Resistance of the 64K protein of budded Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus to functional inactivation by proteolysis

The production of KIR-Fc fusion proteins and their use in a multiplex HLA class I binding assay

Soluble recombinant proteins that comprise the extracellular part of a surface expressed receptor attached to the Fc region of an IgG antibody have facilitated the determination of ligand specificity for an array of immune system receptors. Among such receptors is the family of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) that recognize HLA class I ligands. These receptors, expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, play important roles in both immune defense and placental development in early pregnancy. Here we describe a method for the production of two domain KIR-Fc fusion proteins using baculovirus infected insect cells. This method is more scalable than traditional mammalian cell expression systems and produces efficiently folded proteins that carry posttranslational modifications found in native KIR. We also describe a multiplex binding assay using the Luminex platform that determines the avidity and specificity of two domain KIR-Fc for a panel of microbeads, each coated with one of 97 HLA class I allotypes. This assay is simple to perform, and represents a major improvement over the assays used previously, which were limited in the number of KIR and HLA class I combinations that could be assayed at any one time. The results obtained from this assay can be used to predict the response of NK cell and T cells when their KIR recognize HLA class I.

Roles of LEF-4 and PTP/BVP RNA triphosphatases in processing of baculovirus late mRNAs

The baculovirus Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus encodes two proteins with RNA triphosphatase activity. Late expression factor LEF-4, which is an essential gene, is a component of the RNA polymerase and also encodes the RNA capping enzyme guanylyltransferase. PTP/BVP is also an RNA triphosphatase, but is not essential for viral replication, possibly because its activity is redundant to that of LEF-4. To elucidate the role of these proteins in mRNA cap formation, a mutant virus that lacked both RNA triphosphatase activities was constructed. Infection studies revealed that the double-mutant virus was viable and normal with respect to the production of budded virus. Pulse-labeling studies and immunoblot analyses showed that late gene expression in the double mutant was equivalent to that in the wild type, while polyhedrin expression was slightly reduced. Direct analysis of the mRNA cap structure indicated no alteration of cap processing in the double mutant. Together, these results reveal that baculoviruses replicate and express their late genes at normal levels in the absence of its two different types of RNA triphosphatases.

Host cell receptor binding by baculovirus GP64 and kinetics of virion entry

GP64 is the major envelope glycoprotein from budded virions of the baculoviruses Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and Orgyia pseudotsugata multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpMNPV). To examine the potential role of GP64 as a viral attachment protein in host cell receptor binding, we generated, overexpressed, and characterized a soluble form of the OpMNPV GP64 protein, GP64solOp. Assays for trimerization, sensitivity to proteinase K, and reduction by dithiothreitol suggested that GP64solOp was indistinguishable from the ectodomain of the wild-type OpMNPV GP64 protein. Virion binding to host cells was analyzed by incubating virions with cells at 4 degrees C in the presence or absence of competitors, using a single-cell infectivity assay to measure virion binding. Purified soluble GP64 (GP64solOp) competed with a recombinant AcMNPV marker virus for binding to host cells, similar to control competition with psoralen-inactivated wild-type AcMNPV and OpMNPV virions. A nonspecific competitor protein did not similarly inhibit virion binding. Thus specific competition by GP64solOp for virion binding suggests that the GP64 protein is a host cell receptor-binding protein. We also examined the kinetics of virion internalization into endosomes and virion release from endosomes by acid-triggered membrane fusion. Using a protease sensitivity assay to measure internalization of bound virions, we found that virions entered Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells between 10 and 20 min after binding, with a half-time of approximately 12.5 min. We used the lysosomotropic reagent ammonium chloride to examine the kinetics of membrane fusion and nucleocapsid release from endosomes after membrane fusion. Ammonium chloride inhibition assays indicated that AcMNPV nucleocapsids were released from endosomes between 15 and 30 min after binding, with a half-time of approximately 25 min.

Detection of active infection of Sf9 insect cells by recombinant baculoviruses

Production of different recombinant proteins in baculovirus AcMNPV (BV)-infected cells may be facilitated by the availability of immunoassays to monitor active infection of Sf9 insect cells. To this end, two hybridomas secreting mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were established to different BV-related products. The proteins recognized by mAb SM22 and SM62 were easily detectable by immunoblotting and immunostaining in Sf9 cells infected with recombinant BV (rBV), but not in non-infected cells. Their production paralleled that of the recombinant proteins analyzed but was independent of the type of recombinant protein expressed. Thus, immunoassays with these mAbs allow: (1) daily monitoring of the infection occurring in small and large scale cultures of Sf9 cells using a defined rBV; (2) preliminary assessment of active rBV infection in the absence of a specific reagent for the recombinant protein and (3) single-reagent comparison of the infection achieved in Sf9 cells exposed to rBVs expressing different recombinant proteins.

