Membrane association and localization dynamics of the Ebola virus matrix protein VP40

Minor electrostatic changes robustly increase VP40 membrane binding, assembly, and budding of Ebola virus matrix protein derived virus-like particles

Ebola virus (EBOV) is a filamentous negative-sense RNA virus, which causes severe hemorrhagic fever. There are limited vaccines or therapeutics for prevention and treatment of EBOV, so it is important to get a detailed understanding of the virus lifecycle to illuminate new drug targets. EBOV encodes for the matrix protein, VP40, which regulates assembly and budding of new virions from the inner leaflet of the host cell plasma membrane (PM). In this work, we determine the effects of VP40 mutations altering electrostatics on PM interactions and subsequent budding. VP40 mutations that modify surface electrostatics affect viral assembly and budding by altering VP40 membrane-binding capabilities. Mutations that increase VP40 net positive charge by one (e.g., Gly to Arg or Asp to Ala) increase VP40 affinity for phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the host cell PM. This increased affinity enhances PM association and budding efficiency leading to more effective formation of virus-like particles. In contrast, mutations that decrease net positive charge by one (e.g., Gly to Asp) lead to a decrease in assembly and budding because of decreased interactions with the anionic PM. Taken together, our results highlight the sensitivity of slight electrostatic changes on the VP40 surface for assembly and budding. Understanding the effects of single amino acid substitutions on viral budding and assembly will be useful for explaining changes in the infectivity and virulence of different EBOV strains, VP40 variants that occur in nature, and for long-term drug discovery endeavors aimed at EBOV assembly and budding.

Role of phosphatidic acid lipids on plasma membrane association of the Ebola virus matrix protein VP40

The Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 is responsible for the formation of the viral matrix by localizing at the inner leaflet of the human plasma membrane (PM). Various lipid types, including PI(4,5)P2 (i.e. PIP2) and phosphatidylserine (PS), play active roles in this process. Specifically, the negatively charged headgroups of both PIP2 and PS interact with the basic residues of VP40 and stabilize it at the membrane surface, allowing for eventual egress. Phosphatidic acid (PA), resulting from the enzyme phospholipase D (PLD), is also known to play an active role in viral development. In this work, we performed a biophysical and computational analysis to investigate the effects of the presence of PA on the membrane localization and association of VP40. We used coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to quantify VP40 hexamer interactions with the inner leaflet of the PM. Analysis of the local distribution of lipids shows enhanced lipid clustering when PA is abundant in the membrane. We observed that PA lipids have a similar role to that of PS lipids in VP40 association due to the geometry and charge. Complementary experiments performed in cell culture demonstrate competition between VP40 and a canonical PA-binding protein for the PM. Also, inhibition of PA synthesis reduced the detectable budding of virus-like particles. These computational and experimental results provide new insights into the early stages of Ebola virus budding and the role that PA lipids have on the VP40-PM association.

PI(4,5)P2 binding sites in the Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 modulate assembly and budding

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and is lethal in a large percentage of those infected. The EBOV matrix protein viral protein 40 kDa (VP40) is a peripheral binding protein that forms a shell beneath the lipid bilayer in virions and virus-like particles (VLPs). VP40 is required for virus assembly and budding from the host cell plasma membrane. VP40 is a dimer that can rearrange into oligomers at the plasma membrane interface, but it is unclear how these structures form and how they are stabilized. We therefore investigated the ability of VP40 to form stable oligomers using in vitro and cellular assays. We characterized two lysine-rich regions in the VP40 C-terminal domain (CTD) that bind phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) and play distinct roles in lipid binding and the assembly of the EBOV matrix layer. The extensive analysis of VP40 with and without lipids by hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry revealed that VP40 oligomers become extremely stable when VP40 binds PI(4,5)P2. The PI(4,5)P2-induced stability of VP40 dimers and oligomers is a critical factor in VP40 oligomerization and release of VLPs from the plasma membrane. The two lysine-rich regions of the VP40 CTD have different roles with respect to interactions with plasma membrane phosphatidylserine (PS) and PI(4,5)P2. CTD region 1 (Lys221, Lys224, and Lys225) interacts with PI(4,5)P2 more favorably than PS and is important for VP40 extent of oligomerization. In contrast, region 2 (Lys270, Lys274, Lys275, and Lys279) mediates VP40 oligomer stability via lipid interactions and has a more prominent role in release of VLPs.

