Patrick W. Mobley

The amino-terminal peptide of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41 interacts with human erythrocyte membranes: peptide conformation, orientation and aggregation

Structural studies assessed interactions between the amino-terminal peptide (FP-I; 23 residues 519-541) of the glycoprotein 41,000 (gp41) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 (HIV-1) and human erythrocyte membranes and simulated membrane environments. Peptide binding was examined at sub-hemolytic (approx. less than 5 microM) and hemolytic (greater than or equal to 5 microM) doses (Mobley et al. (1992) Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1139, 251-256), using circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) measurements with FP-I, and electron spin resonance (ESR) studies employing FP-I spin-labeled at either the amino-terminal alanine (FP-II; residue 519) or methionine (FP-III; position 537). In the sub-lytic regime, FP-I binds to both erythrocyte lipids and dispersions of SDS with high alpha-helicity. Further, ESR spectra of FP-II labeled erythrocyte ghosts indicated peptide binding to both lipid and protein. In ghost lipids, FP-II was monomeric and exhibited low polarity and rapid, anisotropic motion about its long molecular axis (i.e., alpha-helical axis), with restricted motion away from this axis. The spin-label at the amino-terminal residue (Ala-519) is insensitive to the aqueous broadening agent chromium oxalate and buried within the hydrophobic core of the membrane; the angle that the alpha-helix (residues 519-536) makes to the normal of the bilayer plane is either 0 degree or 40 degrees. Contrarily, ESR spectra of ghost lipids labeled with sub-lytic doses of FP-III indicated high mobility and polarity for the reporter group (Met-537) at the aqueous-membrane interface, as well as extreme sensitivity to chromium oxalate. At lytic FP-I doses, CD and FTIR showed both alpha-helix and beta-structure for peptide in ghost lipids or detergent, while ESR spectra of high-loaded FP-II in ghost membranes indicated peptide aggregates. Membrane aggregates of FP-I may be involved in hemolysis, and models are suggested for N-terminal gp41 peptide participation in HIV-induced fusion and cytolysis.

Conformational mapping of the N-terminal peptide of HIV-1 gp41 in membrane environments using 13 C-enhanced Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The N-terminal domain of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41000 (FP; residues 1--23; AVGIGALFLGFLGAAGSTMGARSCONH(2)) participates in fusion processes underlying virus--cell infection. Here, we use physical techniques to study the secondary conformation of synthetic FP in aqueous, structure-promoting, lipid and biomembrane environments. Circular dichroism and conventional, (12)C-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the following alpha-helical levels for FP in 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylglycerol (POPG) liposomes-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)>trifluoroethanol (TFE)>phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). (12)C-FTIR spectra also showed disordered FP structures in these environments, along with substantial beta-structures for FP in TFE or PBS. In further experiments designed to map secondary conformations to specific residues, isotope-enhanced FTIR spectroscopy was performed using a suite of FP peptides labeled with (13)C-carbonyl at multiple sites. Combining these (13)C-enhanced FTIR results with molecular simulations indicated the following model for FP in HFIP: alpha-helix (residues 3-16) and random and beta-structures (residues 1-2 and residues 17-23). Additional (13)C-FTIR analysis indicated a similar conformation for FP in POPG at low peptide loading, except that the alpha-helix extends over residues 1-16. At low peptide loading in either human erythrocyte ghosts or lipid extracts from ghosts, (13)C-FTIR spectroscopy showed alpha-helical conformations for the central core of FP (residues 5-15); on the other hand, at high peptide loading in ghosts or lipid extracts, the central core of FP assumed an antiparallel beta-structure. FP at low loading in ghosts probably inserts deeply as an alpha-helix into the hydrophobic membrane bilayer, while at higher loading FP primarily associates with ghosts as an aqueous-accessible, beta-sheet. In future studies, (13)C-FTIR spectroscopy may yield residue-specific conformations for other membrane-bound proteins or peptides, which have been difficult to analyze with more standard methodologies.

