A non-canonical binding interface in the crystal structure of HIV-1 gp120 core in complex with CD4

Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 21:7:46733. doi: 10.1038/srep46733.

Abstract

Numerous crystal structures of HIV gp120 have been reported, alone or with receptor CD4 and cognate antibodies; however, no sole gp120/CD4 complex without stabilization by an antibody is available. Here, we report a crystal structure of the gp120/CD4 complex without the aid of an antibody from HIV-1 CRF07_BC, a strain circulating in China. Interestingly, in addition to the canonical binding surface, a second interacting interface was identified. A mutagenesis study on critical residues revealed that the stability of this interface is important for the efficiency of Env-mediated membrane fusion. Furthermore, we found that a broad neutralizing antibody, ibalizumab, which targets CD4 in the absence of gp120, occupies the same binding surface as the second interface identified here on gp120. Therefore, we identified the possibility of the involvement of a second gp120-CD4 interaction interface during viral entry, and also provided a reasonable explanation for the broad activity of neutralizing antibody ibalizumab.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / pharmacology
  • CD4 Antigens / chemistry*
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / chemistry*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Domains*
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • CD4 Antigens
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • ibalizumab