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Musa AO, Faber SR, Forrest K, Smith KP, Sengupta S, López CB. Identification of distinct genotypes in circulating RSV A strains based on variants in the virus replication-associated genes. J Virol 2024; 98:e0099024. [PMID: 39007617 PMCID: PMC11334426 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00990-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory infection that often leads to hospitalization of infected younger children and older adults. RSV is classified into two strains, A and B, each with several subgroups or genotypes. One issue with the definition of these subgroups is the lack of a unified method of identification or genotyping. We propose that genotyping strategies based on the genes coding for replication-associated proteins could provide critical information on the replication capacity of the distinct subgroups, while clearly distinguishing genotypes. Here, we analyzed the virus replication-associated genes N, P, M2, and L from de novo assembled RSV A sequences obtained from 31 newly sequenced samples from hospitalized patients in Philadelphia and 78 additional publicly available sequences from different geographic locations within the United States. In-depth analysis and annotation of variants in the replication-associated proteins identified the polymerase protein L as a robust target for genotyping RSV subgroups. Importantly, our analysis revealed non-synonymous variations in L that were consistently accompanied by conserved changes in its co-factor P or the M2-2 protein, suggesting associations and interactions between specific domains of these proteins. Similar associations were seen among sequences of the related human metapneumovirus. These results highlight L as an alternative to other RSV genotyping targets and demonstrate the value of in-depth analyses and annotations of RSV sequences as it can serve as a foundation for subsequent in vitro and clinical studies on the efficiency of the polymerase and fitness of different virus isolates.IMPORTANCEGiven the historical heterogeneity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the disease it causes, there is a need to understand the properties of the circulating RSV strains each season. This information would benefit from an informative and consensus method of genotyping the virus. Here, we carried out a variant analysis that shows a pattern of specific variations among the replication-associated genes of RSV A across different seasons. Interestingly, these variation patterns, which were also seen in human metapneumovirus sequences, point to previously defined interactions of domains within these genes, suggesting co-variation in the replication-associated genes. Our results also suggest a genotyping strategy that can prove to be particularly important in understanding the genotype-phenotype correlation in the era of RSV vaccination, where selective pressure on the virus to evolve is anticipated. More importantly, the categorization of pneumoviruses based on these patterns may be of prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulafiz O. Musa
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sydney R. Faber
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Forrest
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kenneth P. Smith
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Infectious Disease Diagnostics Laboratory, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shaon Sengupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carolina B. López
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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2
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Kleiner VA, Fearns R. How does the polymerase of non-segmented negative strand RNA viruses commit to transcription or genome replication? J Virol 2024; 98:e0033224. [PMID: 39078194 PMCID: PMC11334523 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00332-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The Mononegavirales, or non-segmented negative-sense RNA viruses (nsNSVs), includes significant human pathogens, such as respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, measles virus, Ebola virus, and rabies virus. Although these viruses differ widely in their pathogenic properties, they are united by each having a genome consisting of a single strand of negative-sense RNA. Consistent with their shared genome structure, the nsNSVs have evolved similar ways to transcribe their genome into mRNAs and replicate it to produce new genomes. Importantly, both mRNA transcription and genome replication are performed by a single virus-encoded polymerase. A fundamental and intriguing question is: how does the nsNSV polymerase commit to being either an mRNA transcriptase or a replicase? The polymerase must become committed to one process or the other either before it interacts with the genome template or in its initial interactions with the promoter sequence at the 3´ end of the genomic RNA. This review examines the biochemical, molecular biology, and structural biology data regarding the first steps of transcription and RNA replication that have been gathered over several decades for different families of nsNSVs. These findings are discussed in relation to possible models that could explain how an nsNSV polymerase initiates and commits to either transcription or genome replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A. Kleiner
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel Fearns
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Basu R, Dambra R, Jiang D, Schätzlein SA, Njiyang S, Ashour J, Chiramel AI, Vigil A, Papov VV. Absolute quantification of viral proteins from pseudotyped VSV-GP using UPLC-MRM. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0365123. [PMID: 38916347 PMCID: PMC11302727 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03651-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapidly developing field of oncolytic virus (OV) therapy necessitates the development of new and improved analytical approaches for the characterization of the virus during production and development. Accurate monitoring and absolute quantification of viral proteins are crucial for OV product characterization and can facilitate the understanding of infection, immunogenicity, and development stages of viral replication. Targeted mass spectrometry methods like multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) offer a robust way to directly detect and quantify specific targeted proteins represented by surrogate peptides. We have leveraged the power of MRM by combining ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with a Sciex 6500 triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometer to develop an assay that accurately and absolutely quantifies the structural proteins of a pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) intended for use as a new biotherapeutic (designated hereafter as VSV-GP to differentiate it from native VSV). The new UPLC-MRM method provides absolute quantification with the use of heavy-labeled reference standard surrogate peptides. When added in known exact amounts to standards and samples, the reference standards normalize and account for any small perturbations during sample preparation and/or instrument performance, resulting in accurate and precise quantification. Because of the multiplexed nature of MRM, all targeted proteins are quantified at the same time. The optimized assay has been enhanced to quantify the ratios of the processed GP1 and GP2 proteins while simultaneously measuring any remaining or unprocessed form of the envelope protein GP complex (GPC; full-length GPC). IMPORTANCE The development of oncolytic viral therapy has gained considerable momentum in recent years. Vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-GP) is a new biotherapeutic emerging in the oncolytic viral therapy platform. Novel analytical assays that can accurately and precisely quantify the viral proteins are a necessity for the successful development of viral vector as a biotherapeutic. We developed an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring-based assay to quantify the absolute concentrations of the different structural proteins of VSV-GP. The complete processing of GP complex (GPC) is a prerequisite for the infectivity of the virus. The assay extends the potential for quantifying full-length GPC, which provides an understanding of the processing of GPC (along with the quantification of GP1 and GP2 separately). We used this assay in tracking GPC processing in HEK-293-F production cell lines infected with VSV-GP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeswari Basu
- Materials and Analytical Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Richard Dambra
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Di Jiang
- Materials and Analytical Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sophia A. Schätzlein
- Therapeutic Virus Development Group, Virus Therapeutic Center, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Shu Njiyang
- Therapeutic Virus Development Group, Virus Therapeutic Center, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Joseph Ashour
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Abhilash I. Chiramel
- Therapeutic Virus Development Group, Virus Therapeutic Center, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Adam Vigil
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vladimir V. Papov
- Materials and Analytical Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
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4
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Du X, Yang X, Zhao J, Zhang J, Yu J, Ma L, Zhang W, Cen S, Ren X, He X. Design of novel broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analogues using natural bases ring-opening strategy. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22237. [PMID: 39032059 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
The global prevalence of RNA virus infections has presented significant challenges to public health in recent years, necessitating the expansion of its alternative therapeutic library. Due to its evolutional conservation, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) has emerged as a potential target for broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analogues. However, after over half a century of structural modification, exploring unclaimed chemical space using frequently-used structural substitution methods to design new nucleoside analogues is challenging. In this study, we explore the use of the "ring-opening" strategy to design new base mimics, thereby using these base mimics to design new nucleoside analogues with broad-spectrum antiviral activities. A total of 29 compounds were synthesized. Their activity against viral RdRp was initially screened using an influenza A virus RdRp high-throughput screening model. Then, the antiviral activity of 38a was verified against influenza virus strain A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), demonstrating a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 9.95 μM, which was superior to that of ribavirin (the positive control, IC50 = 11.43 μM). Moreover, 38a also has inhibitory activity against coronavirus 229E with an IC50 of 30.82 μM. In addition, compounds 42 and 46f exhibit an 82% inhibition rate against vesicular stomatitis virus at a concentration of 20 μM and hardly induce cytotoxicity in host cells. This work demonstrates the feasibility of designing nucleoside analogues with "ring-opening" bases and suggests the "ring-opening" nucleosides may have greater polarity, and designing prodrugs is an important aspect of optimizing their antiviral activity. Future research should focus on enhancing the conformational restriction of open-loop bases to mimic Watson-Crick base pairing better and improve antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyi Du
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Xingxing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyuan Zhao
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahui Yu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Weina Zhang
- Nanhu Laboratory, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Cen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xuhong Ren
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinhua He
- Nanhu Laboratory, National Center of Biomedical Analysis, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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5
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Li T, Liu M, Gu Z, Su X, Liu Y, Lin J, Zhang Y, Shen QT. Structures of the mumps virus polymerase complex via cryo-electron microscopy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4189. [PMID: 38760379 PMCID: PMC11101452 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48389-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The viral polymerase complex, comprising the large protein (L) and phosphoprotein (P), is crucial for both genome replication and transcription in non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses (nsNSVs), while structures corresponding to these activities remain obscure. Here, we resolved two L-P complex conformations from the mumps virus (MuV), a typical member of nsNSVs, via cryogenic-electron microscopy. One conformation presents all five domains of L forming a continuous RNA tunnel to the methyltransferase domain (MTase), preferably as a transcription state. The other conformation has the appendage averaged out, which is inaccessible to MTase. In both conformations, parallel P tetramers are revealed around MuV L, which, together with structures of other nsNSVs, demonstrates the diverse origins of the L-binding X domain of P. Our study links varying structures of nsNSV polymerase complexes with genome replication and transcription and points to a sliding model for polymerase complexes to advance along the RNA templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Li
- School of Life Sciences, Department of Chemical Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- Institute for Biological Electron Microscopy, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Mingdong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Department of Chemical Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- Institute for Biological Electron Microscopy, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhanxi Gu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin Su
- School of Life Sciences, Department of Chemical Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- Institute for Biological Electron Microscopy, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yunhui Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Department of Chemical Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
- Institute for Biological Electron Microscopy, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jinzhong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qing-Tao Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Department of Chemical Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China.
