Stable Trimer Research Articles

A chloride ring is an ancient evolutionary innovation mediating the assembly of the collagen IV scaffold of basement membranes

Collagen IV scaffold is a principal component of the basement membrane (BM), a specialized extracellular matrix that is essential for animal multicellularity and tissue evolution. Scaffold assembly begins with the trimerization of α-chains into protomers inside the cell, which then are secreted and undergo oligomerization outside the cell. For the ubiquitous scaffold composed of α1- and α2-chains, both intracellular and extracellular stages are mediated by the noncollagenous domain (NC1). The association of protomers is chloride-dependent, whereby chloride ions induce interactions of the protomers' trimeric NC1 domains leading to NC1 hexamer formation. Here, we investigated the mechanisms, kinetics, and functionality of the chloride ion-mediated protomer assembly by using a single-chain technology to produce a stable NC1 trimer comprising α1, α2, and α1 NC1 monomers. We observed that in the presence of chloride, the single-chain NC1-trimer self-assembles into a hexamer, for which the crystal structure was determined. We discovered that a chloride ring, comprising 12 ions, induces the assembly of and stabilizes the NC1 hexamer. Furthermore, we found that the chloride ring is evolutionarily conserved across all animals, first appearing in cnidarians. These findings reveal a fundamental role for the chloride ring in the assembly of collagen IV scaffolds of BMs, a critical event enabling tissue evolution and development. Moreover, the single-chain technology is foundational for generating trimeric NC1 domains of other α-chain compositions to investigate the α121, α345, and α565 collagen IV scaffolds and to develop therapies for managing Alport syndrome, Goodpasture's disease, and cancerous tumor growth.

A Single Substitution in gp41 Modulates the Neutralization Profile of SHIV during In Vivo Adaptation

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) maintains a delicate balance between mediating viral entry and escaping antibody neutralization. Adaptation during transmission of neutralization-sensitive Envs with an "open" conformation remains poorly understood. By passaging a replication-competent simian-human immunodeficiency virus carrying a highly neutralization-sensitive Env (SHIVCNE40) in rhesus macaques, we show that SHIVCNE40 develops enhanced replication kinetics associated with neutralization resistance against antibodies and autologous serum. Agp41 substitution, E658K, functions as the majordeterminant for these properties. Structural modeling and functional verification indicate that the substitution disrupts an intermolecular salt bridge with the neighboring protomer, thereby promoting fusion and facilitating immune evasion. This effect is applicable across diverse HIV-1 subtypes. Our results highlight the critical role of gp41 in shaping the neutralization profile and the overall conformation of Env during viral adaptation. The unique intermolecular salt bridge could potentially be utilized for rational vaccine design involving more stable HIV-1 envelope trimers.

Theoretical study of diminutive and cooperative effects in triad C4B2H6(HF)2 complexes

Noncovalent dimer and trimer adducts obtained from interaction of nido-C4B2H6 with one and two HF molecules were investigated at MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ computational method. In the trimer adducts, two types of geometrical structures were observed. In one kind, no interaction occurred among HF molecules, while in the other ones HF molecules affected the cluster’s stabilities through their hydrogen bonding. The most stable dimer and trimer complexes were related to those structures in which HF molecules had interaction with C4B2H6 from its basal plane. In the trimer complexes, structure, energy, and the spectral characteristics of C4B2H6–HF dimers were significantly influenced by type of its interaction with secondary HF molecule. The interaction energies illustrated weak diminutive and cooperative effects repeatedly. The most stable complexes displayed cooperative effects, while the most unstable ones displayed diminutive effects. Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) was used to investigate and analyze the essence and types of intermolecular interaction in optimized complexes.

Thermomechanical Response of a Representative Porin for Biomimetics.

The thermomechanical response of Omp2a, a representative porin used for the fabrication of smart biomimetic nanomembranes, has been characterized using microcantilever technology and compared with standard proteins. For this purpose, thermally induced transitions involving the conversion of stable trimers to bigger aggregates, local reorganizations based on the strengthening or weakening of intermolecular interactions, and protein denaturation have been detected by the microcantilever resonance frequency and deflection as a function of the temperature. Measurements have been carried out on arrays of 8-microcantilevers functionalized with proteins (Omp2a, lysozyme and bovine serum albumin). To interpret the measured nanofeatures, the response of proteins to temperature has been also examined using other characterization techniques, including real time wide angle X-ray diffraction. Results not only demonstrate the complex behavior of porins, which exhibit multiple local thermal transitions before undergoing denaturation at temperatures higher than 105 °C, but also suggest a posttreatment to control the orientation of immobilized Omp2a molecules in functionalized biomimetic nanomembranes and, thus, increase their efficacy in ion transport.

