HIV-1 integrase crosslinked oligomers are active in vitro

The oligomeric state of active human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) has not been clearly elucidated. We analyzed the activity of the different purified oligomeric forms of recombinant IN obtained after stabilization by platinum crosslinking. The crosslinked tetramer isolated by gel chromatography was able to catalyze the full-site integration of the two viral LTR ends into a target DNA in vitro, whereas the isolated dimeric form of the enzyme was involved in the processing and integration of only one viral end. Accurate concerted integration by IN tetramers was confirmed by cloning and sequencing. Kinetic studies of DNA-integrase complexes led us to propose a model explaining the formation of an active complex. Our data suggest that the tetrameric IN bound to the viral DNA ends is the minimal complex involved in the concerted integration of both LTRs and should be the oligomeric form targeted by future inhibitors

The HIV-1 Integrase Mutations Y143C/R Are an Alternative Pathway for Resistance to Raltegravir and Impact the Enzyme Functions

Resistance to HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitor raltegravir (RAL), is encoded by mutations in the IN region of the pol gene. The emergence of the N155H mutation was replaced by a pattern including the Y143R/C/H mutations in three patients with anti-HIV treatment failure. Cloning analysis of the IN gene showed an independent selection of the mutations at loci 155 and 143. Characterization of the phenotypic evolution showed that the switch from N155H to Y143C/R was linked to an increase in resistance to RAL. Wild-type (WT) IN and IN with mutations Y143C or Y143R were assayed in vitro in 3′end-processing, strand transfer and concerted integration assays. Activities of mutants were moderately impaired for 3′end-processing and severely affected for strand transfer. Concerted integration assay demonstrated a decrease in mutant activities using an uncleaved substrate. With 3′end-processing assay, IC50 were 0.4 µM, 0.9 µM (FC = 2.25) and 1.2 µM (FC = 3) for WT, IN Y143C and IN Y143R, respectively. An FC of 2 was observed only for IN Y143R in the strand transfer assay. In concerted integration, integrases were less sensitive to RAL than in ST or 3′P but mutants were more resistant to RAL than WT

Small-angle X-ray characterization of the nucleoprotein complexes resulting from DNA-induced oligomerization of HIV-1 integrase

HIV-1 integrase (IN) catalyses integration of a DNA copy of the viral genome into the host genome. Specific interactions between retroviral IN and long terminal repeats (LTR) are required for this insertion. To characterize quantitatively the influence of the determinants of DNA substrate specificity on the oligomerization status of IN, we used the small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique. Under certain conditions in the absence of ODNs IN existed only as monomers. IN preincubation with specific ODNs led mainly to formation of dimers, the relative amount of which correlated well with the increase in the enzyme activity in the 3′-processing reaction. Under these conditions, tetramers were scarce. Non-specific ODNs stimulated formation of catalytically inactive dimers and tetramers. Complexes of monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric forms of IN with specific and non-specific ODNs had varying radii of gyration (R(g)), suggesting that the specific sequence-dependent formation of IN tetramers can probably occur by dimerization of two dimers of different structure. From our data we can conclude that the DNA-induced oligomerization of HIV-1 IN is probably of importance to provide substrate specificity and to increase the enzyme activity

Sci Rep

Mosquito- and tick-borne pathogens including Chikungunya, Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, Yellow fever and Zika virus, represent a new economic and public health challenge. In the absence of effective vaccines and specific therapies, only supportive regimens are administrated for most of these infections. Thus, the development of a targeted therapy is mandatory to stop the rapid progression of these pathogens and preoccupant associated burdens such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, microcephaly. For this, it is essential to develop biochemical tools to help study and target key viral enzymes involved in replication such as helicase complexes, methyl-transferases and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Here, we show that a highly purified ZIKV polymerase domain is active in vitro. Importantly, we show that this isolated domain is capable of de novo synthesis of the viral genome and efficient elongation without terminal nucleotide transferase activity. Altogether, this isolated polymerase domain will be a precious tool to screen and optimize specific nucleoside and non-nucleoside inhibitors to fight against Zika infections

Targeting the Integrated Stress Response Kinase GCN2 to Modulate Retroviral Integration

