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Ter Horst S, Conceição-Neto N, Neyts J, Rocha-Pereira J. Structural and functional similarities in bunyaviruses: Perspectives for pan-bunya antivirals. Rev Med Virol 2019; 29:e2039. [PMID: 30746831 PMCID: PMC7169261 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The order of Bunyavirales includes numerous (re)emerging viruses that collectively have a major impact on human and animal health worldwide. There are no vaccines for human use or antiviral drugs available to prevent or treat infections with any of these viruses. The development of efficacious and safe drugs and vaccines is a pressing matter. Ideally, such antivirals possess pan‐bunyavirus antiviral activity, allowing the containment of every bunya‐related threat. The fact that many bunyaviruses need to be handled in laboratories with biosafety level 3 or 4, the great variety of species and the frequent emergence of novel species complicate such efforts. We here examined the potential druggable targets of bunyaviruses, together with the level of conservation of their biological functions, structure, and genetic similarity by means of heatmap analysis. In the light of this, we revised the available models and tools currently available, pointing out directions for antiviral drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiaan Ter Horst
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nádia Conceição-Neto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joana Rocha-Pereira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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2
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Mutational analysis of Rift Valley fever phlebovirus nucleocapsid protein indicates novel conserved, functional amino acids. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006155. [PMID: 29267287 PMCID: PMC5764413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV; Phenuiviridae, Phlebovirus) is an important mosquito-borne pathogen of both humans and ruminants. The RVFV genome is composed of tripartite, single stranded, negative or ambisense RNAs. The small (S) segment encodes both the nucleocapsid protein (N) and the non-structural protein (NSs). The N protein is responsible for the formation of the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, which are essential in the virus life cycle and for the transcription and replication of the viral genome. There is currently limited knowledge surrounding the roles of the RVFV nucleocapsid protein in viral infection other than its key functions: N protein multimerisation, encapsidation of the RNA genome and interactions with the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, L. By bioinformatic comparison of the N sequences of fourteen phleboviruses, mutational analysis, minigenome assays and packaging assays, we have further characterised the RVFV N protein. Amino acids P11 and F149 in RVFV N play an essential role in the function of RNPs and are neither associated with N protein multimerisation nor known nucleocapsid protein functions and may have additional roles in the virus life cycle. Amino acid Y30 exhibited increased minigenome activity despite reduced RNA binding capacity. Additionally, we have determined that the N-terminal arm of N protein is not involved in N-L interactions. Elucidating the fundamental processes that involve the nucleocapsid protein will add to our understanding of this important viral protein and may influence future studies in the development of novel antiviral strategies.
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3
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Briese T, Williams DT, Kapoor V, Diviney SM, Certoma A, Wang J, Johansen CA, Chowdhary R, Mackenzie JS, Lipkin WI. Analysis of Arbovirus Isolates from Australia Identifies Novel Bunyaviruses Including a Mapputta Group Virus from Western Australia That Links Gan Gan and Maprik Viruses. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164868. [PMID: 27764175 PMCID: PMC5072647 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mapputta group comprises antigenically related viruses indigenous to Australia and Papua New Guinea that are included in the family Bunyaviridae but not currently assigned to a specific genus. We determined and analyzed the genome sequences of five Australian viruses isolated from mosquitoes collected during routine arbovirus surveillance in Western Australia (K10441, SW27571, K13190, and K42904) and New South Wales (12005). Based on matching sequences of all three genome segments to prototype MRM3630 of Trubanaman virus (TRUV), NB6057 of Gan Gan virus (GGV), and MK7532 of Maprik virus (MPKV), isolates K13190 and SW27571 were identified as TRUV, 12005 as GGV, and K42904 as a Mapputta group virus from Western Australia linking GGV and MPKV. The results confirmed serum neutralization data that had linked SW27571 to TRUV. The fifth virus, K10441 from Willare, was most closely related to Batai orthobunyavirus, presumably representing an Australian variant of the virus. Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the close relationship of our TRUV and GGV isolates to two other recently described Australian viruses, Murrumbidgee virus and Salt Ash virus, respectively. Our findings indicate that TRUV has a wide circulation throughout the Australian continent, demonstrating for the first time its presence in Western Australia. Similarly, the presence of a virus related to GGV, which had been linked to human disease and previously known only from the Australian southeast, was demonstrated in Western Australia. Finally, a Batai virus isolate was identified in Western Australia. The expanding availability of genomic sequence for novel Australian bunyavirus variants supports the identification of suitably conserved or diverse primer-binding target regions to establish group-wide as well as virus-specific nucleic acid tests in support of specific diagnostic and surveillance efforts throughout Australasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Briese
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (TB); (DTW)