C-103 Germline-targeting vaccine design for HIV

Induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against HIV is a holy grail in the efforts to develop an HIV vaccine. The HIV envelope trimer, the target of both bnAbs and strain-specific neutralizing antibodies, is heavily glycosylated and has an antigenic surface that varies significantly among different HIV isolates. Therefore, vaccine elicitation of bnAbs using stable trimer immunogens that mimic native spikes presents major challenges. Potent HIV bnAbs are typically highly mutated and their germline-reverted forms typically show little or no reactivity to wild-type HIV antigens. Thus, key barriers to bnAb elicitation include activating bnAb precursor B cells and guiding bnAb maturation. With the ultimate aim of developing a vaccine that consistently induces potent bnAbs in humans, we are pursuing a strategy to develop germline-targeting priming immunogens to initiate bnAb development, following by structure-guided boost immunogens to shepherd B cell maturation to the development of bnAbs.

Accurate computational design of multipass transmembrane proteins.

The computational design of transmembrane proteins with more than one membrane-spanning region remains a major challenge. We report the design of transmembrane monomers, homodimers, trimers, and tetramers with 76 to 215 residue subunits containing two to four membrane-spanning regions and up to 860 total residues that adopt the target oligomerization state in detergent solution. The designed proteins localize to the plasma membrane in bacteria and in mammalian cells, and magnetic tweezer unfolding experiments in the membrane indicate that they are very stable. Crystal structures of the designed dimer and tetramer-a rocket-shaped structure with a wide cytoplasmic base that funnels into eight transmembrane helices-are very close to the design models. Our results pave the way for the design of multispan membrane proteins with new functions.

Understanding the Structure and Function of the DcaP Channel from Acinetobacter baumannii using MD Simulations

DcaP is putative dicarboxylate specific channel, located in the outer membrane of the pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. The X-ray crystal structure reveals that DcaP is the first trimeric channel identified in Acinetobacter baumannii and could play an important role in substrate and antibiotic permeation. To characterize the permeation properties of this channel, we have carried out the applied field MD simulations in the presence of ions (KCl), substrates (phthalic acid, succinic acid) and a β-lactam antibiotic (sulbactam). Additionally, free energy calculation have been carried out using metadynamics simulations to identify the lowest energy permeation path along the 2D free energy surfaces and the most prominent residues during translocation. These simulations clearly suggest that the DcaP channel is involved in the permeation of these solutes and results are complemented with electrophysiology experiments. Furthermore, the crystal structure reveals that DcaP have an extended N-terminus domain in the periplasmic space, which is presumably known to form the coiled-coil structure (uniprot entry: A0A0B9X9I7). As the N-terminus domain was not resolved in the crystal structure, we have predicted the structure using an extensive modeling approach. Moreover, the simulations and electrophysiology experiments suggest that the N-terminus might play an important role in the formation of a stable trimer. Overall, we have built the so far unknown structure-function relationship for the DcaP channel which could help in designing next generation antibiotics efficiently permeating through this channel.

Rotational spectra and theoretical study of tetramers and trimers of 2-fluoroethanol: dramatic intermolecular compensation for intramolecular instability.

Using broadband rotational spectroscopy aided by high level ab initio calculations, we probe structural diversity and emerging bulk behavior in trimeric and tetrameric aggregates of the transiently chiral 2-fluoroethanol (FE). One FE tetramer which is homochiral and features a highly compact arrangement that is stabilized by a water tetramer-like H-bond ring and a network of fully bifurcated C-HF H-bonds, and two higher energy FE trimers which feature a water trimer-like H-bond ring, were observed experimentally in a jet expansion. The three most stable FE trimers predicted within a few kJ mol-1 are all made of the most stable FE subunit and are detected experimentally. Unexpectedly, two out of the three most stable FE tetramers exclusively consist of much less stable subunits. For example, one FE tetramer that contains four less stable subunits, which are in total ∼40 kJ mol-1 less stable than their global minimum counterparts, is predicted to be of similar stability as the tetramer containing four global minimum subunits. High level theoretical modeling is essential in providing a comprehensive picture of the energetic and structural landscapes of the FE tetramer, an intriguing system at the interface between gas- and bulk-phase behavior, where the conformational specificity seen in the gas-phase is still experimentally relevant but plays a diminished role relative to the intermolecular topology and cooperative stability.

