Class I ADP-ribosylation factors are involved in enterovirus 71 replication

Enterovirus 3A protein disrupts endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis through interaction with GBF1

Enteroviruses are single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses causing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to induce or modulate downstream signaling pathways known as the unfolded protein responses (UPR). However, viral and host factors involved in the UPR related to viral pathogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to identify the major regulator of enterovirus-induced UPR and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. We showed that host Golgi-specific brefeldin A-resistant guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (GBF1), which supports enteroviruses replication, was a major regulator of the UPR caused by infection with enteroviruses. In addition, we found that severe UPR was induced by the expression of 3A proteins encoded in human pathogenic enteroviruses, such as enterovirus A71, coxsackievirus B3, poliovirus, and enterovirus D68. The N-terminal-conserved residues of 3A protein interact with the GBF1 and induce UPR through inhibition of ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) activation via GBF1 sequestration. Remodeling and expansion of ER and accumulation of ER-resident proteins were observed in cells infected with enteroviruses. Finally, 3A induced apoptosis in cells infected with enteroviruses via activation of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) pathway of UPR. Pharmaceutical inhibition of PERK suppressed the cell death caused by infection with enteroviruses, suggesting the UPR pathway is a therapeutic target for treating diseases caused by infection with enteroviruses.IMPORTANCEInfection caused by several plus-stranded RNA viruses leads to dysregulated ER homeostasis in the host cells. The mechanisms underlying the disruption and impairment of ER homeostasis and its significance in pathogenesis upon enteroviral infection remain unclear. Our findings suggested that the 3A protein encoded in human pathogenic enteroviruses disrupts ER homeostasis by interacting with GBF1, a major regulator of UPR. Enterovirus-mediated infections drive ER into pathogenic conditions, where ER-resident proteins are accumulated. Furthermore, in such scenarios, the PERK/CHOP signaling pathway induced by an unresolved imbalance of ER homeostasis essentially drives apoptosis. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms underlying the virus-induced disruption of ER homeostasis might be a potential target to mitigate the pathogenesis of enteroviruses.

Salivary Biomarkers to Differentiate between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus-Related Pneumonia in Children

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is common among children and can be fatal in certain conditions. In children, CAP can be caused by viral or bacterial infections. Identification of pathogens can help select appropriate therapeutic strategies. Salivary analysis may be a potential diagnostic tool because it is noninvasive, patient-friendly, and easy to perform in children. A prospective study was conducted in children with pneumonia admitted to a hospital. Salivary samples from patients with definite Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A strains were used for gel-free (isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)) proteomics. No statistically significant difference was detected in salivary CRP levels between Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A pneumonia in children. Several potential salivary biomarkers were identified using gel-free iTRAQ proteomics to differentiate pneumonia from Streptococcus pneumoniae or influenza A virus infections in pediatric patients. ELISA validated that Streptococcus pneumoniae group has a higher abundance of salivary alpha 1-antichymotrypsin than those in the influenza A group. Whether these salivary biomarkers can be used to distinguish other bacteria from viral pneumonia requires further verification.

Structural and functional analysis of the small GTPase ARF1 reveals a pivotal role of its GTP-binding domain in controlling of the generation of viral inclusion bodies and replication of grass carp reovirus

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) is the most pathogenic double-stranded (ds) RNA virus among the isolated aquareoviruses. The molecular mechanisms by which GCRV utilizes host factors to generate its infectious compartments beneficial for viral replication and infection are poorly understood. Here, we discovered that the grass carp ADP ribosylation factor 1 (gcARF1) was required for GCRV replication since the knockdown of gcARF1 by siRNA or inhibiting its GTPase activity by treatment with brefeldin A (BFA) significantly impaired the yield of infectious viral progeny. GCRV infection recruited gcARF1 into viral inclusion bodies (VIBs) by its nonstructural proteins NS80 and NS38. The small_GTP domain of gcARF1 was confirmed to be crucial for promoting GCRV replication and infection, and the number of VIBs reduced significantly by the inhibition of gcARF1 GTPase activity. The analysis of gcARF1-GDP complex crystal structure revealed that the ²⁷AAGKTT³² motif and eight amino acid residues (A²⁷, G²⁹, K³⁰, T³¹, T³², N¹²⁶, D¹²⁹ and A¹⁶⁰), which were located mainly within the GTP-binding domain of gcARF1, were crucial for the binding of gcARF1 with GDP. Furthermore, the ²⁷AAGKTT³² motif and the amino acid residue T³¹ of gcARF1 were indispensable for the function of gcARF1 in promoting GCRV replication and infection. Taken together, it is demonstrated that the GTPase activity of gcARF1 is required for efficient replication of GCRV and that host GTPase ARF1 is closely related with the generation of VIBs.

