Two membrane-associated regions within the Nodamura virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase are critical for both mitochondrial localization and RNA replication

Beyond the MEP Pathway: A novel kinase required for prenol utilization by malaria parasites

A proposed treatment for malaria is a combination of fosmidomycin and clindamycin. Both compounds inhibit the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, the parasitic source of farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (FPP and GGPP, respectively). Both FPP and GGPP are crucial for the biosynthesis of several essential metabolites such as ubiquinone and dolichol, as well as for protein prenylation. Dietary prenols, such as farnesol (FOH) and geranylgeraniol (GGOH), can rescue parasites from MEP inhibitors, suggesting the existence of a missing pathway for prenol salvage via phosphorylation. In this study, we identified a gene in the genome of P. falciparum, encoding a transmembrane prenol kinase (PolK) involved in the salvage of FOH and GGOH. The enzyme was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and its FOH/GGOH kinase activities were experimentally validated. Furthermore, conditional knockout parasites (Δ-PolK) were created to investigate the biological importance of the FOH/GGOH salvage pathway. Δ-PolK parasites were viable but displayed increased susceptibility to fosmidomycin. Their sensitivity to MEP inhibitors could not be rescued by adding prenols. Additionally, Δ-PolK parasites lost their capability to utilize prenols for protein prenylation. Experiments using culture medium supplemented with whole/delipidated human plasma in transgenic parasites revealed that human plasma has components that can diminish the effectiveness of fosmidomycin. Mass spectrometry tests indicated that both bovine supplements used in culture and human plasma contain GGOH. These findings suggest that the FOH/GGOH salvage pathway might offer an alternate source of isoprenoids for malaria parasites when de novo biosynthesis is inhibited. This study also identifies a novel kind of enzyme related to isoprenoid metabolism.

Recombinant human lactoferrin carrying humanized glycosylation exhibits antileukemia selective cytotoxicity, microfilament disruption, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis activities

Lactoferrin has gained extensive attention due to its ample biological properties. In this study, recombinant human lactoferrin carrying humanized glycosylation (rhLf-h-glycan) expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris SuperMan5, which is genetically glycoengineered to efficiently produce functional humanized glycoproteins inclosing (Man)5(GlcNAc)2 Asn-linked glycans, was analyzed, inspecting its potential toxicity against cancer cells. The live-cell differential nuclear staining assay was used to quantify the rhLf-h-glycan cytotoxicity, which was examined in four human cell lines: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) CCRF-CEM, T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma SUP-T1, cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa, and as control, non-cancerous Hs27 cells. The defined CC50 values of rhLf-h-glycan in CCRF-CEM, SUP-T1, HeLa, and Hs27 cells were 144.45 ± 4.44, 548.47 ± 64.41, 350 ± 14.82, and 3359.07 ± 164 µg/mL, respectively. The rhLf-h-glycan exhibited a favorable selective cytotoxicity index (SCI), preferentially killing cancer cells: 23.25 for CCRF-CEM, 9.59 for HeLa, and 6.12 for SUP-T1, as compared with Hs27 cells. Also, rhLf-h-glycan showed significant antiproliferative activity (P < 0.0001) at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation on CCRF-CEM cells. Additionally, it was observed via fluorescent staining and confocal microscopy that rhLf-h-glycan elicited apoptosis-associated morphological changes, such as blebbing, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and apoptotic bodies in ALL cells. Furthermore, rhLf-h-glycan-treated HeLa cells revealed shrinkage of the microfilament structures, generating a speckled/punctuated pattern and also caused PARP-1 cleavage, a hallmark of apoptosis. Moreover, in ALL cells, rhLf-h-glycan altered cell cycle progression inducing the G2/M phase arrest, and caused apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Overall, our findings revealed that rhLf-h-glycan has potential as an anticancer agent and therefore deserves further in vivo evaluation.

Genomic characterization of covert mortality nodavirus from farming shrimp: Evidence for a new species within the family Nodaviridae

The prevalence of covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV) has become one of the major threats to the shrimp farming industry in Asia and South America recently. Here, the genomic RNA1 and RNA2 of CMNV were characterized by using transcriptome sequencing and RT-PCR. Our study revealed that RNA1 is 3228 bp in length, and contains two putative Open Reading Frames (ORFs), one encoding the RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of length 1043 amino acids and another encoding the protein B2 with a length of 132 amino acids. RNA2 is 1448 bp in length and encodes a capsid protein of 437 amino acids. CMNV shared the highest similarity of 51.78 % for RdRp with the other known nodaviruses. Phylogenetic analyses on the basis of RdRp, B2 and capsid proteins indicated that CMNV might represent a novel viral species in the family Nodaviridae. This study reported the first genome sequence of CMNV and it would be helpful for further studies of CMNV in relation to its evolution, diagnostic technique and control strategy.

