8ERF

HTLV-1 capsid protein N-terminal domain orthorhombic crystal form

Summary for 8ERF

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb8erf/pdb
• Related: 8ERE
• Descriptor: capsid protein p24, SULFATE ION (3 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: capsid, viral protein
• Biological source: HTLV-1 subtype C
• Total number of polymer chains: 2
• Total formula weight: 28386.05

Authors

Yu, R.J.,Li, N.,Jacques, D.A. (deposition date: 2022-10-11, release date: 2023-10-18, Last modification date: 2025-12-17)

Primary citation

Yu, R.,Phalora, P.,Li, N.,Bocking, T.,Jacques, D.A.
The Human T-cell Leukemia Virus capsid protein is a potential drug target.
Nat Commun, 16:10892-10892, 2025

PubMed Abstract: Human T-cell Leukaemia Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an untreatable retrovirus that causes lethal malignancies and degenerative inflammatory conditions. Effective treatments have been delayed by substantial gaps in our knowledge of the fundamental virology, especially when compared to the closely related virus, HIV. A recently developed and highly effective anti-HIV strategy is to target the virus with drugs that interfere with capsid integrity and interactions with the host. Importantly, the first in-class anti-capsid drug approved, lenacapavir, can provide long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis. Such a property would provide a means to prevent the transmission of HTLV-1, but its capsid has not previously been considered as a drug target. Here we describe high-resolution crystal structures of the HTLV-1 capsid protein, define essential lattice interfaces, and identify a distinct ligand-binding pocket. We show that this pocket is essential for virus infectivity, providing a potential target for future anti-capsid drug development.

PubMed: 41345105
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65899-2

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (1.47 Å)