AG1478 Elicits a Novel Anti-Influenza Function via an EGFR-Independent, GBF1-Dependent Pathway

Current options for preventing or treating influenza are still limited, and new treatments for influenza viral infection are urgently needed. In the present study, we serendipitously found that a small-molecule inhibitor (AG1478), previously used for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition, demonstrated a potent activity against influenza both in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, the antiviral effect of AG1478 was not mediated by its EGFR inhibitory activity, as influenza virus was insensitive to EGFR blockade by other EGFR inhibitors or by siRNA knockdown of EGFR. Its antiviral activity was also interferon independent as demonstrated by a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) knockout approach. Instead, AG1478 was found to target the Golgi-specific brefeldin A-resistance guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (GBF1)–ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) system by reversibly inhibiting GBF1 activity and disrupting its Golgi-cytoplasmic trafficking. Compared to known GBF1 inhibitors, AG1478 demonstrated lower cellular toxicity and better preservation of Golgi structure. Furthermore, GBF1 was found to interact with a specific set of viral proteins including M1, NP, and PA. Additionally, the alternation of GBF1 distribution induced by AG1478 treatment disrupted these interactions. Because targeting host factors, instead of the viral component, imposes a higher barrier for developing resistance, GBF1 modulation may be an effective approach to treat influenza infection.

Rab1b-GBF1-ARF1 secretory pathway axis is required for Birnavirus replication

Birnaviruses are members of the Birnaviridae family, responsible for major economic losses to poultry and aquaculture. The family is composed of non-enveloped viruses with a segmented double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genome. Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), the prototypic family member, is the etiological agent of Gumboro disease, a highly contagious immunosuppressive disease in the poultry industry worldwide. We previously demonstrated that IBDV hijacks the endocytic pathway for establishing the viral replication complexes on endosomes associated with the Golgi complex (GC). In this work, we report that IBDV reorganizes the GC to localize the endosome-associated replication complexes without affecting its secretory functionality. Analyzing crucial proteins involved in the secretory pathway, we showed the essential requirement of Rab1b for viral replication. Rab1b comprises a key regulator of GC transport and we demonstrate that transfecting the negative mutant Rab1b N121I or knocking down Rab1b expression by RNA interference significantly reduces the yield of infectious viral progeny. Furthermore, we showed that the Rab1b downstream effector Golgi-specific BFA resistance factor 1 (GBF1), which activates the small GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1), is required for IBDV replication since inhibiting its activity by treatment with brefeldin A (BFA) or Golgicide A (GCA) significantly reduces the yield of infectious viral progeny. Finally, we show that ARF1 dominant negative-mutant T31N over-expression hampered the IBDV infection. Taken together, these results demonstrate that IBDV requires the function of the Rab1b-GBF1-ARF1 axis to promote its replication, making a substantial contribution to the field of birnaviruses-host cell interactions. IMPORTANCE Birnaviruses are unconventional members of the dsRNA viruses, being the lack of a transcriptionally active core the main differential feature. This structural trait, among others that resemble the plus single-stranded (+ssRNA) viruses features, suggests that birnaviruses might follow a different replication program from that conducted by prototypical dsRNA members and have argued the hypothesis that birnaviruses could be evolutionary links between +ssRNA and dsRNA viruses. Here, we present original data showing the IBDV-induced GC reorganization and the crosstalk between IBDV and the Rab1b-GBF1-ARF1 mediated intracellular trafficking pathway. The replication of several +ssRNA viruses depends on the cellular protein GBF1, but its role in the replication process is not clear. Thus, our findings make a substantial contribution to the field of birnaviruses-host cells and provide further evidence supporting the proposed evolutionary connection role of birnaviruses, an aspect which we consider especially relevant for researchers working in the virology field.