| | - David T. Williams
- CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- * E-mail: (TB); (DTW)
| | - Vishal Kapoor
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sinead M. Diviney
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrea Certoma
- CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jianning Wang
- CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cheryl A. Johansen
- The Arbovirus Surveillance and Research Laboratory, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rashmi Chowdhary
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - John S. Mackenzie
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - W. Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
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4
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Tripathi D, Raikhy G, Pappu HR. Movement and nucleocapsid proteins coded by two tospovirus species interact through multiple binding regions in mixed infections. Virology 2015; 478:137-47. [PMID: 25666522 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2014] [Revised: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Negative-stranded tospoviruses (family: Bunyaviridae) are among the most agronomically important viruses. Some of the tospoviruses are known to exist as mixed infections in the same host plant. Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were used to study virus-virus interaction in dually infected host plants. Viral genes of both viruses were separately cloned into binary pSITE-BiFC vectors. BiFC results showed that the N and NSm proteins of IYSV interact with their counterparts coded by TSWV in dually infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants. BiFC results were further confirmed by pull down and yeast-2-hybrid (Y2H) assays. Interacting regions of the N and NSm proteins were also identified by Y2H system and β-galactosidase activity. Several regions of the N and NSm were found interacting with each other. The regions involved in these interactions are presumed to be critical for the functioning of the tospovirus N and NSm proteins. This is the first report of in vivo protein interactions of distinct tospoviruses in mixed infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diwaker Tripathi
- Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646430, Pullman, WA 99164-6430, USA
| | - Gaurav Raikhy
- Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646430, Pullman, WA 99164-6430, USA
| | - Hanu R Pappu
- Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646430, Pullman, WA 99164-6430, USA.
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5
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Abstract
Orthobunyaviruses, which have small, tripartite, negative-sense RNA genomes and structurally simple virions composed of just four proteins, can have devastating effects on human health and well-being, either by causing disease in humans or by causing disease in livestock and crops. In this Review, I describe the recent genetic and structural advances that have revealed important insights into the composition of orthobunyavirus virions, viral transcription and replication and viral interactions with the host innate immune response. Lastly, I highlight outstanding questions and areas of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Elliott
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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6
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Niu F, Shaw N, Wang YE, Jiao L, Ding W, Li X, Zhu P, Upur H, Ouyang S, Cheng G, Liu ZJ. Structure of the Leanyer orthobunyavirus nucleoprotein-RNA complex reveals unique architecture for RNA encapsidation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:9054-9. [PMID: 23569220 PMCID: PMC3670306 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1300035110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Negative-stranded RNA viruses cover their genome with nucleoprotein (N) to protect it from the human innate immune system. Abrogation of the function of N offers a unique opportunity to combat the spread of the viruses. Here, we describe a unique fold of N from Leanyer virus (LEAV, Orthobunyavirus genus, Bunyaviridae family) in complex with single-stranded RNA refined to 2.78 Å resolution as well as a 2.68 Å resolution structure of LEAV N-ssDNA complex. LEAV N is made up of an N- and a C-terminal lobe, with the RNA binding site located at the junction of these lobes. The LEAV N tetramer binds a 44-nucleotide-long single-stranded RNA chain. Hence, oligomerization of N is essential for encapsidation of the entire genome and is accomplished by using extensions at the N and C terminus. Molecular details of the oligomerization of N are illustrated in the structure where a circular ring-like tertiary assembly of a tetramer of LEAV N is observed tethering the RNA in a positively charged cavity running along the inner edge. Hydrogen bonds between N and the C2 hydroxyl group of ribose sugar explain the specificity of LEAV N for RNA over DNA. In addition, base-specific hydrogen bonds suggest that some regions of RNA bind N more tightly than others. Hinge movements around F20 and V125 assist in the reversal of capsidation during transcription and replication of the virus. Electron microscopic images of the ribonucleoprotein complexes of LEAV N reveal a filamentous assembly similar to those found in phleboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengfeng Niu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Neil Shaw
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yao E. Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095; and
| | - Lianying Jiao
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Ding
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Halmurat Upur
- Department of Drug Analysis, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China
| | - Songying Ouyang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Genhong Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095; and
| | - Zhi-Jie Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
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7
