The assembly of a hexameric lattice of retroviral immature particles requires the involvement of cell factors such as proteins and small molecules. A small, negatively charged polyanionic molecule, myo-inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), was identified to stimulate the assembly of immature particles of HIV-1 and other lentiviruses. Interestingly, cryo-electron tomography analysis of the immature particles of two lentiviruses, HIV-1 and equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), revealed that the IP6 binding site is similar. Based on this amino acid conservation of the IP6 interacting site, it is presumed that the assembly of immature particles of all lentiviruses is stimulated by IP6. Although this specific region for IP6 binding may be unique for lentiviruses, it is plausible that other retroviral species also recruit some small polyanion to facilitate the assembly of their immature particles. To study whether the assembly of retroviruses other than lentiviruses can be stimulated by polyanionic molecules, we measured the effect of various polyanions on the assembly of immature virus-like particles of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), a member of alpharetroviruses, Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) representative of betaretroviruses, and murine leukemia virus (MLV), a member of gammaretroviruses. RSV, M-PMV and MLV immature virus-like particles were assembled in vitro from truncated Gag molecules and the effect of selected polyanions, myo-inostol hexaphosphate, myo-inositol, glucose-1,6-bisphosphate, myo-inositol hexasulphate, and mellitic acid, on the particles assembly was quantified. Our results suggest that the assembly of immature particles of RSV and MLV was indeed stimulated by the presence of myo-inostol hexaphosphate and myo-inositol, respectively. In contrast, no effect on the assembly of M-PMV as a betaretrovirus member was observed.

• Keywords
• CAH *, IP6 *, M-PMV *, MLV *, RSV *, SP domain *, assembly *, hexamer *, immature *, polyanion *,
• MeSH
• Alpharetrovirus physiology   MeSH
• Betaretrovirus physiology   MeSH
• Cell Membrane chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Gammaretrovirus physiology   MeSH
• Gene Products, gag chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Host-Pathogen Interactions * MeSH
• Cells, Cultured MeSH
• Polyelectrolytes chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Retroviridae physiology   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Virus Assembly * MeSH
• Virion MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Gene Products, gag MeSH
• polyanions MeSH Browser
• Polyelectrolytes MeSH

Proper assembly and disassembly of both immature and mature HIV-1 hexameric lattices are critical for successful viral replication. These processes are facilitated by several host-cell factors, one of which is myo-inositol hexaphosphate (IP6). IP6 participates in the proper assembly of Gag into immature hexameric lattices and is incorporated into HIV-1 particles. Following maturation, IP6 is also likely to participate in stabilizing capsid protein-mediated mature hexameric lattices. Although a structural-functional analysis of the importance of IP6 in the HIV-1 life cycle has been reported, the effect of IP6 has not yet been quantified. Using two in vitro methods, we quantified the effect of IP6 on the assembly of immature-like HIV-1 particles, as well as its stabilizing effect during disassembly of mature-like particles connected with uncoating. We analyzed a broad range of molar ratios of protein hexamers to IP6 molecules during assembly and disassembly. The specificity of the IP6-facilitated effect on HIV-1 particle assembly and stability was verified by K290A, K359A, and R18A mutants. In addition to IP6, we also tested other polyanions as potential assembly cofactors or stabilizers of viral particles.IMPORTANCE Various host cell factors facilitate critical steps in the HIV-1 replication cycle. One of these factors is myo-inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), which contributes to assembly of HIV-1 immature particles and helps maintain the well-balanced metastability of the core in the mature infectious virus. Using a combination of two in vitro methods to monitor assembly of immature HIV-1 particles and disassembly of the mature core-like structure, we quantified the contribution of IP6 and other small polyanion molecules to these essential steps in the viral life cycle. Our data showed that IP6 contributes substantially to increasing the assembly of HIV-1 immature particles. Additionally, our analysis confirmed the important role of two HIV-1 capsid lysine residues involved in interactions with IP6. We found that myo-inositol hexasulphate also stabilized the HIV-1 mature particles in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that targeting this group of small molecules may have therapeutic potential.