The GP64 envelope fusion protein is an essential baculovirus protein required for cell-to-cell transmission of infection

To demonstrate the essential nature of the baculovirus GP64 envelope fusion protein (GP64 EFP) and to further examine the role of this protein in infection, we inactivated the gp64 efp gene of Autographa californica multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) and examined the biological properties of this virus in vivo. To provide GP64 EFP during construction of the recombinant GP64 EFP-null AcMNPV baculovirus, we first generated a stably transfected insect cell line (SfpOP64-6) that constitutively expressed the GP64 EFP of Orgyia pseudotsugata multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (OpMNPV). The AcMNPV gp64 efp gene was inactivated by inserting the bacterial lacZ gene in frame after codon 131 of the gp64 efp gene. The inactivated gp64 gene was cloned into the AcMNPV viral genome by replacement of the wild-type gp64 efp locus. When propagated in the stably transfected insect cells (Sf9OP64-6 cells), budded virions produced by the recombinant AcMNPV GP64 EFP-null virus (vAc64z) contained OpMNPV GP64 EFP supplied by the Sf9OP64-6 cells. Virions propagated in Sf9OP64-6 cells were capable of infecting wild-type Sf9 cells, and cells infected by vAc64z exhibited a blue phenotype in the presence of X-Gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside). Using cytochemical staining to detect vAc64z infected cells, we demonstrated that this GP64 EFP-null virus is defective in cell-to-cell propagation in cell culture. Although defective in cell-to-cell propagation, vAc64z produces occlusion bodies and infectious occlusion-derived virions within the nucleus. Occlusion bodies collected from cells infected by vAc64z were infectious to midgut epithelial cells of Trichoplusia ni larvae. However, in contrast to infection by a control virus, infection by vAc64z did not proceed into the hemocoel. Analysis of vAc64z occlusion bodies in a standard neonate droplet feeding assay showed no virus-induced mortality, indicating that occluded virions produced from vAc64z could not initiate a productive (lethal) infection in neonate larvae. Thus, GP64 EFP is an essential virion structural protein that is required for propagation of the budded virus from cell to cell and for systemic infection of the host insect.

Control of baculovirus gp64-induced syncytium formation by membrane lipid composition

We have investigated the effects of membrane lipid composition on biological membrane fusion triggered by low pH and mediated by the baculovirus envelope glycoprotein gp64. Lysolipids, either added exogenously or produced in situ by phospholipase A2 treatment of cell membranes, reversibly inhibited syncytium formation. Lysolipids also decreased the baculovirus infection rate. In contrast, oleic and arachidonic acids and monoolein promoted cell-cell fusion. Membrane lipid composition affected pH-independent processes which followed the low-pH-induced change in fusion protein conformation. Inhibition and promotion of membrane fusion by a number of lipids could not be explained by mere binding or incorporation into membranes, but rather was correlated with the effective molecular shape of exogenous lipids. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that membrane fusion proceeds through highly bent membrane intermediates (stalks) having a net negative curvature. Consequently, inverted cone-shaped lysolipids inhibit and cone-shaped cis-unsaturated fatty acids promote stalk formation and, ultimately, membrane fusion.

Echinhibin-1--an inhibitor of Sendai virus isolated from the venom of the snake Echis coloratus

The snake venom of Echis coloratus was found to abolish the hemagglutinating activity, hemolytic activity and in vivo infectivity of Sendai virus. The active factor (Echinhibin-1) was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, followed by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose and CM-Sepharose. Echinhibin-1 is a protease with a molecular weight of about 25 kDa, an isoelectric point of 7 and is stained by PAS, indicating that it is a glycoprotein. It showed a strong azocollase activity that was stable up to 68 degrees C and at pH values of 4.5-10.5. Ten micrograms/ml were sufficient to abolish the hemolytic effect of the virus on human erythrocytes when incubation was at 37 degrees C for 2 h, while 20 micrograms/ml abolished the hemagglutinating activity. Addition of Echinhibin-1 after the adsorption of Sendai virions onto washed erythrocytes at 4 degrees C did not inhibit the subsequently hemolytic activity at 37 degrees C, indicating that Echinhibin-1 interferes with virus adsorption to the cells. Of various protease inhibitors, only Na2 EDTA and o-phenanthroline inhibited the antiviral activity of the purified factor, indicating that it is a metalloproteinase. In vivo, mice inoculated intranasally with the virus pretreated with Echinhibin-1 developed well and gained weight, whereas untreated virus-infected mice lost weight and died within 1 week. Intravenous administrations of the purified factor up to 80 micrograms/mouse produced no signs of toxicity and subcutaneous injections caused no hemorrhagic activity, while the whole venom is very hemorrhagic with an LD50 of 250 micrograms/kg for mice.

Fatty acid acylation of the 67K envelope glycoprotein of a baculovirus: Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Modification of Autographa californica multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus extracellular virion polypeptides with fatty acid was investigated. Fatty acid-derived radioactivity was incorporated into gp67, the predominant virion envelope glycoprotein, during metabolic labeling using [3H]palmitic acid or [3H]myristic acid. The acyl moiety resisted extraction with chloroform-methanol but was released by mild alkali or hydroxylamine treatment, features characteristic of an ester-type linkage. Palmitic acid was identified as the fatty acid liberated during acid hydrolysis of purified [3H]palmitic acid and [3H]myristic acid-labeled gp67. Acyl peptides were protected during proteinase K digestion of intact virions but they were larger (Mr 34.3K and 31.8K) than expected on the basis of membrane protection alone. Carbohydrate may have played a role in determining the protease resistance of the observed fragments. Potential acylation sites on gp67 within or adjacent to the C-terminal hydrophobic region are discussed with respect to the predicted amino acid sequence.