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Matsumura EE, Guo F, Boogers D, van Oevelen D, Vu ST, Falk BW. Citrus sudden death-associated virus as a new expression vector for rapid in planta production of heterologous proteins, chimeric virions, and virus-like particles. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 35:e00739. [PMID: 35646618 PMCID: PMC9130518 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2022.e00739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The more we understand the strategies used by viruses for protein expression, the more possibilities we have to exploit viruses as expression vectors for heterologous protein production. Advances in the development of virus-based expression systems have been possible due to generation of many virus infectious clones, especially those derived from plant viruses, which have the capability for rapid and high-level transient expression of proteins in plant cells, a robust and low-cost bioreactor. In this work, we generated new replicative virus expression vectors based on a previously constructed citrus sudden death-associated virus (CSDaV) infectious cDNA clone. These vectors were generated to express the reporter green fluorescent protein (GFP) in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves by taking advantage of the expression strategies used by CSDaV to produce its structural proteins. We show that higher amounts of GFP can be produced from a coat protein (CP)-independent CSDaV-based vector, compared to levels of GFP expressed from a widely used non-replicative vector (pEAQ series); or GFP can be produced in fusion with the major CSDaV CP (CPp21) to be incorporated into chimeric virions. However, GFP-recombinant CSDaV virions do not appear uniformly assembled, but more likely as mosaic particles. Cryo-electron microscopy analysis from this work revealed the structures of the wild-type and the GFP-recombinant CSDaV virions, but it was not able to reveal where exactly the GFP is displayed in the chimeric virions. We show though that the incorporation of GFP-CPp21 fusion protein into virions occurs solely due to its interaction with free/non-fused CPp21, independent of other viral proteins. Therefore, individual co-expression of GFP-CPp21 and CPp21 in the same plant cells leads to the production of chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs), while GFP-CPp21 fusion protein itself is not able to self-assemble into VLPs. The new CSDaV-based expression vectors may provide an alternative platform for use in molecular farming, either for production of heterologous proteins or as scaffold for heterologous protein display.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilyn E. Matsumura
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA 8 Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Fei Guo
- Department of Cell Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Daan Boogers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA 8 Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis van Oevelen
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA 8 Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra T. Vu
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Bryce W. Falk
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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Coat protein expression strategy of maize rayado fino virus and evidence for requirement of CP1 for leafhopper transmission. Virology 2022; 570:96-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Nemchinov LG, François S, Roumagnac P, Ogliastro M, Hammond RW, Mollov DS, Filloux D. Characterization of alfalfa virus F, a new member of the genus Marafivirus. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203477. [PMID: 30180217 PMCID: PMC6122807 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral infections of alfalfa are widespread in major cultivation areas and their impact on alfalfa production may be underestimated. A new viral species, provisionally named alfalfa virus F (AVF), was identified using a virion-associated nucleic acid (VANA) metagenomics-based approach in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) samples collected in Southern France. The nucleotide sequence of the viral genome was determined by de-novo assembly of VANA reads and by 5'/3' RACE with viral RNA extracted from enriched viral particles or with total RNA, respectively. The virus shares the greatest degree of overall sequence identity (~78%) with Medicago sativa marafivirus 1 (MsMV1) recently deduced from alfalfa transcriptomic data. The tentative nucleotide sequence of the AVF coat protein shares ~83% identity with the corresponding region of MsMV1. A sequence search of the predicted single large ORF encoding a polyprotein of 235kDa in the Pfam database resulted in identification of five domains, characteristic of the genus Marafivirus, family Tymoviridae. The AVF genome also contains a conserved "marafibox", a 16-nt consensus sequence present in all known marafiviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete nucleotide sequences of AVF and other viruses of the family Tymoviridae grouped AVF in the same cluster with MsMV1. In addition to 5' and 3' terminal extensions, the identity of the virus was confirmed by RT-PCRs with primers derived from VANA-contigs, transmission electron microscopy with virus-infected tissues and transient expression of the viral coat protein gene using a heterologous virus-based vector. Based on the criteria demarcating species in the genus Marafivirus that include overall sequence identity less than 80% and coat protein identity less than 90%, we propose that AVF represents a distinct viral species in the genus Marafivirus, family Tymoviridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lev G. Nemchinov
- USDA-ARS, Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Beltsville MD, United States of America