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Li B, Wang Q, Pan X, Fernández de Castro I, Sun Y, Guo Y, Tao X, Risco C, Sui SF, Lou Z. Bunyamwera virus possesses a distinct nucleocapsid protein to facilitate genome encapsidation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:9048-53. [PMID: 23569257 PMCID: PMC3670369 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1222552110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bunyamwera virus (BUNV), which belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus, is the prototypical virus of the Bunyaviridae family. Similar to other negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, bunyaviruses possess a nucleocapsid protein (NP) to facilitate genomic RNA encapsidation and virus replication. The structures of two NPs of members of different genera within the Bunyaviridae family have been reported. However, their structures, RNA-binding features, and functions beyond RNA binding significantly differ from one another. Here, we report the crystal structure of the BUNV NP-RNA complex. The polypeptide of the BUNV NP was found to possess a distinct fold among viral NPs. An N-terminal arm and a C-terminal tail were found to interact with neighboring NP protomers to form a tetrameric ring-shaped organization. Each protomer bound a 10-nt RNA molecule, which was acquired from the expression host, in the positively charged crevice between the N and C lobes. Inhomogeneous oligomerization was observed for the recombinant BUNV NP-RNA complex, which was similar to the Rift Valley fever virus NP-RNA complex. This result suggested that the flexibility of one NP protomer with adjacent protomers underlies the BUNV ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) formation. Electron microscopy revealed that the monomer-sized NP-RNA complex was the building block of the natural BUNV RNP. Combined with previous results indicating that mutagenesis of the interprotomer or protein-RNA interface affects BUNV replication, our structure provides a great potential for understanding the mechanism underlying negative-sense single-stranded RNA RNP formation and enables the development of antiviral therapies targeting BUNV RNP formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baobin Li
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Medicine
| | - Quan Wang
- College of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xijiang Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Isabel Fernández de Castro
- Cell Structure Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Yuna Sun
- National Laboratory of Macromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yu Guo
- College of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xinwei Tao
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Medicine
| | - Cristina Risco
- Cell Structure Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sen-Fang Sui
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhiyong Lou
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Medicine
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Protein Science, and
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8
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Structural basis for encapsidation of genomic RNA by La Crosse Orthobunyavirus nucleoprotein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:7246-51. [PMID: 23589854 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1302298110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleoprotein (NP) of segmented negative-strand RNA viruses such as Orthomyxo-, Arena-, and Bunyaviruses coats the genomic viral RNA and together with the polymerase forms ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs), which are both the template for replication and transcription and are packaged into new virions. Here we describe the crystal structure of La Crosse Orthobunyavirus NP both RNA free and a tetrameric form with single-stranded RNA bound. La Crosse Orthobunyavirus NP is a largely helical protein with a fold distinct from other bunyavirus genera NPs. It binds 11 RNA nucleotides in the positively charged groove between its two lobes, and hinged N- and C-terminal arms mediate oligomerization, allowing variable protein-protein interface geometry. Oligomerization and RNA binding are mediated by residues conserved in the Orthobunyavirus genus. In the twofold symmetric tetramer, 44 nucleotides bind in a closed ring with sharp bends at the NP-NP interfaces. The RNA is largely inaccessible within a continuous internal groove. Electron microscopy of RNPs released from virions shows them capable of forming a hierarchy of more or less compact irregular helical structures. We discuss how the planar, tetrameric NP-RNA structure might relate to a polar filament that upon supercoiling could be packaged into virions. This work gives insight into the RNA encapsidation and protection function of bunyavirus NP, but also highlights the need for dynamic rearrangements of the RNP to give the polymerase access to the template RNA.
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9
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Mutational analysis of positively charged amino acid residues of Uukuniemi phlebovirus nucleocapsid protein. Virus Res 2012; 167:118-23. [PMID: 22808531 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2012.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of positively charged amino acid residues for the Uukuniemi virus (UUKV) N protein functionality. Based on phlebovirus nucleocapsid (N) protein alignments and 3D-structure predictions of UUKV N protein, 14 positively charged residues were chosen as targets for the mutagenesis. The impact of mutations to the N protein functionality was analyzed using minigenome-, virus-like particle-, and mammalian two-hybrid-assays. Seven of the mutations affected the functional competence in all three assays, while others had milder impact or no impact at all. In the 3D-model of UUKV N protein, five of the affected residues, R61, R64, R73, R98 and R115, were located either within or in close proximity to the central cavity that could potentially bind RNA.
