Entry of Animal Viruses into Cells

In silico drug repurposing for the identification of potential candidate molecules against arboviruses infection

Arboviral diseases caused by dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses represent a major public health problem worldwide, especially in tropical areas where millions of infections occur every year. The aim of this research was to identify candidate molecules for the treatment of these diseases among the drugs currently available in the market, through in silico screening and subsequent in vitro evaluation with cell culture models of DENV and ZIKV infections. Numerous pharmaceutical compounds from antibiotics to chemotherapeutic agents presented high in silico binding affinity for the viral proteins, including ergotamine, antrafenine, natamycin, pranlukast, nilotinib, itraconazole, conivaptan and novobiocin. These five last compounds were tested in vitro, being pranlukast the one that exhibited the best antiviral activity. Further in vitro assays for this compound showed a significant inhibitory effect on DENV and ZIKV infection of human monocytic cells and human hepatocytes (Huh-7 cells) with potential abrogation of virus entry. Finally, intrinsic fluorescence analyses suggest that pranlukast may have some level of interaction with three viral proteins of DENV: envelope, capsid, and NS1. Due to its promising results, suitable accessibility in the market and reduced restrictions compared to other pharmaceuticals; the anti-asthmatic pranlukast is proposed as a drug candidate against DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV, supporting further in vitro and in vivo assessment of the potential of this and other lead compounds that exhibited good affinity scores in silico as therapeutic agents or scaffolds for the development of new drugs against arboviral diseases.

An overview of influenza A virus receptors

Influenza A viruses are spherical particles that attach to cells through bonds between hemagglutinin and specific cellular receptors. Numerous studies performed have recently revealed that Sialic acid (SA) is a crucial component of influenza A virus receptors. This brief review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of influenza A virus receptors. The introduction describes the classification of influenza A virus receptors and the review continues with a survey of the distribution of SA in different tissue and host. This is followed by research applications of influenza A virus receptors, and explanation of why receptor studies are so important on a world-wide scale.

Opening of size-selective pores in endosomes during human rhinovirus serotype 2 in vivo uncoating monitored by single-organelle flow analysis

The effect of virus uncoating on endosome integrity during the early steps in viral infection was investigated. Using fluid-phase uptake of 10- and 70-kDa dextrans labeled with a pH-dependent fluorophore (fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC]) and a pH-independent fluorophore (cyanine 5 [Cy5]), we determined the pHs of labeled compartments in intact HeLa cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Subsequently, the number and pH of fluorescent endosomes in cell homogenates were determined by single-organelle flow analysis. Cointernalization of adenovirus and 70-kDa FITC- and Cy5-labeled dextran (FITC/Cy5-dextran) led to virus-induced endosomal rupture, resulting in the release of the marker from the low-pH environment into the neutral cytosol. Consequently, in the presence of adenovirus, the number of fluorescent endosomes was reduced by 40% compared to that in the control. When human rhinovirus serotype 2 (HRV2) was cointernalized with 10-and 70-kDa FITC/Cy5-dextrans, the 10-kDa dextran was released, whereas the 70-kDa dextran remained within the endosomes, which also maintained their low pH. These data demonstrate that pores are generated in the membrane during HRV2 uncoating and RNA penetration into the cytosol without gross damage of the endosomes; 10-kDa dextran can access the cytosol through these pores. Whereas rhinovirus-mediated pore formation was prevented by the vacuolar ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1, adenovirus-mediated endosomal rupture also occurred in the presence of the inhibitor. This finding is in keeping with the low-pH requirement of HRV2 infection; for adenovirus, no pH dependence for endosomal escape was found with this drug.

