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Trapping of a catalytic HIV reverse transcriptase*template:primer complex through a disulfide bond.

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is a major target for the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Resistance mutations in RT compromise treatment, however. Efforts to understand the enzymatic mechanism of RT and the basis for mutational resistance to anti-RT drugs have been hampered by the failure to crystallize a catalytically informative RT-substrate complex. RESULTS: We present here experiments that allow us to understand the reason for the failure to crystallize such a complex. Based on this understanding, we have devised a new approach for using a combinatorial disulfide cross-linking strategy to trap a catalytic RT*template:primer*dNTP ternary complex, thereby enabling the growth of co-crystals suitable for high-resolution structural analysis. The crystals contain a fully assembled active site poised for catalysis. The cross-link itself appears to be conformationally mobile, and the surrounding region is undistorted, suggesting that the cross-link is a structurally passive device that merely acts to prevent dissociation of the catalytic complex. CONCLUSIONS: The new strategy discussed here has resulted in the crystallization and structure determination of a catalytically relevant RT*template:primer*dNTP complex. The structure has allowed us to analyze possible causes of drug resistance at the molecular level. This information will assist efforts to develop new classes of nucleoside analog inhibitors, which might help circumvent current resistance profiles. The covalent trapping strategy described here may be useful with other protein-DNA complexes that have been refractory to structural analysis.

Catalysis↗

Inhibition of the RNase H activity of HIV reverse transcriptase by azidothymidylate.

The effects of AZTMP and other nucleoside 5'-monophosphates on the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase and RNase H activities of a recombinant HIV reverse transcriptase have been investigated. Both activities are sensitive to inhibition by millimolar concentrations of AZTMP with MgCl2 as divalent cation activator. Substitution of Mn2+ for Mg2+ markedly potentiates the inhibition of RNase H activity by AZTMP, reducing the IC50 from 5 to 0.05 mM. In contrast, Mn2+ does not alter the sensitivity of the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity to inhibition by AZTMP. The inhibition of RNase H activity by AZTMP can be reversed by increasing concentrations of the substrate poly(A)/poly(dT), suggesting that AZTMP may compete with the substrate for binding at the active site of RNase H. Other nucleoside 5'-monophosphates do not inhibit RNase H in the presence of Mg2+. However, in the presence of Mn2+, deoxy- and dideoxynucleoside 5'-monophosphates that are complementary to the DNA strand of the heteroduplex substrate are somewhat inhibitory. The RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity is a slightly inhibited by AZTMP and ddTMP in either Mg2+ or Mn2+, and substitution of Mn2+ for Mg2+ results in inhibition by ddAMP as well. Naturally occurring ribo- or deoxyribonucleoside 5'-monophosphates are not inhibitory at concentrations up to 5 mM. Since AZTTP inhibits the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity of HIV reverse transcriptase at nanomolar concentrations, it is unlikely that the inhibition of this activity by AZTMP plays a significant role in the antiviral effect of AZT. However, the inhibition of the RNase H activity by AZTMP, which can reach millimolar concentrations in vivo, may account for part of the sensitivity of the virus to AZT.

Antiviral Agents↗

The effect of NNRTIs on HIV reverse transcriptase dimerization.

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are chemically diverse compounds that allosterically inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). NNRTIs are highly effective in the treatment of HIV-infected individuals when used in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. Recent studies have demonstrated that various NNRTIs can enhance, destabilize or have no effect on HIV-1 RT dimerization, suggesting that these drugs have different modes of binding to the HIV-1 RT. The strong enhancement of RT dimerization by many conventional NNRTIs such as efavirenz may contribute in part to the inhibitory activity of these drugs, while subunit destabilization by unconventional NNRTIs is thought to interfere with the RT heterodimerization-induced conformational changes that are essential for enzyme function. These studies suggest that modulation of subunit interaction by NNRTIs represents a previously unrecognized property of these RT inhibitors that could be exploited to produce more potent inhibitors of HIV-1 RT.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Biaryl acids: novel non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase types 1 and 2.

A series of biaryl acids has been found to show micromolar inhibition of the HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) from types 1 and 2 with IC50S in the micromolar range. The series was discovered by consideration of the polymerase active site and sub-structure searching of the company compound collection. Synthesis of analogues to investigate the SAR is described. Two of these compounds have shown inhibition of HIV-2 RT only.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Mechanism of inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase by toxiusol, a novel general inhibitor of retroviral and cellular DNA polymerases.