• Keywords
• HIV-1, IP6, assembly, capsid, immature, mature, polyanion,
• MeSH
• gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus chemistry   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• HIV-1 chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Mutation, Missense MeSH
• Polyelectrolytes MeSH
• Polymers chemistry   MeSH
• Virus Assembly * MeSH
• Amino Acid Substitution MeSH
• Structure-Activity Relationship MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus MeSH
• polyanions MeSH Browser
• Polyelectrolytes MeSH
• Polymers MeSH

A major structural retroviral protein, capsid protein (CA), is able to oligomerize into two different hexameric lattices, which makes this protein a key component for both the early and late stages of HIV-1 replication. During the late stage, the CA protein, as part of the Gag polyprotein precursor, facilitates protein-protein interactions that lead to the assembly of immature particles. Following protease activation and Gag polyprotein processing, CA also drives the assembly of the mature viral core. In the early stage of infection, the role of the CA protein is distinct. It controls the disassembly of the mature CA hexameric lattice i.e., uncoating, which is critical for the reverse transcription of the single-stranded RNA genome into double stranded DNA. These properties make CA a very attractive target for small molecule functioning as inhibitors of HIV-1 particle assembly and/or disassembly. Of these, inhibitors containing the PF74 scaffold have been extensively studied. In this study, we reported a series of modifications of the PF74 molecule and its characterization through a combination of biochemical and structural approaches. Our data supported the hypothesis that PF74 stabilizes the mature HIV-1 CA hexameric lattice. We identified derivatives with a higher in vitro stabilization activity in comparison to the original PF74 molecule.

• Keywords
• HIV-1 CA inhibitor, PF74 derivatives, disassembly, uncoating,
• MeSH
• HIV-1 drug effects   MeSH
• Indoles chemical synthesis   chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Anti-HIV Agents chemical synthesis   chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy MeSH
• Molecular Conformation MeSH
• Models, Molecular MeSH
• Molecular Structure MeSH
• Drug Design MeSH
• Recombinant Proteins MeSH
• Virus Assembly drug effects   MeSH
• Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic MeSH
• Virion drug effects   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Capsid Proteins antagonists & inhibitors   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Indoles MeSH
• Anti-HIV Agents MeSH
• Recombinant Proteins MeSH
• Capsid Proteins MeSH

Shortly after entering the cell, HIV-1 copies its genomic RNA into double-stranded DNA in a process known as reverse transcription. This process starts inside a core consisting of an enclosed lattice of capsid proteins that protect the viral RNA from cytosolic sensors and degradation pathways. To accomplish reverse transcription and integrate cDNA into the host cell genome, the capsid shell needs to be disassembled, or uncoated. Premature or delayed uncoating attenuates reverse transcription and blocks HIV-1 infectivity. Small molecules that bind to the capsid lattice of the HIV-1 core and either destabilize or stabilize its structure could thus function as effective HIV-1 inhibitors. To screen for such compounds, we modified our recently developed FAITH assay to allow direct assessment of the stability of in vitro preassembled HIV-1 capsid-nucleocapsid (CANC) tubular particles. This new assay is a high-throughput fluorescence method based on measuring the amount of nucleic acid released from CANC complexes under disassembly conditions. The amount of disassembled CANC particles and released nucleic acid is proportional to the fluorescence signal, from which the relative percentage of CANC stability can be calculated. We consider our assay a potentially powerful tool for in vitro screening for compounds that alter HIV disassembly.