Minor changes in electrostatics robustly increase VP40 membrane binding, assembly, and budding of Ebola virus matrix protein derived virus-like particles

Ebola virus (EBOV) is a filamentous negative-sense RNA virus which causes severe hemorrhagic fever. There are limited vaccines or therapeutics for prevention and treatment of EBOV, so it is important to get a detailed understanding of the virus lifecycle to illuminate new drug targets. EBOV encodes for the matrix protein, VP40, which regulates assembly and budding of new virions from the inner leaflet of the host cell plasma membrane (PM). In this work we determine the effects of VP40 mutations altering electrostatics on PM interactions and subsequent budding. VP40 mutations that modify surface electrostatics affect viral assembly and budding by altering VP40 membrane binding capabilities. Mutations that increase VP40 net positive charge by one (e.g., Gly to Arg or Asp to Ala) increase VP40 affinity for phosphatidylserine (PS) and PI(4,5)P2 in the host cell PM. This increased affinity enhances PM association and budding efficiency leading to more effective formation of virus-like particles (VLPs). In contrast, mutations that decrease net positive charge by one (e.g., Gly to Asp) lead to a decrease in assembly and budding because of decreased interactions with the anionic PM. Taken together our results highlight the sensitivity of slight electrostatic changes on the VP40 surface for assembly and budding. Understanding the effects of single amino acid substitutions on viral budding and assembly will be useful for explaining changes in the infectivity and virulence of different EBOV strains, VP40 variants that occur in nature, and for long-term drug discovery endeavors aimed at EBOV assembly and budding.

The Ebola virus VP40 matrix layer undergoes endosomal disassembly essential for membrane fusion

Ebola viruses (EBOVs) assemble into filamentous virions, whose shape and stability are determined by the matrix viral protein 40 (VP40). Virus entry into host cells occurs via membrane fusion in late endosomes; however, the mechanism of how the remarkably long virions undergo uncoating, including virion disassembly and nucleocapsid release into the cytosol, remains unknown. Here, we investigate the structural architecture of EBOVs entering host cells and discover that the VP40 matrix disassembles prior to membrane fusion. We reveal that VP40 disassembly is caused by the weakening of VP40-lipid interactions driven by low endosomal pH that equilibrates passively across the viral envelope without a dedicated ion channel. We further show that viral membrane fusion depends on VP40 matrix integrity, and its disassembly reduces the energy barrier for fusion stalk formation. Thus, pH-driven structural remodeling of the VP40 matrix acts as a molecular switch coupling viral matrix uncoating to membrane fusion during EBOV entry.

Immunoinformatic screening of Marburgvirus epitopes and computational investigations of epitope-allele complexes

Marburgvirus (MARV), a member of the Filovirus family, causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or post exposure treatment methods available against MARV. With the aim of identifying vaccine candidates against MARV, we employ different sequence-based computational methods to predict the MHC-I and MHC-II T-cell epitopes as well as B-cell epitopes for the complete MARV genome. We analyzed the variations in the predicted epitopes among four MARV variants, the Lake Victoria, Angola, Musoke, and Ravn. We used a consensus approach to identify several epitopes, including novel epitopes, and narrowed down the selection based on different parameters such as antigenicity and IC₅₀ values. The selected epitopes can be used in various vaccine constructs that give effective antibody responses. The MHC-I epitope-allele complexes for GP and NP with favorably low IC₅₀ values were investigated using molecular dynamics computations to determine the molecular details of the epitope-allele complexes. This study provides information for further experimental validation of the potential epitopes and the design and development of MARV vaccines.

