The trimeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) spike is a molecular machine that mediates virus entry into host cells and is the sole target for virus-neutralizing antibodies. The mature Env spike results from cleavage of a trimeric gp160 precursor into three gp120 and three gp41 subunits. Here we describe an ~11-Å cryo-EM structure of the trimeric HIV-1 Env precursor in its unliganded state. The three gp120 and three gp41 subunits form a cage-like structure with an interior void surrounding the trimer axis. Interprotomer contacts are limited to the gp41 transmembrane region, the torus-like gp41 ectodomain, and a gp120 trimer association domain composed of the V1/V2 and V3 variable regions. The cage-like architecture, which is unique among characterized viral envelope proteins, restricts antibody access, reflecting requirements imposed by HIV-1 persistence in the host.
The entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) into target cells typically requires the sequential binding of the viral exterior envelope glycoprotein, gp120, to CD4 and a chemokine receptor. CD4 binding exposes gp120 epitopes recognized by CD4-induced (CD4i) antibodies, which can block virus binding to the chemokine receptor. We identified three new CD4i antibodies from an HIV-1-infected individual and localized their epitopes. These epitopes include a highly conserved gp120 b-strand encompassing residues 419-424, which is also important for binding to the CCR5 chemokine receptor. All of the CD4i antibodies inhibited the binding of gp120-CD4 complexes to CCR5. CD4i antibodies and CD4 reciprocally induced each other's binding, suggesting that these ligands recognize a similar gp120 conformation. The CD4i antibodies neutralized laboratory-adapted HIV-1 isolates; primary isolates were more resistant to neutralization by these antibodies. Thus, all known CD4i antibodies recognize a common, conserved gp120 element overlapping the binding site for the CCR5 chemokine receptor. 1207
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.