Investigations using photo affinity labeled analogues confirm the binding between sCD4 and the PND of HIV-1, MN

In previous studies we demonstrated that a synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence in the (307-330) region of the gp120 principal neutralizing domain of the HIV-1 MN strain is able to bind sCD4 in an affinity chromatography assay and to enhance CD4 expression, CD4 affinity for gp120, and HIV-1 infection. This paper describes a photo affinity labeling experiment, designed to confirm the gp120 peptide-CD4 interaction and to locate the binding site of the synthetic peptide on the CD4 molecule. To this end two specifically marked analogues of the peptide patterned on the (307-330) region of HIV-MN-gp120, in which the TyrI residue is replaced with Phe(p-N3) or Phe(p-NO2), have been synthesized. Irradiation of CD4 solutions in the presence of both analogues produced a new component, the mass value of which confirms the formation of a covalent bond between the peptide and the protein.