Arachidonic Acid Induces the Migration of MDA-MB-231 Cells by Activating Raft-associated Leukotriene B4 Receptors

BACKGROUND

The migration of tumor cells is critical in spreading cancers through the lymphatic nodes and circulatory systems. Although arachidonic acid (AA) and its soluble metabolites have been shown to induce the migration of breast and colon cancer cells, the mechanism by which it induces such migration has not been fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

The effect of AA on migratory responses of the MDA-MB-231 cell line (a triple-negative breast cancer cell) was examined and compared with MCF-7 (estrogen-receptor positive) breast cancer cells to elucidate the mechanism of AA-induced migration.

METHODS

Migrations of breast cancer cells were examined with the help of wound-healing assays. AA-induced eicosanoid synthesis was monitored by RP-HPLC. Cellular localizations of lipoxygenase and lipid rafts were assessed by immunoblot and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

AA treatment stimulated the synthesis of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and HETE-8, but lowered the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), and HETE-5 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Further analysis indicated that AA increased the expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) in this cell line and inhibiting its expression by small molecule inhibitors lowered the production of LTB4 and reduced migration. In contrast, MCF-7 cells did not show any appreciable changes in eicosanoid synthesis, 5-LOX expression, or cellular migration.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that AA treatment activates the BLT1 receptor (present in membrane microdomains) and stimulates the synthesis of LTB4 production, which is likely to be associated with the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells.

RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases of Both Virulent and Benign Rabbit Caliciviruses Induce Striking Rearrangement of Golgi Membranes

The extremely pathogenic Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and the completely benign Rabbit calicivirus (RCV) are closely related members of the genus Lagovirus (family Caliciviridae). The molecular mechanisms that determine the dramatic difference in virulence are unknown, but indirect evidence suggests that different properties of their RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) may at least partially be responsible for the contrasting phenotypes. Here we report that the unusual ability of the RHDV RdRp to induce a striking rearrangement of the Golgi network is not specific to RHDV, but a common feature of virulent and benign rabbit caliciviruses alike. Expression of rabbit calicivirus RdRps induced a redistribution of both cis/medial and medial/trans Golgi membrane markers, but not that of an endoplasmic reticulum membrane marker. Inactivating mutations in the conserved GDD motif did not abolish the ability of RHDV RdRp to rearrange the Golgi network, suggesting that polymerase activity and metal co-factors are not required for this function. Finally, we discuss possible implications of RdRp-induced membrane rearrangements on virus replication and host immune responses.

A mitochondrial membrane protein is a target for rice ragged stunt virus in its insect vector

Rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV; Reoviridae) is exclusively transmitted by the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens in a persistent-propagative manner. It is understood that RNA viral proliferation is associated with the intracellular membranes of the insect host cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between the RRSV proliferation and the intracellular membranes remain essentially unknown. It will be of great interest to determine whether RRSV protein(s) directly interact with intracellular membrane components of its host cells. In this study, we identified a RRSV nonstructural protein Pns10 interacting with a host oligomycin-sensitivity conferral protein (OSCP) using yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction between RRSV Pns10 and N. lugens OSCP was verified by a glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay. Confocal miscopy revealed colocalization of these two proteins in the cytoplasm of the salivary gland cells during the viral infection. The virions were further detected in the mitochondria under confocal miscopy and transmission electron microscopy combined with western blotting assay. This is the first observation that RRSV protein has a direct link with mitochondria. Suppressing OSCP gene expression by RNA interference notably decreased the viral loads in RRSV-infected insects. These findings revealed novel aspects of a viral protein in targeting the host mitochondrial membrane and provide insights concerning the mitochondrial membrane protein-based virus proliferation mode in the insect vector.

