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Cantero M, Rodríguez-Espinosa MJ, Strobl K, Ibáñez P, Díez-Martínez A, Martín-González N, Jiménez-Zaragoza M, Ortega-Esteban A, de Pablo PJ. Atomic Force Microscopy of Viruses: Stability, Disassembly, and Genome Release. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2694:317-338. [PMID: 37824011 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3377-9_15] [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] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
In atomic force microscopy (AFM), the probe is a nanometric tip located at the end of a microcantilever which palpates the specimen under study as a blind person manages a walking stick. In this way, AFM allows obtaining nanometric resolution images of individual protein shells, such as viruses, in liquid milieu. Beyond imaging, AFM also enables not only the manipulation of single protein cages but also the evaluation of each physicochemical property which is able of inducing any measurable mechanical perturbation to the microcantilever that holds the tip. In this chapter, we start revising some recipes for adsorbing protein shells on surfaces and how the geometrical dilation of tips can affect to the AFM topographies. This work also deals with the abilities of AFM to monitor TGEV coronavirus under changing conditions of the liquid environment. Subsequently, we describe several AFM approaches to study cargo release, aging, and multilayered viruses with single indentation and fatigue assays. Finally, we comment on a combined AFM/fluorescence application to study the influence of crowding on GFP packed within individual P22 bacteriophage capsids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Cantero
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Rodríguez-Espinosa
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Klara Strobl
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Ibáñez
- Department of Theoretical Physics of Condensed Matter, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Díez-Martínez
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Jiménez-Zaragoza
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Ortega-Esteban
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro José de Pablo
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- Solid Condensed Matter Institute IFIMAC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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2
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Maksudov F, Kliuchnikov E, Marx KA, Purohit PK, Barsegov V. Mechanical fatigue testing in silico: Dynamic evolution of material properties of nanoscale biological particles. Acta Biomater 2023; 166:326-345. [PMID: 37142109 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.04.042] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Biological particles have evolved to possess mechanical characteristics necessary to carry out their functions. We developed a computational approach to "fatigue testing in silico", in which constant-amplitude cyclic loading is applied to a particle to explore its mechanobiology. We used this approach to describe dynamic evolution of nanomaterial properties and low-cycle fatigue in the thin spherical encapsulin shell, thick spherical Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (CCMV) capsid, and thick cylindrical microtubule (MT) fragment over 20 cycles of deformation. Changing structures and force-deformation curves enabled us to describe their damage-dependent biomechanics (strength, deformability, stiffness), thermodynamics (released and dissipated energies, enthalpy, and entropy) and material properties (toughness). Thick CCMV and MT particles experience material fatigue due to slow recovery and damage accumulation over 3-5 loading cycles; thin encapsulin shells show little fatigue due to rapid remodeling and limited damage. The results obtained challenge the existing paradigm: damage in biological particles is partially reversible owing to particle's partial recovery; fatigue crack may or may not grow with each loading cycle and may heal; and particles adapt to deformation amplitude and frequency to minimize the energy dissipated. Using crack size to quantitate damage is problematic as several cracks might form simultaneously in a particle. Dynamic evolution of strength, deformability, and stiffness, can be predicted by analyzing the cycle number (N) dependent damage, [Formula: see text] , where α is a power law and Nf is fatigue life. Fatigue testing in silico can now be used to explore damage-induced changes in the material properties of other biological particles. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biological particles possess mechanical characteristics necessary to perform their functions. We developed "fatigue testing in silico" approach, which employes Langevin Dynamics simulations of constant-amplitude cyclic loading of nanoscale biological particles, to explore dynamic evolution of the mechanical, energetic, and material properties of the thin and thick spherical particles of encapsulin and Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus, and the microtubule filament fragment. Our study of damage growth and fatigue development challenge the existing paradigm. Damage in biological particles is partially reversible as fatigue crack might heal with each loading cycle. Particles adapt to deformation amplitude and frequency to minimize energy dissipation. The evolution of strength, deformability, and stiffness, can be accurately predicted by analyzing the damage growth in particle structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farkhad Maksudov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, United States
| | - Evgenii Kliuchnikov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, United States
| | - Kenneth A Marx
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, United States
| | - Prashant K Purohit
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, PA, United States
| | - Valeri Barsegov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, United States.
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Wang Z, Fokine A, Guo X, Jiang W, Rossmann MG, Kuhn RJ, Luo ZH, Klose T. Structure of Vibrio Phage XM1, a Simple Contractile DNA Injection Machine. Viruses 2023; 15:1673. [PMID: 37632015 PMCID: PMC10457771 DOI: 10.3390/v15081673] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance poses a growing risk to public health, requiring new tools to combat pathogenic bacteria. Contractile injection systems, including bacteriophage tails, pyocins, and bacterial type VI secretion systems, can efficiently penetrate cell envelopes and become potential antibacterial agents. Bacteriophage XM1 is a dsDNA virus belonging to the Myoviridae family and infecting Vibrio bacteria. The XM1 virion, made of 18 different proteins, consists of an icosahedral head and a contractile tail, terminated with a baseplate. Here, we report cryo-EM reconstructions of all components of the XM1 virion and describe the atomic structures of 14 XM1 proteins. The XM1 baseplate is composed of a central hub surrounded by six wedge modules to which twelve spikes are attached. The XM1 tail contains a fewer number of smaller proteins compared to other reported phage baseplates, depicting the minimum requirements for building an effective cell-envelope-penetrating machine. We describe the tail sheath structure in the pre-infection and post-infection states and its conformational changes during infection. In addition, we report, for the first time, the in situ structure of the phage neck region to near-atomic resolution. Based on these structures, we propose mechanisms of virus assembly and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqing Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- National Cryo-EM Facility, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Andrei Fokine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Xinwu Guo
- Sansure Biotech Inc., Changsha 410205, China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Michael G. Rossmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Richard J. Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhu-Hua Luo
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biogenetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
- School of Marine Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Thomas Klose
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Li F, Hou CFD, Lokareddy RK, Yang R, Forti F, Briani F, Cingolani G. High-resolution cryo-EM structure of the Pseudomonas bacteriophage E217. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4052. [PMID: 37422479 PMCID: PMC10329688 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39756-z] [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: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
E217 is a Pseudomonas phage used in an experimental cocktail to eradicate cystic fibrosis-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we describe the structure of the whole E217 virion before and after DNA ejection at 3.1 Å and 4.5 Å resolution, respectively, determined using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). We identify and build de novo structures for 19 unique E217 gene products, resolve the tail genome-ejection machine in both extended and contracted states, and decipher the complete architecture of the baseplate formed by 66 polypeptide chains. We also determine that E217 recognizes the host O-antigen as a receptor, and we resolve the N-terminal portion of the O-antigen-binding tail fiber. We propose that E217 design principles presented in this paper are conserved across PB1-like Myoviridae phages of the Pbunavirus genus that encode a ~1.4 MDa baseplate, dramatically smaller than the coliphage T4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Chun-Feng David Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Ravi K Lokareddy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Ruoyu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Francesca Forti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Briani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Gino Cingolani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
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Radiom M, Keys T, Turgay Y, Ali A, Preet S, Chesnov S, Lutz-Bueno V, Slack E, Mezzenga R. Mechanical tuning of virus-like particles. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 634:963-971. [PMID: 36571858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.12.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising scaffolds for developing mucosal vaccines. For their optimal performance, in addition to design parameters from an immunological perspective, biophysical properties may need to be considered. EXPERIMENTS We investigated the mechanical properties of VLPs scaffolded on the coat protein of Acinetobacter phage AP205 using atomic force microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. FINDINGS Investigations showed that AP205 VLP is a tough nanoshell of stiffness 93 ± 23 pN/nm and elastic modulus 0.11 GPa. However, its mechanical properties are modulated by attaching muco-inert polyethylene glycol to 46 ± 10 pN/nm and 0.05 GPa. Addition of antigenic peptides derived from SARS-CoV2 spike protein by genetic fusion increased the stiffness to 146 ± 54 pN/nm although the elastic modulus remained unchanged. These results, which are interpreted in terms of shell thickness and coat protein net charge variations, demonstrate that surface conjugation can induce appreciable changes in the biophysical properties of VLP-scaffolded vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Radiom
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Laboratory of Food and Soft Materials, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Tim Keys
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yagmur Turgay
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Swapan Preet
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Serge Chesnov
- University of Zürich/ETH Zürich, Functional Genomics Centre Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Emma Slack
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Laboratory of Food and Soft Materials, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Surface characterization of alkane viral anchoring films prepared by titanate-assisted organosilanization. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2023; 222:113136. [PMID: 36641873 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Studies of virus adsorption on surfaces with optimized properties have attracted a lot of interest, mainly due to the influence of the surface in the retention, orientation and stability of the viral capsids. Besides, viruses in whole or in parts can be used as cages or vectors in different areas, such as biomedicine and materials science. A key requirement for virus nanocage application is their physical properties, i.e. their mechanical response and the distribution of surface charge, which determine virus-substrate interactions and stability. In the present work we show two examples of viruses exhibiting strong surface interactions on homogeneous hydrophobic surfaces. The surfaces were prepared by titanate assisted organosilanization, a sol-gel spin coating process, followed by a mild annealing step. We show by surface and interface spectroscopies that the process allows trapping triethoxy-octylsilane (OCTS) molecules, exhibiting a hydrophobic alkane rich surface finishing. Furthermore, the surfaces remain flat and behave as more efficient sorptive surfaces for virus particles than mica or graphite (HOPG). Also, we determine by atomic force microscopy (AFM) the mechanical properties of two types of viruses (human adenovirus and reovirus) and compare the results obtained on the OCTS functionalized surfaces with those obtained on mica and HOPG. Finally, the TIPT+OCTS surfaces were validated as platforms for the morphological and mechanical characterization of virus particles by using adenovirus as initial model and using HOPG and mica as standard control surfaces. Then, the same characteristics were determined on reovirus using TIPT+OCTS and HOPG, as an original contribution to the catalogue of physical properties of viral particles.