Measles and Nipah virus assembly: Specific lipid binding drives matrix polymerization

Measles virus, Nipah virus, and multiple other paramyxoviruses cause disease outbreaks in humans and animals worldwide. The paramyxovirus matrix (M) protein mediates virion assembly and budding from host cell membranes. M is thus a key target for antivirals, but few high-resolution structures of paramyxovirus M are available, and we lack the clear understanding of how viral M proteins interact with membrane lipids to mediate viral assembly and egress that is needed to guide antiviral design. Here, we reveal that M proteins associate with phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] at the plasma membrane. Using x-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and molecular dynamics, we demonstrate that PI(4,5)P2 binding induces conformational and electrostatic changes in the M protein surface that trigger membrane deformation, matrix layer polymerization, and virion assembly.

Mechanisms of phosphatidylserine influence on viral production: A computational model of Ebola virus matrix protein assembly

Ebola virus (EBOV) infections continue to pose a global public health threat, with high mortality rates and sporadic outbreaks in Central and Western Africa. A quantitative understanding of the key processes driving EBOV assembly and budding could provide valuable insights to inform drug development. Here, we use a computational model to evaluate EBOV matrix assembly. Our model focuses on the assembly kinetics of VP40, the matrix protein in EBOV, and its interaction with phosphatidylserine (PS) in the host cell membrane. It has been shown that mammalian cells transfected with VP40-expressing plasmids are capable of producing virus-like particles (VLPs) that closely resemble EBOV virions. Previous studies have also shown that PS levels in the host cell membrane affects VP40 association with the plasma membrane inner leaflet and that lower membrane PS levels result in lower VLP production. Our computational findings indicate that PS may also have a direct influence on VP40 VLP assembly and budding, where a higher PS level will result in a higher VLP budding rate and filament dissociation rate. Our results further suggest that the assembly of VP40 filaments follow the nucleation-elongation theory, where initialization and oligomerization of VP40 are two distinct steps in the assembly process. Our findings advance the current understanding of VP40 VLP formation by identifying new possible mechanisms of PS influence on VP40 assembly. We propose that these mechanisms could inform treatment strategies targeting PS alone or in combination with other VP40 assembly steps.

Specific interactions of peripheral membrane proteins with lipids: what can molecular simulations show us?

Peripheral membrane proteins (PMPs) can reversibly and specifically bind to biological membranes to carry out functions such as cell signalling, enzymatic activity, or membrane remodelling. Structures of these proteins and of their lipid-binding domains are typically solved in a soluble form, sometimes with a lipid or lipid headgroup at the binding site. To provide a detailed molecular view of PMP interactions with the membrane, computational methods such as molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can be applied. Here, we outline recent attempts to characterise these binding interactions, focusing on both intracellular proteins, such as phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP)-binding domains, and extracellular proteins such as glycolipid-binding bacterial exotoxins. We compare methods used to identify and analyse lipid-binding sites from simulation data and highlight recent work characterising the energetics of these interactions using free energy calculations. We describe how improvements in methodologies and computing power will help MD simulations to continue to contribute to this field in the future.

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) reduces zebrafish mortality from influenza infection: Super-resolution microscopy reveals CPC interference with multiple protein interactions with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in immune function

The COVID-19 pandemic raises significance for a potential influenza therapeutic compound, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), which has been extensively used in personal care products as a positively-charged quaternary ammonium antibacterial agent. CPC is currently in clinical trials to assess its effects on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) morbidity. Two published studies have provided mouse and human data indicating that CPC may alleviate influenza infection, and here we show that CPC (0.1 μM, 1 h) reduces zebrafish mortality and viral load following influenza infection. However, CPC mechanisms of action upon viral-host cell interaction are currently unknown. We have utilized super-resolution fluorescence photoactivation localization microscopy to probe the mode of CPC action. Reduction in density of influenza viral protein hemagglutinin (HA) clusters is known to reduce influenza infectivity: here, we show that CPC (at non-cytotoxic doses, 5-10 μM) reduces HA density and number of HA molecules per cluster within the plasma membrane of NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblasts. HA is known to colocalize with the negatively-charged mammalian lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2); here, we show that nanoscale co-localization of HA with the PIP2-binding Pleckstrin homology (PH) reporter in the plasma membrane is diminished by CPC. CPC also dramatically displaces the PIP2-binding protein myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) from the plasma membrane of rat RBL-2H3 mast cells; this disruption of PIP2 is correlated with inhibition of mast cell degranulation. Together, these findings offer a PIP2-focused mechanism underlying CPC disruption of influenza and suggest potential pharmacological use of this drug as an influenza therapeutic to reduce global deaths from viral disease.