- Institute for Biological Electron Microscopy, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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6
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Aouadi W, Najburg V, Legendre R, Varet H, Kergoat L, Tangy F, Larrous F, Komarova AV, Bourhy H. Comparative analysis of rabies pathogenic and vaccine strains detection by RIG-I-like receptors. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105321. [PMID: 38461968 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Rabies virus (RABV) is a lethal neurotropic virus that causes 60,000 human deaths every year globally. RABV infection is characterized by the suppression of the interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral response. However, molecular mechanisms leading to RABV sensing by RIG-I-like receptors (RLR) that initiates IFN signaling currently remain elusive. Here, we showed that RABV RNAs are primarily recognized by the RIG-I RLR, resulting in an IFN response in the infected cells, but this response varied according to the type of RABV used. Pathogenic RABV strain RNAs, Tha, were poorly detected in the cytosol by RIG-I and therefore caused a weak antiviral response. However, we revealed a strong IFN activity triggered by the attenuated RABV vaccine strain RNAs, SAD, mediated by RIG-I. We characterized two major 5' copy-back defective interfering (5'cb DI) genomes generated during SAD replication. Furthermore, we identified an interaction between 5'cb DI genomes, and RIG-I correlated with a high stimulation of the type I IFN signaling. This study indicates that wild-type RABV RNAs poorly activate the RIG-I pathway, while the presence of 5'cb DIs in the live-attenuated vaccine strain serves as an intrinsic adjuvant that strengthens its efficiency by enhancing RIG-I detection thus strongly stimulates the IFN response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wahiba Aouadi
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Valérie Najburg
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Vaccines-innovation Laboratory, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Rachel Legendre
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Hub Bioinformatics, and Biostatistics, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Hugo Varet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Hub Bioinformatics, and Biostatistics, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Lauriane Kergoat
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Tangy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Vaccines-innovation Laboratory, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Florence Larrous
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Anastassia V Komarova
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Interactomics, RNA and Immunity Laboratory, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Hervé Bourhy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, 75015 Paris, France.
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7
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Musa AO, Faber SR, Forrest K, Smith KP, Sengupta S, López CB. Identification of distinct genotypes in circulating RSV A strains based on variants on the virus replication-associated genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590570. [PMID: 38712045 PMCID: PMC11071361 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus is a common cause of respiratory infection that often leads to hospitalization of infected younger children and older adults. RSV is classified into two strains, A and B, each with several subgroups or genotypes. One issue with the definition of these subgroups is the lack of a unified method of identification or genotyping. We propose that genotyping strategies based on the genes coding for replication-associated proteins could provide critical information on the replication capacity of the distinct subgroup, while clearly distinguishing genotypes. Here, we analyzed the virus replication-associated genes N, P, M2, and L from de novo assembled RSV A sequences obtained from 31 newly sequenced samples from hospitalized patients in Philadelphia and 78 additional publicly available sequences from different geographic locations within the US. In-depth analysis and annotation of the protein variants in L and the other replication-associated proteins N, P, M2-1, and M2-2 identified the polymerase protein L as a robust target for genotyping RSV subgroups. Importantly, our analysis revealed non-synonymous variations in L that were consistently accompanied by conserved changes in its co-factor P or the M2-2 protein, suggesting associations and interactions between specific domains of these proteins. These results highlight L as an alternative to other RSV genotyping targets and demonstrate the value of in-depth analyses and annotations of RSV sequences as it can serve as a foundation for subsequent in vitro and clinical studies on the efficiency of the polymerase and fitness of different virus isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulafiz O. Musa
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Womeńs Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sydney R. Faber
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Womeńs Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Forrest
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kenneth P. Smith
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Infectious Disease Diagnostics Laboratory, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shaon Sengupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carolina B. López
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
- Center for Womeńs Infectious Diseases Research, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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8
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Xie J, Ouizougun-Oubari M, Wang L, Zhai G, Wu D, Lin Z, Wang M, Ludeke B, Yan X, Nilsson T, Gao L, Huang X, Fearns R, Chen S. Structural basis for dimerization of a paramyxovirus polymerase complex. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3163. [PMID: 38605025 PMCID: PMC11009304 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47470-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The transcription and replication processes of non-segmented, negative-strand RNA viruses (nsNSVs) are catalyzed by a multi-functional polymerase complex composed of the large protein (L) and a cofactor protein, such as phosphoprotein (P). Previous studies have shown that the nsNSV polymerase can adopt a dimeric form, however, the structure of the dimer and its function are poorly understood. Here we determine a 2.7 Å cryo-EM structure of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV3) L-P complex with the connector domain (CD') of a second L built, while reconstruction of the rest of the second L-P obtains a low-resolution map of the ring-like L core region. This study reveals detailed atomic features of nsNSV polymerase active site and distinct conformation of hPIV3 L with a unique β-strand latch. Furthermore, we report the structural basis of L-L dimerization, with CD' located at the putative template entry of the adjoining L. Disruption of the L-L interface causes a defect in RNA replication that can be overcome by complementation, demonstrating that L dimerization is necessary for hPIV3 genome replication. These findings provide further insight into how nsNSV polymerases perform their functions, and suggest a new avenue for rational drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Xie
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Lead Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Mohamed Ouizougun-Oubari
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Infectious Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanglei Zhai
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Lead Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Daitze Wu
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Infectious Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaohu Lin
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Lead Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Manfu Wang
- Wuxi Biortus Biosciences Co. Ltd., 214437, Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China
| | - Barbara Ludeke
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Xiaodong Yan
- Wuxi Biortus Biosciences Co. Ltd., 214437, Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tobias Nilsson
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Infectious Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, 4070, Switzerland
| | - Lu Gao
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Infectious Diseases, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 201203, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xinyi Huang
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Lead Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 201203, Shanghai, China.
| | - Rachel Fearns
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| | - Shuai Chen
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Lead Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 201203, Shanghai, China.
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9
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Cao D, Gao Y, Chen Z, Gooneratne I, Roesler C, Mera C, D'Cunha P, Antonova A, Katta D, Romanelli S, Wang Q, Rice S, Lemons W, Ramanathan A, Liang B. Structures of the promoter-bound respiratory syncytial virus polymerase. Nature 2024; 625:611-617. [PMID: 38123676 PMCID: PMC10794133 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06867-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) polymerase is a multifunctional RNA-dependent RNA polymerase composed of the large (L) protein and the phosphoprotein (P). It transcribes the RNA genome into ten viral mRNAs and replicates full-length viral genomic and antigenomic RNAs1. The RSV polymerase initiates RNA synthesis by binding to the conserved 3'-terminal RNA promoters of the genome or antigenome2. However, the lack of a structure of the RSV polymerase bound to the RNA promoter has impeded the mechanistic understanding of RSV RNA synthesis. Here we report cryogenic electron microscopy structures of the RSV polymerase bound to its genomic and antigenomic viral RNA promoters, representing two of the first structures of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in complex with its RNA promoters in non-segmented negative-sense RNA viruses. The overall structures of the promoter-bound RSV polymerases are similar to that of the unbound (apo) polymerase. Our structures illustrate the interactions between the RSV polymerase and the RNA promoters and provide the structural basis for the initiation of RNA synthesis at positions 1 and 3 of the RSV promoters. These structures offer a deeper understanding of the pre-initiation state of the RSV polymerase and could aid in antiviral research against RSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Cao
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yunrong Gao
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhenhang Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Inesh Gooneratne
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Claire Roesler
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cristopher Mera
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paul D'Cunha
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna Antonova
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Deepak Katta
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah Romanelli
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Samantha Rice
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wesley Lemons
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anita Ramanathan
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bo Liang
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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10
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Yu X, Abeywickrema P, Bonneux B, Behera I, Anson B, Jacoby E, Fung A, Adhikary S, Bhaumik A, Carbajo RJ, De Bruyn S, Miller R, Patrick A, Pham Q, Piassek M, Verheyen N, Shareef A, Sutto-Ortiz P, Ysebaert N, Van Vlijmen H, Jonckers THM, Herschke F, McLellan JS, Decroly E, Fearns R, Grosse S, Roymans D, Sharma S, Rigaux P, Jin Z. Structural and mechanistic insights into the inhibition of respiratory syncytial virus polymerase by a non-nucleoside inhibitor. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1074. [PMID: 37865687 PMCID: PMC10590419 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05451-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The respiratory syncytial virus polymerase complex, consisting of the polymerase (L) and phosphoprotein (P), catalyzes nucleotide polymerization, cap addition, and cap methylation via the RNA dependent RNA polymerase, capping, and Methyltransferase domains on L. Several nucleoside and non-nucleoside inhibitors have been reported to inhibit this polymerase complex, but the structural details of the exact inhibitor-polymerase interactions have been lacking. Here, we report a non-nucleoside inhibitor JNJ-8003 with sub-nanomolar inhibition potency in both antiviral and polymerase assays. Our 2.9 Å resolution cryo-EM structure revealed that JNJ-8003 binds to an induced-fit pocket on the capping domain, with multiple interactions consistent with its tight binding and resistance mutation profile. The minigenome and gel-based de novo RNA synthesis and primer extension assays demonstrated that JNJ-8003 inhibited nucleotide polymerization at the early stages of RNA transcription and replication. Our results support that JNJ-8003 binding modulates a functional interplay between the capping and RdRp domains, and this molecular insight could accelerate the design of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Yu
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, PA, 19477, USA.
| | - Pravien Abeywickrema
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, PA, 19477, USA
| | - Brecht Bonneux
- Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ishani Behera
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Brisbane, CA, 94005, USA
| | - Brandon Anson
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Brisbane, CA, 94005, USA
| | - Edgar Jacoby
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Amy Fung
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Brisbane, CA, 94005, USA
| | - Suraj Adhikary
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, PA, 19477, USA
| | - Anusarka Bhaumik
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, PA, 19477, USA
| | - Rodrigo J Carbajo
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Janssen-Cilag, Discovery Chemistry S.A. Río Jarama, 75A, 45007, Toledo, Spain
| | | | - Robyn Miller
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, PA, 19477, USA
| | - Aaron Patrick
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, PA, 19477, USA
| | - Quyen Pham
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Brisbane, CA, 94005, USA
| | - Madison Piassek
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, PA, 19477, USA
| | - Nick Verheyen
- Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Afzaal Shareef
- Department of Microbiology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | | | - Nina Ysebaert
- Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Etienne Decroly
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR 7257, Marseille, France
| | - Rachel Fearns
- Department of Microbiology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | | | - Dirk Roymans
- Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sujata Sharma
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Spring House, Pennsylvania, PA, 19477, USA
| | - Peter Rigaux
- Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Zhinan Jin
- Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Brisbane, CA, 94005, USA.
