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S R Petteway

Publications and source records attributed to S R Petteway.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The chronically infected cell as a target for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS.

Infection of the T lymphocyte with HIV results in a cytopathic effect and cell death that has been linked to a selective loss of the helper T-lymphocyte function of the immune system. In addition to acute infection, which leads to cell death, a chronic or persistent infection also occurs. The persistence of these viral reservoirs has been implicated in the progression of HIV infection and AIDS. Rational drug discovery targeted to late-stage events in HIV replication has the potential to yield antiviral agents capable of blocking virus spread by inhibiting the production of infectious virions from these chronic reservoirs. Steve Petteway and colleagues discuss antiviral strategies that target the chronically infected cell, with a focus on HIV protease inhibitors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Alteration of HIV-1 infectivity and neutralization by a single amino acid replacement in the V3 loop domain.

The V3 loop (residues 303-338) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 envelope protein represents a principal neutralizing determinant for the virus. An HIV-1 proviral clone containing a mutation in the V3 loop was constructed in which the proline residue at position 313 was changed to an alanine (P313-A). This mutation alters the conserved GPGR sequence that is found in the V3 loop sequences of different HIV-1 isolates. The P313-A clone produced virus particles, which were infectious for a number of T-cell lines including MOLT-4, CEM, and SupT1, but demonstrated a relatively low infectivity on the AA5 B-cell line when compared with wild-type viruses, HTLV-IIIB, HXB2/10 (a chimeric molecular clone), and another mutant virus (Q290-T). V3 loop-specific neutralizing polyclonal sera and the 9284 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes the amino side of the V3 loop sequence, effectively blocked infectivity and syncytia formation of all viruses tested. In contrast, the 0.5 beta monoclonal antibody, which is biologically more potent than 9284 and recognizes a different V3 loop determinant, failed to neutralize the P313-A virus. These results suggest that the proline residue in the relatively conserved GPGR "turn" region of the V3 loop is crucial for recognition by the 0.5 beta antibody. The observed variation in sensitivity of the B-cell line to the P313-A virus may reflect the presence of cell-specific factors which could be important in establishing an HIV-1 infection.

Alanine↗

Human chromosome-dependent and -independent pathways for HIV-2 trans-activation.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV types 1 and 2) replication is controlled by the interaction of viral-encoded regulatory proteins and host cellular proteins with the viral long terminal repeat (LTR). The presence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 trans-activator proteins, tat1 and tat2, respectively, greatly increases viral gene expression from their homologous LTRs. It is unclear if the cellular factors that support tat1-directed trans-activation of the HIV-1 LTR are the same for tat2 trans-activation of the HIV-2 LTR. Human-Chinese hamster ovary hybrid cell clones were used to probe for human chromosomes involved in regulating HIV-1 and HIV-2 tat-directed transactivation. DNA transfection experiments showed that the presence of human chromosome 12 in human-hamster hybrid clones was necessary for high-level tat-directed trans-activation of the HIV-1 and -2 LTR. Cross-trans-activation of the HIV-2 LTR by tat1 was found to be chromosome 12 independent. In addition, chromosome 12 did not support trans-activation of another human retrovirus (human T-cell leukemia virus type I). Our results suggest that HIV-1 and -2 have evolved to employ a cellular pathway(s) encoded on human chromosome 12 for supporting homologous tat-directed trans-activation. Trans-activation of the HIV-2 LTR by tat1 in chromosome 12-minus cells suggests that multiple cellular pathways can be recruited to trans-activate the HIV-2 LTR and that these pathways may have been important in an HIV-like progenitor virus.

Animals↗

Human chromosome 12 is required for elevated HIV-1 expression in human-hamster hybrid cells.

Host cell factors act together with regulatory genes of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to control virus production. Human-Chinese hamster ovary hybrid cell clones were used to probe for human chromosomes involved in regulating HIV gene expression. DNA transfection experiments showed that 4 of 18 clones had high levels of HIV gene expression measured by both extracellular virus production and transactivation of the HIV long terminal repeat in the presence of the trans-activator (tat) gene. Karyotype analyses revealed a 94% concordance (17/18) between human chromosome 12 and HIV gene expression. Other chromosomes had an 11 to 72% concordance with virus production.