Arf GTPases Are Required for the Establishment of the Pre-Assembly Compartment in the Early Phase of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Shortly after entering the cells, cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) initiate massive reorganization of cellular endocytic and secretory pathways, which results in the forming of the cytoplasmic virion assembly compartment (AC). We have previously shown that the formation of AC in murine CMV- (MCMV) infected cells begins in the early phase of infection (at 4-6 hpi) with the pre-AC establishment. Pre-AC comprises membranes derived from the endosomal recycling compartment, early endosomes, and the trans-Golgi network, which is surrounded by fragmented Golgi cisterns. To explore the importance of Arf GTPases in the biogenesis of the pre-AC, we infected Balb 3T3 cells with MCMV and analyzed the expression and intracellular localization of Arf proteins in the early phases (up to 16 hpi) of infection and the development of pre-AC in cells with a knockdown of Arf protein expression by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Herein, we show that even in the early phase, MCMVs cause massive reorganization of the Arf system of the host cells and induce the over-recruitment of Arf proteins onto the membranes of pre-AC. Knockdown of Arf1, Arf3, Arf4, or Arf6 impaired the establishment of pre-AC. However, the knockdown of Arf1 and Arf6 also abolished the establishment of infection. Our study demonstrates that Arf GTPases are required for different steps of early cytomegalovirus infection, including the establishment of the pre-AC.

Picornaviruses: A View from 3A

Picornaviruses are comprised of a positive-sense RNA genome surrounded by a protein shell (or capsid). They are ubiquitous in vertebrates and cause a wide range of important human and animal diseases. The genome encodes a single large polyprotein that is processed to structural (capsid) and non-structural proteins. The non-structural proteins have key functions within the viral replication complex. Some, such as 3D^pol (the RNA dependent RNA polymerase) have conserved functions and participate directly in replicating the viral genome, whereas others, such as 3A, have accessory roles. The 3A proteins are highly divergent across the Picornaviridae and have specific roles both within and outside of the replication complex, which differ between the different genera. These roles include subverting host proteins to generate replication organelles and inhibition of cellular functions (such as protein secretion) to influence virus replication efficiency and the host response to infection. In addition, 3A proteins are associated with the determination of host range. However, recent observations have challenged some of the roles assigned to 3A and suggest that other viral proteins may carry them out. In this review, we revisit the roles of 3A in the picornavirus life cycle. The 3AB precursor and mature 3A have distinct functions during viral replication and, therefore, we have also included discussion of some of the roles assigned to 3AB.

Enterovirus Infection Induces Massive Recruitment of All Isoforms of Small Cellular Arf GTPases to the Replication Organelles

Enterovirus replication requires the cellular protein GBF1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for small Arf GTPases. When activated, Arfs associate with membranes, where they regulate numerous steps of membrane homeostasis. The requirement for GBF1 implies that Arfs are important for replication, but which of the different Arfs function(s) during replication remains poorly understood. Here, we established cell lines expressing each of the human Arfs fused to a fluorescent tag and investigated their behavior during enterovirus infection. Arf1 was the first to be recruited to the replication organelles, where it strongly colocalized with the viral antigen 2B and mature virions but not double-stranded RNA. By the end of the infectious cycle, Arf3, Arf4, Arf5, and Arf6 were also concentrated on the replication organelles. Once on the replication membranes, all Arfs except Arf3 were no longer sensitive to inhibition of GBF1, suggesting that in infected cells they do not actively cycle between GTP- and GDP-bound states. Only the depletion of Arf1, but not other class 1 and 2 Arfs, significantly increased the sensitivity of replication to GBF1 inhibition. Surprisingly, depletion of Arf6, a class 3 Arf, normally implicated in plasma membrane events, also increased the sensitivity to GBF1 inhibition. Together, our results suggest that GBF1-dependent Arf1 activation directly supports the development and/or functioning of the replication complexes and that Arf6 plays a previously unappreciated role in viral replication. Our data reveal a complex pattern of Arf activation in enterovirus-infected cells that may contribute to the resilience of viral replication in different cellular environments.IMPORTANCE Enteroviruses include many known and emerging pathogens, such as poliovirus, enteroviruses 71 and D68, and others. However, licensed vaccines are available only against poliovirus and enterovirus 71, and specific anti-enterovirus therapeutics are lacking. Enterovirus infection induces the massive remodeling of intracellular membranes and the development of specialized domains harboring viral replication complexes, replication organelles. Here, we investigated the roles of small Arf GTPases during enterovirus infection. Arfs control distinct steps in intracellular membrane traffic, and one of the Arf-activating proteins, GBF1, is a cellular factor required for enterovirus replication. We found that all Arfs expressed in human cells, including Arf6, normally associated with the plasma membrane, are recruited to the replication organelles and that Arf1 appears to be the most important Arf for enterovirus replication. These results document the rewiring of the cellular membrane pathways in infected cells and may provide new ways of controlling enterovirus infections.