• MeSH
• HIV Infections drug therapy   MeSH
• HIV-1 drug effects   physiology   MeSH
• Anti-HIV Agents chemistry   isolation & purification   pharmacology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Nucleocapsid analysis   drug effects   MeSH
• Viral Core Proteins chemistry   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• RNA, Viral genetics   MeSH
• High-Throughput Screening Assays MeSH
• Amino Acid Sequence MeSH
• Base Sequence MeSH
• Virus Uncoating drug effects   genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Anti-HIV Agents MeSH
• Viral Core Proteins MeSH
• RNA, Viral MeSH

Despite successful vaccination programs and effective treatments for some viral infections, humans are still losing the battle with viruses. Persisting human pandemics, emerging and re-emerging viruses, and evolution of drug-resistant strains impose continuous search for new antiviral drugs. A combination of detailed information about the molecular organization of viruses and progress in molecular biology and computer technologies has enabled rational antivirals design. Initial step in establishing efficacy of new antivirals is based on simple methods assessing inhibition of the intended target. We provide here an overview of biochemical and cell-based assays evaluating the activity of inhibitors of clinically important viruses.

• Keywords
• Assay, Assembly, Cell-based, Entry, High-throughput screening, In vitro, Inhibitor, Method, Replication, Virus,
• MeSH
• Antiviral Agents pharmacology   MeSH
• Virus Physiological Phenomena drug effects   MeSH
• Enzyme Inhibitors pharmacology   MeSH
• Host-Pathogen Interactions drug effects   MeSH
• Virus Internalization drug effects   MeSH
• Capsid drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical methods   MeSH
• Virus Replication drug effects   MeSH
• High-Throughput Screening Assays methods   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antiviral Agents MeSH
• Enzyme Inhibitors MeSH

The envelope glycoprotein (Env) plays a crucial role in the retroviral life cycle by mediating primary interactions with the host cell. As described previously and expanded on in this paper, Env mediates the trafficking of immature Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) particles to the plasma membrane (PM). Using a panel of labeled RabGTPases as endosomal markers, we identified Env mostly in Rab7a- and Rab9a-positive endosomes. Based on an analysis of the transport of recombinant fluorescently labeled M-PMV Gag and Env proteins, we propose a putative mechanism of the intracellular trafficking of M-PMV Env and immature particles. According to this model, a portion of Env is targeted from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to Rab7a-positive endosomes. It is then transported to Rab9a-positive endosomes and back to the TGN. It is at the Rab9a vesicles where the immature particles may anchor to the membranes of the Env-containing vesicles, preventing Env recycling to the TGN. These Gag-associated vesicles are then transported to the plasma membrane.

• Keywords
• Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, endosomes, envelope, intracellular trafficking, transport, virus-like particles,
• MeSH
• Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome virology   MeSH
• Cell Membrane metabolism   virology   MeSH
• Endosomes metabolism   virology   MeSH
• Gene Products, env genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Mason-Pfizer monkey virus genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Virus Assembly MeSH
• Protein Transport MeSH
• Transport Vesicles metabolism   virology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Gene Products, env MeSH

Retrovirus assembly is driven mostly by Gag polyprotein oligomerization, which is mediated by inter and intra protein-protein interactions among its capsid (CA) domains. Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) CA contains three cysteines (C82, C193 and C213), where the latter two are highly conserved among most retroviruses. To determine the importance of these cysteines, we introduced mutations of these residues in both bacterial and proviral vectors and studied their impact on the M-PMV life cycle. These studies revealed that the presence of both conserved cysteines of M-PMV CA is necessary for both proper assembly and virus infectivity. Our findings suggest a crucial role of these cysteines in the formation of infectious mature particles.

• Keywords
• Cysteine mutagenesis, M-PMV capsid, M-PMV infectivity, Retrovirus assembly, Virus core stability,
• MeSH
• Cell Line MeSH
• Cysteine genetics   MeSH
• Genetic Vectors MeSH
• HEK293 Cells MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mason-Pfizer monkey virus genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Mutation MeSH
• Proviruses genetics   MeSH
• Virus Assembly * MeSH
• Virion physiology   MeSH
• Capsid Proteins chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cysteine MeSH
• Capsid Proteins MeSH

