Translation elongation factor 1A facilitates the assembly of the tombusvirus replicase and stimulates minus-strand synthesis

The non-template functions of helper virus RNAs create optimal replication conditions to enhance the proliferation of satellite RNAs

As a type of parasitic agent, satellite RNAs (satRNAs) rely on cognate helper viruses to achieve their replication and transmission. During the infection of satRNAs, helper virus RNAs serve as templates for synthesizing viral proteins, including the replication proteins essential for satRNA replication. However, the role of non-template functions of helper virus RNAs in satRNA replication remains unexploited. Here we employed the well-studied model that is composed of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and its associated satRNA. In the experiments employing the CMV trans-replication system, we observed an unexpected phenomenon the replication proteins of the mild strain LS-CMV exhibited defective in supporting satRNA replication, unlike those of the severe strain Fny-CMV. Independent of translation products, all CMV genomic RNAs could enhance satRNA replication, when combined with the replication proteins of CMV. This enhancement is contingent upon the recruitment and complete replication of helper virus RNAs. Using the method developed for analyzing the satRNA recruitment, we observed a markedly distinct ability of the replication proteins from both CMV strains to recruit the positive-sense satRNA-harboring RNA3 mutant for replication. This is in agreement with the differential ability of both 1a proteins in binding satRNAs in plants. The discrepancies provide a convincing explanation for the variation of the replication proteins of both CMV strains in replicating satRNAs. Taken together, our work provides compelling evidence that the non-template functions of helper virus RNAs create an optimal replication environment to enhance satRNA proliferation.

Identification and Functional Analyses of Host Proteins Interacting with the P3a Protein of Brassica Yellows Virus

Viruses are obligate parasites that only undergo genomic replication in their host organisms. ORF3a, a newly identified non-AUG-initiated ORF encoded by members of the genus Polerovirus, is required for long-distance movement in plants. However, its interactions with host proteins still remain unclear. Here, we used Brassica yellows virus (BrYV)-P3a as bait to screen a plant split-ubiquitin-based membrane yeast two-hybrid (MYTH) cDNA library to explain the functional role of P3a in viral infections. In total, 138 genes with annotations were obtained. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that the genes from carbon fixation in photosynthetic, photosynthesis pathways, and MAPK signaling were affected. Furthermore, Arabidopsis thaliana purine permease 14 (AtPUP14), glucosinolate transporter 1 (AtGTR1), and nitrate transporter 1.7 (AtNRT1.7) were verified to interact with P3a in vivo. P3a and these three interacting proteins mainly co-localized in the cytoplasm. Expression levels of AtPUP14, AtGTR1, and AtNRT1.7 were significantly reduced in response to BrYV during the late stages of viral infection. In addition, we characterized the roles of AtPUP14, AtGTR1, and AtNRT1.7 in BrYV infection in A. thaliana using T-DNA insertion mutants, and the pup14, gtr1, and nrt1.7 mutants influenced BrYV infection to different degrees.

N6-methyladenosine RNA modification promotes viral genomic RNA stability and infection

Molecular manipulation of susceptibility (S) genes that are antipodes to resistance (R) genes has been adopted as an alternative strategy for controlling crop diseases. Here, we show the S gene encoding Triticum aestivum m⁶A methyltransferase B (TaMTB) is identified by a genome-wide association study and subsequently shown to be a positive regulator for wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) infection. TaMTB is localized in the nucleus, is translocated into the cytoplasmic aggregates by binding to WYMV NIb to upregulate the m⁶A level of WYMV RNA1 and stabilize the viral RNA, thus promoting viral infection. A natural mutant allele TaMTB-SNP176C is found to confer an enhanced susceptibility to WYMV infection through genetic variation analysis on 243 wheat varieties. Our discovery highlights this allele can be a useful target for the molecular wheat breeding in the future.

Multifunctional role of the co-opted Cdc48 AAA+ ATPase in tombusvirus replication

Replication of positive-strand RNA viruses depends on usurped cellular membranes and co-opted host proteins. Based on pharmacological inhibition and genetic and biochemical approaches, the authors identified critical roles of the cellular Cdc48 unfoldase/segregase protein in facilitating the replication of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV). We show that TBSV infection induces the expression of Cdc48 in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Cdc48 binds to the TBSV replication proteins through its N-terminal region. In vitro TBSV replicase reconstitution experiments demonstrated that Cdc48 is needed for efficient replicase assembly and activity. Surprisingly, the in vitro replication experiments also showed that excess amount of Cdc48 facilitates the disassembly of the membrane-bound viral replicase-RNA template complex. Cdc48 is also needed for the recruitment of additional host proteins. Because several human viruses, including flaviviruses, utilize Cdc48, also called VCP/p97, for replication, we suggest that Cdc48 might be a common panviral host factor for plant and animal RNA viruses.

The centromeric histone CenH3 is recruited into the tombusvirus replication organelles

Tombusviruses, similar to other (+)RNA viruses, exploit the host cells by co-opting numerous host components and rewiring cellular pathways to build extensive virus-induced replication organelles (VROs) in the cytosol of the infected cells. Most molecular resources are suboptimal in susceptible cells and therefore, tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) drives intensive remodeling and subversion of many cellular processes. The authors discovered that the nuclear centromeric CenH3 histone variant (Cse4p in yeast, CENP-A in humans) plays a major role in tombusvirus replication in plants and in the yeast model host. We find that over-expression of CenH3 greatly interferes with tombusvirus replication, whereas mutation or knockdown of CenH3 enhances TBSV replication in yeast and plants. CenH3 binds to the viral RNA and acts as an RNA chaperone. Although these data support a restriction role of CenH3 in tombusvirus replication, we demonstrate that by partially sequestering CenH3 into VROs, TBSV indirectly alters selective gene expression of the host, leading to more abundant protein pool. This in turn helps TBSV to subvert pro-viral host factors into replication. We show this through the example of hypoxia factors, glycolytic and fermentation enzymes, which are exploited more efficiently by tombusviruses to produce abundant ATP locally within the VROs in infected cells. Altogether, we propose that subversion of CenH3/Cse4p from the nucleus into cytosolic VROs facilitates transcriptional changes in the cells, which ultimately leads to more efficient ATP generation in situ within VROs by the co-opted glycolytic enzymes to support the energy requirement of virus replication. In summary, CenH3 plays both pro-viral and restriction functions during tombusvirus replication. This is a surprising novel role for a nuclear histone variant in cytosolic RNA virus replication.

The Inhibition of RNA Viruses by Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids: Opportunities for the Development of Broad-Spectrum Anti-Coronavirus Drugs

The global COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of millions and disrupted nearly every aspect of human society. Currently, vaccines remain the only widely available medical means to address the cause of the pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unfortunately, current scientific consensus deems the emergence of vaccine-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants highly likely. In this context, the design and development of broad-spectrum, small-molecule based antiviral drugs has been described as a potentially effective, alternative medical strategy to address circulating and re-emerging CoVs. Small molecules are well-suited to target the least-rapidly evolving structures within CoVs such as highly conserved RNA replication enzymes, and this renders them less vulnerable to evolved drug resistance. Examination of the vast literature describing the inhibition of RNA viruses by Amaryllidaceae alkaloids suggests that future, broad-spectrum anti-CoV drugs may be derived from this family of natural products.