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11
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Peng Q, Yuan B, Cheng J, Wang M, Gao S, Bai S, Zhao X, Qi J, Gao GF, Shi Y. Molecular mechanism of de novo replication by the Ebola virus polymerase. Nature 2023; 622:603-610. [PMID: 37699521 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06608-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses, including Ebola virus (EBOV), rabies virus, human respiratory syncytial virus and pneumoviruses, can cause respiratory infections, haemorrhagic fever and encephalitis in humans and animals, and are considered a substantial health and economic burden worldwide1. Replication and transcription of the viral genome are executed by the large (L) polymerase, which is a promising target for the development of antiviral drugs. Here, using the L polymerase of EBOV as a representative, we show that de novo replication of L polymerase is controlled by the specific 3' leader sequence of the EBOV genome in an enzymatic assay, and that formation of at least three base pairs can effectively drive the elongation process of RNA synthesis independent of the specific RNA sequence. We present the high-resolution structures of the EBOV L-VP35-RNA complex and show that the 3' leader RNA binds in the template entry channel with a distinctive stable bend conformation. Using mutagenesis assays, we confirm that the bend conformation of the RNA is required for the de novo replication activity and reveal the key residues of the L protein that stabilize the RNA conformation. These findings provide a new mechanistic understanding of RNA synthesis for polymerases of non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses, and reveal important targets for the development of antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Peng
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yuan
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinlong Cheng
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Wang
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Siwei Gao
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Suran Bai
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejin Zhao
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxun Qi
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, China.
| | - George F Gao
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, China.
- Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Adaptive Evolution and Control of Emerging Viruses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yi Shi
- International Institute of Vaccine Research and Innovation (iVac), Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, China.
- Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Adaptive Evolution and Control of Emerging Viruses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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12
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Abstract
The nonsegmented, negative-strand RNA viruses (nsNSVs), also known as the order Mononegavirales, have a genome consisting of a single strand of negative-sense RNA. Integral to the nsNSV replication cycle is the viral polymerase, which is responsible for transcribing the viral genome, to produce an array of capped and polyadenylated messenger RNAs, and replicating it to produce new genomes. To perform the different steps that are necessary for these processes, the nsNSV polymerases undergo a series of coordinated conformational transitions. While much is still to be learned regarding the intersection of nsNSV polymerase dynamics, structure, and function, recently published polymerase structures, combined with a history of biochemical and molecular biology studies, have provided new insights into how nsNSV polymerases function as dynamic machines. In this review, we consider each of the steps involved in nsNSV transcription and replication and suggest how these relate to solved polymerase structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ouizougun-Oubari
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Rachel Fearns
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
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13
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Liu L, Wang P, Liu A, Zhang L, Yan L, Guo Y, Xiao G, Rao Z, Lou Z. Structure basis for allosteric regulation of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus polymerase function by Z matrix protein. Protein Cell 2023; 14:703-707. [PMID: 37038286 PMCID: PMC10501185 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Panpan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Aijun Liu
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Leike Zhang
- State key laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liming Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- State key laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Center, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Zihe Rao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100105, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200120, China
- Innovation Center for Pathogen Research, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Zhiyong Lou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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14
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Li H, Wu Y, Li M, Guo L, Gao Y, Wang Q, Zhang J, Lai Z, Zhang X, Zhu L, Lan P, Rao Z, Liu Y, Liang H. An intermediate state allows influenza polymerase to switch smoothly between transcription and replication cycles. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1183-1192. [PMID: 37488357 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Influenza polymerase (FluPol) transcribes viral mRNA at the beginning of the viral life cycle and initiates genome replication after viral protein synthesis. However, it remains poorly understood how FluPol switches between its transcription and replication states, especially given that the structural bases of these two functions are fundamentally different. Here we propose a mechanism by which FluPol achieves functional switching between these two states through a previously unstudied conformation, termed an 'intermediate state'. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we obtained a structure of the intermediate state of H5N1 FluPol at 3.7 Å, which is characterized by a blocked cap-binding domain and a contracted core region. Structural analysis results suggest that the intermediate state may allow FluPol to transition smoothly into either the transcription or replication state. Furthermore, we show that the formation of the intermediate state is required for both the transcription and replication activities of FluPol, leading us to conclude that the transcription and replication cycles of FluPol are regulated via this intermediate state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yixi Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Minke Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lu Guo
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqi Gao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Quan Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jihua Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhaohua Lai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Departments of Biophysics and Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Center of Cryo Electron Microscopy, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lixin Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Lan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihe Rao
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingfang Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Huanhuan Liang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Systems Medicine in Inflammatory Diseases, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
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15
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Kleiner VA, O Fischmann T, Howe JA, Beshore DC, Eddins MJ, Hou Y, Mayhood T, Klein D, Nahas DD, Lucas BJ, Xi H, Murray E, Ma DY, Getty K, Fearns R. Conserved allosteric inhibitory site on the respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Commun Biol 2023; 6:649. [PMID: 37337079 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04990-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are related RNA viruses responsible for severe respiratory infections and resulting disease in infants, elderly, and immunocompromised adults1-3. Therapeutic small molecule inhibitors that bind to the RSV polymerase and inhibit viral replication are being developed, but their binding sites and molecular mechanisms of action remain largely unknown4. Here we report a conserved allosteric inhibitory site identified on the L polymerase proteins of RSV and HMPV that can be targeted by a dual-specificity, non-nucleoside inhibitor, termed MRK-1. Cryo-EM structures of the inhibitor in complexes with truncated RSV and full-length HMPV polymerase proteins provide a structural understanding of how MRK-1 is active against both viruses. Functional analyses indicate that MRK-1 inhibits conformational changes necessary for the polymerase to engage in RNA synthesis initiation and to transition into an elongation mode. Competition studies reveal that the MRK-1 binding pocket is distinct from that of a capping inhibitor with an overlapping resistance profile, suggesting that the polymerase conformation bound by MRK-1 may be distinct from that involved in mRNA capping. These findings should facilitate optimization of dual RSV and HMPV replication inhibitors and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying their polymerase activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Kleiner
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Yan Hou
- MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - He Xi
- MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rachel Fearns
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Zhang D, Ding Z, Xu X. Pathologic Mechanisms of the Newcastle Disease Virus. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040864. [PMID: 37112843 PMCID: PMC10143668 DOI: 10.3390/v15040864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Newcastle disease (ND) has been a consistent risk factor to the poultry industry worldwide. Its pathogen, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), is also a promising antitumor treatment candidate. The pathogenic mechanism has intrigued the great curiosity of researchers, and advances in the last two decades have been summarized in this paper. The NDV’s pathogenic ability is highly related to the basic protein structure of the virus, which is described in the Introduction of this review. The overall clinical signs and recent findings pertaining to NDV-related lymph tissue damage are then described. Given the involvement of cytokines in the overall virulence of NDV, cytokines, particularly IL6 and IFN expressed during infection, are reviewed. On the other hand, the host also has its way of antagonizing the virus, which starts with the detection of the pathogen. Thus, advances in NDV’s physiological cell mechanism and the subsequent IFN response, autophagy, and apoptosis are summarized to provide a whole picture of the NDV infection process.
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17
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Cong J, Feng X, Kang H, Fu W, Wang L, Wang C, Li X, Chen Y, Rao Z. Structure of the Newcastle Disease Virus L protein in complex with tetrameric phosphoprotein. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1324. [PMID: 36898997 PMCID: PMC10006412 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37012-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) belongs to Paramyxoviridae, which contains lethal human and animal pathogens. NDV RNA genome is replicated and transcribed by a multifunctional 250 kDa RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L protein). To date, high-resolution structure of NDV L protein complexed with P protein remains to be elucidated, limiting our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Paramyxoviridae replication/transcription. Here, we used cryo-EM and enzymatic assays to investigate the structure-function relationship of L-P complex. We found that C-terminal of CD-MTase-CTD module of the atomic-resolution L-P complex conformationally rearranges, and the priming/intrusion loops are likely in RNA elongation conformations different from previous structures. The P protein adopts a unique tetrameric organization and interacts with L protein. Our findings indicate that NDV L-P complex represents elongation state distinct from previous structures. Our work greatly advances the understanding of Paramyxoviridae RNA synthesis, revealing how initiation/elongation alternates, providing clues for identifying therapeutic targets against Paramyxoviridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyuan Cong
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoying Feng
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huiling Kang
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wangjun Fu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenlong Wang
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemei Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yutao Chen
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zihe Rao
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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18
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Medberry AN, Srivastava A, Diaz-Lara A, Rwahnih MA, Villamor DEV, Tzanetakis IE. A Novel, Divergent Member of the Rhabdoviridae Family Infects Strawberry. PLANT DISEASE 2023; 107:620-623. [PMID: 35857372 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-05-22-1078-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is the most important berry crop worldwide and viruses pose a constant threat to the industry. In this communication, we describe a novel virus in the family Rhabdoviridae referred to as strawberry virus 3 (StrV-3). The virus does not show significant homology when compared with recognized rhabdoviruses and, therefore, the establishment of a new genus should be considered. A triplex reverse-transcription PCR test was developed and successfully employed in a survey of the National Clonal Germplasm Repository Fragaria collection. A CRISPR-Cas-based protocol was also developed and shown to detect the virus in as little as 1 fg of total RNA, a protocol to be used in the detection of the virus in candidate G1 plants. The strawberry aphid (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii) was evaluated-alas, unsuccessfully-as a potential vector of the virus. This work broadens our understanding of the family Rhabdoviridae and assists in the quest of releasing plant material free of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava N Medberry
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System, Fayetteville, AR 72701, U.S.A
| | - Ashish Srivastava
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System, Fayetteville, AR 72701, U.S.A
- Amity Institute of Virology & Immunology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector 125, Noida, UP 284403, India
