Sindbis virus infection increases hexose transport in quiescent cells

Mitochondrial bioenergetic alterations in mouse neuroblastoma cells infected with Sindbis virus: implications to viral replication and neuronal death

The metabolic resources crucial for viral replication are provided by the host. Details of the mechanisms by which viruses interact with host metabolism, altering and recruiting high free-energy molecules for their own replication, remain unknown. Sindbis virus, the prototype of and most widespread alphavirus, causes outbreaks of arthritis in humans and serves as a model for the study of the pathogenesis of neurological diseases induced by alphaviruses in mice. In this work, respirometric analysis was used to evaluate the effects of Sindbis virus infection on mitochondrial bioenergetics of a mouse neuroblastoma cell lineage, Neuro 2a. The modulation of mitochondrial functions affected cellular ATP content and this was synchronous with Sindbis virus replication cycle and cell death. At 15 h, irrespective of effects on cell viability, viral replication induced a decrease in oxygen consumption uncoupled to ATP synthesis and a 36% decrease in maximum uncoupled respiration, which led to an increase of 30% in the fraction of oxygen consumption used for ATP synthesis. Decreased proton leak associated to complex I respiration contributed to the apparent improvement of mitochondrial function. Cellular ATP content was not affected by infection. After 24 h, mitochondria dysfunction was clearly observed as maximum uncoupled respiration reduced 65%, along with a decrease in the fraction of oxygen consumption used for ATP synthesis. Suppressed respiration driven by complexes I- and II-related substrates seemed to play a role in mitochondrial dysfunction. Despite the increase in glucose uptake and glycolytic flux, these changes were followed by a 30% decrease in ATP content and neuronal death. Taken together, mitochondrial bioenergetics is modulated during Sindbis virus infection in such a way as to favor ATP synthesis required to support active viral replication. These early changes in metabolism of Neuro 2a cells may form the molecular basis of neuronal dysfunction and Sindbis virus-induced encephalitis.

Mayaro virus infection alters glucose metabolism in cultured cells through activation of the enzyme 6-phosphofructo 1-kinase

Although it is well established that cellular transformation with tumor virus leads to changes on glucose metabolism, the effects of cell infection by non-transforming virus are far to be completely elucidated. In this study, we report the first evidence that cultured Vero cells infected with the alphavirus Mayaro show several alterations on glucose metabolism. Infected cells presented a two fold increase on glucose consumption, accompanied by an increment in lactate production. This increase in glycolytic flux was also demonstrated by a significant increase on the activity of 6-phosphofructo 1-kinase, one of the regulatory enzymes of glycolysis. Analysis of the kinetic parameters revealed that the regulation of 6-phosphofructo 1-kinase is altered in infected cells, presenting an increase in Vmax along with a decrease in Km for fructose-6-phosphate. Another fact contributing to an increase in enzyme activity was the decrease in ATP levels observed in infected cells. Additionally, the levels of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, a potent activator of this enzyme, was significantly reduced in infected cells. These observations suggest that the increase in PFK activity may be a compensatory cellular response to the viral-induced metabolic alterations that could lead to an impairment of the glycolytic flux and energy production.

Rotavirus alters paracellular permeability and energy metabolism in Caco-2 cells

Rotaviruses infect epithelial cells of the small intestine, but the pathophysiology of the resulting severe diarrhea is incompletely understood. Histological damage to intestinal epithelium is not a consistent feature, and in vitro studies showed that intestinal cells did not undergo rapid death and lysis during viral replication. We show that rotavirus infection of Caco-2 cells caused disruption of tight junctions and loss of transepithelial resistance (TER) in the absence of cell death. TER declined from 300 to 22 Omega. cm(2) between 8 and 24 h after infection and was accompanied by increased transepithelial permeability to macromolecules of 478 and 4,000 Da. Distribution of tight junction proteins claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1 was significantly altered during infection. Claudin-1 redistribution was notably apparent at the onset of the decline in TER. Infection was associated with increased production of lactate, decreased mitochondrial oxygen consumption, and reduced cellular ATP (60% of control at 24 h after infection), conditions known to reduce the integrity of epithelial tight junctions. In conclusion, these data show that rotavirus infection of Caco-2 intestinal cells altered tight junction structure and function, which may be a response to metabolic dysfunction.