Targeting conserved co-opted host factors to block virus replication: Using allosteric inhibitors of the cytosolic Hsp70s to interfere with tomato bushy stunt virus replication

To further our understanding of the pro-viral roles of the host cytosolic heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family, we chose the conserved Arabidopsis thaliana Hsp70-2 and the unique Erd2 (early response to dehydration 2), which contain Hsp70 domains. Based on in vitro studies with purified components, we show that AtHsp70-2 and AtErd2 perform pro-viral functions equivalent to that of the yeast Ssa1 Hsp70. These functions include activation of the tombusvirus RdRp, and stimulation of replicase assembly. Yeast-based complementation studies demonstrate that AtHsp70-2 or AtErd2 are present in the purified tombusvirus replicase. RNA silencing and over-expression studies in Nicotiana benthamiana suggest that both Hsp70-2 and Erd2 are co-opted by tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV). Moreover, we used allosteric inhibitors of Hsp70s to inhibit replication of TBSV and related plant viruses in plants. Altogether, interfering with the functions of the co-opted Hsp70s could be an effective antiviral approach against tombusviruses in plants.

Binding between elongation factor 1A and the 3'-UTR of Chinese wheat mosaic virus is crucial for virus infection

The Chinese wheat mosaic virus (CWMV) genome consists of two positive-strand RNAs that are required for CWMV replication and translation. The eukaryotic translation elongation factor (eEF1A) is crucial for the elongation of protein translation in eukaryotes. Here, we show that silencing eEF1A expression in Nicotiana benthamiana plants by performing virus-induced gene silencing can greatly reduce the accumulation of CWMV genomic RNAs, whereas overexpression of eEF1A in plants increases the accumulation of CWMV genomic RNAs. In vivo and in vitro assays showed that eEF1A does not interact with CWMV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that eEF1A can specifically bind to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of CWMV genomic RNAs. By performing mutational analyses, we determined that the conserved region in the 3'-UTR of CWMV genomic RNAs is necessary for CWMV replication and translation, and that the sixth stem-loop (SL-6) in the 3'-UTR of CWMV genomic RNAs plays a key role in CWMV infection. We conclude that eEF1A is an essential host factor for CWMV infection. This finding should help us to develop new strategies for managing CWMV infections in host plants.

An Isoform of the Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factor 1A (eEF1a) Acts as a Pro-Viral Factor Required for Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Disease in Nicotiana benthamiana

The tripartite genome of the negative-stranded RNA virus Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) is assembled, together with two viral proteins, the nucleocapsid protein and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, into infectious ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). These two viral proteins are, together, essential for viral replication and transcription, yet our knowledge on the host factors supporting these two processes remains limited. To fill this knowledge gap, the protein composition of viral RNPs collected from TSWV-infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants, and of those collected from a reconstituted TSWV replicon system in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was analysed. RNPs obtained from infected plant material were enriched for plant proteins implicated in (i) sugar and phosphate transport and (ii) responses to cellular stress. In contrast, the yeast-derived viral RNPs primarily contained proteins implicated in RNA processing and ribosome biogenesis. The latter suggests that, in yeast, the translational machinery is recruited to these viral RNPs. To examine whether one of these cellular proteins is important for a TSWV infection, the corresponding N. benthamiana genes were targeted for virus-induced gene silencing, and these plants were subsequently challenged with TSWV. This approach revealed four host factors that are important for systemic spread of TSWV and disease symptom development.

Co-opting of nonATP-generating glycolytic enzymes for TBSV replication

Positive-strand RNA viruses build viral replication organelles (VROs) with the help of co-opted host factors. The energy requirement of intensive viral replication processes is less understood. Previous studies on tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) showed that tombusviruses hijack two ATP-producing glycolytic enzymes to produce ATP locally within VROs. In this work, we performed a cDNA library screen with Arabidopsis thaliana proteins and the TBSV p33 replication protein. The p33 - plant interactome contained highly conserved glycolytic proteins. We find that the glycolytic Hxk2 hexokinase, Eno2 phosphopyruvate hydratase and Fba1 fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase are critical for TBSV replication in yeast or in a cell-free replicase reconstitution assay. The recruitment of Fba1 is important for the local production of ATP within VROs. Altogether, our data support the model that TBSV recruits and compartmentalizes possibly most members of the glycolytic pathway. This might allow TBSV to avoid competition with the host for ATP.

A novel viral strategy for host factor recruitment: The co-opted proteasomal Rpn11 protein interaction hub in cooperation with subverted actin filaments are targeted to deliver cytosolic host factors for viral replication

Positive-strand (+)RNA viruses take advantage of the host cells by subverting a long list of host protein factors and transport vesicles and cellular organelles to build membranous viral replication organelles (VROs) that support robust RNA replication. How RNA viruses accomplish major recruitment tasks of a large number of cellular proteins are intensively studied. In case of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a single viral replication protein, named p33, carries out most of the recruitment duties. Yet, it is currently unknown how the viral p33 replication protein, which is membrane associated, is capable of the rapid and efficient recruitment of numerous cytosolic host proteins to facilitate the formation of large VROs. In this paper, we show that, TBSV p33 molecules do not recruit each cytosolic host factor one-by-one into VROs, but p33 targets a cytosolic protein interaction hub, namely Rpn11, which interacts with numerous other cytosolic proteins. The highly conserved Rpn11, called POH1 in humans, is the metalloprotease subunit of the proteasome, which couples deubiquitination and degradation of proteasome substrates. However, TBSV takes advantage of a noncanonical function of Rpn11 by exploiting Rpn11's interaction with highly abundant cytosolic proteins and the actin network. We provide supporting evidence that the co-opted Rpn11 in coordination with the subverted actin network is used for delivering cytosolic proteins, such as glycolytic and fermentation enzymes, which are readily subverted into VROs to produce ATP locally in support of VRO formation, viral replicase complex assembly and viral RNA replication. Using several approaches, including knockdown of Rpn11 level, sequestering Rpn11 from the cytosol into the nucleus in plants or temperature-sensitive mutation in Rpn11 in yeast, we show the inhibition of recruitment of glycolytic and fermentation enzymes into VROs. The Rpn11-assisted recruitment of the cytosolic enzymes by p33, however, also requires the combined and coordinated role of the subverted actin network. Accordingly, stabilization of the actin filaments by expression of the Legionella VipA effector in yeast and plant, or via a mutation of ACT1 in yeast resulted in more efficient and rapid recruitment of Rpn11 and the selected glycolytic and fermentation enzymes into VROs. On the contrary, destruction of the actin filaments via expression of the Legionella RavK effector led to poor recruitment of Rpn11 and glycolytic and fermentation enzymes. Finally, we confirmed the key roles of Rpn11 and the actin filaments in situ ATP production within TBSV VROs via using a FRET-based ATP-biosensor. The novel emerging theme is that TBSV targets Rpn11 cytosolic protein interaction hub driven by the p33 replication protein and aided by the subverted actin filaments to deliver several co-opted cytosolic pro-viral factors for robust replication within VROs.

Changes in Subcellular Localization of Host Proteins Induced by Plant Viruses

Viruses are dependent on host factors at all parts of the infection cycle, such as translation, genome replication, encapsidation, and cell-to-cell and systemic movement. RNA viruses replicate their genome in compartments associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts, and mitochondria or peroxisome membranes. In contrast, DNA viruses replicate in the nucleus. Viral infection causes changes in plant gene expression and in the subcellular localization of some host proteins. These changes may support or inhibit virus accumulation and spread. Here, we review host proteins that change their subcellular localization in the presence of a plant virus. The most frequent change is the movement of host cytoplasmic proteins into the sites of virus replication through interactions with viral proteins, and the protein contributes to essential viral processes. In contrast, only a small number of studies document changes in the subcellular localization of proteins with antiviral activity. Understanding the changes in the subcellular localization of host proteins during plant virus infection provides novel insights into the mechanisms of plant–virus interactions and may help the identification of targets for designing genetic resistance to plant viruses.

