A bipartite structural organization defines the SERINC family of HIV-1 restriction factors

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2020 Jan;27(1):78-83. doi: 10.1038/s41594-019-0357-0. Epub 2020 Jan 6.

Abstract

The human integral membrane protein SERINC5 potently restricts HIV-1 infectivity and sensitizes the virus to antibody-mediated neutralization. Here, using cryo-EM, we determine the structures of human SERINC5 and its orthologue from Drosophila melanogaster at subnanometer and near-atomic resolution, respectively. The structures reveal a novel fold comprised of ten transmembrane helices organized into two subdomains and bisected by a long diagonal helix. A lipid binding groove and clusters of conserved residues highlight potential functional sites. A structure-based mutagenesis scan identified surface-exposed regions and the interface between the subdomains of SERINC5 as critical for HIV-1-restriction activity. The same regions are also important for viral sensitization to neutralizing antibodies, directly linking the antiviral activity of SERINC5 with remodeling of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry
  • Drosophila Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Drosophila melanogaster / chemistry
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Membrane Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Domains
  • Protein Multimerization

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • SERINC5 protein, human