MEMBRANE INTERACTIONS OF THE SYNTHETIC N-TERMINAL PEPTIDE OF HIV-1 GP41 AND ITS STRUCTURAL ANALOGS

Structural and functional studies assessed the membrane actions of the N terminus of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41000 (gp41). Earlier site-directed mutagenesis has shown that key amino acid changes in this gp41 domain inhibit viral infection and syncytia formation. Here, a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N terminus of gp41 (FP; 23 residues, 519-541), and also FP analogs (FP520V/E with Val-->Glu at residue 520; FP527L/R with Leu-->Arg at 527; FP529F/Y with Phe-->Tyr at 529; and FPCLP1 with FP truncated at 525) incorporating these modifications were prepared. When added to human erythrocytes at physiologic pH, the lytic and aggregating activities of the FP analogs were much reduced over those with the wild-type FP. With resealed human erythrocyte ghosts, the lipid-mixing activities of the FP analogs were also substantially depressed over that with the wild-type FP. Combined with results from earlier studies, theoretical calculations using hydrophobic moment plot analysis and physical experiments using circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicate that the diminished lysis and fusion noted for FP analogs may be due to altered peptide-membrane lipid interactions. These data confirm that the N-terminal gp41 domain plays critical roles in the cytolysis and fusion underlying HIV-cell infection.

Conformational mapping of the N-terminal peptide of HIV-1 gp41 in lipid detergent and aqueous environments using 13C-enhanced Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The N‐terminal domain of HIV‐1 glycoprotein 41,000 (gp41) participates in viral fusion processes. Here, we use physical and computational methodologies to examine the secondary structure of a peptide based on the N terminus (FP; residues 1–23) in aqueous and detergent environments. 12C‐Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated greater α‐helix for FP in lipid‐detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and aqueous phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) than in only PBS. 12C‐FTIR spectra also showed disordered FP conformations in these two environments, along with substantial β‐structure for FP alone in PBS. In experiments that map conformations to specific residues, isotope‐enhanced FTIR spectroscopy was performed using FP peptides labeled with 13C‐carbonyl. 13C‐FTIR results on FP in SDS at low peptide loading indicated α‐helix (residues 5 to 16) and disordered conformations (residues 1–4). Because earlier 13C‐FTIR analysis of FP in lipid bilayers demonstrated α‐helix for residues 1–16 at low peptide loading, the FP structure in SDS micelles only approximates that found for FP with membranes. Molecular dynamics simulations of FP in an explicit SDS micelle indicate that the fraying of the first three to four residues may be due to the FP helix moving to one end of the micelle. In PBS alone, however, electron microscopy of FP showed large fibrils, while 13C‐FTIR spectra demonstrated antiparallel β‐sheet for FP (residues 1–12), analogous to that reported for amyloid peptides. Because FP and amyloid peptides each exhibit plaque formation, α‐helix to β‐sheet interconversion, and membrane fusion activity, amyloid and N‐terminal gp41 peptides may belong to the same superfamily of proteins.

The amino-terminal peptide of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41 lyses human erythrocytes and CD4+ lymphocytes.

Functional studies assessed the cytolytic activity of the amino terminal peptide (FP-I; 23 residues 519-541) of the glycoprotein 41,000 (gp41) of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 (HIV-1). Synthetically prepared FP-I efficiently hemolyzed human red blood cells at 37 degrees C, with 40% lysis at 32 microM. Kinetic studies indicated that FP-I induced maximal hemolysis in 30 min, probably through tight binding of the peptide with the red cell membrane. The Phe-Leu-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly (residues 526-531) motif in FP-I apparently plays a critical role in lysis of red cells, since no hemolytic activity was observed for an amino-acid-substituted FP-I in which the unique Phe-Leu-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly was converted to Ala-Leu-Gly-Ala-Leu-Gly. As neither smaller constituent peptides (e.g., residues 519-524 and residues 526-536) nor a N-terminal flanking peptide (e.g., residues 512-523) induced red cell hemolysis, the entire 23-residue (519-541) sequence of FP-I may be required for hemolytic activity. FP-I was also cytolytic with CD4(+)-bearing Hut-78 cells, with 40% lysis at approx. 150 microM. These results are consistent with an earlier hypothesis that the N-terminal peptide of gp41 may partially contribute to the in vivo cytopathic actions of HIV-1 infection (Gallaher, W.R. (1987) Cell 50, 327-328).