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10
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Blakqori G, Lowen AC, Elliott RM. The small genome segment of Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus harbours a single transcription-termination signal. J Gen Virol 2012; 93:1449-1455. [PMID: 22513389 PMCID: PMC3542733 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.042390-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination of the mRNA produced from the small (S) genome segment of Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus (BUNV) has previously been mapped to two cis-acting sequences located within the 5' UTR using a virus-free replication assay. The ability of these sequences to terminate transcription was attributed to the shared pentanucleotide motif 3'-UGUCG-5'. Taking advantage of our plasmid-based rescue system to generate recombinant viruses, we re-evaluated the importance of both pentanucleotide motifs as well as that of two other conserved sequences in transcription termination in vivo. Analysis of the 3' ends of positive-stranded viral RNAs derived from the S segment revealed that only the region around the upstream pentanucleotide motif mediated transcription termination in cells infected with wild-type BUNV, leading to mRNAs that were about 100 nt shorter than antigenome RNA. Furthermore, the downstream motif was not recognized in recombinant viruses in which the upstream signal has been disrupted. Our results suggest that in the context of virus infection transcription termination of the BUNV S genome segment mRNA is exclusively directed by the upstream-termination signal. Interestingly, within this region we identified a motif similar to a transcription-termination sequence used by Rift Valley fever phlebovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gjon Blakqori
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews KY16 9ST, Scotland, UK
| | - Anice C Lowen
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews KY16 9ST, Scotland, UK
| | - Richard M Elliott
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews KY16 9ST, Scotland, UK
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11
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Chowdhary R, Street C, Travassos da Rosa A, Nunes MRT, Tee KK, Hutchison SK, Vasconcelos PFC, Tesh RB, Lipkin WI, Briese T. Genetic characterization of the Wyeomyia group of orthobunyaviruses and their phylogenetic relationships. J Gen Virol 2012; 93:1023-1034. [PMID: 22278828 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.039479-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Phylogenetic analyses can give new insights into the evolutionary history of viruses, especially of viruses with segmented genomes. However, sequence information for many viral families or genera is still limited and phylogenies based on single or short genome fragments can be misleading. We report the first genetic analysis of all three genome segments of Wyeomyia group viruses Wyeomyia, Taiassui, Macaua, Sororoca, Anhembi and Cachoeira Porteira (BeAr328208) in the genus Orthobunyavirus of the family Bunyaviridae. In addition, Tucunduba and Iaco viruses were identified as members of the Wyeomyia group. Features of Wyeomyia group members that distinguish them from other viruses in the Bunyamwera serogroup and from other orthobunyaviruses, including truncated NSs sequences that may not counteract the host's interferon response, were characterized. Our findings also suggest genome reassortment within the Wyeomyia group, identifying Macaua and Tucunduba viruses as M-segment reassortants that, in the case of Tucunduba virus, may have altered pathogenicity, stressing the need for whole-genome sequence information to facilitate characterization of orthobunyaviruses and their phylogenetic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Chowdhary
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Craig Street
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Marcio R T Nunes
- Department of Arbovirology and Hemorrhagic Fevers, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - Kok Keng Tee
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Pedro F C Vasconcelos
- Center for Technological Innovation, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - Robert B Tesh
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - W Ian Lipkin
- Department of Pathology and Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Briese
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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12
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Abstract
The Bunyaviridae family is comprised of a large number of negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses that infect animals, insects, and plants. The tripartite genome of bunyaviruses, encapsidated in the form of individual ribonucleoprotein complexes, encodes four structural proteins, the glycoproteins Gc and Gn, the nucleoprotein N, and the viral polymerase L. Some bunyaviruses also use an ambi-sense strategy to encode the nonstructural proteins NSs and NSm. While some bunyaviruses have a T = 12 icosahedral symmetry, others only have locally ordered capsids, or capsids with no detectable symmetry. Bunyaviruses enter cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis or phagocytosis. In endosome, viral glycoproteins facilitate membrane fusion at acidic pH, thus allowing bunyaviruses to uncoat and deliver their genomic RNA into host cytoplasm. Bunyaviruses replicate in cytoplasm where the viral polymerase L catalyzes both transcription and replication of the viral genome. While transcription requires a cap primer for initiation and ends at specific termination signals before the 3' end of the template is reached, replication copies the entire template and does not depend on any primer for initiation. This review will discuss some of the most interesting aspects of bunyavirus replication, including L protein/N protein-mediated cap snatching, prime-and-realign for transcription and replication initiation, translation-coupled transcription, sequence/secondary structure-dependent transcription termination, ribonucleoprotein encapsidation, and N protein-mediated initiation of viral protein translation. Recent developments on the structure and functional characterization of the bunyavirus capsid and the RNA synthesis machineries (including both protein L and N) will also be discussed.