Enterovirus Replication Organelles and Inhibitors of Their Formation

Enteroviral replication reorganizes the cellular membrane. Upon infection, viral proteins and hijacked host factors generate unique structures called replication organelles (ROs) to replicate their viral genomes. ROs promote efficient viral genome replication, coordinate the steps of the viral replication cycle, and protect viral RNA from host immune responses. More recent researches have focused on the ultrastructure structures, formation mechanism, and functions in the virus life cycle of ROs. Dynamic model of enterovirus ROs structure is proposed, and the secretory pathway, the autophagy pathway, and lipid metabolism are found to be associated in the formation of ROs. With deeper understanding of ROs, some compounds have been found to show inhibitory effects on viral replication by targeting key proteins in the process of ROs formation. Here, we review the recent findings concerning the role, morphology, biogenesis, formation mechanism, and inhibitors of enterovirus ROs.

Role of the Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor GBF1 in the Replication of RNA Viruses

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor GBF1 is a well-known factor that can activate different ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) proteins during the regulation of different cellular vesicular transport processes. In the last decade, it has become increasingly evident that GBF1 can also regulate different steps of the replication cycle of RNA viruses belonging to different virus families. GBF1 has been shown not only to facilitate the intracellular traffic of different viral and cellular elements during infection, but also to modulate the replication of viral RNA, the formation and maturation of viral replication complexes, and the processing of viral proteins through mechanisms that do not depend on its canonical role in intracellular transport. Here, we review the various roles that GBF1 plays during the replication of different RNA viruses.

On the Host Side of the Hepatitis E Virus Life Cycle

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is one of the most common causes of acute hepatitis in the world. HEV is an enterically transmitted positive-strand RNA virus found as a non-enveloped particle in bile as well as stool and as a quasi-enveloped particle in blood. Current understanding of the molecular mechanisms and host factors involved in productive HEV infection is incomplete, but recently developed model systems have facilitated rapid progress in this area. Here, we provide an overview of the HEV life cycle with a focus on the host factors required for viral entry, RNA replication, assembly and release. Further developments of HEV model systems and novel technologies should yield a broader picture in the future.

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of enterovirus A71 associates with ribosomal proteins and positively regulates protein translation

Enteroviruses, which may cause neurological complications, have become a public health threat worldwide in recent years. Interactions between cellular proteins and enteroviral proteins could interfere with cellular biological processes to facilitate viral replication in infected cells. Enteroviral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), known as 3D protein, mainly functions as a replicase for viral RNA synthesis in infected cells. However, the 3D protein encoded by enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) could also interact with several cellular proteins to regulate cellular events and responses during infection. To globally investigate the functions of the EV-A71 3D protein in regulating biological processes in host cells, we performed immunoprecipitation coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify host proteins that may associate with the 3D protein. We found that the 3D protein interacts with factors involved in translation-related biological processes, including ribosomal proteins. In addition, polysome profiling analysis showed that the 3D protein cosediments with small and large subunits of ribosomes. We further discovered that the EV-A71 3D protein could enhance EV-A71 internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-dependent translation as well as cap-dependent translation. Collectively, this research demonstrated that the RNA polymerase encoded by EV-A71 could join a functional ribosomal complex and positively regulate viral and host translation.

