1
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Chen Y, Wang J, Zheng C, Liu Z. Cryo-Electron Microscopy in the Study of Antiviral Innate Immunity. Methods Mol Biol 2025; 2854:177-188. [PMID: 39192129 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4108-8_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy is a powerful methodology in structural biology and has been broadly used in high-resolution structure determination for challenging samples, which are not readily available for traditional techniques. In particular, the strength of super macro-complexes and the lack of a need for crystals for cryo-EM make this technique feasible for the structural study of complexes involved in antiviral innate immunity. This chapter presents detailed information and experimental procedures of Cryo-EM for determining the structures of the complexes using STING as an example. The procedures included a sample quality check, high-resolution data acquisition, and image processing for Cryo-EM 3D structure determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- School of Medicine, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, School of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Distinct HealthCare Medical Center, Changsha Section, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunfu Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Zheng Liu
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, School of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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2
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Valentová L, Füzik T, Nováček J, Hlavenková Z, Pospíšil J, Plevka P. Structure and replication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage JBD30. EMBO J 2024:10.1038/s44318-024-00195-1. [PMID: 39143239 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00195-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are the most abundant biological entities on Earth, but our understanding of many aspects of their lifecycles is still incomplete. Here, we have structurally analysed the infection cycle of the siphophage Casadabanvirus JBD30. Using its baseplate, JBD30 attaches to Pseudomonas aeruginosa via the bacterial type IV pilus, whose subsequent retraction brings the phage to the bacterial cell surface. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of the baseplate-pilus complex show that the tripod of baseplate receptor-binding proteins attaches to the outer bacterial membrane. The tripod and baseplate then open to release three copies of the tape-measure protein, an event that is followed by DNA ejection. JBD30 major capsid proteins assemble into procapsids, which expand by 7% in diameter upon filling with phage dsDNA. The DNA-filled heads are finally joined with 180-nm-long tails, which bend easily because flexible loops mediate contacts between the successive discs of major tail proteins. It is likely that the structural features and replication mechanisms described here are conserved among siphophages that utilize the type IV pili for initial cell attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Valentová
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tibor Füzik
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Nováček
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Hlavenková
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Pospíšil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Plevka
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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3
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Yang Y, Shao Q, Guo M, Han L, Zhao X, Wang A, Li X, Wang B, Pan JA, Chen Z, Fokine A, Sun L, Fang Q. Capsid structure of bacteriophage ΦKZ provides insights into assembly and stabilization of jumbo phages. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6551. [PMID: 39095371 PMCID: PMC11297242 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50811-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Jumbo phages are a group of tailed bacteriophages with large genomes and capsids. As a prototype of jumbo phage, ΦKZ infects Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a multi-drug-resistant (MDR) opportunistic pathogen leading to acute or chronic infection in immunocompromised individuals. It holds potential to be used as an antimicrobial agent and as a model for uncovering basic phage biology. Although previous low-resolution structural studies have indicated that jumbo phages may have more complicated capsid structures than smaller phages such as HK97, the detailed structures and the assembly mechanism of their capsids remain largely unknown. Here, we report a 3.5-Å-resolution cryo-EM structure of the ΦKZ capsid. The structure unveiled ten minor capsid proteins, with some decorating the outer surface of the capsid and the others forming a complex network attached to the capsid's inner surface. This network seems to play roles in driving capsid assembly and capsid stabilization. Similar mechanisms of capsid assembly and stabilization are probably employed by many other jumbo viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashan Yang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianqian Shao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingcheng Guo
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Han
- Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Aohan Wang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiangyun Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bo Wang
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ji-An Pan
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenguo Chen
- Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Andrei Fokine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Lei Sun
- Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qianglin Fang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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4
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Subramanian S, Bergland Drarvik SM, Tinney KR, Parent KN. Cryo-EM structure of a Shigella podophage reveals a hybrid tail and novel decoration proteins. Structure 2024; 32:24-34.e4. [PMID: 37909043 PMCID: PMC10842012 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
There is a paucity of high-resolution structures of phages infecting Shigella, a human pathogen and a serious threat to global health. HRP29 is a Shigella podophage belonging to the Autographivirinae family, and has very low sequence identity to other known phages. Here, we resolved the structure of the entire HRP29 virion by cryo-EM. Phage HRP29 has a highly unusual tail that is a fusion of a T7-like tail tube and P22-like tailspikes mediated by interactions from a novel tailspike adaptor protein. Understanding phage tail structures is critical as they mediate hosts interactions. Furthermore, we show that the HRP29 capsid is stabilized by two novel, and essential decoration proteins, gp47 and gp48. Only one high resolution structure is currently available for Shigella podophages. The presence of a hybrid tail and an adapter protein suggests that it may be a product of horizontal gene transfer, and may be prevalent in other phages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundharraman Subramanian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Silje M Bergland Drarvik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Kendal R Tinney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Kristin N Parent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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5
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Podgorski JM, Podgorski J, Abad L, Jacobs-Sera D, Freeman KG, Brown C, Hatfull G, Luque A, White SJ. A novel stabilization mechanism accommodating genome length variation in evolutionarily related viral capsids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.03.565530. [PMID: 37961133 PMCID: PMC10635136 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.03.565530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Tailed bacteriophages are one of the most numerous and diverse group of viruses. They store their genome at quasi-crystalline densities in capsids built from multiple copies of proteins adopting the HK97-fold. The high density of the genome exerts an internal pressure, requiring a maturation process that reinforces their capsids. However, it is unclear how capsid stabilization strategies have adapted to accommodate the evolution of larger genomes in this virus group. Here we characterized a novel capsid reinforcement mechanism in two evolutionary-related actinobacteriophages that modifies the length of a stabilization protein to accommodate a larger genome while maintaining the same capsid size. We used cryo-EM to reveal that capsids contained split hexamers of HK97-fold proteins with a stabilization protein in the chasm. The observation of split hexamers in mature capsids was unprecedented, so we rationalized this result mathematically, discovering that icosahedral capsids can be formed by all split or skewed hexamers as long as their T-number is not a multiple of three. Our results suggest that analogous stabilization mechanisms can be present in other icosahedral capsids, and they provide a strategy for engineering capsids accommodating larger DNA cargoes as gene delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Podgorski
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125. Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Joshua Podgorski
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125. Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Lawrence Abad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Deborah Jacobs-Sera
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Krista G. Freeman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Colin Brown
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Department of Physics, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Graham Hatfull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Antoni Luque
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33155, USA
| | - Simon J. White
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125. Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
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6
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Cai L, Liu H, Zhang W, Xiao S, Zeng Q, Dang S. Cryo-EM structure of cyanophage P-SCSP1u offers insights into DNA gating and evolution of T7-like viruses. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6438. [PMID: 37833330 PMCID: PMC10575957 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42258-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanophages, together with their host cyanobacteria, play important roles in marine biogeochemical cycles and control of marine food webs. The recently identified MPP-C (Marine Picocyanobacteria Podovirus clade C) cyanophages, belonging to the T7-like podoviruses, contain the smallest genomes among cyanopodoviruses and exhibit distinct infection kinetics. However, understanding of the MPP-C cyanophage infection process is hindered by the lack of high-resolution structural information. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of the cyanophage P-SCSP1u, a representative member of the MPP-C phages, in its native form at near-atomic resolution, which reveals the assembly mechanism of the capsid and molecular interaction of the portal-tail complex. Structural comparison of the capsid proteins of P-SCSP1u and other podoviruses with known structures provides insights into the evolution of T7-like viruses. Furthermore, our study provides the near-atomic resolution structure of portal-tail complex for T7-like viruses. On the basis of previously reported structures of phage T7, we identify an additional valve and gate to explain the DNA gating mechanism for the T7-like viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Cai
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China
- HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hang Liu
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shiwei Xiao
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qinglu Zeng
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
- HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
- Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Shangyu Dang
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
- HKUST-Shenzhen Research Institute, Nanshan, Shenzhen 518057, China.
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7
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Zhao H, Tang L. Electron microscopic and crystallographic studies of bacteriophage Sf6 procapsid-like particles assembled from heterologously expressed capsid protein gp5. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546888. [PMID: 37425895 PMCID: PMC10327121 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Many double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses undergo a capsid maturation process during assembly of infectious virus particles, which involves transformation of a metastable capsid precursor called procapsid into a stable, DNA-filled capsid usually with a larger size and a more angular shape. Sf6 is a tailed dsDNA bacteriophage that infects Shigella flexneri . The phage Sf6 capsid protein gp5 was heterologously expressed and purified. Electron microscopy showed that the gp5 spontaneously assembled into spherical, procapsid-like particles. We also observed tube-like and cone-shaped particles reminiscent of human immunodeficiency virus. The gp5 procapsid-like particles were crystallized and crystals diffracted beyond 4.3 Å resolution. X-ray data at 5.9 Å resolution were collected with a completeness of 31.1% and an overall R merge of 15.0%. The crystals belong to the space group C 2 with unit cell dimensions of a=973.326 Å, b=568.234 Å, c=565.567 Å, and β=120.540°. Self-rotation function showed the 532 symmetry, confirming formation of icosahedral particles. The particle was situated at the origin of the crystal unit cell with the icosahedral 2-fold axis coinciding with the crystallographic b axis, and there is a half of the icosahedral particle in the crystallographic asymmetric unit.
