Active recombinant reverse transcriptase (RT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with an amino-terminal extension containing a hexa-histidine sequence has been prepared in milligram quantities in a pure heterodimeric (p66/p51) form by coordinated applications of immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and HIV-1 protease treatment. The precursor protein, isolated from extracts of recombinant Escherichia coli by IMAC in a predominantly unprocessed form (p66), migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels as a 66-kDa band with minor heterogeneity at lower relative molecular mass. Incubation of this protein with recombinant HIV-1 protease produced a stable heterodimeric RT that was purified in a single step by IMAC. The purified protein retained both RT and RNase H activity, and kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) were measured with both RNA-dependent DNA polymerization and RNase H activity assays. Carboxyl-terminal sequencing of purified heterodimeric RT indicated that one subunit is intact p66, whereas the other, p51, is a truncated form of p66 that terminates at residue Phe440. Analysis of the HIV-1 protease digest revealed two cleavage sites, at Tyr483-Leu484 and Tyr532-Leu533, in addition to the site at Phe440-Tyr441 that is cleaved to produce p51.
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J Chem Inf Model
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, P.R. China.
The rise of resistance to antiretroviral drugs due to mutations in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) protease is a major obstacle to effective treatment. These mutations alter the drug-binding pocket of the protease and reduce the drug efficacy by disrupting interactions with inhibitors. Traditional methods, such as biochemical assays and structural biology, are crucial for studying enzyme function but are time-consuming and labor-intensive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExp Parasitol
January 2025
Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, 411007, Pune, India. Electronic address:
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an opportunistic infection in HIV patients with higher relapse and mortality rate. The number of HIV-VL patients is comparatively higher in areas where both infections are endemic. However, the conventional chemotherapeutic agents have limited success due to drug toxicity, efficacy variance and overall cost of treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVirology
January 2025
Division of Virology, ICMR-National Institute of Translational and AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India; AcSIR - Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, India. Electronic address:
The integration of nanotechnology into antiretroviral drug delivery systems presents a promising avenue to address challenges posed by long-term antiretroviral therapies (ARTs), including poor bioavailability, drug-induced toxicity, and resistance. These limitations impact the therapeutic effectiveness and quality of life for individuals living with HIV. Nanodrug delivery systems, particularly nanoemulsions, have demonstrated potential in improving drug solubility, enhancing bioavailability, and minimizing systemic toxicity.
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November 2024
Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
The HIV-1 protease is a critical enzyme for viral replication. Because protease activity is necessary to generate mature infectious virions, it is a primary target of antiretroviral treatment. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms regulating protease activation and the methods available to assess protease activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Antimicrob Chemother
January 2025
Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.
Objectives: We assessed HIV-1 drug resistance profiles among people living with HIV (PLWH) with detectable viral load (VL) and on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Botswana.
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