Challenging the Existing Model of the Hexameric HIV-1 Gag Lattice and MA Shell Superstructure: Implications for Viral Entry

Despite type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) being discovered in the early 1980s, significant knowledge gaps remain in our understanding of the superstructure of the HIV-1 matrix (MA) shell. Current viral assembly models assume that the MA shell originates via recruitment of group-specific antigen (Gag) polyproteins into a hexagonal lattice but fails to resolve and explain lattice overlapping that occurs when the membrane is folded into a spherical/ellipsoidal shape. It further fails to address how the shell recruits, interacts with and encompasses the viral spike envelope (Env) glycoproteins. These Env glycoproteins are crucial as they facilitate viral entry by interacting with receptors and coreceptors located on T-cells. In our previous publication, we proposed a six-lune hosohedral structure, snowflake-like model for the MA shell of HIV-1. In this article, we improve upon the six-lune hosohedral structure by incorporating into our algorithm the recruitment of complete Env glycoproteins. We generated the Env glycoprotein assembly using a combination of predetermined Env glycoprotein domains from X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), cryoelectron tomography, and three-dimensional prediction tools. Our novel MA shell model comprises 1028 MA trimers and 14 Env glycoproteins. Our model demonstrates the movement of Env glycoproteins in the interlunar spaces, with effective clustering at the fusion hub, where multiple Env complexes bind to T-cell receptors during the process of viral entry. Elucidating the HIV-1 MA shell structure and its interaction with the Env glycoproteins is a key step toward understanding the mechanism of HIV-1 entry.