Mechanisms of signal transduction in the stress response of hepatocytes

Adaptation of animals to stress is a unique property of life which allows the survival of the species. The stress response of hepatocytes is a very complex phenomenon, sometimes involving a cascade of events. The general stress signals are elucidated by mobilization of carbohydrate stores and akin to the insulin mediators. Oxidative signals are generated by pesticides, heavy metals, drugs, and alcohol which may or may not be under the purview of peroxisomes. Peroxisomal responses are well-defined involving specific receptors, whereas nonperoxisomal responses may be signaled by calcium, the Ah receptor, or built-in antioxidant systems. The intoxication signals are generally thought to be membrane defects induced by xenobiotics which then lead to highly nonspecific responses of hepatocytes. Detoxication signals, on the other hand, are specific responses of hepatocytes triggering de novo syntheses of detoxifier proteins or enzymes. Evidence reveals the existence of two distinct mechanisms of signal transduction in stressed hepatocytes--one involving the peroxisome and the other the plasma membrane.

Role of potassium in human immunodeficiency virus production and cytopathic effects

Acute infection of CD4+ lymphoid cells by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) induces an increase in the intracellular concentration of potassium (K+). Media containing reduced or elevated concentrations of K+ were used to investigate the role of this ion in HIV-1 production and cytopathology. Incubation of CD4+ lymphoblastoid cells acutely infected by HIV-1 (strain LAI) in low K+ medium resulted in an approximately 50% decrease in HIV-1 production and markedly diminished HIV-1 induced cytopathic effects (CPE) relative to cells incubated in medium containing a normal K+ concentration (approximately 5 mM). Incubation of HIV-1 infected cells in media containing elevated concentrations of K+ medium. Cells mM) increased HIV-1 production by two- to fivefold over the amount produced in cells incubated in normal K+ medium. Cells incubated in high K+ media also displayed enhanced HIV-1-induced cytopathology. The decrease in HIV-1 production by low K+ medium and increase by high K+ media could be a accounted for by effects on HIV-1 reverse transcription. However, low K+ medium inhibited HIV-1 protein synthesis and high K+ media increased HIV-1 protein synthesis. These results suggest that the HIV-1-induced increase in intracellular is required for efficient viral replication and to induce cytopathology.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection of H9 cells induces increased glucose transporter expression

A clone obtained from a differential display screen for cellular genes with altered expression during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection matched the sequence for the human GLUT3 facilitative glucose transporter, a high-velocity-high-affinity facilitative transporter commonly expressed in neurons of the central nervous system. Northern (RNA) analysis showed that GLUT3 expression increased during infection. Flow cytometry showed that GLUT3 protein expression increased specifically in the HIV-infected cells; this increase correlated with increased 2-deoxyglucose transport in the HIV-infected culture. HIV infection therefore leads to increased expression of a glucose transporter normally expressed at high levels in other cell types and a corresponding increase in glucose transport activity. If HIV infection places increased metabolic demands on the host cell, changes in the expression of a cellular gene that plays an important role in cellular metabolism might provide a more favorable environment for viral replication.

Modification of membrane permeability by animal viruses

Animal viruses permeabilize cells at two well-defined moments during infection: (1) early, when the virus gains access to the cytoplasm, and (2) during the expression of the virus genome. The molecular mechanisms underlying both events are clearly different; early membrane permeability is induced by isolated virus particles, whereas late membrane leakiness is produced by newly synthesized virus protein(s) that possess activities resembling ionophores or membrane-active toxins. Detailed knowledge of the mechanisms, by which animal viruses permeabilize cells, adds to our understanding of the steps involved in virus replication. Studies on early membrane permeabilization give clues about the processes underlying entry of animal viruses into cells; understanding gained on the modification by viral proteins of membrane permeability during virus replication indicates that membrane leakiness is required for efficient virus release from infected cells or virus budding, in the case of enveloped viruses. In addition, the activity of these membrane-active virus proteins may be related to virus interference with host cell metabolism and with the cytopathic effect that develops after virus infection.

