1
|
Lingemann M, Amaro-Carambot E, Lamirande EW, Pierson TC, Whitehead SS. Simultaneous quantitation of neutralizing antibodies against all four dengue virus serotypes using optimized reporter virus particles. J Virol 2024:e0068124. [PMID: 38953379 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00681-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Serum-neutralizing antibody titers are a critical measure of vaccine immunogenicity and are used to determine flavivirus seroprevalence in study populations. An effective dengue virus (DENV) vaccine must confer simultaneous protection against viruses grouped within four antigenic serotypes. Existing flavivirus neutralization assays, including the commonly used plaque/focus reduction neutralization titer (PRNT/FRNT) assay, require an individual assay for each virus, serotype, and strain and easily become a labor-intensive and time-consuming effort for large epidemiological studies or vaccine trials. Here, we describe a multiplex reporter virus particle neutralization titer (TetraPlex RVPNT) assay for DENV that allows simultaneous quantitative measures of antibody-mediated neutralization of infection against all four DENV serotypes in a single low-volume clinical sample and analyzed by flow cytometry. Comparative studies confirm that the neutralization titers of antibodies measured by the TetraPlex RVPNT assay are similar to FRNT/PRNT assay approaches performed separately for each viral strain. The use of this high-throughput approach enables the careful serological study in DENV endemic populations and vaccine recipients required to support the development of a safe and effective tetravalent DENV vaccine. IMPORTANCE As a mediator of protection against dengue disease and a serological indicator of prior infection, the detection and quantification of neutralizing antibodies against DENV is an important "gold standard" tool. However, execution of traditional neutralizing antibody assays is often cumbersome and requires repeated application for each virus or serotype. The optimized RVPNT assay described here is high-throughput, easily multiplexed across multiple serotypes, and targets reporter viral particles that can be robustly produced for all four DENV serotypes. The use of this transformative RVPNT assay will support the expansion of neutralizing antibody datasets to answer research and public health questions often limited by the more cumbersome neutralizing antibody assays and the need for greater quantities of test serum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Lingemann
- Arbovirus Vaccine Research Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Translational Immunobiology Unit, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Emérito Amaro-Carambot
- Arbovirus Vaccine Research Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elaine W Lamirande
- Arbovirus Vaccine Research Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Theodore C Pierson
- Viral Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Arbovirus Immunology Section, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephen S Whitehead
- Arbovirus Vaccine Research Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jablunovsky A, Jose J. The Dynamic Landscape of Capsid Proteins and Viral RNA Interactions in Flavivirus Genome Packaging and Virus Assembly. Pathogens 2024; 13:120. [PMID: 38392858 PMCID: PMC10893219 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020120] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family of enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses encompasses more than 70 members, many of which cause significant disease in humans and livestock. Packaging and assembly of the flavivirus RNA genome is essential for the formation of virions, which requires intricate coordination of genomic RNA, viral structural, and nonstructural proteins in association with virus-induced, modified endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane structures. The capsid (C) protein, a small but versatile RNA-binding protein, and the positive single-stranded RNA genome are at the heart of the elusive flavivirus assembly process. The nucleocapsid core, consisting of the genomic RNA encapsidated by C proteins, buds through the ER membrane, which contains viral glycoproteins prM and E organized as trimeric spikes into the lumen, forming an immature virus. During the maturation process, which involves the low pH-mediated structural rearrangement of prM and E and furin cleavage of prM in the secretory pathway, the spiky immature virus with a partially ordered nucleocapsid core becomes a smooth, mature virus with no discernible nucleocapsid. This review focuses on the mechanisms of genome packaging and assembly by examining the structural and functional aspects of C protein and viral RNA. We review the current lexicon of critical C protein features and evaluate interactions between C and genomic RNA in the context of assembly and throughout the life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastazia Jablunovsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Joyce Jose
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Song GY, Huang XY, He MJ, Zhou HY, Li RT, Tian Y, Wang Y, Cheng ML, Chen X, Zhang RR, Zhou C, Zhou J, Fang XY, Li XF, Qin CF. A single amino acid substitution in the capsid protein of Zika virus contributes to a neurovirulent phenotype. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6832. [PMID: 37884553 PMCID: PMC10603150 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42676-7] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows the African lineage Zika virus (ZIKV) displays a more severe neurovirulence compared to the Asian ZIKV. However, viral determinants and the underlying mechanisms of enhanced virulence phenotype remain largely unknown. Herein, we identify a panel of amino acid substitutions that are unique to the African lineage of ZIKVs compared to the Asian lineage by phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment. We then utilize reverse genetic technology to generate recombinant ZIKVs incorporating these lineage-specific substitutions based on an infectious cDNA clone of Asian ZIKV. Through in vitro characterization, we discover a mutant virus with a lysine to arginine substitution at position 101 of capsid (C) protein (termed K101R) displays a larger plaque phenotype, and replicates more efficiently in various cell lines. Moreover, K101R replicates more efficiently in mouse brains and induces stronger inflammatory responses than the wild type (WT) virus in neonatal mice. Finally, a combined analysis reveals the K101R substitution promotes the production of mature C protein without affecting its binding to viral RNA. Our study identifies the role of K101R substitution in the C protein in contributing to the enhanced virulent phenotype of the African lineage ZIKV, which expands our understanding of the complexity of ZIKV proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yuan Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 230032, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Xing-Yao Huang
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Jiao He
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Hang-Yu Zhou
- Suzhou Institute of System Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 215123, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui-Ting Li
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 230032, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Li Cheng
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Rong-Rong Zhang
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhou
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China
| | - Xian-Yang Fang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China.
