The heads of the measles virus attachment protein move to transmit the fusion-triggering signal

Glycan-shielded homodimer structure and dynamical features of the canine distemper virus hemagglutinin relevant for viral entry and efficient vaccination

Canine distemper virus (CDV) belongs to morbillivirus, including measles virus (MeV) and rinderpest virus, which causes serious immunological and neurological disorders in carnivores, including dogs and rhesus monkeys, as recently reported, but their vaccines are highly effective. The attachment glycoprotein hemagglutinin (CDV-H) at the CDV surface utilizes signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) and Nectin-4 (also called poliovirus-receptor-like-4; PVRL4) as entry receptors. Although fusion models have been proposed, the molecular mechanism of morbillivirus fusion entry is poorly understood. Here, we determined the crystal structure of the globular head domain of CDV-H vaccine strain at 3.2 Å resolution, revealing that CDV-H exhibits a highly tilted homodimeric form with a six-bladed β-propeller fold. While the predicted Nectin-4-binding site is well conserved with that of MeV-H, that of SLAM is similar but partially different, which is expected to contribute to host specificity. Five N-linked sugars covered a broad area of the CDV-H surface to expose receptor-binding sites only, supporting the effective production of neutralizing antibodies. These features are common to MeV-H, although the glycosylation sites are completely different. Furthermore, real-time observation using high-speed atomic force microscopy revealed highly mobile features of the CDV-H dimeric head via the connector region. These results suggest that sugar-shielded tilted homodimeric structure and dynamic conformational changes are common characteristics of morbilliviruses and ensure effective fusion entry and vaccination.

In vivo production of CAR-T cells using virus-mimetic fusogenic nanovesicles

Engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) exhibit high response rates in B-cell malignancy treatments and possess therapeutic potentials against various diseases. However, the complicated ex vivo production process of CAR-T cells limits their application. Herein, we use virus-mimetic fusogenic nanovesicles (FuNVs) to produce CAR-T cells in vivo via membrane fusion-mediated CAR protein delivery. Briefly, the FuNVs are modified using T-cell fusogen, adapted from measles virus or reovirus fusogens via displaying anti-CD3 single-chain variable fragment. The FuNVs can efficiently fuse with the T-cell membrane in vivo, thereby delivering the loaded anti-CD19 (αCD19) CAR protein onto T-cells to produce αCD19 CAR-T cells. These αCD19 CAR-T cells alone or in combination with anti-OX40 antibodies can treat B-cell lymphoma without inducing cytokine release syndrome. Thus, our strategy provides a novel method for engineering T cells into CAR-T cells in vivo and can further be employed to deliver other therapeutic membrane proteins.

Forskolin Enhances Antitumor Effect of Oncolytic Measles Virus by Promoting Rab27a Dependent Vesicular Transport System

The measles vaccine virus strain (MV-Edm) serves as a potential platform for the development of effective oncolytic vectors. Nevertheless, despite promising pre-clinical data, our comprehension of the factors influencing the efficacy of MV-Edm infection and intratumoral spread, as well as the interactions between oncolytic viruses and specific chemotherapeutics associated with viral infection, remains limited. Therefore, we investigated the potency of Forskolin in enhancing the antitumor effect of oncolytic MV-Edm by promoting the Rab27a-dependent vesicular transport system. After infecting cells with MV-Edm, we observed an increased accumulation of cytoplasmic vesicles. Our study demonstrated that MV-Edm infection and spread in tumors, which are indispensable processes for viral oncolysis, depend on the vesicular transport system of tumor cells. Although tumor cells displayed a responsive mechanism to restrain the MV-Edm spread by down-regulating the expression of Rab27a, a key member of the vesicle transport system, over-expression of Rab27a promoted the oncolytic efficacy of MV-Edm towards A549 tumor cells. Additionally, we found that Forskolin, a Rab27a agonist, was capable of promoting the oncolytic effect of MV-Edm in vitro. Our study revealed that the vesicle transporter Rab27a could facilitate the secretion of MV-Edm and the generation of syncytial bodies in MV-Edm infected cells during the MV-Edm-mediated oncolysis pathway. The results of the study demonstrate that a combination of Forskolin and MV-Edm exerts a synergistic anti-tumor effect in vitro, leading to elevated oncolysis. This finding holds promise for the clinical treatment of patients with tumors.

A Quantitative Fusion Assay to Study Measles Virus Entry

We have adopted a real-time assay based on a dual-split reporter to assess cell-cell fusion mediated by the measles virus (MeV) membrane fusion machinery. This reporter system is comprised of two expression vectors, each encoding a segment of Renilla luciferase fused to a segment of GFP. To regain function, the two segments need to associate, which is dependent on cell-cell fusion between effector cells expressing the MeV fusion machinery and target cells expressing the corresponding MeV receptor. By measuring reconstituted luciferase activity, we can follow the kinetics of cell-cell fusion and quantify the extent of fusion. This assay lends itself to the study of the MeV fusion machinery comprised of the attachment and fusion glycoproteins, the matrix protein, and the MeV receptors. Moreover, entry inhibitors targeting attachment or fusion can be readily screened using this assay. Finally, this assay can be easily adopted to study the entry of other members of the Paramyxoviridae, as we have demonstrated for the henipaviruses.

Subnanometer structure of an enveloped virus fusion complex on viral surface reveals new entry mechanisms

Paramyxoviruses-including important pathogens like parainfluenza, measles, and Nipah viruses-use a receptor binding protein [hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) for parainfluenza] and a fusion protein (F), acting in a complex, to enter cells. We use cryo-electron tomography to visualize the fusion complex of human parainfluenza virus 3 (HN/F) on the surface of authentic clinical viruses at a subnanometer resolution sufficient to answer mechanistic questions. An HN loop inserts in a pocket on F, showing how the fusion complex remains in a ready but quiescent state until activation. The globular HN heads are rotated with respect to each other: one downward to contact F, and the other upward to grapple cellular receptors, demonstrating how HN/F performs distinct steps before F activation. This depiction of viral fusion illuminates potentially druggable targets for paramyxoviruses and sheds light on fusion processes that underpin wide-ranging biological processes but have not been visualized in situ or at the present resolution.

Novel and classical morbilliviruses: Current knowledge of three divergent morbillivirus groups

Currently, seven species of morbillivirus have been classified. Six of these species (Measles morbillivirus, Rinderpest morbillivirus, Small ruminant morbillivirus, Canine morbillivirus, Phocine morbillivirus, and Cetacean morbillivirus) are highly infectious and cause serious systemic diseases in humans, livestock, domestic dogs, and wild animals. These species commonly use the host proteins signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) and nectin-4 as receptors, and this usage contributes to their virulence. The seventh species (Feline morbillivirus: FeMV) is phylogenetically divergent from the six SLAM-using species. FeMV differs from the SLAM-using morbillivirus group in pathogenicity and infectivity, and is speculated to use non-SLAM receptors. Recently, novel species of morbilliviruses have been discovered in bats, rodents, and domestic pigs. Because the ability to use SLAM and nectin-4 is closely related to the infectivity and pathogenicity of morbilliviruses, investigation of the potential usage of these receptors is useful for estimating infectivity and pathogenicity. The SLAM-binding sites in the receptor-binding protein show high similarity among the SLAM-using morbilliviruses. This feature may help to estimate whether novel morbillivirus species can use SLAM as a receptor. A novel morbillivirus species isolated from wild mice diverged from the classified morbilliviruses in the phylogenetic tree, forming a third group separate from the SLAM-using morbillivirus group and FeMV. This suggests that the novel rodent morbillivirus may exhibit a different risk from the SLAM-using morbillivirus group, and analyses of its viral pathogenicity and infectivity toward humans are warranted.

Screening of candidate genes associated with high titer production of oncolytic measles virus based on systems biology approach

The number of viral particles required for oncolytic activity of measles virus (MV) can be more than a million times greater than the reported amount for vaccination. The aim of the current study is to find potential genes and signaling pathways that may be involved in the high-titer production of MV. In this study, a systems biology approach was considered including collection of gene expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, obtaining differentially expressed genes (DEGs), performing gene ontology, functional enrichment analyses, and topological analyses on the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Then, to validate the in-silico data, total RNA was isolated from five cell lines, and full-length cDNA from template RNA was synthesized. Subsequently, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) was employed. We identified five hub genes, including RAC1, HSP90AA1, DNM1, LTBP1, and FSTL1 associated with the enhancement in MV titer. Pathway analysis indicated enrichment in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, axon guidance, proteoglycans in cancer, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion, and calcium signaling pathways. Upon verification by RT-qPCR, the relative expression of candidate genes was generally consistent with our bioinformatics analysis. Hub genes and signaling pathways may be involved in understanding the pathological mechanisms by which measles virus manipulates host factors in order to facilitate its replication. RAC1, HSP90AA1, DNM1, LTBP1, and FSTL1 genes, in combination with genetic engineering techniques, will allow the direct design of high-throughput cell lines to answer the required amounts for the oncolytic activity of MV.