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13
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Walter CT, Barr JN. Recent advances in the molecular and cellular biology of bunyaviruses. J Gen Virol 2011; 92:2467-2484. [PMID: 21865443 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.035105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The family Bunyaviridae of segmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses includes over 350 members that infect a bewildering variety of animals and plants. Many of these bunyaviruses are the causative agents of serious disease in their respective hosts, and are classified as emerging viruses because of their increased incidence in new populations and geographical locations throughout the world. Emerging bunyaviruses, such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, tomato spotted wilt virus and Rift Valley fever virus, are currently attracting great interest due to migration of their arthropod vectors, a situation possibly linked to climate change. These and other examples of continued emergence suggest that bunyaviruses will probably continue to pose a sustained global threat to agricultural productivity, animal welfare and human health. The threat of emergence is particularly acute in light of the lack of effective preventative or therapeutic treatments for any of these viruses, making their study an important priority. This review presents recent advances in the understanding of the bunyavirus life cycle, including aspects of their molecular, cellular and structural biology. Whilst special emphasis is placed upon the emerging bunyaviruses, we also describe the extensive body of work involving model bunyaviruses, which have been the subject of major contributions to our overall understanding of this important group of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl T Walter
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT, UK
| | - John N Barr
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT, UK
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14
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Hoenen T, Groseth A, de Kok-Mercado F, Kuhn JH, Wahl-Jensen V. Minigenomes, transcription and replication competent virus-like particles and beyond: reverse genetics systems for filoviruses and other negative stranded hemorrhagic fever viruses. Antiviral Res 2011; 91:195-208. [PMID: 21699921 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2011.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 06/02/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Reverse-genetics systems are powerful tools enabling researchers to study the replication cycle of RNA viruses, including filoviruses and other hemorrhagic fever viruses, as well as to discover new antivirals. They include full-length clone systems as well as a number of life cycle modeling systems. Full-length clone systems allow for the generation of infectious, recombinant viruses, and thus are an important tool for studying the virus replication cycle in its entirety. In contrast, life cycle modeling systems such as minigenome and transcription and replication competent virus-like particle systems can be used to simulate and dissect parts of the virus life cycle outside of containment facilities. Minigenome systems are used to model viral genome replication and transcription, whereas transcription and replication competent virus-like particle systems also model morphogenesis and budding as well as infection of target cells. As such, these modeling systems have tremendous potential to further the discovery and screening of new antivirals targeting hemorrhagic fever viruses. This review provides an overview of currently established reverse genetics systems for hemorrhagic fever-causing negative-sense RNA viruses, with a particular emphasis on filoviruses, and the potential application of these systems for antiviral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hoenen
- Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA; Department of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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15
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Abstract
Tacaribe virus (TCRV) belongs to the Arenaviridae family. Its bisegmented negative-stranded RNA genome encodes the nucleoprotein (N), the precursor of the envelope glycoproteins, the polymerase (L), and a RING finger matrix (Z) protein. The 570-amino-acid N protein binds to viral RNA, forming nucleocapsids, which are the template for transcription and replication by the viral polymerase. We have previously shown that the interaction between N and Z is required for assembly of infectious virus-like particles (VLPs) (J. C. Casabona et al., J. Virol. 83:7029-7039, 2009). Here, we examine the functional organization of TCRV N protein. A series of deletions and point mutations were introduced into the N-coding sequence, and the ability of the mutants to sustain heterotypic (N-Z) or homotypic (N-N) interactions was analyzed. We found that N protein displays two functional domains. By using coimmunoprecipitation studies, VLP incorporation assays, and double immunofluorescence staining, the carboxy-terminal region of N was found to be required for N-Z interaction and also necessary for incorporation of N protein into VLPs. Moreover, further analysis of this region showed that the integrity of a putative zinc-finger motif, as well as its amino-flanking sequence (residues 461 to 489), are critical for Z binding and N incorporation into VLPs. In addition, we provide evidence of an essential role of the amino-terminal region of N protein for N-N interaction. In this regard, using reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation analysis, we identified a 28-residue region predicted to form a coiled-coil domain (residues 92 to 119) as a newly recognized molecular determinant of N homotypic interactions.
