Structure and Fc-Effector Function of Rhesusized Variants of Human Anti-HIV-1 IgG1s.

Passive transfer of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of human origin into Non-Human Primates (NHPs), especially those which function predominantly by a Fc-effector mechanism, requires an a priori preparation step, in which the human mAb is reengineered to an equivalent NHP IgG subclass. This can be achieved by changing both the Fc and Fab sequence while simultaneously maintaining the epitope specificity of the parent antibody. This Ab reengineering process, referred to as rhesusization, can be challenging because the simple grafting of the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) into an NHP IgG subclass may impact the functionality of the mAb. Here we describe the successful rhesusization of a set of human mAbs targeting HIV-1 envelope (Env) epitopes involved in potent Fc-effector function against the virus. This set includes a mAb targeting a linear gp120 V1V2 epitope isolated from a RV144 vaccinee, a gp120 conformational epitope within the Cluster A region isolated from a RV305 vaccinated individual, and a linear gp41 epitope within the immunodominant Cys-loop region commonly targeted by most HIV-1 infected individuals. Structural analyses confirm that the rhesusized variants bind their respective Env antigens with almost identical specificity preserving epitope footprints and most antigen-Fab atomic contacts with constant regions folded as in control RM IgG1s. In addition, functional analyses confirm preservation of the Fc effector function of the rhesusized mAbs including the ability to mediate Antibody Dependent Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis by monocytes (ADCP) and neutrophils (ADNP) with potencies comparable to native macaque antibodies of similar specificity. While the antibodies chosen here are relevant for the examination of the correlates of protection in HIV-1 vaccine trials, the methods used are generally applicable to antibodies for other purposes.

Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy, and Pharmacopolicy Through an Evidence-Based Medicine: A Novel Approach for First-Year Medical Students.

Introduction: As evidenced by student performance on various assessments, pharmacotherapy remains a comparative weakness in undergraduate medical education, with several institutions developing novel strategies for students to apply these principles in a practical setting. Medical curricula have recently prioritized group-learning modalities and evidence-based medicine education. However, these principles have yet to impact pharmacology education. We developed and implemented an evidence-based, group-learning exercise for first-year medical students focusing on pharmacology through the practical lens of pharmacotherapy and pharmacopolicy. Methods: First-year medical students in different groups were assigned a particular medication and, during an in-class session, were encouraged to meet with other representatives assigned the same drug to interpret the provided package insert and any online information. Students then reconvened with their groups to engage in collaborative teaching about each assigned drug before completing a group quiz using online resources. Facilitators reviewed the group quiz and allowed time for student questions. Results: For 180 participants, the average group-quiz score was 86%, ranging from 68% to 100%. Student-reported satisfaction with the activity in meeting its preset objectives averaged 3.7 on a 5-point scale, with 5 being most positive. Discussion: Overall, this activity effectively integrates principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacopolicy into a group-based, evidence-based exercise. Limitations of the activity include the number of possible example drugs and the amount of material covered in a given time frame. However, the activity lends itself to the role of an introductory session in a longer curriculum centered on clinical-applied pharmacology and evidence-based practice.

Pentavalent HIV-1 vaccine protects against simian-human immunodeficiency virus challenge.

The RV144 Thai trial HIV-1 vaccine of recombinant poxvirus (ALVAC) and recombinant HIV-1 gp120 subtype B/subtype E (B/E) proteins demonstrated 31% vaccine efficacy. Here we design an ALVAC/Pentavalent B/E/E/E/E vaccine to increase the diversity of gp120 motifs in the immunogen to elicit a broader antibody response and enhance protection. We find that immunization of rhesus macaques with the pentavalent vaccine results in protection of 55% of pentavalent-vaccine-immunized macaques from simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) challenge. Systems serology of the antibody responses identifies plasma antibody binding to HIV-infected cells, peak ADCC antibody titres, NK cell-mediated ADCC and antibody-mediated activation of MIP-1ß in NK cells as the four immunological parameters that best predict decreased infection risk that are improved by the pentavalent vaccine. Thus inclusion of additional gp120 immunogens to a pox-prime/protein boost regimen can augment antibody responses and enhance protection from a SHIV challenge in rhesus macaques.

Hst3p, a histone deacetylase, promotes maintenance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome III lacking efficient replication origins.