Elucidating the Host Interactome of EV-A71 2C Reveals Viral Dependency Factors

Viral protein 2C plays a critical role in EV-A71 replication. The discovery of 2C binding proteins will likely provide potential targets to treat EV-A71 infection. Here, we provide a global proteomic analysis of the human proteins that interact with the EV-A71 2C protein. TRIM4, exportin2, and ARFGAP1 were validated as 2C binding partners. Further functional studies revealed that TRIM4, exportin2, and ARFGAP1 were novel host dependency factors for EV-A71. Moreover, enteroviruses’ 2C family proteins interacted with exportin2 and ARFGAP1. In conclusion, our study provides a cellular interactome of the EV-A71 2C and identifies the proviral roles of TRIM4, exportin2, and ARFGAP1 in EV-A71 infection.

Functional and Physical Interaction between the Arf Activator GBF1 and Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Protein

GBF1 has emerged as a host factor required for the genome replication of RNA viruses of different families. During the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle, GBF1 performs a critical function at the onset of genome replication but is dispensable when the replication is established. To better understand how GBF1 regulates HCV infection, we have looked for interactions between GBF1 and HCV proteins. NS3 was found to interact with GBF1 in yeast two-hybrid, coimmunoprecipitation, and proximity ligation assays and to interfere with GBF1 function and alter GBF1 intracellular localization in cells expressing NS3. The interaction was mapped to the Sec7 domain of GBF1 and the protease domain of NS3. A reverse yeast two-hybrid screen to identify mutations altering NS3-GBF1 interaction yielded an NS3 mutant (N77D, Con1 strain) that is nonreplicative despite conserved protease activity and does not interact with GBF1. The mutated residue is exposed at the surface of NS3, suggesting it is part of the domain of NS3 that interacts with GBF1. The corresponding mutation in strain JFH-1 (S77D) produces a similar phenotype. Our results provide evidence for an interaction between NS3 and GBF1 and suggest that an alteration of this interaction is detrimental to HCV genome replication.IMPORTANCE Single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses rely to a significant extent on host factors to achieve the replication of their genome. GBF1 is such a cellular protein that is required for the replication of several RNA viruses, but its mechanism of action during viral infections is not yet defined. In this study, we investigated potential interactions that GBF1 might engage in with proteins of HCV, a GBF1-dependent virus. We found that GBF1 interacts with NS3, a nonstructural protein involved in HCV genome replication, and our results suggest that this interaction is important for GBF1 function during HCV replication. Interestingly, GBF1 interaction with HCV appears different from its interaction with enteroviruses, another group of GBF1-dependent RNA viruses, in keeping with the fact that HCV and enteroviruses use different functions of GBF1.

Investigation of the role of GBF1 in the replication of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses

GBF1 has emerged as a host factor required for the replication of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses of different families, but its mechanism of action is still unknown. GBF1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Arf family members. Recently, we identified Arf4 and Arf5 (class II Arfs) as host factors required for the replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV), a GBF1-dependent virus. To assess whether a GBF1/class II Arf pathway is conserved among positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, we investigated yellow fever virus (YFV), Sindbis virus (SINV), coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) and human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E). We found that GBF1 is involved in the replication of these viruses. However, using siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, it was seen that the depletion of Arf1, Arf3, Arf4 or Arf5 had no impact on viral replication. In contrast, the depletion of Arf pairs suggested that class II Arfs could be involved in HCoV-229E, YFV and SINV infection, as for HCV, but not in CVB4 infection. In addition, another Arf pair, Arf1 and Arf4, appears to be essential for YFV and SINV infection, but not for infection by other viruses. Finally, CVB4 infection was not inhibited by any combination of Arf depletion. We conclude that the mechanism of action of GBF1 in viral replication appears not to be conserved, and that a subset of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses from different families might require class II Arfs for their replication.