Improving the Expression and Purification of Soluble, Recombinant Native-Like HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Trimers by Targeted Sequence Changes.

Soluble, recombinant native-like envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers of various human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genotypes are being developed for structural studies and as vaccine candidates aimed at the induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). The prototypic design is designated SOSIP.664, but many HIV-1 env genes do not yield fully native-like trimers efficiently. One such env gene is CZA97.012 from a neutralization-resistant (tier 2) clade C virus. As appropriately purified, native-like CZA97.012 SOSIP.664 trimers induce autologous neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) efficiently in immunized rabbits, we sought to improve the efficiency with which they can be produced and to better understand the limitations to the original design. By using structure- and antigenicity-guided mutagenesis strategies focused on the V2 and V3 regions and the gp120-gp41 interface, we developed the CZA97 SOSIP.v4.2-M6.IT construct. Fully native-like, stable trimers that display multiple bNAb epitopes could be expressed from this construct in a stable CHO cell line and purified at an acceptable yield using either a PGT145 or a 2G12 bNAb affinity column. We also show that similar mutagenesis strategies can be used to improve the yields and properties of SOSIP.664 trimers of the DU422, 426c, and 92UG037 genotypes.IMPORTANCE Recombinant trimeric proteins based on HIV-1 env genes are being developed for future vaccine trials in humans. A feature of these proteins is their mimicry of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) structure on virus particles that is targeted by neutralizing antibodies, i.e., antibodies that prevent cells from becoming infected. The vaccine concept under exploration is that recombinant trimers may be able to elicit virus-neutralizing antibodies when delivered as immunogens. Because HIV-1 is extremely variable, a practical vaccine may need to incorporate Env trimers derived from multiple different virus sequences. Accordingly, we need to understand how to make recombinant trimers from many different env genes. Here, we show how to produce trimers from a clade C virus, CZA97.012, by using an array of protein engineering techniques to improve a prototypic construct. We also show that the methods may have wider utility for other env genes, thereby further guiding immunogen design.

Abstract TP269: Distinct Molecular Mechanisms of Htra1 Mutants in Manifesting Heterozygotes With Carasil

Introduction: Cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL), an autosomal recessive inherited cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), involves severe leukoaraiosis, multiple lacunar infarcts, early-onset alopecia, and spondylosis deformans. High-temperature requirement serine peptidase A1 (HTRA1) gene mutations cause CARASIL by decreasing HTRA1 protease activity. Although CARASIL is a recessive inherited disease, heterozygous mutations in the HTRA1 gene were recently identified in 11 families with CSVD. Because CSVD is frequently observed in elderly individuals, it is unclear which mutants truly contribute to CSVD pathogenesis. Here, we found heterozygous mutations in the HTRA1 gene in individuals with CSVD and investigated the differences in biochemical characteristics between these mutant HTRA1s and mutant HTRA1s observed in homozygotes. Methods: We recruited 113 unrelated index patients with clinically diagnosed CSVD. The coding sequences of the HTRA1 gene were analyzed. We evaluated HTRA1 protease activities using casein assays and oligomeric HTRA1 formation using gel filtration chromatography. Results: We found 4 heterozygous missense mutations in the HTRA1 gene (p.G283E, p.P285L, p.R302Q, and p.T319I) in 6 patients from 113 unrelated index patients and in 2 siblings in 2 unrelated families with p.R302Q. These mutant HTRA1s showed markedly decreased protease activities and inhibited wild-type HTRA1 activity, whereas 2 of 3 mutant HTRA1s reported in CARASIL (A252T and V297M) did not inhibit wild- type HTRA1 activity. Wild-type HTRA1 forms trimers; however, G283E and T319I HTRA1, observed in manifesting heterozygotes, did not form trimers. P285L and R302Q HTRA1s formed trimers, but their mutations were located in domains that are important for trimer-associated HTRA1 activation; in contrast, A252T and V297M HTRA1s, which have been observed in CARASIL, also formed trimers but had mutations outside the domains important for trimer- associated HTRA1 activation. Conclusions: The mutant HTRA1s observed in manifesting heterozygotes might result in an impaired HTRA1 activation cascade of HTRA1 or be unable to form stable trimers.