| | - Cheng-Feng Qin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 230032, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 100071, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Georgiev GI, Malonis RJ, Wirchnianski AS, Wessel AW, Jung HS, Cahill SM, Nyakatura EK, Vergnolle O, Dowd KA, Cowburn D, Pierson TC, Diamond MS, Lai JR. Resurfaced ZIKV EDIII nanoparticle immunogens elicit neutralizing and protective responses in vivo. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:811-823.e7. [PMID: 35231399 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus that can cause severe disease, but there are no approved treatments or vaccines. A complication for flavivirus vaccine development is the potential of immunogens to enhance infection via antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), a process mediated by poorly neutralizing and cross-reactive antibodies. Thus, there is a great need to develop immunogens that minimize the potential to elicit enhancing antibodies. Here we utilized structure-based protein engineering to develop "resurfaced" (rs) ZIKV immunogens based on E glycoprotein domain III (ZDIIIs), in which epitopes bound by variably neutralizing antibodies were masked by combinatorial mutagenesis. We identified one resurfaced ZDIII immunogen (rsZDIII-2.39) that elicited a protective but immune-focused response. Compared to wild type ZDIII, immunization with resurfaced rsZDIII-2.39 protein nanoparticles produced fewer numbers of ZIKV EDIII antigen-reactive B cells and elicited serum that had a lower magnitude of induced ADE against dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV1) Our findings enhance our understanding of the structural and functional determinants of antibody protection against ZIKV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George I Georgiev
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ryan J Malonis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ariel S Wirchnianski
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Alex W Wessel
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Helen S Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Sean M Cahill
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Elisabeth K Nyakatura
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Olivia Vergnolle
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Kimberly A Dowd
- Viral Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David Cowburn
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Theodore C Pierson
- Viral Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jonathan R Lai
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wahaab A, Mustafa BE, Hameed M, Stevenson NJ, Anwar MN, Liu K, Wei J, Qiu Y, Ma Z. Potential Role of Flavivirus NS2B-NS3 Proteases in Viral Pathogenesis and Anti-flavivirus Drug Discovery Employing Animal Cells and Models: A Review. Viruses 2021; 14:44. [PMID: 35062249 PMCID: PMC8781031 DOI: 10.3390/v14010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are known to cause a variety of diseases in humans in different parts of the world. There are very limited numbers of antivirals to combat flavivirus infection, and therefore new drug targets must be explored. The flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases are responsible for the cleavage of the flavivirus polyprotein, which is necessary for productive viral infection and for causing clinical infections; therefore, they are a promising drug target for devising novel drugs against different flaviviruses. This review highlights the structural details of the NS2B-NS3 proteases of different flaviviruses, and also describes potential antiviral drugs that can interfere with the viral protease activity, as determined by various studies. Moreover, optimized in vitro reaction conditions for studying the NS2B-NS3 proteases of different flaviviruses may vary and have been incorporated in this review. The increasing availability of the in silico and crystallographic/structural details of flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases in free and drug-bound states can pave the path for the development of promising antiflavivirus drugs to be used in clinics. However, there is a paucity of information available on using animal cells and models for studying flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases, as well as on the testing of the antiviral drug efficacy against NS2B-NS3 proteases. Therefore, on the basis of recent studies, an effort has also been made to propose potential cellular and animal models for the study of flavivirus NS2B-NS3 proteases for the purposes of exploring flavivirus pathogenesis and for testing the efficacy of possible drugs targets, in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Wahaab
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Bahar E Mustafa
- Sub Campus Toba Tek Singh, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 36050, Pakistan;
| | - Muddassar Hameed
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, State University, Fralin Life Sciences Building, 360 W Campus Blacksburg, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Nigel J. Stevenson
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Adliya 15503, Bahrain;
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Muhammad Naveed Anwar
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Ke Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Jianchao Wei
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Yafeng Qiu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Zhiyong Ma