Toxiusol, a natural product isolated from the Red Sea sponge Toxiclona toxius, has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of various viral reverse transcriptases (RT) [i.e., of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), equine infectious anemia virus, and murine leukemia virus] and cellular DNA polymerases (i.e., of DNA polymerases alpha and beta and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I). A thorough investigation of the mode of inhibition was conducted with HIV-1 RT-associated DNA polymerase activity. The inhibition is unaffected by the nature of template-primer used. The inhibitory active site of toxiusol is attributable to the polar moieties at the benzene ring. The presence of either sulfate groups in the natural lead compound or hydroxyl groups in the corresponding hydroquinone is critical, because both compounds are equally effective at low micromolar concentrations. Conversely, the presence of acetyl groups in the same position in the derivative toxiusol diacetate lowers significantly or abolishes the inhibitory activity. Toxiusol binds the HIV-1 RT irreversibly and in a noncompetitive way with high affinity (Ki = 1.2 microM), probably through polar groups. The replacement with acetyl moieties in the analog toxiusol diacetate hampers the binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme (Ki increases to about 26 microM). Still, the compound binds irreversibly, probably through its hydrophobic structure skeleton. Toxiusol diacetate loses its ability to inhibit the first step in the DNA polymerization process (that is, the formation of the DNA-enzyme complex as measured by a gel retardation assay), which contributes to its poor inhibitory capacity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Carbocyclic dinucleoside polyphosphonates: interaction with HIV reverse transcriptase and antiviral activity.

Carbocyclic alpha, gamma-bis(nucleoside)-5,5'-triphosphonates and alpha, delta-bis(nucleoside)-5,5'-tetraphosphonates (Ap4A and Gp4G) analogues were shown to be a new type of terminating substrate of HIV reverse transcriptase. They effectively inhibited the DNA synthesis catalyzed by this enzyme in model cell-free systems, but their antiviral activity both in Rat1 fibroblast cell culture bearing MLV reverse transcriptase and in HIV-infected MT-4 cells was low. When a liposome delivery system was used, the antiviral efficacy of the compounds under study was increased.

Animals↗

Synthesis of 1-(3-phthalimido-2-oxobutyl)-4-substituted- phenylpiperazines and their anti-HIV reverse transcriptase activity.

AIM: Synthesis of 1-(3-phthalimido-2-oxobutyl)-4-substituted- phenylpiperazines (5-15). METHODS: The starting material nitrogen mustard hydrochloride (16), reacted with the corresponding substituted anilines to afford piperazine hydrochlorides (17-27), which were then coupled with 1-bromo-3-phthalimidobutan-2-one (4) to give the target compounds. RESULTS: Eleven target compounds (5-15) were synthesized, which were characterized by 1HNMR, IR and elemental analysis. CONCLUSION: Anti-HIV-1 RT using HIV reverse transcriptase P-66 protein test showed that compounds 11, 14, 10 and 13 possessed inhibitory effects against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), with IC50 29.80, 35.20, 43.77 and 63.76 mumol.L-1, respectively.

HIV Reverse Transcriptase↗

Conformation and sandwiching of bases by azido groups in the crystal structure of 3'-azido-3'-deoxy-thymidine (AZT), an antiviral agent that inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase.

The crystal structure of 3'-azido-3'-deoxy-thymidine (AZT), an antiviral agent that inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase, has been determined from three-dimensional x-ray diffractometer data. The crystal structure contains two independent molecules of AZT forming a hydrogen bonded dimer but exhibiting different conformations. These conformations are different from those theoretically calculated by molecular mechanics methods. The azido groups associate with each other and interrupt the base stacking, forming a sandwich of two stacked bases. The close conformational similarity of AZT to thymidine explains why AZT is a good substrate for thymidine kinase. The selective inhibition of reverse transcriptase by AZT is not due to any conformational restrictions imposed by the azido group but likely due to their stereoelectronic properties.

Azides↗

Thiourea-based non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase as bifunctional organocatalysts in the asymmetric Strecker synthesis.

The potential of novel and known pyridyl thiourea derivatives (non-nucleoside inhibitors (NNI) of HIV reverse transcriptase) as bifunctional organic catalysts in the asymmetric Strecker synthesis was investigated. It was shown that incorporation of the imidazolyl moiety in place of a pyridyl group results in a new thiourea derivative that displays a much higher catalytic activity.

Catalysis↗

Denaturation/refolding of purified recombinant HIV reverse transcriptase yields monomeric enzyme with high enzymatic activity.

