Naturally Occurring Fragments from Two Distinct Regions of the Prostatic Acid Phosphatase Form Amyloidogenic Enhancers of HIV Infection

Semen is the major vector for HIV-1 transmission. We previously isolated C-proximal fragments of the prostatic acid phosphatase ( PAP) from semen which formed amyloid fibrils that potently enhanced HIV infection. Here, we used the same methodology and identified another amyloidogenic peptide. Surprisingly, this peptide is derived from an N-proximal fragment of PAP (PAP85-120) and forms, similar to the C-proximal fragments, positively charged fibrillar structures that increase virion attachment to cells. Our results provide a first example for amyloid formation by fragments of distinct regions of the same precursor and further emphasize the possible importance of amyloidogenic peptides in HIV transmission.