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 200241, China; (A.W.); (M.H.); (M.N.A.); (K.L.); (J.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tsu BV, Fay EJ, Nguyen KT, Corley MR, Hosuru B, Dominguez VA, Daugherty MD. Running With Scissors: Evolutionary Conflicts Between Viral Proteases and the Host Immune System. Front Immunol 2021; 12:769543. [PMID: 34790204 PMCID: PMC8591160 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.769543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens encode proteases that serve to antagonize the host immune system. In particular, viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome [(+)ssRNA], including picornaviruses, flaviviruses, and coronaviruses, encode proteases that are not only required for processing viral polyproteins into functional units but also manipulate crucial host cellular processes through their proteolytic activity. Because these proteases must cleave numerous polyprotein sites as well as diverse host targets, evolution of these viral proteases is expected to be highly constrained. However, despite this strong evolutionary constraint, mounting evidence suggests that viral proteases such as picornavirus 3C, flavivirus NS3, and coronavirus 3CL, are engaged in molecular ‘arms races’ with their targeted host factors, resulting in host- and virus-specific determinants of protease cleavage. In cases where protease-mediated cleavage results in host immune inactivation, recurrent host gene evolution can result in avoidance of cleavage by viral proteases. In other cases, such as recently described examples in NLRP1 and CARD8, hosts have evolved ‘tripwire’ sequences that mimic protease cleavage sites and activate an immune response upon cleavage. In both cases, host evolution may be responsible for driving viral protease evolution, helping explain why viral proteases and polyprotein sites are divergent among related viruses despite such strong evolutionary constraint. Importantly, these evolutionary conflicts result in diverse protease-host interactions even within closely related host and viral species, thereby contributing to host range, zoonotic potential, and pathogenicity of viral infection. Such examples highlight the importance of examining viral protease-host interactions through an evolutionary lens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian V Tsu
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth J Fay
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Katelyn T Nguyen
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Miles R Corley
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Bindhu Hosuru
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Viviana A Dominguez
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Matthew D Daugherty
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dengue Virus Serotype 1 Conformational Dynamics Confers Virus Strain-Dependent Patterns of Neutralization by Polyclonal Sera. J Virol 2021; 95:e0095621. [PMID: 34549976 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00956-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus cocirculates globally as four serotypes (DENV1 to -4) that vary up to 40% at the amino acid level. Viral strains within a serotype further cluster into multiple genotypes. Eliciting a protective tetravalent neutralizing antibody response is a major goal of vaccine design, and efforts to characterize epitopes targeted by polyclonal mixtures of antibodies are ongoing. Previously, we identified two E protein residues (126 and 157) that defined the serotype-specific antibody response to DENV1 genotype 4 strain West Pac-74. DENV1 and DENV2 human vaccine sera neutralized DENV1 viruses incorporating these substitutions equivalently. In this study, we explored the contribution of these residues to the neutralization of DENV1 strains representing distinct genotypes. While neutralization of the genotype 1 strain TVP2130 was similarly impacted by mutation at E residues 126 and 157, mutation of these residues in the genotype 2 strain 16007 did not markedly change neutralization sensitivity, indicating the existence of additional DENV1 type-specific antibody targets. The accessibility of antibody epitopes can be strongly influenced by the conformational dynamics of virions and modified allosterically by amino acid variation. We found that changes at E domain II residue 204, shown previously to impact access to a poorly accessible E domain III epitope, impacted sensitivity of DENV1 16007 to neutralization by vaccine immune sera. Our data identify a role for minor sequence variation in changes to the antigenic structure that impacts antibody recognition by polyclonal immune sera. Understanding how the many structures sampled by flaviviruses influence antibody recognition will inform the design and evaluation of DENV immunogens. IMPORTANCE Dengue virus (DENV) is an important human pathogen that cocirculates globally as four serotypes. Because sequential infection by different DENV serotypes is associated with more severe disease, eliciting a protective neutralizing antibody response against all four serotypes is a major goal of vaccine efforts. Here, we report that neutralization of DENV serotype 1 by polyclonal antibody is impacted by minor sequence variation among virus strains. Our data suggest that mechanisms that control neutralization sensitivity extend beyond variation within antibody epitopes but also include the influence of single amino acids on the ensemble of structural states sampled by structurally dynamic virions. A more detailed understanding of the antibody targets of DENV-specific polyclonal sera and factors that govern their access to antibody has important implications for flavivirus antigen design and evaluation.