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7
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Pathak AK, Bandyopadhyay T. Heat-induced transitions of an empty minute virus of mice capsid in explicit water: all-atom MD simulation. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:11900-11913. [PMID: 34459706 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1969283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The capsid-like structure of the virus-based protein nanoparticles (NPs) can serve as bionanomaterials, with applications in biomedicines and nanotechnology. Release of packaged material from these nanocontainers is associated with subtle conformational changes of the NP structure, which in vitro, is readily accomplished by heating. Characterizing the structural changes as a function of temperature may provide fresh insights into nanomaterial/antiviral strategies. Here, we have calculated heat induced changes in the properties of an empty minute virus of mice particle using large-scale ≈ 3.0 × 106 all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We focus on two heat induced structural changes of the NP, namely, dynamical transition (DT) and breathing transition (BT), both characterized by sudden and sharp change of measured parameters at temperatures, TDT and TBT, respectively. While DT is assessed by mean-square fluctuation of hydrogen atoms of the NP, BT is monitored through internal volume and permeation rate of water molecules through the NP. Both the transitions, resulting primarily from collective atomistic motion, are found to occur at temperatures widely separated from one another (TBT>TDT). The breathing motions, responsible for the translocation events of the packaged materials through the NP to kick off, are further probed by computing atomic resolution stresses from NVE simulations. Distribution of equilibrium atomistic stresses on the NP reveals a largely asymmetric nature and suggests structural breathing may actually represent large dynamic changes in the hotspot regions, far from the NP pores, which is in remarkable resemblance with recently conducted hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry experiment. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arup Kumar Pathak
- Theoretical Chemistry Section, Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Tusar Bandyopadhyay
- Theoretical Chemistry Section, Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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A Capsid Structure of Ralstonia solanacearum podoviridae GP4 with a Triangulation Number T = 9. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112431. [PMID: 36366529 PMCID: PMC9698820 DOI: 10.3390/v14112431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
GP4, a new Ralstonia solanacearum phage, is a short-tailed phage. Few structures of Ralstonia solanacearum phages have been resolved to near-atomic resolution until now. Here, we present a 3.7 Å resolution structure of the GP4 head by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The GP4 head contains 540 copies of major capsid protein (MCP) gp2 and 540 copies of cement protein (CP) gp1 arranged in an icosahedral shell with a triangulation number T = 9. The structures of gp2 and gp1 show a canonical HK97-like fold and an Ig-like fold, respectively. The trimeric CPs stick on the surface of the head along the quasi-threefold axis of the icosahedron generating a sandwiched three-layer electrostatic complementary potential, thereby enhancing the head stability. The assembly pattern of the GP4 head provides a platform for the further exploration of the interaction between Ralstonia solanacearum and corresponding phages.
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Strobl K, Selivanovitch E, Ibáñez-Freire P, Moreno-Madrid F, Schaap IAT, Delgado-Buscalioni R, Douglas T, de Pablo PJ. Electromechanical Photophysics of GFP Packed Inside Viral Protein Cages Probed by Force-Fluorescence Hybrid Single-Molecule Microscopy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2200059. [PMID: 35718881 PMCID: PMC9528512 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Packing biomolecules inside virus capsids has opened new avenues for the study of molecular function in confined environments. These systems not only mimic the highly crowded conditions in nature, but also allow their manipulation at the nanoscale for technological applications. Here, green fluorescent proteins are packed in virus-like particles derived from P22 bacteriophage procapsids. The authors explore individual virus cages to monitor their emission signal with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy while simultaneously changing the microenvironment with the stylus of atomic force microscopy. The mechanical and electronic quenching can be decoupled by ≈10% each using insulator and conductive tips, respectively. While with conductive tips the fluorescence quenches and recovers regardless of the structural integrity of the capsid, with the insulator tips quenching only occurs if the green fluorescent proteins remain organized inside the capsid. The electronic quenching is associated with the coupling of the protein fluorescence emission with the tip surface plasmon resonance. In turn, the mechanical quenching is a consequence of the unfolding of the aggregated proteins during the mechanical disruption of the capsid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Strobl
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Ibáñez-Freire
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Francisco Moreno-Madrid
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Delgado-Buscalioni
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Trevor Douglas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Pedro J de Pablo
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
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10
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Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 Surrogate TGEV Individual Virions Structure Survival under Harsh Physicochemical Environments. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111759. [PMID: 35681454 PMCID: PMC9179875 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective airborne transmission of coronaviruses via liquid microdroplets requires a virion structure that must withstand harsh environmental conditions. Due to the demanding biosafety requirements for the study of human respiratory viruses, it is important to develop surrogate models to facilitate their investigation. Here we explore the mechanical properties and nanostructure of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) virions in liquid milieu and their response to different chemical agents commonly used as biocides. Our data provide two-fold results on virus stability: First, while particles with larger size and lower packing fraction kept their morphology intact after successive mechanical aggressions, smaller viruses with higher packing fraction showed conspicuous evidence of structural damage and content release. Second, monitoring the structure of single TGEV particles in the presence of detergent and alcohol in real time revealed the stages of gradual degradation of the virus structure in situ. These data suggest that detergent is three orders of magnitude more efficient than alcohol in destabilizing TGEV virus particles, paving the way for optimizing hygienic protocols for viruses with similar structure, such as SARS-CoV-2.