Animals↗

Chemical synthesis and expression of a gene encoding HIV-1 TAT protein.

A gene encoding the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) TAT protein was chemically synthesized and expressed in HeLa cells and in a cell-free system. To facilitate both the assembly of the synthetic gene and further mutagenesis and gene fusion studies, several unique restriction endonuclease cleavage sites were included in the coding sequence without altering the encoded protein sequence. The synthetic TAT coding sequence was fused to a translation start signal and placed under SV40 early transcriptional control. Co-transfection of the TAT-encoding synthetic gene together with a reporter gene (chloramphenical acetyl transferase or beta-galactosidase) linked to an HIV LTR confirmed that the synthetic gene product exhibits similar activity to TAT expressed from HIV genomic DNA in the transactivation of the LTR. TAT mRNA prepared by cell-free transcription of the synthetic TAT coding sequence was also shown to produce functional TAT following microinjection into HeLa-derived cells containing an integrated reporter gene with the HIV LTR linked to beta-galactosidase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibodies from human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals bind to a short amino acid sequence that elicits neutralizing antibodies in animals.

A total of 18 overlapping peptides were synthesized that covered envelope amino acid sequences (amino acids 288-472 of the III-B isolate) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Antibodies from human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected individuals bound to three of the peptides tested. Guinea pigs were immunized with each of the overlapping peptides and the resultant sera analyzed for biologic activity. One of the peptides elicited antibodies that had both neutralizing and fusion blocking activities that were type specific. This peptide, designated 1-69, was also one of the peptides reactive with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1-positive human sera.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Stable indicator cell lines exhibiting HIV-1 tat function.

Since HIV tat function is essential for the HIV infectious cycle, it represents an important possible target of therapeutic intervention for HIV infection. Stable human cell lines were derived that express high levels of beta-galactosidase under the combined control of the transacting HIV-1 tat gene product and the cis-acting HIV-1 LTR. The tat gene product induces LTR-linked gene expression approximately 1000-fold in this system. The high level of expression of beta-galactosidase under HIV tat and LTR control in stable cell lines allows rapid spectrophotometric quantitation of beta-galactosidase enzymatic activity from fewer than 5000 cells seeded in a microtiter plate well. Such cell lines provide a virus-free system for the high-capacity screening of compounds for the ability to interfere with HIV tat-mediated transactivation of gene expression.

Cell Line↗

Antibodies reactive with human immunodeficiency virus gag-coded antigens (gag reactive only) are a major cause of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reactivity in a blood donor population.

Normal blood donors were examined for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-reactive antibodies with both virus- and Escherichia coli-expressed env- and gag-coded antigens. The frequency of samples from normal (low-risk) donors that were repeatedly reactive with an HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay blood screening test (Du Pont Co.) was 0.6%. Two classes of HIV serological reactivity were identified: a minor env-reactive class (0.03 to 0.06% of donors) and the predominant env-nonreactive gag-reactive class (gag reactive only [GRO]) (0.4 to 0.5% of donors). Assignment of env reactivity was made by a synthetic (recombinant) env enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and virus immunoblot. Most GRO sera reacted with p15/p17 bands on HIV immunoblot. Antibody specificity in GRO sera was confirmed by competition-binding studies with viral gag and E. coli-expressed p55gag. This study provides independent verification that gag-specific antibodies are present in many env-nonreactive sera. More serological and virological studies of individuals with this antibody pattern should be pursued to determine the origin of these gag-reactive antibodies.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Formation of poliovirus RNA polymerase 3D in Escherichia coli by cleavage of fusion proteins expressed from cloned viral cDNA.