The VP1 N-terminal sequence of canine parvovirus affects nuclear transport of capsids and efficient cell infection

The unique N-terminal region of the parvovirus VP1 capsid protein is required for infectivity by the capsids but is not required for capsid assembly. The VP1 N terminus contains a number of groups of basic amino acids which resemble classical nuclear localization sequences, including a conserved sequence near the N terminus comprised of four basic amino acids, which in a peptide can act to transport other proteins into the cell nucleus. Testing with a monoclonal antibody recognizing residues 2 to 13 of VP1 (anti-VP1-2-13) and with a rabbit polyclonal serum against the entire VP1 unique region showed that the VP1 unique region was not exposed on purified capsids but that it became exposed after treatment of the capsids with heat (55 to 75 degrees C), or urea (3 to 5 M). A high concentration of anti-VP1-2-13 neutralized canine parvovirus (CPV) when it was incubated with the virus prior to inoculation of cells. Both antibodies blocked infection when injected into cells prior to virus inoculation, but neither prevented infection by coinjected infectious plasmid DNA. The VP1 unique region could be detected 4 and 8 h after the virus capsids were injected into cells, and that sequence exposure appeared to be correlated with nuclear transport of the capsids. To examine the role of the VP1 N terminus in infection, we altered that sequence in CPV, and some of those changes made the capsids inefficient at cell infection.

Elevated endosomal pH in HeLa cells overexpressing mutant dynamin can affect infection by pH-sensitive viruses

Many viruses gain access to the cell via the endosomal route and require low endosomal pH for infectivity. The GTPase dynamin is essential for clathrin-dependent endocytosis, and in HeLa cells overexpressing the nonfunctional dynaminK44A mutant the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles is halted. HRV2, a human minor group rhinovirus, is internalized by members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family in a clathrin-independent manner. The low endosomal pH then leads to conversion of the capsid to C-antigen, which is required for release (uncoating) and transfer of the viral RNA into the cytosol and de novo synthesis of infectious virus. We here demonstrate that overexpression of dynaminK44A reduces this antigenic conversion and results in diminished viral synthesis. In contrast, lysosomal degradation is unaffected. The kinetics of the formation of C-antigen in vitro and in vivo suggest that the pH in endosomes is elevated by about 0.4 units upon overexpression of dynaminK44A. As a consequence, HRV2 uncoating is diminished early after internalization but attains control levels upon prolonged internalization. Thus, overexpression of dynaminK44A, in addition to trafficking defects, results in an elevated endosomal pH and thereby affects virus infection and most likely endosomal sorting and processing.

Cytoplasmic trafficking of the canine parvovirus capsid and its role in infection and nuclear transport

To begin a successful infection, viruses must first cross the host cell plasma membrane, either by direct fusion with the membrane or by receptor-mediated endocytosis. After release into the cytoplasm those viruses that replicate in the nucleus must target their genome to that location. We examined the role of cytoplasmic transport of the canine parvovirus (CPV) capsid in productive infection by microinjecting two antibodies that recognize the intact CPV capsid into the cytoplasm of cells and also by using intracellular expression of variable domains of a neutralizing antibody fused to green fluorescence protein. The two antibodies tested and the expressed scFv all efficiently blocked virus infection, probably by binding to virus particles while they were in the cytoplasm and before entering the nucleus. The injected antibodies were able to block most infections even when injected 8 h after virus inoculation. In control studies, microinjected capsid antibodies did not interfere with CPV replication when they were coinjected with an infectious plasmid clone of CPV. Cytoplasmically injected full and empty capsids were able to move through the cytosol towards the nuclear membrane in a process that could be blocked by nocodazole treatment of the cells. Nuclear transport of the capsids was slow, with significant amounts being found in the nucleus only 3 to 6 h after injection.

Intracellular route of canine parvovirus entry

The present study was designed to investigate the endocytic pathway involved in canine parvovirus (CPV) infection. Reduced temperature (18 degrees C) or the microtubule-depolymerizing drug nocodazole was found to inhibit productive infection of canine A72 cells by CPV and caused CPV to be retained in cytoplasmic vesicles as indicated by immunofluorescence microscopy. Consistent with previously published results, these data indicate that CPV enters a host cell via an endocytic route and further suggest that microtubule-dependent delivery of CPV to late endosomes is required for productive infection. Cytoplasmic microinjection of CPV particles was used to circumvent the endocytosis and membrane fusion steps in the entry process. Microinjection experiments showed that CPV particles which were injected directly into the cytoplasm, thus avoiding the endocytic pathway, were unable to initiate progeny virus production. CPV treated at pH 5.0 prior to microinjection was unable to initiate virus production, showing that factors of the endocytic route other than low pH are necessary for the initiation of infection by CPV.