Long gaps between active replication origins probably occur frequently during chromosome replication, but little is known about how cells cope with them. To address this issue, we deleted replication origins from S. cerevisiae chromosome III to create chromosomes with long interorigin gaps and identified mutations that destabilize them [originless fragment maintenance (Ofm) mutations]. ofm6-1 is an allele of HST3, a sirtuin that deacetylates histone H3K56Ac. Hst3p and Hst4p are closely related, but hst4Δ does not cause an Ofm phenotype. Expressing HST4 under the control of the HST3 promoter suppressed the Ofm phenotype of hst3Δ, indicating Hst4p, when expressed at the appropriate levels and/or at the correct time, can fully substitute for Hst3p in maintenance of ORIΔ chromosomes. H3K56Ac is the Hst3p substrate critical for chromosome maintenance. H3K56Ac-containing nucleosomes are preferentially assembled into chromatin behind replication forks. Deletion of the H3K56 acetylase and downstream chromatin assembly factors suppressed the Ofm phenotype of hst3, indicating that persistence of H3K56Ac-containing chromatin is deleterious for the maintenance of ORIΔ chromosomes, and experiments with synchronous cultures showed that it is replication of H3K56Ac-containing chromatin that causes chromosome loss. This work shows that while normal chromosomes can tolerate hyperacetylation of H3K56Ac, deacetylation of histone H3K56Ac by Hst3p is required for stable maintenance of a chromosome with a long interorigin gap. The Ofm phenotype is the first report of a chromosome instability phenotype of an hst3 single mutant.

The DNA damage response pathway contributes to the stability of chromosome III derivatives lacking efficient replicators.

In eukaryotic chromosomes, DNA replication initiates at multiple origins. Large inter-origin gaps arise when several adjacent origins fail to fire. Little is known about how cells cope with this situation. We created a derivative of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome III lacking all efficient origins, the 5ORIΔ-ΔR fragment, as a model for chromosomes with large inter-origin gaps. We used this construct in a modified synthetic genetic array screen to identify genes whose products facilitate replication of long inter-origin gaps. Genes identified are enriched in components of the DNA damage and replication stress signaling pathways. Mrc1p is activated by replication stress and mediates transduction of the replication stress signal to downstream proteins; however, the response-defective mrc1(AQ) allele did not affect 5ORIΔ-ΔR fragment maintenance, indicating that this pathway does not contribute to its stability. Deletions of genes encoding the DNA-damage-specific mediator, Rad9p, and several components shared between the two signaling pathways preferentially destabilized the 5ORIΔ-ΔR fragment, implicating the DNA damage response pathway in its maintenance. We found unexpected differences between contributions of components of the DNA damage response pathway to maintenance of ORIΔ chromosome derivatives and their contributions to DNA repair. Of the effector kinases encoded by RAD53 and CHK1, Chk1p appears to be more important in wild-type cells for reducing chromosomal instability caused by origin depletion, while Rad53p becomes important in the absence of Chk1p. In contrast, RAD53 plays a more important role than CHK1 in cell survival and replication fork stability following treatment with DNA damaging agents and hydroxyurea. Maintenance of ORIΔ chromosomes does not depend on homologous recombination. These observations suggest that a DNA-damage-independent mechanism enhances ORIΔ chromosome stability. Thus, components of the DNA damage response pathway contribute to genome stability, not simply by detecting and responding to DNA template damage, but also by facilitating replication of large inter-origin gaps.

Analysis of chromosome III replicators reveals an unusual structure for the ARS318 silencer origin and a conserved WTW sequence within the origin recognition complex binding site.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome III encodes 11 autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) elements that function as chromosomal replicators. The essential 11-bp ARS consensus sequence (ACS) that binds the origin recognition complex (ORC) has been experimentally defined for most of these replicators but not for ARS318 (HMR-I), which is one of the HMR silencers. In this study, we performed a comprehensive linker scan analysis of ARS318. Unexpectedly, this replicator depends on a 9/11-bp match to the ACS that positions the ORC binding site only 6 bp away from an Abf1p binding site. Although a largely inactive replicator on the chromosome, ARS318 becomes active if the nearby HMR-E silencer is deleted. We also performed a multiple sequence alignment of confirmed replicators on chromosomes III, VI, and VII. This analysis revealed a highly conserved WTW motif 17 to 19 bp from the ACS that is functionally important and is apparent in the 228 phylogenetically conserved ARS elements among the six sensu stricto Saccharomyces species.

