Structural basis for the role of the K65R mutation in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase polymerization, excision antagonism, and tenofovir resistance

J Biol Chem. 2009 Dec 11;284(50):35092-100. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.022525. Epub 2009 Oct 7.

Abstract

K65R is a primary reverse transcriptase (RT) mutation selected in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients taking antiretroviral regimens containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or other nucleoside analog RT drugs. We determined the crystal structures of K65R mutant RT cross-linked to double-stranded DNA and in complexes with tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) or dATP. The crystals permit substitution of TFV-DP with dATP at the dNTP-binding site. The guanidinium planes of the arginines K65R and Arg(72) were stacked to form a molecular platform that restricts the conformational adaptability of both of the residues, which explains the negative effects of the K65R mutation on nucleotide incorporation and on excision. Furthermore, the guanidinium planes of K65R and Arg(72) were stacked in two different rotameric conformations in TFV-DP- and dATP-bound structures that may help explain how K65R RT discriminates the drug from substrates. These K65R-mediated effects on RT structure and function help us to visualize the complex interaction with other key nucleotide RT drug resistance mutations, such as M184V, L74V, and thymidine analog resistance mutations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenine / chemistry
  • Adenine / pharmacology
  • Arginine / genetics
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Resistance, Viral / physiology*
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase* / chemistry
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase* / drug effects
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Structure
  • Mutation*
  • Organophosphonates / chemistry
  • Organophosphonates / pharmacology*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Tenofovir

Substances

  • Organophosphonates
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
  • Arginine
  • Tenofovir
  • reverse transcriptase, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase
  • Adenine

Associated data

  • PDB/3JSM
  • PDB/3JYT