Scientific Publications
- PMID: 25822521
- Title: An efficiently cleaved HIV 1 clade C Env selectively binds to neutralizing antibodies
- Abstract: An ideal HIV-1 Env immunogen is expected to mimic the native trimeric conformation for inducing broadly neutralizing antibody responses. The native conformation is dependent on efficient cleavage of HIV-1 Env. The clade B isolate, JRFL Env is efficiently cleaved when expressed on the cell surface. Here, for the first time, we report the identification of a native clade C Env, 4-2.J41 that is naturally and efficiently cleaved on the cell surface as confirmed by its biochemical and antigenic characteristics. In addition to binding to several conformation-dependent neutralizing antibodies, 4-2.J41 Env binds efficiently to the cleavage-dependent antibody PGT151; thus validating its native cleaved conformation. In contrast, 4-2.J41 Env occludes non-neutralizing epitopes. The cytoplasmic-tail of 4-2.J41 Env plays an important role in maintaining its conformation. Furthermore, codon optimization of 4-2.J41 Env sequence significantly increases its expression while retaining its native conformation. Since clade C of HIV-1 is the prevalent subtype, identification and characterization of this efficiently cleaved Env would provide a platform for rational immunogen design.
- Date: 1970-08-22
- Year: 2016
- Journal: PLoS ONE
- PMID Author: Boliar S, Das S, Bansal M, Shukla BN, Patil S, Shrivastava T, Samal S, Goswami S, King CR, Bhattacharya J, Chakrabarti BK
- PMC Link #: PMC4379091
An efficiently cleaved HIV 1 clade C Env selectively binds to neutralizing antibodies
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