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16
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Katz A, Freiberg AN, Backström V, Schulz AR, Mateos A, Holm L, Pettersson RF, Vaheri A, Flick R, Plyusnin A. Oligomerization of Uukuniemi virus nucleocapsid protein. Virol J 2010; 7:187. [PMID: 20698970 PMCID: PMC2925374 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-7-187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 08/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Uukuniemi virus (UUKV) belongs to the Phlebovirus genus in the family Bunyaviridae. As a non-pathogenic virus for humans UUKV has served as a safe model bunyavirus in a number of studies addressing fundamental questions such as organization and regulation of viral genes, genome replication, structure and assembly. The present study is focused on the oligomerization of the UUKV nucleocapsid (N) protein, which plays an important role in several steps of virus replication. The aim was to locate the domains involved in the N protein oligomerization and study the process in detail. Results A set of experiments concentrating on the N- and C-termini of the protein was performed, first by completely or partially deleting putative N-N-interaction domains and then by introducing point mutations of amino acid residues. Mutagenesis strategy was based on the computer modeling of secondary and tertiary structure of the N protein. The N protein mutants were studied in chemical cross-linking, immunofluorescence, mammalian two-hybrid, minigenome, and virus-like particle-forming assays. The data showed that the oligomerization ability of UUKV-N protein depends on the presence of intact α-helices on both termini of the N protein molecule and that a specific structure in the N-terminal region plays a crucial role in the N-N interaction(s). This structure is formed by two α-helices, rich in amino acid residues with aromatic (W7, F10, W19, F27, F31) or long aliphatic (I14, I24) side chains. Furthermore, some of the N-terminal mutations (e.g. I14A, I24A, F31A) affected the N protein functionality both in mammalian two-hybrid and minigenome assays. Conclusions UUKV-N protein has ability to form oligomers in chemical cross-linking and mammalian two-hybrid assays. In mutational analysis, some of the introduced single-point mutations abolished the N protein functionality both in mammalian two-hybrid and minigenome assays, suggesting that especially the N-terminal region of the UUKV-N protein is essential for the N-N interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Katz
- Department of Virology, Infection Biology Research Program, Haartman Institute, PO Box 21, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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17
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Visualizing the replication cycle of bunyamwera orthobunyavirus expressing fluorescent protein-tagged Gc glycoprotein. J Virol 2010; 84:8460-9. [PMID: 20573824 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00902-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The virion glycoproteins Gn and Gc of Bunyamwera virus (BUNV), the prototype of the Bunyaviridae family and also of the Orthobunyavirus genus, are encoded by the medium (M) RNA genome segment and are involved in both viral attachment and entry. After their synthesis Gn and Gc form a heterodimer in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transit to the Golgi compartment for virus assembly. The N-terminal half of the Gc ectodomain was previously shown to be dispensable for virus replication in cell culture (X. Shi, J. Goli, G. Clark, K. Brauburger, and R. M. Elliott, J. Gen. Virol. 90:2483-2492, 2009.). In this study, the coding sequence for a fluorescent protein, either enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) or mCherry fluorescent protein, was fused to the N terminus of truncated Gc, and two recombinant BUNVs (rBUNGc-eGFP and rBUNGc-mCherry) were rescued by reverse genetics. The recombinant viruses showed bright autofluorescence under UV light and were competent for replication in various mammalian cell lines. rBUNGc-mCherry was completely stable over 10 passages, whereas internal, in-frame deletions occurred in the chimeric Gc-eGFP protein of rBUNGc-eGFP, resulting in loss of fluorescence between passages 5 and 7. Autofluorescence of the recombinant viruses allowed visualization of different stages of the infection cycle, including virus attachment to the cell surface, budding of virus particles in Golgi membranes, and virus-induced morphological changes to the Golgi compartment at later stages of infection. The fluorescent protein-tagged viruses will be valuable reagents for live-cell imaging studies to investigate virus entry, budding, and morphogenesis in real time.
