Surface plasmon resonance analysis of gp17, a natural CD4 ligand from human seminal plasma inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus type-1 gp120-mediated syncytium formation

We have previously isolated from human seminal plasma a CD4 ligand, the gp17 glycoprotein, which shares sequence identity with three previously identified proteins: secretory actin-binding protein (SABP) from seminal plasma, gross-cystic-disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) and prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) from breast tumor cells. Functions of these glycoproteins are unknown. To further characterize the physical interaction between gp17 and CD4 we used surface plasmon resonance and demonstrated that gp17-CD4 binding affinity is high. Competition experiments indicated that gp17 interferes with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope protein/CD4 binding, although it binds to a site distinct from but close to the gp120-binding site. We observed moreover that gp17 inhibits syncytium formation between transfected cells expressing the wild-type HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein and CD4, respectively. Our results suggest that gp17, which may function as an immunomodulatory CD4-binding factor playing a role at insemination, may also play a role in controlling HIV spread in the sexual tract.

HLA class II antigens and the HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 bind to the same face of CD4

Although the HIV gp120 binding site of CD4 is well characterized, its interaction site with HLA class II molecules is still controversial. Sixty-seven mutations within the four extracellular domains of CD4 were examined for their effects on cell surface expression and conformational changes and for adhesion of HLA class II-expressing B lymphocytes and HIV gp120 binding to CD4-transfected COS cells. Mutations within the gp120 binding site affected both assays similarly, indicating that the two sites fully overlap. A few additional substitutions of residues mapping on the same face of domains 1 and 2 induced decreased rosette formation. Molecular modeling studies indicated that this is likely to be the consequence of conformational changes induced by the mutations. Thus, CD4 appears to interact with HLA class II molecules mainly through the HIV gp120 binding site and possibly through a second minor interaction site mapping on the same face of the molecule.

HLA class II antigens and the HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 bind to the same face of CD4

Although the HIV gp120 binding site of CD4 is well characterized, its interaction site with HLA class II molecules is still controversial. Sixty-seven mutations within the four extracellular domains of CD4 were examined for their effects on cell surface expression and conformational changes and for adhesion of HLA class II-expressing B lymphocytes and HIV gp120 binding to CD4-transfected COS cells. Mutations within the gp120 binding site affected both assays similarly, indicating that the two sites fully overlap. A few additional substitutions of residues mapping on the same face of domains 1 and 2 induced decreased rosette formation. Molecular modeling studies indicated that this is likely to be the consequence of conformational changes induced by the mutations. Thus, CD4 appears to interact with HLA class II molecules mainly through the HIV gp120 binding site and possibly through a second minor interaction site mapping on the same face of the molecule.