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11
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Domínguez-Zotes S, Fuertes MA, Rodríguez-Huete A, Valbuena A, Mateu MG. A Genetically Engineered, Chain Mail-Like Nanostructured Protein Material with Increased Fatigue Resistance and Enhanced Self-Healing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2105456. [PMID: 35060301 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202105456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based nanostructured materials are being developed for many biomedical and nanotechnological applications. Despite their many desirable features, protein materials are highly susceptible to disruption by mechanical stress and fatigue. This study is aimed to increase fatigue resistance and enhance self-healing of a natural protein-based supramolecular nanomaterial through permanent genetic modification. The authors envisage the conversion of a model nanosheet, formed by a regular array of noncovalently bound human immunodeficiency virus capsid protein molecules, into a supramolecular "chain mail." Rationally engineered mutations allow the formation of a regular network of disulfide bridges in the protein lattice. This network links each molecule in the lattice to each adjacent molecule through one covalent bond, analogous to the rivetting of interlinked iron rings in the chain mail of a medieval knight. The engineered protein nanosheet shows greatly increased thermostability and resistance to mechanical stress and fatigue in particular, as well as enhanced self-healing, without undesirable stiffening compared to the original material. The results provide proof of concept for a genetic design to permanently increase fatigue resistance and enhance self-healing of protein-based nanostructured materials. They also provide insights into the molecular basis for fatigue of protein materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santos Domínguez-Zotes
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Fuertes
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Alicia Rodríguez-Huete
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Alejandro Valbuena
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Mauricio G Mateu
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
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12
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Witeof AE, McClary W, Rea LT, Yang Q, Davis MM, Funke H, Catalano C, Randolph T. Atomic-Layer Deposition Processes Applied to Phage λ and a Phage-Like Particle Platform Yield Thermostable, Single-Shot Vaccines. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:1354-1362. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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13
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Bruinsma RF, Wuite GJL, Roos WH. Physics of viral dynamics. NATURE REVIEWS. PHYSICS 2021; 3:76-91. [PMID: 33728406 PMCID: PMC7802615 DOI: 10.1038/s42254-020-00267-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Viral capsids are often regarded as inert structural units, but in actuality they display fascinating dynamics during different stages of their life cycle. With the advent of single-particle approaches and high-resolution techniques, it is now possible to scrutinize viral dynamics during and after their assembly and during the subsequent development pathway into infectious viruses. In this Review, the focus is on the dynamical properties of viruses, the different physical virology techniques that are being used to study them, and the physical concepts that have been developed to describe viral dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robijn F. Bruinsma
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gijs J. L. Wuite
- Fysica van levende systemen, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter H. Roos
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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14
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Dedeo CL, Teschke CM, Alexandrescu AT. Keeping It Together: Structures, Functions, and Applications of Viral Decoration Proteins. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101163. [PMID: 33066635 PMCID: PMC7602432 DOI: 10.3390/v12101163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Decoration proteins are viral accessory gene products that adorn the surfaces of some phages and viral capsids, particularly tailed dsDNA phages. These proteins often play a "cementing" role, reinforcing capsids against accumulating internal pressure due to genome packaging, or environmental insults such as extremes of temperature or pH. Many decoration proteins serve alternative functions, including target cell recognition, participation in viral assembly, capsid size determination, or modulation of host gene expression. Examples that currently have structures characterized to high-resolution fall into five main folding motifs: β-tulip, β-tadpole, OB-fold, Ig-like, and a rare knotted α-helical fold. Most of these folding motifs have structure homologs in virus and target cell proteins, suggesting horizontal gene transfer was important in their evolution. Oligomerization states of decoration proteins range from monomers to trimers, with the latter most typical. Decoration proteins bind to a variety of loci on capsids that include icosahedral 2-, 3-, and 5-fold symmetry axes, as well as pseudo-symmetry sites. These binding sites often correspond to "weak points" on the capsid lattice. Because of their unique abilities to bind virus surfaces noncovalently, decoration proteins are increasingly exploited for technology, with uses including phage display, viral functionalization, vaccination, and improved nanoparticle design for imaging and drug delivery. These applications will undoubtedly benefit from further advances in our understanding of these versatile augmenters of viral functions.
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15
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Kiss B, Mudra D, Török G, Mártonfalvi Z, Csík G, Herényi L, Kellermayer M. Single-particle virology. Biophys Rev 2020; 12:1141-1154. [PMID: 32880826 PMCID: PMC7471434 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-020-00747-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of advanced experimental methodologies, such as optical tweezers, scanning-probe and super-resolved optical microscopies, has led to the evolution of single-molecule biophysics, a field of science that allows direct access to the mechanistic detail of biomolecular structure and function. The extension of single-molecule methods to the investigation of particles such as viruses permits unprecedented insights into the behavior of supramolecular assemblies. Here we address the scope of viral exploration at the level of individual particles. In an era of increased awareness towards virology, single-particle approaches are expected to facilitate the in-depth understanding, and hence combating, of viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bálint Kiss
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Mudra
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Török
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Mártonfalvi
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Csík
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Levente Herényi
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós Kellermayer
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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16
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Buzón P, Maity S, Roos WH. Physical virology: From virus self-assembly to particle mechanics. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 12:e1613. [PMID: 31960585 PMCID: PMC7317356 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Viruses are highly ordered supramolecular complexes that have evolved to propagate by hijacking the host cell's machinery. Although viruses are very diverse, spreading through cells of all kingdoms of life, they share common functions and properties. Next to the general interest in virology, fundamental viral mechanisms are of growing importance in other disciplines such as biomedicine and (bio)nanotechnology. However, in order to optimally make use of viruses and virus-like particles, for instance as vehicle for targeted drug delivery or as building blocks in electronics, it is essential to understand their basic chemical and physical properties and characteristics. In this context, the number of studies addressing the mechanisms governing viral properties and processes has recently grown drastically. This review summarizes a specific part of these scientific achievements, particularly addressing physical virology approaches aimed to understand the self-assembly of viruses and the mechanical properties of viral particles. Using a physicochemical perspective, we have focused on fundamental studies providing an overview of the molecular basis governing these key aspects of viral systems. This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Buzón
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sourav Maity
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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17
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Hess KL, Jewell CM. Phage display as a tool for vaccine and immunotherapy development. Bioeng Transl Med 2020; 5:e10142. [PMID: 31989033 PMCID: PMC6971447 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria and coopt the cellular machinery to create more phage proteins, eventually resulting in the release of new phage particles. Phages are heavily utilized in bioengineering for applications ranging from tissue engineering scaffolds to immune signal delivery. Of specific interest to vaccines and immunotherapies, phages have demonstrated an ability to activate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The genome of these viral particles can be harnessed for DNA vaccination, or the surface proteins can be exploited for antigen display. More specifically, genes that encode an antigen of interest can be spliced into the phage genome, allowing antigenic proteins or peptides to be displayed by fusion to phage capsid proteins. Phages therefore present antigens to immune cells in a highly ordered and repetitive manner. This review discusses the use of phage with adjuvanting activity as antigen delivery vehicles for vaccination against infectious disease and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystina L. Hess
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological CenterAberdeen Proving GroundMaryland
| | - Christopher M. Jewell
- Fischell Department of BioengineeringUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMaryland
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical DevicesCollege ParkMaryland
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of Maryland Medical SchoolBaltimoreMaryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer CenterBaltimoreMaryland
- U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsBaltimoreMaryland
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18
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Martín-González N, Hernando-Pérez M, Condezo GN, Pérez-Illana M, Šiber A, Reguera D, Ostapchuk P, Hearing P, San Martín C, de Pablo PJ. Adenovirus major core protein condenses DNA in clusters and bundles, modulating genome release and capsid internal pressure. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:9231-9242. [PMID: 31396624 PMCID: PMC6755088 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Some viruses package dsDNA together with large amounts of positively charged proteins, thought to help condense the genome inside the capsid with no evidence. Further, this role is not clear because these viruses have typically lower packing fractions than viruses encapsidating naked dsDNA. In addition, it has recently been shown that the major adenovirus condensing protein (polypeptide VII) is dispensable for genome encapsidation. Here, we study the morphology and mechanics of adenovirus particles with (Ad5-wt) and without (Ad5-VII-) protein VII. Ad5-VII- particles are stiffer than Ad5-wt, but DNA-counterions revert this difference, indicating that VII screens repulsive DNA-DNA interactions. Consequently, its absence results in increased internal pressure. The core is slightly more ordered in the absence of VII and diffuses faster out of Ad5-VII– than Ad5-wt fractured particles. In Ad5-wt unpacked cores, dsDNA associates in bundles interspersed with VII-DNA clusters. These results indicate that protein VII condenses the adenovirus genome by combining direct clustering and promotion of bridging by other core proteins. This condensation modulates the virion internal pressure and DNA release from disrupted particles, which could be crucial to keep the genome protected inside the semi-disrupted capsid while traveling to the nuclear pore.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mercedes Hernando-Pérez
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Gabriela N Condezo
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Marta Pérez-Illana
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | | | - David Reguera
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Philomena Ostapchuk
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5222, USA
| | - Patrick Hearing
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5222, USA
| | - Carmen San Martín
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Pedro J de Pablo
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain.,Instituto de Física de la Materia Condensada (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
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19
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Principles for enhancing virus capsid capacity and stability from a thermophilic virus capsid structure. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4471. [PMID: 31578335 PMCID: PMC6775164 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12341-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The capsids of double-stranded DNA viruses protect the viral genome from the harsh extracellular environment, while maintaining stability against the high internal pressure of packaged DNA. To elucidate how capsids maintain stability in an extreme environment, we use cryoelectron microscopy to determine the capsid structure of thermostable phage P74-26 to 2.8-Å resolution. We find P74-26 capsids exhibit an overall architecture very similar to those of other tailed bacteriophages, allowing us to directly compare structures to derive the structural basis for enhanced stability. Our structure reveals lasso-like interactions that appear to function like catch bonds. This architecture allows the capsid to expand during genome packaging, yet maintain structural stability. The P74-26 capsid has T = 7 geometry despite being twice as large as mesophilic homologs. Capsid capacity is increased with a larger, flatter major capsid protein. Given these results, we predict decreased icosahedral complexity (i.e. T ≤ 7) leads to a more stable capsid assembly. Viral capsids need to protect the genome against harsh environmental conditions and cope with high internal pressure from the packaged genome. Here, the authors determine the structure of the thermostable phage P74-26 capsid at 2.8-Å resolution and identify features underlying enhanced capsid capacity and structural stability.