Regulation of glucose uptake by stressed cells

Lactate production by BHK cells is stimulated by arsenite, azide, or by infection with Semliki Forest virus (SFV). In the case of arsenite or SFV infection, the increase correlates approximately with the increase in glucose transport as measured by uptake of [3H] deoxy glucose (dGlc); in the case of azide, the increase in lactate production exceeds that of glucose transport. Hence glucose utilization by BHK cells and its stimulation by anaerobic and other types of cellular stress is controlled at least in part at the level of glucose transport. The glucose uptake by BHK cells is also stimulated by serum and by glucose deprivation. In these circumstances, as with arsenite, stimulation is reversible, with t1/2 of 1-2 hours; stimulation is compatible with a translocation of the glucose transporter protein between an intracellular site and the plasma membrane (shown here for serum and previously for arsenite). The surface binding and rate of internalization of [125I]-labelled transferrin and [125I] alpha 2-macroglobulin was studied to determine whether changes in glucose transport are accompanied by changes in the surface concentration or rate of internalization of membrane proteins. The findings indicate that changes in glucose transport do not reflect a consistent and general redistribution of membrane receptors. Taken together, the results are compatible with the proposal that BHK cells exposed to stimuli like insulin or serum, or to stresses like arsenite, azide, SFV infection, or deprivation of glucose, respond in the same manner: namely, by an increased capacity to transport glucose brought about by reversible and specific translocation of the transporter protein from an (inactive) intracellular site to the plasma membrane.

Alteration of intracellular monovalent cation concentrations by a poliovirus mutant which encodes a defective 2A protease

Poliovirus mutant 2A-1, which encodes a defective protease 2A, fails to inhibit translation of capped mRNAs selectively. Despite the failure of 2A-1 to inactivate cap-dependent translation, a reduction in the overall rate of protein synthesis, both virus and cell-specified, does occur after 2A-1 infection. This global reduction in protein synthesis is temporally correlated with an increase in [Na+]i and a decrease in [K+]i. The extensive global shutoff of protein synthesis is not observed in 2A-1 infected cells incubated in low NaCl medium or medium containing an elevated concentration of KCl which compensate for the virally-induced alterations in intracellular monovalent cation concentrations. Furthermore, 2A-1-specified protein synthesis is only partly resistant to hypertonic NaCl media which increase [Na+]i, in contrast to protein synthesis specified by wild-type poliovirus. These results suggest that shutoff of host and viral protein synthesis during infection by poliovirus mutant 2A-1 is a consequence of the virus-induced changes in intracellular monovalent cation concentrations.

Common pathway for the induction of hexose transport by insulin and stress

The effect of stress (heat shock, arsenite, or Semliki Forest virus [SFV] infection) on the induction of increased hexose transport has been compared with that of insulin. All four treatments increase the Vmax for transport by BHK cells three- to five-fold, with little effect (less than 40% decrease) on Km. Hydrogen peroxide and phenylarsine oxide (PAO) prevent the increase in hexose transport induced by stress treatments as effectively as they do that induced by insulin. Pinocytosis is not affected by any of the four treatments. On the other hand, the induction by insulin is sensitive to amiloride, whereas that by arsenite is not. Rat embryo fibroblasts, which respond poorly to insulin, respond well to arsenite, heat shock, or SFV infection. It is concluded that the stress response is mediated by certain compounds that may be common to those required for the action of insulin, but that those compounds act at a stage subsequent to the function of the insulin receptor.

Stress-induced increase of hexose transport as a novel index of cytopathic effects in virus-infected cells: role of the L protein in the action of vesicular stomatitis virus

