor tropism prediction among 1045 Indian HIV-1 subtype C sequences: Therapeutic implications for India. AIDS Res Ther 2010; 7:24. [PMID: 20646329 PMCID: PMC2918521 DOI: 10.1186/1742-6405-7-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2010] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding co-receptor tropism of HIV-1 strains circulating in India will provide key analytical leverage for assessing the potential usefulness of newer antiretroviral drugs such as chemokine co-receptor antagonists among Indian HIV-infected populations. The objective of this study was to determine using in silico methods, HIV-1 tropism among a large number of Indian isolates both from primary clinical isolates as well as from database-derived sequences. Results R5-tropism was seen in 96.8% of a total of 1045 HIV-1 subtype C Indian sequences. Co-receptor prediction of 15 primary clinical isolates detected two X4-tropic strains using the C-PSSM matrix. R5-tropic HIV-1 subtype C V3 sequences were conserved to a greater extent than X4-tropic strains. X4-tropic strains were obtained from subjects who had a significantly longer time since HIV diagnosis (96.5 months) compared to R5-tropic strains (20.5 months). Conclusions High prevalence of R5 tropism and greater homogeneity of the V3 sequence among HIV-1 subtype C strains in India suggests the potential benefit of CCR5 antagonists as a therapeutic option in India.
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Hu QY, Fink E, Hong Y, Wang C, Grant CK, Elder JH. Fine definition of the CXCR4-binding region on the V3 loop of feline immunodeficiency virus surface glycoprotein. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10689. [PMID: 20502526 PMCID: PMC2872658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is shared by primary and laboratory-adapted strains of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) for viral entry. Our previous studies implicated a contiguous nine-amino-acid region of the V3 loop of the FIV envelope surface as important in CXCR4 binding and virus entry. The binding is specific for CXCR4 since it can be inhibited by AMD3100, a selective CXCR4 inhibitor. Additional site-directed mutagenesis was used to further reveal the key residues. Binding studies indicated that basic residues R395, K397, R399 as well as N398 are critical for CXCR4 binding. The effect of other amino acid residues on receptor binding depends on the type of amino acid residue substituted. The binding study results were confirmed on human CXCR4-expressing SupT1 cells and correlated with entry efficiency using a virus entry assay. Amino acid residues critical for CXCR4 are not critical for interactions with the primary binding receptor CD134, which has an equivalent role as CD4 for HIV-1 binding. The ELISA results show that W394 and W400 are crucial for the recognition by neutralizing anti-V3 antibodies. Since certain strains of HIV-1 also use CXCR4 as the entry receptor, the findings make the feline model attractive for development of broad-based entry antagonists and for study of the molecular mechanism of receptor/virus interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong-Ying Hu
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Fink
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Yang Hong
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Cathy Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Chris K. Grant
- Custom Monoclonals International, West Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - John H. Elder
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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A novel yeast-based recombination method to clone and propagate diverse HIV-1 isolates. Biotechniques 2009; 46:458-67. [PMID: 19480640 DOI: 10.2144/000113119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Replication studies on human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) rely on a few laboratory strains that are divergent from dominant HIV-1 subtypes in the epidemic. Several phenotypic differences between diverse HIV-1 isolates and subtypes could affect vaccine development and treatment, but this research field lacks robust cloning/virus production systems to study drug sensitivity, replication kinetics, or to develop personalized vaccines. Extreme HIV-1 heterogeneity leaves few restriction enzyme sites for bacterial cloning strategies. In this study, we describe an alternative approach that involves direct introduction of any HIV-1 coding regions (e.g., any gene from a patient sample) into an HIV-1 DNA vector using yeast recombination. This technique uses positive and negative selectable markers in yeast and avoids the need for purification and screening of the DNA substrates and cloning products. Replication-competent virus is then produced from a modified mammalian 293T packaging cell line transfected with this yeast-derived HIV-1 vector. Although HIV-1 served as the prototype, this cloning strategy is now being developed for other diverse virus species such as hepatitis C virus and influenza virus.
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Chen Y, Shen C, Wu H, Caruso L, Ratner D, Rodriguez M, Chen X, Gupta P. Biological properties of HIV-1 subtype B' isolates from infected Chinese blood donors at different disease stages. Virology 2009; 384:161-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2008] [Revised: 10/10/2008] [Accepted: 10/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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