| | - Alfredo Diaz-Lara
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, Queretaro 76130, Mexico
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | - Maher Al Rwahnih
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | - Dan E V Villamor
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System, Fayetteville, AR 72701, U.S.A
| | - Ioannis E Tzanetakis
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System, Fayetteville, AR 72701, U.S.A
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19
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Sutto-Ortiz P, Eléouët JF, Ferron F, Decroly E. Biochemistry of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus L Protein Embedding RNA Polymerase and Capping Activities. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020341. [PMID: 36851554 PMCID: PMC9960070 DOI: 10.3390/v15020341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. It is the major cause of severe acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants, the elderly population, and immunocompromised individuals. There is still no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment against RSV disease, but new monoclonal prophylactic antibodies are yet to be commercialized, and clinical trials are in progress. Hence, urgent efforts are needed to develop efficient therapeutic treatments. RSV RNA synthesis comprises viral transcription and replication that are catalyzed by the large protein (L) in coordination with the phosphoprotein polymerase cofactor (P), the nucleoprotein (N), and the M2-1 transcription factor. The replication/transcription is orchestrated by the L protein, which contains three conserved enzymatic domains: the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), the polyribonucleotidyl transferase (PRNTase or capping), and the methyltransferase (MTase) domain. These activities are essential for the RSV replicative cycle and are thus considered as attractive targets for the development of therapeutic agents. In this review, we summarize recent findings about RSV L domains structure that highlight how the enzymatic activities of RSV L domains are interconnected, discuss the most relevant and recent antivirals developments that target the replication/transcription complex, and conclude with a perspective on identified knowledge gaps that enable new research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-François Eléouët
- Unité de Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires, INRAE, Université Paris Saclay, F78350 Jouy en Josas, France
| | - François Ferron
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR, 7257 Marseille, France
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Etienne Decroly
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, AFMB, UMR, 7257 Marseille, France
- Correspondence:
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20
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Pyasi S, Jonniya NA, Sk MF, Nayak D, Kar P. Finding potential inhibitors against RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV): an in- silico study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10403-10421. [PMID: 34238122 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1946714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an enzootic agent that affects millions of bovines and causes major economic losses. Though the virus is seasonally reported with a very high morbidity rate (80-100%) from African, Australian, and Asiatic continents, it remains a neglected pathogen in many of its endemic areas, with no proper therapeutic drugs or vaccines presently available for treatment. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) catalyzes the viral RNA synthesis and is an appropriate candidate for antiviral drug developments. We utilized integrated computational tools to build the 3D model of BEFV-RdRp and then predicted its probable active binding sites. The virtual screening and optimization against these active sites, using several small-molecule inhibitors from a different category of Life Chemical database and FDA-approved drugs from the ZINC database, was performed. We found nine molecules that have docking scores varying between -6.84 to -10.43 kcal/mol. Furthermore, these complexes were analyzed for their conformational dynamics and thermodynamic stability using molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with the molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) scheme. The binding free energy calculations depict that the electrostatic interactions play a dominant role in the RdRp-inhibitor binding. The hot spot residues, such as Arg565, Asp631, Glu633, Asp740, and Glu707, were found to control the RdRp-inhibitor interaction. The ADMET analysis strongly suggests favorable pharmacokinetics of these compounds that may prove useful for treating the BEFV ailment. Overall, we anticipate that these findings would help explore and develop a wide range of anti-BEFV therapy.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Pyasi
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Nisha Amarnath Jonniya
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Md Fulbabu Sk
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Debasis Nayak
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Parimal Kar
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
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21
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Medberry A, Tzanetakis IE. Identification, Characterization, and Detection of a Novel Strawberry Cytorhabdovirus. PLANT DISEASE 2022; 106:2784-2787. [PMID: 36176214 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-11-21-2449-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In 2020, a novel agent was discovered in strawberry, a rhabdovirus closely related to lettuce necrotic yellows virus. The new virus, named strawberry virus 2 (StrV-2), was discovered in an accession of the Fragaria virus collection of the National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR), and for this reason, it was studied in-depth. The complete StrV-2 genome was obtained and investigated in silico. Transmission was assessed using two aphid species whereas a multiplex RT-PCR test targeting plant and virus genes was developed and used to screen the NCGR Fragaria virus collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Medberry
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System, Fayetteville, AR 72701
| | - Ioannis E Tzanetakis
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas System, Fayetteville, AR 72701
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22
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Ramaswamy K, Rashid M, Ramasamy S, Jayavelu T, Venkataraman S. Revisiting Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases: Insights from Recent Structural Studies. Viruses 2022; 14:2200. [PMID: 36298755 PMCID: PMC9612308 DOI: 10.3390/v14102200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) represent a distinctive yet versatile class of nucleic acid polymerases encoded by RNA viruses for the replication and transcription of their genome. The structure of the RdRP is comparable to that of a cupped right hand consisting of fingers, palm, and thumb subdomains. Despite the presence of a common structural core, the RdRPs differ significantly in the mechanistic details of RNA binding and polymerization. The present review aims at exploring these incongruities in light of recent structural studies of RdRP complexes with diverse cofactors, RNA moieties, analogs, and inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Ramaswamy
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai 600025, India; (K.R.); (T.J.)
| | - Mariya Rashid
- Taiwan International Graduate Program, Molecular Cell Biology (National Defense Medical Center and Academia Sinica), Taipei 115, Taiwan;
| | - Selvarajan Ramasamy
- National Research Center for Banana, Somarasempettai−Thogaimalai Rd, Podavur, Tamil Nadu 639103, India;
| | - Tamilselvan Jayavelu
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai 600025, India; (K.R.); (T.J.)
| | - Sangita Venkataraman
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai 600025, India; (K.R.); (T.J.)
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23
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Yuan B, Peng Q, Cheng J, Wang M, Zhong J, Qi J, Gao GF, Shi Y. Structure of the Ebola virus polymerase complex. Nature 2022; 610:394-401. [PMID: 36171293 PMCID: PMC9517992 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05271-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Filoviruses, including Ebola virus, pose an increasing threat to the public health. Although two therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have been approved to treat the Ebola virus disease1,2, there are no approved broadly reactive drugs to control diverse filovirus infection. Filovirus has a large polymerase (L) protein and the cofactor viral protein 35 (VP35), which constitute the basic functional unit responsible for virus genome RNA synthesis3. Owing to its conservation, the L-VP35 polymerase complex is a promising target for broadly reactive antiviral drugs. Here we determined the structure of Ebola virus L protein in complex with tetrameric VP35 using cryo-electron microscopy (state 1). Structural analysis revealed that Ebola virus L possesses a filovirus-specific insertion element that is essential for RNA synthesis, and that VP35 interacts extensively with the N-terminal region of L by three protomers of the VP35 tetramer. Notably, we captured the complex structure in a second conformation with the unambiguous priming loop and supporting helix away from polymerase active site (state 2). Moreover, we demonstrated that the century-old drug suramin could inhibit the activity of the Ebola virus polymerase in an enzymatic assay. The structure of the L-VP35-suramin complex reveals that suramin can bind at the highly conserved NTP entry channel to prevent substrates from entering the active site. These findings reveal the mechanism of Ebola virus replication and may guide the development of more powerful anti-filovirus drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinlong Cheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Zhong
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianxun Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - George F Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Center for Influenza Research and Early-Warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Adaptive Evolution and Control of Emerging Viruses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yi Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Center for Influenza Research and Early-Warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Adaptive Evolution and Control of Emerging Viruses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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24
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Walsh RM, Mayer ML, Sun CH, Rawson S, Nair R, Sterling SM, Li Z. Practices for running a research-oriented shared cryo-EM facility. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:960940. [PMID: 36188224 PMCID: PMC9521047 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.960940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Harvard Cryo-Electron Microscopy Center for Structural Biology, which was formed as a consortium between Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital, serves both academic and commercial users in the greater Harvard community. The facility strives to optimize research productivity while training users to become expert electron microscopists. These two tasks may be at odds and require careful balance to keep research projects moving forward while still allowing trainees to develop independence and expertise. This article presents the model developed at Harvard Medical School for running a research-oriented cryo-EM facility. Being a research-oriented facility begins with training in cryo-sample preparation on a trainee’s own sample, ideally producing grids that can be screened and optimized on the Talos Arctica via multiple established pipelines. The first option, staff assisted screening, requires no user experience and a staff member provides instant feedback about the suitability of the sample for cryo-EM investigation and discusses potential strategies for sample optimization. Another option, rapid access, allows users short sessions to screen samples and introductory training for basic microscope operation. Once a sample reaches the stage where data collection is warranted, new users are trained on setting up data collection for themselves on either the Talos Arctica or Titan Krios microscope until independence is established. By providing incremental training and screening pipelines, the bottleneck of sample preparation can be overcome in parallel with developing skills as an electron microscopist. This approach allows for the development of expertise without hindering breakthroughs in key research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M. Walsh
- Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Megan L. Mayer
- Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christopher H. Sun
- Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shaun Rawson
- Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Remya Nair
- Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sarah M. Sterling
- Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zongli Li
- Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Zongli Li,
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25
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Hopkins FR, Álvarez-Rodríguez B, Heath GR, Panayi K, Hover S, Edwards TA, Barr JN, Fontana J. The Native Orthobunyavirus Ribonucleoprotein Possesses a Helical Architecture. mBio 2022; 13:e0140522. [PMID: 35762594 PMCID: PMC9426602 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01405-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bunyavirales order is the largest group of negative-sense RNA viruses, containing many lethal human pathogens for which approved anti-infective measures are not available. The bunyavirus genome consists of multiple negative-sense RNA segments enwrapped by the virus-encoded nucleocapsid protein (NP), which together with the viral polymerase form ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). RNPs represent substrates for RNA synthesis and virion assembly, which require inherent flexibility, consistent with the appearance of RNPs spilled from virions. These observations have resulted in conflicting models describing the overall RNP architecture. Here, we purified RNPs from Bunyamwera virus (BUNV), the prototypical orthobunyavirus. The lengths of purified RNPs imaged by negative staining resulted in 3 populations of RNPs, suggesting that RNPs possess a consistent method of condensation. Employing microscopy approaches, we conclusively show that the NP portion of BUNV RNPs is helical. Furthermore, we present a pseudo-atomic model for this portion based on a cryo-electron microscopy average at 13 Å resolution, which allowed us to fit the BUNV NP crystal structure by molecular dynamics. This model was confirmed by NP mutagenesis using a mini-genome system. The model shows that adjacent NP monomers in the RNP chain interact laterally through flexible N- and C-terminal arms only, with no longitudinal helix-stabilizing interactions, thus providing a potential model for the molecular basis for RNP flexibility. Excessive RNase treatment disrupts native RNPs, suggesting that RNA was key in maintaining the RNP structure. Overall, this work will inform studies on bunyaviral RNP assembly, packaging, and RNA replication, and aid in future antiviral strategies. IMPORTANCE Bunyaviruses are emerging RNA viruses that cause significant disease and economic burden and for which vaccines or therapies approved for humans are not available. The bunyavirus genome is wrapped up by the nucleoprotein (NP) and interacts with the viral polymerase, forming a ribonucleoprotein (RNP). This is the only form of the genome active for viral replication and assembly. However, until now how NPs are organized within an RNP was not known for any orthobunyavirus. Here, we purified RNPs from the prototypical orthobunyavirus, Bunyamwera virus, and employed microscopy approaches to show that the NP portion of the RNP was helical. We then combined our helical average with the known structure of an NP monomer, generating a pseudo-atomic model of this region. This arrangement allowed the RNPs to be highly flexible, which was critical for several stages of the viral replication cycle, such as segment circularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis R. Hopkins