Protein Folding Interdiction Strategy for Therapeutic Drug Development in Viral Diseases: Ebola VP40 and Influenza A M1

In a recent paper, we proposed the folding interdiction target region (FITR) strategy for therapeutic drug design in SARS-CoV-2. This paper expands the application of the FITR strategy by proposing therapeutic drug design approaches against Ebola virus disease and influenza A. We predict target regions for folding interdicting drugs on correspondingly relevant structural proteins of both pathogenic viruses: VP40 of Ebola, and matrix protein M1 of influenza A. Identification of the protein targets employs the sequential collapse model (SCM) for protein folding. It is explained that the model predicts natural peptide candidates in each case from which to start the search for therapeutic drugs. The paper also discusses how these predictions could be tested, as well as some challenges likely to be found when designing effective therapeutic drugs from the proposed peptide candidates. The FITR strategy opens a potential new avenue for the design of therapeutic drugs that promises to be effective against infectious diseases.

Ebola virus protein VP40 binding to Sec24c for transport to the plasma membrane

Outbreaks of the Ebola virus (EBOV) continue to occur and while a vaccine and treatment are now available, there remains a dearth of options for those who become sick with EBOV disease. An understanding at the atomic and molecular level of the various steps in the EBOV replication cycle can provide molecular targets for disrupting the virus. An important step in the EBOV replication cycle is the transport of EBOV structural matrix VP40 protein molecules to the plasma membrane inner leaflet, which involves VP40 binding to the host cell's Sec24c protein. Though some VP40 residues involved in the binding are known, the molecular details of VP40-Sec24c binding are not known. We use various molecular computational techniques to investigate the molecular details of how EBOV VP40 binds with the Sec24c complex of the ESCRT-I pathway. We employed different docking programs to identify the VP40-binding site on Sec24c and then performed molecular dynamics simulations to determine the atomic details and binding interactions of the complex. We also investigated how the inter-protein interactions of the complex are affected upon mutations of VP40 amino acids in the Sec24c-binding region. Our results provide a molecular basis for understanding previous coimmunoprecipitation experimental studies. In addition, we found that VP40 can bind to a site on Sec24c that can also bind Sec23 and suggests that VP40 may use the COPII transport mechanism in a manner that may not need the Sec23 protein in order for VP40 to be transported to the plasma membrane.

Lipid-protein interactions in virus assembly and budding from the host cell plasma membrane

Lipid enveloped viruses contain a lipid bilayer coat that protects their genome to help facilitate entry into the new host cell. This lipid bilayer comes from the host cell which they infect. After viral replication, the mature virion hijacks the host cell plasma membrane where it is then released to infect new cells. This process is facilitated by the interaction between phospholipids that make up the plasma membrane and specialized viral matrix proteins. This step in the viral lifecycle may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for small molecules that aim to block enveloped virus spread. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of plasma membrane lipid-protein interactions on viral assembly and budding.

Clustered Lysine Residues of the Canine Distemper Virus Matrix Protein Regulate Membrane Association and Budding Activity