In addition to specific RNA-binding zinc finger domains, the retroviral Gag polyprotein contains clusters of basic amino acid residues that are thought to support Gag-viral genomic RNA (gRNA) interactions. One of these clusters is the basic K16NK18EK20 region, located upstream of the first zinc finger of the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) nucleocapsid (NC) protein. To investigate the role of this basic region in the M-PMV life cycle, we used a combination of in vivo and in vitro methods to study a series of mutants in which the overall charge of this region was more positive (RNRER), more negative (AEAEA), or neutral (AAAAA). The mutations markedly affected gRNA incorporation and the onset of reverse transcription. The introduction of a more negative charge (AEAEA) significantly reduced the incorporation of M-PMV gRNA into nascent particles. Moreover, the assembly of immature particles of the AEAEA Gag mutant was relocated from the perinuclear region to the plasma membrane. In contrast, an enhancement of the basicity of this region of M-PMV NC (RNRER) caused a substantially more efficient incorporation of gRNA, subsequently resulting in an increase in M-PMV RNRER infectivity. Nevertheless, despite the larger amount of gRNA packaged by the RNRER mutant, the onset of reverse transcription was delayed in comparison to that of the wild type. Our data clearly show the requirement for certain positively charged amino acid residues upstream of the first zinc finger for proper gRNA incorporation, assembly of immature particles, and proceeding of reverse transcription.IMPORTANCE We identified a short sequence within the Gag polyprotein that, together with the zinc finger domains and the previously identified RKK motif, contributes to the packaging of genomic RNA (gRNA) of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV). Importantly, in addition to gRNA incorporation, this basic region (KNKEK) at the N terminus of the nucleocapsid protein is crucial for the onset of reverse transcription. Mutations that change the positive charge of the region to a negative one significantly reduced specific gRNA packaging. The assembly of immature particles of this mutant was reoriented from the perinuclear region to the plasma membrane. On the contrary, an enhancement of the basic character of this region increased both the efficiency of gRNA packaging and the infectivity of the virus. However, the onset of reverse transcription was delayed even in this mutant. In summary, the basic region in M-PMV Gag plays a key role in the packaging of genomic RNA and, consequently, in assembly and reverse transcription.

• Keywords
• M-PMV, RNA packaging, assembly, basic residues, human immunodeficiency virus, infectivity, nucleocapsid, retroviruses, reverse transcription,
• MeSH
• Cell Line MeSH
• Gene Products, gag genetics   MeSH
• HEK293 Cells MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mason-Pfizer monkey virus genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Mutation genetics   MeSH
• Nucleocapsid Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Reverse Transcription genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Viral genetics   MeSH
• Amino Acid Sequence genetics   MeSH
• Virus Assembly genetics   MeSH
• Zinc Fingers genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Gene Products, gag MeSH
• Nucleocapsid Proteins MeSH
• RNA, Viral MeSH

UNLABELLED: The Gag polyprotein of retroviruses drives immature virus assembly by forming hexameric protein lattices. The assembly is primarily mediated by protein-protein interactions between capsid (CA) domains and by interactions between nucleocapsid (NC) domains and RNA. Specific interactions between NC and the viral RNA are required for genome packaging. Previously reported cryoelectron microscopy analysis of immature Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) particles suggested that a basic region (residues RKK) in CA may serve as an additional binding site for nucleic acids. Here, we have introduced mutations into the RKK region in both bacterial and proviral M-PMV vectors and have assessed their impact on M-PMV assembly, structure, RNA binding, budding/release, nuclear trafficking, and infectivity using in vitro and in vivo systems. Our data indicate that the RKK region binds and structures nucleic acid that serves to promote virus particle assembly in the cytoplasm. Moreover, the RKK region appears to be important for recruitment of viral genomic RNA into Gag particles, and this function could be linked to changes in nuclear trafficking. Together these observations suggest that in M-PMV, direct interactions between CA and nucleic acid play important functions in the late stages of the viral life cycle. IMPORTANCE: Assembly of retrovirus particles is driven by the Gag polyprotein, which can self-assemble to form virus particles and interact with RNA to recruit the viral genome into the particles. Generally, the capsid domains of Gag contribute to essential protein-protein interactions during assembly, while the nucleocapsid domain interacts with RNA. The interactions between the nucleocapsid domain and RNA are important both for identifying the genome and for self-assembly of Gag molecules. Here, we show that a region of basic residues in the capsid protein of the betaretrovirus Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) contributes to interaction of Gag with nucleic acid. This interaction appears to provide a critical scaffolding function that promotes assembly of virus particles in the cytoplasm. It is also crucial for packaging the viral genome and thus for infectivity. These data indicate that, surprisingly, interactions between the capsid domain and RNA play an important role in the assembly of M-PMV.