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang X, Zhang Y, Jia R, Wang M, Yin Z, Cheng A. Structure and function of capsid protein in flavivirus infection and its applications in the development of vaccines and therapeutics. Vet Res 2021; 52:98. [PMID: 34193256 PMCID: PMC8247181 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00966-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are enveloped single positive-stranded RNA viruses. The capsid (C), a structural protein of flavivirus, is dimeric and alpha-helical, with several special structural and functional features. The functions of the C protein go far beyond a structural role in virions. It is not only responsible for encapsidation to protect the viral RNA but also able to interact with various host proteins to promote virus proliferation. Therefore, the C protein plays an important role in infected host cells and the viral life cycle. Flaviviruses have been shown to affect the health of humans and animals. Thus, there is an urgent need to effectively control flavivirus infections. The structure of the flavivirus virion has been determined, but there is relatively little information about the function of the C protein. Hence, a greater understanding of the role of the C protein in viral infections will help to discover novel antiviral strategies and provide a promising starting point for the further development of flavivirus vaccines or therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingcui Zhang
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanting Zhang
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhongqiong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Potential Dual Role of West Nile Virus NS2B in Orchestrating NS3 Enzymatic Activity in Viral Replication. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020216. [PMID: 33572517 PMCID: PMC7911885 DOI: 10.3390/v13020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) harbors the viral triphosphatase and helicase for viral RNA synthesis and, together with NS2B, constitutes the protease responsible for polyprotein processing. NS3 is a soluble protein, but it is localized to specialized compartments at the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), where its enzymatic functions are essential for virus replication. However, the mechanistic details behind the recruitment of NS3 from the cytoplasm to the RER have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we employed immunofluorescence and biochemical assays to demonstrate that NS3, when expressed individually and when cleaved from the viral polyprotein, is localized exclusively to the cytoplasm. Furthermore, NS3 appeared to be peripherally recruited to the RER and proteolytically active when NS2B was provided in trans. Thus, we provide evidence for a potential additional role for NS2B in not only serving as the cofactor for the NS3 protease, but also in recruiting NS3 from the cytoplasm to the RER for proper enzymatic activity. Results from our study suggest that targeting the interaction between NS2B and NS3 in disrupting the NS3 ER localization may be an attractive avenue for antiviral drug discovery.
Collapse
|
10
|
Sangiambut S, Pethrak C, Anupap C, Ninnabkaew P, Kongsanthia C, Promphet N, Chaiyaloom S, Songjaeng A, Avirutnan P, Puttikhunt C, Kasinrerk W, Sittisombut N, Malasit P. Enhanced production of infectious particles by adaptive modulation of C–prM processing and C–C interaction during propagation of dengue pseudoinfectious virus in stable CprME-expressing cells. J Gen Virol 2020; 101:59-72. [DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sutha Sangiambut
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Medical Biotechnology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok 12120, Thailand
| | - Chatpong Pethrak
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Medical Biotechnology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok 12120, Thailand
| | - Chainarong Anupap
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Parichat Ninnabkaew
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Charuphan Kongsanthia
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Natcha Promphet
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Medical Biotechnology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok 12120, Thailand
| | - Suwipa Chaiyaloom
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Medical Biotechnology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok 12120, Thailand
| | - Adisak Songjaeng
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Panisadee Avirutnan
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Chunya Puttikhunt
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Medical Biotechnology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok 12120, Thailand
| | - Watchara Kasinrerk
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Biomedical Technology Research Center, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Sciences and Technology Development Agency at the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nopporn Sittisombut
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Medical Biotechnology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok 12120, Thailand
| | - Prida Malasit
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Medical Biotechnology Research Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok 12120, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rana J, Burrone OR. DENV2 Pseudoviral Particles with Unprocessed Capsid Protein Are Assembled and Infectious. Viruses 2019; 12:v12010027. [PMID: 31881703 PMCID: PMC7019998 DOI: 10.3390/v12010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolytic processing of flavivirus polyprotein is a uniquely controlled process. To date, the sequential cleavage of the capsid anchor sequence at the junction of C-PrM has been considered essential for the production of flaviviruses. In this study, we used two experimental approaches to show the effect of unprocessed capsid on the production and infectivity of dengue virus 2 (DENV2) pseudoviral particles. The results showed that (1) both mature and unprocessed capsids of DENV2 were equally efficient in the viral RNA packaging and also in the assembly of infective particles; (2) DENV2 variants, in which the viral and host mediated cleavage of Ca peptide were independent, produced significantly higher levels of infective particles. Overall, this study demonstrated that unlike other flaviviruses, DENV2 capsid does not require a cleavable Ca sequence, and the sequential cleavage is not an obligatory requirement for the morphogenesis of infective pseudoviral particles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rana
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (O.R.B.); Tel.: +39-040-3757314 (J.R. & O.R.B.)