A human IgG1 (b12) specific for the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 neutralizes by inhibiting the virus fusion entry process, but b12 Fab neutralizes by inhibiting a postfusion event

The human b12 IgG1, specific for the CD4 binding site of the gp120 of HIV-1, was prepared by recombinant DNA technology. It had a high neutralization rate constant (-3.5 x 10(5) M(-1) sec(-1)), although this is about 10-fold less than the values for the best poliovirus or influenza A virus MAbs. The recombinant b12 Fab neutralized well, with about one-tenth of the activity of b12 IgG. The mechanisms by which b12 IgG1 and its Fab neutralize HIV-1 IIIB on C8166 cells have been investigated. Neither inhibited attachment of virus to the target cell as judged by FACS, immunofluorescence, and ELISA data. This was controlled using MAb F105, another human IgG1, that did neutralize by inhibiting attachment under our conditions. The interactions of b12 IgG- and Fab-neutralized virions with target cells were compared with those of nonneutralized virus using a number of different techniques (fluorescence dequenching of R18-labeled virions, immunofluorescence of virion gp41 and p24 antigens, and acquisition of resistance to removal of virions from the cell by protease). These and the inhibition of HIV-1-mediated cell-cell fusion all demonstrated that b12 IgG neutralized by inhibiting the primary fusion-uncoating mechanism. However, the interactions of b12 Fab-neutralized and nonneutralized virions with C8166 cells were indistinguishable. Thus b12 Fab did not inhibit fusion uncoating, and by inference inhibited a stage of infection that occurs after the entry of the virion core into the cytoplasm. It is therefore possible that b12 IgG kills HIV-1 twice over, by fusion-inhibition and by inhibiting the postentry event proposed for the Fab. The mechanism of neutralization of b12 Fab and of other MAbs that neutralize in a similar way and why b12 Fab and IgG neutralize by different mechanisms are discussed.

Inhibition of influenza virus fusion by polyanionic proteins

Anionic charge-modified human serum albumin (HSA) has previously been shown to exert potent in vitro activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In these studies, introduction of the additional negative charges was performed by derivatizing the epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues with succinic (Suc-HSA) or cis-aconitic anhydride (Aco-HSA), by which primary amino groups are replaced with carboxylic acids. The anti-HIV-1 activity was related to inhibition of gp41-mediated membrane fusion. Here, we investigated the activity of aconitylated and succinylated proteins on influenza virus membrane fusion, which is mediated by the viral membrane glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA). Aco-HSA and Suc-HSA markedly inhibited the rates and extents of fusion of fluorescently labeled virosomes bearing influenza HA, with target membranes derived from erythrocytes. The inhibitory activity was dependent on the overall negative-charge density; HSA modified with 36 or less extra negative charges failed to inhibit fusion. The inhibition of fusion showed a certain degree of specificity for the protein carrying the negative charges: polyanionic HSA and beta-lactoglobulin A derivatives had fusion-inhibitory activity, whereas succinylated BSA, lactalbumin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, and transferrin were inactive. Aco60-HSA and Aco-beta-lactoglobulin A inhibited influenza virus membrane fusion in a concentration-dependent manner, IC50 values being about 4 and 10 microg/mL, respectively. HA-mediated membrane fusion is pH dependent. Aco60-HSA did not induce a shift in the pH threshold or in the pH optimum. Fusion with liposomes of another low pH-dependent virus, Semliki Forest virus, was not specifically affected by any of the compounds reported here. In view of some structural and functional similarities between influenza HA and the HIV-1 gp120/gp41 complex, it is tempting to postulate that the current results might have some implications for the anti-HIV-1 mechanism of polyanionic proteins.