The Origin, Dynamic Morphology, and PI4P-Independent Formation of Encephalomyocarditis Virus Replication Organelles

Picornaviruses induce dramatic rearrangements of endomembranes in the cells that they infect to produce dedicated platforms for viral replication. These structures, termed replication organelles (ROs), have been well characterized for the Enterovirus genus of the Picornaviridae However, it is unknown whether the diverse RO morphologies associated with enterovirus infection are conserved among other picornaviruses. Here, we use serial electron tomography at different stages of infection to assess the three-dimensional architecture of ROs induced by encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), a member of the Cardiovirus genus of the family of picornaviruses that is distantly related. Ultrastructural analyses revealed connections between early single-membrane EMCV ROs and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), establishing the ER as a likely donor organelle for their formation. These early single-membrane ROs appear to transform into double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) as infection progresses. Both single- and double-membrane structures were found to support viral RNA synthesis, and progeny viruses accumulated in close proximity, suggesting a spatial association between RNA synthesis and virus assembly. Further, we explored the role of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P), a critical host factor for both enterovirus and cardiovirus replication that has been recently found to expedite enterovirus RO formation rather than being strictly required. By exploiting an EMCV escape mutant, we found that low-PI4P conditions could also be overcome for the formation of cardiovirus ROs. Collectively, our data show that despite differences in the membrane source, there are striking similarities in the biogenesis, morphology, and transformation of cardiovirus and enterovirus ROs, which may well extend to other picornaviruses.IMPORTANCE Like all positive-sense RNA viruses, picornaviruses induce the rearrangement of host cell membranes to form unique structures, or replication organelles (ROs), that support viral RNA synthesis. Here, we investigate the architecture and biogenesis of cardiovirus ROs and compare them with those induced by enteroviruses, members of the well-characterized picornavirus genus Enterovirus The origins and dynamic morphologies of cardiovirus ROs are revealed using electron tomography, which points to the endoplasmic reticulum as the donor organelle usurped to produce single-membrane tubules and vesicles that transform into double-membrane vesicles. We show that PI4P, a critical lipid for cardiovirus and enterovirus replication, is not strictly required for the formation of cardiovirus ROs, as functional ROs with typical morphologies are formed under phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase type III alpha (PI4KA) inhibition in cells infected with an escape mutant. Our data show that the transformation from single-membrane structures to double-membrane vesicles is a conserved feature of cardiovirus and enterovirus infections that likely extends to other picornavirus genera.

Identification of GBF1 as a cellular factor required for hepatitis E virus RNA replication

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) genome is a single‐stranded, positive‐sense RNA that encodes three proteins including the ORF1 replicase. Mechanisms of HEV replication in host cells are unclear, and only a few cellular factors involved in this step have been identified so far. Here, we used brefeldin A (BFA) that blocks the activity of the cellular Arf guanine nucleotide exchange factors GBF1, BIG1, and BIG2, which play a major role in reshuffling of cellular membranes. We showed that BFA inhibits HEV replication in a dose‐dependent manner. The use of siRNA and Golgicide A identified GBF1 as a host factor critically involved in HEV replication. Experiments using cells expressing a mutation in the catalytic domain of GBF1 and overexpression of wild type GBF1 or a BFA‐resistant GBF1 mutant rescuing HEV replication in BFA‐treated cells, confirmed that GBF1 is the only BFA‐sensitive factor required for HEV replication. We demonstrated that GBF1 is likely required for the activity of HEV replication complexes. However, GBF1 does not colocalise with the ORF1 protein, and its subcellular distribution is unmodified upon infection or overexpression of viral proteins, indicating that GBF1 is likely not recruited to replication sites. Together, our results suggest that HEV replication involves GBF1‐regulated mechanisms.

In vivo monitoring of the recruitment and activation of AP-1 by Arf1

AP-1 is a clathrin adaptor recruited to the trans-Golgi Network where it can interact with specific signals found in the cytosolic tail of cargo proteins to incorporate them into clathrin-coated vesicles for trafficking. The small G protein Arf1 regulates the spatiotemporal recruitment of AP-1 and also drives a conformational change favoring an interaction with cargo proteins. A recent crystal structure and in vitro experiments highlighted potential residues mediating the AP-1/Arf1 interaction and the unlocking of the complex. We have used bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) to study the Arf1/AP-1 interaction and AP-1 conformational changes in vivo. We identified novel residues required for this interaction in addition to those predicted in the crystal structure. We also studied the conformational changes in AP-1 driven by Arf1 in live cells and found that opening of the complex is prerequisite for oligomerization. Using Arf1 knockout cells generated by CRISPR/Cas9, we demonstrated that residue 172 in Arf1 is necessary for AP-1 activation and is required for the efficient sorting of the lysosomal protein prosaposin. We have used BRET to study the in vivo activation of AP-1. The advantages of BRET include expressing full-length proteins in their native environment that have been fully post-translationally modified.