Short-stalk isoforms of CADM1 and CADM2 trigger neuropathogenic measles virus-mediated membrane fusion by interacting with the viral hemagglutinin

Measles virus (MeV), an enveloped RNA virus in the family Paramyxoviridae, usually causes acute febrile illness with skin rash, but in rare cases persists in the brain, causing a progressive neurological disorder, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). MeV bears two envelope glycoproteins, the hemagglutinin (H) and fusion (F) proteins. The H protein possesses a head domain that initially mediates receptor binding and a stalk domain that subsequently transmits the fusion-triggering signal to the F protein. We have recently shown that cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1, also known as IGSF4A, Necl-2, SynCAM1) and CADM2 (also known as IGSF4D, Necl-3, SynCAM2) are host factors enabling cell-cell membrane fusion mediated by hyperfusogenic F proteins of neuropathogenic MeVs as well as MeV spread between neurons lacking the known receptors. CADM1 and CADM2 interact in cis with the H protein on the same cell membrane, triggering hyperfusogenic F protein-mediated membrane fusion. Multiple isoforms of CADM1 and CADM2 containing various lengths of their stalk regions are generated by alternative splicing. Here we show that only short-stalk isoforms of CADM1 and CADM2 predominantly expressed in the brain induce hyperfusogenic F protein-mediated membrane fusion. While the known receptors interact in trans with the H protein through its head domain, these isoforms can interact in cis even with the H protein lacking the head domain and trigger membrane fusion, presumably through its stalk domain. Thus, our results unveil a new mechanism of viral fusion triggering by host factors. Importance Measles, an acute febrile illness with skin rash, is still an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Measles virus (MeV), the causative agent of measles, may also cause a progressive neurological disorder, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), several years after acute infection. The disease is fatal, and no effective therapy is available. Recently, we have reported that cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) and CADM2 are host factors enabling MeV cell-to-cell spread in neurons. These molecules interact in cis with the MeV attachment protein on the same cell membrane, triggering the fusion protein and causing membrane fusion. CADM1 and CADM2 are known to exist in multiple splice isoforms. In this study, we report that their short-stalk isoforms can induce membrane fusion by interacting in cis with the viral attachment protein independently of its receptor-binding head domain. This finding may have important implications for cis-acting fusion triggering by host factors.

EphrinB2 clustering by Nipah virus G is required to activate and trap F intermediates at supported lipid bilayer-cell interfaces

Paramyxovirus membrane fusion requires an attachment protein that binds to a host cell receptor and a fusion protein that merges the viral and host membranes. For Nipah virus (NiV), the G attachment protein binds ephrinB2/B3 receptors and activates F-mediated fusion. To visualize dynamic events of these proteins at the membrane interface, we reconstituted NiV fusion activation by overlaying F- and G-expressing cells onto ephrinB2-functionalized supported lipid bilayers and used TIRF microscopy to follow F, G, and ephrinB2. We found that G and ephrinB2 form clusters and that oligomerization of ephrinB2 is necessary for F activation. Single-molecule tracking of F particles revealed accumulation of an immobilized intermediate upon activation. We found no evidence for stable F-G protein complexes before or after activation. These observations lead to a revised model for NiV fusion activation and provide a foundation for investigating other multicomponent viral fusion systems.

Human parainfluenza virus fusion complex glycoproteins imaged in action on authentic viral surfaces

Infection by human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) causes widespread lower respiratory diseases, including croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, and there are no vaccines or effective treatments for these viruses. HPIV3 is a member of the Respirovirus species of the Paramyxoviridae family. These viruses are pleomorphic, enveloped viruses with genomes composed of single-stranded negative-sense RNA. During viral entry, the first step of infection, the viral fusion complex, comprised of the receptor-binding glycoprotein hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and the fusion glycoprotein (F), mediates fusion upon receptor binding. The HPIV3 transmembrane protein HN, like the receptor-binding proteins of other related viruses that enter host cells using membrane fusion, binds to a receptor molecule on the host cell plasma membrane, which triggers the F glycoprotein to undergo major conformational rearrangements, promoting viral entry. Subsequent fusion of the viral and host membranes allows delivery of the viral genetic material into the host cell. The intermediate states in viral entry are transient and thermodynamically unstable, making it impossible to understand these transitions using standard methods, yet understanding these transition states is important for expanding our knowledge of the viral entry process. In this study, we use cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to dissect the stepwise process by which the receptor-binding protein triggers F-mediated fusion, when forming a complex with receptor-bearing membranes. Using an on-grid antibody capture method that facilitates examination of fresh, biologically active strains of virus directly from supernatant fluids and a series of biological tools that permit the capture of intermediate states in the fusion process, we visualize the series of events that occur when a pristine, authentic viral particle interacts with target receptors and proceeds from the viral entry steps of receptor engagement to membrane fusion.

Role of the head-stalk linker region (aa115-122) of Newcastle disease virus haemagglutinin-neuraminidase in regulating fusion triggering

To gain insights into the role of the head-stalk linker region in the fusion triggering, we constructed mutants by deleting or substituting the linker region (115-NGAANNSG-122) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) with the corresponding sequences of other paramyxoviruses. The results showed that these HN mutants exhibited different levels of fusion-triggering activity, but most of them maintained comparable levels with wide-type HN in both receptor recognition and neuraminidase activity. We tried to figure out reasons for fusion alteration through assessing the expression and the oligomeric state of HN mutants. Moreover, four mutants with significant fusion changes were introduced into the headless HN stem (HN1-123) to intensively investigate the role of the linker region in fusion triggering. Consequently, the stability of HN oligomers and the structural integrity of the 4 helical-bundle of stalk have complicated influences on the alteration of fusion-triggering activities for different mutants. These data suggested that the head-stalk linker could regulate the fusion triggering at both full-length and headless HN levels.

Type 1 Interferon Responses Underlie Tumor-Selective Replication of Oncolytic Measles Virus

The mechanism of tumor-selective replication of oncolytic measles virus (MV) is poorly understood. Using a stepwise model of cellular transformation, in which oncogenic hits were additively expressed in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, we show that MV-induced oncolysis increased progressively with transformation. The type 1 interferon (IFN) response to MV infection was significantly reduced and delayed, in accordance with the level of transformation. Consistently, we observed delayed and reduced signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) phosphorylation in the fully transformed cells. Pre-treatment with IFNβ restored resistance to MV-mediated oncolysis. Gene expression profiling to identify the genetic correlates of susceptibility to MV oncolysis revealed a dampened basal level of immune-related genes in the fully transformed cells compared to their normal counterparts. IFN-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) was the foremost basally downregulated immune gene. Stable IFITM1 overexpression in MV-susceptible cells resulted in a 50% increase in cell viability and a significant reduction in viral replication at 24 h after MV infection. Overall, our data indicate that the basal reduction in functions of the type 1 IFN pathway is a major contributor to the oncolytic selectivity of MV. In particular, we have identified IFITM1 as a restriction factor for oncolytic MV, acting at early stages of infection.

Receptor-mediated cell entry of paramyxoviruses: Mechanisms, and consequences for tropism and pathogenesis

Research in the last decade has uncovered many new paramyxoviruses, airborne agents that cause epidemic diseases in animals including humans. Most paramyxoviruses enter epithelial cells of the airway using sialic acid as a receptor and cause only mild disease. However, others cross the epithelial barrier and cause more severe disease. For some of these viruses, the host receptors have been identified, and the mechanisms of cell entry have been elucidated. The tetrameric attachment proteins of paramyxoviruses have vastly different binding affinities for their cognate receptors, which they contact through different binding surfaces. Nevertheless, all input signals are converted to the same output: conformational changes that trigger refolding of trimeric fusion proteins and membrane fusion. Experiments with selectively receptor-blinded viruses inoculated into their natural hosts have provided insights into tropism, identifying the cells and tissues that support growth and revealing the mechanisms of pathogenesis. These analyses also shed light on diabolically elegant mechanisms used by morbilliviruses, including the measles virus, to promote massive amplification within the host, followed by efficient aerosolization and rapid spread through host populations. In another paradigm of receptor-facilitated severe disease, henipaviruses, including Nipah and Hendra viruses, use different members of one protein family to cause zoonoses. Specific properties of different paramyxoviruses, like neurotoxicity and immunosuppression, are now understood in the light of receptor specificity. We propose that research on the specific receptors for several newly identified members of the Paramyxoviridae family that may not bind sialic acid is needed to anticipate their zoonotic potential and to generate effective vaccines and antiviral compounds.

Disruption of the Dimer-Dimer Interaction of the Mumps Virus Attachment Protein Head Domain, Aided by an Anion Located at the Interface, Compromises Membrane Fusion Triggering

Mumps virus (MuV), an enveloped negative-strand RNA virus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae, enters the host cell through membrane fusion mediated by two viral envelope proteins, an attachment protein hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (MuV-HN) and a fusion (F) protein. However, how the binding of MuV-HN to glycan receptors triggers membrane fusion is not well understood. The crystal structure of the MuV-HN head domain forms a tetramer (dimer of dimers) like other paramyxovirus attachment proteins. In the structure, a sulfate ion (SO₄ ^2-) was found at the interface between two dimers, which may be replaced by a hydrogen phosphate ion (HPO₄ ^2-) under physiological conditions. The anion is captured by the side chain of a positively charged arginine residue at position 139 of one monomer each from both dimers. Substitution of alanine or lysine for arginine at this position compromised the fusion support activity of MuV-HN without affecting its cell surface expression, glycan-receptor binding, and interaction with the F protein. Furthermore, the substitution appeared to affect the tetramer formation of the head domain as revealed by blue native-PAGE analysis. These results, together with our previous similar findings with the measles virus attachment protein head domain, suggest that the dimer-dimer interaction within the tetramer may play an important role in triggering membrane fusion during paramyxovirus entry.IMPORTANCE Despite the use of effective live vaccines, mumps outbreaks still occur worldwide. Mumps virus (MuV) infection typically causes flu-like symptoms and parotid gland swelling but sometimes leads to orchitis, oophoritis, and neurological complications, such as meningitis, encephalitis, and deafness. MuV enters the host cell through membrane fusion mediated by two viral proteins, a receptor-binding attachment protein, and a fusion protein, but its detailed mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we show that the tetramer (dimer of dimers) formation of the MuV attachment protein head domain is supported by an anion located at the interface between two dimers and that the dimer-dimer interaction plays an important role in triggering the activation of the fusion protein and causing membrane fusion. These results not only further our understanding of MuV entry but provide useful information about a possible target for antiviral drugs.