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20
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The application of atomic force microscopy for viruses and protein shells: Imaging and spectroscopy. Adv Virus Res 2019; 105:161-187. [PMID: 31522704 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes surface-adsorbed samples at the nanoscale by using a sharp stylus of nanometric size located at the end of a micro-cantilever. This technique can also work in a liquid environment and offers unique possibilities to study individual protein assemblies, such as viruses, under conditions that resemble their natural liquid milieu. Here, I show how AFM can be used to explore the topography of viruses and protein cages, including that of structures lacking a well-defined symmetry. AFM is not limited for imaging and allows the manipulation of individual viruses with force spectroscopy approaches, such as single indentation and mechanical fatigue assays. These pushing experiments deform the protein cages to obtain their mechanical information and can be used to monitor the structural changes induced by maturation or the exposure to different biochemical environments, such as pH variation. We discuss how studying capsid rupture and self-healing events offers insight into virus uncoating pathways. On the other hand, pulling tests can provide information about the virus-host interaction established between the viral fibers and the cell membrane.
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21
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Hernando-Pérez M, Zeng C, Miguel MC, Dragnea B. Intermittency of Deformation and the Elastic Limit of an Icosahedral Virus under Compression. ACS NANO 2019; 13:7842-7849. [PMID: 31241887 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b02133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Viruses undergo mesoscopic morphological changes as they interact with host interfaces and in response to chemical cues. The dynamics of these changes, over the entire temporal range relevant to virus processes, are unclear. Here, we report on creep compliance experiments on a small icosahedral virus under uniaxial constant stress. We find that even at small stresses, well below the yielding point and generally thought to induce a Hookean response, strain continues to develop in time via sparse, randomly distributed, relatively rapid plastic events. The intermittent character of mechanical compliance only appears above a loading threshold, similar to situations encountered in granular flows and the plastic deformation of crystalline solids. The threshold load is much smaller for the empty capsids of the brome mosaic virus than for the wild-type virions. The difference highlights the involvement of RNA in stabilizing the assembly interface. Numerical simulations of spherical crystal deformation suggest intermittency is mediated by lattice defect dynamics and identify the type of compression-induced defect that nucleates the transition to plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Facultat de Física , Universitat de Barcelona , Martí i Franquès 1 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
- Harvard , John A. Paulson School of Applied Sciences , 29 Oxford Street Cambridge , Massachusetts 02138 , United States
| | - M Carmen Miguel
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Facultat de Física , Universitat de Barcelona , Martí i Franquès 1 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Bogdan Dragnea
- Department of Chemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States
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22
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Bao Q, Li X, Han G, Zhu Y, Mao C, Yang M. Phage-based vaccines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 145:40-56. [PMID: 30594492 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages, or more colloquially as phages, are viruses that possess the ability to infect and replicate with bacterial cells. They are assembled from two major types of biomolecules, the nucleic acids and the proteins, with the latter forming a capsid and the former being encapsulated. In the eukaryotic hosts, phages are inert particulate antigens and cannot trigger pathogenesis. In recent years, many studies have been explored about using phages as nanomedicine platforms for developing vaccines due to their unique biological characteristics. The whole phage particles can be used for vaccine design in the form of phage-displayed vaccines or phage DNA vaccines. Phage-displayed vaccines are the phages with peptide or protein antigens genetically displayed on their surfaces as well as those with antigens chemically conjugated or biologically bound on their surfaces. The phages can then deliver the immunogenic peptides or proteins to the target cells or tissues. Phage DNA vaccines are the eukaryotic promoter-driven vaccine genes inserted in the phage genomes, which are carried by phages to the target cells to generate antigens. The antigens, either as the immunogenic peptides or proteins displayed on the phages, or as the products expressed from the vaccine genes, can serve as vaccines to elicit immune responses for disease prevention and treatment. Both phage-displayed vaccines and phage DNA vaccines promise a brilliant future for developing vaccines. This review presents the recent advancements in the field of phage-based vaccines and their applications in both the prevention and treatment of various diseases. It also discusses the challenges and perspectives in moving this field forwards.
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23
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Tao P, Zhu J, Mahalingam M, Batra H, Rao VB. Bacteriophage T4 nanoparticles for vaccine delivery against infectious diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 145:57-72. [PMID: 29981801 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Subunit vaccines containing one or more target antigens from pathogenic organisms represent safer alternatives to whole pathogen vaccines. However, the antigens by themselves are not sufficiently immunogenic and require additives known as adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity and protective efficacy. Assembly of the antigens into virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) is a better approach as it allows presentation of the epitopes in a more native context. The repetitive, symmetrical, and high density display of antigens on the VLPs mimic pathogen-associated molecular patterns seen on bacteria and viruses. The antigens, thus, might be better presented to stimulate host's innate as well as adaptive immune systems thereby eliciting both humoral and cellular immune responses. Bacteriophages such as phage T4 provide excellent platforms to generate the nanoparticle vaccines. The T4 capsid containing two non-essential outer proteins Soc and Hoc allow high density array of antigen epitopes in the form of peptides, domains, full-length proteins, or even multi-subunit complexes. Co-delivery of DNAs, targeting molecules, and/or molecular adjuvants provides additional advantages. Recent studies demonstrate that the phage T4 VLPs are highly immunogenic, do not need an adjuvant, and provide complete protection against bacterial and viral pathogens. Thus, phage T4 could potentially be developed as a "universal" VLP platform to design future multivalent vaccines against complex and emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Tao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Marthandan Mahalingam
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Himanshu Batra
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Venigalla B Rao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
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24
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Kondylis P, Schlicksup CJ, Zlotnick A, Jacobson SC. Analytical Techniques to Characterize the Structure, Properties, and Assembly of Virus Capsids. Anal Chem 2019; 91:622-636. [PMID: 30383361 PMCID: PMC6472978 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Kondylis
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Christopher J. Schlicksup
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Stephen C. Jacobson
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
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25
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Abstract
Proteinaceous assemblies are ubiquitous in nature. One important form of these assemblies are protein nanoshells such as viruses; however, a variety of other protein shells exist. To deepen our knowledge on the structure and function of protein shells, a profound insight into their mechanical properties is required. Nanoindentation measurements with an atomic force microscope (AFM) are increasingly being performed to probe such material properties. This single particle approach allows us to determine the spring constant, the Young's modulus, as well as the force and deformation at which failure occurs of the nanoshells. The experimental procedures for these mechanical measurements are described here in detail, focusing on surface preparation, AFM imaging and nanoindentation, and the subsequent data analysis of the force-distance curves. Whereas AFM can be operated in air and in liquid, the described methods are for probing single particles in liquid to enable studies in close to physiological environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Guo
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Moleculaire Biofysica, Zernike Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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26
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Ortega-Esteban Á, Martín-González N, Moreno-Madrid F, Llauró A, Hernando-Pérez M, MartÚn CS, de Pablo PJ. Structural and Mechanical Characterization of Viruses with AFM. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1886:259-278. [PMID: 30374873 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8894-5_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microscopes are used to characterize small objects with the help of probes that interact with the specimen, such as photons and electrons in optical and electron microscopies, respectively. In atomic force microscopy (AFM) the probe is a nanometric tip located at the end of a micro cantilever which palpates the specimen under study as a blind person manages a walking stick. In this way AFM allows obtaining nanometric resolution images of individual protein shells, such as viruses, in liquid milieu. Beyond imaging, AFM also enables not only the manipulation of single protein cages, but also the characterization of every physicochemical property able of inducing any measurable mechanical perturbation to the microcantilever that holds the tip. In this chapter we start revising some recipes for adsorbing protein shells on surfaces. Then we describe several AFM approaches to study individual protein cages, ranging from imaging to spectroscopic methodologies devoted for extracting physical information, such as mechanical and electrostatic properties. We also explain how a convenient combination of AFM and fluorescence methodologies entails monitoring genome release from individual viral shells during mechanical unpacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Ortega-Esteban
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Natália Martín-González
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Moreno-Madrid
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aida Llauró
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mercedes Hernando-Pérez
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cármen San MartÚn
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro J de Pablo
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- Solid Condensed Matter Institute IFIMAC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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27
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de Pablo PJ, Schaap IAT. Atomic Force Microscopy of Viruses. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1215:159-179. [PMID: 31317500 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-14741-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy employs a nanometric tip located at the end of a micro-cantilever to probe surface-mounted samples at nanometer resolution. Because the technique can also work in a liquid environment it offers unique possibilities to study individual viruses under conditions that mimic their natural milieu. Here, we review how AFM imaging can be used to study the surface structure of viruses including that of viruses lacking a well-defined symmetry. Beyond imaging, AFM enables the manipulation of single viruses by force spectroscopy experiments. Pulling experiments can provide information about the early events of virus-host interaction between the viral fibers and the cell membrane receptors. Pushing experiments measure the mechanical response of the viral capsid and its contents and can be used to show how virus maturation and exposure to different pH values change the mechanical response of the viruses and the interaction between the capsid and genome. Finally, we discuss how studying capsid rupture and self-healing events offers insight in virus uncoating pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J de Pablo