The canine distemper virus (CDV) matrix (M) protein is multifunctional; it orchestrates viral assembly and budding, drives the formation of virus-like particles (VLPs), regulates viral RNA synthesis, and may support additional functions. CDV M may assemble into dimers, where each protomer is constituted by N-terminal and C-terminal domains (NTD and CTD, respectively). Here, to investigate whether electrostatic interactions between CDV M and the plasma membrane (PM) may contribute to budding activity, selected surface-exposed positively charged lysine residues, which are located within a large basic patch of CTD, were replaced by amino acids with selected properties. We found that some M mutants harboring amino acids with neutral and positive charge (methionine and arginine, respectively) maintained full functionality, including proper interaction and localization with the PM as well as intact VLP and progeny virus production as demonstrated by employing a cell exit-complementation system. Conversely, while the overall structural integrity remained mostly unaltered, most of the nonconservative M variants (carrying a glutamic acid; negatively charged) exhibited a cytosolic phenotype secondary to the lack of interaction with the PM. Consequently, such M variants were entirely defective in VLP production and viral particle formation. Furthermore, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib significantly reduced wild-type M-mediated VLP production. Nevertheless, in the absence of the compound, all engineered M lysine variants exhibited unaffected ubiquitination profiles, consistent with other residues likely involved in this functionally essential posttranslational modification. Altogether, our data identified multiple surface-exposed lysine residues located within a basic patch of CDV M-CTD, critically contributing to PM association and ensuing membrane budding activity.IMPORTANCE Although vaccines against some morbilliviruses exist, infections still occur, which can result in dramatic brain disease or fatal outcome. Postexposure prophylaxis with antivirals would support global vaccination campaigns. Unfortunately, there is no efficient antiviral drug currently approved. The matrix (M) protein of morbilliviruses coordinates viral assembly and egress through interaction with multiple cellular and viral components. However, molecular mechanisms supporting these functions remain poorly understood, which preclude the rationale design of inhibitors. Here, to investigate potential interactions between canine distemper virus (CDV) M and the plasma membrane (PM), we combined structure-guided mutagenesis of selected surface-exposed lysine residues with biochemical, cellular, and virological assays. We identified several lysines clustering in a basic patch microdomain of the CDV M C-terminal domain, which contributed to PM association and budding activity. Our findings provide novel mechanistic information of how morbilliviruses assemble and egress from infected cells, thereby delivering bases for future antiviral drug development.

A Conserved Tryptophan in the Ebola Virus Matrix Protein C-Terminal Domain Is Required for Efficient Virus-Like Particle Formation

The Ebola virus (EBOV) harbors seven genes, one of which is the matrix protein eVP40, a peripheral protein that is sufficient to induce the formation of virus-like particles from the host cell plasma membrane. eVP40 can form different structures to fulfil different functions during the viral life cycle, although the structural dynamics of eVP40 that warrant dimer, hexamer, and octamer formation are still poorly understood. eVP40 has two conserved Trp residues at positions 95 and 191. The role of Trp⁹⁵ has been characterized in depth as it serves as an important residue in eVP40 oligomer formation. To gain insight into the functional role of Trp¹⁹¹ in eVP40, we prepared mutations of Trp¹⁹¹ (W191A or W191F) to determine the effects of mutation on eVP40 plasma membrane localization and budding as well as eVP40 oligomerization. These in vitro and cellular experiments were complemented by molecular dynamics simulations of the wild-type (WT) eVP40 structure versus that of W191A. Taken together, Trp is shown to be a critical amino acid at position 191 as mutation to Ala reduces the ability of VP40 to localize to the plasma membrane inner leaflet and form new virus-like particles. Further, mutation of Trp¹⁹¹ to Ala or Phe shifted the in vitro equilibrium to the octamer form by destabilizing Trp¹⁹¹ interactions with nearby residues. This study has shed new light on the importance of interdomain interactions in stability of the eVP40 structure and the critical nature of timing of eVP40 oligomerization for plasma membrane localization and viral budding.