Dynamic interplay between the co-opted Fis1 mitochondrial fission protein and membrane contact site proteins in supporting tombusvirus replication

Plus-stranded RNA viruses have limited coding capacity and have to co-opt numerous pro-viral host factors to support their replication. Many of the co-opted host factors support the biogenesis of the viral replication compartments and the formation of viral replicase complexes on subverted subcellular membrane surfaces. Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) exploits peroxisomal membranes, whereas the closely-related carnation Italian ringspot virus (CIRV) hijacks the outer membranes of mitochondria. How these organellar membranes can be recruited into pro-viral roles is not completely understood. Here, we show that the highly conserved Fis1 mitochondrial fission protein is co-opted by both TBSV and CIRV via direct interactions with the p33/p36 replication proteins. Deletion of FIS1 in yeast or knockdown of the homologous Fis1 in plants inhibits tombusvirus replication. Instead of the canonical function in mitochondrial fission and peroxisome division, the tethering function of Fis1 is exploited by tombusviruses to facilitate the subversion of membrane contact site (MCS) proteins and peroxisomal/mitochondrial membranes for the biogenesis of the replication compartment. We propose that the dynamic interactions of Fis1 with MCS proteins, such as the ER resident VAP tethering proteins, Sac1 PI4P phosphatase and the cytosolic OSBP-like oxysterol-binding proteins, promote the formation and facilitate the stabilization of virus-induced vMCSs, which enrich sterols within the replication compartment. We show that this novel function of Fis1 is exploited by tombusviruses to build nuclease-insensitive viral replication compartment.

Reconstitution of an RNA Virus Replicase in Artificial Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Supports Full Replication and Provides Protection for the Double-Stranded RNA Replication Intermediate

Positive-strand RNA [(+)RNA] viruses are important pathogens of humans, animals, and plants and replicate inside host cells by coopting numerous host factors and subcellular membranes. To gain insights into the assembly of viral replicase complexes (VRCs) and dissect the roles of various lipids and coopted host factors, we have reconstituted Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) replicase using artificial giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). We demonstrate that reconstitution of VRCs on GUVs with endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-like phospholipid composition results in a complete cycle of replication and asymmetrical RNA synthesis, which is a hallmark of (+)RNA viruses. TBSV VRCs assembled on GUVs provide significant protection of the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) replication intermediate against the dsRNA-specific RNase III. The lipid compositions of GUVs have pronounced effects on in vitro TBSV replication, including (-) and (+)RNA synthesis. The GUV-based assay has led to the discovery of the critical role of phosphatidylserine in TBSV replication and a novel role for phosphatidylethanolamine in asymmetrical (+)RNA synthesis. The GUV-based assay also showed stimulatory effects by phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate [PI(3)P] and ergosterol on TBSV replication. We demonstrate that eEF1A and Hsp70 coopted replicase assembly factors, Vps34 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the membrane-bending ESCRT factors, are required for reconstitution of the active TBSV VRCs in GUVs, further supporting that the novel GUV-based in vitro approach recapitulates critical steps and involves essential coopted cellular factors of the TBSV replication process. Taken together, this novel GUV assay will be highly suitable to dissect the functions of viral and cellular factors in TBSV replication.IMPORTANCE Understanding the mechanism of replication of positive-strand RNA viruses, which are major pathogens of plants, animals, and humans, can lead to new targets for antiviral interventions. These viruses subvert intracellular membranes for virus replication and coopt numerous host proteins, whose functions during virus replication are not yet completely defined. To dissect the roles of various host factors in Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) replication, we have developed an artificial giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV)-based replication assay. The GUV-based in vitro approach recapitulates critical steps of the TBSV replication process. GUV-based reconstitution of the TBSV replicase revealed the need for a complex mixture of phospholipids, especially phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, in TBSV replication. The GUV-based approach will be useful to dissect the functions of essential coopted cellular factors.

Host protein chaperones, RNA helicases and the ubiquitin network highlight the arms race for resources between tombusviruses and their hosts

Positive-strand RNA viruses need to arrogate many cellular resources to support their replication and infection cycles. These viruses co-opt host factors, lipids and subcellular membranes and exploit cellular metabolites to built viral replication organelles in infected cells. However, the host cells have their defensive arsenal of factors to protect themselves from easy exploitation by viruses. In this review, the author discusses an emerging arms race for cellular resources between viruses and hosts, which occur during the early events of virus-host interactions. Recent findings with tomato bushy stunt virus and its hosts revealed that the need of the virus to exploit and co-opt given members of protein families provides an opportunity for the host to deploy additional members of the same or associated protein family to interfere with virus replication. Three examples with well-established heat shock protein 70 and RNA helicase protein families and the ubiquitin network will be described to illustrate this model on the early arms race for cellular resources between tombusviruses and their hosts. We predict that arms race for resources with additional cellular protein families will be discovered with tombusviruses. These advances will fortify research on interactions among other plant and animal viruses and their hosts.

Co-opted Cellular Sac1 Lipid Phosphatase and PI(4)P Phosphoinositide Are Key Host Factors during the Biogenesis of the Tombusvirus Replication Compartment

Positive-strand RNA [(+)RNA] viruses assemble numerous membrane-bound viral replicase complexes (VRCs) with the help of viral replication proteins and co-opted host proteins within large viral replication compartments in the cytosol of infected cells. In this study, we found that deletion or depletion of Sac1 phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PI(4)P] phosphatase reduced tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) replication in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and plants. We demonstrate a critical role for Sac1 in TBSV replicase assembly in a cell-free replicase reconstitution assay. The effect of Sac1 seems to be direct, based on its interaction with the TBSV p33 replication protein, its copurification with the tombusvirus replicase, and its presence in the virus-induced membrane contact sites and within the TBSV replication compartment. The proviral functions of Sac1 include manipulation of lipid composition, sterol enrichment within the VRCs, and recruitment of additional host factors into VRCs. Depletion of Sac1 inhibited the recruitment of Rab5 GTPase-positive endosomes and enrichment of phosphatidylethanolamine in the viral replication compartment. We propose that Sac1 might be a component of the assembly hub for VRCs, likely in collaboration with the co-opted the syntaxin18-like Ufe1 SNARE protein within the TBSV replication compartments. This work also led to demonstration of the enrichment of PI(4)P phosphoinositide within the replication compartment. Reduction in the PI(4)P level due to chemical inhibition in plant protoplasts; depletion of two PI(4)P kinases, Stt4p and Pik1p; or sequestration of free PI(4)P via expression of a PI(4)P-binding protein in yeast strongly inhibited TBSV replication. Altogether, Sac1 and PI(4)P play important proviral roles during TBSV replication.IMPORTANCE Replication of positive-strand RNA viruses depends on recruitment of host components into viral replication compartments or organelles. Using TBSV, we uncovered the critical roles of Sac1 PI(4)P phosphatase and its substrate, PI(4)P phosphoinositide, in promoting viral replication. Both Sac1 and PI(4)P are recruited to the site of viral replication to facilitate the assembly of the viral replicase complexes, which perform viral RNA replication. We found that Sac1 affects the recruitment of other host factors and enrichment of phosphatidylethanolamine and sterol lipids within the subverted host membranes to promote optimal viral replication. In summary, this work demonstrates the novel functions of Sac1 and PI(4)P in TBSV replication in the model host yeast and in plants.

The RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase NIb of Potyviruses Plays Multifunctional, Contrasting Roles during Viral Infection

Potyviruses represent the largest group of known plant RNA viruses and include many agriculturally important viruses, such as Plum pox virus, Soybean mosaic virus, Turnip mosaic virus, and Potato virus Y. Potyviruses adopt polyprotein processing as their genome expression strategy. Among the 11 known viral proteins, the nuclear inclusion protein b (NIb) is the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase responsible for viral genome replication. Beyond its principal role as an RNA replicase, NIb has been shown to play key roles in diverse virus–host interactions. NIb recruits several host proteins into the viral replication complexes (VRCs), which are essential for the formation of functional VRCs for virus multiplication, and interacts with the sumoylation pathway proteins to suppress NPR1-mediated immunity response. On the other hand, NIb serves as a target of selective autophagy as well as an elicitor of effector-triggered immunity, resulting in attenuated virus infection. These contrasting roles of NIb provide an excellent example of the complex co-evolutionary arms race between plant hosts and potyviruses. This review highlights the current knowledge about the multifunctional roles of NIb in potyvirus infection, and discusses future research directions.

Screening Legionella effectors for antiviral effects reveals Rab1 GTPase as a proviral factor coopted for tombusvirus replication

Bacterial virulence factors or effectors are proteins targeted into host cells to coopt or interfere with cellular proteins and pathways. Viruses often coopt the same cellular proteins and pathways to support their replication in infected cells. Therefore, we screened the Legionella pneumophila effectors to probe virus-host interactions and identify factors that modulate tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) replication in yeast surrogate host. Among 302 Legionella effectors tested, 28 effectors affected TBSV replication. To unravel a coopted cellular pathway in TBSV replication, the identified DrrA effector from Legionella was further exploited. We find that expression of DrrA in yeast or plants blocks TBSV replication through inhibiting the recruitment of Rab1 small GTPase and endoplasmic reticulum-derived COPII vesicles into the viral replication compartment. TBSV hijacks Rab1 and COPII vesicles to create enlarged membrane surfaces and optimal lipid composition within the viral replication compartment. To further validate our Legionella effector screen, we used the Legionella effector LepB lipid kinase to confirm the critical proviral function of PI(3)P phosphoinositide and the early endosomal compartment in TBSV replication. We demonstrate the direct inhibitory activity of LegC8 effector on TBSV replication using a cell-free replicase reconstitution assay. LegC8 inhibits the function of eEF1A, a coopted proviral host factor. Altogether, the identified bacterial effectors with anti-TBSV activity could be powerful reagents in cell biology and virus-host interaction studies. This study provides important proof of concept that bacterial effector proteins can be a useful toolbox to identify host factors and cellular pathways coopted by (+)RNA viruses.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Plays a Critical Role in Integrating Signals Generated by Both Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants

Most studies of environmental adaptations in plants have focused on either biotic or abiotic stress factors in an attempt to understand the defense mechanisms of plants against individual stresses. However, in the natural ecosystem, plants are simultaneously exposed to multiple stresses. Stress-tolerant crops developed in translational studies based on a single stress often fail to exhibit the expected traits in the field. To adapt to abiotic stress, recent studies have identified the need for interactions of plants with various microorganisms. These findings highlight the need to understand the multifaceted interactions of plants with biotic and abiotic stress factors. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle that links various stress responses. To gain insight into the molecular integration of biotic and abiotic stress responses in the ER, we focused on the interactions of plants with RNA viruses. This interaction points toward the relevance of ER in viral pathogenicity as well as plant responses. In this mini review, we explore the molecular crosstalk between biotic and abiotic stress signaling through the ER by elaborating ER-mediated signaling in response to RNA viruses and abiotic stresses. Additionally, we summarize the results of a recent study on phytohormones that induce ER-mediated stress response. These studies will facilitate the development of multi-stress-tolerant transgenic crops in the future.

The eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A regulation of actin stress fibers is important for infectious RSV production

Cellular protein eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) is an actin binding protein that plays a role in the formation of filamentous actin (F-actin) bundles. F-Actin regulates multiple stages of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) replication including assembly and budding. Our previous study demonstrated that eEF1A knock-down significantly reduced RSV replication. Here we investigated if the eEF1A function in actin bundle formation was important for RSV replication and release. To investigate this, eEF1A function was impaired in HEp-2 cells by either knock-down of eEF1A with siRNA, or treatment with an eEF1A inhibitor, didemnin B (Did B). Cell staining and confocal microscopy analysis showed that both eEF1A knock-down and treatment with Did B resulted in disruption of cellular stress fiber formation and elevated accumulation of F-actin near the plasma membrane. When treated cells were then infected with RSV, there was also reduced formation of virus-induced cellular filopodia. Did B treatment, similarly to eEF1A knock-down, reduced the release of infectious RSV, but unlike eEF1A knock-down, did not significantly affect RSV genome replication. The lower infectious virus production in Did B treated cells also reduced RSV-induced cell death. In conclusion, the cellular factor eEF1A plays an important role in the regulation of F-actin stress fiber formation required for RSV assembly and release.

Susceptibility Genes to Plant Viruses

Plant viruses use cellular factors and resources to replicate and move. Plants respond to viral infection by several mechanisms, including innate immunity, autophagy, and gene silencing, that viruses must evade or suppress. Thus, the establishment of infection is genetically determined by the availability of host factors necessary for virus replication and movement and by the balance between plant defense and viral suppression of defense responses. Host factors may have antiviral or proviral activities. Proviral factors condition susceptibility to viruses by participating in processes essential to the virus. Here, we review current advances in the identification and characterization of host factors that condition susceptibility to plant viruses. Host factors with proviral activity have been identified for all parts of the virus infection cycle: viral RNA translation, viral replication complex formation, accumulation or activity of virus replication proteins, virus movement, and virion assembly. These factors could be targets of gene editing to engineer resistance to plant viruses.

Tombusvirus RNA replication depends on the TOR pathway in yeast and plants

Similar to other (+)RNA viruses, tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) utilizes metabolites, lipids, membranes, and co-opted host factors during replication. The coordination of cell metabolism and growth with environmental cues is performed by the target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase in eukaryotic cells. In this paper, we find that TBSV replication partially inhibits TOR activity, likely due to recruitment of glycolytic enzymes to the viral replication compartment, which results in reduced ATP levels in the cytosol. Complete inhibition of TOR activity with rapamycin in yeast or AZD8055 inhibitor in plants reduces tombusvirus replication. We find that high glucose concentration, which stimulates TOR activity, enhanced tombusvirus replication in yeast. Depletion of yeast Sch9 or plant S6K1 kinase, a downstream effector of TOR, also inhibited tombusvirus replication in yeast and plant or the assembly of the viral replicase in vitro. Altogether, the TOR pathway is crucial for TBSV to replicate efficiently in hosts.