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Solid Condensed Matter Institute IFIMAC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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28
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Mertens J, Bondia P, Allende-Ballestero C, Carrascosa JL, Flors C, Castón JR. Mechanics of Virus-like Particles Labeled with Green Fluorescent Protein. Biophys J 2018; 115:1561-1568. [PMID: 30249401 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanoindentation with an atomic force microscope was used to investigate the mechanical properties of virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from the avian pathogen infectious bursal disease virus, in which the major capsid protein was modified by fusion with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). These VLPs assemble as ∼70-nm-diameter T = 13 icosahedral capsids with large cargo space. The effect of the insertion of heterologous proteins in the capsid was characterized in the elastic regime, revealing that EGFP-labeled chimeric VLPs are more rigid than unmodified VLPs. In addition, nanoindentation measurements beyond the elastic regime allowed the determination of brittleness and rupture force limit. EGFP incorporation results in a complex shape of the indentation curve and lower critical indentation depth of the capsid, rendering more brittle particles as compared to unlabeled VLPs. These observations suggest the presence of a complex and more constrained network of interactions between EGFP and the capsid inner shell. These results highlight the effect of fluorescent protein insertion on the mechanical properties of these capsids. Because the physical properties of the viral capsid are connected to viral infectivity and VLP transport and disassembly, our results are relevant to design improved labeling strategies for fluorescence tracking in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Mertens
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Nanoscience (IMDEA Nanoscience), Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Bondia
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Nanoscience (IMDEA Nanoscience), Madrid, Spain; Nanobiotechnology Associated Unit CNB-CSIC-IMDEA, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José L Carrascosa
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Nanobiotechnology Associated Unit CNB-CSIC-IMDEA, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Flors
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Nanoscience (IMDEA Nanoscience), Madrid, Spain; Nanobiotechnology Associated Unit CNB-CSIC-IMDEA, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
| | - José R Castón
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Nanobiotechnology Associated Unit CNB-CSIC-IMDEA, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
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29
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Temperature-Dependent Nanomechanics and Topography of Bacteriophage T7. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01236-18. [PMID: 30089696 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01236-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are nanoscale infectious agents which may be inactivated by heat treatment. The global molecular mechanisms of virus inactivation and the thermally induced structural changes in viruses are not fully understood. In this study, we measured the heat-induced changes in the properties of T7 bacteriophage particles exposed to a two-stage (65°C and 80°C) thermal effect, by using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanomechanical and topographical measurements. We found that exposure to 65°C led to the release of genomic DNA and to the loss of the capsid tail; hence, the T7 particles became destabilized. Further heating to 80°C surprisingly led to an increase in mechanical stability, due likely to partial denaturation of the capsomeric proteins kept within the global capsid arrangement.IMPORTANCE Even though the loss of DNA, caused by heat treatment, destabilizes the T7 phage, its capsid is remarkably able to withstand high temperatures with a more or less intact global topographical structure. Thus, partial denaturation within the global structural constraints of the viral capsid may have a stabilizing effect. Understanding the structural design of viruses may help in constructing artificial nanocapsules for the packaging and delivery of materials under harsh environmental conditions.
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30
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Newcomer RL, Belato HB, Teschke CM, Alexandrescu AT. NMR assignments for monomeric phage L decoration protein. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2018; 12:339-343. [PMID: 30109462 PMCID: PMC6374774 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-018-9836-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Phage L encodes a trimeric 43 kDa decoration protein (Dec) that noncovalently binds and stabilizes the capsids of the homologous phages L and P22 in vitro. At physiological pH Dec was unsuitable for NMR. We were able to obtain samples amenable for NMR spectroscopy by unfolding Dec to pH 2 and refolding it to pH 4. Our unfolding/refolding protocol converted trimeric Dec to a folded 14.4 kDa monomer. We verified that the acid-unfolding protocol did not perturb the secondary structure, or the capsid-binding function of refolded Dec. We were able to obtain complete 1H, 15N, and 13C assignments for the Dec monomer, as well as information on its secondary structure and dynamics based on chemical shift assignments. The assigned NMR spectrum is being used to determine the three-dimensional structure of Dec, which is important for understanding how the trimer binds phage capsids and for the use of the protein as a platform for phage-display nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Newcomer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, USA
| | - Helen B Belato
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, USA
| | - Carolyn M Teschke
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 N. Eagleville Rd., Storrs, CT, 06269-3060, USA.
| | - Andrei T Alexandrescu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, USA.
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31
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Jiménez-Zaragoza M, Yubero MP, Martín-Forero E, Castón JR, Reguera D, Luque D, de Pablo PJ, Rodríguez JM. Biophysical properties of single rotavirus particles account for the functions of protein shells in a multilayered virus. eLife 2018; 7:37295. [PMID: 30201094 PMCID: PMC6133545 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The functions performed by the concentric shells of multilayered dsRNA viruses require specific protein interactions that can be directly explored through their mechanical properties. We studied the stiffness, breaking force, critical strain and mechanical fatigue of individual Triple, Double and Single layered rotavirus (RV) particles. Our results, in combination with Finite Element simulations, demonstrate that the mechanics of the external layer provides the resistance needed to counteract the stringent conditions of extracellular media. Our experiments, in combination with electrostatic analyses, reveal a strong interaction between the two outer layers and how it is suppressed by the removal of calcium ions, a key step for transcription initiation. The intermediate layer presents weak hydrophobic interactions with the inner layer that allow the assembly and favor the conformational dynamics needed for transcription. Our work shows how the biophysical properties of the three shells are finely tuned to produce an infective RV virion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Jiménez-Zaragoza
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Pl Yubero
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jose R Castón
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología/CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Reguera
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Facultat de Física, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Luque
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología/ISCIII, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Pedro J de Pablo
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Física de la Materia Condensada (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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32
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Azinas S, Bano F, Torca I, Bamford DH, Schwartz GA, Esnaola J, Oksanen HM, Richter RP, Abrescia NG. Membrane-containing virus particles exhibit the mechanics of a composite material for genome protection. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:7769-7779. [PMID: 29658555 PMCID: PMC5944389 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr00196k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The protection of the viral genome during extracellular transport is an absolute requirement for virus survival and replication. In addition to the almost universal proteinaceous capsids, certain viruses add a membrane layer that encloses their double-stranded (ds) DNA genome within the protein shell. Using the membrane-containing enterobacterial virus PRD1 as a prototype, and a combination of nanoindentation assays by atomic force microscopy and finite element modelling, we show that PRD1 provides a greater stability against mechanical stress than that achieved by the majority of dsDNA icosahedral viruses that lack a membrane. We propose that the combination of a stiff and brittle proteinaceous shell coupled with a soft and compliant membrane vesicle yields a tough composite nanomaterial well-suited to protect the viral DNA during extracellular transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Azinas
- Molecular recognition and host–pathogen interactions programme , CIC bioGUNE , CIBERehd , Derio , Spain
- Biosurfaces Lab , CIC biomaGUNE , San Sebastian , Spain
| | - F. Bano
- Biosurfaces Lab , CIC biomaGUNE , San Sebastian , Spain
| | - I. Torca
- Mechanical and Industrial Production Department , Mondragon University , Arrasate-Mondragón , Spain
| | - D. H. Bamford
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences , Viikki Biocenter , University of Helsinki , Finland
| | - G. A. Schwartz
- Centro de Física de Materiales , (CSIC-UPV/EHU) & Donostia International Physics Center , San Sebastian , Spain
| | - J. Esnaola
- Mechanical and Industrial Production Department , Mondragon University , Arrasate-Mondragón , Spain
| | - H. M. Oksanen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme , Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences , Viikki Biocenter , University of Helsinki , Finland
| | - R. P. Richter
- Biosurfaces Lab , CIC biomaGUNE , San Sebastian , Spain
- School of Biomedical Sciences , Faculty of Biological Sciences , School of Physics and Astronomy , Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences , and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology University of Leeds , Leeds , UK . ; Tel: +44 113 3431969
| | - N. G. Abrescia
- Molecular recognition and host–pathogen interactions programme , CIC bioGUNE , CIBERehd , Derio , Spain
- IKERBASQUE , Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain . ; Fax: +34 946572502 ; Tel: +34 946572523
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33
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Direct visualization of single virus restoration after damage in real time. J Biol Phys 2018; 44:225-235. [PMID: 29654426 DOI: 10.1007/s10867-018-9492-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We use the nano-dissection capabilities of atomic force microscopy to induce structural alterations on individual virus capsids in liquid milieu. We fracture the protein shells either with single nanoindentations or by increasing the tip-sample interaction force in amplitude modulation dynamic mode. The normal behavior is that these cracks persist in time. However, in very rare occasions they self-recuperate to retrieve apparently unaltered virus particles. In this work, we show the topographical evolution of three of these exceptional events occurring in T7 bacteriophage capsids. Our data show that single nanoindentation produces a local recoverable fracture that corresponds to the deepening of a capsomer. In contrast, imaging in dynamic mode induced cracks that separate the virus morphological subunits. In both cases, the breakage patterns follow intratrimeric loci.