The VSV-specific increase in hexose transport by BHK cells has been measured by assay of the [3H]dGlc/[14C]AIB uptake ratio. The effect was abolished by uv-irradiation of the virus, indicating that viral gene expression is required. Cells infected with the T1026 R1 mutant of VSV, which causes only slight cytopathic changes, exhibited only a slight increase in hexose uptake. Cells infected with temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of VSV that are defective in the function of the viral N, NS, G, or M proteins at the restrictive temperature (39.5 degrees) exhibited increased [3H]dGLC/[14C]AIB uptake ratios typical of wild-type virus at either restrictive (39.5 degrees) or permissive temperature (34 degrees). Cells infected with a mutant defective in the function of the viral L protein exhibited an increased [3H]dGlc/[14C]AIB uptake ratio at permissive temperature (34 degrees) only; at restrictive temperature (39.5 degrees) the uptake ratio was essentially the same as that of mock-infected cells. Temperature-shift experiments indicated that the effect on hexose transport persisted for at least 6 hr in cells which no longer expressed function L protein, and that when expression of L was restricted to the first 2 hr of infection, an almost complete stimulation of hexose transport was observed 4 hr later. These results indicate that expression of the L gene is a necessary factor for inducing an increased hexose uptake in VSV-infected BHK cells. They also suggest that the action of the L protein on hexose transport is indirect, and is presumably mediated by other cellular constituents. The studies support the concept that an increased dGlc uptake may be a useful index of the cytopathic consequences of virus infection.

Sindbis virus infection decreases intracellular pH: alkaline medium inhibits processing of Sindbis virus polyproteins

Infection of baby hamster kidney cells by Sindbis virus, an alphavirus, resulted in a decrease in the intracellular pH of approximately 0.5 units within the first 1-2 hr after infection as measured either by equilibrium labeling with [14C]benzoic acid or by use of a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe, 2,7-bis-carboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein-acetooxymethyl ester. In contrast, intralysosomal pH, as measured using an endocytized pH-sensitive probe, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran, was not altered by Sindbis virus infection. Production of Sindbis virus was reduced by more than 90% and post-translational processing of Sindbis virus envelope precursors was inhibited in infected cells incubated in alkaline medium.

Induction of the stress response: alterations in membrane-associated transport systems and protein modification in heat shocked or Sindbis virus-infected cells

Heat shock or Sindbis virus infection of chick embryo (CE) or baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells resulted in a decrease in the uptake of 86Rubidium+, a K+ tracer. Both stressful treatments decreased 86Rb+ uptake by inhibition of the ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+ ATPase. Alterations in the intracellular levels of monovalent ions may be involved in translational or transcriptional control of the stress response. Heat shock or Sindbis virus infection also resulted in an increase in rate of uptake of [3H]deoxy-D-glucose and a decrease in the incorporation of [3H]glucosamine or [3H]mannose into most cellular proteins. These results suggested that heat shock or Sindbis virus infection alter hexose metabolism and that abnormally glycosylated proteins may accumulate in stressed cells. Exposure of uninfected chick embryo cells to elevated temperature had little effect on the overall rate of incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate into cellular proteins. However, one protein (Mr 31,000; pp31) displayed increased incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate and two other proteins (Mr 33,000 and 20,000; pp33 and pp20) displayed decreased incorporation. Sindbis virus infection failed to mimic or to modify these heat shock induced alterations in protein phosphorylation.

L929 cells infected with temperature sensitive mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus: virus replication is necessary for induction of changes in membrane permeability

Infection of L929 murine cells with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) results in inhibition of host protein synthesis and appearance of membrane alterations at a time when cells are still actively engaged in viral protein synthesis. VSV temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants have been used to explore the role(s) played by the virus-coded proteins in the genesis of these effects. Cells were infected with each of five ts mutants representing the known complementation groups of VSV Indiana serotype, and incubated at permissive (32 degrees C) and non-permissive temperatures (39 degrees C). Protein synthesis in the presence and absence of Hygromycin B (Hyg. B) was analyzed during virus infection via incorporation of 35S-methionine in acid-precipitable material and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Data indicate that mutants belonging to groups I (L protein), II (NS protein) and IV (N protein) do not inhibit host protein synthesis and do not induce any membrane changes when grown at the non-permissive temperature. Mutants of group III (M protein) and V (G protein), instead, do inhibit cell protein synthesis and induce membrane changes also when grown at the non-permissive temperature; this suggests that these effects do not correlate with the biological activity of these proteins and their interaction with the cellular membrane. On the other hand, mutants exhibiting defective steps of nucleocapsid replication are apparently unable to induce these effects once more suggesting that virus replication per se is essential, as also indirectly shown by experiments employing cycloheximide to mimic shut-off.