Development of Entry-Targeted Oncolytic Measles Viruses

This chapter describes the development of recombinant oncolytic measles viruses (MeV) that selectively enter and destroy tumor cells. The envelope of MeV is a favorable targeting substrate because receptor attachment and membrane fusion functions are separated on two proteins: the hemagglutinin (H) that binds receptors, and the fusion (F) protein that fuses the viral envelope with the cell membrane. The cell entry process, which depends on receptor recognition and occurs at the plasma membrane at neutral pH, results in the delivery of encapsidated genomes to the cytoplasm, where they replicate. Towards improving cancer specificity of oncolytic MeV, two types of cell entry targeting have been achieved. First, entry has been redirected through cancer-specific cell surface proteins. This was done by displaying specificity domains on H while also ablating binding to its natural receptors. Second, activation of the F protein was made dependent on secreted cancer proteases, while also interfering with F cleavage/activation by a ubiquitous intracellular protease. This chapter describes how entry-targeted MeV are produced: In short, gene cassettes with modified H or F coding regions are generated, and then introduced into the viral genome available on plasmid DNA. Such full-length genome plasmids are transfected in cell lines expressing, stably or transiently, the three viral proteins necessary for genome replication. Infectious centers form among these "rescue" cells, which allow isolation of clonal recombinant viruses. These are amplified, characterized in vitro, and then evaluated for their oncolytic activity in appropriate preclinical animal models.

Roles of the highly conserved amino acids in the second receptor binding site of the Newcastle disease virus HN protein

Background

The paramyxovirus haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) is a multifunctional protein that is responsible for attachment to receptors, removal of receptors from infected cells to prevent viral self-aggregation (neuraminidase, NA) and fusion promotion. It is commonly accepted that there are two receptor binding sites in the globular head of HN, and the second receptor binding site is only involved in the function of receptor binding and fusion promotion.

Methods

10 conserved residues in the second receptor binding site of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) HN were chosen and substituted to alanine (A). The desired mutants were examined to detect the functional change in hemadsorption (HAD) ability, NA activity and fusion promotion ability.

Results

The HAD and fusion promotion ability of mutants C172A, R174A, C196A, D198A, Y526A and E547A were abolished. Compared with wild-type (wt) HN, the HAD of mutants T167A, S202A and R516A decreased to 55.81, 44.53, 69.02%, respectively, and the fusion promotion ability of these three mutants decreased to 54.74, 49.46, 65.26%, respectively; however, mutant G171A still maintained fusion promotion ability comparable with wt HN but had impaired HAD ability. All the site-directed mutations altered the NA activity of NDV HN without affecting protein cell surface expression.

Conclusions

The data suggest that mutants C172A, R174A, C196A, D198A, Y526A and E547A do not allow the conformational change that is required for fusion promotion ability and HAD activity, while the other mutants only affect the conformational change to a limited extent, except mutant G171A with intact fusion promotion ability. Overall, the conserved amino acids in the second receptor binding site, especially residues C172, R174, C196, D198, Y526 and E547, are crucial to normal NDV HN protein function.

Conformational changes in Chikungunya virus E2 protein upon heparan sulfate receptor binding explain mechanism of E2-E1 dissociation during viral entry

Receptor binding is the first step in viral cell entry. In enveloped virus cell entry, viral and host membrane fusion follows receptor binding. Viral surface receptor-binding protein associates with membrane fusion protein and masks its structure, to prevent pre-mature fusion activity. Dissociation of receptor-binding protein from fusion protein is an essential step before membrane fusion. Mechanism of receptor binding leading to dissociation of receptor binding and fusion protein is poorly understood in alphaviruses. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus, re-emerged as a global pathogen in recent past. CHIKV surface envelope proteins, E2 and E1, function as receptor binding and fusion protein, respectively. Site of heparan sulfate (HS) receptor binding on E2–E1 heterodimer and its effect on E2–E1 heterodimer conformation is not known. Using molecular docking, we mapped HS binding to a positively charged pocket on E2 that is structurally conserved in alphaviruses. Based on our results from docking and sequence analysis, we identified a novel HS-binding sequence motif in E2. Purified E2 binds to heparin and HS specifically through charge interactions. Binding affinity of E2 to HS is comparable with other known HS–protein interactions (K_d ∼ 1.8 μM). Mutation of charged residues in the predicted HS-binding motif of E2 to alanine resulted in reduction of HS binding. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on E2, after docking HS, predicted allosteric domain movements. Fluorescence spectroscopy, far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments on HS-bound E2 corroborate our findings from MD simulations. We propose a mechanism where receptor-binding results in allosteric domain movements in E2, explaining E2–E1 dissociation.

Conserved amino acids around the DIII-DI linker region of the Newcastle disease virus fusion protein are critical for protein folding and fusion activity

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus, causes Newcastle disease (ND) which is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease affecting poultry and most species of birds. The fusion (F) protein of NDV mediates membrane fusion, which is essential to the processes of viral entry, replication, and dissemination. Although several domains of NDV F are known to have important effects on regulating the membrane fusion activity, the role of the region around domain III (DIII) and domain I (DI) still remains ill-defined. Site-directed mutagenesis was utilized to change the conserved amino acids at 269, 274, 277, 286, 287, 290, 295, and 297 to alanine in order to investigate the effects of these conserved amino acids around the DIII and DI linker region of the NDV F protein on fusion activity. It was found that five of these substitutions almost abolished fusion activity except for mutants I269A, Q286A, and N297A, which showed 57.1%, 161.1%, and 97.7% of the wt F level, respectively. Four (I274A, D277A, V287A, and P290A) of these five mutants likely result in interfering with folding or transporting of the molecule since these proteins were minimally expressed at the cell surface, formed aggregates, or not proteolytically cleaved. However, mutant L295A almost abolished fusion activity even with a similar level of cell surface expression. These data indicated that conserved amino acids around the DIII-DI linker region are critical for the folding of the F protein and have an important influence on fusion activity.

Clinical Trials with Oncolytic Measles Virus: Current Status and Future Prospects

Attenuated Edmonston lineage measles virus (MV-Edm) vaccine strains can preferentially infect and lyse a wide variety of cancer cells. Oncolytic MV-Edm derivatives are genetically engineered to express the human carcinoembryonic antigen (MV-CEA virus) or the human sodium iodide symporter (MV-NIS virus) and are currently being tested in clinical trials against ovarian cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, multiple myeloma, mesothelioma, head and neck cancer, breast cancer and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. This review describes the basic and preclinical data that facilitated the clinical translation of MV-Edm strains, and summarizes the clinical results of this oncolytic platform to date. Furthermore, we discuss the latest clinically relevant MV-Edm vector developments and creative strategies for future translational steps.

A key anti-viral protein, RSAD2/VIPERIN, restricts the release of measles virus from infected cells

Measles virus (MV), a paramyxovirus, is one of the most contagious human pathogens and is responsible for thousands of deaths annually. Wild-type MV evolved to counter the innate immune system by avoiding both type I interferon (IFN) induction and inhibiting IFN signaling through the JAK/STAT pathway. However, virus replication is significantly inhibited in IFN-pretreated cells. Similarly, MV vaccine derived strains are inhibited by IFN pretreatment, but vaccine strains also induce IFN. Despite the significant progress in understanding the interactions between MV and the IFN pathway, the IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) that inhibit MV replication remain largely unknown. The aim of this study is to identify specific ISGs that mediate restriction of MV. In this study, we report that Radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2) restricts MV infection at the stage of virus release in infected 293T cells. Furthermore, attenuated MV strains are currently being developed as a novel treatment for solid and hematological malignancies. Therefore, we tested the impact of RSAD2 expression in an oncolytic virotherapy context using a MV permissive ovarian cancer line (SR-B2). As measured in 293T cells, MV release was also impaired in SR-B2 cells transduced to express RSAD2 in vitro. Additionally, oncolytic MV therapeutic efficacy was impaired in SR-B2 cells transduced to express RSAD2 in vivo. Overall, we identify RSAD2 as a novel restriction factor for MV by inhibiting the release of virus. These results provide important information regarding the interaction between MV and the innate immune system, as well as implications for the design of oncolytic MV platforms.