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18
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Wang H, Alminaite A, Vaheri A, Plyusnin A. Interaction between hantaviral nucleocapsid protein and the cytoplasmic tail of surface glycoprotein Gn. Virus Res 2010; 151:205-12. [PMID: 20566401 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2010.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2010] [Revised: 05/12/2010] [Accepted: 05/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Hantaviral N and Gn proteins were shown to interact, thus providing the long-awaited evidence for one of the crucial steps in the virus replication at which RNPs are directed to the site of the virus assembly. Using pull-down assay and point mutagenesis it was demonstrated that intact, properly folded zinc fingers in the Gn protein cytoplasmic tail as well as the middle domain of the N protein (that includes aa residues 80-248) are essential for the interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Virology, Infection Biology Research Program, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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19
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Bouloy M, Weber F. Molecular biology of rift valley Fever virus. Open Virol J 2010; 4:8-14. [PMID: 20517489 PMCID: PMC2878978 DOI: 10.2174/1874357901004020008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2009] [Revised: 11/25/2009] [Accepted: 11/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes large outbreaks of acute febrile and often fatal illness among humans and domesticated animals in sub-saharan Africa and the Arabian peninsula. RVFV is a member of the family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus. Like all members of this large virus family, it contains a three-segmented genome of negative/ambisense strand RNA, packaged into viral nucleocapsid protein, and enveloped by a lipid bilayer containing two viral glycoproteins. During the past years, there was an increased interest in RVFV epidemiology, molecular biology, and virulence mechanisms. Here, we will try to provide an overview over the basic features of this significant pathogen, and review the latest developments in this highly active research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Bouloy
- Unite de Genetique Moleculaire des Bunyavirus, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Department of Virology, University of Freiburg, D-79008 Freiburg, Germany
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20
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Eifan SA, Elliott RM. Mutational analysis of the Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus nucleocapsid protein gene. J Virol 2009; 83:11307-17. [PMID: 19710139 PMCID: PMC2772805 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01460-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2009] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The bunyavirus nucleocapsid protein, N, is a multifunctional protein that encapsidates each of the three negative-sense genome segments to form ribonucleoprotein complexes that are the functional templates for viral transcription and replication. In addition, N protein molecules interact with themselves to form oligomers, with the viral L (RNA polymerase) protein, with the carboxy-terminal regions of either or both of the virion glycoproteins, and probably also with host cell proteins. Bunyamwera virus (BUNV), the prototype bunyavirus, encodes an N protein of 233 amino acids in length. To learn more about the roles of individual amino acids in the different interactions of N, we performed a wide-scale mutagenic analysis of the protein, and 110 single-point mutants were obtained. When the mutants were employed in a minireplicon assay to examine their effects on viral RNA synthesis, a wide range of activities compared to those of wild-type N protein were observed; changes at nine amino acid positions resulted in severely impaired RNA synthesis. Seventy-seven mutant clones were selected for use in the bunyavirus reverse genetics system, and 57 viable recombinant viruses were recovered. The recombinant viruses displayed a range of plaque sizes and titers in cell culture (from approximately 10(3) to 10(8) PFU/ml), and a number of viruses were shown to be temperature sensitive. Different assays were applied to determine why 20 mutant N proteins could not be recovered into infectious virus. Based on these results, a preliminary domain map of the BUNV N protein is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh A. Eifan
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M. Elliott
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, Scotland, United Kingdom
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21
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Mohl BP, Barr JN. Investigating the specificity and stoichiometry of RNA binding by the nucleocapsid protein of Bunyamwera virus. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2009; 15:391-9. [PMID: 19168749 PMCID: PMC2657012 DOI: 10.1261/rna.1367209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) is the prototypic member of both the Orthobunyavirus genus and the Bunyaviridae family of negative stranded RNA viruses. In common with all negative stranded RNA viruses, the BUNV genomic and anti-genomic strands are not naked RNAs, but instead are encapsidated along their entire lengths with the virus-encoded nucleocapsid (N) protein to form a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. This association is critical for the negative strand RNA virus life cycle because only RNPs are active for productive RNA synthesis and RNA packaging. We are interested in understanding the molecular details of how N and RNA components associate within the bunyavirus RNP, and what governs the apparently selective encapsidation of viral replication products. Toward this goal, we recently devised a protocol that allowed generation of native BUNV N protein that maintained solubility under physiological conditions and allowed formation of crystals that yielded high-resolution x-ray diffraction data. Here we extend this work to show that this soluble N protein is able to oligomerize and bind RNA to form a highly uniform RNP complex, which exhibits characteristics in common with the viral RNP. By extracting and sequencing RNAs bound to these model RNPs, we determined the stoichiometry of N-RNA association to be approximately 12 nucleotides per N monomer. In addition, we defined the minimal sequence requirement for BUNV RNA replication. By comparing this minimal sequence to those bound to our model RNP, we conclude that N protein does not obligatorily require a sequence or structure for RNA encapsidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjorn-Patrick Mohl