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8
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Huang Y, Sun H, Wei S, Cai L, Liu L, Jiang Y, Xin J, Chen Z, Que Y, Kong Z, Li T, Yu H, Zhang J, Gu Y, Zheng Q, Li S, Zhang R, Xia N. Structure and proposed DNA delivery mechanism of a marine roseophage. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3609. [PMID: 37330604 PMCID: PMC10276861 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39220-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tailed bacteriophages (order, Caudovirales) account for the majority of all phages. However, the long flexible tail of siphophages hinders comprehensive investigation of the mechanism of viral gene delivery. Here, we report the atomic capsid and in-situ structures of the tail machine of the marine siphophage, vB_DshS-R4C (R4C), which infects Roseobacter. The R4C virion, comprising 12 distinct structural protein components, has a unique five-fold vertex of the icosahedral capsid that allows genome delivery. The specific position and interaction pattern of the tail tube proteins determine the atypical long rigid tail of R4C, and further provide negative charge distribution within the tail tube. A ratchet mechanism assists in DNA transmission, which is initiated by an absorption device that structurally resembles the phage-like particle, RcGTA. Overall, these results provide in-depth knowledge into the intact structure and underlining DNA delivery mechanism for the ecologically important siphophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shuzhen Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Lanlan Cai
- Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liqin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yanan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jiabao Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Zhenqin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yuqiong Que
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Zhibo Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Tingting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Hai Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Ying Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Qingbing Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Shaowei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- Research Unit of Frontier Technology of Structural Vaccinology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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9
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Huet A, Oh B, Maurer J, Duda RL, Conway JF. A symmetry mismatch unraveled: How phage HK97 scaffold flexibly accommodates a 12-fold pore at a 5-fold viral capsid vertex. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg8868. [PMID: 37327331 PMCID: PMC10275583 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses use a transient scaffold to assemble icosahedral capsids with hexameric capsomers on the faces and pentameric capsomers at all but one vertex where a 12-fold portal is thought to nucleate the assembly. How does the scaffold orchestrate this step? We have determined the portal vertex structure of the bacteriophage HK97 procapsid, where the scaffold is a domain of the major capsid protein. The scaffold forms rigid helix-turn-strand structures on the interior surfaces of all capsomers and is further stabilized around the portal, forming trimeric coiled-coil towers, two per surrounding capsomer. These 10 towers bind identically to 10 of 12 portal subunits, adopting a pseudo-12-fold organization that explains how the symmetry mismatch is managed at this early step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Huet
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bonnie Oh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Josh Maurer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert L. Duda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - James F. Conway
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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10
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d’Acapito A, Roret T, Zarkadas E, Mocaër PY, Lelchat F, Baudoux AC, Schoehn G, Neumann E. Structural Study of the Cobetia marina Bacteriophage 1 (Carin-1) by Cryo-EM. J Virol 2023; 97:e0024823. [PMID: 36943070 PMCID: PMC10134823 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00248-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of studied bacteriophages (phages) are terrestrial viruses. However, marine phages are shown to be highly involved in all levels of oceanic regulation. They are, however, still largely overlooked by the scientific community. By inducing cell lysis on half of the bacterial population daily, their role and influence on the bacterial biomass and evolution, as well as their impact in the global biogeochemical cycles, is undeniable. Cobetia marina virus 1 (Carin-1) is a member of the Podoviridae family infecting the γ-protoabacteria C. marina. Here, we present the almost complete, nearly-atomic resolution structure of Carin-1 comprising capsid, portal, and tail machineries at 3.5 Å, 3.8 Å and 3.9 Å, respectively, determined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Our experimental results, combined with AlphaFold2 (AF), allowed us to obtain the nearly-atomic structure of Carin-1 by fitting and refining the AF atomic models in the high resolution cryo-EM map, skipping the bottleneck of de-novo manual building and speeding up the structure determination process. Our structural results highlighted the T7-like nature of Carin1, as well as several novel structural features like the presence of short spikes on the capsid, reminiscent those described for Rhodobacter capsulatus gene transfer agent (RcGTA). This is, to our knowledge, the first time such assembly is described for a bacteriophage, shedding light into the common evolution and shared mechanisms between gene transfer agents and phages. This first full structure determined for a marine podophage allowed to propose an infection mechanism different than the one proposed for the archetypal podophage T7. IMPORTANCE Oceans play a central role in the carbon cycle on Earth and on the climate regulation (half of the planet's CO2 is absorbed by phytoplankton photosynthesis in the oceans and just as much O2 is liberated). The understanding of the biochemical equilibriums of marine biology represents a major goal for our future. By lysing half of the bacterial population every day, marine bacteriophages are key actors of these equilibriums. Despite their importance, these marine phages have, so far, only been studied a little and, in particular, structural insights are currently lacking, even though they are fundamental for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of their mode of infection. The structures described in our manuscript allow us to propose an infection mechanism that differs from the one proposed for the terrestrial T7 virus, and might also allow us to, in the future, better understand the way bacteriophages shape the global ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Roret
- Station Biologique de Roscoff (SBR), CNRS FR2424, Sorbonne Université, Roscoff, France
| | | | - Pierre-Yves Mocaër
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR7144, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | | | - Anne-Claire Baudoux
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR7144, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Guy Schoehn
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, Grenoble, France
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11
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Podgorski JM, Freeman K, Gosselin S, Huet A, Conway JF, Bird M, Grecco J, Patel S, Jacobs-Sera D, Hatfull G, Gogarten JP, Ravantti J, White SJ. A structural dendrogram of the actinobacteriophage major capsid proteins provides important structural insights into the evolution of capsid stability. Structure 2023; 31:282-294.e5. [PMID: 36649709 PMCID: PMC10071307 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.12.012] [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: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Many double-stranded DNA viruses, including tailed bacteriophages (phages) and herpesviruses, use the HK97-fold in their major capsid protein to make the capsomers of the icosahedral viral capsid. After the genome packaging at near-crystalline densities, the capsid is subjected to a major expansion and stabilization step that allows it to withstand environmental stresses and internal high pressure. Several different mechanisms for stabilizing the capsid have been structurally characterized, but how these mechanisms have evolved is still not understood. Using cryo-EM structure determination of 10 capsids, structural comparisons, phylogenetic analyses, and Alphafold predictions, we have constructed a detailed structural dendrogram describing the evolution of capsid structural stability within the actinobacteriophages. We show that the actinobacteriophage major capsid proteins can be classified into 15 groups based upon their HK97-fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Podgorski
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Krista Freeman
- Clapp Hall, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Sophia Gosselin
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Alexis Huet
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - James F Conway
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mary Bird
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - John Grecco
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Shreya Patel
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Deborah Jacobs-Sera
- Clapp Hall, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Graham Hatfull
- Clapp Hall, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Johann Peter Gogarten
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268-3125, USA
| | - Janne Ravantti
- University of Helsinki, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Simon J White
- Biology/Physics Building, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 91 North Eagleville Road, Unit-3125, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA.
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12
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Xiao H, Zhou J, Yang F, Liu Z, Song J, Chen W, Liu H, Cheng L. Assembly and Capsid Expansion Mechanism of Bacteriophage P22 Revealed by High-Resolution Cryo-EM Structures. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020355. [PMID: 36851569 PMCID: PMC9965877 DOI: 10.3390/v15020355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of many double-stranded DNA viruses, such as herpesviruses and bacteriophages, begins with the scaffolding-protein-mediated assembly of the procapsid. Subsequently, the procapsid undergoes extensive structural rearrangement and expansion to become the mature capsid. Bacteriophage P22 is an established model system used to study virus maturation. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of procapsid, empty procapsid, empty mature capsid, and mature capsid of phage P22 at resolutions of 2.6 Å, 3.9 Å, 2.8 Å, and 3.0 Å, respectively. The structure of the procapsid allowed us to build an accurate model of the coat protein gp5 and the C-terminal region of the scaffolding protein gp8. In addition, interactions among the gp5 subunits responsible for procapsid assembly and stabilization were identified. Two C-terminal α-helices of gp8 were observed to interact with the coat protein in the procapsid. The amino acid interactions between gp5 and gp8 in the procapsid were consistent with the results of previous biochemical studies involving mutant proteins. Our structures reveal hydrogen bonds and salt bridges between the gp5 subunits in the procapsid and the conformational changes of the gp5 domains involved in the closure of the local sixfold opening and a thinner capsid shell during capsid maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Xiao
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory for Matter Microstructure and Function of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Low-dimensional Quantum Structures and Quantum Control, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Junquan Zhou
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory for Matter Microstructure and Function of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Low-dimensional Quantum Structures and Quantum Control, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory for Matter Microstructure and Function of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Low-dimensional Quantum Structures and Quantum Control, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Kobilka Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery, School of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Jingdong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100052, China
| | - Wenyuan Chen
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory for Matter Microstructure and Function of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Low-dimensional Quantum Structures and Quantum Control, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410082, China
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (H.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Hongrong Liu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory for Matter Microstructure and Function of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Low-dimensional Quantum Structures and Quantum Control, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410082, China
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (H.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Lingpeng Cheng
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory for Matter Microstructure and Function of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Low-dimensional Quantum Structures and Quantum Control, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410082, China
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (H.L.); (L.C.)