Regulatory Role of the Morbillivirus Attachment Protein Head-to-Stalk Linker Module in Membrane Fusion Triggering

Morbillivirus (e.g., measles virus [MeV] and canine distemper virus [CDV]) host cell entry is coordinated by two interacting envelope glycoproteins, namely, an attachment (H) protein and a fusion (F) protein. The ectodomain of H proteins consists of stalk, connector, and head domains that assemble into functional noncovalent dimer-of-dimers. The role of the C-terminal module of the H-stalk domain (termed linker) and the connector, although putatively able to assume flexible structures and allow receptor-induced structural rearrangements, remains largely unexplored. Here, we carried out a nonconservative mutagenesis scan analysis of the MeV and CDV H-linker/connector domains. Our data demonstrated that replacing isoleucine 146 in H-linker (H-I146) with any charged amino acids prevented virus-mediated membrane fusion activity, despite proper trafficking of the mutants to the cell surface and preserved binding efficiency to the SLAM/CD150 receptor. Nondenaturing electrophoresis revealed that these charged amino acid changes led to the formation of irregular covalent H tetramers rather than functional dimer-of-dimers formed when isoleucine or other hydrophobic amino acids were present at residue position 146. Remarkably, we next demonstrated that covalent H tetramerization per se was not the only mechanism preventing F activation. Indeed, the neutral glycine mutant (H-I146G), which exhibited strong covalent tetramerization propensity, maintained limited fusion promotion activity. Conversely, charged H-I146 mutants, which additionally carried alanine substitution of natural cysteines (H-C139A and H-C154A) and thus were unable to form covalently linked tetramers, were fusion activation defective. Our data suggest a dual regulatory role of the hydrophobic residue at position 146 of the morbillivirus head-to-stalk H-linker module: securing the assembly of productive dimer-of-dimers and contributing to receptor-induced F-triggering activity.IMPORTANCE MeV and CDV remain important human and animal pathogens. Development of antivirals may significantly support current global vaccination campaigns. Cell entry is orchestrated by two interacting glycoproteins (H and F). The current hypothesis postulates that tetrameric H ectodomains (composed of stalk, connector, and head domains) undergo receptor-induced rearrangements to productively trigger F; these conformational changes may be regulated by the H-stalk C-terminal module (linker) and the following connector domain. Mutagenesis scan analysis of both microdomains revealed that replacing amino acid 146 in the H-linker region with nonhydrophobic residues produced covalent H tetramers which were compromised in triggering membrane fusion activity. However, these mutant proteins retained their ability to traffic to the cell surface and to bind to the virus receptor. These data suggest that the morbillivirus linker module contributes to the folding of functional pre-F-triggering H tetramers. Furthermore, such structures might be critical to convert receptor engagement into F activation.

Functional analysis of amino acids at stalk/head interface of human parainfluenza virus type 3 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein in the membrane fusion process

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV3) is an important respiratory pathogen that causes the majority of viral pneumonia of infants and young children. hPIV3 can infect host cells through the synergistic action of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein and the homotypic fusion (F) protein on the viral surface. HN protein plays a variety of roles during the virus invasion process, such as promoting viral particles to bind to receptors, cleaving sialic acid, and activating the F protein. Crystal structure research shows that HN tetramer adopted a "heads-down" conformation, at least two heads dimmer on flank of the four-helix bundle stalk, which forms a symmetrical interaction interface. The stalk region determines interactions and activation of F protein in specificity, and the heads in down position statically shield these residues. In order to make further research on the function of these amino acids at the hPIV3 HN stalk/head interface, fifteen mutations (8 sites from stalk and 7 sites from head) were engineered into this interface by site-directed mutagenesis in this study. Alanine substitution in this region of hPIV3 HN had various effects on cell fusion promotion, receptor binding, and neuraminidase activity. Besides, L151A also affected surface protein expression efficiency. Moreover, I112A, D120A, and R122A mutations of the stalk region that were masked by global head in down position had influence on the interaction between F and HN proteins.

Measles virus: Background and oncolytic virotherapy

Measles is a highly transmissible disease caused by measles virus and remains a major cause of child mortality in developing countries. Measles virus nucleoprotein (N) encapsidates the RNA genome of the virus for providing protection from host cell endonucleases and for specific recognition of viral RNA as template for transcription and replication. This protein is over-expressed at the time of viral replication. The C-terminal of N protein is intrinsically disordered, which enables this protein to interact with several host cell proteins. It was previously proved in our laboratory that N expressing human cancerous cells undergo programmed cell death because of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as well as Caspase 3 activation. The phosphoprotein (P) along with N protein enclosed viral genomic RNA forming a ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP). It also establishes interaction with the large protein (L) i.e. viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase to ensure viral replication within host cells. The host cell receptors of this virus are CD46, SLAM/CD150 and PVRL4. Measles virus is latently oncotropic in nature and possesses oncolytic property by syncytia formation. We try to highlight the application of this property in developing a virotherapeutic vehicle.

Mutations in the Fusion Protein of Measles Virus That Confer Resistance to the Membrane Fusion Inhibitors Carbobenzoxy-d-Phe-l-Phe-Gly and 4-Nitro-2-Phenylacetyl Amino-Benzamide

The inhibitors carbobenzoxy (Z)-d-Phe-l-Phe-Gly (fusion inhibitor peptide [FIP]) and 4-nitro-2-phenylacetyl amino-benzamide (AS-48) have similar efficacies in blocking membrane fusion and syncytium formation mediated by measles virus (MeV). Other homologues, such as Z-d-Phe, are less effective but may act through the same mechanism. In an attempt to map the site of action of these inhibitors, we generated mutant viruses that were resistant to the inhibitory effects of Z-d-Phe-l-Phe-Gly. These 10 mutations were localized to the heptad repeat B (HRB) region of the fusion protein, and no changes were observed in the viral hemagglutinin, which is the receptor attachment protein. Mutations were validated in a luciferase-based membrane fusion assay, using transfected fusion and hemagglutinin expression plasmids or with syncytium-based assays in Vero, Vero-SLAM, and Vero-Nectin 4 cell lines. The changes I452T, D458N, D458G/V459A, N462K, N462H, G464E, and I483R conferred resistance to both FIP and AS-48 without compromising membrane fusion. The inhibitors did not block hemagglutinin protein-mediated binding to the target cell. Edmonston vaccine/laboratory and IC323 wild-type strains were equally affected by the inhibitors. Escape mutations were mapped upon a three-dimensional (3D) structure modeled from the published crystal structure of parainfluenzavirus 5 fusion protein. The most effective mutations were situated in a region located near the base of the globular head and its junction with the alpha-helical stalk of the prefusion protein. We hypothesize that the fusion inhibitors could interfere with the structural changes that occur between the prefusion and postfusion conformations of the fusion protein.IMPORTANCE Due to lapses in vaccination worldwide that have caused localized outbreaks, measles virus (MeV) has regained importance as a pathogen. Antiviral agents against measles virus are not commercially available but could be useful in conjunction with MeV eradication vaccine programs and as a safeguard in oncolytic viral therapy. Three decades ago, the small hydrophobic peptide Z-d-Phe-l-Phe-Gly (FIP) was shown to block MeV infections and syncytium formation in monkey kidney cell lines. The exact mechanism of its action has yet to be determined, but it does appear to have properties similar to those of another chemical inhibitor, AS-48, which appears to interfere with the conformational change in the viral F protein that is required to elicit membrane fusion. Escape mutations were used to map the site of action for FIP. Knowledge gained from these studies could help in the design of new inhibitors against morbilliviruses and provide additional knowledge concerning the mechanism of virus-mediated membrane fusion.

Measles Virus Enters Breast and Colon Cancer Cell Lines through a PVRL4-Mediated Macropinocytosis Pathway

Measles virus (MeV) is a member of the family Paramixoviridae that causes a highly contagious respiratory disease but has emerged as a promising oncolytic platform. Previous studies of MeV entry focused on the identification of cellular receptors. However, the endocytic and trafficking pathways utilized during MeV entry remain poorly described. The contribution of each endocytic pathway has been examined in cells that express the MeV receptors SLAM (signaling lymphocyte-activating molecule) and PVRL4 (poliovirus receptor-like 4) (nectin-4). Recombinant MeVs expressing either firefly luciferase or green fluorescent protein together with a variety of inhibitors were used. The results showed that MeV uptake was dynamin independent in the Vero.hPVRL4, Vero.hSLAM, and PVRL4-positive MCF7 breast cancer cell lines. However, MeV infection was blocked by 5-(N-ethyl-N-propyl)amiloride (EIPA), the hallmark inhibitor of macropinocytosis, as well as inhibitors of actin polymerization. By using phalloidin staining, MeV entry was shown to induce actin rearrangements and the formation of membrane ruffles accompanied by transient elevated fluid uptake. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) demonstrated that MeV enters both Vero.hPVRL4 and Vero.hSLAM cells in a PAK1-independent manner using a macropinocytosis-like pathway. In contrast, MeV entry into MCF7 human breast cancer cells relied upon Rac1 and its effector PAK1 through a PVRL4-mediated macropinocytosis pathway. MeV entry into DLD-1 colon and HTB-20 breast cancer cells also appeared to use the same pathway. Overall, these findings provide new insight into the life cycle of MeV, which could lead to therapies that block virus entry or methods that improve the uptake of MeV by cancer cells during oncolytic therapy.IMPORTANCE In the past decades, measles virus (MeV) has emerged as a promising oncolytic platform. Previous studies concerning MeV entry focused mainly on the identification of putative receptors for MeV. Nectin-4 (PVRL4) was recently identified as the epithelial cell receptor for MeV. However, the specific endocytic and trafficking pathways utilized during MeV infections are poorly documented. In this study, we demonstrated that MeV enters host cells via a dynamin-independent and actin-dependent endocytic pathway. Moreover, we show that MeV gains entry into MCF7, DLD-1, and HTB-20 cancer cells through a PVRL4-mediated macropinocytosis pathway and identified the typical cellular GTPase and kinase involved. Our findings provide new insight into the life cycle of MeV, which may lead to the development of therapies that block the entry of the virus into the host cell or alternatively promote the uptake of oncolytic MeV into cancer cells.

