Allosteric HIV Integrase Inhibitors Promote Formation of Inactive Branched Polymers via Homomeric Carboxy-Terminal Domain Interactions.

ABSTRACT: The major effect of allosteric HIV integrase (IN) inhibitors (ALLINIs) is observed during virion maturation, where ALLINI treatment interrupts IN-RNA interactions via drug-induced IN aggregation, leading to the formation of aberrant virions. To understand the structural changes that accompany drug-induced aggregation, we determined the soft matter properties of ALLINI-induced IN aggregates. Using small-angle neutron scattering, SEM, and rheology, we have discovered that the higher-order aggregates induced by ALLINIs have the characteristics of weak three-dimensional gels with a fractal-like character. Their formation is inhibited by the host factor LEDGF/p75, as well as ex vivo resistance substitutions. Mutagenesis and biophysical analyses reveal that homomeric carboxy-terminal domain inte

SUBMITTER: Gupta K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7935764 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature