Crystal structure of Bax bound to the BH3 peptide of Bim identifies important contacts for interaction.

The BH3-only protein Bim is a potent direct activator of the proapoptotic effector protein Bax, but the structural basis for its activity has remained poorly defined. Here we describe the crystal structure of the BimBH3 peptide bound to BaxΔC26 and structure-based mutagenesis studies. Similar to BidBH3, the BimBH3 peptide binds into the cognate surface groove of Bax using the conserved hydrophobic BH3 residues h1-h4. However, the structure and mutagenesis data show that Bim is less reliant compared with Bid on its 'h0' residues for activating Bax and that a single amino-acid difference between Bim and Bid encodes a fivefold difference in Bax-binding potency. Similar to the structures of BidBH3 and BaxBH3 bound to BaxΔC21, the structure of the BimBH3 complex with BaxΔC displays a cavity surrounded by Bax α1, α2, α5 and α8. Our results are consistent with a model in which binding of an activator BH3 domain to the Bax groove initiates separation of its core (α2-α5) and latch (α6-α8) domains, enabling its subsequent dimerisation and the permeabilisation of the mitochondrial outer membrane.

Variola virus F1L is a Bcl-2-like protein that unlike its vaccinia virus counterpart inhibits apoptosis independent of Bim.

Subversion of host cell apoptosis is an important survival strategy for viruses to ensure their own proliferation and survival. Certain viruses express proteins homologous in sequence, structure and function to mammalian pro-survival B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins, which prevent rapid clearance of infected host cells. In vaccinia virus (VV), the virulence factor F1L was shown to be a potent inhibitor of apoptosis that functions primarily be engaging pro-apoptotic Bim. Variola virus (VAR), the causative agent of smallpox, harbors a homolog of F1L of unknown function. We show that VAR F1L is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis, and unlike all other characterized anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members lacks affinity for the Bim Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain. Instead, VAR F1L engages Bid BH3 as well as Bak and Bax BH3 domains. Unlike its VV homolog, variola F1L only protects against Bax-mediated apoptosis in cellular assays. Crystal structures of variola F1L bound to Bid and Bak BH3 domains reveal that variola F1L forms a domain-swapped Bcl-2 fold, which accommodates Bid and Bak BH3 in the canonical Bcl-2-binding groove, in a manner similar to VV F1L. Despite the observed conservation of structure and sequence, variola F1L inhibits apoptosis using a startlingly different mechanism compared with its VV counterpart. Our results suggest that unlike during VV infection, Bim neutralization may not be required during VAR infection. As molecular determinants for the human-specific tropism of VAR remain essentially unknown, identification of a different mechanism of action and utilization of host factors used by a VAR virulence factor compared with its VV homolog suggest that studying VAR directly may be essential to understand its unique tropism.

Bax activation by Bim?

The mechanism by which the cell death mediator Bax becomes activated to cause mitochondrial damage, a key step for the intrinsic pathway to apoptosis, remain highly contentious. Although some data support a role for certain BH3-only proteins, such as Bim or tBid, to directly activate Bax, others have led to the conclusion that BH3-only proteins act indirectly by antagonizing the prosurvival Bcl-2 proteins, thereby allowing Bax activation to proceed. A recent paper in Nature by Gavathiotis et al. provides the first biophysical evidence for a direct interaction between a BH3 domain, that of Bim, with Bax. Here, we review these intriguing observations and discuss their implications for our understanding of how the BH3-only proteins initiate apoptosis.

Vaccinia virus anti-apoptotic F1L is a novel Bcl-2-like domain-swapped dimer that binds a highly selective subset of BH3-containing death ligands.

Apoptosis is an important part of the host's defense mechanism for eliminating invading pathogens. Some viruses express proteins homologous in sequence and function to mammalian pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins. Anti-apoptotic F1L expressed by vaccinia virus is essential for survival of infected cells, but it bears no discernable sequence homology to proteins other than its immediate orthologues in related pox viruses. Here we report that the crystal structure of F1L reveals a Bcl-2-like fold with an unusual N-terminal extension. The protein forms a novel domain-swapped dimer in which the alpha1 helix is the exchanged domain. Binding studies reveal an atypical BH3-binding profile, with sub-micromolar affinity only for the BH3 peptide of pro-apoptotic Bim and low micromolar affinity for the BH3 peptides of Bak and Bax. This binding interaction is sensitive to F1L mutations within the predicted canonical BH3-binding groove, suggesting parallels between how vaccinia virus F1L and myxoma virus M11L bind BH3 domains. Structural comparison of F1L with other Bcl-2 family members reveals a novel sequence signature that redefines the BH4 domain as a structural motif present in both pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 members, including viral Bcl-2-like proteins.

EGL-1 BH3 mutants reveal the importance of protein levels and target affinity for cell-killing potency.

Studies of the cell death pathway in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans provided the first evidence of the evolutionary conservation of apoptosis signalling. Here we show that the worm Bcl-2 homology domain-3 (BH3)-only protein EGL-1 binds mammalian pro-survival proteins very poorly, but can be converted into a high-affinity ligand for Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) by subtle mutation of the cysteine residue at position 62 within the BH3 domain. A 100-fold increase in affinity was observed following a single atom change (cysteine to serine substitution), and a further 10-fold increase by replacement with glycine. The low affinity of wild-type EGL-1 for mammalian pro-survival proteins and its poor expression correlates with its weak killing activity in mammalian cells whereas the high-affinity C62G mutant is a very potent killer of cells lacking Mcl-1. Cell killing by the C62S mutant with intermediate affinity only occurs when this EGL-1 BH3 domain is placed in a more stable context, namely that of Bim(S), which allows higher expression, though the kinetics of cell death now vary depending on whether Mcl-1 is neutralized by Noxa or genetically deleted. These results demonstrate how levels of BH3-only proteins, target affinity and the spectrum of neutralization of pro-survival proteins all contribute to killing activity.

CED-4 forms a 2 : 2 heterotetrameric complex with CED-9 until specifically displaced by EGL-1 or CED-13.

The pathway to cell death in Caenorhabditis elegans is well established. In cells undergoing apoptosis, the Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3)-only protein EGL-1 binds to CED-9 at the mitochondrial membrane to cause the release of CED-4, which oligomerises and facilitates the activation of the caspase CED-3. However, despite many studies, the biophysical features of the CED-4/CED-9 complex have not been fully characterised. Here, we report the purification of a soluble and stable 2 : 2 heterotetrameric complex formed by recombinant CED-4 and CED-9 coexpressed in bacteria. Consistent with previous studies, synthetic peptides corresponding to the BH3 domains of worm BH3-only proteins (EGL-1, CED-13) dissociate CED-4 from CED-9, but not from the gain-of-function CED-9 (G169E) mutant. Surprisingly, the ability of worm BH3 domains to dissociate CED-4 was specific since mammalian BH3-only proteins could not do so.

Zanamivir: an influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitor.

Zanamivir is the first of two registered neuraminidase inhibitors for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza. Relenza, an orally inhaled powder form of zanamivir, is currently approved in 19 countries for treatment, and in two for prophylaxis. Relenza reduces the time to alleviation of symptoms by 1 to 2 days in the influenza-positive population, if taken within 48 h of symptom onset, and in prophylaxis in family settings, it confers an 80% reduction in the odds of contracting influenza. The resistance profile of zanamivir is encouraging in the sense that there are still no reports of patients on acute therapy shedding drug-resistant virus. However, patient uptake of the inhaled drug has been insufficient to conclude that drug resistance will not be an issue in the future. All zanamivir-resistant variants selected in the laboratory so far have diminished viability.

Neuraminidase inhibitors as antivirals.

The description of the three-dimensional structure of the influenza virus neuraminidase in 1983 opened a new phase in the search for inhibitors of the enzyme. Two compounds in late development (February 1999) have similar levels of potency against influenza A viruses, different routes of administration and, surprisingly, different resistance profiles both in vitro and in vivo.

The structure of the fusion glycoprotein of Newcastle disease virus suggests a novel paradigm for the molecular mechanism of membrane fusion.

BACKGROUND: Membrane fusion within the Paramyxoviridae family of viruses is mediated by a surface glycoprotein termed the "F", or fusion, protein. Membrane fusion is assumed to involve a series of structural transitions of F from a metastable (prefusion) state to a highly stable (postfusion) state. No detail is available at the atomic level regarding the metastable form of these proteins or regarding the transitions accompanying fusion. RESULTS: The three-dimensional structure of the fusion protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV-F) has been determined. The trimeric NDV-F molecule is organized into head, neck, and stalk regions. The head is comprised of a highly twisted beta domain and an additional immunoglobulin-like beta domain. The neck is formed by the C-terminal extension of the heptad repeat region HR-A, capped by a four-helical bundle. The C terminus of HR-A is encased by a further helix HR-C and a 4-stranded beta sheet. The stalk is formed by the remaining visible portion of HR-A and by polypeptide immediately N-terminal to the C-terminal heptad repeat region HR-B. An axial channel extends through the head and neck and is fenestrated by three large radial channels located approximately at the head-neck interface. CONCLUSION: We propose that prior to fusion activation, the hydrophobic fusion peptides in NDV-F are sequestered within the radial channels within the head, with the central HR-A coiled coil being only partly formed. Fusion activation then involves, inter alia, the assembly of a complete HR-A coiled coil, with the fusion peptides and transmembrane anchors being brought into close proximity. The structure of NDV-F is fundamentally different than that of influenza virus hemagglutinin, in that the central coiled coil is in the opposite orientation with respect to the viral membrane.

Analysis of inhibitor binding in influenza virus neuraminidase.

2,3-didehydro-2-deoxy-N:-acetylneuraminic acid (DANA) is a transition state analog inhibitor of influenza virus neuraminidase (NA). Replacement of the hydroxyl at the C9 position in DANA and 4-amino-DANA with an amine group, with the intention of taking advantage of an increased electrostatic interaction with a conserved acidic group in the active site to improve inhibitor binding, significantly reduces the inhibitor activity of both compounds. The three-dimensional X-ray structure of the complexes of these ligands and NA was obtained to 1.4 A resolution and showed that both ligands bind isosterically to DANA. Analysis of the geometry of the ammonium at the C4 position indicates that Glu119 may be neutral when these ligands bind. A computational analysis of the binding energies indicates that the substitution is successful in increasing the energy of interaction; however, the gains that are made are not sufficient to overcome the energy that is required to desolvate that part of the ligand that comes in contact with the protein.

Cloning, expression, and crystallization of the fusion protein of Newcastle disease virus.

We have recently reported the X-ray crystal structure of a fragment of the fusion protein (F) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). This work describes the methodology involved in the production and crystallization of that protein in recombinant form. The full-length cDNA of NDV-F was cloned and the ectodomain expressed in both CHO-K1 and Lec-3.2.8.1 cells. The recombinant protein, secreted as a single-chain polypeptide F0', was purified using a c-myc antibody affinity column followed by gel filtration chromatography. Electron microscopic imaging showed the F0' product to consist of unaggregated club-shaped particles. Trypsin treatment of F0' could be used to produce disulfide-linked F2 and F1' chains. However, imaging revealed extensive rosette-like aggregation of the trypsin-treated material, indicative of a conformational change. Only the non-trypsin-treated product was thus suitable for crystallization and two crystal forms were obtained, diffracting to ca. 3.5 and 4.0 A, respectively. Both crystal forms were used in the structure determination.

A novel approach to antiviral therapy for influenza.

The influenza glycoprotein, neuraminidase, destroys sialic acid-containing receptors on the surface of infected cells and on progeny virions. This activity facilitates the elution of newly budded virus from the infected cell surface and thus contributes to the viral burden in the host. On the basis of the three-dimensional structure of neuraminidase and the structure of the enzyme-product complex, novel analogues of the product (sialic acid, Neu5Ac) were designed and were shown to be potent inhibitors of neuraminidase in vitro and in vivo. Zanamivir (4-guanidino-Neu5Ac2en) is one of the most potent of the sialic acid analogues described to date. It is broadly inhibitory of all type A and B neuraminidases, probably because one of its design features was the requirement that it should interact only with strain-invariant amino acids inside the active site of the enzyme. Inhibition of neuraminidase translates into antiviral activity in tissue culture, in animal models of influenza and in both experimental and naturally acquired influenza in humans. Zanamivir is a minimal modification of the natural ligand (Neu5Ac) of the enzyme. This feature is expected to minimize the viability of drug-resistant virus that might arise through mutations in the enzyme active site. Studies to date of drug-resistant variants selected in tissue culture confirm this expectation. To deliver zanamivir directly to the lungs of patients the agent has been formulated for inhalation using a modified Diskhaler, which ensures high local concentrations and maximizes inhibition of viral neuraminidase.

Substrate, inhibitor, or antibody stabilizes the Glu 119 Gly mutant influenza virus neuraminidase.

We have previously reported the isolation and characterization of an influenza virus variant with decreased sensitivity to the neuraminidase-specific inhibitor zanamivir. This variant, which has a mutation in the active site, Glu 119 Gly (E119G), has the same specific activity as the wild-type neuraminidase (NA), but is inherently unstable, as measured by loss of both enzyme activity and NC10 monoclonal antibody reactivity. However, despite the instability of the NA, replication of the virus in liquid culture is not adversely affected. We demonstrate here that in addition to enhanced temperature sensitivity the mutant NA was significantly more sensitive to formaldehyde and to specimen preparation for electron microscopy. Substrate, inhibitor, or monoclonal antibodies stabilized the NA against all methods of denaturation. These results suggest that the instability of the variant is primarily at the level of polypeptide chain folding rather than at the level of association of monomers into tetramers. Furthermore the presence of high levels of substrate, either cell or virus associated, may be sufficient to stabilize the NA during virus replication.

Drug design against a shifting target: a structural basis for resistance to inhibitors in a variant of influenza virus neuraminidase.

BACKGROUND: Inhibitors of the influenza virus neuraminidase have been shown to be effective antiviral agents in humans. Several studies have reported the selection of novel influenza strains when the virus is cultured with neuraminidase inhibitors in vitro. These resistant viruses have mutations either in the neuraminidase or in the viral haemagglutinin. Inhibitors in which the glycerol sidechain at position 6 of 2-deoxy-2,3-dehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac2en) has been replaced by carboxamide-linked hydrophobic substituents have recently been reported and shown to select neuraminidase variants. This study seeks to clarify the structural and functional consequences of replacing the glycerol sidechain of the inhibitor with other chemical constituents. RESULTS: The neuraminidase variant Arg292-->Lys is modified in one of three arginine residues that encircle the carboxylate group of the substrate. The structure of this variant in complex with the carboxamide inhibitor used for its selection, and with other Neu5Ac2en analogues, is reported here at high resolution. The structural consequences of the mutation correlate with altered inhibitory activity of the compounds compared with wild-type neuraminidase. CONCLUSIONS: The Arg292-->Lys variant of influenza neuraminidase affects the binding of substrate by modification of the interaction with the substrate carboxylate. This may be one of the structural correlates of the reduced enzyme activity of the variant. Inhibitors that have replacements for the glycerol at position 6 are further affected in the Arg292-->Lys variant because of structural changes in the binding site that apparently raise the energy barrier for the conformational change in the enzyme required to accommodate such inhibitors. These results provide evidence that a general strategy for drug design when the target has a high mutation frequency is to design the inhibitor to be as closely related as possible to the natural ligands of the target.

Three-dimensional structures of single-chain Fv-neuraminidase complexes.

The structure of the complex between a recombinant single-chain Fv construct of antibody NC10 with a five-residue peptide linker between VH and VL (termed scFv(5)), and its antigen, tetrameric neuraminidase from influenza virus (NA), has been determined and refined at 2.5 A resolution. The antibody-antigen binding interface is very similar to that of a similar NC10 scFv-NA complex in which the scFv has a 15-residue peptide linker (scFv(15)), and the NC10 Fab-NA complex. However, scFv(5) and scFv(15) have different stoichiometries in solution. While scFv(15) is predominantly monomeric in solution, scFv(5) forms dimers exclusively, because the five-residue linker is not long enough to permit VH and VL domains from the same polypeptide associating and forming an antigen-binding site. Upon forming a complex with NA, scFv(15) forms a approximately 300 kDa complex corresponding to one NA tetramer binding four scFv(15) monomers, while scFv(5) forms a approximately 590 kDa complex, corresponding to two NA tetramers crosslinked by four bivalent scFv(5) dimers. However, the dimeric scFv(5) in the scFv(5)-NA crystals does not crosslink NA tetramers, and modelling studies indicate that it is not possible to pack four dimeric and simultaneously bivalent scFvs between the NA tetramers with only a five-residue linker between VH and VL. The inability arises from the exacting requirement to orient the two antigen-binding surfaces to bind the tetrameric NA antigen while avoiding steric clashes with NC10 scFv(5) dimers bound to other sites on the NA tetramer. The utility of bivalent or bifunctional scFvs with short linkers may therefore be restricted by the steric constraints imposed by binding multivalent antigens.

Mutations in a conserved residue in the influenza virus neuraminidase active site decreases sensitivity to Neu5Ac2en-derived inhibitors.

The influenza virus neuraminidase (NA)-specific inhibitor zanamivir (4-guanidino-Neu5Ac2en) is effective in humans when administered topically within the respiratory tract. The search for compounds with altered pharmacological properties has led to the identification of a novel series of influenza virus NA inhibitors in which the triol group of zanamivir has been replaced by a hydrophobic group linked by a carboxamide at the 6 position (6-carboxamide). NWS/G70C variants generated in vitro, with decreased sensitivity to 6-carboxamide, contained hemagglutinin (HA) and/or NA mutations. HA mutants bound with a decreased efficiency to the cellular receptor and were cross-resistant to all the NA inhibitors tested. The NA mutation, an Arg-to-Lys mutation, was in a previously conserved site, Arg292, which forms part of a triarginyl cluster in the catalytic site. In enzyme assays, the NA was equally resistant to zanamivir and 4-amino-Neu5Ac2en but showed greater resistance to 6-carboxamide and was most resistant to a new carbocyclic NA inhibitor, GS4071, which also has a hydrophobic side chain at the 6 position. Consistent with enzyme assays, the lowest resistance in cell culture was seen to zanamivir, more resistance was seen to 6-carboxamide, and the greatest resistance was seen to GS4071. Substrate binding and enzyme activity were also decreased in the mutant, and consequently, virus replication in both plaque assays and liquid culture was compromised. Altered binding of the hydrophobic side chain at the 6 position or the triol group could account for the decreased binding of both the NA inhibitors and substrate.

Structural evidence for a second sialic acid binding site in avian influenza virus neuraminidases.

The x-ray structure of a complex of sialic acid (Neu5Ac) with neuraminidase N9 subtype from A/tern/Australia/G70C/75 influenza virus at 4 degrees C has revealed the location of a second Neu5Ac binding site on the surface of the enzyme. At 18 degrees C, only the enzyme active site contains bound Neu5Ac. Neu5Ac binds in the second site in the chair conformation in a similar way to which it binds to hemagglutinin. The residues that interact with Neu5Ac at this second site are mostly conserved in avian strains, but not in human and swine strains, indicating that it has some as-yet-unknown biological function in birds.

Virus versus antibody.

Variation in the proteins produced by animal viruses allows the virus to reinfect the same host, but is constrained by the requirement to maintain critical viral functions, in particular engagement with cellular receptors. The fundamental characteristics of proteins and their interactions with each other suggest that this may not be so much of a constraint at all.