Structural Flexibility and Functional Valence of CD4-IgG2 (PRO 542): Potential for Cross-Linking Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Spikes

CD4-immunoglobulin G2 (CD4-IgG2) incorporates four copies of the D1D2 domains of CD4 into an antibody-like molecule that potently neutralizes primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Here electron microscopy was used to explore the structure and functional valence of CD4-IgG2 in complex with gp120. CD4-γ2, a divalent CD4-immunoglobulin fusion protein, was evaluated in parallel. Whereas CD4-γ2–gp120 complexes adopted a simple Y-shaped structure, CD4-IgG2–gp120 complexes consisted of four gp120s arrayed about a central CD4-IgG2 molecule, a structure more reminiscent of complement C1q. Molecular modeling corroborated the electron microscopy data and further indicated that CD4-IgG2 but not CD4-γ2 has significant potential to cross-link gp120-gp41 trimers on the virion surface, suggesting a mechanism for the heightened antiviral activity of CD4-IgG2.