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Mechanism of HIV reverse transcriptase: enzyme-primer interaction as revealed through studies of a dNTP analogue, 3'-azido-dTTP.

Primer and dNTP recognition by purified HIV reverse transcriptase have been investigated. Earlier kinetic studies suggested that the reaction pathway for DNA synthesis is ordered, with template-primer and free enzyme combining to form the first complex in the reaction sequence [Majumdar et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 15657-15665], and through use of a particularly high affinity template-primer analogue [r(I)n.Sd(C)28], rate values for formation of the first complex were calculated [Majumdar et al. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 1340-1346]. We now report rate values for first complex formation in the usual model replication system with poly[r(A)].oligo [d(T)] as template-primer. We find that 3'-azido-dTTP (AZTTP) is a linear competitive inhibitor of DNA synthesis against the substrate dNTP (dTTP) in the poly[r(A)].oligo[d(T)] replication system. This suggests that 3'-azido-dTTP and dTTP combine with the same form of the enzyme in the reaction scheme, i.e., the enzyme-primer complex. This is not trivial, since a second analogue, 3'-amino-dTTP, also is an inhibitor against dTTP, but the mechanism in this case is linear noncompetitive. Because the inhibition by 3'-azido-dTTP is linear competitive, the KD for physical binding to the enzyme is assumed to be the same as the Ki for inhibition (20 nM). Substrate kinetic studies of DNA synthesis using 3'-azido-dTTP as substrate revealed that the Michaelis constant is 3 microM. Therefore, the Km for this substrate analogue is 100-fold higher than the KD for binding of the analogue to the enzyme-primer complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antiviral Agents

Anti-AIDS agents, 1. Isolation and characterization of four new tetragalloylquinic acids as a new class of HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors from tannic acid.

Four new tetragalloylquinic acids, 3,5-di-O-galloyl-4-O-digalloylquinic acid, 3,4-di-O-galloyl-5-O-digalloylquinic acid, 3-O-digalloyl-4,5-di-O-galloylquinic acid, and 1,3,4,5-tetra-O-galloylquinic acid, were isolated and characterized from a commercial tannic acid as a new class of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor. Compounds 2, 3, and 4 inhibit HIV RT activity 90, 89, and 84% at 100 microM and 73, 70, and 63% at 30 microM, respectively. Compounds 2-5 also inhibit the HIV growth in cells in the range of 61-70% with low cytotoxicity at 25 microM. The HIV cell growth inhibitory effects of these compounds at 25 microM and 6.25 microM (44-57%) are comparable to their effects against the HIV RT at 30 microM and 10 microM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of 3 against DNA polymerases indicates that the selective antiviral action of 3 is determined by more than its action with HIV RT.

Antiviral Agents

HIV-reverse transcriptase and human DNA polymerase alpha share amino acid sequence homologies to bacterial penicillin-binding proteins.

Penicillin-binding proteins are the specific targets for the beta-lactam antibiotics. Recently it was observed that beta-lactam antibiotics also have targets in proliferating eukaryotic cells (1), one of which most likely is the replicative DNA polymerase alpha. Here we show that HIV-reverse transcriptase and human DNA polymerase alpha share amino acid sequence homologies to five bacterial penicillin-binding proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Mechanism and fidelity of HIV reverse transcriptase.