Thermotropic lipid phase separations in human platelet and rat liver plasma membranes

SummaryElectron spin resonance (ESR) studies were conducted on human platelet plasma membranes using 5-nitroxide stearate, I(12,3). The polarity-corrected order parameterS and polarity-uncorrected order parametersS(T‖) andS(T⊥) were independent of probe concentration at low I(12,3)/membrane protein ratios. At higher ratios,S andS(T⊥) decreased with increasing probe concentration whileS(T‖) remained unchanged. This is the result of enhanced radical interactions due to probe clustering. A lipid phase separation occurs in platelet membranes that segregates I(12,3) for temperatures less than 37°C. As Arrhenius plots of platelet acid phosphatase activity exhibit a break at 35 to 36°C, this enzyme activity may be influenced by the above phase separation. Similar experiments were performed on native [cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (C/P)=0.71] and cholesterol-enriched [C/P=0.85] rat liver plasma membranes. At 36°C, cholesterol loading reduces I(12,3) flexibility and decreases the probe ratio at which radical interactions are apparent. The latter effects are attributed to the formation of cholesterol-rich lipid domains, and to the inability of I(12,3) to partition into these domains because of steric hinderance. Cholesterol enrichment increases both the high temperature onset of the phase separation occurring in liver membranes from 28° to 37°C and the percentage of probe-excluding, cholesterolrich lipid domains at elevated temperatures. A model is discussed attributing the lipid phase separation in native liver plasma membranes to cholesterol-rich and-poor domains. As I(12,3) behaves similarly in cholesterol-enriched liver and human platelet plasma membranes, cholesterol-rich and-poor domains probably exist in both systems at physiologic temperatures.

The amino-terminal peptide of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41 fuses human erythrocytes

The ability of synthetic peptides based on the amino-terminus of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41,000 (gp41) to fuse human erythrocytes was investigated. Previous site-directed mutagenesis studies have shown an important role for the N-terminal gp41 domain in HIV-fusion, in which replacement of hydrophobic amino acids with polar residues inhibits viral infection and syncytia formation. Here, a synthetic peptide (FP; 23 amino acid residues 519-541) corresponding to the N-terminus of HIV-1 gp41, and also a FP analog (FP526L/R) with Arg replacing Leu-526, were prepared with solid phase techniques. The lipid mixing and leakage of resealed ghosts triggered by these peptides were examined with fluorescence quenching techniques. Peptide-induced aggregation of human erythrocytes was studied using Coulter counter sizing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using resealed erythrocyte ghosts at physiologic pH, FP induces rapid lipid mixing between red cell membranes at doses previously shown to hemolyze intact cells. FP also causes leakage from resealed ghosts, and promotes the formation of multicelled aggregates with whole erythrocytes. Contrarily, similar FP526L/R concentrations did not induce red cell lysis, lipid mixing, leakage or aggregation. Since the fusogenic potency of FP and FP526L/R parallels earlier gp41 mutagenesis studies showing that substitution of Arg for Leu-526 blocks fusion activity, these data suggest that the N-terminal gp41 domain in intact HIV participates in fusion.

Thermotropic lipid phase separations in human erythrocyte ghosts and cholesterol-enriched rat liver plasma membranes.