| | | | - Phillipe Roumagnac
- CIRAD, UMR BGPI, Montpellier, France
- BGPI, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier
| | | | - Rosemarie W. Hammond
- USDA-ARS, Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Beltsville MD, United States of America
| | - Dimitre S. Mollov
- USDA-ARS, National Germplasm Recourses Laboratory, Beltsville MD, United States of America
| | - Denis Filloux
- CIRAD, UMR BGPI, Montpellier, France
- BGPI, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier
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Edwards MC, Weiland JJ, Todd J, Stewart LR. Infectious Maize rayado fino virus from Cloned cDNA. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2015; 105:833-839. [PMID: 25651051 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-09-14-0250-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A full-length cDNA clone was produced from a U.S. isolate of Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV), the type member of the genus Marafivirus within the family Tymoviridae. Infectivity of transcripts derived from cDNA clones was demonstrated by infection of maize plants and protoplasts, as well as by transmission via the known leafhopper vectors Dalbulus maidis and Graminella nigrifrons that transmit the virus in a persistent-propagative manner. Infection of maize plants through vascular puncture inoculation of seed with transcript RNA resulted in the induction of fine stipple stripe symptoms typical of those produced by wild-type MRFV and a frequency of infection comparable with that of the wild type. Northern and Western blotting confirmed the production of MRFV-specific RNAs and proteins in infected plants and protoplasts. An unanticipated increase in subgenomic RNA synthesis over levels in infected plants was observed in protoplasts infected with either wild-type or cloned virus. A conserved cleavage site motif previously demonstrated to function in both Oat blue dwarf virus capsid protein and tymoviral nonstructural protein processing was identified near the amino terminus of the MRFV replicase polyprotein, suggesting that cleavage at this site also may occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Edwards
- First and second authors: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Cereal Crops Research Unit, Fargo, ND 58102-2765; third and fourth authors: USDA-ARS Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Quality Research Unit, Wooster, OH 44691
| | - John J Weiland
- First and second authors: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Cereal Crops Research Unit, Fargo, ND 58102-2765; third and fourth authors: USDA-ARS Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Quality Research Unit, Wooster, OH 44691
| | - Jane Todd
- First and second authors: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Cereal Crops Research Unit, Fargo, ND 58102-2765; third and fourth authors: USDA-ARS Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Quality Research Unit, Wooster, OH 44691
| | - Lucy R Stewart
- First and second authors: United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Cereal Crops Research Unit, Fargo, ND 58102-2765; third and fourth authors: USDA-ARS Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Quality Research Unit, Wooster, OH 44691
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Natilla A, Murphy C, Hammond RW. Mutations in the alpha-helical region of the amino terminus of the Maize rayado fino virus capsid protein and CP:RNA ratios affect virus-like particle encapsidation of RNAs. Virus Res 2015; 196:70-8. [PMID: 25102332 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Viral-based nanoplatforms rely on balancing the delicate array of virus properties to optimally achieve encapsidation of foreign materials with various potential objectives. We investigated the use of Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV)-virus-like particles (VLPs) as a multifunctional nanoplatform and their potential application as protein cages. MRFV-VLPs are composed of two serologically related, carboxy co-terminal coat proteins (CP1 and CP2) which are capable of self-assembling in Nicotiana benthamiana plants into 30nm particles with T=3 symmetry. The N-terminus of CP1 was targeted for genetic modification to exploit the driving forces for VLP assembly, packaging and retention of RNA in vivo and in vitro. The N-terminus of MRFV-CP1 contains a peptide sequence of 37 amino acids which has been predicted to have an alpha-helical structure, is rich in hydrophobic amino acids, facilitates CP-RNA interactions, and is not required for self-assembly. Amino acid substitutions were introduced in the 37 amino acid N-terminus by site-directed mutagenesis and the mutant VLPs produced in plants by a Potato virus X (PVX)-based vector were tested for particle stability and RNA encapsidation. All mutant CPs resulted in production of VLPs which encapsidated non-viral RNAs, including PVX genomic and subgenomic (sg) RNAs, 18S rRNA and cellular and viral mRNAs. In addition, MRFV-VLPs encapsidated GFP mRNA when was expressed in plant cells from the pGD vector. These results suggest that RNA packaging in MRFV-VLPs is predominantly driven by electrostatic interactions between the N-terminal 37 amino acid extension of CP1 and RNA, and that the overall species concentration of RNA in the cellular pool may determine the abundance and species of the RNAs packaged into the VLPs. Furthermore, RNA encapsidation is not required for VLPs stability, VLPs formed from MRFV-CP1 were stable at temperatures up to 70°C, and can be disassembled into CP monomers, which can then reassemble in vitro into complete VLPs either in the absence or presence of RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Natilla
- United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Agricultural Research Service, Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States.