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34
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Changes in the stability and biomechanics of P22 bacteriophage capsid during maturation. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:1492-1504. [PMID: 29550430 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The capsid of P22 bacteriophage undergoes a series of structural transitions during maturation that guide it from spherical to icosahedral morphology. The transitions include the release of scaffold proteins and capsid expansion. Although P22 maturation has been investigated for decades, a unified model that incorporates thermodynamic and biophysical analyses is not available. A general and specific model of icosahedral capsid maturation is of significant interest to theoreticians searching for fundamental principles as well as virologists and material scientists seeking to alter maturation to their advantage. To address this challenge, we have combined the results from orthogonal biophysical techniques including differential scanning fluorimetry, atomic force microscopy, circular dichroism, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. By integrating these results from single particle and population measurements, an energy landscape of P22 maturation from procapsid through expanded shell to wiffle ball emerged, highlighting the role of metastable structures and the thermodynamics guiding maturation. The propagation of weak quaternary interactions across symmetric elements of the capsid is a key component for stability in P22. A surprising finding is that the progression to wiffle ball, which lacks pentamers, shows that chemical and thermal stability can be uncoupled from mechanical rigidity, elegantly demonstrating the complexity inherent in capsid protein interactions and the emergent properties that can arise from icosahedral symmetry. On a broader scale, this work demonstrates the power of applying orthogonal biophysical techniques to elucidate assembly mechanisms for supramolecular complexes and provides a framework within which other viral systems can be compared.
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35
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Martín-González N, Guérin Darvas SM, Durana A, Marti GA, Guérin DMA, de Pablo PJ. Exploring the role of genome and structural ions in preventing viral capsid collapse during dehydration. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2018; 30:104001. [PMID: 29350623 PMCID: PMC7104708 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aaa944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Even though viruses evolve mainly in liquid milieu, their horizontal transmission routes often include episodes of dry environment. Along their life cycle, some insect viruses, such as viruses from the Dicistroviridae family, withstand dehydrated conditions with presently unknown consequences to their structural stability. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to monitor the structural changes of viral particles of Triatoma virus (TrV) after desiccation. Our results demonstrate that TrV capsids preserve their genome inside, conserving their height after exposure to dehydrating conditions, which is in stark contrast with other viruses that expel their genome when desiccated. Moreover, empty capsids (without genome) resulted in collapsed particles after desiccation. We also explored the role of structural ions in the dehydration process of the virions (capsid containing genome) by chelating the accessible cations from the external solvent milieu. We observed that ion suppression helps to keep the virus height upon desiccation. Our results show that under drying conditions, the genome of TrV prevents the capsid from collapsing during dehydration, while the structural ions are responsible for promoting solvent exchange through the virion wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Martín-González
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada C-III and Instituto de Física de la Materia Condensada (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofía M Guérin Darvas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - Aritz Durana
- Instituto Biofisika (IBF, UPV/EHU, CSIC), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
- Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia, Edificio Biblioteca Central UPV/EHU, Bº Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - Gerardo A Marti
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-CCT-La Plata-CONICET-UNLP), Boulevard 120 e/61 y 62, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Diego M A Guérin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
- Instituto Biofisika (IBF, UPV/EHU, CSIC), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - Pedro J de Pablo
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada C-III and Instituto de Física de la Materia Condensada (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco 28049 Madrid, Spain
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36
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Catalano CE. Bacteriophage lambda: The path from biology to theranostic agent. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E. Catalano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of ColoradoAuroraColorado
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37
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Valbuena A, Rodríguez-Huete A, Mateu MG. Mechanical stiffening of human rhinovirus by cavity-filling antiviral drugs. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:1440-1452. [PMID: 29302674 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr08704g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Emerging studies at the nanoscale on the relationships between the structure, mechanical properties and infectivity of virus particles are revealing important physics-based foundations of virus biology that may have biomedical and nanotechnological applications. Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the major causative agent of common colds leading to important economic losses, and is also associated with more severe diseases. There is renewed interest in developing effective anti-HRV drugs, but none have been approved so far. We have chosen HRV to explore a possible link between virus mechanics and infectivity and the antiviral effect of certain drugs. In particular, we have investigated a suggestion that the antiviral action of drugs that bind to capsid cavities (pockets) may be related to changes in virus stiffness. Mechanical analysis using atomic force microscopy shows that filling the pockets with drugs or genetically introducing bulkier amino acid side chains into the pockets stiffen HRV virions to different extents. Drug-mediated stiffening affected some regions distant from the pockets and involved in genome uncoating, and may be caused by a subtle structural rearrangement of the virus particle. The results also revealed for HRV a quantitative, logarithmic relationship between mechanical stiffening, achieved either by drug binding or introducing bulkier amino acid side chains into the pockets, and reduced infectivity. From a fundamental physics perspective, these drugs may exert their biological effect by decreasing the deformability of the virion, thus impairing its equilibrium dynamics. The results encourage the design of novel antiviral drugs that inhibit infection by mechanically stiffening the viral particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Valbuena
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain.