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13
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Evseev P, Gutnik D, Shneider M, Miroshnikov K. Use of an Integrated Approach Involving AlphaFold Predictions for the Evolutionary Taxonomy of Duplodnaviria Viruses. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13010110. [PMID: 36671495 PMCID: PMC9855967 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The evaluation of the evolutionary relationships is exceptionally important for the taxonomy of viruses, which is a rapidly expanding area of research. The classification of viral groups belonging to the realm Duplodnaviria, which include tailed bacteriophages, head-tailed archaeal viruses and herpesviruses, has undergone many changes in recent years and continues to improve. One of the challenging tasks of Duplodnaviria taxonomy is the classification of high-ranked taxa, including families and orders. At the moment, only 17 of 50 families have been assigned to orders. The evaluation of the evolutionary relationships between viruses is complicated by the high level of divergence of viral proteins. However, the development of structure prediction algorithms, including the award-winning AlphaFold, encourages the use of the results of structural predictions to clarify the evolutionary history of viral proteins. In this study, the evolutionary relationships of two conserved viral proteins, the major capsid protein and terminase, representing different viruses, including all classified Duplodnaviria families, have been analysed using AlphaFold modelling. This analysis has been undertaken using structural comparisons and different phylogenetic methods. The results of the analyses mainly indicated the high quality of AlphaFold modelling and the possibility of using the AlphaFold predictions, together with other methods, for the reconstruction of the evolutionary relationships between distant viral groups. Based on the results of this integrated approach, assumptions have been made about refining the taxonomic classification of bacterial and archaeal Duplodnaviria groups, and problems relating to the taxonomic classification of Duplodnaviria have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Evseev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (P.E.); (K.M.)
| | - Daria Gutnik
- Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Mikhail Shneider
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin Miroshnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (P.E.); (K.M.)
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14
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A Capsid Structure of Ralstonia solanacearum podoviridae GP4 with a Triangulation Number T = 9. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112431. [PMID: 36366529 PMCID: PMC9698820 DOI: 10.3390/v14112431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
GP4, a new Ralstonia solanacearum phage, is a short-tailed phage. Few structures of Ralstonia solanacearum phages have been resolved to near-atomic resolution until now. Here, we present a 3.7 Å resolution structure of the GP4 head by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The GP4 head contains 540 copies of major capsid protein (MCP) gp2 and 540 copies of cement protein (CP) gp1 arranged in an icosahedral shell with a triangulation number T = 9. The structures of gp2 and gp1 show a canonical HK97-like fold and an Ig-like fold, respectively. The trimeric CPs stick on the surface of the head along the quasi-threefold axis of the icosahedron generating a sandwiched three-layer electrostatic complementary potential, thereby enhancing the head stability. The assembly pattern of the GP4 head provides a platform for the further exploration of the interaction between Ralstonia solanacearum and corresponding phages.
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15
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Fang Q, Tang WC, Fokine A, Mahalingam M, Shao Q, Rossmann MG, Rao VB. Structures of a large prolate virus capsid in unexpanded and expanded states generate insights into the icosahedral virus assembly. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203272119. [PMID: 36161892 PMCID: PMC9546572 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203272119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many icosahedral viruses assemble proteinaceous precursors called proheads or procapsids. Proheads are metastable structures that undergo a profound structural transition known as expansion that transforms an immature unexpanded head into a mature genome-packaging head. Bacteriophage T4 is a model virus, well studied genetically and biochemically, but its structure determination has been challenging because of its large size and unusually prolate-shaped, ∼1,200-Å-long and ∼860-Å-wide capsid. Here, we report the cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of T4 capsid in both of its major conformational states: unexpanded at a resolution of 5.1 Å and expanded at a resolution of 3.4 Å. These are among the largest structures deposited in Protein Data Bank to date and provide insights into virus assembly, head length determination, and shell expansion. First, the structures illustrate major domain movements and ∼70% additional gain in inner capsid volume, an essential transformation to contain the entire viral genome. Second, intricate intracapsomer interactions involving a unique insertion domain dramatically change, allowing the capsid subunits to rotate and twist while the capsomers remain fastened at quasi-threefold axes. Third, high-affinity binding sites emerge for a capsid decoration protein that clamps adjacent capsomers, imparting extraordinary structural stability. Fourth, subtle conformational changes at capsomers' periphery modulate intercapsomer angles between capsomer planes that control capsid length. Finally, conformational changes were observed at the symmetry-mismatched portal vertex, which might be involved in triggering head expansion. These analyses illustrate how small changes in local capsid subunit interactions lead to profound shifts in viral capsid morphology, stability, and volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianglin Fang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Wei-Chun Tang
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064
| | - Andrei Fokine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Marthandan Mahalingam
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064
| | - Qianqian Shao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Michael G. Rossmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Venigalla B. Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064
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16
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Mahdavi SZB, Oroojalian F, Eyvazi S, Hejazi M, Baradaran B, Pouladi N, Tohidkia MR, Mokhtarzadeh A, Muyldermans S. An overview on display systems (phage, bacterial, and yeast display) for production of anticancer antibodies; advantages and disadvantages. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 208:421-442. [PMID: 35339499 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Antibodies as ideal therapeutic and diagnostic molecules are among the top-selling drugs providing considerable efficacy in disease treatment, especially in cancer therapy. Limitations of the hybridoma technology as routine antibody generation method in conjunction with numerous developments in molecular biology led to the development of alternative approaches for the streamlined identification of most effective antibodies. In this regard, display selection technologies such as phage display, bacterial display, and yeast display have been widely promoted over the past three decades as ideal alternatives to traditional methods. The display of antibodies on phages is probably the most widespread of these methods, although surface display on bacteria or yeast have been employed successfully, as well. These methods using various sizes of combinatorial antibody libraries and different selection strategies possessing benefits in screening potency, generating, and isolation of high affinity antibodies with low risk of immunogenicity. Knowing the basics of each method assists in the design and retrieval process of antibodies suitable for different diseases, including cancer. In this review, we aim to outline the basics of each library construction and its display method, screening and selection steps. The advantages and disadvantages in comparison to alternative methods, and their applications in antibody engineering will be explained. Finally, we will review approved or non-approved therapeutic antibodies developed by employing these methods, which may serve as therapeutic antibodies in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatemeh Oroojalian
- Department of Advanced Sciences and Technologies in Medicine, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran; Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Shirin Eyvazi
- Department of Biology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Hejazi
- Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nasser Pouladi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Tohidkia
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China..
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17
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Predicting the capsid architecture of phages from metagenomic data. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:721-732. [PMID: 35140890 PMCID: PMC8814770 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tailed phages are viruses that infect bacteria and are the most abundant biological entities on Earth. Their ecological, evolutionary, and biogeochemical roles in the planet stem from their genomic diversity. Known tailed phage genomes range from 10 to 735 kilobase pairs thanks to the size variability of the protective protein capsids that store them. However, the role of tailed phage capsids’ diversity in ecosystems is unclear. A fundamental gap is the difficulty of associating genomic information with viral capsids in the environment. To address this problem, here, we introduce a computational approach to predict the capsid architecture (T-number) of tailed phages using the sequence of a single gene—the major capsid protein. This approach relies on an allometric model that relates the genome length and capsid architecture of tailed phages. This allometric model was applied to isolated phage genomes to generate a library that associated major capsid proteins and putative capsid architectures. This library was used to train machine learning methods, and the most computationally scalable model investigated (random forest) was applied to human gut metagenomes. Compared to isolated phages, the analysis of gut data reveals a large abundance of mid-sized (T = 7) capsids, as expected, followed by a relatively large frequency of jumbo-like tailed phage capsids (T ≥ 25) and small capsids (T = 4) that have been under-sampled. We discussed how to increase the method’s accuracy and how to extend the approach to other viruses. The computational pipeline introduced here opens the doors to monitor the ongoing evolution and selection of viral capsids across ecosystems.
