The entry of HIV-1 into target cells is mediated by the viral envelope glycoproteins (Env). Binding to the CD4 receptor triggers a cascade of conformational changes in distant domains that move Env from a functionally “closed” State 1 to more “open” conformations, but the molecular mechanisms underlying allosteric regulation of these transitions are still elusive. Here, we develop chemical probes that block CD4-induced conformational changes in Env and use them to identify a potential control switch for Env structural rearrangements. We identify the gp120 β20–β21 element as a major regulator of Env transitions. Several amino acid changes in the β20–β21 base lead to open Env conformations, recapitulating the structural changes induced by CD4 binding. These HIV-1 mutants require less CD4 to infect cells and are relatively resistant to State 1-preferring broadly neutralizing antibodies. These data provide insights into the molecular mechanism and vulnerability of HIV-1 entry.

During human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into cells, the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer [(gp120/gp41)3] binds the receptors CD4 and CCR5 and fuses the viral and cell membranes. CD4 binding changes Env from a pretriggered (state-1) conformation to more open downstream conformations. BMS-378806 (here called BMS-806) blocks CD4-induced conformational changes in Env important for entry and is hypothesized to stabilize a state-1-like Env conformation, a key vaccine target. Here, we evaluated the effects of BMS-806 on the conformation of Env on the surface of cells and virus-like particles. BMS-806 strengthened the labile, noncovalent interaction of gp120 with the Env trimer, enhanced or maintained the binding of most broadly neutralizing antibodies, and decreased the binding of poorly neutralizing antibodies. Thus, in the presence of BMS-806, the cleaved Env on the surface of cells and virus-like particles exhibits an antigenic profile consistent with a state-1 conformation. We designed novel BMS-806 analogues that stabilized the Env conformation for several weeks after a single application. These long-acting BMS-806 analogues may facilitate enrichment of the metastable state-1 Env conformation for structural characterization and presentation to the immune system. IMPORTANCE The envelope glycoprotein (Env) spike on the surface of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mediates the entry of the virus into host cells and is also the target for antibodies. During virus entry, Env needs to change shape. Env flexibility also contributes to the ability of HIV-1 to evade the host immune response; many shapes of Env raise antibodies that cannot recognize the functional Env and therefore do not block virus infection. We found that an HIV-1 entry inhibitor, BMS-806, stabilizes the functional shape of Env. We developed new variants of BMS-806 that stabilize Env in its natural state for long periods of time. The availability of such long-acting stabilizers of Env shape will allow the natural Env conformation to be characterized and tested for efficacy as a vaccine.

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Chelation induced anomerisation is promoted when Lewis acids, such as TiCl4 or SnCl4, coordinate to the pyranose ring oxygen atom and another site, giving rise to endocyclic cleavage and isomerisation to the more stable anomer. In this research regiospecific site‐directed anomerisation is demonstrated. TiCl4 (2.5 equiv) was employed to induce anomerisation of 15 glycosyl azide and disaccharide substrates of low reactivity, and high yields (>75 %) and stereoselectivies (α/β>9:1) were achieved. The examples included glucopyranuronate, galactopyranuronate and mannopyranuronate as well as N‐acetylated glucopyranuronate and galactopyranuronate derivatives. A disaccharide with the α1→4 linkage found in polygalacturonan was included. The use of benzoylated saccharides was found to be important in disaccharide anomerisation as attempts to isomerise related acetyl protected and 2,3‐carbonate protected derivatives were not successful.

An engineered cyanovirin‐N homologue that exhibits specificity for high mannose N‐glycans has been constructed to aid type I α 1,2‐mannosidase inhibitor discovery and development. Engineering the lectins C‐terminus permitted facile functionalization with fluorophores via a sortase and click strategy. The resulting lectin constructs exhibit specificity for cells presenting high mannose N‐glycans. Importantly, these lectin constructs can also be applied to specifically assess changes in cell surface glycosylation induced by type I mannosidase inhibitors. Testing the utility of these lectin constructs led to the discovery of type I mannosidase inhibitors with nanomolar potency. Cumulatively, these findings reveal the specificity and utility of the functionalized cyanovirin‐N homologue constructs, and highlight their potential in analytical contexts that require high mannose‐specific lectins.