• MeSH
• Cell Line MeSH
• Cryoelectron Microscopy MeSH
• Genome, Viral * MeSH
• Gene Products, gag MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mason-Pfizer monkey virus physiology   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Mutation MeSH
• Recombinant Proteins MeSH
• RNA, Viral metabolism   MeSH
• Amino Acid Sequence MeSH
• Virus Assembly * genetics   MeSH
• Amino Acid Substitution MeSH
• Protein Transport MeSH
• Protein Binding MeSH
• Capsid Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Gene Products, gag MeSH
• Recombinant Proteins MeSH
• RNA, Viral MeSH
• Capsid Proteins MeSH

UNLABELLED: The hexameric lattice of an immature retroviral particle consists of Gag polyprotein, which is the precursor of all viral structural proteins. Lentiviral and alpharetroviral Gag proteins contain a peptide sequence called the spacer peptide (SP), which is localized between the capsid (CA) and nucleocapsid (NC) domains. SP plays a critical role in intermolecular interactions during the assembly of immature particles of several retroviruses. Published models of supramolecular structures of immature particles suggest that in lentiviruses and alpharetroviruses, SP adopts a rod-like six-helix bundle organization. In contrast, Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), a betaretrovirus that assembles in the cytoplasm, does not contain a distinct SP sequence, and the CA-NC connecting region is not organized into a clear rod-like structure. Nevertheless, the CA-NC junction comprises a sequence critical for assembly of immature M-PMV particles. In the present work, we characterized this region, called the SP-like domain, in detail. We provide biochemical data confirming the critical role of the M-PMV SP-like domain in immature particle assembly, release, processing, and infectivity. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that, in contrast to the SP regions of other retroviruses, a short SP-like domain-derived peptide (SPLP) does not form a purely helical structure in aqueous or helix-promoting solution. Using 8-Å cryo-electron microscopy density maps of immature M-PMV particles, we prepared computational models of the SP-like domain and indicate the structural features required for M-PMV immature particle assembly. IMPORTANCE: Retroviruses such as HIV-1 are of great medical importance. Using Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) as a model retrovirus, we provide biochemical and structural data confirming the general relevance of a short segment of the structural polyprotein Gag for retrovirus assembly and infectivity. Although this segment is critical for assembly of immature particles of lentiviruses, alpharetroviruses, and betaretroviruses, the organization of this domain is strikingly different. A previously published electron microscopic structure of an immature M-PMV particle allowed us to model this important region into the electron density map. The data presented here help explain the different packing of the Gag segments of various retroviruses, such as HIV, Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), and M-PMV. Such knowledge contributes to understanding the importance of this region and its structural flexibility among retroviral species. The region might play a key role in Gag-Gag interactions, leading to different morphological pathways of immature particle assembly.

• MeSH
• Circular Dichroism MeSH
• Cryoelectron Microscopy MeSH
• Protein Conformation MeSH
• Mason-Pfizer monkey virus physiology   MeSH
• Models, Molecular MeSH
• Nucleocapsid Proteins chemistry   genetics   metabolism   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Virus Assembly * MeSH
• Virus Release MeSH
• Capsid Proteins chemistry   genetics   metabolism   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Nucleocapsid Proteins MeSH
• Capsid Proteins MeSH