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18
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Cole AW, Tran SD, Ellington AD. Heat adaptation of phage T7 under an extended genetic code. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab100. [PMID: 35299785 PMCID: PMC8923235 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
While bacteriophages have previously been used as a model system to understand thermal adaptation, most adapted genomes observed to date contain very few modifications and cover a limited temperature range. Here, we set out to investigate genome adaptation to thermal stress by adapting six populations of T7 bacteriophage virions to increasingly stringent heat challenges. Further, we provided three of the phage populations’ access to a new genetic code in which Amber codons could be read as selenocysteine, potentially allowing the formation of more stable selenide-containing bonds. Phage virions responded to the thermal challenges with a greater than 10°C increase in heat tolerance and fixed highly reproducible patterns of non-synonymous substitutions and genome deletions. Most fixed mutations mapped to either the tail complex or to the three internal virion proteins that form a pore across the E. coli cell membrane during DNA injection. However, few global changes in Amber codon usage were observed, with only one natural Amber codon being lost. These results reinforce a model in which adaptation to thermal stress proceeds via the cumulative fixation of a small set of highly adaptive substitutions and that adaptation to new genetic codes proceeds only slowly, even with the possibility of potential phenotypic advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin W Cole
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas, 2500 Speedway Ave., MBB 3.424, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Steven D Tran
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas, 2500 Speedway Ave., MBB 3.424, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Andrew D Ellington
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas, 2500 Speedway Ave., MBB 3.424, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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19
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Cui N, Yang F, Zhang JT, Sun H, Chen Y, Yu RC, Chen ZP, Jiang YL, Han SJ, Xu X, Li Q, Zhou CZ. Capsid Structure of Anabaena Cyanophage A-1(L). J Virol 2021; 95:e0135621. [PMID: 34549983 PMCID: PMC8610606 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01356-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A-1(L) is a freshwater cyanophage with a contractile tail that specifically infects Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, one of the model strains for molecular studies of cyanobacteria. Although isolated for half a century, its structure remains unknown, which limits our understanding on the interplay between A-1(L) and its host. Here we report the 3.35 Å cryo-EM structure of A-1(L) capsid, representing the first near-atomic resolution structure of a phage capsid with a T number of 9. The major capsid gp4 proteins assemble into 91 capsomers, including 80 hexons: 20 at the center of the facet and 60 at the facet edge, in addition to 11 identical pentons. These capsomers further assemble into the icosahedral capsid, via gradually increasing curvatures. Different from the previously reported capsids of known-structure, A-1(L) adopts a noncovalent chainmail structure of capsid stabilized by two kinds of mortise-and-tenon inter-capsomer interactions: a three-layered interface at the pseudo 3-fold axis combined with the complementarity in shape and electrostatic potential around the 2-fold axis. This unique capsomer construction enables A-1(L) to possess a rigid capsid, which is solely composed of the major capsid proteins with an HK97 fold. IMPORTANCE Cyanobacteria are the most abundant photosynthetic bacteria, contributing significantly to the biomass production, O2 generation, and CO2 consumption on our planet. Their community structure and homeostasis in natural aquatic ecosystems are largely regulated by the corresponding cyanophages. In this study, we solved the structure of cyanophage A-1(L) capsid at near-atomic resolution and revealed a unique capsid construction. This capsid structure provides the molecular details for better understanding the assembly of A-1(L), and a structural platform for future investigation and application of A-1(L) in combination with its host Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. As the first isolated freshwater cyanophage that infects the genetically tractable model cyanobacterium, A-1(L) should become an ideal template for the genetic engineering and synthetic biology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Cui
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jun-Tao Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rong-Cheng Yu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhi-Peng Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yong-Liang Jiang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shu-Jing Han
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xudong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiong Li
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Cong-Zhao Zhou
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Pseudomonas Phage MD8: Genetic Mosaicism and Challenges of Taxonomic Classification of Lambdoid Bacteriophages. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910350. [PMID: 34638693 PMCID: PMC8508860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas phage MD8 is a temperate phage isolated from the freshwater lake Baikal. The organisation of the MD8 genome resembles the genomes of lambdoid bacteriophages. However, MD8 gene and protein sequences have little in common with classified representatives of lambda-like phages. Analysis of phage genomes revealed a group of other Pseudomonas phages related to phage MD8 and the genomic layout of MD8-like phages indicated extensive gene exchange involving even the most conservative proteins and leading to a high degree of genomic mosaicism. Multiple horizontal transfers and mosaicism of the genome of MD8, related phages and other λ-like phages raise questions about the principles of taxonomic classification of the representatives of this voluminous phage group. Comparison and analysis of various bioinformatic approaches applied to λ-like phage genomes demonstrated different efficiency and contradictory results in the estimation of genomic similarity and relatedness. However, we were able to make suggestions for the possible origin of the MD8 genome and the basic principles for the taxonomic classification of lambdoid phages. The group comprising 26 MD8-related phages was proposed to classify as two close genera belonging to a big family of λ-like phages.
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21
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Structural changes in bacteriophage T7 upon receptor-induced genome ejection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102003118. [PMID: 34504014 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102003118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Many tailed bacteriophages assemble ejection proteins and a portal-tail complex at a unique vertex of the capsid. The ejection proteins form a transenvelope channel extending the portal-tail channel for the delivery of genomic DNA in cell infection. Here, we report the structure of the mature bacteriophage T7, including the ejection proteins, as well as the structures of the full and empty T7 particles in complex with their cell receptor lipopolysaccharide. Our near-atomic-resolution reconstruction shows that the ejection proteins in the mature T7 assemble into a core, which comprises a fourfold gene product 16 (gp16) ring, an eightfold gp15 ring, and a putative eightfold gp14 ring. The gp15 and gp16 are mainly composed of helix bundles, and gp16 harbors a lytic transglycosylase domain for degrading the bacterial peptidoglycan layer. When interacting with the lipopolysaccharide, the T7 tail nozzle opens. Six copies of gp14 anchor to the tail nozzle, extending the nozzle across the lipopolysaccharide lipid bilayer. The structures of gp15 and gp16 in the mature T7 suggest that they should undergo remarkable conformational changes to form the transenvelope channel. Hydrophobic α-helices were observed in gp16 but not in gp15, suggesting that gp15 forms the channel in the hydrophilic periplasm and gp16 forms the channel in the cytoplasmic membrane.
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22
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Serwer P, Wright ET, De La Chapa J, Gonzales CB. Basics for Improved Use of Phages for Therapy. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10060723. [PMID: 34208477 PMCID: PMC8234457 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10060723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-borne therapeutic phages and phage capsids increasingly reach therapeutic targets as they acquire more persistence, i.e., become more resistant to non-targeted removal from blood. Pathogenic bacteria are targets during classical phage therapy. Metastatic tumors are potential future targets, during use of drug delivery vehicles (DDVs) that are phage derived. Phage therapy has, to date, only sometimes been successful. One cause of failure is low phage persistence. A three-step strategy for increasing persistence is to increase (1) the speed of lytic phage isolation, (2) the diversity of phages isolated, and (3) the effectiveness and speed of screening phages for high persistence. The importance of high persistence-screening is illustrated by our finding here of persistence dramatically higher for coliphage T3 than for its relative, coliphage T7, in murine blood. Coliphage T4 is more persistent, long-term than T3. Pseudomonas chlororaphis phage 201phi2-1 has relatively low persistence. These data are obtained with phages co-inoculated and separately assayed. In addition, highly persistent phage T3 undergoes dispersal to several murine organs and displays tumor tropism in epithelial tissue (xenografted human oral squamous cell carcinoma). Dispersal is an asset for phage therapy, but a liability for phage-based DDVs. We propose increased focus on phage persistence—and dispersal—screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Serwer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-210-567-3765
| | - Elena T. Wright
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA;
| | - Jorge De La Chapa
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (J.D.L.C.); (C.B.G.)
| | - Cara B. Gonzales
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; (J.D.L.C.); (C.B.G.)