We have examined the RNA-dependent and DNA-dependent polymerase and ribonuclease H catalytic activities of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase using rapid transient kinetic methods with defined synthetic 25/45-mer DNA/RNA and DNA/DNA primer/templates. The Kd value for interaction of the enzyme with duplex DNA was 4.7 nM, and the value for RNA/DNA heteroduplex was of similar magnitude. A pre-steady state burst of nucleoside triphosphate incorporation was observed for both DNA and RNA templates. Analysis of the dATP concentration dependence of the burst rate provided Kd values for dATP of 4 and 14 microM and maximum rates of single nucleotide incorporation, kpol, of 33 and 74 s-1, for DNA and RNA templates, respectively. Subsequent turnovers were limited by the rate of dissociation of the primer/template from the enzyme at rates of 0.18 and 0.06 s-1 for duplex DNA and RNA/DNA heteroduplex, respectively. Analysis of rates of DNA polymerization and RNA cleavage using the RNA template revealed that the two activities are independent of one another. The polymerization rate (4-70 s-1) was dependent on dATP concentration, whereas the RNA cleavage occurred at a constant rate of 10 s-1 over the 100-fold dATP concentration range (2-200 microM). Examination of the RNA cleavage products resulting from a single turnover indicates that the polymerase and ribonuclease domains of the enzyme are separated by a distance corresponding to 19 bases of RNA/DNA heteroduplex, consistent with the recently published crystal structure (Kohlstaedt, L. A., Wang, J., Friedman, J., Rice, P. A., and Steitz, T. A. (1992) Science 256, 1783-1790). Analysis of the kinetics of processive synthesis suggested that the initial binding of dNTP leads to a faster rate of dissociation of DNA from the enzyme. Further investigation supported a two-step dNTP binding mechanism with the formation of an initial E.DNA.dNTP complex followed by a more stable E'.DNA.dNTP complex. The Kd values for incorporation of incorrect nucleoside triphosphates opposite a DNA template thymidine were 1010 microM for dGTP, 1240 microM for dCTP, and 840 microM for dTTP. The corresponding maximum kpol rates were 4.8 s-1 for dGTP, 0.52 s-1 for dCTP, and 0.41 s-1 for dTTP. These values provide fidelity estimates of 1740 for discrimination against dGTP, 19,700 for dCTP, and 16,900 for dTTP misincorporations at this site.

Base Sequence

RNase H activity of HIV reverse transcriptases is confined exclusively to the dimeric forms.

A method for the rapid preparation of a defined substrate to monitor RNase H activity has been developed. Using this substrate, we have investigated the RNase H activities of the different forms of recombinant HIV-1 and HIV-2 reverse transcriptase (RT) in detail. As we report here, RNase H activity is associated only with the dimeric forms (p51/p66 or p66/p66) of the enzymes.

Amino Acid Sequence

Characterization and clinical association of antibody inhibitory to HIV reverse transcriptase activity.

Reverse transcriptase activity of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was blocked in vitro by immunoglobulin G (IgG) derived from certain individuals infected with this retrovirus. A heterogeneous immune response for inhibition of enzyme function was noted. Catalytic activity was depressed by 50% or more with the use of 10 micrograms of IgG from 11 of 16 HIV-seropositive asymptomatic carriers, but from 0 of 8 seronegative controls and 2 of 12 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or the AIDS-related complex (ARC). The inhibitor was confined to the F(ab')2 fragment. It was not directed against the poly(rA) X oligo(dT) template, nor against major envelope or structural viral antigens, and did not cross-react with bacterial, avian, or other mammalian DNA polymerases. It did not correlate with recognition of polymerase antigens by radioimmunoprecipitation. Loss of this inhibitor may be associated with development of clinical disease. Ten asymptomatic HIV-seropositive carriers with high titers of IgG antibodies to reverse transcriptase were followed for a mean of 3 years. All of four lost inhibitory capability prior to development of AIDS or ARC, while titers persist in the six who remain clinically healthy.

AIDS-Related Complex

Inhibition of HIV-reverse transcriptase activity by asterriquinone and its analogues.

Asterriquinone (ARQ; 2,5-bis-[1'-(1", 1"-dimethyl-2"-propenyl)- indol-3'-yl]-3,6-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone) and its three analogues [i.e., 3,6-dihydroxy-2-[2'-(1", 1"-dimethyl-2"-propenyl)-indol-3'-yl]-5-[1', 7'- (1",1"-dimethylpropano)-indol-3'-yl]-1,4-benzoquinone (B1-4), 3,6-dihydroxy-2-[2'-(1", 1"-dimethyl-2"-propenyl)-indol-3'-yl]-5-indol-3'-yl-1,4-benzoquinone (C1-1) and 3,6-dihydroxy-2,5-diindol-3'-yl-1,4-benzoquinone (D-1)] were found to be strong inhibitors of the activity of reverse transcriptase from human immunodeficiency virus type-1. Under the reaction conditions employed, the enzyme activity was inhibited by more than 70% in the presence of 10 microM each of these compounds. The mode of inhibition by these compounds was competitive with respect to the template.primer, (rA)n.(dT)12-18, and noncompetitive with respect to the triphosphate substrate, dTTP. The Ki values of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase were determined to be 2.3, 1.5, 0.1 and 0.3 microM for ARQ, B1-4, C1-1 and D-1, respectively.