Emerging Diversity in Lipid-Protein Interactions

Membrane lipids interact with proteins in a variety of ways, ranging from providing a stable membrane environment for proteins to being embedded in to detailed roles in complicated and well-regulated protein functions. Experimental and computational advances are converging in a rapidly expanding research area of lipid-protein interactions. Experimentally, the database of high-resolution membrane protein structures is growing, as are capabilities to identify the complex lipid composition of different membranes, to probe the challenging time and length scales of lipid-protein interactions, and to link lipid-protein interactions to protein function in a variety of proteins. Computationally, more accurate membrane models and more powerful computers now enable a detailed look at lipid-protein interactions and increasing overlap with experimental observations for validation and joint interpretation of simulation and experiment. Here we review papers that use computational approaches to study detailed lipid-protein interactions, together with brief experimental and physiological contexts, aiming at comprehensive coverage of simulation papers in the last five years. Overall, a complex picture of lipid-protein interactions emerges, through a range of mechanisms including modulation of the physical properties of the lipid environment, detailed chemical interactions between lipids and proteins, and key functional roles of very specific lipids binding to well-defined binding sites on proteins. Computationally, despite important limitations, molecular dynamics simulations with current computer power and theoretical models are now in an excellent position to answer detailed questions about lipid-protein interactions.

Characterization of Lipid-Protein Interactions and Lipid-Mediated Modulation of Membrane Protein Function through Molecular Simulation

The cellular membrane constitutes one of the most fundamental compartments of a living cell, where key processes such as selective transport of material and exchange of information between the cell and its environment are mediated by proteins that are closely associated with the membrane. The heterogeneity of lipid composition of biological membranes and the effect of lipid molecules on the structure, dynamics, and function of membrane proteins are now widely recognized. Characterization of these functionally important lipid-protein interactions with experimental techniques is however still prohibitively challenging. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations offer a powerful complementary approach with sufficient temporal and spatial resolutions to gain atomic-level structural information and energetics on lipid-protein interactions. In this review, we aim to provide a broad survey of MD simulations focusing on exploring lipid-protein interactions and characterizing lipid-modulated protein structure and dynamics that have been successful in providing novel insight into the mechanism of membrane protein function.

Molecular modelling studies on adamantane-based Ebola virus GP-1 inhibitors using docking, pharmacophore and 3D-QSAR

The pathogenic Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a potential health risk and global spread. To date, few drugs are available for the treatment of Ebola virus disease (EVD) that allow researchers to use computational methods for designing potential drugs. The developed PHASE-based common six-point pharmacophore hypothesis (AADHPR_1) showed the necessity of two hydrogen bond acceptor features, one hydrogen bond donor feature, one hydrophobic group feature, one positively ionizable and one aromatic ring feature for further designing. We developed best 3D-QSAR models with high regression coefficients for the training (r²>0.82) and test (Q²>0.5) sets for both atoms-based and field-based 3D-QSAR models. The molecule 1A-4 (docking score = -4.711 kcal/mol) was obtained as best docked (SP mode) on Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein (PDB ID-3CSY) as compared with the standards oseltamivir (docking score = -4.39 kcal/mol) and zanamivir (docking score = -3.392 kcal/mol). The obtained ZINC hit ZINC58935541 showed a good docking score of -4.892 kcal/mol. The ZINC58935541 molecule also showed a strong binding affinity towards the receptor cavity of Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein when simulated for 1.2 ns. The good QikProp parameters reflect the fact that this molecule, upon optimization into a lead, might become a good candidate for the treatment of EVD.

Membrane pore formation and ion selectivity of the Ebola virus delta peptide

The Ebola virus delta peptide homo-oligomerizes in the host cell membrane to form amphipathic pores that alter the membrane properties.

Chaperones, Membrane Trafficking and Signal Transduction Proteins Regulate Zaire Ebola Virus trVLPs and Interact With trVLP Elements