Genome-wide associations of CD46 and IFI44L genetic variants with neutralizing antibody response to measles vaccine

Population-based studies have revealed 2-10% measles vaccine failure rate even after two vaccine doses. While the mechanisms behind this remain unknown, we hypothesized that host genetic factors are likely to be involved. We performed a genome-wide association study of measles specific neutralizing antibody and IFNγ ELISPOT response in a combined sample of 2872 subjects. We identified two distinct chromosome 1 regions (previously associated with MMR-related febrile seizures), associated with vaccine-induced measles neutralizing antibody titers. The 1q32 region contained 20 significant SNPs in/around the measles virus receptor-encoding CD46 gene, including the intronic rs2724384 (p value = 2.64 × 10^-09) and rs2724374 (p value = 3.16 × 10^-09) SNPs. The 1q31.1 region contained nine significant SNPs in/around IFI44L, including the intronic rs1333973 (p value = 1.41 × 10^-10) and the missense rs273259 (His73Arg, p value = 2.87 × 10^-10) SNPs. Analysis of differential exon usage with mRNA-Seq data and RT-PCR suggests the involvement of rs2724374 minor G allele in the CD46 STP region exon B skipping, resulting in shorter CD46 isoforms. Our study reveals common CD46 and IFI44L SNPs associated with measles-specific humoral immunity, and highlights the importance of alternative splicing/virus cellular receptor isoform usage as a mechanism explaining inter-individual variation in immune response after live measles vaccine.

Multiple Strategies Reveal a Bidentate Interaction between the Nipah Virus Attachment and Fusion Glycoproteins

The paramyxoviral family contains many medically important viruses, including measles virus, mumps virus, parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, and the deadly zoonotic henipaviruses Hendra and Nipah virus (NiV). To both enter host cells and spread from cell to cell within infected hosts, the vast majority of paramyxoviruses utilize two viral envelope glycoproteins: the attachment glycoprotein (G, H, or hemagglutinin-neuraminidase [HN]) and the fusion glycoprotein (F). Binding of G/H/HN to a host cell receptor triggers structural changes in G/H/HN that in turn trigger F to undergo a series of conformational changes that result in virus-cell (viral entry) or cell-cell (syncytium formation) membrane fusion. The actual regions of G/H/HN and F that interact during the membrane fusion process remain relatively unknown though it is generally thought that the paramyxoviral G/H/HN stalk region interacts with the F head region. Studies to determine such interactive regions have relied heavily on coimmunoprecipitation approaches, whose limitations include the use of detergents and the micelle-mediated association of proteins. Here, we developed a flow-cytometric strategy capable of detecting membrane protein-protein interactions by interchangeably using the full-length form of G and a soluble form of F, or vice versa. Using both coimmunoprecipitation and flow-cytometric strategies, we found a bidentate interaction between NiV G and F, where both the stalk and head regions of NiV G interact with F. This is a new structural-biological finding for the paramyxoviruses. Additionally, our studies disclosed regions of the NiV G and F glycoproteins dispensable for the G and F interactions.

IMPORTANCE

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes high mortality rates in humans, with no approved treatment or vaccine available for human use. Viral entry into host cells relies on two viral envelope glycoproteins: the attachment (G) and fusion (F) glycoproteins. Binding of G to the ephrinB2 or ephrinB3 cell receptors triggers conformational changes in G that in turn cause F to undergo conformational changes that result in virus-host cell membrane fusion and viral entry. It is currently unknown, however, which specific regions of G and F interact during membrane fusion. Past efforts to determine the interacting regions have relied mainly on coimmunoprecipitation, a technique with some pitfalls. We developed a flow-cytometric assay to study membrane protein-protein interactions, and using this assay we report a bidentate interaction whereby both the head and stalk regions of NiV G interact with NiV F, a new finding for the paramyxovirus family.

Measles to the Rescue: A Review of Oncolytic Measles Virus

Oncolytic virotherapeutic agents are likely to become serious contenders in cancer treatment. The vaccine strain of measles virus is an agent with an impressive range of oncolytic activity in pre-clinical trials with increasing evidence of safety and efficacy in early clinical trials. This paramyxovirus vaccine has a proven safety record and is amenable to careful genetic modification in the laboratory. Overexpression of the measles virus (MV) receptor CD46 in many tumour cells may direct the virus to preferentially enter transformed cells and there is increasing awareness of the importance of nectin-4 and signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) in oncolysis. Successful attempts to retarget MV by inserting genes for tumour-specific ligands to antigens such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CD20, CD38, and by engineering the virus to express synthetic microRNA targeting sequences, and "blinding" the virus to the natural viral receptors are exciting measures to increase viral specificity and enhance the oncolytic effect. Sodium iodine symporter (NIS) can also be expressed by MV, which enables in vivo tracking of MV infection. Radiovirotherapy using MV-NIS, chemo-virotherapy to convert prodrugs to their toxic metabolites, and immune-virotherapy including incorporating antibodies against immune checkpoint inhibitors can also increase the oncolytic potential. Anti-viral host immune responses are a recognized barrier to the success of MV, and approaches such as transporting MV to the tumour sites by carrier cells, are showing promise. MV Clinical trials are producing encouraging preliminary results in ovarian cancer, myeloma and cutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and the outcome of currently open trials in glioblastoma multiforme, mesothelioma and squamous cell carcinoma are eagerly anticipated.

The Host Cell Receptors for Measles Virus and Their Interaction with the Viral Hemagglutinin (H) Protein

The hemagglutinin (H) protein of measles virus (MeV) interacts with a cellular receptor which constitutes the initial stage of infection. Binding of H to this host cell receptor subsequently triggers the F protein to activate fusion between virus and host plasma membranes. The search for MeV receptors began with vaccine/laboratory virus strains and evolved to more relevant receptors used by wild-type MeV. Vaccine or laboratory strains of measles virus have been adapted to grow in common cell lines such as Vero and HeLa cells, and were found to use membrane cofactor protein (CD46) as a receptor. CD46 is a regulator that normally prevents cells from complement-mediated self-destruction, and is found on the surface of all human cells, with the exception of erythrocytes. Mutations in the H protein, which occur during adaptation and allow the virus to use CD46 as a receptor, have been identified. Wild-type isolates of measles virus cannot use the CD46 receptor. However, both vaccine/laboratory and wild-type strains can use an immune cell receptor called signaling lymphocyte activation molecule family member 1 (SLAMF1; also called CD150) and a recently discovered epithelial receptor known as Nectin-4. SLAMF1 is found on activated B, T, dendritic, and monocyte cells, and is the initial target for infections by measles virus. Nectin-4 is an adherens junction protein found at the basal surfaces of many polarized epithelial cells, including those of the airways. It is also over-expressed on the apical and basal surfaces of many adenocarcinomas, and is a cancer marker for metastasis and tumor survival. Nectin-4 is a secondary exit receptor which allows measles virus to replicate and amplify in the airways, where the virus is expelled from the body in aerosol droplets. The amino acid residues of H protein that are involved in binding to each of the receptors have been identified through X-ray crystallography and site-specific mutagenesis. Recombinant measles “blind” to each of these receptors have been constructed, allowing the virus to selectively infect receptor specific cell lines. Finally, the observations that SLAMF1 is found on lymphomas and that Nectin-4 is expressed on the cell surfaces of many adenocarcinomas highlight the potential of measles virus for oncolytic therapy. Although CD46 is also upregulated on many tumors, it is less useful as a target for cancer therapy, since normal human cells express this protein on their surfaces.

Paramyxovirus Glycoproteins and the Membrane Fusion Process

The family Paramyxoviridae includes many viruses that significantly affect human and animal health. An essential step in the paramyxovirus life cycle is viral entry into host cells, mediated by virus-cell membrane fusion. Upon viral entry, infection results in expression of the paramyxoviral glycoproteins on the infected cell surface. This can lead to cell-cell fusion (syncytia formation), often linked to pathogenesis. Thus membrane fusion is essential for both viral entry and cell-cell fusion and an attractive target for therapeutic development. While there are important differences between viral-cell and cell-cell membrane fusion, many aspects are conserved. The paramyxoviruses generally utilize two envelope glycoproteins to orchestrate membrane fusion. Here, we discuss the roles of these glycoproteins in distinct steps of the membrane fusion process. These findings can offer insights into evolutionary relationships among Paramyxoviridae genera and offer future targets for prophylactic and therapeutic development.