Sphingolipids activate membrane fusion of Semliki Forest virus in a stereospecific manner

The alphavirus Semliki Forest virus (SFV) enters cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Subsequently, triggered by the acid pH in endosomes, the viral envelope fuses with the endosomal membrane. Membrane fusion of SFV has been shown previously to be dependent on the presence of cholesterol in the target membrane. Recently, we have demonstrated that fusion of SFV also requires sphingolipids [Nieva, J. L., Bron, R., Corver, J., & Wilschut, J. (1994) EMBO J. 13, 2797-2804]. In the present paper, we show that the activation of low-pH-dependent fusion of SFV by sphingolipids is a stereospecific process. Pyrene-labeled SFV fused rapidly and extensively with liposomes consisting of a mixture of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cholesterol, supplemented with low concentrations of D-erythro-ceramide, representing the naturally occurring sphingolipid stereoisomer. Fusion was assessed by a decrease in the pyrene excimer fluorescence. L-erythro-, D-threo-, and L-threo-ceramide did not support fusion of the virus. Similar results were obtained with the corresponding sphingomyelin stereoisomers. The stereospecificity of SFV fusion activation was confirmed by using an assay based on degradation of the viral capsid protein by trypsin encapsulated in the target liposomes. Fusion mediated by D-erythro-ceramide was not affected by the additional presence in the target liposomes of ceramide stereoisomers incapable of fusion activation. Binding of the virus to the liposomes, as assessed by flotation on sucrose density gradients, was not dependent on the presence of fusion-competent or fusion-incompetent sphingolipids in the liposomes. The results of this study support the notion that a stereospecific interaction of the viral fusion protein with D-erythro sphingolipids in the target membrane represents an essential step in the activation of the fusion capacity of SFV.

Characterization of retrovirus-induced SC-1 cell fusion

Virus-mediated cell-cell fusion with Moloney MLV and SC-1 cells was characterized. The level of fusion was highly dependent on the cell line used for propagation of the virus. Efficient fusion appeared to be very sensitive to negative charges on the cell surface and surroundings. Addition of polycations, removal of serum, and treatment with neuraminidase or hyaluronidase all stimulated fusion. Conversely, fusion was inhibited by fibronectin. Kinetic results and the time of action of inhibitors indicated that virus particles (or virus material) on the cell surface lead directly to fusion. The fusion then proceeded rapidly and required actin movement as shown by cytochalasin inhibition.

Regulation of the mouse mammary tumor virus receptor by phosphorylation and internalization in mammary epithelial cells

The mouse mammary tumor virus enters mammary epithelial cells via a plasma membrane protein that binds to a viral envelope glycoprotein, gp52. In intact cells, this gp52 receptor can be phosphorylated by activators of protein kinase A and protein kinase C (PKC), but this modification does not occur in response to epidermal growth factor, whose receptor is a tyrosine kinase, or to gp52. Phosphorylation of the gp52 receptor rapidly leads to internalization and gradual loss of binding activity. Both the phosphorylation and the internalization induced by PKC are abolished by prior downregulation of this kinase. Although the physiological function of the gp52 receptor is unknown, its binding to gp52 can stimulate several biological activities, including amino acid accumulation. Receptor processing impairs this gp52-induced amino acid uptake, as well as viral infection, by depleting the binding protein at the cell surface. In contrast, PKC augments insulin-induced amino acid transport, and PKC downregulation abolishes the action of insulin, suggesting that insulin and gp52 utilize partially separate pathways leading to amino acid transport. These data further suggest that PKC may be involved in this insulin-stimulated activity.

CD46, a primate-specific receptor for measles virus

Measles virus normally infects only primate cells. The receptor for measles virus has recently been shown to be the complement regulator CD46, also known as membrane cofactor protein. Transfection of rodent cells with human CD46 renders them susceptible to the virus, suggesting that transgenic animals may prove useful for testing antiviral agents and vaccines.