Spatial structure model of the CD4 receptor-binding site of the HIV envelope protein gp120

In this study we have undertaken attempt to predict 3D structure of the CD4 receptor-binding site of the HIV envelope protein gp120. The structure of this site has been constructed by the analysis of low-energy conformers of peptide T, an HIV reproduction inhibitor with amino acid sequence corresponding to the fragment Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr of protein gp120, ensuring the interaction of virus with T4 lymphocytes. To do this, the following researches have been carried out: i) the spatial structure models of peptide T and similar fragment 4-11 of an analogues of vasoactive intestinal peptide have been modeled by the restrained molecular mechanics method developed earlier, ii) conformational parameters of these models have been compared to geometrical characteristics of homologous segments of unrelated proteins with known spatial structures. The following major conclusions have been made based on the comparative analysis: i) the conformation of C-terminal fragment Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr of peptide T, responsible for the biological activity of the molecule, does not undergo the essential distortions while embedding into the peptide chains of unrelated proteins; ii) this conformation, that is realized in isolated molecule and includes two consecutive reverse turns of the polypeptide chain, adequately describes the main conformational features of an appropriate site of the HIV protein gp120; iii) the fragment Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr of protein gp120 accepts one of six spatial forms which are characteristic for peptide T.