The poliovirus polymerase 3D was synthesized in Escherichia coli by cleavage of fusion proteins expressed from cloned viral cDNA inserted into several plasmid expression vectors. Cleavage was accomplished by the action of viral protease 3C sequences expressed in the same bacteria, either from a second plasmid or from the same plasmid, cloned so as to produce contiguous sequences in the same protein. In the case of two plasmids, protease 3C functioned in trans to cleave the fusion protein at or very near the normal Gln/Gly cleavage site. When protease and polymerase sequences were produced in the same protein, the protease sequences acted in the precursor form to release the polymerase from itself. Thus, cleavage can occur to generate polymerase 3D both as an intermolecular reaction and, very likely, also as an intramolecular event.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Anti-GP 120 antibodies from HIV seropositive individuals mediate broadly reactive anti-HIV ADCC.

Cytophilic antibodies which mediate antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against envelope antigens of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be found in seropositive individuals. In these experiments, sera from a wide spectrum of HIV infected patients ranging from asymptomatic to overt acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were shown to contain high titers of antibodies that mediate ADCC. Not only did patient antibodies bind to surface expressed viral antigens and mediate ADCC against cells chronically infected with human T-lymphotropic virus type IIIB (HTLV-IIIB), but also against cells infected with the divergent HTLV-IIIRF2 and HTLV-IIIMN viral isolates. Similar results were obtained with target cells bearing purified GP 120 from HTLV-IIIB and HTLV-IIIRF2, indicating that a major portion of the activity was mediated by anti-GP 120 antibodies. Consistent with this was the ability to absorb most of the group-specific ADCC activity from the serum of an HIV infected individual using affinity columns bearing purified HTLV-IIIB GP 120. The finding that human antibodies reactive against the HIV envelope glycoprotein mediate ADCC against cells chronically infected with divergent strains of HIV will have important implications in designing rational approaches to passive and active immunotherapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

HTLV-III/LAV-neutralizing antibodies to an E. coli-produced fragment of the virus envelope.

Immunization with either an Escherichia coli recombinant segment of the human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-III/LAV) envelope protein (gp 120) or with deglycosylated gp 120 envelope protein produced antibodies that neutralize HTLV-III/LAV infection in vitro. Virus neutralization titers of these antisera were equivalent to those obtained with purified native gp120 as immunogen. This localizes at least one class of neutralizing epitopes to the carboxyl-terminal half of the molecule. In addition, native gp120 prevented HTLV-III/LAV--mediated cell fusion, whereas the recombinant gp120 fragment did not. This shows that although glycosylation is not required for induction of neutralizing antibodies, it may be important for interaction with CD4, the virus receptor. A segment of the HTLV-III/LAV envelope produced in E. coli may be an important ingredient of a vaccine for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Expression and site-specific mutagenesis of the poliovirus 3C protease in Escherichia coli.

We have engineered a segment of the poliovirus genome (nucleotides 5438-6061) that encodes the 183 amino acid residues of the 3C region and 25 residues of the 3D region of the viral polyprotein into an Escherichia coli expression vector. The 3C region is a virus-specific protease, which, when expressed in E. coli, is shown to be active and autocatalytic. In our system, three poliovirus-specific proteins are produced: a precursor polyprotein (3C-3D), an internal initiation product, and the mature protease (3C). Mutants in the 3C region have been constructed by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and their effect on the proteolytic activity has been assayed by the in vivo production of the mature protease. The mutation of highly conserved residues (cysteine-47 or histidine-161) produced an inactive enzyme, while the mutation of a nonconserved residue (cysteine-153) had a negligible effect on the proteolytic activity.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Polymorphism of the 3' open reading frame of the virus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome, human T-lymphotropic virus type III.

