Subnanometer structures of HIV-1 envelope trimers on aldrithiol-2-inactivated virus particles

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2020 Aug;27(8):726-734. doi: 10.1038/s41594-020-0452-2. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Abstract

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer, composed of gp120 and gp41 subunits, mediates viral entry into cells. Recombinant Env trimers have been studied structurally, but characterization of Env embedded in intact virus membranes has been limited to low resolution. Here, we deploy cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging to determine the structures of Env trimers on aldrithiol-2 (AT-2)-inactivated virions in ligand-free, antibody-bound and CD4-bound forms at subnanometer resolution. Tomographic reconstructions document molecular features consistent with high-resolution structures of engineered soluble and detergent-solubilized Env trimers. One of three conformational states previously predicted by smFRET was not observed by cryo-ET, potentially owing to AT-2 inactivation. We did observe Env trimers to open in situ in response to CD4 binding, with an outward movement of gp120-variable loops and an extension of a critical gp41 helix. Overall features of Env trimer embedded in AT-2-treated virions appear well-represented by current engineered trimers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 2,2'-Dipyridyl / analogs & derivatives*
  • 2,2'-Dipyridyl / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Disulfides / pharmacology*
  • Electron Microscope Tomography
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / chemistry*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / ultrastructure
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / chemistry*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / ultrastructure
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / chemistry
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oxidants / pharmacology
  • Protein Conformation / drug effects
  • Protein Multimerization / drug effects
  • Solubility
  • Virion / chemistry
  • Virion / drug effects*

Substances

  • Disulfides
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • Oxidants
  • 2,2'-dipyridyl disulfide
  • 2,2'-Dipyridyl