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23
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Johnson JE, Olson AJ. Icosahedral virus structures and the protein data bank. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100554. [PMID: 33744290 PMCID: PMC8081926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural study of icosahedral viruses has a long and impactful history in both crystallographic methodology and molecular biology. The evolution of the Protein Data Bank has paralleled and supported these studies providing readily accessible formats dealing with novel features associated with viral particle symmetries and subunit interactions. This overview describes the growth in size and complexity of icosahedral viruses from the first early studies of small RNA plant viruses and human picornaviruses up to the larger and more complex bacterial phage, insect, and human disease viruses such as Zika, hepatitis B, Adeno and Polyoma virus. The analysis of icosahedral viral capsid protein domain folds has shown striking similarities, with the beta jelly roll motif observed across multiple evolutionarily divergent species. The icosahedral symmetry of viruses drove the development of noncrystallographic symmetry averaging as a powerful phasing method, and the constraints of maintaining this symmetry resulted in the concept of quasi-equivalence in viral structures. Symmetry also played an important early role in demonstrating the power of cryo-electron microscopy as an alternative to crystallography in generating atomic resolution structures of these viruses. The Protein Data Bank has been a critical resource for assembling and disseminating these structures to a wide community, and the virus particle explorer (VIPER) was developed to enable users to easily generate and view complete viral capsid structures from their asymmetric building blocks. Finally, we share a personal perspective on the early use of computer graphics to communicate the intricacies, interactions, and beauty of these virus structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Johnson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
| | - Arthur J Olson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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25
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Luque A, Benler S, Lee DY, Brown C, White S. The Missing Tailed Phages: Prediction of Small Capsid Candidates. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1944. [PMID: 33302408 PMCID: PMC7762592 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tailed phages are the most abundant and diverse group of viruses on the planet. Yet, the smallest tailed phages display relatively complex capsids and large genomes compared to other viruses. The lack of tailed phages forming the common icosahedral capsid architectures T = 1 and T = 3 is puzzling. Here, we extracted geometrical features from high-resolution tailed phage capsid reconstructions and built a statistical model based on physical principles to predict the capsid diameter and genome length of the missing small-tailed phage capsids. We applied the model to 3348 isolated tailed phage genomes and 1496 gut metagenome-assembled tailed phage genomes. Four isolated tailed phages were predicted to form T = 3 icosahedral capsids, and twenty-one metagenome-assembled tailed phages were predicted to form T < 3 capsids. The smallest capsid predicted was a T = 4/3 ≈ 1.33 architecture. No tailed phages were predicted to form the smallest icosahedral architecture, T = 1. We discuss the feasibility of the missing T = 1 tailed phage capsids and the implications of isolating and characterizing small-tailed phages for viral evolution and phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Luque
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA; (D.Y.L.); (C.B.)
- Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Sean Benler
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Bethesda, MD 20894, USA;
| | - Diana Y. Lee
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA; (D.Y.L.); (C.B.)
- Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Colin Brown
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA; (D.Y.L.); (C.B.)
- Department of Physics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Simon White
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;
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26
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Loh B, Chen J, Manohar P, Yu Y, Hua X, Leptihn S. A Biological Inventory of Prophages in A. baumannii Genomes Reveal Distinct Distributions in Classes, Length, and Genomic Positions. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:579802. [PMID: 33343523 PMCID: PMC7744312 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.579802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is of major clinical importance as the bacterial pathogen often causes hospital acquired infections, further complicated by the high prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains. Aside from natural tolerance to certain antibiotic classes, resistance is often acquired by the exchange of genetic information via conjugation but also by the high natural competence exhibited by A. baumannii. In addition, bacteriophages are able to introduce resistance genes but also toxins and virulence factors via phage mediated transduction. In this work, we analyzed the complete genomes of 177 A. baumannii strains for the occurrence of prophages, and analyzed their taxonomy, size and positions of insertion. Among all the prophages that were detected, Siphoviridae and Myoviridae were the two most commonly found families, while the average genome size was determined to be approximately 4 Mbp. Our data shows the wide variation in the number of prophages in A. baumannii genomes and the prevalence of certain prophages within strains that are most "successful" or potentially beneficial to the host. Our study also revealed that only two specific sites of insertion within the genome of the host bacterium are being used, with few exceptions only. Lastly, we analyzed the existence of genes that are encoded in the prophages, which may confer antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Several phages carry AMR genes, including OXA-23 and NDM-1, illustrating the importance of lysogenic phages in the acquisition of resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Loh
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Jiayuan Chen
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Prasanth Manohar
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Yunsong Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoting Hua
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sebastian Leptihn
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- University of Edinburgh Medical School, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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27
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Simulations of Phage T7 Capsid Expansion Reveal the Role of Molecular Sterics on Dynamics. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111273. [PMID: 33171826 PMCID: PMC7695174 DOI: 10.3390/v12111273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular dynamics techniques provide numerous strategies for investigating biomolecular energetics, though quantitative analysis is often only accessible for relatively small (frequently monomeric) systems. To address this limit, we use simulations in combination with a simplified energetic model to study complex rearrangements in a large assembly. We use cryo-EM reconstructions to simulate the DNA packaging-associated 3 nm expansion of the protein shell of an initially assembled phage T7 capsid (called procapsid or capsid I). This is accompanied by a disorder-order transition and expansion-associated externalization displacement of the 420 N-terminal tails of the shell proteins. For the simulations, we use an all-atom structure-based model (1.07 million atoms), which is specifically designed to probe the influence of molecular sterics on dynamics. We find that the rate at which the N-terminal tails undergo translocation depends heavily on their position within hexons and pentons. Specifically, trans-shell displacements of the hexon E subunits are the most frequent and hexon A subunits are the least frequent. The simulations also implicate numerous tail translocation intermediates during tail translocation that involve topological traps, as well as sterically induced barriers. The presented study establishes a foundation for understanding the precise relationship between molecular structure and phage maturation.
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28
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Kiss B, Mudra D, Török G, Mártonfalvi Z, Csík G, Herényi L, Kellermayer M. Single-particle virology. Biophys Rev 2020; 12:1141-1154. [PMID: 32880826 PMCID: PMC7471434 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-020-00747-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of advanced experimental methodologies, such as optical tweezers, scanning-probe and super-resolved optical microscopies, has led to the evolution of single-molecule biophysics, a field of science that allows direct access to the mechanistic detail of biomolecular structure and function. The extension of single-molecule methods to the investigation of particles such as viruses permits unprecedented insights into the behavior of supramolecular assemblies. Here we address the scope of viral exploration at the level of individual particles. In an era of increased awareness towards virology, single-particle approaches are expected to facilitate the in-depth understanding, and hence combating, of viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bálint Kiss
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Mudra
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Török
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Mártonfalvi
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Csík
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Levente Herényi
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós Kellermayer
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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29
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The Mottled Capsid of the Salmonella Giant Phage SPN3US, a Likely Maturation Intermediate with a Novel Internal Shell. Viruses 2020; 12:v12090910. [PMID: 32825132 PMCID: PMC7552025 DOI: 10.3390/v12090910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
“Giant” phages have genomes of >200 kbp, confined in correspondingly large capsids whose assembly and maturation are still poorly understood. Nevertheless, the first assembly product is likely to be, as in other tailed phages, a procapsid that subsequently matures and packages the DNA. The associated transformations include the cleavage of many proteins by the phage-encoded protease, as well as the thinning and angularization of the capsid. We exploited an amber mutation in the viral protease gene of the Salmonella giant phage SPN3US, which leads to the accumulation of a population of capsids with distinctive properties. Cryo-electron micrographs reveal patterns of internal density different from those of the DNA-filled heads of virions, leading us to call them “mottled capsids”. Reconstructions show an outer shell with T = 27 symmetry, an embellishment of the HK97 prototype composed of the major capsid protein, gp75, which is similar to some other giant viruses. The mottled capsid has a T = 1 inner icosahedral shell that is a complex network of loosely connected densities composed mainly of the ejection proteins gp53 and gp54. Segmentation of this inner shell indicated that a number of densities (~12 per asymmetric unit) adopt a “twisted hook” conformation. Large patches of a proteinaceous tetragonal lattice with a 67 Å repeat were also present in the cell lysate. The unexpected nature of these novel inner shell and lattice structures poses questions as to their functions in virion assembly.
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30
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Sun C, Gonzalez B, Vago FS, Jiang W. High resolution single particle Cryo-EM refinement using JSPR. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 160:37-42. [PMID: 32622834 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
JSPR is a single particle cryo-EM image processing and 3D reconstruction software developed in the Jiang laboratory at Purdue University. It began as a few refinement scripts for symmetric and asymmetric reconstructions of icosahedral viruses, but has grown into a comprehensive suite of tools for building ab initio reconstructions, high resolution refinements of viruses, protein complexes of arbitrary symmetries including helical tubes/filaments, and image file handling utilities. In this review, we will present examples achieved using JSPR and demonstrate recently implemented features of JSPR such as multi-aberration "alignments" and automatic optimization of masking for the assessment of map resolution using "true" FSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Markey Center for Structural Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Brenda Gonzalez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Markey Center for Structural Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Frank S Vago
- Department of Biological Sciences, Markey Center for Structural Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Markey Center for Structural Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA.
