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Shema Mugisha C, Dinh T, Kumar A, Tenneti K, Eschbach JE, Davis K, Gifford R, Kvaratskhelia M, Kutluay SB. Emergence of Compensatory Mutations Reveals the Importance of Electrostatic Interactions between HIV-1 Integrase and Genomic RNA. mBio 2022; 13:e0043122. [PMID: 35975921 PMCID: PMC9601147 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00431-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 integrase (IN) has a noncatalytic function in virion maturation through its binding to the viral RNA genome (gRNA). Class II IN substitutions inhibit IN-gRNA binding and result in the formation of virions with aberrant morphologies marked by mislocalization of the gRNA between the capsid lattice and the lipid envelope. These viruses are noninfectious due to a block at an early reverse transcription stage in target cells. HIV-1 IN utilizes basic residues within its C-terminal domain (CTD) to bind to the gRNA; however, the molecular nature of how these residues mediate gRNA binding and whether other regions of IN are involved remain unknown. To address this, we have isolated compensatory substitutions in the background of a class II IN mutant virus bearing R269A/K273A substitutions within the IN-CTD. We found that the nearby D256N and D270N compensatory substitutions restored the ability of IN to bind gRNA and led to the formation of mature infectious virions. Reinstating the local positive charge of the IN-CTD through individual D256R, D256K, D278R, and D279R substitutions was sufficient to specifically restore IN-gRNA binding and reverse transcription for the IN R269A/K273A as well as the IN R262A/R263A class II mutants. Structural modeling suggested that compensatory substitutions in the D256 residue created an additional interaction interface for gRNA binding, whereas other substitutions acted locally within the unstructured C-terminal tail of IN. Taken together, our findings highlight the essential role of CTD in gRNA binding and reveal the importance of pliable electrostatic interactions between the IN-CTD and the gRNA. IMPORTANCE In addition to its catalytic function, HIV-1 integrase (IN) binds to the viral RNA genome (gRNA) through positively charged residues (i.e., R262, R263, R269, K273) within its C-terminal domain (CTD) and regulates proper virion maturation. Mutation of these residues results in the formation of morphologically aberrant viruses blocked at an early reverse transcription stage in cells. Here we show that compensatory substitutions in nearby negatively charged aspartic acid residues (i.e., D256N, D270N) restore the ability of IN to bind gRNA for these mutant viruses and result in the formation of accurately matured infectious virions. Similarly, individual charge reversal substitutions at D256 as well as other nearby positions (i.e., D278, D279) are all sufficient to enable the respective IN mutants to bind gRNA, and subsequently restore reverse transcription and virion infectivity. Taken together, our findings reveal the importance of highly pliable electrostatic interactions in IN-gRNA binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Shema Mugisha
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tung Dinh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kasyap Tenneti
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jenna E. Eschbach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Keanu Davis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robert Gifford
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mamuka Kvaratskhelia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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Zafferani M, Haddad C, Luo L, Davila-Calderon J, Chiu LY, Mugisha CS, Monaghan AG, Kennedy AA, Yesselman JD, Gifford RJ, Tai AW, Kutluay SB, Li ML, Brewer G, Tolbert BS, Hargrove AE. Amilorides inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro by targeting RNA structures. Sci Adv 2021; 7:eabl6096. [PMID: 34826236 PMCID: PMC8626076 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl6096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and the likelihood of future coronavirus pandemics, emphasized the urgent need for development of novel antivirals. Small-molecule chemical probes offer both to reveal aspects of virus replication and to serve as leads for antiviral therapeutic development. Here, we report on the identification of amiloride-based small molecules that potently inhibit OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 replication through targeting of conserved structured elements within the viral 5′-end. Nuclear magnetic resonance–based structural studies revealed specific amiloride interactions with stem loops containing bulge like structures and were predicted to be strongly bound by the lead amilorides in retrospective docking studies. Amilorides represent the first antiviral small molecules that target RNA structures within the 5′ untranslated regions and proximal region of the CoV genomes. These molecules will serve as chemical probes to further understand CoV RNA biology and can pave the way for the development of specific CoV RNA–targeted antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Zafferani
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Christina Haddad
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 441106, USA
| | - Le Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 441106, USA
| | | | - Liang-Yuan Chiu
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 441106, USA
| | - Christian Shema Mugisha
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Adeline G. Monaghan
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Andrew A. Kennedy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 1150 W Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Joseph D. Yesselman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Robert J. Gifford
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Rd., Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Andrew W. Tai
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 1150 W Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mei-Ling Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Gary Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Blanton S. Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 441106, USA
| | - Amanda E. Hargrove
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27705, USA
