Tripeptide interference with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 morphogenesis.
Capsid assembly during virus replication is a potential target for antiviral therapy. The Gag polyprotein is the main structural component of retroviral particles, and in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), it contains the sequences for the matrix, capsid, nucleocapsid, and several small polypeptides. Here, we report that at a concentration of 100 micro M, 7 of 83 tripeptide amides from the carboxyl-terminal sequence of the HIV-1 capsid protein p24 suppressed HIV-1 replication (>80%). The three most potent tripeptides, glycyl-prolyl-glycine-amide (GPG-NH(2)), alanyl-leucyl-glycine-amide (ALG-NH(2)), and arginyl-glutaminyl-glycine-amide (RQG-NH(2)), were found to interact with p24. With electron microscopy, disarranged core structures of HIV-1 progeny were extensively observed when the cells were treated with GPG-NH(2) and ALG-NH(2). Furthermore, nodular structures of approximately the same size as the broad end of HIV-1 conical capsids were observed at the plasma membranes of treated cells only, possibly indicating an arrest of the budding process. Corresponding tripeptides with nonamidated carboxyl termini were not biologically active and did not interact with p24.
Höglund
Stefan
S
Department of Biochemistry, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Stefan.Hoglund@biokem.uu.se
Su
Jin
J
Reneby
Sara Sandin
SS
Végvári
Akos
A
Hjertén
Stellan
S
Sintorn
Ida-Maria
IM
Foster
Hillary
H
Wu
Yi-Pyng
YP
Nyström
Ingela
I
Vahlne
Anders
A
D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D036022:Capsid Proteins; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D009842:Oligopeptides