Enhanced lysis by bispecific oncolytic measles viruses simultaneously using HER2/neu or EpCAM as target receptors

To target oncolytic measles viruses (MV) to tumors, we exploit the binding specificity of designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins). These DARPin-MVs have high tumor selectivity while maintaining excellent oncolytic potency. Stability, small size, and efficacy of DARPins allowed the generation of MVs simultaneously targeted to tumor marker HER2/neu and cancer stem cell (CSC) marker EpCAM. For optimization, the linker connecting both DARPins was varied in flexibility and length. Flexibility had no impact on fusion helper activity whereas length had. MVs with bispecific MV-H are genetically stable and revealed the desired double-target specificity. In vitro, the cytolytic activity of bispecific MVs was superior or comparable to mono-targeted viruses depending on the target cells. In vivo, therapeutic efficacy of the bispecific viruses was validated in an orthotopic ovarian carcinoma model revealing an effective reduction of tumor mass. Finally, the power of bispecific targeting was demonstrated on cocultures of different tumor cells thereby mimicking tumor heterogeneity in vitro, more closely reflecting real tumors. Here, bispecific excelled monospecific viruses in efficacy. DARPin-based targeting domains thus allow the generation of efficacious oncolytic viruses with double specificity, with the potential to handle intratumoral variation of antigen expression and to simultaneously target CSCs and the bulk tumor mass.

Multiple Novel Functions of Henipavirus O-glycans: The First O-glycan Functions Identified in the Paramyxovirus Family

O-linked glycosylation is a ubiquitous protein modification in organisms belonging to several kingdoms. Both microbial and host protein glycans are used by many pathogens for host invasion and immune evasion, yet little is known about the roles of O-glycans in viral pathogenesis. Reportedly, there is no single function attributed to O-glycans for the significant paramyxovirus family. The paramyxovirus family includes many important pathogens, such as measles, mumps, parainfluenza, metapneumo- and the deadly Henipaviruses Nipah (NiV) and Hendra (HeV) viruses. Paramyxoviral cell entry requires the coordinated actions of two viral membrane glycoproteins: the attachment (HN/H/G) and fusion (F) glycoproteins. O-glycan sites in HeV G were recently identified, facilitating use of the attachment protein of this deadly paramyxovirus as a model to study O-glycan functions. We mutated the identified HeV G O-glycosylation sites and found mutants with altered cell-cell fusion, G conformation, G/F association, viral entry in a pseudotyped viral system, and, quite unexpectedly, pseudotyped viral F protein incorporation and processing phenotypes. These are all important functions of viral glycoproteins. These phenotypes were broadly conserved for equivalent NiV mutants. Thus our results identify multiple novel and pathologically important functions of paramyxoviral O-glycans, paving the way to study O-glycan functions in other paramyxoviruses and enveloped viruses.

Morbillivirus and henipavirus attachment protein cytoplasmic domains differently affect protein expression, fusion support and particle assembly

The amino-terminal cytoplasmic domains of paramyxovirus attachment glycoproteins include trafficking signals that influence protein processing and cell surface expression. To characterize the role of the cytoplasmic domain in protein expression, fusion support and particle assembly in more detail, we constructed chimeric Nipah virus (NiV) glycoprotein (G) and canine distemper virus (CDV) haemagglutinin (H) proteins carrying the respective heterologous cytoplasmic domain, as well as a series of mutants with progressive deletions in this domain. CDV H retained fusion function and was normally expressed on the cell surface with a heterologous cytoplasmic domain, while the expression and fusion support of NiV G was dramatically decreased when its cytoplasmic domain was replaced with that of CDV H. The cell surface expression and fusion support functions of CDV H were relatively insensitive to cytoplasmic domain deletions, while short deletions in the corresponding region of NiV G dramatically decreased both. In addition, the first 10 residues of the CDV H cytoplasmic domain strongly influence its incorporation into virus-like particles formed by the CDV matrix (M) protein, while the co-expression of NiV M with NiV G had no significant effect on incorporation of G into particles. The cytoplasmic domains of both the CDV H and NiV G proteins thus contribute differently to the virus life cycle.

Dual Mutation Events in the Haemagglutinin-Esterase and Fusion Protein from an Infectious Salmon Anaemia Virus HPR0 Genotype Promote Viral Fusion and Activation by an Ubiquitous Host Protease

In Infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV), deletions in the highly polymorphic region (HPR) in the near membrane domain of the haemagglutinin-esterase (HE) stalk, influence viral fusion. It is suspected that selected mutations in the associated Fusion (F) protein may also be important in regulating fusion activity. To better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in ISAV fusion, several mutated F proteins were generated from the Scottish Nevis and Norwegian SK779/06 HPR0. Co-transfection with constructs encoding HE and F were performed, fusion activity assessed by content mixing assay and the degree of proteolytic cleavage by western blot. Substitutions in Nevis F demonstrated that K276 was the most likely cleavage site in the protein. Furthermore, amino acid substitutions at three sites and two insertions, all slightly upstream of K276, increased fusion activity. Co-expression with HE harbouring a full-length HPR produced high fusion activities when trypsin and low pH were applied. In comparison, under normal culture conditions, groups containing a mutated HE with an HPR deletion were able to generate moderate fusion levels, while those with a full length HPR HE could not induce fusion. This suggested that HPR length may influence how the HE primes the F protein and promotes fusion activation by an ubiquitous host protease and/or facilitate subsequent post-cleavage refolding steps. Variations in fusion activity through accumulated mutations on surface glycoproteins have also been reported in other orthomyxoviruses and paramyxoviruses. This may in part contribute to the different virulence and tissue tropism reported for HPR0 and HPR deleted ISAV genotypes.

A Structurally Unresolved Head Segment of Defined Length Favors Proper Measles Virus Hemagglutinin Tetramerization and Efficient Membrane Fusion Triggering

Paramyxoviruses include several insidious and ubiquitous pathogens of humans and animals, with measles virus (MeV) being a prominent one. The MeV membrane fusion apparatus consists of a receptor binding protein (hemagglutinin [H]) tetramer and a fusion (F) protein trimer. Four globular MeV H heads are connected to a tetrameric stalk through flexible linkers. We sought here to characterize the function of a 17-residue H-head segment proximal to the stalk that was unresolved in all five MeV H-head crystal or cocrystal structures. In particular, we assessed whether its primary sequence and length are critical for proper protein oligomerization and intracellular transport or for membrane fusion triggering. Extensive alanine substitutions had no effect on fusion triggering, suggesting that sequence identity is not critical for this function. Excessive shortening of this segment reduced or completely abrogated fusion trigger function, while length compensation restored it. We then characterized the mechanism of function loss. Mutated H proteins were efficiently transported to the cell surface, but certain alterations enhancing linker flexibility resulted in accumulation of high-molecular-weight H oligomers. Some oligomers had reduced fusion trigger capacity, while others retained this function. Thus, length and rigidity of the unresolved head segment favor proper H tetramerization and counteract interactions between subunits from different tetramers. The structurally unresolved H-head segment, together with the top of the stalk, may act as a leash to provide the right degree of freedom for the heads of individual tetramers to adopt a triggering-permissive conformation while avoiding improper contacts with heads of neighboring tetramers.

IMPORTANCE

Understanding the molecular mechanism of membrane fusion triggering may allow development of new antiviral strategies. The fusion apparatus of paramyxoviruses consists of a receptor binding tetramer and a fusion protein trimer. Structural analyses of the receptor binding hemagglutinin-neuraminidases of certain paramyxoviruses suggest that fusion triggering is preceded by relocation of its head domains, facilitated by flexible linkers. Having noted a structurally unresolved 17-residue segment linking the globular heads to the tetrameric stalk of the measles virus hemagglutinin (H), we asked whether and how it may facilitate membrane fusion triggering. We conclude that, together with the top of the stalk, the flexible linker keeps H heads on a leash long enough to adopt a triggering-permissive conformation but short enough to limit roaming and improper contacts with heads of neighboring tetramers. All morbillivirus H-protein heads appear to be connected to their stalks through a "leash," suggesting a conserved triggering mechanism.

Sequential conformational changes in the morbillivirus attachment protein initiate the membrane fusion process

Despite large vaccination campaigns, measles virus (MeV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) cause major morbidity and mortality in humans and animals, respectively. The MeV and CDV cell entry system relies on two interacting envelope glycoproteins: the attachment protein (H), consisting of stalk and head domains, co-operates with the fusion protein (F) to mediate membrane fusion. However, how receptor-binding by the H-protein leads to F-triggering is not fully understood. Here, we report that an anti-CDV-H monoclonal antibody (mAb-1347), which targets the linear H-stalk segment 126-133, potently inhibits membrane fusion without interfering with H receptor-binding or F-interaction. Rather, mAb-1347 blocked the F-triggering function of H-proteins regardless of the presence or absence of the head domains. Remarkably, mAb-1347 binding to headless CDV H, as well as standard and engineered bioactive stalk-elongated CDV H-constructs treated with cells expressing the SLAM receptor, was enhanced. Despite proper cell surface expression, fusion promotion by most H-stalk mutants harboring alanine substitutions in the 126-138 "spacer" section was substantially impaired, consistent with deficient receptor-induced mAb-1347 binding enhancement. However, a previously reported F-triggering defective H-I98A variant still exhibited the receptor-induced "head-stalk" rearrangement. Collectively, our data spotlight a distinct mechanism for morbillivirus membrane fusion activation: prior to receptor contact, at least one of the morbillivirus H-head domains interacts with the membrane-distal "spacer" domain in the H-stalk, leaving the F-binding site located further membrane-proximal in the stalk fully accessible. This "head-to-spacer" interaction conformationally stabilizes H in an auto-repressed state, which enables intracellular H-stalk/F engagement while preventing the inherent H-stalk's bioactivity that may prematurely activate F. Receptor-contact disrupts the "head-to-spacer" interaction, which subsequently "unlocks" the stalk, allowing it to rearrange and trigger F. Overall, our study reveals essential mechanistic requirements governing the activation of the morbillivirus membrane fusion cascade and spotlights the H-stalk "spacer" microdomain as a possible drug target for antiviral therapy.