| | - Charles Murphy
- United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Agricultural Research Service, Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
| | - Rosemarie W Hammond
- United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville Agricultural Research Service, Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
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Moon KB, Lee J, Kang S, Kim M, Mason HS, Jeon JH, Kim HS. Overexpression and self-assembly of virus-like particles in Nicotiana benthamiana by a single-vector DNA replicon system. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:8281-90. [PMID: 24965559 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5901-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Based on recent developments, virus-like particles (VLPs) are considered to be perfect candidates as nanoplatforms for applications in materials science and medicine. To succeed, mass production of VLPs and self-assembly into a correct form in plant systems are key factors. Here, we report expression of synthesized coat proteins of the three viruses, Brome mosaic virus, Cucumber mosaic virus, and Maize rayado fino virus, in Nicotiana benthamiana and production of self-assembled VLPs by transient expression system using agroinfiltration. Each coat protein was synthesized and cloned into a pBYR2fp single replicon vector. Target protein expression in cells containing p19 was fourfold higher than that of cells lacking p19. After agroinfiltration, protein expression was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and quantitative image analyzer. Quantitative analysis showed that BMVCP, CMVCP, and MRFVCP concentrations were 0.5, 1.0, and 0.8 mg · g(-1) leaf fresh weight, respectively. VLPs were purified by sucrose cushion ultracentrifugation and then analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Our results suggested that BMVCP and CMVCP proteins expressed in N. benthamiana leaves were able to correctly self-assemble into particles. Moreover, we evaluated internal cavity accessibility of VLPs to load foreign molecules. Finally, plant growth conditions after agroinfiltration are critical for increasing heterologous protein expression levels in a transient expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Beom Moon
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Gwahangno 125, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-806, Korea
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Abstract
Over the last three decades, virus-like particles (VLPs) have evolved to become a widely accepted technology, especially in the field of vaccinology. In fact, some VLP-based vaccines are currently used as commercial medical products, and other VLP-based products are at different stages of clinical study. Several remarkable advantages have been achieved in the development of VLPs as gene therapy tools and new nanomaterials. The analysis of published data reveals that at least 110 VLPs have been constructed from viruses belonging to 35 different families. This review therefore discusses the main principles in the cloning of viral structural genes, the relevant host systems and the purification procedures that have been developed. In addition, the methods that are used to characterize the structural integrity, stability, and components, including the encapsidated nucleic acids, of newly synthesized VLPs are analyzed. Moreover, some of the modifications that are required to construct VLP-based carriers of viral origin with defined properties are discussed, and examples are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andris Zeltins
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga 1067, Latvia.
