Modulation of the functional interfaces between retroviral intasomes and the human nucleosome.

Infection by retroviruses as HIV-1 requires the stable integration of their genome into the host cells. This process needs the formation of integrase (IN)-viral DNA complexes, called intasomes, and their interaction with the target DNA wrapped around nucleosomes within cell chromatin. To provide new tools to analyze this association and select drugs, we applied the AlphaLISA technology to the complex formed between the prototype foamy virus (PFV) intasome and nucleosome reconstituted on 601 Widom sequence.

Targeting the Nucleosome Acidic Patch by Viral Proteins: Two Birds with One Stone?

The past decade illuminated the H2A-H2B acidic patch as a cornerstone for both nucleosome recognition and chromatin structure regulation. Higher-order folding of chromatin arrays is mediated by interactions of histone H4 tail with an adjacent nucleosome acidic patch. Dynamic chromatin folding ensures a proper regulation of nuclear functions fundamental to cellular homeostasis.

, and Models for Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 Spike/Human ACE2 Complex, Viral Entry and Cell Fusion.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent responsible for the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Productive SARS-CoV-2 infection relies on viral entry into cells expressing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Indeed, viral entry into cells is mostly mediated by the early interaction between the viral spike protein S and its ACE2 receptor.

Structural Insights on Retroviral DNA Integration: Learning from Foamy Viruses.

Foamy viruses (FV) are retroviruses belonging to the subfamily. They are non-pathogenic viruses endemic in several mammalian hosts like non-human primates, felines, bovines, and equines. Retroviral DNA integration is a mandatory step and constitutes a prime target for antiretroviral therapy.