The genome of the virus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), includes two open reading frames, not found in other retroviruses. One of these, designated 3' open reading frame (3'orf) is 648 base pairs (bp) in length, and overlaps with the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences. Sequences of additional HTLV-III clones were determined in order to estimate the level and location of variation within 3'orf, to gain some insight into the function of its protein product. Newly determined sequences are reported for 3'orf of two unintegrated clones of HTLV-III and three cDNA clones made from virion RNA derived from the same cell line infected with pooled blood samples of different patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex symptoms (ARC). In addition, sequences for 3'orf were derived from an unintegrated viral clone derived from a different cell line infected with a distinct isolate from a single patient. These sequences are compared to those previously reported for six other viral clones. Sequences of 3'orf differ among clones by 1.1-10.4% bp and 2.4-17.0% of predicted amino acids. This represents significantly greater sequence variation than is found in the entire genome on average. Moreover, a functional proviral clone has a termination codon at amino acid residue 124 of this open reading frame. This raises questions concerning the structure, and regulation of expression of the protein encoded by 3'orf.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

The effects of hybrid ribosome-binding-site variants on the expression of human interferon-beta in Escherichia coli.

Human beta-interferon (IFN-beta) has been expressed in Escherichia coli by using vectors that join the trp promoter and a hybrid ribosome-binding site (HRBS) to the mature IFN-beta coding sequence. Introduction of an NcoI site at the ATG initiation codon of IFN-beta by site-directed mutagenesis has facilitated the construction of a series of portable HRBSs, by utilizing oligodeoxynucleotide adapters. The spacing between the Shine-Dalgarno (S-D) sequence and the initiator ATG ranged from 7-13 bp. One spacer of 9 bp length was varied at a single position. IFN-beta expression by these HRBS variants, as analyzed by antiviral activity and SDS-PAGE, shows both nucleotide sequence and spacer length effects. In vitro transcription-translation experiments indicate that some single base changes in the HRBS significantly decrease the rate of translation of the IFN-beta mRNA.

Codon↗

Purification and properties of thiol beta-lactamase. A mutant of pBR322 beta-lactamase in which the active site serine has been replaced with cysteine.

The specifically mutated enzyme thiol beta-lactamase has been expressed in Escherichia coli by means of the trp promoter and purified to homogeneity. The gene for this enzyme results from a single base change N410 A----T in the gene of pBR322 RTEM beta-lactamase (EC 3.5.2.6, penicillinase, penicillin amido-beta-lactamhydrolase) which alters the codon for the active site Ser 70 to that for Cys. Precursor thiol beta-lactamase is processed to give the same NH2-terminal sequence as that for wild type enzyme. In contrast to the wild type enzyme, thiol beta-lactamase contains one free titratable thiol group/molecule. Thiol beta-lactamase catalyzes the hydrolysis of beta-lactams with a substrate specificity that is distinct from that of wild type enzyme. For benzyl-penicillin and ampicillin, the Km values are similar to wild type values although the kcat values are 1-2% that of wild type enzyme. For the cephalosporin nitrocefin, the Km is greater than 10-fold that of the wild type and the kcat is at least as large as the kcat for the wild type enzyme. Thiol beta-lactamase is different from wild type beta-lactamase in that it is not competitively inhibited by boric acid although a small degree of noncompetitive inhibition does occur. Whereas the circular dichroism spectra of both enzymes are nearly identical, thiol beta-lactamase at 40 degrees C is 3-fold more resistant to trypsin than is the wild type enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Efficacy of the hematoregulatory peptide SK&F 107647 in experimental systemic Candida albicans infections in normal and immunosuppressed mice.

SK&F 107647, a novel synthetic dimeric pentapeptide, has been shown to be a potent hematoregulatory agent. The potential for the hematoregulatory factors elicited by SK&F 107647 to confer protection in experimental models of systemic Candida albicans infection was evaluated in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent mice. Prophylactic treatment with recombinant human interleukin-1 (rhIL-1), recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), or the hematoregulatory peptide SK&F 107647 significantly increased survival times in gamma irradiated immunosuppressed as well as non-irradiated immunocompetent mice challenged with a lethal dose of C. albicans. Protection was also observed in athymic nu/nu "nude" mice. Additionally, significant increases in survival in non-irradiated immunocompetent mice dosed by oral gavage were observed. These results indicate that SK&F 107647 can significantly enhance natural host resistance to experimental C. albicans infections both in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent mice.

Animals↗