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38
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Martín-González N, Ortega-Esteban A, Moreno-Madrid F, Llauró A, Hernando-Pérez M, de Pablo PJ. Atomic Force Microscopy of Protein Shells: Virus Capsids and Beyond. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1665:281-296. [PMID: 28940075 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7271-5_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) the probe is a nanometric tip located at the end of a microcantilever which palpates the specimen under study as a blind person uses a white cane. In this way AFM allows obtaining nanometric resolution images of individual protein shells, such as viruses, in liquid milieu. Beyond imaging, AFM also enables the manipulation of single protein cages, and the characterization a variety physicochemical properties able of inducing any measurable mechanical perturbation to the microcantilever that holds the tip. In this chapter we start revising some recipes for adsorbing protein shells on surfaces. Then we describe several AFM approaches to study individual protein cages, ranging from imaging to spectroscopic methodologies devoted to extracting physical information, such as mechanical and electrostatic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Martín-González
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, C-3, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km 15, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Ortega-Esteban
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, C-3, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km 15, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - F Moreno-Madrid
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, C-3, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km 15, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aida Llauró
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Mercedes Hernando-Pérez
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Darwin 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro J de Pablo
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, C-3, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km 15, 28049, Madrid, Spain. .,Solid Condensed Matter Institute IFIMAC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
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39
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de Pablo PJ. Atomic force microscopy of virus shells. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 73:199-208. [PMID: 28851598 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Microscopes are used to characterize small specimens with the help of probes, such as photons and electrons in optical and electron microscopies, respectively. In atomic force microscopy (AFM) the probe is a nanometric tip located at the end of a microcantilever which palpates the specimen under study as a blind person manages a white cane to explore the surrounding. In this way, AFM allows obtaining nanometric resolution images of individual protein shells, such as viruses, in liquid milieu. Beyond imaging, AFM also enables the manipulation of single protein cages, and the characterization of every physico-chemical property able of inducing any measurable mechanical perturbation to the microcantilever that holds the tip. Here we describe several AFM approaches to study individual protein cages, including imaging and spectroscopic methodologies for extracting mechanical and electrostatic properties. In addition, AFM allows discovering and testing the self-healing capabilities of protein cages because occasionally they may recover fractures induced by the AFM tip. Beyond the protein shells, AFM also is able of exploring the genome inside, obtaining, for instance, the condensation state of dsDNA and measuring its diffusion when the protein cage breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J de Pablo
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada and Solid Condensed Matter Institute IFIMAC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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40
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Faulkner M, Rodriguez-Ramos J, Dykes GF, Owen SV, Casella S, Simpson DM, Beynon RJ, Liu LN. Direct characterization of the native structure and mechanics of cyanobacterial carboxysomes. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:10662-10673. [PMID: 28616951 PMCID: PMC5708340 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr02524f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Carboxysomes are proteinaceous organelles that play essential roles in enhancing carbon fixation in cyanobacteria and some proteobacteria. These self-assembling organelles encapsulate Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and carbonic anhydrase using a protein shell structurally resembling an icosahedral viral capsid. The protein shell serves as a physical barrier to protect enzymes from the cytosol and a selectively permeable membrane to mediate transport of enzyme substrates and products. The structural and mechanical nature of native carboxysomes remain unclear. Here, we isolate functional β-carboxysomes from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942 and perform the first characterization of the macromolecular architecture and inherent physical mechanics of single β-carboxysomes using electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and proteomics. Our results illustrate that the intact β-carboxysome comprises three structural domains, a single-layered icosahedral shell, an inner layer and paracrystalline arrays of interior Rubisco. We also observe the protein organization of the shell and partial β-carboxysomes that likely serve as the β-carboxysome assembly intermediates. Furthermore, the topography and intrinsic mechanics of functional β-carboxysomes are determined in native conditions using AFM and AFM-based nanoindentation, revealing the flexible organization and soft mechanical properties of β-carboxysomes compared to rigid viruses. Our study provides new insights into the natural characteristics of β-carboxysome organization and nanomechanics, which can be extended to diverse bacterial microcompartments and are important considerations for the design and engineering of functional carboxysomes in other organisms to supercharge photosynthesis. It offers an approach for inspecting the structural and mechanical features of synthetic metabolic organelles and protein scaffolds in bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Faulkner
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
| | | | - Gregory F Dykes
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
| | - Siân V Owen
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
| | - Selene Casella
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
| | - Deborah M Simpson
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
| | - Robert J Beynon
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
| | - Lu-Ning Liu
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
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41
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AFM nanoindentation of protein shells, expanding the approach beyond viruses. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 73:145-152. [PMID: 28774579 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The archetypical protein nanoshell is the capsid that surrounds viral genomes. These capsids protect the viral RNA or DNA and function as transport vehicle for their nucleic acid. The material properties of a variety of viral capsids have been probed by Atomic Force Microscopy. In particular nanoindentation measurements revealed the complex mechanics of these shells and the intricate interplay of the capsid with its genomic content. Furthermore, effects of capsid protein mutations, capsid maturation and the effect of environmental changes have been probed. In addition, biological questions have been addressed by AFM nanoindentation of viruses and a direct link between mechanics and infectivity has been revealed. Recently, non-viral protein nanoshells have come under intense scrutiny and now the nanoindentation approach has been expanded to such particles as well. Both natural as well as engineered non-viral protein shells have been probed by this technique. Next to the material properties of viruses, therefor also the mechanics of encapsulins, carboxysomes, vault particles, lumazine synthase and artificial protein nanoshells is discussed here.
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42
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Valbuena A, Mateu MG. Kinetics of Surface-Driven Self-Assembly and Fatigue-Induced Disassembly of a Virus-Based Nanocoating. Biophys J 2017; 112:663-673. [PMID: 28256226 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2016.11.3209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembling protein layers provide a "bottom-up" approach for precisely organizing functional elements at the nanoscale over a large solid surface area. The design of protein sheets with architecture and physical properties suitable for nanotechnological applications may be greatly facilitated by a thorough understanding of the principles that underlie their self-assembly and disassembly. In a previous study, the hexagonal lattice formed by the capsid protein (CA) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was self-assembled as a monomolecular layer directly onto a solid substrate, and its mechanical properties and dynamics at equilibrium were analyzed by atomic force microscopy. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to analyze the kinetics of self-assembly of the planar CA lattice on a substrate and of its disassembly, either spontaneous or induced by materials fatigue. Both self-assembly and disassembly of the CA layer are cooperative reactions that proceed until a phase equilibrium is reached. Self-assembly requires a critical protein concentration and is initiated by formation of nucleation points on the substrate, followed by lattice growth and eventual merging of CA patches into a continuous monolayer. Disassembly of the CA layer showed hysteresis and appears to proceed only after large enough defects (nucleation points) are formed in the lattice, whose number is largely increased by inducing materials fatigue that depends on mechanical load and its frequency. Implications of the kinetic results obtained for a better understanding of self-assembly and disassembly of the HIV capsid and protein-based two-dimensional nanomaterials and the design of anti-HIV drugs targeting (dis)assembly and biocompatible nanocoatings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Valbuena
- Centro de Biologia Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mauricio G Mateu
- Centro de Biologia Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain.
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43
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Guerra P, Valbuena A, Querol-Audí J, Silva C, Castellanos M, Rodríguez-Huete A, Garriga D, Mateu MG, Verdaguer N. Structural basis for biologically relevant mechanical stiffening of a virus capsid by cavity-creating or spacefilling mutations. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4101. [PMID: 28642465 PMCID: PMC5481337 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04345-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies reveal that the mechanical properties of virus particles may have been shaped by evolution to facilitate virus survival. Manipulation of the mechanical behavior of virus capsids is leading to a better understanding of viral infection, and to the development of virus-based nanoparticles with improved mechanical properties for nanotechnological applications. In the minute virus of mice (MVM), deleterious mutations around capsid pores involved in infection-related translocation events invariably increased local mechanical stiffness and interfered with pore-associated dynamics. To provide atomic-resolution insights into biologically relevant changes in virus capsid mechanics, we have determined by X-ray crystallography the structural effects of deleterious, mechanically stiffening mutations around the capsid pores. Data show that the cavity-creating N170A mutation at the pore wall does not induce any dramatic structural change around the pores, but instead generates subtle rearrangements that propagate throughout the capsid, resulting in a more compact, less flexible structure. Analysis of the spacefilling L172W mutation revealed the same relationship between increased stiffness and compacted capsid structure. Implications for understanding connections between virus mechanics, structure, dynamics and infectivity, and for engineering modified virus-based nanoparticles, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Guerra
- Structural Biology Unit, Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC). Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri i Reixac 15, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Valbuena
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Jordi Querol-Audí
- Structural Biology Unit, Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC). Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri i Reixac 15, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Silva
- Structural Biology Unit, Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC). Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri i Reixac 15, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Milagros Castellanos
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Alicia Rodríguez-Huete
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Damià Garriga
- Structural Biology Unit, Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC). Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri i Reixac 15, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Mauricio G Mateu
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain.
| | - Nuria Verdaguer
- Structural Biology Unit, Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC). Parc Científic de Barcelona, Baldiri i Reixac 15, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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44
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Atomic force microscopy of virus shells. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 45:499-511. [PMID: 28408490 DOI: 10.1042/bst20160316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Microscopes are used to characterize small objects with the help of probes that interact with the specimen, such as photons and electrons in optical and electron microscopies, respectively. In atomic force microscopy (AFM), the probe is a nanometric tip located at the end of a microcantilever which palpates the specimen under study just as a blind person manages a walking stick. In this way, AFM allows obtaining nanometric resolution images of individual protein shells, such as viruses, in a liquid milieu. Beyond imaging, AFM also enables not only the manipulation of single protein cages, but also the characterization of every physicochemical property capable of inducing any measurable mechanical perturbation to the microcantilever that holds the tip. In the present revision, we start revising some recipes for adsorbing protein shells on surfaces. Then, we describe several AFM approaches to study individual protein cages, ranging from imaging to spectroscopic methodologies devoted to extracting physical information, such as mechanical and electrostatic properties. We also explain how a convenient combination of AFM and fluorescence methodologies entails monitoring genome release from individual viral shells during mechanical unpacking.
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45
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Carrillo PJP, Medrano M, Valbuena A, Rodríguez-Huete A, Castellanos M, Pérez R, Mateu MG. Amino Acid Side Chains Buried along Intersubunit Interfaces in a Viral Capsid Preserve Low Mechanical Stiffness Associated with Virus Infectivity. ACS NANO 2017; 11:2194-2208. [PMID: 28117975 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b08549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule experimental techniques and theoretical approaches reveal that important aspects of virus biology can be understood in biomechanical terms at the nanoscale. A detailed knowledge of the relationship in virus capsids between small structural changes caused by single-point mutations and changes in mechanical properties may provide further physics-based insights into virus function; it may also facilitate the engineering of viral nanoparticles with improved mechanical behavior. Here, we used the minute virus of mice to undertake a systematic experimental study on the contribution to capsid stiffness of amino acid side chains at interprotein interfaces and the specific noncovalent interactions they establish. Selected side chains were individually truncated by introducing point mutations to alanine, and the effects on local and global capsid stiffness were determined using atomic force microscopy. The results revealed that, in the natural virus capsid, multiple, mostly hydrophobic, side chains buried along the interfaces between subunits preserve a comparatively low stiffness of most (S2 and S3) regions. Virtually no point mutation tested substantially reduced stiffness, whereas most mutations increased stiffness of the S2/S3 regions. This stiffening was invariably associated with reduced virus yields during cell infection. The experimental evidence suggests that a comparatively low stiffness at S3/S2 capsid regions may have been biologically selected because it facilitates capsid assembly, increasing infectious virus yields. This study demonstrated also that knowledge of individual amino acid side chains and biological pressures that determine the physical behavior of a protein nanoparticle may be used for engineering its mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo José P Carrillo
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , c/Nicolás Cabrera 1, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Medrano
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , c/Nicolás Cabrera 1, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Valbuena
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , c/Nicolás Cabrera 1, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Rodríguez-Huete
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , c/Nicolás Cabrera 1, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Milagros Castellanos
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , c/Nicolás Cabrera 1, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Pérez
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , c/Nicolás Cabrera 1, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mauricio G Mateu
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , c/Nicolás Cabrera 1, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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46
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Zeng C, Moller-Tank S, Asokan A, Dragnea B. Probing the Link among Genomic Cargo, Contact Mechanics, and Nanoindentation in Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus 2. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:1843-1853. [PMID: 28142241 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b10131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a promising gene therapy vector. To make progress in this direction, the relationship between the characteristics of the genomic cargo and the capsid stability must be understood in detail. The goal of this study is to determine the role of the packaged vector genome in the response of AAV particles to mechanical compression and adhesion to a substrate. Specifically, we used atomic force microscopy to compare the mechanical properties of empty AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) capsids and AAV2 vectors packaging single-stranded DNA or self-complementary DNA. We found that all species underwent partial deformation upon adsorption from buffer on an atomically flat graphite surface. Upon adsorption, a preferred orientation toward the twofold symmetry axis on the capsid, relative to the substrate, was observed. The magnitude of the bias depended on the cargo type, indicating that the interfacial properties may be influenced by cargo. All particles showed a significant relative strain before rupture. Different from interfacial interactions, which were clearly cargo-dependent, the elastic response to directional stress was largely dominated by the capsid properties. Nevertheless, small differences between particles laden with different cargo were measurable; scAAV vectors were the most resilient to external compression. We also show how elastic constant and rupture force data sets can be analyzed according a multivariate conditional probability approach to determine the genome content on the basis of a database of mechanical properties acquired from nanoindentation assays. Implications for understanding how recombinant AAV capsid-genome interactions can affect vector stability and effectiveness of gene therapy applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | | | | | - Bogdan Dragnea
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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47
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Lambert S, Yang Q, De Angeles R, Chang JR, Ortega M, Davis C, Catalano CE. Molecular Dissection of the Forces Responsible for Viral Capsid Assembly and Stabilization by Decoration Proteins. Biochemistry 2017; 56:767-778. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Lambert
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Box 357610, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Qin Yang
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop C238, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Rolando De Angeles
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop C238, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Jenny R. Chang
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop C238, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Marcos Ortega
- Department
of Biology, Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105, United States
| | - Christal Davis
- Program
in Structural Biology and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop C290, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Carlos Enrique Catalano
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Box 357610, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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48
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Schwarz B, Uchida M, Douglas T. Biomedical and Catalytic Opportunities of Virus-Like Particles in Nanotechnology. Adv Virus Res 2016; 97:1-60. [PMID: 28057256 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Within biology, molecules are arranged in hierarchical structures that coordinate and control the many processes that allow for complex organisms to exist. Proteins and other functional macromolecules are often studied outside their natural nanostructural context because it remains difficult to create controlled arrangements of proteins at this size scale. Viruses are elegantly simple nanosystems that exist at the interface of living organisms and nonliving biological machines. Studied and viewed primarily as pathogens to be combatted, viruses have emerged as models of structural efficiency at the nanoscale and have spurred the development of biomimetic nanoparticle systems. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are noninfectious protein cages derived from viruses or other cage-forming systems. VLPs provide incredibly regular scaffolds for building at the nanoscale. Composed of self-assembling protein subunits, VLPs provide both a model for studying materials' assembly at the nanoscale and useful building blocks for materials design. The robustness and degree of understanding of many VLP structures allow for the ready use of these systems as versatile nanoparticle platforms for the conjugation of active molecules or as scaffolds for the structural organization of chemical processes. Lastly the prevalence of viruses in all domains of life has led to unique activities of VLPs in biological systems most notably the immune system. Here we discuss recent efforts to apply VLPs in a wide variety of applications with the aim of highlighting how the common structural elements of VLPs have led to their emergence as paradigms for the understanding and design of biological nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Schwarz
- Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - M Uchida
- Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - T Douglas
- Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.
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49
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Llauró A, Schwarz B, Koliyatt R, de Pablo PJ, Douglas T. Tuning Viral Capsid Nanoparticle Stability with Symmetrical Morphogenesis. ACS NANO 2016; 10:8465-73. [PMID: 27556288 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b03441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) provide engineering platforms for the design and implementation of protein-based nanostructures. These capsids are comprised of protein subunits whose precise arrangement and mutual interactions determine their stability, responsiveness to destabilizing environments, and ability to undergo morphological transitions. The precise interplay between subunit contacts and the overall stability of the bulk capsid population remains poorly resolved. Approaching this relationship requires a combination of techniques capable of accessing nanoscale properties, such as the mechanics of individual capsids, and bulk biochemical procedures capable of interrogating the stability of the VLP ensemble. To establish such connection, a VLP system is required where the subunit interactions can be manipulated in a controlled fashion. The P22 VLP is a promising platform for the design of nanomaterials and understanding how nanomanipulation of the particle affects bulk behavior. By contrasting single-particle atomic force microscopy and bulk chemical perturbations, we have related symmetry-specific anisotropic mechanical properties to the bulk ensemble behavior of the VLPs. Our results show that the expulsion of pentons at the vertices of the VLP induces a concomitant chemical and mechanical destabilization of the capsid and implicates the capsid edges as the points of mechanical fracture. Subsequent binding of a decoration protein at these critical edge regions restores both chemical and mechanical stability. The agreement between our single molecule and bulk techniques suggests that the same structural determinants govern both destabilizing and restorative mechanisms, unveiling a phenomenological coupling between the chemical and mechanical behavior of self-assembled cages and laying a framework for the analysis and manipulation of other VLPs and symmetric self-assembled structures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Schwarz
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Ranjit Koliyatt
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | | | - Trevor Douglas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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50
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Eleta-Lopez A, Calò A. Key factors of scanning a plant virus with AFM in air and aqueous solution. Microsc Res Tech 2016; 80:18-29. [DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aitziber Eleta-Lopez
- Self-Assembly Group; CIC nanoGUNE, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-San Sebastian, Basque Country; 20018 Spain
| | - Annalisa Calò
- Nanoscience Iniciative; CUNY Advanced Science Research Center ASRC; 85 St. Nicholas Terrace New York New York 10031
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