We engineered a prokaryotic expression vector encoding the HIV reverse transcriptase (RT). We grew Escherichia coli JM109 carrying the vector in a 250-liter stirred tank fermentor and purified RT (p66) under native conditions to apparent homogeneity. Purified p66 (greater than or equal to 5 mg/ml) was not stable, and was rapidly processed to its 51 kD derivative (p51), until p66:p51 levels were approximately 1:1. These latter RT preparations were chromatographed as heterodimers and had approximately fivefold higher specific RT enzymatic activities compared with those containing predominantly p66. P66 purified under dilute concentrations (less than or equal to 0.5 mg/ml) was monomeric in solution, resistant to p51 processing for weeks at 4 degrees C, but also had low specific RT enzymatic activities. To attempt the preparation of homogeneous p66 with specific RT enzymatic activities equivalent to p66:p51 heterodimers, purified heterodimers were denatured and p66 was purified and refolded during extensive dialysis (refolded p66). Refolded p66 (less than or equal to 0.5 mg/ml) was monomeric in solution and had identical specific RT enzymatic activities, Km for dTTP, and inhibition by 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine triphosphate compared with heterodimeric p66:p51 RT. The data indicates that HIV RT obtained from recombinant E. coli under native conditions is extensively processed at concentrations promoting dimerization. Moreover, RT denaturation and refolding yields apparently homogeneous monomeric p66, with specific RT enzymatic activities equivalent to heterodimeric RT.

Base Sequence↗

Enzymatic kinetic studies with the non-nucleoside HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor U-9843.

The polymer of ethylenesulfonic acid (U-9843) is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 RT (reverse transcriptase) and the drug possesses excellent antiviral activity at nontoxic doses in HIV-infected lymphocytes grown in tissue culture. The drug also inhibits RTs isolated from other species such as AMV and MLV retroviruses. Enzymatic kinetic studies of the HIV-1 RT catalyzed RNA-directed DNA polymerase function, using synthetic template:primers, indicate that the drug acts generally noncompetitively with respect to the template:primer binding site but the specific inhibition patterns change somewhat depending on the drug concentration. The inhibitor acts noncompetitively with respect to the dNTP binding sites. Hence, the drug inhibits this RT polymerase function by interacting with a site distinct from the template:primer and dNTP binding sites. In addition, the inhibitor also impairs the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity of HIV-1 RT and the RNase H function. This indicates that the drug interacts with a target site essential for all three HIV RT functions addressed (RNA- and DNA-directed DNA polymerases, RNase H).

Antiviral Agents↗

Swertifrancheside, an HIV-reverse transcriptase inhibitor and the first flavone-xanthone dimer, from Swertia franchetiana.

The first flavone-xanthone C-glucoside, swertifrancheside, was isolated from Swertia franchetiana, and its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis as 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-7-(5',7',3'',4''- tetrahydroxy-6'-C-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-oxy-8'-flavyl)-xanthone . This compound was a moderately potent inhibitor of HIV reverse transcriptase.

Antimalarials↗

Non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase: screening successes--clinical failures.

A little less than two years ago, the first report describing non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) led to the high anticipation that a range of new drugs could soon be available for the treatment of AIDS. The intervening period has given rise to several such agents but recent clinical trial data has indicated this optimism to be premature. This short review seeks to trace the brief history of the drug discovery process and to assess whether there are lessons to be learnt from the episode.

Antiviral Agents↗

Factors contributing to the inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase by chain-terminating nucleotides in vitro and in vivo.

Arguments are presented leading to the conclusion that two major factors contribute to the potency of inhibition of DNA-polymerase activity by chain-terminating nucleotides. The relative significance of these factors varies with the reaction conditions, particularly with the length of the template and the concentration ratio of enzyme (reverse transcriptase or other DNA polymerase) to primer. It is concluded that potent inhibition of HIV-reverse transcriptase activity under typical in vitro and in vivo conditions arises from different features of the interaction of chain terminators with the enzyme. A new method of testing for the parameter important under in vivo conditions is suggested.

HIV↗

Tighter binding of HIV reverse transcriptase to RNA-DNA versus DNA-DNA results mostly from interactions in the polymerase domain and requires just a small stretch of RNA-DNA.

Binding of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) to unique substrates that positioned RNA-DNA or DNA-DNA near the polymerase or RNase H domains was measured. The substrates consisted of a 50 nucleotide template and DNA primers ranging from 23 to 43 nucleotides. Five different types of template strands were used: homogeneous (1) RNA or (2) DNA, (3) the first 20 5' nucleotides of DNA and the last 30 RNA, (4) the first 20 RNA and the last 30 DNA, and (5) 15 nucleotides of DNA followed by 5 RNA and then 30 DNA. The different length primers were designed to position RT over various regions of the template. Dissociation rate constants were determined for each of the substrates. Results showed that the severalfold tighter binding to RNA-DNA vs DNA-DNA was determined by binding in the polymerase domain and required only a short 5 base pair RNA-DNA hybrid region. Chimeric substrates with RNA-DNA positioned near the polymerase domain and DNA-DNA near the RNase H domain showed binding comparable to a complete RNA-DNA substrate, while those with the reverse orientation were comparable to DNA-DNA. Interestingly, the first configuration, though binding as tightly as RNA-DNA, could not be cleaved by RT RNase H activity, a finding that could perhaps be exploited in the development of nucleic acid-based inhibitors.

Base Sequence↗