The Golgi protein ACBD3 facilitates Enterovirus 71 replication by interacting with 3A

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a human pathogen that causes hand, foot, mouth disease and neurological complications. Although EV71, as well as other enteroviruses, initiates a remodeling of intracellular membrane for genomic replication, the regulatory mechanism remains elusive. By screening human cDNA library, we uncover that the Golgi resident protein acyl-coenzyme A binding domain-containing 3 (ACBD3) serves as a target of the 3A protein of EV71. This interaction occurs in cells expressing 3A or infected with EV71. Genetic inhibition or deletion of ACBD3 drastically impairs viral RNA replication and plaque formation. Such defects are corrected upon restoration of ACBD3. In infected cells, EV71 3A redirects ACBD3, to the replication sites. I44A or H54Y substitution in 3A interrupts the binding to ACBD3. As such, viral replication is impeded. These results reveal a mechanism of EV71 replication that involves host ACBD3 for viral replication.

Systems Biology-Based Investigation of Cellular Antiviral Drug Targets Identified by Gene-Trap Insertional Mutagenesis

Viruses require host cellular factors for successful replication. A comprehensive systems-level investigation of the virus-host interactome is critical for understanding the roles of host factors with the end goal of discovering new druggable antiviral targets. Gene-trap insertional mutagenesis is a high-throughput forward genetics approach to randomly disrupt (trap) host genes and discover host genes that are essential for viral replication, but not for host cell survival. In this study, we used libraries of randomly mutagenized cells to discover cellular genes that are essential for the replication of 10 distinct cytotoxic mammalian viruses, 1 gram-negative bacterium, and 5 toxins. We herein reported 712 candidate cellular genes, characterizing distinct topological network and evolutionary signatures, and occupying central hubs in the human interactome. Cell cycle phase-specific network analysis showed that host cell cycle programs played critical roles during viral replication (e.g. MYC and TAF4 regulating G0/1 phase). Moreover, the viral perturbation of host cellular networks reflected disease etiology in that host genes (e.g. CTCF, RHOA, and CDKN1B) identified were frequently essential and significantly associated with Mendelian and orphan diseases, or somatic mutations in cancer. Computational drug repositioning framework via incorporating drug-gene signatures from the Connectivity Map into the virus-host interactome identified 110 putative druggable antiviral targets and prioritized several existing drugs (e.g. ajmaline) that may be potential for antiviral indication (e.g. anti-Ebola). In summary, this work provides a powerful methodology with a tight integration of gene-trap insertional mutagenesis testing and systems biology to identify new antiviral targets and drugs for the development of broadly acting and targeted clinical antiviral therapeutics.

Infectious diseases result in millions of deaths and cost billions of dollars annually. Hence, there is urgency for developing more innovative and effective antiviral therapeutics. In this study, we used libraries of randomly mutagenized cells to discover cellular genes that are essential for the replication of 10 distinct cytotoxic mammalian viruses. We herein reported over 700 candidate cellular genes, over 20% of which were independently selected by multiple viruses in one or more cell types. Using systems biology-based analysis, we found that host genes associated with viral replication tended to occupy central hubs in the human protein interactome and to be ancient genes with low evolutionary rates, compared to non-virus-associated genes. Cell cycle phase-specific sub-network analysis showed that host cell cycle program played important roles during viral replication by regulating specific cell cycle phases. Moreover, we presented novel evidences to suggest that host genes supporting viral replication were frequently implicated in Mendelian and orphan diseases, or played critical roles in cancer. Importantly, we found approximately 110 new putative druggable antiviral targets by merging genome-wide gene-trap insertional mutagenesis, drug-gene network, and bioinformatics data. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the use of a computable representation of genetic testing to effectively identify new potential antiviral indications for existing drugs. In summary, this study presents new and important methodologies for developing broadly active antiviral therapeutics.