Structure-based Design of Cyclically Permuted HIV-1 gp120 Trimers That Elicit Neutralizing Antibodies

A major goal for HIV-1 vaccine development is an ability to elicit strong and durable broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) responses. The trimeric envelope glycoprotein (Env) spikes on HIV-1 are known to contain multiple epitopes that are susceptible to bNAbs isolated from infected individuals. Nonetheless, all trimeric and monomeric Env immunogens designed to date have failed to elicit such antibodies. We report the structure-guided design of HIV-1 cyclically permuted gp120 that forms homogeneous, stable trimers, and displays enhanced binding to multiple bNAbs, including VRC01, VRC03, VRC-PG04, PGT128, and the quaternary epitope-specific bNAbs PGT145 and PGDM1400. Constructs that were cyclically permuted in the V1 loop region and contained an N-terminal trimerization domain to stabilize V1V2-mediated quaternary interactions, showed the highest homogeneity and the best antigenic characteristics. In guinea pigs, a DNA prime-protein boost regimen with these new gp120 trimer immunogens elicited potent neutralizing antibody responses against highly sensitive Tier 1A isolates and weaker neutralizing antibody responses with an average titer of about 115 against a panel of heterologous Tier 2 isolates. A modest fraction of the Tier 2 virus neutralizing activity appeared to target the CD4 binding site on gp120. These results suggest that cyclically permuted HIV-1 gp120 trimers represent a viable platform in which further modifications may be made to eventually achieve protective bNAb responses.

Requirements for the Induction of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies against HIV-1 by Vaccination

A study of the induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) in HIV-infected patients and vaccinated subjects revealed the main criteria for the formation of bNAbs (the duration of exposure to a viral antigen, the effect of the diversity of HIV variants, and the removal of barriers associated with the Env-dependent defense mechanisms of HIV-1). Modified trimers of the HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) exposed on virus-like particles (VLP) have unique properties: they (i) modulate the exposure of binding sites (bs) of the CD4 receptor and co-receptor; (ii) create steric restrictions for contact with bNAbs; (iii) increase the Env presentation density, thus enhancing the immune response; (iv) form stable trimers that do not induce off-target immune responses; and (v) allow additional modifications to their structure and construction of a platform with immunostimulating molecules. Immunization using a heterologous subtype-cross prime-boost regime with modified trimeric Env is capable of inducing somatic hypermutation levels necessary for the formation of bNAbs.

The mechanism determination of trimer and tetramer HCN for adenine formation in the gas phase of interstellar space

Trimer and tetramer of HCN are quite important for adenine formation in the oligomerization process, and at this end, the mechanism formation of these species are determinates in the gas phase, by using density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP hybrid together with 6-311g(d,p) basis set level. The mechanisms considered for the isomerization pathway from three and four HCN isomer show that the aminonomalodinitrile (AMDN) and aminoimidazole carbonitrile (AICN) are the most probable and stable trimer and tetramer respectively, because they pass through the smallest barrier energy pathway. Consequently, these products are energetically and kinetically most favourable, under isolated conditions, for the prebiotic syntheses of adenine by oligomerization process under interstellar conditions.

The HhoA protease from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 - Novel insights into structure and activity regulation.

Proteases play a vital role in the removal of proteins, which become damaged due to temperature or oxidative stress. Important to this process in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 is the family of Deg/HtrA proteases; HhoA (sll1679), HhoB (sll1427) and HtrA (slr1204). While previous studies have elucidated the structures of Deg/HtrA proteases from Escherichia coli and from the chloroplast of the higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana, no structural data have been available for any Deg/HtrA protease from cyanobacteria, the evolutionary ancestor of the chloroplast. To gain a deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms and regulation of these proteins we have solved the structure of the Synechocystis HhoA protease in complex with a co-purified peptide by X-ray crystallography. HhoA assembles into stable trimers, mediated by its protease domain and further into a cage-like hexamer by a novel interaction between the PDZ domains of opposing trimers. Each PDZ domain contains two loops for PDZ-PDZ formation: interaction clamp one and two (IC1, IC2). IC1 interacts with IC2 on the opposing PDZ domain and vice versa. Our structure shows a peptide bound to a conserved groove on the PDZ domain and the properties of this pocket suggest that it binds substrate proteins as well as the neo C-termini of cleaved substrates. In agreement with previous studies showing the proteolytic activity of HhoA to be activated by Ca2+ or Mg2+, binding of divalent metal ions to the central channel of the trimer by the L1 activation loop was observed.