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Álvarez-Rodríguez
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - George R. Heath
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Kyriakoulla Panayi
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha Hover
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas A. Edwards
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - John N. Barr
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Fontana
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leedsgrid.9909.9, Leeds, United Kingdom
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26
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Jenni S, Horwitz JA, Bloyet LM, Whelan SPJ, Harrison SC. Visualizing molecular interactions that determine assembly of a bullet-shaped vesicular stomatitis virus particle. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4802. [PMID: 35970826 PMCID: PMC9378655 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32223-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a negative-strand RNA virus with a non-segmented genome, closely related to rabies virus. Both have characteristic bullet-like shapes. We report the structure of intact, infectious VSV particles determined by cryogenic electron microscopy. By compensating for polymorphism among viral particles with computational classification, we obtained a reconstruction of the shaft ("trunk") at 3.5 Å resolution, with lower resolution for the rounded tip. The ribonucleoprotein (RNP), genomic RNA complexed with nucleoprotein (N), curls into a dome-like structure with about eight gradually expanding turns before transitioning into the regular helical trunk. Two layers of matrix (M) protein link the RNP with the membrane. Radial inter-layer subunit contacts are fixed within single RNA-N-M1-M2 modules, but flexible lateral and axial interactions allow assembly of polymorphic virions. Together with published structures of recombinant N in various states, our results suggest a mechanism for membrane-coupled self-assembly of VSV and its relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jenni
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Joshua A Horwitz
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology and Virology Group, PureTech Health LLC, Boston, MA, 02210, USA
| | - Louis-Marie Bloyet
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sean P J Whelan
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Stephen C Harrison
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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27
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Park GJ, Osinski A, Hernandez G, Eitson JL, Majumdar A, Tonelli M, Henzler-Wildman K, Pawłowski K, Chen Z, Li Y, Schoggins JW, Tagliabracci VS. The mechanism of RNA capping by SARS-CoV-2. Nature 2022; 609:793-800. [PMID: 35944563 PMCID: PMC9492545 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05185-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 contains a 5′ cap that facilitates the translation of viral proteins, protection from exonucleases and evasion of the host immune response1–4. How this cap is made in SARS-CoV-2 is not completely understood. Here we reconstitute the N7- and 2′-O-methylated SARS-CoV-2 RNA cap (7MeGpppA2′-O-Me) using virally encoded non-structural proteins (nsps). We show that the kinase-like nidovirus RdRp-associated nucleotidyltransferase (NiRAN) domain5 of nsp12 transfers the RNA to the amino terminus of nsp9, forming a covalent RNA–protein intermediate (a process termed RNAylation). Subsequently, the NiRAN domain transfers the RNA to GDP, forming the core cap structure GpppA-RNA. The nsp146 and nsp167 methyltransferases then add methyl groups to form functional cap structures. Structural analyses of the replication–transcription complex bound to nsp9 identified key interactions that mediate the capping reaction. Furthermore, we demonstrate in a reverse genetics system8 that the N terminus of nsp9 and the kinase-like active-site residues in the NiRAN domain are required for successful SARS-CoV-2 replication. Collectively, our results reveal an unconventional mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 caps its RNA genome, thus exposing a new target in the development of antivirals to treat COVID-19. Reconstitution of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA 5′ cap reveals the unconventional mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 caps its RNA genome, providing a new target in the development of antiviral agents to treat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina J Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Adam Osinski
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Genaro Hernandez
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer L Eitson
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Abir Majumdar
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Marco Tonelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Krzysztof Pawłowski
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John W Schoggins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Vincent S Tagliabracci
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. .,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
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28
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Sourimant J, Lieber CM, Yoon JJ, Toots M, Govindarajan M, Udumula V, Sakamoto K, Natchus MG, Patti J, Vernachio J, Plemper RK. Orally efficacious lead of the AVG inhibitor series targeting a dynamic interface in the respiratory syncytial virus polymerase. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo2236. [PMID: 35749502 PMCID: PMC9232112 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo2236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory infections in infants and the immunocompromised, yet no efficient therapeutic exists. We have identified the AVG class of allosteric inhibitors of RSV RNA synthesis. Here, we demonstrate through biolayer interferometry and in vitro RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) assays that AVG compounds bind to the viral polymerase, stalling the polymerase in initiation conformation. Resistance profiling revealed a unique escape pattern, suggesting a discrete docking pose. Affinity mapping using photoreactive AVG analogs identified the interface of polymerase core, capping, and connector domains as a molecular target site. A first-generation lead showed nanomolar potency against RSV in human airway epithelium organoids but lacked in vivo efficacy. Docking pose-informed synthetic optimization generated orally efficacious AVG-388, which showed potent efficacy in the RSV mouse model when administered therapeutically. This study maps a druggable target in the RSV RdRP and establishes clinical potential of the AVG chemotype against RSV disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Sourimant
- Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Carolin M. Lieber
- Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Jeong-Joong Yoon
- Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Mart Toots
- Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | | | - Venkata Udumula
- Emory Institute for Drug Development, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kaori Sakamoto
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michael G. Natchus
- Emory Institute for Drug Development, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Joseph Patti
- Aviragen Therapeutics Inc, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
| | | | - Richard K. Plemper
- Center for Translational Antiviral Research, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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Cressey TN, Shareef AM, Kleiner VA, Noton SL, Byrne PO, McLellan JS, Mühlberger E, Fearns R. Distinctive features of the respiratory syncytial virus priming loop compared to other non-segmented negative strand RNA viruses. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010451. [PMID: 35731802 PMCID: PMC9255747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo initiation by viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases often requires a polymerase priming residue, located within a priming loop, to stabilize the initiating NTPs. Polymerase structures from three different non-segmented negative strand RNA virus (nsNSV) families revealed putative priming loops in different conformations, and an aromatic priming residue has been identified in the rhabdovirus polymerase. In a previous study of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) polymerase, we found that Tyr1276, the L protein aromatic amino acid residue that most closely aligns with the rhabdovirus priming residue, is not required for RNA synthesis but two nearby residues, Pro1261 and Trp1262, were required. In this study, we examined the roles of Pro1261 and Trp1262 in RNA synthesis initiation. Biochemical studies showed that substitution of Pro1261 inhibited RNA synthesis initiation without inhibiting back-priming, indicating a defect in initiation. Biochemical and minigenome experiments showed that the initiation defect incurred by a P1261A substitution could be rescued by factors that would be expected to increase the stability of the initiation complex, specifically increased NTP concentration, manganese, and a more efficient promoter sequence. These findings indicate that Pro1261 of the RSV L protein plays a role in initiation, most likely in stabilizing the initiation complex. However, we found that substitution of the corresponding proline residue in a filovirus polymerase had no effect on RNA synthesis initiation or elongation. These results indicate that despite similarities between the nsNSV polymerases, there are differences in the features required for RNA synthesis initiation. RSV has a significant impact on human health. It is the major cause of respiratory disease in infants and exerts a significant toll on the elderly and immunocompromised. RSV is a member of the Mononegavirales, the non-segmented, negative strand RNA viruses (nsNSVs). Like other viruses in this order, RSV encodes an RNA dependent RNA polymerase, which is responsible for transcribing and replicating the viral genome. Due to its essential role during the viral replication cycle, the polymerase is a promising candidate target for antiviral inhibitors and so a greater understanding of the mechanistic basis of its activities could aid antiviral drug development. In this study, we identified an amino acid residue within the RSV polymerase that appears to stabilize the RNA synthesis initiation complex and showed that it plays a role in both transcription and RNA replication. However, the corresponding residue in a different nsNSV polymerase does not appear to play a similar role. This work reveals a key feature of the RSV polymerase but identifies differences with the polymerases of other related viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa N. Cressey
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Afzaal M. Shareef
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Victoria A. Kleiner
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah L. Noton
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Patrick O. Byrne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jason S. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Elke Mühlberger
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rachel Fearns
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Jácome R, Campillo-Balderas JA, Becerra A, Lazcano A. Structural Analysis of Monomeric RNA-Dependent Polymerases Revisited. J Mol Evol 2022; 90:283-295. [PMID: 35639164 PMCID: PMC9153872 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-022-10059-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In the past few years, our understanding of the RNA virosphere has changed dramatically due to the growth and spurt of metagenomics, exponentially increasing the number of RNA viral sequences, and providing a better understanding of their range of potential hosts. As of today, the only conserved protein among RNA viruses appears to be the monomeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme belongs to the right-hand DNA-and RNA polymerases, which also includes reverse transcriptases and eukaryotic replicative DNA polymerases. The ubiquity of this protein in RNA viruses makes it a unique evolutionary marker and an appealing broad-spectrum antiviral target. In this work pairwise structural comparisons of viral RdRps and RTs were performed, including tertiary structures that have been obtained in the last few years. The resulting phylogenetic tree shows that the RdRps from (+)ss- and dsRNA viruses might have been recruited several times throughout the evolution of mobile genetic elements. RTs also display multiple evolutionary routes. We have identified a structural core comprising the entire palm, a large moiety of the fingers and the N-terminal helices of the thumb domain, comprising over 300 conserved residues, including two regions that we have named the “knuckles” and the “hypothenar eminence”. The conservation of an helix bundle in the region preceding the polymerase domain confirms that (−)ss and dsRNA Reoviruses’ polymerases share a recent ancestor. Finally, the inclusion of DNA polymerases into our structural analyses suggests that monomeric RNA-dependent polymerases might have diverged from B-family polymerases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Jácome
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico
| | | | - Arturo Becerra
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico
| | - Antonio Lazcano
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Mexico.
- Miembro de El Colegio Nacional, Mexico, Mexico.