The Amino Acid Substitution Q65H in the 2C Protein of Swine Vesicular Disease Virus Confers Resistance to Golgi Disrupting Drugs

Swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) is a porcine pathogen and a member of the species Enterovirus B within the Picornaviridae family. Brefeldin A (BFA) is an inhibitor of guanine nucleotide exchange factors of Arf proteins that induces Golgi complex disassembly and alters the cellular secretory pathway. Since BFA has been shown to inhibit the RNA replication of different enteroviruses, including SVDV, we have analyzed the effect of BFA and of golgicide A (GCA), another Golgi disrupting drug, on SVDV multiplication. BFA and GCA similarly inhibited SVDV production. To investigate the molecular basis of the antiviral effect of BFA, SVDV mutants with increased resistance to BFA were isolated. A single amino acid substitution, Q65H, in the non-structural protein 2C was found to be responsible for increased resistance to BFA. These results provide new insight into the relationship of enteroviruses with the components of the secretory pathway and on the role of SVDV 2C protein in this process.

Identification of class II ADP-ribosylation factors as cellular factors required for hepatitis C virus replication

GBF1 is a host factor required for hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. GBF1 functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for G-proteins of the Arf family, which regulate membrane dynamics in the early secretory pathway and the metabolism of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Here we established that the Arf-guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity of GBF1 is critical for its function in HCV replication, indicating that it promotes viral replication by activating one or more Arf family members. Arf involvement was confirmed with the use of two dominant negative Arf1 mutants. However, siRNA-mediated depletion of Arf1, Arf3 (class I Arfs), Arf4 or Arf5 (class II Arfs), which potentially interact with GBF1, did not significantly inhibit HCV infection. In contrast, the simultaneous depletion of both Arf4 and Arf5, but not of any other Arf pair, imposed a significant inhibition of HCV infection. Interestingly, the simultaneous depletion of both Arf4 and Arf5 had no impact on the activity of the secretory pathway and induced a compaction of the Golgi and an accumulation of lipid droplets. A similar phenotype of lipid droplet accumulation was also observed when GBF1 was inhibited by brefeldin A. In contrast, the simultaneous depletion of both Arf1 and Arf4 resulted in secretion inhibition and Golgi scattering, two actions reminiscent of GBF1 inhibition. We conclude that GBF1 could regulate different metabolic pathways through the activation of different pairs of Arf proteins.

Characterization of two novel ADP ribosylation factors from giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and their responses to WSSV challenge

ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs) are small GTP-binding proteins that have an essential function in intracellular trafficking and organelle structure. To date, little information is available on the Arfs in the economically important giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and their relationship to viral infection. Here we identified two Arf genes from M. rosenbergii (MrArf1 and MrArf2) for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MrArf1, together with MjArf1 from shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus belonged to Class I Arfs. By contrast, MrArf2 didn't not match any of the Arfs classes of I/II/III, although it could be clustered with an Arf protein from M. japonicas called MjArfn, which may represent an analog of the Arf. MrArf1 was ubiquitously expressed in all the examined tissues, with the highest transcription level in the hepatopancreas, whereas MrArf2 was only highly expressed in the hepatopancreas and exhibited very low levels in the heart, stomach, gills and intestine. The expression level of MrArf1 in the gills was down-regulated post 24 h WSSV challenge, and reached the maximal level at 48 h. MrArf1 in the hepatopancreas went up from 24 to 48 h WSSV challenge. MrArf2 transcript in the gill also went down at 24 h and then was upregulated at 48 h WSSV challenge. MrArf2 increased significantly in the hepatopancreas 24 h after infection and then went down at 48 h WSSV challenge. RNAi results showed that knockdown of MrArf1 or MrArf2 could inhibit the expression of the envelope protein gene vp28 of the WSSV. So, it could be speculated that MrArf1 and MrArf2 might play important roles in the innate immune system against WSSV infection.