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31
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González B, Monroe L, Li K, Yan R, Wright E, Walter T, Kihara D, Weintraub ST, Thomas JA, Serwer P, Jiang W. Phage G Structure at 6.1 Å Resolution, Condensed DNA, and Host Identity Revision to a Lysinibacillus. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4139-4153. [PMID: 32454153 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Phage G has the largest capsid and genome of any known propagated phage. Many aspects of its structure, assembly, and replication have not been elucidated. Herein, we present the dsDNA-packed and empty phage G capsid at 6.1 and 9 Å resolution, respectively, using cryo-EM for structure determination and mass spectrometry for protein identification. The major capsid protein, gp27, is identified and found to share the HK97-fold universally conserved in all previously solved dsDNA phages. Trimers of the decoration protein, gp26, sit on the 3-fold axes and are thought to enhance the interactions of the hexameric capsomeres of gp27, for other phages encoding decoration proteins. Phage G's decoration protein is longer than what has been reported in other phages, and we suspect the extra interaction surface area helps stabilize the capsid. We identified several additional capsid proteins, including a candidate for the prohead protease responsible for processing gp27. Furthermore, cryo-EM reveals a range of partially full, condensed DNA densities that appear to have no contact with capsid shell. Three analyses confirm that the phage G host is a Lysinibacillus, and not Bacillus megaterium: identity of host proteins in our mass spectrometry analyses, genome sequence of the phage G host, and host range of phage G.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda González
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology, Purdue University, 240 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971, USA
| | - Lyman Monroe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology, Purdue University, 240 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971, USA
| | - Kunpeng Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology, Purdue University, 240 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971, USA
| | - Rui Yan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology, Purdue University, 240 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971, USA
| | - Elena Wright
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Thomas Walter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology, Purdue University, 240 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971, USA
| | - Daisuke Kihara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology, Purdue University, 240 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971, USA; Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, 305 North University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2107, USA
| | - Susan T Weintraub
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Julie A Thomas
- Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, 85 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
| | - Philip Serwer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology, Purdue University, 240 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971, USA; Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2084, USA; Purdue Cryo-EM Facility, Purdue University, Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology, 240 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1971, USA; Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 201 South University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Infectious, Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Purdue University, 207 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47097, USA.
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32
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Luque D, Castón JR. Cryo-electron microscopy for the study of virus assembly. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:231-239. [PMID: 32080621 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0477-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although viruses are extremely diverse in shape and size, evolution has led to a limited number of viral classes or lineages, which is probably linked to the assembly constraints of a viable capsid. Viral assembly mechanisms are restricted to two general pathways, (i) co-assembly of capsid proteins and single-stranded nucleic acids and (ii) a sequential mechanism in which scaffolding-mediated capsid precursor assembly is followed by genome packaging. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), which are revolutionizing structural biology, are central to determining the high-resolution structures of many viral assemblies as well as those of assembly intermediates. This wealth of cryo-EM data has also led to the development and redesign of virus-based platforms for biomedical and biotechnological applications. In this Review, we will discuss recent viral assembly analyses by cryo-EM and cryo-ET showing how natural assembly mechanisms are used to encapsulate heterologous cargos including chemicals, enzymes, and/or nucleic acids for a variety of nanotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Luque
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología/ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José R Castón
- Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Campus Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
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33
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Serwer P, Hunter B, Wright ET. Electron Microscopy of In-Plaque Phage T3 Assembly: Proposed Analogs of Neurodegenerative Disease Triggers. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13010018. [PMID: 31963711 PMCID: PMC7170049 DOI: 10.3390/ph13010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased knowledge of virus assembly-generated particles is needed for understanding both virus assembly and host responses to virus infection. Here, we use a phage T3 model and perform electron microscopy (EM) of thin sections (EM-TS) of gel-supported T3 plaques formed at 30 °C. After uranyl acetate/lead staining, we observe intracellular black particles, some with a difficult-to-see capsid. Some black particles (called LBPs) are larger than phage particles. The LBP frequency is increased by including proflavine, a DNA packaging inhibitor, in the growth medium and increasing plaque-forming temperature to 37 °C. Acidic phosphotungstate-precipitate (A-PTA) staining causes LBP substitution by black rings (BRs) that have the size and shape expected of hyper-expanded capsid containers for LBP DNA. BRs are less frequent in liquid cultures, suggesting that hyper-expanded capsids evolved primarily for in-gel (e.g., in-biofilm) propagation. BR-specific A-PTA staining and other observations are explained by α-sheet intense structure of the major subunit of hyper-expanded capsids. We hypothesize that herpes virus triggering of neurodegenerative disease occurs via in-gel propagation-promoted (1) generation of α-sheet intense viral capsids and, in response, (2) host production of α-sheet intense, capsid-interactive, innate immunity amyloid protein that becomes toxic. We propose developing viruses that are therapeutic via detoxifying interaction with this innate immunity protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Serwer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229–3900, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: 1-210-567-3765
| | - Barbara Hunter
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229–3900, USA;
| | - Elena T. Wright
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229–3900, USA;
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Hess KL, Jewell CM. Phage display as a tool for vaccine and immunotherapy development. Bioeng Transl Med 2020; 5:e10142. [PMID: 31989033 PMCID: PMC6971447 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria and coopt the cellular machinery to create more phage proteins, eventually resulting in the release of new phage particles. Phages are heavily utilized in bioengineering for applications ranging from tissue engineering scaffolds to immune signal delivery. Of specific interest to vaccines and immunotherapies, phages have demonstrated an ability to activate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The genome of these viral particles can be harnessed for DNA vaccination, or the surface proteins can be exploited for antigen display. More specifically, genes that encode an antigen of interest can be spliced into the phage genome, allowing antigenic proteins or peptides to be displayed by fusion to phage capsid proteins. Phages therefore present antigens to immune cells in a highly ordered and repetitive manner. This review discusses the use of phage with adjuvanting activity as antigen delivery vehicles for vaccination against infectious disease and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystina L. Hess
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological CenterAberdeen Proving GroundMaryland
| | - Christopher M. Jewell
- Fischell Department of BioengineeringUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMaryland
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical DevicesCollege ParkMaryland
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of Maryland Medical SchoolBaltimoreMaryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer CenterBaltimoreMaryland
- U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsBaltimoreMaryland
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Ignatiou A, Brasilès S, El Sadek Fadel M, Bürger J, Mielke T, Topf M, Tavares P, Orlova EV. Structural transitions during the scaffolding-driven assembly of a viral capsid. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4840. [PMID: 31649265 PMCID: PMC6813328 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12790-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Assembly of tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses starts with formation of procapsids (virion precursors without DNA). Scaffolding proteins (SP) drive assembly by chaperoning the major capsid protein (MCP) to build an icosahedral lattice. Here we report near-atomic resolution cryo-EM structures of the bacteriophage SPP1 procapsid, the intermediate expanded procapsid with partially released SPs, and the mature capsid with DNA. In the intermediate state, SPs are bound only to MCP pentons and to adjacent subunits from hexons. SP departure results in the expanded state associated with unfolding of the MCP N-terminus and straightening of E-loops. The newly formed extensive inter-capsomere bonding appears to compensate for release of SPs that clasp MCP capsomeres together. Subsequent DNA packaging instigates bending of MCP A domain loops outwards, closing the hexons central opening and creating the capsid auxiliary protein binding interface. These findings provide a molecular basis for the sequential structural rearrangements during viral capsid maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Ignatiou
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Sandrine Brasilès
- Department of Virology, Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Mehdi El Sadek Fadel
- Department of Virology, Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jörg Bürger
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Microscopy and Cryo-Electron Microscopy Group, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Medizinische Physik und Biophysik, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Mielke
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Microscopy and Cryo-Electron Microscopy Group, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maya Topf
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Paulo Tavares
- Department of Virology, Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Elena V Orlova
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
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Capsid expansion of bacteriophage T5 revealed by high resolution cryoelectron microscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:21037-21046. [PMID: 31578255 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1909645116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The large (90-nm) icosahedral capsid of bacteriophage T5 is composed of 775 copies of the major capsid protein (mcp) together with portal, protease, and decoration proteins. Its assembly is a regulated process that involves several intermediates, including a thick-walled round precursor prohead that expands as the viral DNA is packaged to yield a thin-walled and angular mature capsid. We investigated capsid maturation by comparing cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the prohead, the empty expanded capsid both with and without decoration protein, and the virion capsid at a resolution of 3.8 Å for the latter. We detail the molecular structure of the mcp, its complex pattern of interactions, and their evolution during maturation. The bacteriophage T5 mcp is a variant of the canonical HK97-fold with a high level of plasticity that allows for the precise assembly of a giant macromolecule and the adaptability needed to interact with other proteins and the packaged DNA.
