title: Mutating P2 and P1 residues at cleavage junctions in the HIV-1 pol polyprotein. Effects on hydrolysis by HIV-1 proteinase.
abstract: Mutations were introduced into the P2 and P1 positions of the junctions, (a) linking reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN) (-Leu*Phe-) and (b) between the p51 and RNase H domain (-Phe*Tyr-) within p66 of RT in the HIV-1 pol polyprotein. Processing by HIV proteinase (PR) in cis was monitored upon expression of these constructs in E. coli. Whereas the presence of Leu or Phe in P1 permitted rapid cleavage at either junction, substitution of a beta-branched (Ile) hydrophobic residue essentially abolished hydrolysis. By contrast, placement of a beta-branched (Val) residue in the P2 position flanking such -Hydrophobic*Hydrophobic- junctions resulted in effective cleavage of the scissile peptide bond. Gly in P2, however, abrogated cleavage. The significance of these findings in terms of PR specificity, polyprotein processing and the generation of homodimeric (p51/p51) RT for crystallisation purposes is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Wales College of Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Jupp
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Phylip
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Le Grice
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kay
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D015684:Gene Products, pol / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016333:HIV Protease / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D010957:Plasmids; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D015684:Gene Products, pol; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016333:HIV Protease