The neuroprotective role of ferrostatin-1 under rotenone-induced oxidative stress in dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins including protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) are playing crucial roles in maintaining appropriate protein folding. Under nitrosative stress, an excess of nitric oxide (NO) radical species induced the S-nitrosylation of PDI cysteines which eliminate its isomerase and oxidoreductase capabilities. In addition, the S-nitrosylation-PDI complex is the cause of aggregation especially of the α-synuclein (α-syn) protein (accumulation of Lewy-body aggregates). We recently identified a potent antioxidant small molecule, Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), that was able to inhibit a non-apoptotic cell death named ferroptosis. Ferroptosis cell death involved the generation of oxidative stress particularly lipid peroxide. In this work, we reported the neuroprotective role of ferrostatin-1 under rotenone-induced oxidative stress in dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). We first synthesized the Fer-1 and confirmed that it is not toxic toward the SH-SY5Y cells at concentrations up to 12.5 μM. Second, we showed that Fer-1 compound quenched the commercially available stable radical, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), in non-cellular assay at 82 %. Third, Fer-1 inhibited the ROS/RNS generated under rotenone insult in SH-SY5Y cells. Fourth, we revealed the effective role of Fer-1 in ER stress mediated activation of apoptotic pathway. Finally, we reported that Fer-1 mitigated rotenone-induced α-syn aggregation.

PKC-Dependent GlyT1 Ubiquitination Occurs Independent of Phosphorylation: Inespecificity in Lysine Selection for Ubiquitination

Neurotransmitter transporter ubiquitination is emerging as the main mechanism for endocytosis and sorting of cargo into lysosomes. In this study, we demonstrate PKC-dependent ubiquitination of three different isoforms of the glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1). Incubation of cells expressing transporter with the PKC activator phorbol ester induced a dramatic, time-dependent increase in GlyT1 ubiquitination, followed by accumulation of GlyT1 in EEA1 positive early endosomes. This occurred via a mechanism that was abolished by inhibition of PKC. GlyT1 endocytosis was confirmed in both retinal sections and primary cultures of mouse amacrine neurons. Replacement of only all lysines in the N-and C-termini to arginines prevented ubiquitination and endocytosis, displaying redundancy in the mechanism of ubiquitination. Interestingly, a 40–50% reduction in glycine uptake was detected in phorbol-ester stimulated cells expressing the WT-GlyT1, whereas no significant change was for the mutant protein, demonstrating that endocytosis participates in the reduction of uptake. Consistent with previous findings for the dopamine transporter DAT, ubiquitination of GlyT1 tails functions as sorting signal to deliver transporter into the lysosome and removal of ubiquitination sites dramatically attenuated the rate of GlyT1 degradation. Finally, we showed for the first time that PKC-dependent GlyT1 phosphorylation was not affected by removal of ubiquitination sites, suggesting separate PKC-dependent signaling events for these posttranslational modifications.

RIG-I-dependent antiviral immunity is effective against an RNA virus encoding a potent suppressor of RNAi

Nodamura virus (NoV) lethally infects suckling mice and contains a segmented positive-strand RNA genome that encodes a potent suppressor of RNA interference (RNAi). Recent studies have demonstrated immune detection and subsequent processing of NoV dsRNA replicative intermediates by the mouse RNAi machinery. However, diverse RNA viruses, including Encephalomyocarditis virus that also triggers Dicer-dependent biogenesis of viral siRNAs in mouse cells, are targeted in mammals by RIG-I-like receptors that initiate an IFN-dependent antiviral response. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) for NoV infection, here we show that MEFs derived from mice knockout for RIG-I, but not those knockout for MDA5, LGP2, TLR3 or TLR7, exhibited an enhanced susceptibility to NoV. Further studies indicate that NoV infection induced an IFN-dependent antiviral response mediated by RIG-I. Our findings suggest that RIG-I directs a typical IFN-dependent antiviral response against an RNA virus capable of suppressing the RNAi response.

Sequence analysis reveals a conserved extension in the capping enzyme of the alphavirus supergroup, and a homologous domain in nodaviruses

Background

Members of the alphavirus supergroup include human pathogens such as chikungunya virus, hepatitis E virus and rubella virus. They encode a capping enzyme with methyltransferase-guanylyltransferase (MTase-GTase) activity, which is an attractive drug target owing to its unique mechanism. However, its experimental study has proven very difficult.

Results

We examined over 50 genera of viruses by sequence analyses. Earlier studies showed that the MTase-GTase contains a “Core” region conserved in sequence. We show that it is followed by a long extension, which we termed “Iceberg” region, whose secondary structure, but not sequence, is strikingly conserved throughout the alphavirus supergroup. Sequence analyses strongly suggest that the minimal capping domain corresponds to the Core and Iceberg regions combined, which is supported by earlier experimental data. The Iceberg region contains all known membrane association sites that contribute to the assembly of viral replication factories. We predict that it may also contain an overlooked, widely conserved membrane-binding amphipathic helix. Unexpectedly, we detected a sequence homolog of the alphavirus MTase-GTase in taxa related to nodaviruses and to chronic bee paralysis virus. The presence of a capping enzyme in nodaviruses is biologically consistent, since they have capped genomes but replicate in the cytoplasm, where no cellular capping enzyme is present. The putative MTase-GTase domain of nodaviruses also contains membrane-binding sites that may drive the assembly of viral replication factories, revealing an unsuspected parallel with the alphavirus supergroup.