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37
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Principles for enhancing virus capsid capacity and stability from a thermophilic virus capsid structure. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4471. [PMID: 31578335 PMCID: PMC6775164 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12341-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The capsids of double-stranded DNA viruses protect the viral genome from the harsh extracellular environment, while maintaining stability against the high internal pressure of packaged DNA. To elucidate how capsids maintain stability in an extreme environment, we use cryoelectron microscopy to determine the capsid structure of thermostable phage P74-26 to 2.8-Å resolution. We find P74-26 capsids exhibit an overall architecture very similar to those of other tailed bacteriophages, allowing us to directly compare structures to derive the structural basis for enhanced stability. Our structure reveals lasso-like interactions that appear to function like catch bonds. This architecture allows the capsid to expand during genome packaging, yet maintain structural stability. The P74-26 capsid has T = 7 geometry despite being twice as large as mesophilic homologs. Capsid capacity is increased with a larger, flatter major capsid protein. Given these results, we predict decreased icosahedral complexity (i.e. T ≤ 7) leads to a more stable capsid assembly. Viral capsids need to protect the genome against harsh environmental conditions and cope with high internal pressure from the packaged genome. Here, the authors determine the structure of the thermostable phage P74-26 capsid at 2.8-Å resolution and identify features underlying enhanced capsid capacity and structural stability.
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Jin H, Jiang YL, Yang F, Zhang JT, Li WF, Zhou K, Ju J, Chen Y, Zhou CZ. Capsid Structure of a Freshwater Cyanophage Siphoviridae Mic1. Structure 2019; 27:1508-1516.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Asija K, Teschke CM. Of capsid structure and stability: The partnership between charged residues of E-loop and P-domain of the bacteriophage P22 coat protein. Virology 2019; 534:45-53. [PMID: 31176063 PMCID: PMC6614003 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Tailed dsDNA bacteriophages and herpesviruses form capsids using coat proteins that have the HK97 fold. In these viruses, the coat proteins first assemble into procapsids, which subsequently mature during DNA packaging. Generally interactions between the coat protein E-loop of one subunit and the P-domain of an adjacent subunit help stabilize both capsomers and capsids. Based on a recent 3.3 Å cryo-EM structure of the bacteriophage P22 virion, E-loop amino acids E52, E59 and E72 were suggested to stabilize the capsid through intra-capsomer salt bridges with the P-domain residues R102, R109 and K118. The glutamic acid residues were each mutated to alanine to test this hypothesis. The substitutions resulted in a WT phenotype and did not destabilize capsids; rather, the alanine substituted coat proteins increased the stability of procapsids and virions. These results indicate that different types of interactions must be used between the E-loop and P-domain to stabilize phage P22 procapsids and virions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunica Asija
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Carolyn M Teschke
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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Asija K, Teschke CM. A Hydrophobic Network: Intersubunit and Intercapsomer Interactions Stabilizing the Bacteriophage P22 Capsid. J Virol 2019; 93:e00727-19. [PMID: 31068429 PMCID: PMC6600197 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00727-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) tailed phages and herpesviruses assemble their capsids using coat proteins that have the ubiquitous HK97 fold. Though this fold is common, we do not have a thorough understanding of the different ways viruses adapt it to maintain stability in various environments. The HK97-fold E-loop, which connects adjacent subunits at the outer periphery of capsomers, has been implicated in capsid stability. Here, we show that in bacteriophage P22, residue W61 at the tip of the E-loop plays a role in stabilizing procapsids and in maturation. We hypothesize that a hydrophobic pocket is formed by residues I366 and W410 in the P domain of a neighboring subunit within a capsomer, into which W61 fits like a peg. In addition, W61 likely bridges to residues A91 and L401 in P-domain loops of an adjacent capsomer, thereby linking the entire capsid together with a network of hydrophobic interactions. There is conservation of this hydrophobic network in the distantly related P22-like phages, indicating that this structural feature is likely important for stabilizing this family of phages. Thus, our data shed light on one of the varied elegant mechanisms used in nature to consistently build stable viral genome containers through subtle adaptation of the HK97 fold.IMPORTANCE Similarities in assembly reactions and coat protein structures of the dsDNA tailed phages and herpesviruses make phages ideal models to understand capsid assembly and identify potential targets for antiviral drug discovery. The coat protein E-loops of these viruses are involved in both intra- and intercapsomer interactions. In phage P22, hydrophobic interactions peg the coat protein subunits together within a capsomer, where the E-loop hydrophobic residue W61 of one subunit packs into a pocket of hydrophobic residues I366 and W410 of the adjacent subunit. W61 also makes hydrophobic interactions with A91 and L401 of a subunit in an adjacent capsomer. We show these intra- and intercapsomer hydrophobic interactions form a network crucial to capsid stability and proper assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunica Asija
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Carolyn M Teschke
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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41
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Duda RL, Teschke CM. The amazing HK97 fold: versatile results of modest differences. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 36:9-16. [PMID: 30856581 PMCID: PMC6626583 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
dsDNA Bacteriophages, some dsDNA archaeal viruses and the Herpesviruses share many features including a common capsid assembly pathway and coat protein fold. The coat proteins of these viruses, which have the HK97 fold, co-assemble with a free or attached scaffolding protein and other capsid proteins into a precursor capsid, known as a procapsid or prohead. The procapsid is a metastable state that increases in stability as a result of morphological changes that occur during the dsDNA packaging reaction. We review evidence from several systems indicating that proper contacts acquired in the assembly of the procapsid are critical to forming the correct morphology in the mature capsid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Duda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States.
| | - Carolyn M Teschke
- Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, United States.
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42
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Chen Z, Johnson MC, Chen J, Bick MJ, Boyken SE, Lin B, De Yoreo JJ, Kollman JM, Baker D, DiMaio F. Self-Assembling 2D Arrays with de Novo Protein Building Blocks. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:8891-8895. [PMID: 31050411 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b01978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Modular self-assembly of biomolecules in two dimensions (2D) is straightforward with DNA but has been difficult to realize with proteins, due to the lack of modular specificity similar to Watson-Crick base pairing. Here we describe a general approach to design 2D arrays using de novo designed pseudosymmetric protein building blocks. A homodimeric helical bundle was reconnected into a monomeric building block, and the surface was redesigned in Rosetta to enable self-assembly into a 2D array in the C12 layer symmetry group. Two out of ten designed arrays assembled to micrometer scale under negative stain electron microscopy, and displayed the designed lattice geometry with assembly size up to 100 nm under atomic force microscopy. The design of 2D arrays with pseudosymmetric building blocks is an important step toward the design of programmable protein self-assembly via pseudosymmetric patterning of orthogonal binding interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jiajun Chen
- Physical Sciences Division , Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , Richland , Washington 99352 , United States
| | | | | | | | - James J De Yoreo
- Physical Sciences Division , Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , Richland , Washington 99352 , United States
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43
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Tao P, Zhu J, Mahalingam M, Batra H, Rao VB. Bacteriophage T4 nanoparticles for vaccine delivery against infectious diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 145:57-72. [PMID: 29981801 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Subunit vaccines containing one or more target antigens from pathogenic organisms represent safer alternatives to whole pathogen vaccines. However, the antigens by themselves are not sufficiently immunogenic and require additives known as adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity and protective efficacy. Assembly of the antigens into virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) is a better approach as it allows presentation of the epitopes in a more native context. The repetitive, symmetrical, and high density display of antigens on the VLPs mimic pathogen-associated molecular patterns seen on bacteria and viruses. The antigens, thus, might be better presented to stimulate host's innate as well as adaptive immune systems thereby eliciting both humoral and cellular immune responses. Bacteriophages such as phage T4 provide excellent platforms to generate the nanoparticle vaccines. The T4 capsid containing two non-essential outer proteins Soc and Hoc allow high density array of antigen epitopes in the form of peptides, domains, full-length proteins, or even multi-subunit complexes. Co-delivery of DNAs, targeting molecules, and/or molecular adjuvants provides additional advantages. Recent studies demonstrate that the phage T4 VLPs are highly immunogenic, do not need an adjuvant, and provide complete protection against bacterial and viral pathogens. Thus, phage T4 could potentially be developed as a "universal" VLP platform to design future multivalent vaccines against complex and emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Tao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Marthandan Mahalingam
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Himanshu Batra
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Venigalla B Rao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
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Cobaviruses - a new globally distributed phage group infecting Rhodobacteraceae in marine ecosystems. ISME JOURNAL 2019; 13:1404-1421. [PMID: 30718806 PMCID: PMC6775973 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0362-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages are widely considered to influence bacterial communities, however most phages are still unknown or not studied well enough to understand their ecological roles. We have isolated two phages infecting Lentibacter sp. SH36, affiliated with the marine Roseobacter group, and retrieved similar phage genomes from publicly available metagenomics databases. Phylogenetic analysis placed the new phages within the Cobavirus group, in the here newly proposed genus Siovirus and subfamily Riovirinae of the Podoviridae. Gene composition and presence of direct terminal repeats in cultivated cobaviruses point toward a genome replication and packaging strategy similar to the T7 phage. Investigation of the genomes suggests that viral lysis of the cell proceeds via the canonical holin-endolysin pathway. Cobaviral hosts include members of the genera Lentibacter, Sulfitobacter and Celeribacter of the Roseobacter group within the family Rhodobacteraceae (Alphaproteobacteria). Screening more than 5,000 marine metagenomes, we found cobaviruses worldwide from temperate to tropical waters, in the euphotic zone, mainly in bays and estuaries, but also in the open ocean. The presence of cobaviruses in protist metagenomes as well as the phylogenetic neighborhood of cobaviruses in glutaredoxin and ribonucleotide reductase trees suggest that cobaviruses could infect bacteria associated with phototrophic or grazing protists. With this study, we expand the understanding of the phylogeny, classification, genomic organization, biogeography and ecology of this phage group infecting marine Rhodobacteraceae.