| | - Oscar R. Burrone
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (O.R.B.); Tel.: +39-040-3757314 (J.R. & O.R.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Rana J, Slon Campos JL, Poggianella M, Burrone OR. Dengue virus capsid anchor modulates the efficiency of polyprotein processing and assembly of viral particles. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:1663-1673. [DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The assembly and secretion of flaviviruses are part of an elegantly regulated process. During maturation, the viral polyprotein undergoes several co- and post-translational cleavages mediated by both viral and host proteases. Among these, sequential cleavage at the N and C termini of the hydrophobic capsid anchor (Ca) is crucial in deciding the fate of viral infection. Here, using a refined dengue pseudovirus production system, along with cleavage and furin inhibition assays, immunoblotting and secondary structure prediction analysis, we show that Ca plays a key role in the processing efficiency of dengue virus type 2 (DENV2) structural proteins and viral particle assembly. Replacement of the DENV2 Ca with the homologous regions from West nile or Zika viruses or, alternatively, increasing its length, improved cleavage and hence particle assembly. Further, we showed that substitution of the Ca conserved proline residue (P110) to alanine abolishes pseudovirus production, regardless of the Ca sequence length. Besides providing the results of a biochemical analysis of DENV2 structural polyprotein processing, this study also presents a system for efficient production of dengue pseudoviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rana
- Present address: Gene and Cell Therapy group, IU School of Medicine, Wells Center of Pediatric Research, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - José Luis Slon Campos
- Present address: Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Monica Poggianella
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Oscar R. Burrone
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, ICGEB, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Role of Capsid Anchor in the Morphogenesis of Zika Virus. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01174-18. [PMID: 30158295 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01174-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The flavivirus capsid protein (C) is separated from the downstream premembrane (PrM) protein by a hydrophobic sequence named capsid anchor (Ca). During polyprotein processing, Ca is sequentially cleaved by the viral NS2B/NS3 protease on the cytosolic side and by signal peptidase on the luminal side of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To date, Ca is considered important mostly for directing translocation of PrM into the ER lumen. In this study, the role of Ca in the assembly and secretion of Zika virus was investigated using a pseudovirus-based approach. Our results show that, while Ca-mediated anchoring of C to the ER membrane is not needed for the production of infective particles, Ca expression in cis with respect to PrM is strictly required to allow proper assembly of infectious particles. Finally, we show that the presence of heterologous, but not homologous, Ca induces degradation of E through the autophagy/lysosomal pathway.IMPORTANCE The capsid anchor (Ca) is a single-pass transmembrane domain at the C terminus of the capsid protein (C) known to function as a signal for the translocation of PrM into the ER lumen. The objective of this study was to further examine the role of Ca in Zika virus life cycle, whether involved in the formation of nucleocapsid through association with C or in the formation of viral envelope. In this study, we show that Ca has a function beyond the one of translocation signal, controlling protein E stability and therefore its availability for assembly of infectious particles.