Stabilizing Protein Motifs with a Genetically Encoded Metal-Ion Chelator

The N-peptide of HIV gp41 forms a trimeric coiled-coil intermediate during host cell-viral fusion. Stable mimics of this coiled coil could potentially serve as HIV vaccine candidates or inhibitors of viral entry. Therefore, a variety of approaches have been investigated to maintain the N-peptide in its trimeric helical conformation. Here, we utilize a genetic method to incorporate the metal chelating noncanonical amino acid (2,2'-bipyridin-5-yl)alanine (BpyAla) into IZN17, an established trimeric coiled-coil gp41 model. Wedemonstrate that BpyAla-IZN17 acquires Fe(II) during expression in Escherichia coli, resulting in the formation of a highly stable IZN17 helical trimer with a Tm > 95°C. Removal of Fe(II) results in a 27°C decrease in thermal stability. Replacement of Fe(II) with Zn(II) also affords a Tm > 90°C. Thus, the genetic introduction of BpyAla into polypeptide provides astraightforward method for stabilizing coiled-coilstructural motifs in recombinantly engineered proteins.

Theoretical study on the oligomerization mechanisms of bihydroxysilicone.

Bihydroxysilicone SiO(OH)2 is the simplest silicone monomer and can be condensed to various silica materials with diverse properties. The oligomerization mechanisms of SiO(OH)2 were investigated systematically at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. All species including the monomers, dimers, trimers, and tetramers were fully optimized with CPCM solvation model to simulate the solvent environments in methanol. The Si=O bonds of silicones can couple via barrierless processes to form varied ringed structures, and bigger rings can be formed by dehydration and recyclization. The most stable trimer is the one with a hexagonal Si-O ring, and the energetically most favorable tetramer is the one with an octagonal Si-O ring and two hydroxyl groups on each Si atom. Graphical Abstract Selected oligomers in the oligomerization mechanisms of bihydroxysiliconeᅟ.

Creating a chimeric clathrin heavy chain that functions independently of yeast clathrin light chain.

Clathrin facilitates vesicle formation during endocytosis and sorting in the trans-Golgi network (TGN)/endosomal system. Unlike in mammals, yeast clathrin function requires both the clathrin heavy (CHC) and clathrin light (CLC) chain, since Chc1 does not form stable trimers without Clc1. To further delineate clathrin subunit functions, we constructed a chimeric CHC protein (Chc-YR) , which fused the N-terminus of yeast CHC (1-1312) to the rat CHC residues 1318-1675, including the CHC trimerization region. The novel CHC-YR allele encoded a stable protein that fractionated as a trimer. CHC-YR also complemented chc1Δ slow growth and clathrin TGN/endosomal sorting defects. In strains depleted for Clc1 (either clc1Δ or chc1Δ clc1Δ), CHC-YR, but not CHC1, suppressed TGN/endosomal sorting and growth phenotypes. Chc-YR-GFP (green fluorescent protein) localized to the TGN and cortical patches on the plasma membrane, like Chc1 and Clc1. However, Clc1-GFP was primarily cytoplasmic in chc1Δ cells harboring pCHC-YR, indicating that Chc-YR does not bind yeast CLC. Still, some partial phenotypes persisted in cells with Chc-YR, which are likely due either to loss of CLC recruitment or chimeric HC lattice instability. Ultimately, these studies have created a tool to examine non-trimerization roles for the clathrin LC.

Distinct molecular mechanisms of HTRA1 mutants in manifesting heterozygotes with CARASIL.

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of mutant HTRA1-dependent cerebral small vessel disease in heterozygous individuals. We recruited 113 unrelated index patients with clinically diagnosed cerebral small vessel disease. The coding sequences of the HTRA1 gene were analyzed. We evaluated HTRA1 protease activities using casein assays and oligomeric HTRA1 formation using gel filtration chromatography. We found 4 heterozygous missense mutations in the HTRA1 gene (p.G283E, p.P285L, p.R302Q, and p.T319I) in 6 patients from 113 unrelated index patients and in 2 siblings in 2 unrelated families with p.R302Q. The mean age at cognitive impairment onset was 51.1 years. Spondylosis deformans was observed in all cases, whereas alopecia was observed in 3 cases; an autopsied case with p.G283E showed arteriopathy in their cerebral small arteries. These mutant HTRA1s showed markedly decreased protease activities and inhibited wild-type HTRA1 activity, whereas 2 of 3 mutant HTRA1s reported in cerebral autosomal-recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL) (A252T and V297M) did not inhibit wild-type HTRA1 activity. Wild-type HTRA1 forms trimers; however, G283E and T319I HTRA1, observed in manifesting heterozygotes, did not form trimers. P285L and R302Q HTRA1s formed trimers, but their mutations were located in domains that are important for trimer-associated HTRA1 activation; in contrast, A252T and V297M HTRA1s, which have been observed in CARASIL, also formed trimers but had mutations outside the domains important for trimer-associated HTRA1 activation. The mutant HTRA1s observed in manifesting heterozygotes might result in an impaired HTRA1 activation cascade of HTRA1 or be unable to form stable trimers.