Intragenomic Long-Distance RNA-RNA Interactions in Plus-Strand RNA Plant Viruses

Plant viruses that contain positive-strand RNA genomes represent an important class of pathogen. The genomes of these viruses harbor RNA sequences and higher-order RNA structures that are essential for the regulation of viral processes during infections. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that, in addition to locally positioned RNA structures, long-distance intragenomic interactions, involving nucleotide base pairing over large distances, also contribute significantly to the control of various viral events. Viral processes that are modulated by such interactions include genome replication, translation initiation, translational recoding, and subgenomic mRNA transcription. Here, we review the structure and function of different types of long-distance RNA–RNA interactions, herein termed LDRIs, present in members of the family Tombusviridae and other plus-strand RNA plant viruses.

Methylation of Elongation Factor 1A: Where, Who, and Why?

Eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) is an essential and highly conserved protein involved in diverse cellular processes, including translation, cytoskeleton organisation, nuclear export, and proteasomal degradation. Recently, nine novel and site-specific methyltransferases were discovered that target eEF1A, five in yeast and four in human, making it the eukaryotic protein with the highest number of independent methyltransferases. Some of these methyltransferases show striking evolutionary conservation. Yet, they come from diverse methyltransferase families, indicating they confer competitive advantage through independent origins. As might be expected, the first functional studies of specific methylation sites found them to have distinct effects, notably on eEF1A-related processes of translation and tRNA aminoacylation. Further functional studies of sites will likely reveal other unique roles for this interesting modification.

The Glycolytic Pyruvate Kinase Is Recruited Directly into the Viral Replicase Complex to Generate ATP for RNA Synthesis

Viruses accomplish their replication by exploiting many cellular resources, including metabolites and energy. Similarly to other (+)RNA viruses, tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) induces major changes in infected cells. However, the source of energy required to fuel TBSV replication is unknown. We find that TBSV co-opts the cellular glycolytic ATP-generating pyruvate kinase (PK) directly into the viral replicase complex to boost progeny RNA synthesis. The co-opted PK generates high levels of ATP within the viral replication compartment at the expense of a reduction in cytosolic ATP pools. The ATP generated by the co-opted PK is used to promote the helicase activity of recruited cellular DEAD-box helicases, which are involved in the production of excess viral (+)RNA progeny. Altogether, recruitment of PK and local production of ATP within the replication compartment allow the virus replication machinery an access to plentiful ATP, facilitating robust virus replication.

Co-opting ATP-generating glycolytic enzyme PGK1 phosphoglycerate kinase facilitates the assembly of viral replicase complexes

The intricate interactions between viruses and hosts include exploitation of host cells for viral replication by using many cellular resources, metabolites and energy. Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), similar to other (+)RNA viruses, induces major changes in infected cells that lead to the formation of large replication compartments consisting of aggregated peroxisomal and ER membranes. Yet, it is not known how TBSV obtains the energy to fuel these energy-consuming processes. In the current work, the authors discovered that TBSV co-opts the glycolytic ATP-generating Pgk1 phosphoglycerate kinase to facilitate the assembly of new viral replicase complexes. The recruitment of Pgk1 into the viral replication compartment is through direct interaction with the viral replication proteins. Altogether, we provide evidence that the ATP generated locally within the replication compartment by the co-opted Pgk1 is used to fuel the ATP-requirement of the co-opted heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) chaperone, which is essential for the assembly of new viral replicase complexes and the activation of functional viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The advantage of direct recruitment of Pgk1 into the virus replication compartment could be that the virus replicase assembly does not need to intensively compete with cellular processes for access to ATP. In addition, local production of ATP within the replication compartment could greatly facilitate the efficiency of Hsp70-driven replicase assembly by providing high ATP concentration within the replication compartment.

Exploitation of a surrogate host, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to identify cellular targets and develop novel antiviral approaches

Plant RNA viruses are widespread pathogens that need to interact intricately with their hosts to co-opt numerous cellular factors to facilitate their replication. Currently, there are only a limited number of plant resistance genes against a limited number of viruses. To develop novel antiviral approaches, the interaction network between the given virus and the host cell could be targeted. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been developed as a surrogate host for tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), allowing systematic genome-wide screens to identify both susceptibility and restriction factors for TBSV. Importantly, pro-viral or antiviral functions of several of the characterized yeast proteins have been validated in plant hosts. This paper describes how yeast susceptibility and restriction factors of TBSV could be used as antiviral approaches. The gained knowledge on host factors could lead to novel, inducible, broad-range, and durable antiviral tools against plant viruses.

The role of co-opted ESCRT proteins and lipid factors in protection of tombusviral double-stranded RNA replication intermediate against reconstituted RNAi in yeast

Reconstituted antiviral defense pathway in surrogate host yeast is used as an intracellular probe to further our understanding of virus-host interactions and the role of co-opted host factors in formation of membrane-bound viral replicase complexes in protection of the viral RNA against ribonucleases. The inhibitory effect of the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery of S. castellii, which only consists of the two-component DCR1 and AGO1 genes, was measured against tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) in wild type and mutant yeasts. We show that deletion of the co-opted ESCRT-I (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport I) or ESCRT-III factors makes TBSV replication more sensitive to the RNAi machinery in yeast. Moreover, the lack of these pro-viral cellular factors in cell-free extracts (CFEs) used for in vitro assembly of the TBSV replicase results in destruction of dsRNA replication intermediate by a ribonuclease at the 60 min time point when the CFE from wt yeast has provided protection for dsRNA. In addition, we demonstrate that co-opted oxysterol-binding proteins and membrane contact sites, which are involved in enrichment of sterols within the tombusvirus replication compartment, are required for protection of viral dsRNA. We also show that phosphatidylethanolamine level influences the formation of RNAi-resistant replication compartment. In the absence of peroxisomes in pex3Δ yeast, TBSV subverts the ER membranes, which provide as good protection for TBSV dsRNA against RNAi or ribonucleases as the peroxisomal membranes in wt yeast. Altogether, these results demonstrate that co-opted protein factors and usurped lipids are exploited by tombusviruses to build protective subcellular environment against the RNAi machinery and possibly other cellular ribonucleases.

Positive-strand RNA viruses build membranous replication compartment to support their replication in the infected hosts. One of the proposed functions of the usurped subcellular membranes is to protect the viral RNA from recognition and destruction by various cellular RNA sensors and ribonucleases. To answer this fundamental question on the putative role of co-opted host factors and membranes in protecting the viral double-stranded RNA replication intermediate during replication, the authors took advantage of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), which lacks the conserved RNAi machinery, as a surrogate host for TBSV. The reconstituted RNAi machinery from S. castellii in S. cerevisiae was used as an intracellular probe to study the effect of various co-opted cellular proteins and lipids on the formation of RNAi-insensitive replication compartment. Overall, the authors demonstrate the interaction between the RNAi machinery and the viral replicase complex, and the essential roles of usurped host factors in protecting the viral dsRNA replication intermediate from RNAi-based degradation.

Host Factors in the Infection Cycle of Bamboo mosaic virus

To complete the infection cycle efficiently, the virus must hijack the host systems in order to benefit for all the steps and has to face all the defense mechanisms from the host. This review involves a discussion of how these positive and negative factors regulate the viral RNA accumulation identified for the Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV), a single-stranded RNA virus. The genome of BaMV is approximately 6.4 kb in length, encoding five functional polypeptides. To reveal the host factors involved in the infection cycle of BaMV, a few different approaches were taken to screen the candidates. One of the approaches is isolating the viral replicase-associated proteins by co-immunoprecipitation with the transiently expressed tagged viral replicase in plants. Another approach is using the cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism technique to screen the differentially expressed genes derived from N. benthamiana plants after infection. The candidates are examined by knocking down the expression in plants using the Tobacco rattle virus-based virus-induced gene silencing technique following BaMV inoculation. The positive or negative regulators could be described as reducing or enhancing the accumulation of BaMV in plants when the expression levels of these proteins are knocked down. The possible roles of these host factors acting on the accumulation of BaMV will be discussed.