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Locations and in situ structure of the polymerase complex inside the virion of vesicular stomatitis virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2111948119. [PMID: 35476516 PMCID: PMC9170060 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111948119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike fellow nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses, exemplified by the devastating Nipah, Ebola, rabies, and measles viruses, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) can be considered beneficial, as it is widely used as a vector for anticancer therapy and vaccine development. In these RNA viruses, transcription and replication of the viral genome depend on an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Here, we determined the in situ structure of the VSV polymerase complex, consisting of a large protein (L) and a phosphoprotein (P), by cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging. Approximately 55 polymerase complexes are packaged in each bullet-shaped virion through flexible interactions with nucleoproteins. Our results provide insights into the mechanism of L packaging during virus assembly and efficient initiation of transcription during infection. The polymerase complex of nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses primarily consists of a large (L) protein and a phosphoprotein (P). L is a multifunctional enzyme carrying out RNA-dependent RNA polymerization and all other steps associated with transcription and replication, while P is the nonenzymatic cofactor, regulating the function and conformation of L. The structure of a purified vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) polymerase complex containing L and associated P segments has been determined; however, the location and manner of the attachments of L and P within each virion are unknown, limiting our mechanistic understanding of VSV RNA replication and transcription and hindering engineering efforts of this widely used anticancer and vaccine vector. Here, we have used cryo-electron tomography to visualize the VSV virion, revealing the attachment of the ring-shaped L molecules to VSV nucleocapsid proteins (N) throughout the cavity of the bullet-shaped nucleocapsid. Subtomogram averaging and three-dimensional classification of regions containing N and the matrix protein (M) have yielded the in situ structure of the polymerase complex. On average, ∼55 polymerase complexes are packaged in each virion. The capping domain of L interacts with two neighboring N molecules through flexible attachments. P, which exists as a dimer, bridges separate N molecules and the connector and C-terminal domains of L. Our data provide the structural basis for recruitment of L to N by P in virus assembly and for flexible attachments between L and N, which allow a quick response of L in primary transcription upon cell entry.
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Sakamoto K, Satoh Y, Takahashi KI, Wakimoto H, Kitagawa Y, Gotoh B, Ayata M, Itoh M. Upregulation of viral RNA polymerase activity promotes adaptation of SSPE virus to neuronal cells. Virology 2022; 573:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Yang F, Tan J, Fang Y, Chen G, Zhang Y, Hu Q, Han W, Liu Y, Fu B, Jing Z, Li W. The Multiplicity of Infection of Recombinant Vaccinia Virus Expressing the T7 RNA Polymerase Determines the Rescue Efficiency of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:846426. [PMID: 35444622 PMCID: PMC9014117 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.846426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has a wide range of cell tropism, making it a prototype of studying the negative-strand RNA virus (NSRV), including virus–host interactions and vaccine development. Although VSV rescue systems have been progressively optimized throughout time, the T7-based expression system is the most commonly utilized to rescue VSV. However, it remains a significant barrier for many labs. In our study, we found that rescue VSV’s efficiency is associated with the various multiplicities of infection (MOIs) of recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the T7 RNA polymerase (vTF-7.3). It works at maximum efficiency while the MOI of vTF-7.3 is 5, which is analyzed by quantitative PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry, compared to the lowest rescue level with MOI of 1. Meanwhile, our data also suggest that purification of vTF-7.3 prior to transfection is a prerequisite for VSV rescue. Overall, our study reveals for the first time a precise correlation between vTF-7.3 and rescue efficiency, which may aid in resolving the uncertainties in the quest to build the VSV reverse genetic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jinlong Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongxiang Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Guohua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongzhi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Hu
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, China
| | - Wuweiyi Han
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Yongsheng Liu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Baoquan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhizhong Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Weike Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
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Park GJ, Osinski A, Hernandez G, Eitson JL, Majumdar A, Tonelli M, Henzler-Wildman K, Pawłowski K, Chen Z, Li Y, Schoggins JW, Tagliabracci VS. The mechanism of RNA capping by SARS-CoV-2. RESEARCH SQUARE 2022:rs.3.rs-1336910. [PMID: 35194601 PMCID: PMC8863163 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1336910/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome contains a 5'-cap that facilitates translation of viral proteins, protection from exonucleases and evasion of the host immune response1-4. How this cap is made is not completely understood. Here, we reconstitute the SARS-CoV-2 7MeGpppA2'-O-Me-RNA cap using virally encoded non-structural proteins (nsps). We show that the kinase-like NiRAN domain5 of nsp12 transfers RNA to the amino terminus of nsp9, forming a covalent RNA-protein intermediate (a process termed RNAylation). Subsequently, the NiRAN domain transfers RNA to GDP, forming the cap core structure GpppA-RNA. The nsp146 and nsp167 methyltransferases then add methyl groups to form functional cap structures. Structural analyses of the replication-transcription complex bound to nsp9 identified key interactions that mediate the capping reaction. Furthermore, we demonstrate in a reverse genetics system8 that the N-terminus of nsp9 and the kinase-like active site residues in the NiRAN domain are required for successful SARS-CoV-2 replication. Collectively, our results reveal an unconventional mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 caps its RNA genome, thus exposing a new target in the development of antivirals to treat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina J. Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Adam Osinski
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Genaro Hernandez
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Eitson
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Abir Majumdar
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Marco Tonelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Krzysztof Pawłowski
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw 02-776, Poland
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - John W. Schoggins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Vincent S. Tagliabracci
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
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Ramdhan P, Li C. Targeting Viral Methyltransferases: An Approach to Antiviral Treatment for ssRNA Viruses. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020379. [PMID: 35215972 PMCID: PMC8880702 DOI: 10.3390/v14020379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyltransferase enzymes have been associated with different processes within cells and viruses. Specifically, within viruses, methyltransferases are used to form the 5′cap-0 structure for optimal evasion of the host innate immune system. In this paper, we seek to discuss the various methyltransferases that exist within single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses along with their respective inhibitors. Additionally, the importance of motifs such as the KDKE tetrad and glycine-rich motif in the catalytic activity of methyltransferases is discussed.
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36
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Ogino M, Green TJ, Ogino T. GDP polyribonucleotidyltransferase domain of vesicular stomatitis virus polymerase regulates leader-promoter escape and polyadenylation-coupled termination during stop-start transcription. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010287. [PMID: 35108335 PMCID: PMC8843114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The unconventional mRNA capping enzyme (GDP polyribonucleotidyltransferase, PRNTase) domain of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) L protein possesses a dual-functional "priming-capping loop" that governs terminal de novo initiation for leader RNA synthesis and capping of monocistronic mRNAs during the unique stop-start transcription cycle. Here, we investigated the roles of basic amino acid residues on a helix structure directly connected to the priming-capping loop in viral RNA synthesis and identified single point mutations that cause previously unreported defective phenotypes at different steps of stop-start transcription. Mutations of residue R1183 (R1183A and R1183K) dramatically reduced the leader RNA synthesis activity by hampering early elongation, but not terminal de novo initiation or productive elongation, suggesting that the mutations negatively affect escape from the leader promoter. On the other hand, mutations of residue R1178 (R1178A and R1178K) decreased the efficiency of polyadenylation-coupled termination of mRNA synthesis at the gene junctions, but not termination of leader RNA synthesis at the leader-to-N-gene junction, resulting in the generation of larger amounts of aberrant polycistronic mRNAs. In contrast, both the R1183 and R1178 residues are not essential for cap-forming activities. The R1183K mutation was lethal to VSV, whereas the R1178K mutation attenuated VSV and triggered the production of the polycistronic mRNAs in infected cells. These observations suggest that the PRNTase domain plays multiple roles in conducting accurate stop-start transcription beyond its known role in pre-mRNA capping. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), an animal rhabdovirus closely related to rabies virus, has served as a paradigm for understanding the basic molecular mechanisms of transcription and replication by rhabdoviruses (e.g., rabies) and other non-segmented negative strand (NNS) RNA viruses, such as measles and Ebola. NNS RNA viral polymerases sequentially synthesize the non-coding leader RNA and monocistronic mRNAs from the 3′-terminal leader region and internal genes, respectively, on their genomes by the stop-start transcription mechanism. A hallmark of NNS RNA viral polymerases is the presence of a unique enzymatic domain, called GDP polyribonucleotidyltransferase (PRNTase), which catalyzes pre-mRNA 5′-capping, one of the essential mRNA modifications. Our recent study revealed that the VSV PRNTase domain directs transcription initiation at the 3′-end of the genome as well as pre-mRNA capping with the dual functional priming-capping loop during stop-start transcription. Here, we further show that a helix structure flanked by the priming-capping loop regulates not only transcription elongation at an early phase of leader RNA synthesis but also polyadenylation-coupled transcription termination at gene junctions. These findings indicate that the PRNTase domain acts as a key regulatory domain for stop-start transcription as well as a catalytic domain for pre-mRNA capping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minako Ogino
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Todd J. Green
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Tomoaki Ogino
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Camero M, Lanave G, Catella C, Lucente MS, Sposato A, Mari V, Tempesta M, Martella V, Buonavoglia A. ERDRP-0519 inhibits feline coronavirus in vitro. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:55. [PMID: 35078478 PMCID: PMC8787031 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03153-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronaviruses (CoVs) are major human and animal pathogens and antiviral drugs are pursued as a complementary strategy, chiefly if vaccines are not available. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal systemic disease of felids caused by FIP virus (FIPV), a virulent pathotype of feline enteric coronavirus (FeCoV). Some antiviral drugs active on FIPV have been identified, but they are not available in veterinary medicine. ERDRP-0519 (ERDRP) is a non-nucleoside inhibitor, targeting viral RNA polymerase, effective against morbilliviruses in vitro and in vivo. Results The antiviral efficacy of ERDRP against a type II FIPV was evaluated in vitro in Crandell Reese Feline Kidney (CRFK) cells. ERDRP significantly inhibited replication of FIPV in a dose-dependent manner. Viral infectivity was decreased by up to 3.00 logarithms in cell cultures whilst viral load, estimated by quantification of nucleic acids, was reduced by nearly 3.11 logaritms. Conclusions These findings confirm that ERDRP is highly effective against a CoV. Experiments will be necessary to assess whether ERDRP is suitable for treatment of FIPV in vivo. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03153-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
| | - Cristiana Catella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Sposato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Viviana Mari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Maria Tempesta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
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Siering O, Cattaneo R, Pfaller CK. C Proteins: Controllers of Orderly Paramyxovirus Replication and of the Innate Immune Response. Viruses 2022; 14:v14010137. [PMID: 35062341 PMCID: PMC8778822 DOI: 10.3390/v14010137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Particles of many paramyxoviruses include small amounts of proteins with a molecular weight of about 20 kDa. These proteins, termed “C”, are basic, have low amino acid homology and some secondary structure conservation. C proteins are encoded in alternative reading frames of the phosphoprotein gene. Some viruses express nested sets of C proteins that exert their functions in different locations: In the nucleus, they interfere with cellular transcription factors that elicit innate immune responses; in the cytoplasm, they associate with viral ribonucleocapsids and control polymerase processivity and orderly replication, thereby minimizing the activation of innate immunity. In addition, certain C proteins can directly bind to, and interfere with the function of, several cytoplasmic proteins required for interferon induction, interferon signaling and inflammation. Some C proteins are also required for efficient virus particle assembly and budding. C-deficient viruses can be grown in certain transformed cell lines but are not pathogenic in natural hosts. C proteins affect the same host functions as other phosphoprotein gene-encoded proteins named V but use different strategies for this purpose. Multiple independent systems to counteract host defenses may ensure efficient immune evasion and facilitate virus adaptation to new hosts and tissue environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Siering
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, 63225 Langen, Germany;
| | - Roberto Cattaneo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55906, USA
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (C.K.P.)
| | - Christian K. Pfaller
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, 63225 Langen, Germany;
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (C.K.P.)