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Wang Q, Gao H, Clark KM, Mugisha CS, Davis K, Tang JP, Harlan GH, DeSelm CJ, Presti RM, Kutluay SB, Shan L. CARD8 is an inflammasome sensor for HIV-1 protease activity. Science 2021; 371:eabe1707. [PMID: 33542150 PMCID: PMC8029496 DOI: 10.1126/science.abe1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 has high mutation rates and exists as mutant swarms within the host. Rapid evolution of HIV-1 allows the virus to outpace the host immune system, leading to viral persistence. Approaches to targeting immutable components are needed to clear HIV-1 infection. Here, we report that the caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 8 (CARD8) inflammasome senses HIV-1 protease activity. HIV-1 can evade CARD8 sensing because its protease remains inactive in infected cells before viral budding. Premature intracellular activation of the viral protease triggered CARD8 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis of HIV-1-infected cells. This strategy led to the clearance of latent HIV-1 in patient CD4+ T cells after viral reactivation. Thus, our study identifies CARD8 as an inflammasome sensor of HIV-1, which holds promise as a strategy for the clearance of persistent HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiankun Wang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hongbo Gao
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kolin M Clark
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christian Shema Mugisha
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Keanu Davis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jack P Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gray H Harlan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carl J DeSelm
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel M Presti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sebla B Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Liang Shan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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Puray-Chavez M, LaPak KM, Schrank TP, Elliott JL, Bhatt DP, Agajanian MJ, Jasuja R, Lawson DQ, Davis K, Rothlauf PW, Jo H, Lee N, Tenneti K, Eschbach JE, Mugisha CS, Vuong HR, Bailey AL, Hayes DN, Whelan SP, Horani A, Brody SL, Goldfarb D, Major MB, Kutluay SB. Systematic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection of an ACE2-negative human airway cell. bioRxiv 2021:2021.03.01.433431. [PMID: 33688646 PMCID: PMC7941617 DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.01.433431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Established in vitro models for SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited and include cell lines of non-human origin and those engineered to overexpress ACE2, the cognate host cell receptor. We identified human H522 lung adenocarcinoma cells as naturally permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection despite complete absence of ACE2. Infection of H522 cells required the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, though in contrast to ACE2-dependent models, spike alone was not sufficient for H522 infection. Temporally resolved transcriptomic and proteomic profiling revealed alterations in cell cycle and the antiviral host cell response, including MDA5-dependent activation of type-I interferon signaling. Focused chemical screens point to important roles for clathrin-mediated endocytosis and endosomal cathepsins in SARS-CoV-2 infection of H522 cells. These findings imply the utilization of an alternative SARS-CoV-2 host cell receptor which may impact tropism of SARS-CoV-2 and consequently human disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Puray-Chavez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kyle M. LaPak
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Travis P. Schrank
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Elliott
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Dhaval P. Bhatt
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Megan J. Agajanian
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ria Jasuja
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Dana Q. Lawson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Keanu Davis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Paul W. Rothlauf
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heejoon Jo
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nakyung Lee
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kasyap Tenneti
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jenna E. Eschbach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christian Shema Mugisha
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hung R. Vuong
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Adam L. Bailey
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - D. Neil Hayes
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sean P.J. Whelan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amjad Horani
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Steven L. Brody
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Mo
| | - Dennis Goldfarb
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Institute for Informatics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - M. Ben Major
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sebla B. Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Lead Contact
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Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has infected millions within just a few months and is continuing to spread around the globe causing immense respiratory disease and mortality. Assays to monitor SARS-CoV-2 growth depend on time-consuming and costly RNA extraction steps, hampering progress in basic research and drug development efforts. Here we developed a facile Q-RT-PCR assay that bypasses viral RNA extraction steps and can monitor SARS-CoV-2 replication kinetics from a small amount of cell culture supernatants. Using this assay, we screened the activities of a number of entry, SARS-CoV-2- and HIV-1-specific inhibitors in a proof of concept study. In line with previous studies which has shown that processing of the viral Spike protein by cellular proteases and endosomal fusion are required for entry, we found that E64D and apilimod potently decreased the amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cell culture supernatants with minimal cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, we found that macropinocytosis inhibitor EIPA similarly decreased viral RNA in supernatants suggesting that entry may additionally be mediated by an alternative pathway. HIV-1-specific inhibitors nevirapine (an NNRTI), amprenavir (a protease inhibitor), and ALLINI-2 (an allosteric integrase inhibitor) modestly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication, albeit the IC 50 values were much higher than that required for HIV-1. Taken together, this facile assay will undoubtedly expedite basic SARS-CoV-2 research, be amenable to mid-throughput screens to identify chemical inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2, and be applicable to a broad number of RNA and DNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Shema Mugisha
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hung R Vuong
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Maritza Puray-Chavez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sebla B Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
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