Orchestration of the S-phase and DNA damage checkpoint pathways by replication forks from early origins.

The S-phase checkpoint activated at replication forks coordinates DNA replication when forks stall because of DNA damage or low deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate pools. We explore the involvement of replication forks in coordinating the S-phase checkpoint using dun1Delta cells that have a defect in the number of stalled forks formed from early origins and are dependent on the DNA damage Chk1p pathway for survival when replication is stalled. We show that providing additional origins activated in early S phase and establishing a paused fork at a replication fork pause site restores S-phase checkpoint signaling to chk1Delta dun1Delta cells and relieves the reliance on the DNA damage checkpoint pathway. Origin licensing and activation are controlled by the cyclin-Cdk complexes. Thus, oncogene-mediated deregulation of cyclins in the early stages of cancer development could contribute to genomic instability through a deficiency in the forks required to establish the S-phase checkpoint.

Identification of mutations that decrease the stability of a fragment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome III lacking efficient replicators.

Eukaryotic chromosomes are duplicated during S phase and transmitted to progeny during mitosis with high fidelity. Chromosome duplication is controlled at the level of replication initiation, which occurs at cis-acting replicator sequences that are spaced at intervals of approximately 40 kb along the chromosomes of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Surprisingly, we found that derivatives of yeast chromosome III that lack known replicators were replicated and segregated properly in at least 96% of cell divisions. To gain insight into the mechanisms that maintain these "originless" chromosome fragments, we screened for mutants defective in the maintenance of an "originless" chromosome fragment, but proficient in the maintenance of the same fragment that carries its normal complement of replicators (originless fragment maintenance mutants, or ofm). We show that three of these Ofm mutations appear to disrupt different processes involved in chromosome transmission. The OFM1-1 mutant seems to disrupt an alternative initiation mechanism, and the ofm6 mutant appears to be defective in replication fork progression. ofm14 is an allele of RAD9, which is required for the activation of the DNA damage checkpoint, suggesting that this checkpoint plays a key role in the maintenance of the "originless" fragment.

DNA elements modulating the KARS12 chromosomal replicator in Kluyveromyces lactis.

Eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication is initiated by a highly conserved set of proteins that interact with cis-acting elements on chromosomes called replicators. Despite the conservation of replication initiation proteins, replicator sequences show little similarity from species to species in the small number of organisms that have been examined. Examination of replicators in other species is likely to reveal common features of replicators. We have examined a Kluyeromyces lactis replicator, KARS12, that functions as origin of DNA replication on plasmids and in the chromosome. It contains a 50-bp region with similarity to two other K. lactis replicators, KARS101 and the pKD1 replication origin. Replacement of the 50-bp sequence with an EcoRI site completely abrogated the ability of KARS12 to support plasmid and chromosomal DNA replication origin activity, demonstrating this sequence is a common feature of K. lactis replicators and is essential for function, possibly as the initiator protein binding site. Additional sequences up to 1 kb in length are required for efficient KARS12 function. Within these sequences are a binding site for a global regulator, Abf1p, and a region of bent DNA, both of which contribute to the activity of KARS12. These elements may facilitate protein binding, protein/protein interaction and/or nucleosome positioning as has been proposed for other eukaryotic origins of DNA replication.

DNA replication joins the revolution: whole-genome views of DNA replication in budding yeast.

Replication origins, which are responsible for initiating the replication of eukaryotic chromosomal DNAs, are spaced at intervals of 40 to 200 kb. Although the sets of proteins that assemble at replication origins during G(1) to form pre-replicative complexes are highly conserved, the structures of replication origins varies from organism to organism. The identification of replication origins has been a labor-intensive task, requiring the analysis of chromosomal DNA replication intermediates. As a result, only a few replication origins have been identified and studied. In a pair of recently published papers, Raghuraman and colleagues and Wyrick, Aparicio and colleagues provide complementary microarray-based approaches to the identification of replication origins. These genome-wide views of DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provide new insights into the way that the genome is duplicated and hold promise for the analysis of other genomes.