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Gong P. Within and Beyond the Nucleotide Addition Cycle of Viral RNA-dependent RNA Polymerases. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:822218. [PMID: 35083282 PMCID: PMC8784604 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.822218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide addition cycle (NAC) is a fundamental process utilized by nucleic acid polymerases when carrying out nucleic acid biosynthesis. An induced-fit mechanism is usually taken by these polymerases upon NTP/dNTP substrate binding, leading to active site closure and formation of a phosphodiester bond. In viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, the post-chemistry translocation is stringently controlled by a structurally conserved motif, resulting in asymmetric movement of the template-product duplex. This perspective focuses on viral RdRP NAC and related mechanisms that have not been structurally clarified to date. Firstly, RdRP movement along the template strand in the absence of catalytic events may be relevant to catalytic complex dissociation or proofreading. Secondly, pyrophosphate or non-cognate NTP-mediated cleavage of the product strand 3′-nucleotide can also play a role in reactivating paused or arrested catalytic complexes. Furthermore, non-cognate NTP substrates, including NTP analog inhibitors, can not only alter NAC when being misincorporated, but also impact on subsequent NACs. Complications and challenges related to these topics are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Drug Discovery Center for Infectious Diseases, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Peng Gong,
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40
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Comparison of RNA synthesis initiation properties of non-segmented negative strand RNA virus polymerases. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010151. [PMID: 34914795 PMCID: PMC8717993 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally thought that the promoters of non-segmented, negative strand RNA viruses (nsNSVs) direct the polymerase to initiate RNA synthesis exclusively opposite the 3´ terminal nucleotide of the genome RNA by a de novo (primer independent) initiation mechanism. However, recent studies have revealed that there is diversity between different nsNSVs with pneumovirus promoters directing the polymerase to initiate at positions 1 and 3 of the genome, and ebolavirus polymerases being able to initiate at position 2 on the template. Studies with other RNA viruses have shown that polymerases that engage in de novo initiation opposite position 1 typically have structural features to stabilize the initiation complex and ensure efficient and accurate initiation. This raised the question of whether different nsNSV polymerases have evolved fundamentally different structural properties to facilitate initiation at different sites on their promoters. Here we examined the functional properties of polymerases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a pneumovirus, human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3), a paramyxovirus, and Marburg virus (MARV), a filovirus, both on their cognate promoters and on promoters of other viruses. We found that in contrast to the RSV polymerase, which initiated at positions 1 and 3 of its promoter, the PIV-3 and MARV polymerases initiated exclusively at position 1 on their cognate promoters. However, all three polymerases could recognize and initiate from heterologous promoters, with the promoter sequence playing a key role in determining initiation site selection. In addition to examining de novo initiation, we also compared the ability of the RSV and PIV-3 polymerases to engage in back-priming, an activity in which the promoter template is folded into a secondary structure and nucleotides are added to the template 3´ end. This analysis showed that whereas the RSV polymerase was promiscuous in back-priming activity, the PIV-3 polymerase generated barely detectable levels of back-primed product, irrespective of promoter template sequence. Overall, this study shows that the polymerases from these three nsNSV families are fundamentally similar in their initiation properties, but have differences in their abilities to engage in back-priming.
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Jurković M, Slović A, Forčić D, Ivančić-Jelečki J, Košutić-Gulija T, Jagušić M. Influence of Ribavirin on Mumps Virus Population Diversity. Viruses 2021; 13:2535. [PMID: 34960805 PMCID: PMC8706638 DOI: 10.3390/v13122535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Frequent mumps outbreaks in vaccinated populations and the occurrence of neurological complications (e.g., aseptic meningitis or encephalitis) in patients with mumps indicate the need for the development of more efficient vaccines as well as specific antiviral therapies. RNA viruses are genetically highly heterogeneous populations that exist on the edge of an error threshold, such that additional increases in mutational burden can lead to extinction of the virus population. Deliberate modulation of their natural mutation rate is being exploited as an antiviral strategy and a possibility for rational vaccine design. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of ribavirin, a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, to introduce mutations in the mumps virus (MuV) genome and to investigate if resistance develops during long-term in vitro exposure to ribavirin. An increase in MuV population heterogeneity in the presence of ribavirin has been observed after one passage in cell culture, as well as a bias toward C-to-U and G-to-A transitions, which have previously been defined as ribavirin-related. At higher ribavirin concentration, MuV loses its infectivity during serial passaging and does not recover. At low ribavirin concentration, serial passaging leads to a more significant increase in population diversity and a stronger bias towards ribavirin-related transitions, independently of viral strain or cell culture. In these conditions, the virus retains its initial growth capacity, without development of resistance at a whole-virus population level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maja Jagušić
- Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.J.); (A.S.); (D.F.); (J.I.-J.); (T.K.-G.)
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Kolakofsky D, Le Mercier P, Nishio M, Blackledge M, Crépin T, Ruigrok RWH. Sendai Virus and a Unified Model of Mononegavirus RNA Synthesis. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122466. [PMID: 34960735 PMCID: PMC8708023 DOI: 10.3390/v13122466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), the founding member of the mononegavirus order (Mononegavirales), was found to be a negative strand RNA virus in the 1960s, and since then the number of such viruses has continually increased with no end in sight. Sendai virus (SeV) was noted soon afterwards due to an outbreak of newborn pneumonitis in Japan whose putative agent was passed in mice, and nowadays this mouse virus is mainly the bane of animal houses and immunologists. However, SeV was important in the study of this class of viruses because, like flu, it grows to high titers in embryonated chicken eggs, facilitating the biochemical characterization of its infection and that of its nucleocapsid, which is very close to that of measles virus (MeV). This review and opinion piece follow SeV as more is known about how various mononegaviruses express their genetic information and carry out their RNA synthesis, and proposes a unified model based on what all MNV have in common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kolakofsky
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (D.K.); (R.W.H.R.)
| | - Philippe Le Mercier
- Swiss-Prot Group, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Machiko Nishio
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan;
| | - Martin Blackledge
- Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), CEA, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38058 Grenoble, France; (M.B.); (T.C.)
| | - Thibaut Crépin
- Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), CEA, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38058 Grenoble, France; (M.B.); (T.C.)
| | - Rob W. H. Ruigrok
- Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), CEA, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38058 Grenoble, France; (M.B.); (T.C.)
- Correspondence: (D.K.); (R.W.H.R.)
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Pyle JD, Whelan SPJ, Bloyet LM. Structure and function of negative-strand RNA virus polymerase complexes. Enzymes 2021; 50:21-78. [PMID: 34861938 DOI: 10.1016/bs.enz.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Viruses with negative-strand RNA genomes (NSVs) include many highly pathogenic and economically devastating disease-causing agents of humans, livestock, and plants-highlighted by recent Ebola and measles virus epidemics, and continuously circulating influenza virus. Because of their protein-coding orientation, NSVs face unique challenges for efficient gene expression and genome replication. To overcome these barriers, NSVs deliver a large and multifunctional RNA-dependent RNA polymerase into infected host cells. NSV-encoded polymerases contain all the enzymatic activities required for transcription and replication of their genome-including RNA synthesis and mRNA capping. Here, we review the structures and functions of NSV polymerases with a focus on key domains responsible for viral replication and gene expression. We highlight shared and unique features among polymerases of NSVs from the Mononegavirales, Bunyavirales, and Articulavirales orders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Pyle
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States; Ph.D. Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sean P J Whelan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.
| | - Louis-Marie Bloyet
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.
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Dhankhar P, Dalal V, Kumar V. Screening of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibitors Using Computational Approach. J Comput Biol 2021; 28:1228-1247. [PMID: 34847746 PMCID: PMC8819516 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2020.0639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The detrimental effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has manifested itself as a global crisis. Currently, no specific treatment options are available for COVID-19, so therapeutic interventions to tackle the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection must be urgently established. Therefore, cohesive and multidimensional efforts are required to identify new therapies or investigate the efficacy of small molecules and existing drugs against SARS-CoV-2. Since the RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRP) of SARS-CoV-2 is a promising therapeutic target, this study addresses the identification of antiviral molecules that can specifically target SARS-CoV-2 RdRP. The computational approach of drug development was used to screen the antiviral molecules from two antiviral libraries (Life Chemicals [LC] and ASINEX) against RdRP. Here, we report six antiviral molecules (F3407-4105, F6523-2250, F6559-0746 from LC and BDG 33693278, BDG 33693315, LAS 34156196 from ASINEX), which show substantial interactions with key amino acid residues of the active site of SARS-CoV-2 RdRP and exhibit higher binding affinity (>7.5 kcalmol-1) than Galidesivir, an Food and Drug Administration-approved inhibitor of the same. Further, molecular dynamics simulation and Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area results confirmed that identified molecules with RdRP formed higher stable RdRP-inhibitor(s) complex than RdRP-Galidesvir complex. Our findings suggest that these molecules could be potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RdRP. However, further in vitro and preclinical experiments would be required to validate these potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Dhankhar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Vikram Dalal
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Viney Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
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Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) belongs to the order Bunyavirales and is the type species of genus Phlebovirus, which accounts for over 50% of family Phenuiviridae species. RVFV is mosquito-borne and causes severe diseases in both humans and livestock, and consists of three segments (S, M, L) in the genome. The L segment encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp, L protein) that is responsible for facilitating the replication and transcription of the virus. It is essential for the virus and has multiple drug targets. Here, we established an expression system and purification procedures for full-length L protein, which is composed of an endonuclease domain, RdRp domain, and cap-binding domain. A cryo-EM L protein structure was reported at 3.6 Å resolution. In this first L protein structure of genus Phlebovirus, the priming loop of RVFV L protein is distinctly different from those of other L proteins and undergoes large movements related to its replication role. Structural and biochemical analyses indicate that a single template can induce initiation of RNA synthesis, which is notably enhanced by 5' viral RNA. These findings help advance our understanding of the mechanism of RNA synthesis and provide an important basis for developing antiviral inhibitors. Importance The zoonosis RVF virus (RVFV) is one of the most serious arbovirus threats to both human and animal health. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a multifunctional enzyme catalyzing genome replication as well as viral transcription, so the RdRp is essential for studying the virus and has multiple drug targets. In our study, we report the structure of RVFV L protein at 3.6 Å resolution by cryo-EM. This is the first L protein structure of genus Phlebovirus. Strikingly, a single template can initiate RNA replication. The structure and assays provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the catalytic and substrate recognition mechanism of RdRp.
