Human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K) reverse transcriptase (RT) structure and biochemistry reveals remarkable similarities to HIV-1 RT and opportunities for HERV-K-specific inhibition

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Jul 5;119(27):e2200260119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2200260119. Epub 2022 Jun 30.

Abstract

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) comprise nearly 8% of the human genome and are derived from ancient integrations of retroviruses into the germline. The biology of HERVs is poorly defined, but there is accumulating evidence supporting pathological roles in diverse diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. Functional proteins are produced by HERV-encoded genes, including reverse transcriptases (RTs), which could be a contributor to the pathology attributed to aberrant HERV-K expression. To facilitate the discovery and development of HERV-K RT potent and selective inhibitors, we expressed active HERV-K RT and determined the crystal structure of a ternary complex of this enzyme with a double-stranded DNA substrate. We demonstrate a range of RT inhibition with antiretroviral nucleotide analogs, while classic nonnucleoside analogs do not inhibit HERV-K RT. Detailed comparisons of HERV-K RT with other known RTs demonstrate similarities to diverse RT families and a striking similarity to the HIV-1 RT asymmetric heterodimer. Our analysis further reveals opportunities for selective HERV-K RT inhibition.

Keywords: antiretroviral drugs; drug design; mobile elements; repeat biology; repeatome.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Endogenous Retroviruses* / enzymology
  • Endogenous Retroviruses* / genetics
  • Genes, Viral
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Protein Multimerization
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase* / chemistry
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase