Biophysical evidence of two docking sites of the carboxyl heptad repeat region within the amino heptad repeat region of gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Two HIV-1 gp41-derived peptide fusion inhibitors, T-20 and T-649, were synthesized and their binding profiles of the N-heptad repeat region (HR1) were compared to examine the molecular basis of the differential antiviral potency and viral resistance. Turbidity clearance experiments based on the overlapping 15-mer peptides derived from HR1 revealed a major binding site at the LLSGIV segment for both T-20 and T-649. Additionally, another docking site was found at the sequence encompassing the hydrophobic pocket of HR1 for T-649. Concordant results were observed from the surface plasmon resonance measurements. The binding affinity profile exhibited a major maximum around the LLSGIV motif for the two peptide fusion inhibitors while a less prominent docking region was located near the hydrophobic pocket for T-649. This bi-modal model deduced from T-20 and T-649 interaction with HR1 peptides could rationalize the failure of emergence of the fusion inhibitor-resistant virus with simultaneous mutations in each of the two binding regions, as well as the generally higher potency of T-649 against most viral strains.