Structures of Xenopus Embryonic Epidermal Lectin Reveal a Conserved Mechanism of Microbial Glycan Recognition

Intelectins (X-type lectins), broadly distributed throughout chordates, have been implicated in innate immunity. Xenopus laevis embryonic epidermal lectin (XEEL), an intelectin secreted into environmental water by the X. laevis embryo, is postulated to function as a defense against microbes. XEEL is homologous (64% identical) to human intelectin-1 (hIntL-1), which is also implicated in innate immune defense. We showed previously that hIntL-1 binds microbial glycans bearing exocyclic vicinal diol groups. It is unknown whether XEEL has the same ligand specificity. Also unclear is whether XEEL and hIntL-1 have similar quaternary structures, as XEEL lacks the corresponding cysteine residues in hIntL-1 that stabilize the disulfide-linked trimer. These observations prompted us to further characterize XEEL. We found that hIntL-1 and XEEL have similar structural features. Even without the corresponding intermolecular disulfide bonds present in hIntL-1, the carbohydrate recognition domain of XEEL (XEELCRD) forms a stable trimer in solution. The structure of XEELCRD in complex with d-glycerol-1-phosphate, a residue present in microbe-specific glycans, indicated that the exocyclic vicinal diol coordinates to a protein-bound calcium ion. This ligand-binding mode is conserved between XEEL and hIntL-1. The domain architecture of full-length XEEL is reminiscent of a barbell, with two sets of three glycan-binding sites oriented in opposite directions. This orientation is consistent with our observation that XEEL can promote the agglutination of specific serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. These data support a role for XEEL in innate immunity, and they highlight structural and functional conservation of X-type lectins among chordates.

Structure-Guided Redesign Increases the Propensity of HIV Env To Generate Highly Stable Soluble Trimers.

Due to high viral diversity, an effective HIV-1 vaccine will likely require Envs derived from multiple subtypes to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Soluble Env mimics, like the native flexibly linked (NFL) and SOSIP trimers, derived from the subtype A BG505 Env, form homogeneous, stable native-like trimers. However, other Env sequences, such as JRFL and 16055 from subtypes B and C, do so to a lesser degree. The high-resolution BG505 SOSIP crystal structures permit the identification and redesign of Env elements involved in trimer stability. Here, we identified structure trimer-derived (TD) residues that increased the propensity of the subtype B JRFL and subtype C 16055 Env sequences to form well-ordered, homogenous, and highly stable soluble trimers. The generation of these spike mimics no longer required antibody-based selection, positive or negative. Using the redesigned subtype B and C trimer representatives as respective foundations, we further stabilized the NFL TD trimers by engineering an intraprotomer disulfide linkage in the prebridging sheet, I201C-A433C (CC), that locks the gp120 in the receptor nontriggered state. We demonstrated that this disulfide pair prevented CD4 induced-conformational rearrangements in NFL trimers derived from the prototypic subtype A, B, and C representatives. Coupling the TD-based design with the engineered disulfide linkage, CC, increased the propensity of Env to form soluble highly stable spike mimics that are resistant to CD4-induced changes. These advances will allow testing of the hypothesis that such stabilized immunogens will more efficiently elicit neutralizing antibodies in small-animal models and primates. HIV-1 displays unprecedented global diversity circulating in the human population. Since the envelope glycoprotein (Env) is the target of neutralizing antibodies, Env-based vaccine candidates that address such diversity are needed. Soluble well-ordered Env mimics, typified by NFL and SOSIP trimers, are attractive vaccine candidates. However, the current designs do not allow most Envs to form well-ordered trimers. Here, we made design modifications to increase the propensity of representatives from two of the major HIV subtypes to form highly stable trimers. This approach should be applicable to other viral Envs, permitting the generation of a repertoire of homogeneous, highly stable trimers. The availability of such an array will allow us to assess if sequential or cocktail immune strategies can overcome some of the vaccine challenges presented by HIV diversity.