Identification of host cellular proteins that interact with the M protein of a highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus vaccine strain

BACKGROUND

The highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) continues to pose one of the greatest threats to the swine industry. M protein is the most conserved and important structural protein of PRRSV. However, information about the host cellular proteins that interact with M protein remains limited.

METHODS

Host cellular proteins that interact with the M protein of HP-PRRSV were immunoprecipitated from MARC-145 cells infected with PRRSV HuN4-F112 using the M monoclonal antibody (mAb). The differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. The screened proteins were used for bioinformatics analysis including Gene Ontology, the interaction network, and the enriched KEGG pathways. Some interested cellular proteins were validated to interact with M protein by CO-IP.

RESULTS

The PRRSV HuN4-F112 infection group had 10 bands compared with the control group. The bands included 219 non-redundant cellular proteins that interact with M protein, which were identified by LC-MS/MS with high confidence. The gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway bioinformatic analyses indicated that the identified proteins could be assigned to several different subcellular locations and functional classes. Functional analysis of the interactome profile highlighted cellular pathways associated with protein translation, infectious disease, and signal transduction. Two interested cellular proteins-nuclear factor of activated T cells 45 kDa (NF45) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-that could interact with M protein were validated by Co-IP and confocal analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The interactome data between PRRSV M protein and cellular proteins were identified and contribute to the understanding of the roles of M protein in the replication and pathogenesis of PRRSV. The interactome of M protein will aid studies of virus/host interactions and provide means to decrease the threat of PRRSV to the swine industry in the future.

Tombusvirus polymerase: Structure and function

Tombusviruses are small icosahedral viruses that possess plus-sense RNA genomes ∼4.8kb in length. The type member of the genus, tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), encodes a 92kDa (p92) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) that is responsible for viral genome replication and subgenomic (sg) mRNA transcription. Several functionally relevant regions in p92 have been identified and characterized, including transmembrane domains, RNA-binding segments, membrane targeting signals, and oligomerization domains. Moreover, conserved tombusvirus-specific motifs in the C-proximal region of the RdRp have been shown to modulate viral genome replication, sg mRNA transcription, and trans-replication of subviral replicons. Interestingly, p92 is initially non-functional, and requires an accessory viral protein, p33, as well as viral RNA, host proteins, and intracellular membranes to become active. These and other host factors, through a well-orchestrated process guided by the viral replication proteins, mediate the assembly of membrane-associated virus replicase complexes (VRCs). Here, we describe what is currently known about the structure and function of the tombusvirus RdRp and how it utilizes host components to build VRCs that synthesize viral RNAs.

The Potyviral P3 Protein Targets Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1A to Promote the Unfolded Protein Response and Viral Pathogenesis

The biochemical function of the potyviral P3 protein is not known, although it is known to regulate virus replication, movement, and pathogenesis. We show that P3, the putative virulence determinant of soybean mosaic virus (SMV), targets a component of the translation elongation complex in soybean. Eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A), a well-known host factor in viral pathogenesis, is essential for SMV virulence and the associated unfolded protein response (UPR). Silencing GmEF1A inhibits accumulation of SMV and another ER-associated virus in soybean. Conversely, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-inducing chemicals promote SMV accumulation in wild-type, but not GmEF1A-knockdown, plants. Knockdown of genes encoding the eEF1B isoform, which is important for eEF1A function in translation elongation, has similar effects on UPR and SMV resistance, suggesting a link to translation elongation. P3 and GmEF1A promote each other's nuclear localization, similar to the nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of eEF1A by the Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Nef protein. Our results suggest that P3 targets host elongation factors resulting in UPR, which in turn facilitates SMV replication and place eEF1A upstream of BiP in the ER stress response during pathogen infection.

Tombusvirus-Host Interactions: Co-Opted Evolutionarily Conserved Host Factors Take Center Court

Plant positive-strand (+)RNA viruses are intracellular infectious agents that reorganize subcellular membranes and rewire the cellular metabolism of host cells to achieve viral replication in elaborate replication compartments. This review describes the viral replication process based on tombusviruses, highlighting common strategies with other plant and animal viruses. Overall, the works on Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) have revealed intriguing and complex functions of co-opted cellular translation factors, heat shock proteins, DEAD-box helicases, lipid transfer proteins, and membrane-deforming proteins in virus replication. The emerging picture is that many of the co-opted host factors are from highly expressed and conserved protein families. By hijacking host proteins, phospholipids, sterols, and the actin network, TBSV exerts supremacy over the host cell to support viral replication in large replication compartments. Altogether, these advances in our understanding of tombusvirus-host interactions are broadly applicable to many other viruses, which also usurp conserved host factors for various viral processes.

Protein composition of 6K2-induced membrane structures formed during Potato virus A infection

The definition of the precise molecular composition of membranous replication compartments is a key to understanding the mechanisms of virus multiplication. Here, we set out to investigate the protein composition of the potyviral replication complexes. We purified the potyviral 6K2 protein-induced membranous structures from Potato virus A (PVA)-infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants. For this purpose, the 6K2 protein, which is the main inducer of potyviral membrane rearrangements, was expressed in fusion with an N-terminal Twin-Strep-tag and Cerulean fluorescent protein (SC6K) from the infectious PVA cDNA. A non-tagged Cerulean-6K2 (C6K) virus and the SC6K protein alone in the absence of infection were used as controls. A purification scheme exploiting discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation followed by Strep-tag-based affinity chromatography was developed. Both (+)- and (-)-strand PVA RNA and viral protein VPg were co-purified specifically with the affinity tagged PVA-SC6K. The purified samples, which contained individual vesicles and membrane clusters, were subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. Data analysis revealed that many of the detected viral and host proteins were either significantly enriched or fully specifically present in PVA-SC6K samples when compared with the controls. Eight of eleven potyviral proteins were identified with high confidence from the purified membrane structures formed during PVA infection. Ribosomal proteins were identified from the 6K2-induced membranes only in the presence of a replicating virus, reinforcing the tight coupling between replication and translation. A substantial number of proteins associating with chloroplasts and several host proteins previously linked with potyvirus replication complexes were co-purified with PVA-derived SC6K, supporting the conclusion that the host proteins identified in this study may have relevance in PVA replication.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induced Synthesis of a Novel Viral Factor Mediates Efficient Replication of Genotype-1 Hepatitis E Virus

