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Vigeveno RM, Han AX, de Vries RP, Parker E, de Haan K, van Leeuwen S, Hulme KD, Lauring AS, te Velthuis AJW, Boons GJ, Fouchier RAM, Russell CA, de Jong MD, Eggink D. Long-term evolution of human seasonal influenza virus A(H3N2) is associated with an increase in polymerase complex activity. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae030. [PMID: 38808037 PMCID: PMC11131032 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the influenza pandemic in 1968, influenza A(H3N2) viruses have become endemic. In this state, H3N2 viruses continuously evolve to overcome immune pressure as a result of prior infection or vaccination, as is evident from the accumulation of mutations in the surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). However, phylogenetic studies have also demonstrated ongoing evolution in the influenza A(H3N2) virus RNA polymerase complex genes. The RNA polymerase complex of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) viruses produces mRNA for viral protein synthesis and replicates the negative sense viral RNA genome (vRNA) through a positive sense complementary RNA intermediate (cRNA). Presently, the consequences and selection pressures driving the evolution of the polymerase complex remain largely unknown. Here, we characterize the RNA polymerase complex of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) viruses representative of nearly 50 years of influenza A(H3N2) virus evolution. The H3N2 polymerase complex is a reassortment of human and avian influenza virus genes. We show that since 1968, influenza A(H3N2) viruses have increased the transcriptional activity of the polymerase complex while retaining a close balance between mRNA, vRNA, and cRNA levels. Interestingly, the increased polymerase complex activity did not result in increased replicative ability on differentiated human airway epithelial (HAE) cells. We hypothesize that the evolutionary increase in polymerase complex activity of influenza A(H3N2) viruses may compensate for the reduced HA receptor binding and avidity that is the result of the antigenic evolution of influenza A(H3N2) viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- René M Vigeveno
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alvin X Han
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert P de Vries
- Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Edyth Parker
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karen de Haan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah van Leeuwen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katina D Hulme
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adam S Lauring
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Aartjan J W te Velthuis
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Geert-Jan Boons
- Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Rd, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ron A M Fouchier
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, Rotterdam 3015 GE, The Netherlands
| | - Colin A Russell
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Menno D de Jong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Eggink
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3721 MA, The Netherlands
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Chen GW, Kuo SM, Yang SL, Gong YN, Hsiao MR, Liu YC, Shih SR, Tsao KC. Genomic Signatures for Avian H7N9 Viruses Adapting to Humans. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148432. [PMID: 26845764 PMCID: PMC4742285 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An avian influenza A H7N9 virus emerged in March 2013 and caused a remarkable number of human fatalities. Genome variability in these viruses may provide insights into host adaptability. We scanned over 140 genomes of the H7N9 viruses isolated from humans and identified 104 positions that exhibited seven or more amino acid substitutions. Approximately half of these substitutions were identified in the influenza ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. Although PB2 627K of the avian virus promotes replication in humans, 45 of the 147 investigated PB2 sequences retained the E signature at this position, which is an avian characteristic. We discovered 10 PB2 substitutions that covaried with K627E. An RNP activity assay showed that Q591K, D701N, and M535L restored the polymerase activity in human cells when 627K transformed to an avian-like E. Genomic analysis of the human-isolated avian influenza virus is crucial in assessing genome variability, because relationships between position-specific variations can be observed and explored. In this study, we observed alternative positions that can potentially compensate for PB2 627K, a well-known marker for cross-species infection. An RNP assay suggested Q591K, D701N, and M535L as potential markers for an H7N9 virus capable of infecting humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Wu Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (GWC); (KCT)
| | - Shu-Ming Kuo
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Li Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Nong Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ren Hsiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Ru Shih
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chien Tsao
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (GWC); (KCT)
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Ngai KLK, Chan MCW, Chan PKS. Replication and transcription activities of ribonucleoprotein complexes reconstituted from avian H5N1, H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 influenza A viruses. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65038. [PMID: 23750226 PMCID: PMC3672204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses pose a serious pandemic threat to humans. Better knowledge on cross-species adaptation is important. This study examined the replication and transcription efficiency of ribonucleoprotein complexes reconstituted by plasmid co-transfection between H5N1, H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 influenza A viruses, and to identify mutations in the RNA polymerase subunit that affect human adaptation. Viral RNA polymerase subunits PB1, PB2, PA and NP derived from influenza viruses were co-expressed with pPolI-vNP-Luc in human cells, and with its function evaluated by luciferase reporter assay. A quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure vRNA, cRNA, and mRNA levels for assessing the replication and transcription efficiency. Mutations in polymerase subunit were created to identify signature of increased human adaptability. H5N1 ribonucleoprotein complexes incorporated with PB2 derived from H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 viruses increased the polymerase activity in human cells. Furthermore, single amino acid substitutions at PB2 of H5N1 could affect polymerase activity in a temperature-dependent manner. By using a highly sensitive quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, an obvious enhancement in replication and transcription activities of ribonucleoproteins was observed by the introduction of lysine at residue 627 in the H5N1 PB2 subunit. Although less strongly in polymerase activity, E158G mutation appeared to alter the accumulation of H5N1 RNA levels in a temperature-dependent manner, suggesting a temperature-dependent mechanism in regulating transcription and replication exists. H5N1 viruses can adapt to humans either by acquisition of PB2 from circulating human-adapted viruses through reassortment, or by mutations at critical sites in PB2. This information may help to predict the pandemic potential of newly emerged influenza strains, and provide a scientific basis for stepping up surveillance measures and vaccine production.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/enzymology
- Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics
- Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/physiology
- Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/enzymology
- Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/genetics
- Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/physiology
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/enzymology
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/genetics
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/physiology
- Influenza A virus/enzymology
- Influenza A virus/genetics
- Influenza A virus/physiology
- Mutation
- Pandemics
- RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase/genetics
- Ribonucleoproteins/genetics
- Temperature
- Transcription, Genetic
- Viral Proteins/genetics
- Virus Replication
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Affiliation(s)
- Karry L. K. Ngai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Martin C. W. Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Paul K. S. Chan
- Department of Microbiology and Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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