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Vaira AM, Lim HS, Bauchan GR, Owens RA, Natilla A, Dienelt MM, Reinsel MD, Hammond J. Lolium latent virus (Alphaflexiviridae) coat proteins: expression and functions in infected plant tissue. J Gen Virol 2012; 93:1814-1824. [PMID: 22573739 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.042960-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The genome of Lolium latent virus (LoLV; genus Lolavirus, family Alphaflexiviridae) is encapsidated by two carboxy-coterminal coat protein (CP) variants (about 28 and 33 kDa), in equimolar proportions. The CP ORF contains two 5'-proximal AUGs encoding Met 1 and Met 49, respectively promoting translation of the 33 and 28 kDa CP variants. The 33 kDa CP N-terminal domain includes a 42 aa sequence encoding a putative chloroplast transit peptide, leading to protein cleavage and alternative derivation of the approximately 28 kDa CP. Mutational analysis of the two in-frame start codons and of the putative proteolytic-cleavage site showed that the N-terminal sequence is crucial for efficient cell-to-cell movement, functional systemic movement, homologous CP interactions and particle formation, but is not required for virus replication. Blocking production of the 28 kDa CP by internal initiation shows no major outcome, whereas additional mutation to prevent proteolytic cleavage at the chloroplast membrane has a dramatic effect on virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Vaira
- USDA-ARS, USNA, Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, USA
- Istituto di Virologia Vegetale CNR, Strada delle Cacce 73, 10135, Torino, Italy
| | - Hyoun-Sub Lim
- Department of Applied Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Gary R Bauchan
- USDA-ARS, PSI, Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Robert A Owens
- USDA-ARS, PSI, Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Angela Natilla
- USDA-ARS, PSI, Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Margaret M Dienelt
- USDA-ARS, USNA, Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Michael D Reinsel
- USDA-ARS, USNA, Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - John Hammond
- USDA-ARS, USNA, Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, USA
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Agindotan BO, Gray ME, Hammond RW, Bradley CA. Complete genome sequence of switchgrass mosaic virus, a member of a proposed new species in the genus Marafivirus. Arch Virol 2012; 157:1825-30. [PMID: 22661377 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-012-1354-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The complete genome sequence of a virus recently detected in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) was determined and found to be closely related to that of maize rayado fino virus (MRFV), genus Marafivirus, family Tymoviridae. The genomic RNA is 6408 nucleotides long. It contains three predicted open reading frames (ORFs 1-3), encoding proteins of 227 kDa, 43.9 kDa, and 31.5 kDa, compared to two ORFs (1 and 2) for MRFV. The complete genome shares 76 % sequence identity with MRFV. The nucleotide sequence of ORF2 of this virus and the amino acid sequence of its encoded protein are 49 % and 77 % identical, respectively, to those of MRFV. The virus-encoded polyprotein and capsid protein aa sequences are 83 % and 74-80 % identical, respectively, to those of MRFV. Although closely related to MRFV, the amino acid sequence of its capsid protein (CP) forms a clade that is separate from that of MRFV. Based on the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) sequence-related criteria for delineation of species within the genus Marafivirus, the virus qualifies as a member of a new species, and the name Switchgrass mosaic virus (SwMV) is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bright O Agindotan
- Energy Biosciences Institute, University of Illinois, 1206 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801-3838, USA.
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Natilla A, Hammond RW. Maize rayado fino virus virus-like particles expressed in tobacco plants: A new platform for cysteine selective bioconjugation peptide display. J Virol Methods 2011; 178:209-15. [PMID: 21963393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2011] [Revised: 09/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV) virus-like-particles (VLPs) produced in tobacco plants were examined for their ability to serve as a novel platform to which a variety of peptides can be covalently displayed when expressed through a Potato virus X (PVX)-based vector. To provide an anchor for chemical modifications, three Cys-MRFV-VLPs mutants were created by substituting several of the amino acids present on the shell of the wild-type MRFV-VLPs with cysteine residues. The mutant designated Cys 2-VLPs exhibited, under native conditions, cysteine thiol reactivity in bioconjugation reactions with a fluorescent dye. In addition, this Cys 2-VLPs was cross-linked by NHS-PEG4-Maleimide to 17 (F) and 8 (HN) amino acid long peptides, corresponding to neutralizing epitopes of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The resulting Cys 2-VLPs-F and Cys 2-VLPs-HN were recognized in Western blots by antibodies to MRFV as well as to F and HN. The results demonstrated that plant-produced MRFV-VLPs have the ability to function as a novel platform for the multivalent display of surface ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Natilla
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Sciences Institute, Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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