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute hepatitis in many parts of the world including Asia, Africa and Latin America. Though self-limiting in normal individuals, it results in ~30% mortality in infected pregnant women. It has also been reported to cause acute and chronic hepatitis in organ transplant patients. Of the seven viral genotypes, genotype-1 virus infects humans and is a major public health concern in South Asian countries. Sporadic cases of genotype-3 and 4 infection in human and animals such as pigs, deer, mongeese have been reported primarily from industrialized countries. Genotype-5, 6 and 7 viruses are known to infect animals such as wild boar and camel, respectively. Genotype-3 and 4 viruses have been successfully propagated in the laboratory in mammalian cell culture. However, genotype-1 virus replicates poorly in mammalian cell culture and no other efficient model exists to study its life cycle. Here, we report that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress promotes genotype-1 HEV replication by inducing cap-independent, internal initiation mediated translation of a novel viral protein (named ORF4). Importantly, ORF4 expression and stimulatory effect of ER stress inducers on viral replication is specific to genotype-1. ORF4 protein sequence is mostly conserved among genotype-1 HEV isolates and ORF4 specific antibodies were detected in genotype-1 HEV patient serum. ORF4 interacted with multiple viral and host proteins and assembled a protein complex consisting of viral helicase, RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), X, host eEF1α1 (eukaryotic elongation factor 1 isoform-1) and tubulinβ. In association with eEF1α1, ORF4 stimulated viral RdRp activity. Furthermore, human hepatoma cells that stably express ORF4 or engineered proteasome resistant ORF4 mutant genome permitted enhanced viral replication. These findings reveal a positive role of ER stress in promoting genotype-1 HEV replication and pave the way towards development of an efficient model of the virus.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of acute and sporadic viral hepatitis. It is a small positive strand RNA virus, which is transmitted through the feco-oral route. Owing to lack of sanitation and unavailibility of safe drinking water, populations of developing and resource starved countries are prone towards HEV infection. Recent reports also indicate HEV induced acute and chronic hepatitis in organ transplant patients. Another peculiar characteristic of HEV is attributed to its ability to cause high mortality (~30%) in infected pregnant women. Even after 30 years of discovery of the virus, little information exists regarding viral life cycle and replication machinery. HEV is divided into seven genotypes. Genotype-3 and 4 viruses infect humans and a few animals (such as pigs, deer, mongeese) and have been reported from industrialized countries. Genotype-3 and 4 viruses have been successfully propagated in the laboratory in mammalian cell culture. However, genotype-1 virus, which is known to infect human and is a major public health concern in south Asian countries, replicates poorly in mammalian cell culture and no other efficient model exists to investigate the viral life cycle. With the goal of developing an efficient laboratory model of genotype-1 HEV, we attempted to identify a permissive cellular condition that would allow efficient viral replication in human hepatoma cells. Here, we report that endoplasmic reticulum stress inducing agents promote genotype-1 HEV replication by initiating cap-independent, internal translation mediated synthesis of a novel viral factor, which we have named ORF4. Further investigations revealed that ORF4 is expressed only in genotype-1 and it acts by interacting with multiple viral and host proteins and cooperates with host eEF1α1 (eukaryotic elongation factor 1 isoform 1) to control the activity of viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase. Moreover, a proteasome resistant ORF4 mutant significantly enhanced viral replication. Thus, our study identifies an optimal condition required for efficient replication of genotype-1 HEV and dissects out the molecular mechanism governing that. Data presented here will be instrumental in developing an efficient model of the virus.

Viral Replication Protein Inhibits Cellular Cofilin Actin Depolymerization Factor to Regulate the Actin Network and Promote Viral Replicase Assembly

RNA viruses exploit host cells by co-opting host factors and lipids and escaping host antiviral responses. Previous genome-wide screens with Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) in the model host yeast have identified 18 cellular genes that are part of the actin network. In this paper, we show that the p33 viral replication factor interacts with the cellular cofilin (Cof1p), which is an actin depolymerization factor. Using temperature-sensitive (ts) Cof1p or actin (Act1p) mutants at a semi-permissive temperature, we find an increased level of TBSV RNA accumulation in yeast cells and elevated in vitro activity of the tombusvirus replicase. We show that the large p33 containing replication organelle-like structures are located in the close vicinity of actin patches in yeast cells or around actin cable hubs in infected plant cells. Therefore, the actin filaments could be involved in VRC assembly and the formation of large viral replication compartments containing many individual VRCs. Moreover, we show that the actin network affects the recruitment of viral and cellular components, including oxysterol binding proteins and VAP proteins to form membrane contact sites for efficient transfer of sterols to the sites of replication. Altogether, the emerging picture is that TBSV, via direct interaction between the p33 replication protein and Cof1p, controls cofilin activities to obstruct the dynamic actin network that leads to efficient subversion of cellular factors for pro-viral functions. In summary, the discovery that TBSV interacts with cellular cofilin and blocks the severing of existing filaments and the formation of new actin filaments in infected cells opens a new window to unravel the way by which viruses could subvert/co-opt cellular proteins and lipids. By regulating the functions of cofilin and the actin network, which are central nodes in cellular pathways, viruses could gain supremacy in subversion of cellular factors for pro-viral functions.

Genome-wide analysis of differential mRNA expression of Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus, mediated by the gene encoding a viral protein kinase (AMV197)

Insect-born entomopoxviruses (Fam: Poxviridae) are potentially important bio-pesticide against insect pests and expression vectors as well as vectors for transient human gene therapies including recombinant viral vaccines. For these reasons, it is necessary to understand the regulatory genes functions to improve its biotechnological potential. Here, we focused on the characterization of serine/threonine (Ser/Thr; ORF AMV197) protein kinase gene from the Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus (AMEV), the type species of the genus Betaentomopoxvirus. Transcription of the parental and an amv197-null recombinant AMEV was compared by whole-genome gene expression microarray analysis. Blast2GO analysis reflected a broad diversity of upregulated and downregulated genes. Results showed that expression levels of 102 genes (45%) out of 226 tested genes changed significantly in the recombinant AMEV infected cells. Of these transcripts, 72 (70.58%) were upregulated and 30 (29.41%) were downregulated throughout the infection period. Genes involved in DNA repair, replication and nucleotide metabolism, transcription and RNA modification, and protein modification were mostly upregulated at different times in cells infected with the recombinant virus. Furthermore, transcription of all studied cellular genes including metabolism of apoptosis (Nedd2-like caspase, hemolin and elongation factor-1 alpha (ef1a) gene) was downregulated in the absence of amv197. Quantitative real time reverse transcription-PCR confirmed viral transcriptional changes obtained by microarray. The results of this study indicated that the product of amv197 appears to affect the transcriptional regulation of most viral and many cellular genes. Further investigations are, however, needed to narrow down the role of AMV197 throughout the infection process.

Role of Viral RNA and Co-opted Cellular ESCRT-I and ESCRT-III Factors in Formation of Tombusvirus Spherules Harboring the Tombusvirus Replicase

Plus-stranded RNA viruses induce membrane deformations in infected cells in order to build viral replication complexes (VRCs). Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) co-opts cellular ESCRT (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) proteins to induce the formation of vesicle (spherule)-like structures in the peroxisomal membrane with tight openings toward the cytosol. In this study, using a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) vps23Δ bro1Δ double-deletion mutant, we showed that the Vps23p ESCRT-I protein (Tsg101 in mammals) and Bro1p (ALIX) ESCRT-associated protein, both of which bind to the viral p33 replication protein, play partially complementary roles in TBSV replication in cells and in cell extracts. Dual expression of dominant-negative versions of Arabidopsis homologs of Vps23p and Bro1p inhibited tombusvirus replication to greater extent than individual expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. We also demonstrated the critical role of Snf7p (CHMP4), Vps20p, and Vps24p ESCRT-III proteins in tombusvirus replication in yeast and in vitro. Electron microscopic imaging of vps23Δ yeast revealed the lack of tombusvirus-induced spherule-like structures, while crescent-like structures are formed in ESCRT-III deletion yeasts replicating TBSV RNA. In addition, we also showed that the length of the viral RNA affects the sizes of spherules formed in N. benthamiana cells. The 4.8-kb genomic RNA is needed for the formation of spherules 66 nm in diameter, while spherules formed during the replication of the ∼600-nucleotide (nt)-long defective interfering RNA in the presence of p33 and p92 replication proteins are 42 nm. We propose that the viral RNA serves as a "measuring string" during VRC assembly and spherule formation.