Conclusions

Our work will guide the functional analysis of the alphaviral MTase-GTase and the production of domains for structure determination. The identification of a homologous domain in a simple model system, nodaviruses, which replicate in numerous eukaryotic cell systems (yeast, flies, worms, mammals, and plants), can further help crack the function and structure of the enzyme.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by Valerian Dolja, Eugene Koonin and Sebastian Maurer-Stroh.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13062-015-0050-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2) topology and selective isoform integration in artificial membranes

The membrane insertion and topology of nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2) of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strain VR-2332 was assessed using a cell free translation system in the presence or absence of artificial membranes. Expression of PRRSV nsp2 in the absence of all other viral factors resulted in the genesis of both full-length nsp2 as well as a select number of C-terminal nsp2 isoforms. Addition of membranes to the translation stabilized the translation reaction, resulting in predominantly full-length nsp2 as assessed by immunoprecipitation. Analysis further showed full-length nsp2 strongly associates with membranes, along with two additional large nsp2 isoforms. Membrane integration of full-length nsp2 was confirmed through high-speed density fractionation, protection from protease digestion, and immunoprecipitation. The results demonstrated that nsp2 integrated into the membranes with an unexpected topology, where the amino (N)-terminal (cytoplasmic) and C-terminal (luminal) domains were orientated on opposite sides of the membrane surface.

Ultrastructure of the replication sites of positive-strand RNA viruses

Positive strand RNA viruses replicate in the cytoplasm of infected cells and induce intracellular membranous compartments harboring the sites of viral RNA synthesis. These replication factories are supposed to concentrate the components of the replicase and to shield replication intermediates from the host cell innate immune defense. Virus induced membrane alterations are often generated in coordination with host factors and can be grouped into different morphotypes. Recent advances in conventional and electron microscopy have contributed greatly to our understanding of their biogenesis, but still many questions remain how viral proteins capture membranes and subvert host factors for their need. In this review, we will discuss different representatives of positive strand RNA viruses and their ways of hijacking cellular membranes to establish replication complexes. We will further focus on host cell factors that are critically involved in formation of these membranes and how they contribute to viral replication.

Rapid evolution of virus sequences in intrinsically disordered protein regions

Nodamura Virus (NoV) is a nodavirus originally isolated from insects that can replicate in a wide variety of hosts, including mammals. Because of their simplicity and ability to replicate in many diverse hosts, NoV, and the Nodaviridae in general, provide a unique window into the evolution of viruses and host-virus interactions. Here we show that the C-terminus of the viral polymerase exhibits extreme structural and evolutionary flexibility. Indeed, fewer than 10 positively charged residues from the 110 amino acid-long C-terminal region of protein A are required to support RNA1 replication. Strikingly, this region can be replaced by completely unrelated protein sequences, yet still produce a functional replicase. Structure predictions, as well as evolutionary and mutational analyses, indicate that the C-terminal region is structurally disordered and evolves faster than the rest of the viral proteome. Thus, the function of an intrinsically unstructured protein region can be independent of most of its primary sequence, conferring both functional robustness and sequence plasticity on the protein. Our results provide an experimental explanation for rapid evolution of unstructured regions, which enables an effective exploration of the sequence space, and likely function space, available to the virus.

Proteins often contain regions with defined structures that enable their function. While important for maintaining the overall architecture of the protein, structural conservation adds constraints on the ability of the protein to mutate, and thus evolve. Viruses of eukaryotes, however, often encode for proteins with unstructured regions. As these regions are less constrained, they are more likely to accumulate mutations, which in turn can facilitate the appearance of novel functions during the evolution of the virus. Even though it has been known that such “disordered protein regions” have been particularly malleable in evolution, their functions and their ability to withstand extensive mutations have not been explored in detail. Here, we discovered that a disordered part of the Nodamura Virus polymerase is both required for replication of the viral genome, and extremely variable among different nodaviruses. We examined the tolerance of this protein region to mutations and found an unexpected ability to accommodate very diverse protein sequences. We propose that disordered protein regions can be a reservoir for evolutionary innovation that can play important roles in virus adaptation to new environments.