Collapse
|
14
|
Pulkkinen LIA, Butcher SJ, Anastasina M. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus: A Structural View. Viruses 2018; 10:v10070350. [PMID: 29958443 PMCID: PMC6071267 DOI: 10.3390/v10070350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a growing health concern. It causes a severe disease that can lead to permanent neurological complications or death and the incidence of TBEV infections is constantly rising. Our understanding of TBEV’s structure lags behind that of other flaviviruses, but has advanced recently with the publication of a high-resolution structure of the TBEV virion. The gaps in our knowledge include: aspects of receptor binding, replication and virus assembly. Furthermore, TBEV has mostly been studied in mammalian systems, even though the virus’ interaction with its tick hosts is a central part of its life cycle. Elucidating these aspects of TBEV biology are crucial for the development of TBEV antivirals, as well as the improvement of diagnostics. In this review, we summarise the current structural knowledge on TBEV, bringing attention to the current gaps in our understanding, and propose further research that is needed to truly understand the structural-functional relationship of the virus and its hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauri I A Pulkkinen
- HiLIFE-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sarah J Butcher
- HiLIFE-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Maria Anastasina
- HiLIFE-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Oral Vaccination with a DNA Vaccine Encoding Capsid Protein of Duck Tembusu Virus Induces Protection Immunity. Viruses 2018; 10:v10040180. [PMID: 29642401 PMCID: PMC5923474 DOI: 10.3390/v10040180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of duck tembusu virus (DTMUV), a new member of the Flavivirus genus, has caused great economical loss in the poultry industry in China. Since the outbreak and spread of DTMUV is hard to control in a clinical setting, an efficient and low-cost oral delivery DNA vaccine SL7207 (pVAX1-C) based on the capsid protein of DTMUV was developed and evaluated in this study. The antigen capsid protein was expressed from the DNA vaccine SL7207 (pVAX1-C), both in vitro and in vivo. The humoral and cellular immune responses in vivo were observed after oral immunization with the SL7207 (pVAX1-C) DNA vaccine. High titers of the specific antibody against the capsid protein and the neutralizing antibody against the DTMUV virus were both detected after inoculation. The ducks were efficiently protected from lethal DTMUV exposure by the SL7207 (pVAX1-C) vaccine in this experiment. Taken together, we demonstrated that the capsid protein of DTMUV possesses a strong immunogenicity against the DTMUV infection. Moreover, an oral delivery of the DNA vaccine SL7207 (pVAX1-C) utilizing Salmonella SL7207 was an efficient way to protect the ducks against DTMUV infection and provides an economic and fast vaccine delivery strategy for a large scale clinical use.
Collapse
|
16
|
Lustig Y, Kaufman Z, Mannasse B, Koren R, Katz-Likvornik S, Orshan L, Glatman-Freedman A, Mendelson E. West Nile virus outbreak in Israel in 2015: phylogenetic and geographic characterization in humans and mosquitoes. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 23:986-993. [PMID: 28487165 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES West Nile Virus (WNV) is endemic in Israel and was responsible for several outbreaks in the past 16 years. The aim of the present study was to investigate the spatial distribution of WNV acute infections from an outbreak that occurred in 2015 in Israel and report the molecular and geographic characterization of WNV isolates from human cases and mosquito pools obtained during this outbreak. METHODS Using a geographical layer comprising 51 continuous areas of Israel, the number of WNV infection cases per 100 000 people in each area and the locations of WNV-infected mosquitoes in 2015 were analysed. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses followed by geographic localization were performed on 13 WNV human isolates and 19 WNV-infected mosquito pools. RESULTS Substantial geographical variation in the prevalence of acute WNV in patients in Israel was found and an overall correlation with WNV-infected mosquitoes. All human patients sequenced were infected only with the Mediterranean subtype of WNV Lineage 1 and resided primarily in the coastal regions in central Israel. In contrast, mosquitoes were infected with both the Mediterranean and Eastern European subtypes of WNV lineage 1; however, only the Mediterranean subtype was found in mosquitoes from the coastal region in central Israel. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate differential geographic dispersion in Israel of the two WNV subtypes and may also point to a differential pattern of human infections. As a geographical bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa, analysis of WNV circulation in humans and mosquitoes in Israel provides information relevant to WNV infections in Eurasia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Lustig
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel.
| | - Z Kaufman
- Israel Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - B Mannasse
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - R Koren
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - S Katz-Likvornik
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - L Orshan
- Laboratory of Entomology, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - A Glatman-Freedman
- Israel Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat-Gan, Israel; School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel; New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - E Mendelson
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel; School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| |
Collapse
|