International audienceMultiple viral targets are now available in the clinic to fight HIV infection. Even if this targeted therapy is highly effective at suppressing viral replication, caregivers are facing growing therapeutic failures in patients due to resistance, with or without treatment-adherence glitches. Accordingly, it is important to better understand how HIV and other retroviruses replicate in order to propose alternative antiviral strategies. Recent studies have shown that multiple cellular factors are implicated during the integration step and, more specifically, that integrase can be regulated through post-translational modifications. We have shown that integrase is phosphorylated by GCN2, a cellular protein kinase of the integrated stress response, leading to a restriction of HIV replication. In addition, we found that this mechanism is conserved among other retroviruses. Accordingly, we developed an in vitro interaction assay, based on the AlphaLISA technology, to monitor the integrase-GCN2 interaction. From an initial library of 133 FDA-approved molecules, we identified nine compounds that either inhibited or stimulated the interaction between GCN2 and HIV integrase. In vitro characterization of these nine hits validated this pilot screen and demonstrated that the GCN2-integrase interaction could be a viable solution for targeting integrase out of its active site

In vitro analysis of the susceptibility of HIV-1 subtype A and CRF01_AE integrases to raltegravir.

International audienceThe antiviral efficacy of raltegravir (RAL) has been proven against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes B and C but remained to be determined against other subtypes. Therefore, the enzymatic activities as well as RAL resistance of HIV-1 subtype A and CRF01_AE integrases (INs) were investigated. Previously published subtype A and CRF01_AE IN sequences from RAL-naïve patients were aligned to generate consensus sequences for both IN subtypes. Subtype A and CRF01_AE INs encoded by these consensus sequences as well as the corresponding enzymes harbouring the N155H resistance mutation were expressed and purified. Enzymatic activities of subtype A and CRF01_AE INs were analysed with regard to typical 3'-end processing (3'-P) and strand transfer (ST) activities both in the presence and absence of RAL and were compared with subtype B IN as well as with the corresponding INs harbouring the N155H resistance mutation. Subtypes B, A and CRF01_AE INs showed similar 3'-P and ST activities. In the presence of RAL, the three wild-type INs exhibited ST activity IC50 values (50% inhibitory concentrations) of 86.3 ± 32.5, 158.3 ± 99.0 and 100.0 ± 65.7 nM, respectively. Analysis of 3'-P activity in the presence of RAL revealed IC(50) > 10 μM for all three enzymes. The three INs harbouring the N155H mutation presented in vitro low but similar resistance levels to RAL. In conclusion, INs from HIV-1 subtypes B, A and CRF01_AE showed similar responses to RAL in vitro, suggesting the potency of this antiretroviral drug to treat HIV-1 subtype A- and CRF01_AE-infected patients

Investigation of a novel series of 2-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase inhibitors

We report herein further insight into the biological activities displayed by a series of 2-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones (HIDs). Substitution of the N-hydroxyimide two-metal binding pharmacophore at position 4 by carboxamido side chains was previously shown by us to be fruitful for this scaffold, since strong human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase (HIV-1 IN) inhibitors in the low nanomolar range associated with low micromolar anti-HIV activities were obtained. We investigated the influence of substitution at position 7 on biological activity. Introduction of electron-withdrawing functional groups such as the nitro moiety at position 7 led to a noticeable improvement of antiviral activity, down to low nanomolar anti-HIV potencies, with advantageous therapeutic indexes going close to those of the clinically used raltegravir and retained potencies against a panel of IN mutants.status: publishe

Investigation of a novel series of 2-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase inhibitors.

International audienceWe report herein further insight into the biological activities displayed by a series of 2-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones (HIDs). Substitution of the N-hydroxyimide two-metal binding pharmacophore at position 4 by carboxamido side chains was previously shown by us to be fruitful for this scaffold, since strong human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase (HIV-1 IN) inhibitors in the low nanomolar range associated with low micromolar anti-HIV activities were obtained. We investigated the influence of substitution at position 7 on biological activity. Introduction of electron-withdrawing functional groups such as the nitro moiety at position 7 led to a noticeable improvement of antiviral activity, down to low nanomolar anti-HIV potencies, with advantageous therapeutic indexes going close to those of the clinically used raltegravir and retained potencies against a panel of IN mutants