Capsid-specific nanobody effects on HIV-1 assembly and infectivity

Ayna Alfadhli, Ce Ann Romanaggi, Robin Lid Barklis, Ilaria Merutka, Timothy A. Bates, Fikadu G. Tafesse, Eric Barklis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The capsid (CA) domain of the HIV-1 precursor Gag (PrGag) protein plays multiple roles in HIV-1 replication, and is central to the assembly of immature virions, and mature virus cores. CA proteins themselves are composed of N-terminal domains (NTDs) and C-terminal domains (CTDs). We have investigated the interactions of CA with anti-CA nanobodies, which derive from the antigen recognition regions of camelid heavy chain-only antibodies. The one CA NTD-specific and two CTD-specific nanobodies we analyzed proved sensitive and specific HIV-1 CA detection reagents in immunoassays. When co-expressed with HIV-1 Gag proteins in cells, the NTD-specific nanobody was efficiently assembled into virions and did not perturb virus assembly. In contrast, the two CTD-specific nanobodies reduced PrGag processing, virus release and HIV-1 infectivity. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of Gag-targeted nanobody inhibition of HIV-1.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)19-28
Number of pages10
JournalVirology
Volume562
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2021

Keywords

  • Capsid
  • Gag
  • HIV-1
  • Nanobody

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Capsid-specific nanobody effects on HIV-1 assembly and infectivity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this