Lenacapavir allosterically remodels the HIV-1 capsid

Lenacapavir (LEN) is a highly potent, long-acting HIV-1 capsid inhibitor that holds exceptional promise for pre-exposure prophylaxis. LEN causes the mature viral capsid to rupture and lose integrity, but the underlying mechanism has been unclear. Here, we show that LEN is an allosteric modulator of HIV-1 capsid structure that breaks the capsid's fullerene cone architecture in two steps: loss of high-curvature declinations occurs early, followed by failure of the capsid body. At the molecular level, LEN alters the non-covalent bonding interactions between capsid subunits and reduces local lattice curvature. LEN also alters the material properties of the capsid, by increasing brittleness. These results provide molecular rationales for how LEN remodels HIV-1 capsid structure and impairs the replication capacity of the virus.