Rev is a key regulatory protein of HV-1. Its function is to bind to viral transcripts and effect export from the nucleus of unspliced mRNA thereby allowing the production of structural proteins. Despite its importance, the structure has not been determined due to tendency of the protein to aggregate. Monoclonal antibody antigen binding domains (Fab) can mediate co-crystallization of refractory proteins. A chimeric rabbit/human Fab against Rev was selected by phage display, produced in a bacterial secretion system, and purified from the media. A Fab-Rev complex was produced which generated crystals from which the structure of Rev was determined by X-ray crystallography for the first time. The structure consisted of a molecular dimer of Rev, bound on either side by a Fab, where the ordered portion of each Rev monomer contains two coplanar α-helices arranged in hairpin fashion. Hydrophobic patches on the outer surface of the dimer (blocked by the bound Fab) promote the higher order interactions, suggesting a model for Rev oligomerization onto the viral RNA. The corresponding single chain antibody (scFv) was also prepared, offering the potential of antibody therapeutics against HIV-1. HIV protease, a homodimeric protein is essential in the viral life cycle and a major anti-HIV drug target. Peptides derived from the N- and C-terminal regions of the HIV-1 protease dimer interface inhibit protease activity by preventing dimerization (monomeric protein is inactive). In previous work, it was shown that the solubility and cell permeability of the peptides was enhanced by linking the transduction domain of HIV-Tat. Recently we developed a genetic construct that can be used to study the first step in the cascade of HIV-1 protease Gag-Pro-Pol processing and show that reversible oxidation of cysteines can control the activity of the HIV-1 protease at this initial step. This assay system also has the potential for the screening of potential dimerization inhibitors.

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
15
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$475,595
Indirect Cost
Name
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code
Dearborn, Altaira D; Eren, Elif; Watts, Norman R et al. (2018) Structure of an RNA Aptamer that Can Inhibit HIV-1 by Blocking Rev-Cognate RNA (RRE) Binding and Rev-Rev Association. Structure 26:1187-1195.e4
Eren, Elif; Watts, Norman R; Dearborn, Altaira D et al. (2018) Structures of Hepatitis B Virus Core- and e-Antigen Immune Complexes Suggest Multi-point Inhibition. Structure 26:1314-1326.e4
Watts, Norman R; Eren, Elif; Zhuang, Xiaolei et al. (2018) A new HIV-1 Rev structure optimizes interaction with target RNA (RRE) for nuclear export. J Struct Biol 203:102-108
DiMattia, Michael A; Watts, Norman R; Cheng, Naiqian et al. (2016) The Structure of HIV-1 Rev Filaments Suggests a Bilateral Model for Rev-RRE Assembly. Structure 24:1068-80
Wingfield, Paul T (2015) Overview of the purification of recombinant proteins. Curr Protoc Protein Sci 80:6.1.1-35
Stahl, Stephen J; Watts, Norman R; Wingfield, Paul T (2014) Generation and use of antibody fragments for structural studies of proteins refractory to crystallization. Methods Mol Biol 1131:549-61
Zhuang, Xiaolei; Stahl, Stephen J; Watts, Norman R et al. (2014) A cell-penetrating antibody fragment against HIV-1 Rev has high antiviral activity: characterization of the paratope. J Biol Chem 289:20222-33
Yedidi, Ravikiran S; Garimella, Harisha; Aoki, Manabu et al. (2014) A conserved hydrogen-bonding network of P2 bis-tetrahydrofuran-containing HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs) with a protease active-site amino acid backbone aids in their activity against PI-resistant HIV. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 58:3679-88
Yedidi, Ravikiran S; Maeda, Kenji; Fyvie, W Sean et al. (2013) P2' benzene carboxylic acid moiety is associated with decrease in cellular uptake: evaluation of novel nonpeptidic HIV-1 protease inhibitors containing P2 bis-tetrahydrofuran moiety. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 57:4920-7
Ben-Sasson, Shlomo Z; Hogg, Alison; Hu-Li, Jane et al. (2013) IL-1 enhances expansion, effector function, tissue localization, and memory response of antigen-specific CD8 T cells. J Exp Med 210:491-502

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