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
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22
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Ribeiro D, Borst JW, Goldbach R, Kormelink R. Tomato spotted wilt virus nucleocapsid protein interacts with both viral glycoproteins Gn and Gc in planta. Virology 2008; 383:121-30. [PMID: 18973913 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2008] [Revised: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) Gn and Gc glycoproteins were shown to induce the formation of (pseudo-) circular and pleomorphic membrane structures upon transient expression in plant cells. Furthermore, when singly expressed, Gc retains in the ER, while Gn is able to further migrate to the Golgi. Upon co-expression, Gn rescues Gc and co-migrates to the Golgi complex. Here, we have studied the behavior of the glycoproteins in the presence of the viral nucleocapsid (N) protein and in vivo analyzed the occurrence of protein-protein interactions by fluorescence life time imaging microscopy (FLIM). The analysis demonstrated that N co-localizes and interacts with both glycoproteins, with a preference for Gn. Additionally, it is shown that N causes a dramatic change in the distribution of Gc within the ER, from reticular to punctate spots. The observations are discussed in the context of the virus particle formation during the infection process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ribeiro
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Virology, Binnenhaven 11, 6709 PD Wageningen, The Netherlands
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23
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Shi X, Kohl A, Léonard VHJ, Li P, McLees A, Elliott RM. Requirement of the N-terminal region of orthobunyavirus nonstructural protein NSm for virus assembly and morphogenesis. J Virol 2006; 80:8089-99. [PMID: 16873265 PMCID: PMC1563826 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00579-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The nonstructural protein NSm of Bunyamwera virus (BUNV), the prototype of the Bunyaviridae family, is encoded by the M segment in a polyprotein precursor, along with the virion glycoproteins, in the order Gn-NSm-Gc. As little is known of its function, we examined the intracellular localization, membrane integrality, and topology of NSm and its role in virus replication. We confirmed that NSm is an integral membrane protein and that it localizes in the Golgi complex, together with Gn and Gc. Coimmunoprecipitation assays and yeast two-hybrid analysis demonstrated that NSm was able to interact with other viral proteins. NSm is predicted to contain three hydrophobic (I, III, and V) and two nonhydrophobic (II and IV) domains. The N-terminal nonhydrophobic domain II was found in the lumen of an intracellular compartment. A novel BUNV assembly assay was developed to monitor the formation of infectious virus-like-particles (VLPs). Using this assay, we showed that deletions of either the complete NSm coding region or domains I, II, and V individually seriously compromised VLP production. Consistently, we were unable to rescue viable viruses by reverse genetics from cDNA constructs that contained the same deletions. However, we could generate mutant BUNV with deletions in NSm domains III and IV and also a recombinant virus with the green fluorescent protein open reading frame inserted into NSm domain IV. The mutant viruses displayed differences in their growth properties. Overall, our data showed that the N-terminal region of NSm, which includes domain I and part of domain II, is required for virus assembly and that the C-terminal hydrophobic domain V may function as an internal signal sequence for the Gc glycoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Shi
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9ST, Scotland, United Kingdom
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24
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Rodgers JW, Zhou Q, Green TJ, Barr JN, Luo M. Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the nucleocapsid protein of Bunyamwera virus. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2006; 62:361-4. [PMID: 16582485 PMCID: PMC2222577 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309106006397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2006] [Accepted: 02/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) is the prototypic member of the Bunyaviridae family of segmented negative-sense RNA viruses. The BUNV nucleocapsid protein has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified protein has been crystallized and a complete data set has been collected to 3.3 angstroms resolution at a synchrotron source. Crystals of the nucleocapsid protein belong to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 384.7, b = 89.8, c = 89.2 angstroms, beta = 94.4 degrees . Self-rotation function analysis of the X-ray diffraction data has provided insight into the oligomeric state of the protein as well as the orientation of the oligomers in the asymmetric unit. The structure determination of the protein is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Rodgers
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Qingxian Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Todd J. Green
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - John N. Barr
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ming Luo
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence e-mail:
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