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Identification of novel bacteriophage vB_EcoP-EG1 with lytic activity against planktonic and biofilm forms of uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 103:315-326. [PMID: 30397766 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9471-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a major cause of unary tract infection. Due to increasing prevalence of multidrug resistance, alternative methods to eradicate the UPECs are urgently needed. In this respect, phage therapy has been demonstrated to be a good candidate. Here, we described a novel bacteriophage named vB_EcoP-EG1, which can infect several strains of UPEC. Phage morphology and genome sequencing analysis show that vB_EcoP-EG1 belongs to the T7-like Podoviridae. vB_EcoP-EG1 possesses a genome (39,919 bp) containing 51 predicted genes and 149 bp terminal repeats. vB_EcoP-EG1 genome does not encode toxic proteins or proteins related to lysogeny. And no known virulent proteins were found in purified phage particles by mass spectrometry. vB_EcoP-EG1 appeared to be relatively specific and sensitive to clinical UPEC strains, which could infect 10 out of 21 clinical multidrug-resistant UPEC strains. In addition, vB_EcoP-EG1 suspension can eliminate biofilm formed by E. coli MG1655 and multidrug-resistant UPEC strain 390G7. Therefore, we concluded that vB_EcoP-EG1 has desirable characteristics for potential therapy, which may serve as an alternative to antibiotic therapy against urinary tract infections caused by multidrug-resistant UPEC.
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46
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Temperature-Dependent Nanomechanics and Topography of Bacteriophage T7. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01236-18. [PMID: 30089696 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01236-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are nanoscale infectious agents which may be inactivated by heat treatment. The global molecular mechanisms of virus inactivation and the thermally induced structural changes in viruses are not fully understood. In this study, we measured the heat-induced changes in the properties of T7 bacteriophage particles exposed to a two-stage (65°C and 80°C) thermal effect, by using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanomechanical and topographical measurements. We found that exposure to 65°C led to the release of genomic DNA and to the loss of the capsid tail; hence, the T7 particles became destabilized. Further heating to 80°C surprisingly led to an increase in mechanical stability, due likely to partial denaturation of the capsomeric proteins kept within the global capsid arrangement.IMPORTANCE Even though the loss of DNA, caused by heat treatment, destabilizes the T7 phage, its capsid is remarkably able to withstand high temperatures with a more or less intact global topographical structure. Thus, partial denaturation within the global structural constraints of the viral capsid may have a stabilizing effect. Understanding the structural design of viruses may help in constructing artificial nanocapsules for the packaging and delivery of materials under harsh environmental conditions.
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47
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Recent Advancements in 3-D Structure Determination of Bacteriophages: from Negative Stain to CryoEM. J Indian Inst Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-018-0082-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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48
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Serwer P, Wright ET. Nanomedicine and Phage Capsids. Viruses 2018; 10:E307. [PMID: 29882754 PMCID: PMC6024614 DOI: 10.3390/v10060307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies of phage capsids have at least three potential interfaces with nanomedicine. First, investigation of phage capsid states potentially will provide therapies targeted to similar states of pathogenic viruses. Recently detected, altered radius-states of phage T3 capsids include those probably related to intermediate states of DNA injection and DNA packaging (dynamic states). We discuss and test the idea that some T3 dynamic states include extensive α-sheet in subunits of the capsid’s shell. Second, dynamic states of pathogenic viral capsids are possible targets of innate immune systems. Specifically, α-sheet-rich innate immune proteins would interfere with dynamic viral states via inter-α-sheet co-assembly. A possible cause of neurodegenerative diseases is excessive activity of these innate immune proteins. Third, some phage capsids appear to have characteristics useful for improved drug delivery vehicles (DDVs). These characteristics include stability, uniformity and a gate-like sub-structure. Gating by DDVs is needed for (1) drug-loading only with gate opened; (2) closed gate-DDV migration through circulatory systems (no drug leakage-generated toxicity); and (3) drug release only at targets. A gate-like sub-structure is the connector ring of double-stranded DNA phage capsids. Targeting to tumors of phage capsid-DDVs can possibly be achieved via the enhanced permeability and retention effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Serwer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
| | - Elena T Wright
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
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49
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Serwer P, Wright ET, Demeler B, Jiang W. States of phage T3/T7 capsids: buoyant density centrifugation and cryo-EM. Biophys Rev 2017; 10:583-596. [PMID: 29243090 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-017-0372-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mature double-stranded DNA bacteriophages have capsids with symmetrical shells that typically resist disruption, as they must to survive in the wild. However, flexibility and associated dynamism assist function. We describe biochemistry-oriented procedures used to find previously obscure flexibility for capsids of the related phages, T3 and T7. The primary procedures are hydration-based buoyant density ultracentrifugation and purified particle-based cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). We review the buoyant density centrifugation in detail. The mature, stable T3/T7 capsid is a shell flexibility-derived conversion product of an initially assembled procapsid (capsid I). During DNA packaging, capsid I expands and loses a scaffolding protein to form capsid II. The following are observations made with capsid II. (1) The in vivo DNA packaging of wild type T3 generates capsid II that has a slight (1.4%), cryo-EM-detected hyper-expansion relative to the mature phage capsid. (2) DNA packaging in some altered conditions generates more extensive hyper-expansion of capsid II, initially detected by hydration-based preparative buoyant density centrifugation in Nycodenz density gradients. (3) Capsid contraction sometimes occurs, e.g., during quantized leakage of DNA from mature T3 capsids without a tail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Serwer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA.
| | - Elena T Wright
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Borries Demeler
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Wen Jiang
- Markey Center for Structural Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
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50
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Serwer P. Hypothesis for the cause and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. Med Hypotheses 2017; 110:60-63. [PMID: 29317070 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The cause and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases remain unsolved puzzles. These diseases are correlated with presence of beta sheet-rich amyloid assemblies. Here, I derive and assemble puzzle pieces to obtain a loose end-tying hypothesis for cause with direct implications for therapy. I use the following extrapolations to find connectable puzzle pieces: (a) the traditional extrapolation that amyloid/amyloid precursors cause disease, (b) a recent extrapolation that amyloid-forming proteins, some of which are virus protein homologs, are components of an empirically obscure innate immune system that counters insults, including those by both viruses and bacteria, (c) a new extrapolation that various insults produce assemblies with structural features in common and that amyloid-forming, innate immune system proteins recognize these features and, then, counter insults by co-assembly, (d, 1) a second new extrapolation that beta sheet is a common structural feature and is extended during insult-neutralizing co-assembly and (d, 2) an appendix, derived from studies of phages T3 and T4, that most insult-produced assemblies are obscure to current biochemical analysis. The hypothesis is the following. One function of amyloid-forming proteins is non-classical innate immunity to biological insults. This immunity works via beta sheet-extending co-assembly of amyloid-forming proteins with beta sheet-containing insult products. For example, co-assembly with beta sheet-containing viral assembly intermediates inhibits virus production. Amyloid-forming proteins cause neurodegenerative disease when errant, typically overproduced. Other innate immunity systems sometimes exacerbate symptoms. This hypothesis suggests the following therapy, based on manipulating Nature's chemistry. First, conduct directed evolution to obtain low-pathogenicity, chronic symptom-producing viruses with assembly intermediates that co-assemble with and destabilize both amyloid and amyloid sub-assemblies. Then, infect patients with these viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Serwer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States.
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