Ebolavirus (EBOV) life cycle involves interactions with numerous host factors, but it remains poorly understood, as does pathogenesis. Herein, we synthesized 65 siRNAs targeting host genes mostly connected with aspects of the negative-sense RNA virus life cycle (including viral entry, uncoating, fusion, replication, assembly, and budding). We produced EBOV transcription- and replication-competent virus-like particles (trVLPs) to mimic the EBOV life cycle. After screening host factors associated with the trVLP life cycle, we assessed interactions of host proteins with trVLP glycoprotein (GP), VP40, and RNA by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). The results demonstrate that RNAi silencing with 11 siRNAs (ANXA5, ARFGAP1, FLT4, GRP78, HSPA1A, HSP90AB1, HSPA8, MAPK11, MEK2, NTRK1, and YWHAZ) decreased the replication efficiency of trVLPs. Co-IP revealed nine candidate host proteins (FLT4, GRP78, HSPA1A, HSP90AB1, HSPA8, MAPK11, MEK2, NTRK1, and YWHAZ) potentially interacting with trVLP GP, and four (ANXA5, GRP78, HSPA1A, and HSP90AB1) potentially interacting with trVLP VP40. Ch-IP identified nine candidate host proteins (ANXA5, ARFGAP1, FLT4, GRP78, HSPA1A, HSP90AB1, MAPK11, MEK2, and NTRK1) interacting with trVLP RNA. This study was based on trVLP and could not replace live ebolavirus entirely; in particular, the interaction between trVLP RNA and host proteins cannot be assumed to be identical in live virus. However, the results provide valuable information for further studies and deepen our understanding of essential host factors involved in the EBOV life cycle.

Interaction of monomeric Ebola VP40 protein with a plasma membrane: A coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulation study

Ebola virus is a lipid-enveloped filamentous virus that affects human and non-human primates and consists of several types of protein: nucleoprotein, VP30, VP35, L protein, VP40, VP24, and transmembrane glycoprotein. Among the Ebola virus proteins, its matrix protein VP40 is abundantly expressed during infection and plays a number of critical roles in oligomerization, budding and egress from the host cell. VP40 exists predominantly as a monomer at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, and has been suggested to interact with negatively charged lipids such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) and phosphatidylserine (PS) via its cationic patch. The hydrophobic loop at the C-terminal domain has also been shown to be important in the interaction between the VP40 and the membrane. However, details of the molecular mechanisms underpinning their interactions are not fully understood. This study aimed at investigating the effects of mutation in the cationic patch and hydrophobic loop on the interaction between the VP40 monomer and the plasma membrane using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation (CGMD). Our simulations revealed that the interaction between VP40 and the plasma membrane is mediated by the cationic patch residues. This led to the clustering of PIP₂ around the protein in the inner leaflet as a result of interactions between some cationic residues including R52, K127, K221, K224, K225, K256, K270, K274, K275 and K279 and PIP₂ lipids via electrostatic interactions. Mutation of the cationic patch or hydrophobic loop amino acids caused the protein to bind at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in a different orientation, where no significant clustering of PIP₂ was observed around the mutated protein. This study provides basic understanding of the interaction of the VP40 monomer and its mutants with the plasma membrane.

A cationic, C-terminal patch and structural rearrangements in Ebola virus matrix VP40 protein control its interactions with phosphatidylserine

Ebola virus (EBOV) is a filamentous lipid-enveloped virus that causes hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate. Viral protein 40 (VP40) is the major EBOV matrix protein and regulates viral budding from the plasma membrane. VP40 is a transformer/morpheein that can structurally rearrange its native homodimer into either a hexameric filament that facilitates viral budding or an RNA-binding octameric ring that regulates viral transcription. VP40 associates with plasma-membrane lipids such as phosphatidylserine (PS), and this association is critical to budding from the host cell. However, it is poorly understood how different VP40 structures interact with PS, what essential residues are involved in this association, and whether VP40 has true selectivity for PS among different glycerophospholipid headgroups. In this study, we used lipid-binding assays, MD simulations, and cellular imaging to investigate the molecular basis of VP40-PS interactions and to determine whether different VP40 structures (i.e. monomer, dimer, and octamer) can interact with PS-containing membranes. Results from quantitative analysis indicated that VP40 associates with PS vesicles via a cationic patch in the C-terminal domain (Lys^{224, 225} and Lys^{274, 275}). Substitutions of these residues with alanine reduced PS-vesicle binding by >40-fold and abrogated VP40 localization to the plasma membrane. Dimeric VP40 had 2-fold greater affinity for PS-containing membranes than the monomer, whereas binding of the VP40 octameric ring was reduced by nearly 10-fold. Taken together, these results suggest the different VP40 structures known to form in the viral life cycle harbor different affinities for PS-containing membranes.