Quantitative multicolor super-resolution microscopy reveals tetherin HIV-1 interaction

PLoS Pathog. 2011 Dec;7(12):e1002456. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002456. Epub 2011 Dec 15.

Abstract

Virus assembly and interaction with host-cell proteins occur at length scales below the diffraction limit of visible light. Novel super-resolution microscopy techniques achieve nanometer resolution of fluorescently labeled molecules. The cellular restriction factor tetherin (also known as CD317, BST-2 or HM1.24) inhibits the release of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) through direct incorporation into viral membranes and is counteracted by the HIV-1 protein Vpu. For super-resolution analysis of HIV-1 and tetherin interactions, we established fluorescence labeling of HIV-1 proteins and tetherin that preserved HIV-1 particle formation and Vpu-dependent restriction, respectively. Multicolor super-resolution microscopy revealed important structural features of individual HIV-1 virions, virus assembly sites and their interaction with tetherin at the plasma membrane. Tetherin localization to micro-domains was dependent on both tetherin membrane anchors. Tetherin clusters containing on average 4 to 7 tetherin dimers were visualized at HIV-1 assembly sites. Combined biochemical and super-resolution analysis revealed that extended tetherin dimers incorporate both N-termini into assembling virus particles and restrict HIV-1 release. Neither tetherin domains nor HIV-1 assembly sites showed enrichment of the raft marker GM1. Together, our super-resolution microscopy analysis of HIV-1 interactions with tetherin provides new insights into the mechanism of tetherin-mediated HIV-1 restriction and paves the way for future studies of virus-host interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / chemistry
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / immunology
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Color
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / chemistry
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Transfection
  • Virion / immunology
  • Virion / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • BST2 protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins