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Wang H, Shi Y, Song J, Qi J, Lu G, Yan J, Gao GF. Ebola Viral Glycoprotein Bound to Its Endosomal Receptor Niemann-Pick C1. Cell 2016; 164:258-268. [PMID: 26771495 PMCID: PMC7111281 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Filoviruses, including Ebola and Marburg, cause fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and primates. Understanding how these viruses enter host cells could help to develop effective therapeutics. An endosomal protein, Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1), has been identified as a necessary entry receptor for this process, and priming of the viral glycoprotein (GP) to a fusion-competent state is a prerequisite for NPC1 binding. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of the primed GP (GPcl) of Ebola virus bound to domain C of NPC1 (NPC1-C) at a resolution of 2.3 Å. NPC1-C utilizes two protruding loops to engage a hydrophobic cavity on head of GPcl. Upon enzymatic cleavage and NPC1-C binding, conformational change in the GPcl further affects the state of the internal fusion loop, triggering membrane fusion. Our data therefore provide structural insights into filovirus entry in the late endosome and the molecular basis for design of therapeutic inhibitors of viral entry. Structural basis of Ebola virus endosomal-receptor binding NPC1 domain C (NPC1-C) displays a helical core structure with two protruding loops NPC1-C binds to the primed Ebola virus GP (GPcl) protein with a low affinity NPC1-C utilizes two protruding loops to engage a hydrophobic cavity on head of GPcl
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Research Network of Immunity and Health (RNIH), Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518112, China
| | - Jian Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianxun Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guangwen Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; West China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jinghua Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518112, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiology and Engineering, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - George F Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Research Network of Immunity and Health (RNIH), Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518112, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China; National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China.
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Márquez-Escobar VA, Tirado-Mendoza R, Noyola DE, Gutiérrez-Ortega A, Alpuche-Solís ÁG. HRA2pl peptide: a fusion inhibitor for human metapneumovirus produced in tobacco plants by transient transformation. PLANTA 2015; 242:69-76. [PMID: 25828350 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-015-2277-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION The HRA2pl peptide expressed by transient transformation in N. tabacum plants is capable of inhibiting the binding of the human metapneumovirus to HEp-2 cells at the fusion stage. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an agent responsible for acute respiratory infections that mainly affects children under 3 years, the elderly and immunocompromised patients. In children younger than 5 years, respiratory tract infections account for 20 % of deaths worldwide. However, there is currently no treatment or vaccine available against hMPV. The production of a safe, efficient and low cost treatment against this virus is a current challenge. Plants provide a system for recombinant protein production that is cost effective and is easier to scale up to an industrial level than other platforms; in addition, the plant tissue may be used as raw food, dried or, alternatively, proteins may be partially or fully purified and administered in aerosol or capsules as dry powder. In this study, we designed a gene expressing an antiviral peptide against hMPV based on the heptad repeat A domain of the F protein of the virus. We produced the recombinant peptide by a viral transient expression system (Magnifection(®)) in Nicotiana tabacum plants. The efficacy of this antiviral peptide was confirmed by in vitro assays in HEp-2 cell line. This is a promising result that can offer a prophylactic approach against hMPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica A Márquez-Escobar
- División de Biología Molecular, IPICYT/Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A. C., Camino a la Presa de San José 2055, 78216, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
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Zhu JD, Meng W, Wang XJ, Wang HCR. Broad-spectrum antiviral agents. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:517. [PMID: 26052325 PMCID: PMC4440912 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of highly effective, broad-spectrum antiviral agents is the major objective shared by the fields of virology and pharmaceutics. Antiviral drug development has focused on targeting viral entry and replication, as well as modulating cellular defense system. High throughput screening of molecules, genetic engineering of peptides, and functional screening of agents have identified promising candidates for development of optimal broad-spectrum antiviral agents to intervene in viral infection and control viral epidemics. This review discusses current knowledge, prospective applications, opportunities, and challenges in the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Da Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University Beijing, China
| | - Wen Meng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University Beijing, China
| | - Hwa-Chain R Wang
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, USA
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Chi XJ, Wang XJ, Wang CY, Cui XJ, Wang XJ. In vitro and in vivo broad antiviral activity of peptides homologous to fusion glycoproteins of Newcastle disease virus and Marek's disease virus. J Virol Methods 2014; 199:11-6. [PMID: 24412629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2013.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) of paramyxovirus and Marek's disease virus (MDV) of herpesvirus, two of the most serious threats to the poultry industry, can give rise to complex co-infections that hinder diagnosis and prevention. In the current study, two different peptides, derived from the MDV gH (gHH2L) and gB (gBH3), respectively, exhibit antiviral activity against NDV in vitro. The potent inhibitory effect of heptad repeat 2 from fusion glycoprotein of the NDV on MDV infection also has been demonstrated. Plaque formation and embryo infectivity assays confirmed these antiviral results. Furthermore, each tandem peptide consisting of two motifs from different viruses exhibits more potent antiviral activity than the constituent peptides. The current work provides a new strategy for developing novel peptides and vaccines against virus infection and co-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jing Chi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Cheng-Yu Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiao-Jia Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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A cholesterol tag at the N terminus of the relatively broad-spectrum fusion inhibitory peptide targets an earlier stage of fusion glycoprotein activation and increases the peptide's antiviral potency in vivo. J Virol 2013; 87:9223-32. [PMID: 23804636 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01153-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In previous work, we designed peptides that showed potent inhibition of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infections in chicken embryos. In this study, we demonstrate that peptides modified with cholesterol or 3 U of polyethylene glycol (PEG3) conjugated to the peptides' N termini showed even more promising antiviral activities when tested in animal models. Both cholesterol- and cholesterol-PEG3-tagged peptides were able to protect chicken embryos from infection with different serotypes of NDV and IBV when administered 12 h prior to virus inoculation. In comparison, the untagged peptides required intervention closer to the time of viral inoculation to achieve a similar level of protection. Intramuscular injection of cholesterol-tagged peptide at 1.6 mg/kg 1 day before virus infection and then three times at 3-day intervals after viral inoculation protected 70% of the chickens from NDV infection. We further demonstrate that the cholesterol-tagged peptide has an in vivo half-life greater than that of untagged peptides. It also has the potential to cross the blood-brain barrier to enter the avian central nervous system (CNS). Finally, we show that the cholesterol-tagged peptide could play a role before the viral fusion peptide's insertion into the host cell and thereby target an earlier stage of fusion glycoprotein activation. Our findings are of importance for the further development of antivirals with broad-spectrum protective effects.
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Wang XJ, Li CG, Chi XJ, Wang M. Characterisation and evaluation of antiviral recombinant peptides based on the heptad repeat regions of NDV and IBV fusion glycoproteins. Virology 2011; 416:65-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2011] [Revised: 04/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Wang X, Chi X, Wang M. Structural characteristics and antiviral activity of multiple peptides derived from MDV glycoproteins B and H. Virol J 2011; 8:190. [PMID: 21518442 PMCID: PMC3113977 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-8-190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Accepted: 04/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Marek's disease virus (MDV), which is widely considered to be a natural model of virus-induced lymphoma, has the potential to cause tremendous losses in the poultry industry. To investigate the structural basis of MDV membrane fusion and to identify new viral targets for inhibition, we examined the domains of the MDV glycoproteins gH and gB. Results Four peptides derived from the MDV glycoprotein gH (gHH1, gHH2, gHH3, and gHH5) and one peptide derived from gB (gBH1) could efficiently inhibit plaque formation in primary chicken embryo fibroblast cells (CEFs) with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of below 12 μM. These peptides were also significantly able to reduce lesion formation on chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) of infected chicken embryos at a concentration of 0.5 mM in 60 μl of solution. The HR2 peptide from Newcastle disease virus (NDVHR2) exerted effects on MDV specifically at the stage of virus entry (i.e., in a cell pre-treatment assay and an embryo co-treatment assay), suggesting cross-inhibitory effects of NDV HR2 on MDV infection. None of the peptides exhibited cytotoxic effects at the concentrations tested. Structural characteristics of the five peptides were examined further. Conclusions The five MDV-derived peptides demonstrated potent antiviral activity, not only in plaque formation assays in vitro, but also in lesion formation assays in vivo. The present study examining the antiviral activity of these MDV peptides, which are useful as small-molecule antiviral inhibitors, provides information about the MDV entry mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No, 2, Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
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Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus F protein expression is hindered by inefficient nuclear export and mRNA processing. Virus Genes 2010; 40:212-21. [PMID: 20111897 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-010-0449-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2009] [Accepted: 01/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Studies of the fusion activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F protein are significantly hindered by low recombinant expression levels. While infection produces F protein levels detectable by western blot, recombinant expression produces undetectable to low levels of F protein. Identifying the obstacles that hinder recombinant F protein expression may lead to improved expression and facilitate the study of F protein function. We hypothesized that nuclear localization and/or inefficient RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription contribute to poor recombinant F protein expression. This study shows a combination of stalled nuclear export, premature polyadenylation, and low mRNA abundance all contribute to low recombinant F protein expression levels. In addition, this study provides an expression optimization strategy that results in greater F protein expression levels than observed by codon-optimization of the F protein gene, which will be useful for future studies of F protein function.
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Identification and evaluation of a highly effective fusion inhibitor for human metapneumovirus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007; 52:279-87. [PMID: 17967906 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00793-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) can cause acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections that are particularly severe in young children, elderly subjects, and immunocompromised patients. To date, no treatments or vaccines are available for hMPV infections. Our objective was to assess the inhibitory potential of several peptides derived from the heptad repeat A and B (HRA and HRB) domains of the hMPV fusion protein. Nine candidate peptides were expressed in Escherichia coli or obtained synthetically and tested in vitro and in an animal model. Excellent in vitro inhibition of an hMPV strain of the A1 subgroup was obtained with five peptides, with 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging from 1.4 nM to 3.3 microM. One peptide, HRA2, displayed very potent activity against all four hMPV subgroups. It was also moderately active against human respiratory syncytial virus (strain A2) but displayed no activity against human parainfluenza virus type 3. BALB/c mice that received the HRA2 peptide and a lethal hMPV intranasal challenge simultaneously were completely protected from clinical symptoms and mortality. On day 5 postinfection, HRA2-treated mice had undetectable lung viral loads which were significantly less than those of untreated mice (3 x 10(4) 50% tissue culture infective doses/lung). Pulmonary inflammation, levels of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines (RANTES, gamma interferon, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) and airway obstruction were also significantly decreased in HRA2-treated mice. The results of this study demonstrate that potent antivirals can be derived from the hMPV fusion protein HR domains. Moreover, hMPV, compared to other paramyxoviruses and to the human immunodeficiency virus, seems to be more susceptible to HRA- than HRB-derived peptides.
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Estevez C, King D, Seal B, Yu Q. Evaluation of Newcastle disease virus chimeras expressing the Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase protein of velogenic strains in the context of a mesogenic recombinant virus backbone. Virus Res 2007; 129:182-90. [PMID: 17719672 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2007.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2007] [Revised: 07/12/2007] [Accepted: 07/14/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A major factor in the pathogenicity of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is the amino acid sequence of the fusion protein cleavage site, but the role of other viral genes that contribute to virulence and different clinical forms of the disease remain undefined. To assess the role of other NDV genes in virus pathogenicity, a reverse genetics system was developed using the mesogenic NDV Anhinga strain to provide a backbone for generating gene mutations or gene exchanges in attempts to enhance or attenuate the virulence of that virus. Chimeras created by exchange of the Anhinga Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) gene with HN genes of neurotropic and viscerotropic velogenic viruses produced no significant change in virus pathogenicity as assessed by conducting the mean death time and intracerebral pathogenicity index assays and by inoculation of susceptible day-old SPF chickens. Inclusion in the recombinant construct of homotypic F genes, obtained from the parental viruses, also failed to enhance the pathotype of the recombinant viruses to a velogenic pathotype. A HN gene exchange alone within the context of the NDV Anhinga backbone failed to increase virus virulence from mesogenic to velogenic pathotype and suggests a multigenic role for NDV pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Estevez
- Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 934 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605, USA
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Miller SA, Tollefson S, Crowe JE, Williams JV, Wright DW. Examination of a fusogenic hexameric core from human metapneumovirus and identification of a potent synthetic peptide inhibitor from the heptad repeat 1 region. J Virol 2006; 81:141-9. [PMID: 17035305 PMCID: PMC1797239 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01243-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Paramyxoviruses are a leading cause of childhood illness worldwide. A recently discovered paramyxovirus, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), has been studied by our group in order to determine the structural relevance of its fusion (F) protein to other well-characterized viruses utilizing type I integral membrane proteins as fusion aids. Sequence analysis and homology models suggested the presence of requisite heptad repeat (HR) regions. Synthetic peptides from HR regions 1 and 2 (HR-1 and -2, respectively) were induced to form a thermostable (melting temperature, approximately 90 degrees C) helical structure consistent in mass with a hexameric coiled coil. Inhibitory studies of hMPV HR-1 and -2 indicated that the synthetic HR-1 peptide was a significant fusion inhibitor with a 50% inhibitory concentration and a 50% effective concentration of approximately 50 nM. Many viral fusion proteins are type I integral membrane proteins utilizing the formation of a hexameric coiled coil of HR peptides as a major driving force for fusion. Our studies provide evidence that hMPV also uses a coiled-coil structure as a major player in the fusion process. Additionally, viral HR-1 peptide sequences may need further investigation as potent fusion inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Miller
- Vanderbilt University, Department of Chemistry, Station B 351822, Nashville, TN 37235-1822, USA
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