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Naskalska A, Heddle JG. Virus-like particles derived from bacteriophage MS2 as antigen scaffolds and RNA protective shells. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2024; 19:1103-1115. [PMID: 38629576 PMCID: PMC11225317 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The versatile potential of bacteriophage MS2-derived virus-like particles (VLPs) in medical biotechnology has been extensively studied during the last 30 years. Since the first reports showing that MS2 VLPs can be produced at high yield and relatively easily engineered, numerous applications have been proposed. Particular effort has been spent in developing MS2 VLPs as protective capsules and delivery platforms for diverse molecules, such as chemical compounds, proteins and nucleic acids. Among these, two are particularly noteworthy: as scaffolds displaying heterologous epitopes for vaccine development and as capsids for encapsulation of foreign RNA. In this review, we summarize the progress in developing MS2 VLPs for these two areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonina Naskalska
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-392, Poland
| | - Jonathan Gardiner Heddle
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-392, Poland
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
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Wei WS, Trubiano A, Sigl C, Paquay S, Dietz H, Hagan MF, Fraden S. Hierarchical assembly is more robust than egalitarian assembly in synthetic capsids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312775121. [PMID: 38324570 PMCID: PMC10873614 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312775121] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly of complex and functional materials remains a grand challenge in soft material science. Efficient assembly depends on a delicate balance between thermodynamic and kinetic effects, requiring fine-tuning affinities and concentrations of subunits. By contrast, we introduce an assembly paradigm that allows large error-tolerance in the subunit affinity and helps avoid kinetic traps. Our combined experimental and computational approach uses a model system of triangular subunits programmed to assemble into T = 3 icosahedral capsids comprising 60 units. The experimental platform uses DNA origami to create monodisperse colloids whose three-dimensional geometry is controlled to nanometer precision, with two distinct bonds whose affinities are controlled to kBT precision, quantified in situ by static light scattering. The computational model uses a coarse-grained representation of subunits, short-ranged potentials, and Langevin dynamics. Experimental observations and modeling reveal that when the bond affinities are unequal, two distinct hierarchical assembly pathways occur, in which the subunits first form dimers in one case and pentamers in another. These hierarchical pathways produce complete capsids faster and are more robust against affinity variation than egalitarian pathways, in which all binding sites have equal strengths. This finding suggests that hierarchical assembly may be a general engineering principle for optimizing self-assembly of complex target structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Shao Wei
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Anthony Trubiano
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Christian Sigl
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching85748, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching85748, Germany
| | - Stefan Paquay
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Hendrik Dietz
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching85748, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching85748, Germany
| | - Michael F. Hagan
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Seth Fraden
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
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Meir M, Harel N, Miller D, Gelbart M, Eldar A, Gophna U, Stern A. Competition between social cheater viruses is driven by mechanistically different cheating strategies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/34/eabb7990. [PMID: 32937370 PMCID: PMC7442481 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb7990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Cheater viruses, also known as defective interfering viruses, cannot replicate on their own yet replicate faster than the wild type upon coinfection. While there is growing interest in using cheaters as antiviral therapeutics, the mechanisms underlying cheating have been rarely explored. During experimental evolution of MS2 phage, we observed the parallel emergence of two independent cheater mutants. The first, a point deletion mutant, lacked polymerase activity but was advantageous in viral packaging. The second synonymous mutant cheater displayed a completely different cheating mechanism, involving an altered RNA structure. Continued evolution revealed the demise of the deletion cheater and rise of the synonymous cheater. A mathematical model inferred that while a single cheater is expected to reach an equilibrium with the wild type, cheater demise arises from antagonistic interactions between coinfecting cheaters. These findings highlight layers of parasitism: viruses parasitizing cells, cheaters parasitizing intact viruses, and cheaters may parasitize other cheaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Meir
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Noam Harel
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Danielle Miller
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Maoz Gelbart
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Avigdor Eldar
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Uri Gophna
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
| | - Adi Stern
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
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Ford RJ, Barker AM, Bakker SE, Coutts RH, Ranson NA, Phillips SEV, Pearson AR, Stockley PG. Sequence-specific, RNA-protein interactions overcome electrostatic barriers preventing assembly of satellite tobacco necrosis virus coat protein. J Mol Biol 2013; 425:1050-64. [PMID: 23318955 PMCID: PMC3593212 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2013.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Revised: 12/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have examined the roles of RNA–coat protein (CP) interactions in the assembly of satellite tobacco necrosis virus (STNV). The viral genomic RNA encodes only the CP, which comprises a β-barrel domain connected to a positively charged N-terminal extension. In the previous crystal structures of this system, the first 11 residues of the protein are disordered. Using variants of an RNA aptamer sequence isolated against the CP, B3, we have studied the sequence specificity of RNA-induced assembly. B3 consists of a stem–loop presenting the tetra-loop sequence ACAA. There is a clear preference for RNAs encompassing this loop sequence, as measured by the yield of T = 1 capsids, which is indifferent to sequences within the stem. The B3-containing virus-like particle has been crystallised and its structure was determined to 2.3 Å. A lower-resolution map encompassing density for the RNA has also been calculated. The presence of B3 results in increased ordering of the N-terminal helices located at the particle 3-fold axes, which extend by roughly one and a half turns to encompass residues 8–11, including R8 and K9. Under assembly conditions, STNV CP in the absence of RNA is monomeric and does not self-assemble. These facts suggest that a plausible model for assembly initiation is the specific RNA-induced stabilisation of a trimeric capsomere. The basic nature of the helical extension suggests that electrostatic repulsion between CPs prevents assembly in the absence of RNA and that this barrier is overcome by correct placement of appropriately orientated helical RNA stems. Such a mechanism would be consistent with the data shown here for assembly with longer RNA fragments, including an STNV genome. The results are discussed in light of a first stage of assembly involving compaction of the genomic RNA driven by multiple RNA packaging signal–CP interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Ford
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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Lima SMB, Vaz ACQ, Souza TLF, Peabody DS, Silva JL, Oliveira AC. Dissecting the role of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions in MS2 bacteriophage stability. FEBS J 2006; 273:1463-75. [PMID: 16689932 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2006.05167.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the role of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions in virus assembly, we compared the stabilities of native bacteriophage MS2, virus-like particles (VLPs) containing nonviral RNAs, and an assembly-defective coat protein mutant (dlFG) and its single-chain variant (sc-dlFG). Physical (high pressure) and chemical (urea and guanidine hydrochloride) agents were used to promote virus disassembly and protein denaturation, and the changes in virus and protein structure were monitored by measuring tryptophan intrinsic fluorescence, bis-ANS probe fluorescence, and light scattering. We found that VLPs dissociate into capsid proteins that remain folded and more stable than the proteins dissociated from authentic particles. The proposed model is that the capsid disassembles but the protein remains bound to the heterologous RNA encased by VLPs. The dlFG dimerizes correctly, but fails to assemble into capsids, because it lacks the 15-amino acid FG loop involved in inter-dimer interactions at the viral fivefold and quasi-sixfold axes. This protein was very unstable and, when compared with the dissociation/denaturation of the VLPs and the wild-type virus, it was much more susceptible to chemical and physical perturbation. Genetic fusion of the two subunits of the dimer in the single-chain dimer sc-dlFG stabilized the protein, as did the presence of 34-bp poly(GC) DNA. These studies reveal mechanisms by which interactions in the capsid lattice can be sufficiently stable and specific to ensure assembly, and they shed light on the processes that lead to the formation of infectious viral particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila M B Lima
- Programa de Biologia Estrutural and Centro Nacional de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de Macromoléculas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Kuzmanovic DA, Elashvili I, Wick C, O'Connell C, Krueger S. The MS2 Coat Protein Shell is Likely Assembled Under Tension: A Novel Role for the MS2 Bacteriophage A Protein as Revealed by Small-angle Neutron Scattering. J Mol Biol 2006; 355:1095-111. [PMID: 16359706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2005.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2005] [Revised: 11/08/2005] [Accepted: 11/12/2005] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant forms of the bacteriophage MS2 and its RNA-free (empty) MS2 capsid were analyzed in solution to determine if RNA content and/or the A (or maturation) protein play a role in the global arrangement of the virus protein shell. Analysis of the (coat) protein shell of recombinant versions of MS2 that lack the A protein revealed dramatic differences compared to wild-type MS2 in solution. Specifically, A protein-deficient virus particles form a protein shell of between 31(+/-1) A and 37(+/-1) A. This is considerably thicker than the protein shell formed by either the wild-type MS2 or the RNA-free MS2 capsid, whose protein shells have a thickness of 21(+/-1) A and 25(+/-1) A, respectively. Since the A protein is known to separate from the intact MS2 protein shell after infection, the thin shell form of MS2 represents the pre-infection state, while the post-infection state is thick. Interestingly, these A protein-dependent differences in the virus protein shell are not seen using crystallography, as the crystallization process seems to artificially compact the wild-type MS2 virion. Furthermore, when the A protein is absent from the virus shell (post-infection), the process of crystallization exerts sufficient force to convert the protein shell from the post-infection (thick) state to the pre-infection (thin) conformation. In summary, the data are consistent with the idea that RNA content or amount does not affect the structure of the MS2 virus shell. Rather, the A protein influences the global arrangement of the virus coat dramatically, possibly by mediating the storage of energy or tension within the protein shell during virus assembly. This tension may later be used to eject the MS2 genomic RNA and A protein fragments into the host during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Kuzmanovic
- Biotechnology Division, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8311, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8311, USA
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Tars K, Bundule M, Fridborg K, Liljas L. The crystal structure of bacteriophage GA and a comparison of bacteriophages belonging to the major groups of Escherichia coli leviviruses. J Mol Biol 1997; 271:759-73. [PMID: 9299325 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1997.1214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The three-dimensional structure of the small T=3 RNA bacteriophage GA has been determined at 3.4 A resolution. The structure was solved by molecular replacement, using the phage MS2 as an initial model. A comparison of the protein shells of the four related phages GA, MS2, fr and Qbeta was carried out in order to define structural features of particular importance for their assembly and specific RNA interaction. A high degree of similarity was found in the RNA binding sites, whereas larger structural differences are located in the loop regions of the coat proteins, especially in the FG loops forming 5-fold and quasi-6-fold contacts. The overall arrangement of the protein subunits in the shells of these phages is very similar, although the details of the interactions differ. The few conserved interactions are suggested to govern the subunit packing during assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Tars
- Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Latvian University, Ratsupites 1, Riga, Latvia
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