Viral membrane fusion

Membrane fusion is an essential step when enveloped viruses enter cells. Lipid bilayer fusion requires catalysis to overcome a high kinetic barrier; viral fusion proteins are the agents that fulfill this catalytic function. Despite a variety of molecular architectures, these proteins facilitate fusion by essentially the same generic mechanism. Stimulated by a signal associated with arrival at the cell to be infected (e.g., receptor or co-receptor binding, proton binding in an endosome), they undergo a series of conformational changes. A hydrophobic segment (a "fusion loop" or "fusion peptide") engages the target-cell membrane and collapse of the bridging intermediate thus formed draws the two membranes (virus and cell) together. We know of three structural classes for viral fusion proteins. Structures for both pre- and postfusion conformations of illustrate the beginning and end points of a process that can be probed by single-virion measurements of fusion kinetics.

Timing is everything: Fine-tuned molecular machines orchestrate paramyxovirus entry

The Paramyxoviridae include some of the great and ubiquitous disease-causing viruses of humans and animals. In most paramyxoviruses, two viral membrane glycoproteins, fusion protein (F) and receptor binding protein (HN, H or G) mediate a concerted process of recognition of host cell surface molecules followed by fusion of viral and cellular membranes, resulting in viral nucleocapsid entry into the cytoplasm. The interactions between the F and HN, H or G viral glycoproteins and host molecules are critical in determining host range, virulence and spread of these viruses. Recently, atomic structures, together with biochemical and biophysical studies, have provided major insights into how these two viral glycoproteins successfully interact with host receptors on cellular membranes and initiate the membrane fusion process to gain entry into cells. These studies highlight the conserved core mechanisms of paramyxovirus entry that provide the fundamental basis for rational anti-viral drug design and vaccine development.

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New structural and functional insights into paramyxovirus entry mechanisms.

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Current data on paramyxovirus glycoproteins suggest a core conserved entry mechanism.

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Diverse mechanisms preventing premature fusion activation exist in these viruses.

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Precise spacio-temporal interplay between paramyxovirus glycoproteins initiate entry.

Unity in diversity: shared mechanism of entry among paramyxoviruses

The Paramyxoviridae family includes many viruses that are pathogenic in humans, including parainfluenza viruses, measles virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and the emerging zoonotic Henipaviruses. No effective treatments are currently available for these viruses, and there is a need for efficient antiviral therapies. Paramyxoviruses enter the target cell by binding to a cell surface receptor and then fusing the viral envelope with the target cell membrane, allowing the release of the viral genome into the cytoplasm. Blockage of these crucial steps prevents infection and disease. Binding and fusion are driven by two virus-encoded glycoproteins, the receptor-binding protein and the fusion protein, that together form the viral "fusion machinery." The development of efficient antiviral drugs requires a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of the Paramyxoviridae fusion machinery, which is still controversial. Here, we review recent structural and functional data on these proteins and the current understanding of the mechanism of the paramyxovirus cell entry process.

Different roles of the three loops forming the adhesive interface of nectin-4 in measles virus binding and cell entry, nectin-4 homodimerization, and heterodimerization with nectin-1

Many viruses utilize cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily as receptors. In particular, viruses of different classes exploit nectins. The large DNA viruses, herpes simplex and pseudorabies viruses, use ubiquitous nectins 1 and 2. The negative-strand RNA virus measles virus (MeV) uses tissue-specific nectin-4, and the positive-strand RNA virus poliovirus uses nectin-like 5 (necl-5), also known as poliovirus receptor. These viruses contact the BC, C'C", and FG loops on the upper tip of their receptor's most membrane-distal domain. This location corresponds to the newly defined canonical adhesive interface of nectins, but how viruses utilize this interface has remained unclear. Here we show that the same key residues in the BC and FG loops of nectin-4 govern binding to the MeV attachment protein hemagglutinin (H) and cell entry, nectin-4 homodimerization, and heterodimerization with nectin-1. On the other hand, residues in the C'C" loop necessary for homo- and heterotypic interactions are dispensable for MeV-induced fusion and cell entry. Remarkably, the C'C" loop governs dissociation of the nectin-4 and H ectodomains. We provide formal proof that H can interfere with the formation of stable nectin-1/nectin-4 heterodimers. Finally, while developing an alternative model to study MeV spread, we observed that polarized primary pig airway epithelial sheets cannot be infected. We show that a single amino acid variant in the BC loop of pig nectin-4 fully accounts for restricted MeV entry. Thus, the three loops forming the adhesive interface of nectin-4 have different roles in supporting MeV H association and dissociation and MeV-induced fusion.

IMPORTANCE

Different viruses utilize nectins as receptors. Nectins are immunoglobulin superfamily glycoproteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion in vertebrate tissues. They interact through an adhesive interface located at the top of their membrane-distal domain. How viruses utilize the three loops forming this interface has remained unclear. We demonstrate that while nectin-nectin interactions require residues in all three loops, the association of nectin-4 with the measles virus hemagglutinin requires only the BC and FG loops. However, we discovered that residues in the C'C" loop modulate the dissociation of nectin-4 from the viral hemagglutinin. Analogous mechanisms may support cell entry of other viruses that utilize nectins or other cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily as receptors.

Probing the functions of the paramyxovirus glycoproteins F and HN with a panel of synthetic antibodies

Paramyxoviruses are enveloped negative-strand RNA viruses that are significant human and animal pathogens. Most paramyxoviruses infect host cells via the concerted action of a tetrameric attachment protein (variously called HN, H, or G) that binds either sialic acid or protein receptors on target cells and a trimeric fusion protein (F) that merges the viral envelope with the plasma membrane at neutral pH. F initially folds to a metastable prefusion conformation that becomes activated via a cleavage event during cellular trafficking. Upon receptor binding, the attachment protein, which consists of a globular head anchored to the membrane via a helical tetrameric stalk, triggers a major conformation change in F which results in fusion of virus and host cell membranes. We recently proposed a model for F activation in which the attachment protein head domains move following receptor binding to expose HN stalk residues critical for triggering F. To test the model in the context of wild-type viral glycoproteins, we used a restricted-diversity combinatorial Fab library and phage display to rapidly generate synthetic antibodies (sAbs) against multiple domains of the paramyxovirus parainfluenza 5 (PIV5) pre- and postfusion F and HN. As predicted by the model, sAbs that bind to the critical F-triggering region of the HN stalk do not disrupt receptor binding or neuraminidase (NA) activity but are potent inhibitors of fusion. An inhibitory prefusion F-specific sAb recognized a quaternary antigenic site and may inhibit fusion by preventing F refolding or by blocking the F-HN interaction. Importance: The paramyxovirus family of negative-strand RNA viruses cause significant disease in humans and animals. The viruses bind to cells via their receptor binding protein and then enter cells by fusion of their envelope with the host cell plasma membrane, a process mediated by a metastable viral fusion (F) protein. To understand the steps in viral membrane fusion, a library of synthetic antibodies to F protein and the receptor binding protein was generated in bacteriophage. These antibodies bound to different regions of the F protein and the receptor binding protein, and the location of antibody binding affected different processes in viral entry into cells.

Identification of amino acid substitutions with compensational effects in the attachment protein of canine distemper virus

The hemagglutinin (H) gene of canine distemper virus (CDV) encodes the receptor-binding protein. This protein, together with the fusion (F) protein, is pivotal for infectivity since it contributes to the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. Of the two receptors currently known for CDV (nectin-4 and the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule [SLAM]), SLAM is considered the most relevant for host susceptibility. To investigate how evolution might have impacted the host-CDV interaction, we examined the functional properties of a series of missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) naturally accumulating within the H-gene sequences during the transition between two distinct but related strains. The two strains, a wild-type strain and a consensus strain, were part of a single continental outbreak in European wildlife and occurred in distinct geographical areas 2 years apart. The deduced amino acid sequence of the two H genes differed at 5 residues. A panel of mutants carrying all the combinations of the SNPs was obtained by site-directed mutagenesis. The selected mutant, wild type, and consensus H proteins were functionally evaluated according to their surface expression, SLAM binding, fusion protein interaction, and cell fusion efficiencies. The results highlight that the most detrimental functional effects are associated with specific sets of SNPs. Strikingly, an efficient compensational system driven by additional SNPs appears to come into play, virtually neutralizing the negative functional effects. This system seems to contribute to the maintenance of the tightly regulated function of the H-gene-encoded attachment protein. Importance: To investigate how evolution might have impacted the host-canine distemper virus (CDV) interaction, we examined the functional properties of naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the hemagglutinin gene of two related but distinct strains of CDV. The hemagglutinin gene encodes the attachment protein, which is pivotal for infection. Our results show that few SNPs have a relevant detrimental impact and they generally appear in specific combinations (molecular signatures). These drastic negative changes are neutralized by compensatory mutations, which contribute to maintenance of an overall constant bioactivity of the attachment protein. This compensational mechanism might reflect the reaction of the CDV machinery to the changes occurring in the virus following antigenic variations critical for virulence.