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Mutations in the Methyltransferase Motifs of L Protein Attenuate Newcastle Disease Virus by Regulating Viral Translation and Cell-to-Cell Spread. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0131221. [PMID: 34585949 PMCID: PMC8557825 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01312-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The large (L) polymerase proteins of most nonsegmented, negative-stranded (NNS) RNA viruses have conserved methyltransferase motifs, (G)-G-G-D and K-D-K-E, which are important for the stabilization and translation of mRNA. However, the function of the (G)-G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs in the NNS RNA virus Newcastle disease virus (NDV) remains unclear. We observed G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs in all NDV genotypes. By using the infection cloning system of NDV rSG10 strain, recombinant NDVs with a single amino acid mutated to alanine in one motif (G-G-D or K-D-K-E) were rescued. The intracerebral pathogenicity index and mean death time assay results revealed that the G-G-D motif and K-D-K-E motif attenuate the virulence of NDV to various degrees. The replication, transcription, and translation levels of the K-D-K-E motif-mutant strains were significantly higher than those of wild-type virus owing to their altered regulation of the affinity between nucleocapsid protein and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E. When the infection dose was changed from a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10 to an MOI of 0.01, the cell-to-cell spread abilities of G-G-D- and K-D-K-E-mutant strains were reduced, according to plaque assay and dynamic indirect immunofluorescence assay results. Finally, we found that NDV strains with G-G-D or K-D-K-E motif mutations had less pathogenicity in 3-week-old specific-pathogen-free chickens than wild-type NDV. Therefore, these methyltransferase motifs can affect virulence by regulating the translation and cell-to-cell spread abilities of NDV. This work provides a feasible approach for generating vaccine candidates for viruses with methyltransferase motifs. IMPORTANCE Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an important pathogen that is widespread globally. Research on its pathogenic mechanism is an important means of improving prevention and control efforts. Our study found that a deficiency in its methyltransferase motifs (G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs) can attenuate NDV and revealed the molecular mechanism by which these motifs affect pathogenicity, which provides a new direction for the development of NDV vaccines. In addition to the (G)-G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs of many nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses, similar motifs have been found in dengue virus, Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This suggests that such motifs may be present in more viruses. Our finding also provides a molecular basis for the discovery and functional study of (G)-G-G-D and K-D-K-E motifs of other viruses.
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Structural and Functional Aspects of Ebola Virus Proteins. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101330. [PMID: 34684279 PMCID: PMC8538763 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV), member of genus Ebolavirus, family Filoviridae, have a non-segmented, single-stranded RNA that contains seven genes: (a) nucleoprotein (NP), (b) viral protein 35 (VP35), (c) VP40, (d) glycoprotein (GP), (e) VP30, (f) VP24, and (g) RNA polymerase (L). All genes encode for one protein each except GP, producing three pre-proteins due to the transcriptional editing. These pre-proteins are translated into four products, namely: (a) soluble secreted glycoprotein (sGP), (b) Δ-peptide, (c) full-length transmembrane spike glycoprotein (GP), and (d) soluble small secreted glycoprotein (ssGP). Further, shed GP is released from infected cells due to cleavage of GP by tumor necrosis factor α-converting enzyme (TACE). This review presents a detailed discussion on various functional aspects of all EBOV proteins and their residues. An introduction to ebolaviruses and their life cycle is also provided for clarity of the available analysis. We believe that this review will help understand the roles played by different EBOV proteins in the pathogenesis of the disease. It will help in targeting significant protein residues for therapeutic and multi-protein/peptide vaccine development.
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Kakuk B, Kiss AA, Torma G, Csabai Z, Prazsák I, Mizik M, Megyeri K, Tombácz D, Boldogkői Z. Nanopore Assay Reveals Cell-Type-Dependent Gene Expression of Vesicular Stomatitis Indiana Virus and Differential Host Cell Response. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091196. [PMID: 34578228 PMCID: PMC8468008 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSIV) of genus Vesiculovirus, species IndianaVesiculovirus (formerly as Vesicular stomatitis virus, VSV) causes a disease in livestock that is very similar to the foot and mouth disease, thereby an outbreak may lead to significant economic loss. Long-read sequencing (LRS) -based approaches already reveal a hidden complexity of the transcriptomes in several viruses. This technique has been utilized for the sequencing of the VSIV genome, but our study is the first for the application of this technique for the profiling of the VSIV transcriptome. Since LRS is able to sequence full-length RNA molecules, it thereby provides more accurate annotation of the transcriptomes than the traditional short-read sequencing methods. The objectives of this study were to assemble the complete transcriptome of using nanopore sequencing, to ascertain cell-type specificity and dynamics of viral gene expression, and to evaluate host gene expression changes induced by the viral infection. We carried out a time-course analysis of VSIV gene expression in human glioblastoma and primate fibroblast cell lines using a nanopore-based LRS approach and applied both amplified and direct cDNA sequencing (as well as cap-selection) for a fraction of samples. Our investigations revealed that, although the VSIV genome is simple, it generates a relatively complex transcriptomic architecture. In this study, we also demonstrated that VSIV transcripts vary in structure and exhibit differential gene expression patterns in the two examined cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Kakuk
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (B.K.); (A.A.K.); (G.T.); (Z.C.); (I.P.); (M.M.); (D.T.)
| | - András Attila Kiss
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (B.K.); (A.A.K.); (G.T.); (Z.C.); (I.P.); (M.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Gábor Torma
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (B.K.); (A.A.K.); (G.T.); (Z.C.); (I.P.); (M.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Zsolt Csabai
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (B.K.); (A.A.K.); (G.T.); (Z.C.); (I.P.); (M.M.); (D.T.)
| | - István Prazsák
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (B.K.); (A.A.K.); (G.T.); (Z.C.); (I.P.); (M.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Máté Mizik
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (B.K.); (A.A.K.); (G.T.); (Z.C.); (I.P.); (M.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Klára Megyeri
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Dóra Tombácz
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (B.K.); (A.A.K.); (G.T.); (Z.C.); (I.P.); (M.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Zsolt Boldogkői
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; (B.K.); (A.A.K.); (G.T.); (Z.C.); (I.P.); (M.M.); (D.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Liu G, Cao W, Salawudeen A, Zhu W, Emeterio K, Safronetz D, Banadyga L. Vesicular Stomatitis Virus: From Agricultural Pathogen to Vaccine Vector. Pathogens 2021; 10:1092. [PMID: 34578125 PMCID: PMC8470541 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which belongs to the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae, is a well studied livestock pathogen and prototypic non-segmented, negative-sense RNA virus. Although VSV is responsible for causing economically significant outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis in cattle, horses, and swine, the virus also represents a valuable research tool for molecular biologists and virologists. Indeed, the establishment of a reverse genetics system for the recovery of infectious VSV from cDNA transformed the utility of this virus and paved the way for its use as a vaccine vector. A highly effective VSV-based vaccine against Ebola virus recently received clinical approval, and many other VSV-based vaccines have been developed, particularly for high-consequence viruses. This review seeks to provide a holistic but concise overview of VSV, covering the virus's ascension from perennial agricultural scourge to promising medical countermeasure, with a particular focus on vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Liu
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Wenguang Cao
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Abdjeleel Salawudeen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Wenjun Zhu
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3M4, Canada
| | - Karla Emeterio
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - David Safronetz
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Logan Banadyga
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
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Mu F, Li B, Cheng S, Jia J, Jiang D, Fu Y, Cheng J, Lin Y, Chen T, Xie J. Nine viruses from eight lineages exhibiting new evolutionary modes that co-infect a hypovirulent phytopathogenic fungus. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009823. [PMID: 34428260 PMCID: PMC8415603 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoviruses are an important component of the virosphere, but our current knowledge of their genome organization diversity and evolution remains rudimentary. In this study, the mycovirus composition in a hypovirulent strain of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was molecularly characterized. Nine mycoviruses were identified and assigned into eight potential families. Of them, six were close relatives of known mycoviruses, while the other three had unique genome organizations and evolutionary positions. A deltaflexivirus with a tripartite genome has evolved via arrangement and horizontal gene transfer events, which could be an evolutionary connection from unsegmented to segmented RNA viruses. Two mycoviruses had acquired a second helicase gene by two different evolutionary mechanisms. A rhabdovirus representing an independent viral evolutionary branch was the first to be confirmed to occur naturally in fungi. The major hypovirulence-associated factor, an endornavirus, was finally corroborated. Our study expands the diversity of mycoviruses and potential virocontrol agents, and also provides new insights into virus evolutionary modes including virus genome segmentation. Identification of mycoviruses in phytopathogenic fungi is necessary for understanding the origin of viruses and developing virocontrol strategies to protect plants. Nine mycoviruses with RNA genomes were identified in a hypovirulent strain of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and were classified into eight potential viral families, suggesting that the composition of mycoviral communities was complex in this single fungal strain. They included four previously characterized mycoviruses and three distant relatives of known mycoviruses, as well as the first reports of a deltaflexivirus with a tripartite genome, and a fungal rhabdovirus. In addition, we found an endornavirus associated with hypovirulence in a phytopathogenic fungus. Our study makes a significant contribution because it not only expands the diversity-related knowledge of mycoviruses and potential virocontrol agents, but also provides new insights into mycovirus evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shufen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jichun Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Daohong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanping Fu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiasen Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Lin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiatao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail:
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