Aspergillus

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor from Phyllanthus niruri.

An aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri (Euphorbiaceae) inhibited human immunodeficiency virus type-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1-RT). The inhibitor against HIV-1-RT in this plant was purified by combination of three column chromatographies, Sephadex LH-20, cellulose, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The inhibitor was then identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra as repandusinic acid A monosodium salt (RA) which was originally isolated from Mallotus repandus. The 50% inhibitory doses (ID50) of RA on HIV-1-RT and DNA polymerase alpha (from HeLa cells) were 0.05 microM and 0.6 microM, respectively, representing approximately a 10-fold more sensitivity of HIV-1-RT compared with DNA polymerase alpha. RA was shown to be a competitive inhibitor with respect to the template-primer while it was a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to the substrate. RA as low as 10.1 microM inhibited HIV-1-induced cytopathogenicity in MT-4 cells. In addition, 4.5 microM of RA inhibited HIV-1-induced giant cell formation of SUP-T1 approximately 50%. RA (2.5 microM) inhibited up to 90% of HIV-1 specific p24 antigen production in a Clone H9 cell system.

Antigens, Viral

Conformational changes of HIV reverse transcriptase subunits on formation of the heterodimer: correlation with kcat and Km.

The reverse transcriptase (RT) from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is initially expressed as a 66-kDa protein and is subsequently proteolytically processed in vivo to form a 66-kDa/51-kDa heterodimer. Comparison of circular dichroism spectra of the 66-kDa, 51-kDa, and heterodimeric forms of RT indicates that the conversion is accompanied by dramatic changes in subunit conformation. The mean residue ellipticity per subunit at 220 nm decreases from -10.7 x 10(3) deg cm2 dmol-1 for the 66-kDa protein to -6 x 10(3) deg cm2 dmol-1 for the heterodimer. The same loss of ellipticity is observed whether the heterodimer is produced by proteolysis or by mixing a separately-expressed cloned 51-kDa subunit with the 66-kDa protein. Comparison with the spectrum of the cloned 51-kDa protein suggests that much of the conformational change arises from formation of the 51-kDa subunit but substantial changes occur in the remaining 66-kDa subunit as well. A kinetic analysis was performed to correlate these conformational changes with changes in enzyme function. Application of an integrated Michaelis-Menten equation to the catalysis of poly(dT) formation using a d(pT)20-poly(rA) primer-template shows that the kcat for the heterodimer is approximately half that of the 66 kDa enzyme, decreasing from 2.9 to 1.2 nucleotides/s upon formation of the heterodimer. However, km values for the primer-template decrease from 0.54 to 0.12 microM upon heterodimer formation. Thus, kcat/Km is 2-fold larger for the heterodimer, giving it a distinct catalytic advantage at undersaturating concentrations of enzyme and primer-template.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Circular Dichroism

Differential inhibition of HIV-reverse transcriptase and various DNA and RNA polymerases by some catechin derivatives.

The two components of Camellia sinensis (green tea) (i.e., (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin gallate were found to differentially inhibit the activities of reverse transcriptase and cellular DNA and RNA polymerases. The strongest inhibition by these compounds was observed with reverse transcriptase. DNA polymerases alpha and beta were also strongly inhibited. The mode of the inhibition of reverse transcriptase and other DNA polymerases was competitive with respect to the template.primer, whereas the mode the inhibition of RNA polymerase was competitive with respect to the nucleotide substrate.

Catechin

Conformational properties of 3'-azido-3'deoxy-thymidine (AZT), an inhibitor of HIV reverse transcriptase.

The low-energy conformations of 3'-azido-3'-deoxy-thymidine, (AZT), an inhibitor of retroviral reverse transcriptase, have been studied by molecular mechanics techniques. A force-field has been developed for the azido group by quantum-mechanical methods, and used in the analysis. The global low-energy structure of AZT has C3'-endo sugar pucker, an anti glycosidic angle, and a g+ C4'-C5' conformation. It is concluded that the AZT molecule has conformational properties that are very similar to those of standard deoxypyrimidines.

Antiviral Agents

Improved assays for DNA-polymerizing enzymes by the use of enzymatically synthesized 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine triphosphate, illustrated by direct quantitation of anti-HIV reverse transcriptase antibody and by serum DNA polymerase analyses.

