Structure and self assembly of a retrovirus (FeLV) proline rich neutralization domain

The 60 amino acid proline-rich neutralization domain of the external surface unit glycoprotein of feline leukemia virus was chemically synthesized in total and in fragments. We examined the ability of these retroviral peptides to form ordered conformations using 1H-NMR, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and intrinsic viscosity measurements. One dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that the 60 amino acid peptide could form a stable, folded structure that was long-lived, as shown by the ability to protect amide-protons in D20. Peptides corresponding to the N-terminal 42, N-terminal 20 amino acids, and middle 20 amino acid sections could also form stable structures. The C-terminal segment did not protect any protons in D20. Interestingly, self assembly of the N-terminal 42 and C-terminal 16 amino acid peptides into a structure very close to that of the 60 amino acid domain was observed. The circular dichroism results reveals a large negative cotton effect at 198 nm that is characteristic of the proline-rich beta-turn helixes which consist predominantly of trans-proline. The intrinsic viscosity results suggest a non-random coil structure that is rod shaped. Our conclusion is that PRN60 forms a beta-turn helix and that this region of FeLV-gp70 is a separate folding domain of the retroviral surface unit glycoprotein. The unique conformational properties of PRN60 and its critical role as the predominant target for neutralizing antibody responses suggest that this peptide is a reasonable candidate for producing a synthetic peptide vaccine for FeLV.