SummaryElectron spin resonance (ESR) studies of human erythrocyte ghosts labeled with 5-nitroxide stearate, I(12,3), indicate that a temperature-dependent lipid phase separation occurs with a high onset at 38°C. Cooling below 38°C induces I(12,3) clustering. Similar phase separations were previously identified in human platelet and cholesterol-loaded [cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio (C/P)=0.85] rat liver plasma membranes [L.M. Gordon et al., 1983;J. Membrane Biol.76; 139–149]; these were attributed to redistribution of endogenous lipid components such that I(12,3) is excluded from cholesterol-rich domains and tends to reside in cholesterol-poor domains. Further enrichment of rat liver plasma membranes to C/P ratios of 0.94–0.98 creates an “artificial” system equivalent to human erythrocyte ghosts (C/P=0.90), using such criteria as probe flexibility, temperature dependent I(12,3) clustering; and polarity of the probe environment. Consequently, cholesterol-rich and-poor domains probably exist in both erythrocyte ghosts and high cholesterol liver membranes at physiologic temperatures. The temperature dependence of cold-induced hypertonic lysis of intact human erythrocytes was examined by incubating cells in 0.9m sucrose for 10 min at 1°C intervals between 9 and 46°C (Stage 1), and then subjecting them to 0°C for 10 min (Stage 2). Plots of released hemoglobin are approx. sigmoidal, with no lysis below 18°C and maximal lysis above 40°C. The protective effect of low temperatures during Stage 1 may be due to the formation of cholesterol-rich domains that alter the bilayer distribution and/or conformation of critical membrane-associated proteins.

Conformational mapping of a viral fusion peptide in structure-promoting solvents using circular dichroism and electrospray mass spectrometry

The N‐terminal domain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 glycoprotein 41,000 (FP; residues 1–23; NH2‐AVGIGALFLGFLGAAGSTMGARS‐CONH2) is involved in the fusion and cytolytic processes underlying viral‐cell infection. Here, we use circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, along with electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry and tandem (MS/MS) mass spectrometry during the course of hydrogen/deuterium exchange, to probe the local conformations of this synthetic peptide in two membrane mimics. Since amino acids that participate in defined secondary structure (i.e., α‐helix or β‐sheet) exchange amido hydrogens more slowly than residues in random structures, deuterium exchange was combined with CD spectroscopy to map conformations to specific residues. For FP suspended in the highly structure‐promoting solvent hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), CD spectra indicated high α‐helix and disordered structures, whereas ESI and MS/MS mass spectrometry indicated that residues 5–15 were α‐helical and 16–23 were disordered. For FP suspended in the less structure‐promoting solvent trifluoroethanol (TFE), CD spectra showed lower α‐helix, with ESI and MS/MS mass spectrometry indicating that only residues 9–15 participated in the α‐helix. These results compare favorably with previous two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the same peptide. Proteins Suppl. 2:38–49, 1998.

Structure and Activity of the N-Terminal Peptides of HIV-1 Glycoprotein 41 Types M (Major) and O (Outlier)

Earlier studies have shown that the N-terminal peptide of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41,000 (gp41) group M (FP-1, AVGIGALFLGFLGAAGSTMGARS-NH2) derived from the LAV1a isolate, exhibits cytolytic and fusogenic activities [1], To determine whether such membrane perturbations are a fundamental property underlying viral-host cell infection, we study here the secondary structure (Circular Dichroism (CD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy) and activity (cytolysis and cell aggregation) of FPVAU (AAGLAMLFLGILSAAGSTMGARA-NH2), an N-terminal gp41 peptide analog based on the VAU isolate of the widely divergent HIV-1 group O [2], Since extension of FP-1 by ten residues has been reported to enhance the fusion activity with lipid vesicles [3], we also assessed the structure and function of the extended peptide (xFP-1, -FP-1 + MTLTVQARQL-NH2) and the corresponding peptide from gp-41 of O-VAU (xFPVAU, -FPVAU + TALTVRTQHL-NH2).