A one-step procedure which uses enzymes in a crude extract of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1-infected cells to synthesize 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine triphosphate [( 125I]dUTP) from [125I]dU is described. The design of a one-step procedure for the purification of the product is also presented. The recovery of [125I]dUTP from [125I]dU varied between 50 and 75%, the radiochemical purity of the product was greater than 90%, and both synthesis and purification were completed within 8 h. The sensitivity and specificity of [125I]dUTP as a substrate for both DNA-dependent DNA polymerase (DNAp) and RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase, RT) were evaluated and compared to those of [3H]dTTP for the following specimens: purified cloned Klenow fragment, crude extracts of HeLa-, BHK-, and HSV-2-infected BHK cells, purified avian myeloblastosis virus RT, and purified cloned human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RT. The [125I]dUTP was accepted as a substrate equally as well [3H]dTTP by all of the specimens at all of the concentrations tested. When the same amount of radiolabel was used, [125I]dUTP gave a sensitivity 10- to 25-fold higher than that of [3H]dTTP. The gain in sensitivity was due to the higher specific activity and a higher counting efficiency of the 125I-label compound. The use of [125I]dUTP also offered technical advantages over alternative substrates available, such as product separation without acid precipitation and exclusion of the need for scintillation cocktails. The half-life of the nucleic also gives a reasonable shelf-life for use in routine assays. Activity of less than 0.3 pg of HIV RT could be detected when the new substrate was used, and this made it possible to quantitate HIV RT antibodies (abs) in diluted serum samples without purifying the immunoglobulin. Analysis of 31 HIV-infected individuals showed that all of them had anti-HIV RT ab and that the amount of serum needed for 50% inhibition of the HIV RT activity corresponded to an amount of immunoglobulin 100-fold smaller (i.e., 0.02-31.4 micrograms) than has been previously reported. With the substrate it was also possible to detect DNAp activity in serum from healthy individuals, although a long-duration assay was required. In a long-duration assay the DNAp activity found in sera from healthy individuals was linear with respect to time, whereas the DNAp activity found in many sera from tumor patients was not. [125I]dUTP is judged to be an excellent substrate for detecting and quantifying the activity of various DNA-synthesizing enzymes and their blocking abs.

Antibodies, Viral

Structure-function studies of HIV reverse transcriptase.

The retroviral RT is properly under intensive study as the major target of antiviral therapy. The enzyme exhibits a number of features that make it an attractive target: it is crucial for viral replication; its RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity is probably unique to viral replication, or if not unique, is generally unimportant in host cell function; its activities are readily monitored; and powerful lead compounds in the form of nucleotide analogues are already in hand. Our laboratory has been involved in studies to elucidate the structure and function of the HIV-1 RT and to develop a formal genetics of the enzyme. Working with constructs expressing RT in bacteria, we been able to use in vitro mutagenesis to localize functions on the molecule; by coupling mutagenesis with high-throughput screening of colonies, we have been able to isolate mutants with specific, rare, phenotypes. We believe that extensions of these efforts will help us to understand the functions of the protein and, coupled to a detailed three-dimensional structure, should facilitate the development of new and better inhibitors.

Antiviral Agents

Mechanism of DNA strand transfer reactions catalyzed by HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Two DNA strand transfer reactions occur during retroviral reverse transcription. The mechanism of the first, minus strand strong-stop DNA, transfer has been studied in vitro with human immunodeficiency virus 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) and a model template-primer system derived from the HIV-1 genome. The results reveal that HIV-1 RT alone can catalyze DNA strand transfer reactions. Two kinetically distinct ribonuclease (RNase) H activities associated with HIV-1 RT are required for removal of RNA fragments annealed to the nascent DNA strand. Examination of the binding of DNA.RNA duplex and single-stranded RNA to HIV-1 RT during strand transfer supports a model where the enzyme accommodates both the acceptor RNA template and the nascent DNA strand before the transfer event is completed. The polymerase activity incorporated additional bases beyond the 5' end of the RNA template, resulting in a base misincorporation upon DNA strand transfer. Such a process occurring in vivo during retroviral homologous recombination could contribute to the hypermutability of the HIV-1 genome.

Base Sequence