Direct in vitro binding of full-length human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein to CD4 cytoplasmic domain

The Nef protein of the simian and human immunodeficiency viruses is known to directly bind and down-regulate the CD4 receptor. Although the molecular mechanism is well understood, direct binding of Nef and CD4 is difficult to demonstrate and is believed to be of low affinity. Applying nuclear magnetic resonance and fluorescence spectroscopy, we biophysically reevaluated the CD4-Nef complex and found the dissociation constant to be in the submicromolar range. We conclude that additional, so far disregarded residues in the N terminus of Nef are important for interaction with CD4.