Structural basis of efficient contagion: measles variations on a theme by parainfluenza viruses

A quartet of attachment proteins and a trio of fusion protein subunits play the cell entry concert of parainfluenza viruses. While many of these viruses bind sialic acid to enter cells, wild type measles binds exclusively two tissue-specific proteins, the lymphatic receptor signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM), and the epithelial receptor nectin-4. SLAM binds near the stalk-head junction of the hemagglutinin. Nectin-4 binds a hydrophobic groove located between blades 4 and 5 of the hemagglutinin β-propeller head. The mutated vaccine strain hemagglutinin binds in addition the ubiquitous protein CD46, which explains attenuation. The measles virus entry concert has four movements. Andante misterioso: the virus takes over the immune system. Allegro con brio: it rapidly spreads in the upper airway's epithelia. 'Targeting' fugue: the versatile orchestra takes off. Presto furioso: the virus exits the host with thunder. Be careful: music is contagious.

The measles virus hemagglutinin stalk: structures and functions of the central fusion activation and membrane-proximal segments

The measles virus (MeV) membrane fusion apparatus consists of a fusion protein trimer and an attachment protein tetramer. To trigger membrane fusion, the heads of the MeV attachment protein, hemagglutinin (H), bind cellular receptors while the 96-residue-long H stalk transmits the triggering signal. Structural and functional studies of the triggering mechanism of other paramyxoviruses suggest that receptor binding to their hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) results in signal transmission through the central segments of their stalks. To gain insight into H-stalk structure and function, we individually replaced its residues with cysteine. We then assessed how stable the mutant proteins are, how efficiently they can be cross-linked by disulfide bonds, whether cross-linking results in loss of function, and, in this case, whether disulfide bond reduction restores function. While many residues in the central segment of the stalk and in the spacer segment above it can be efficiently cross-linked by engineered disulfide bonds, we report here that residues 59 to 79 cannot, suggesting that the 20 membrane-proximal residues are not engaged in a tetrameric structure. Rescue-of-function studies by disulfide bond reduction resulted in the redefinition and extension of the central fusion-activation segment as covering residues 84 to 117. In particular, we identified four residues located between positions 92 and 99, the function of which cannot be restored by disulfide bond reduction after cysteine mutagenesis. These mutant H proteins reached the cell surface as complex oligomers but could not trigger membrane fusion. We discuss these observations in the context of the stalk exposure model of membrane fusion triggering by paramyxoviruses.

IMPORTANCE

Measles virus, while being targeted for eradication, still causes significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we seek to understand how it enters cells by membrane fusion. Two viral integral membrane glycoproteins (hemagglutinin tetramers and fusion protein trimers) mediate the concerted receptor recognition and membrane fusion processes. Since previous studies have suggested that the hemagglutinin stalk transmits the triggering signal to the fusion protein trimer, we completed an analysis of its structure and function by systematic Cys mutagenesis. We report that while certain residues of the central stalk segment confer specificity to the interaction with the fusion protein trimer, others are necessary to allow folding of the H-oligomer in a standard conformation conducive to fusion triggering, and still other residues sustain the conformational change that transmits the fusion-triggering signal.

Antibody neutralization of retargeted measles viruses

The measles virus (MV) vaccine lineage is a promising oncolytic but prior exposure to the measles vaccine or wild-type MV strains limits treatment utility due to the presence of anti-measles antibodies. MV entry can be redirected by displaying a polypeptide ligand on the Hemagglutinin (H) C-terminus. We hypothesized that retargeted MV would escape neutralization by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing the H receptor-binding surface and be less susceptible to neutralization by human antisera. Using chimeric H proteins, with and without mutations that ablate MV receptor binding, we show that retargeted MVs escape mAbs that target the H receptor-binding surface by virtue of mutations that ablate infection via SLAM and CD46. However, C-terminally displayed domains do not mediate virus entry in the presence of human antibodies that bind to the underlying H domain. In conclusion, utility of retargeted oncolytic measles viruses does not extend to evasion of human serum neutralization.

Activation of paramyxovirus membrane fusion and virus entry

The paramyxoviruses represent a diverse virus family responsible for a wide range of human and animal diseases. In contrast to other viruses, such as HIV and influenza virus, which use a single glycoprotein to mediate host receptor binding and virus entry, the paramyxoviruses require two distinct proteins. One of these is an attachment glycoprotein that binds receptor, while the second is a fusion glycoprotein, which undergoes conformational changes that drive virus-cell membrane fusion and virus entry. The details of how receptor binding by one protein activates the second to undergo conformational changes have been poorly understood until recently. Over the past couple of years, structural and functional data have accumulated on representative members of this family, including parainfluenza virus 5, Newcastle disease virus, measles virus, Nipah virus and others, which suggest a mechanistic convergence of activation models. Here we review the data indicating that paramyxovirus attachment glycoproteins shield activating residues within their N-terminal stalk domains, which are then exposed upon receptor binding, leading to the activation of the fusion protein by a 'provocateur' mechanism.

Fusion activation through attachment protein stalk domains indicates a conserved core mechanism of paramyxovirus entry into cells

Paramyxoviruses are a large family of membrane-enveloped negative-stranded RNA viruses causing important diseases in humans and animals. Two viral integral membrane glycoproteins (fusion [F] and attachment [HN, H, or G]) mediate a concerted process of host receptor recognition, followed by the fusion of viral and cellular membranes, resulting in viral nucleocapsid entry into the cytoplasm. However, the sequence of events that closely links the timing of receptor recognition by HN, H, or G and the "triggering" interaction of the attachment protein with F is unclear. F activation results in F undergoing a series of irreversible conformational rearrangements to bring about membrane merger and virus entry. By extensive study of properties of multiple paramyxovirus HN proteins, we show that key features of F activation, including the F-activating regions of HN proteins, flexibility within this F-activating region, and changes in globular head-stalk interactions are highly conserved. These results, together with functionally active "headless" mumps and Newcastle disease virus HN proteins, provide insights into the F-triggering process. Based on these data and very recently published data for morbillivirus H and henipavirus G proteins, we extend our recently proposed "stalk exposure model" to other paramyxoviruses and propose an "induced fit" hypothesis for F-HN/H/G interactions as conserved core mechanisms of paramyxovirus-mediated membrane fusion.

IMPORTANCE

Paramyxoviruses are a large family of membrane-enveloped negative-stranded RNA viruses causing important diseases in humans and animals. Two viral integral membrane glycoproteins (fusion [F] and attachment [HN, H, or G]) mediate a concerted process of host receptor recognition, followed by the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. We describe here the molecular mechanism by which HN activates the F protein such that virus-cell fusion is controlled and occurs at the right time and the right place. We extend our recently proposed "stalk exposure model" first proposed for parainfluenza virus 5 to other paramyxoviruses and propose an "induced fit" hypothesis for F-HN/H/G interactions as conserved core mechanisms of paramyxovirus-mediated membrane fusion.

Unraveling a three-step spatiotemporal mechanism of triggering of receptor-induced Nipah virus fusion and cell entry

Membrane fusion is essential for entry of the biomedically-important paramyxoviruses into their host cells (viral-cell fusion), and for syncytia formation (cell-cell fusion), often induced by paramyxoviral infections [e.g. those of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV)]. For most paramyxoviruses, membrane fusion requires two viral glycoproteins. Upon receptor binding, the attachment glycoprotein (HN/H/G) triggers the fusion glycoprotein (F) to undergo conformational changes that merge viral and/or cell membranes. However, a significant knowledge gap remains on how HN/H/G couples cell receptor binding to F-triggering. Via interdisciplinary approaches we report the first comprehensive mechanism of NiV membrane fusion triggering, involving three spatiotemporally sequential cell receptor-induced conformational steps in NiV-G: two in the head and one in the stalk. Interestingly, a headless NiV-G mutant was able to trigger NiV-F, and the two head conformational steps were required for the exposure of the stalk domain. Moreover, the headless NiV-G prematurely triggered NiV-F on virions, indicating that the NiV-G head prevents premature triggering of NiV-F on virions by concealing a F-triggering stalk domain until the correct time and place: receptor-binding. Based on these and recent paramyxovirus findings, we present a comprehensive and fundamentally conserved mechanistic model of paramyxovirus membrane fusion triggering and cell entry.

The medically-important Paramyxovirus family includes the deadly Nipah virus (NiV). After paramyxoviruses attach to a receptor at a cell surface, fusion between viral and cellular membranes must occur before the virus genetic material can enter the cell and replication of the virus inside the cell can begin. For most paramyxoviruses, viral/cell membrane fusion requires the concerted actions of two viral glycoproteins. After binding to a cell surface receptor, the viral attachment glycoprotein triggers the viral fusion glycoprotein to execute viral/cell membrane fusion so the genetic material of the virus can enter the cell. However, the mechanism of this receptor-induced triggering of membrane fusion is not well understood. We identified several sequential receptor-induced structural changes in the attachment glycoprotein of NiV that are part of the viral/cell membrane fusion-triggering cascade. Importantly, we propose a mechanism of cell receptor-induced paramyxovirus entry into cells, based on the findings described here, similarities between NiV and other paramyxoviruses, and other recent advances.