IMPORTANCE

Plant positive-strand RNA viruses, similarly to animal positive-strand RNA viruses, replicate in membrane-bound viral replicase complexes in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Identification of cellular and viral factors affecting the formation of the membrane-bound viral replication complex is a major frontier in current virology research. In this study, we dissected the functions of co-opted cellular ESCRT-I (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport I) and ESCRT-III proteins and the viral RNA in tombusvirus replicase complex formation using in vitro, yeast-based, and plant-based approaches. Electron microscopic imaging revealed the lack of tombusvirus-induced spherule-like structures in ESCRT-I or ESCRT-III deletion yeasts replicating TBSV RNA, demonstrating the requirement for these co-opted cellular factors in tombusvirus replicase formation. The work could be of broad interest in virology and beyond.

Nucleocapsid proteins: roles beyond viral RNA packaging

Viral nucleocapsid proteins (NCs) enwrap the RNA genomes of viruses to form NC–RNA complexes, which act as a template and are essential for viral replication and transcription. Beyond packaging viral RNA, NCs also play important roles in virus replication, transcription, assembly, and budding by interacting with viral and host cellular proteins. Additionally, NCs can inhibit interferon signaling response and function in cell stress response, such as inducing apoptosis. Finally, NCs can be the target of vaccines, benefiting from their conserved gene sequences. Here, we summarize important findings regarding the additional functions of NCs as much more than structural RNA‐binding proteins, with specific emphasis on (1) their association with the viral life cycle, (2) their association with host cells, and (3) as ideal candidates for vaccine development. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:213–226. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1326

This article is categorized under: 1

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA–Protein Complexes

2

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

3

Translation > Translation Regulation

Specific Interaction between eEF1A and HIV RT Is Critical for HIV-1 Reverse Transcription and a Potential Anti-HIV Target

Reverse transcription is the central defining feature of HIV-1 replication. We previously reported that the cellular eukaryotic elongation factor 1 (eEF1) complex associates with the HIV-1 reverse transcription complex (RTC) and the association is important for late steps of reverse transcription. Here we show that association between the eEF1 and RTC complexes occurs by a strong and direct interaction between the subunit eEF1A and reverse transcriptase (RT). Using biolayer interferometry and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays, we show that association between the eEF1 and RTC complexes occurs by a strong (K_D ~3–4 nM) and direct interaction between eEF1A and reverse transcriptase (RT). Biolayer interferometry analysis of cell lysates with titrated levels of eEF1A indicates it is a predominant cellular RT binding protein. Both the RT thumb and connection domains are required for interaction with eEF1A. A single amino acid mutation, W252A, within the thumb domain impaired co-IP between eEF1A and RT, and also significantly reduced the efficiency of late reverse transcription and virus replication when incorporated into infectious HIV-1. Molecular modeling analysis indicated that interaction between W252 and L303 are important for RT structure, and their mutation to alanine did not impair heterodimerisation, but negatively impacted interaction with eEF1A. Didemnin B, which specifically binds eEF1A, potently inhibited HIV-1 reverse transcription by greater than 2 logs at subnanomolar concentrations, especially affecting reverse transcription late DNA synthesis. Analysis showed reduced levels of RTCs from HIV-1-infected HEK293T treated with didemnin B compared to untreated cells. Interestingly, HIV-1 with a W252A RT mutation was resistant to didemnin B negative effects showing that didemnin B affects HIV-1 by targeting the RT-eEF1A interaction. The combined evidence indicates a direct interaction between eEF1A and RT is crucial for HIV reverse transcription and replication, and the RT-eEF1A interaction is a potential drug target.

After infecting a target cell, HIV-1 like all retroviruses converts the viral single strand RNA genome into double strand DNA by the process called reverse transcription. Host proteins are known to be important for reverse transcription yet a direct role for any host protein has not been demonstrated. In this paper, we show that a eukaryotic translation elongation factor (eEF1A), an abundant cellular protein, directly and strongly binds to the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT). The biological relevance of the association is supported by mutational analysis of RT and by treating cells with the small molecule didemnin B that specifically binds eEF1A. Mutation of RT or treatment of cells with didemnin B resulted in significantly decreased efficiency of reverse transcription. Didemnin B treatment of cells disrupted HIV-1’s ability to maintain the viral machinery necessary for reverse transcription. However, an HIV-1 mutant, which does not interact with eEF1A, was resistant to didemnin B negative effects on early viral replication, showing that didemnin B affects HIV-1 by targeting the RT-eEF1A interaction. Altogether, this study demonstrates that eEF1A is an integral component of the viral reverse transcription complex and that the RT-eEF1A interaction is a possible new drug target to inhibit HIV-1 replication.

eEF1A Interacts with the NS5A Protein and Inhibits the Growth of Classical Swine Fever Virus

The NS5A protein of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is involved in the RNA synthesis and viral replication. However, the NS5A-interacting cellular proteins engaged in the CSFV replication are poorly defined. Using yeast two-hybrid screen, the eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) was identified to be an NS5A-binding partner. The NS5A-eEF1A interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pulldown and laser confocal microscopy assays. The domain I of eEF1A was shown to be critical for the NS5A-eEF1A interaction. Overexpression of eEF1A suppressed the CSFV growth markedly, and conversely, knockdown of eEF1A enhanced the CSFV replication significantly. Furthermore, eEF1A, as well as NS5A, was found to reduce the translation efficiency of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of CSFV in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by luciferase reporter assay. Streptavidin pulldown assay revealed that eEF1A could bind to the CSFV IRES. Collectively, our results suggest that eEF1A interacts with NS5A and negatively regulates the growth of CSFV.

Plant Translation Factors and Virus Resistance

Plant viruses recruit cellular translation factors not only to translate their viral RNAs but also to regulate their replication and potentiate their local and systemic movement. Because of the virus dependence on cellular translation factors, it is perhaps not surprising that many natural plant recessive resistance genes have been mapped to mutations of translation initiation factors eIF4E and eIF4G or their isoforms, eIFiso4E and eIFiso4G. The partial functional redundancy of these isoforms allows specific mutation or knock-down of one isoform to provide virus resistance without hindering the general health of the plant. New possible targets for antiviral strategies have also been identified following the characterization of other plant translation factors (eIF4A-like helicases, eIF3, eEF1A and eEF1B) that specifically interact with viral RNAs and proteins and regulate various aspects of the infection cycle. Emerging evidence that translation repression operates as an alternative antiviral RNA silencing mechanism is also discussed. Understanding the mechanisms that control the development of natural viral resistance and the emergence of virulent isolates in response to these plant defense responses will provide the basis for the selection of new sources of resistance and for the intelligent design of engineered resistance that is broad-spectrum and durable.

Plant Translation Elongation Factor 1Bβ Facilitates Potato Virus X (PVX) Infection and Interacts with PVX Triple Gene Block Protein 1

The eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 (eEF1) has two components: the G-protein eEF1A and the nucleotide exchange factor eEF1B. In plants, eEF1B is itself composed of a structural protein (eEF1Bγ) and two nucleotide exchange subunits (eEF1Bα and eEF1Bβ). To test the effects of elongation factors on virus infection, we isolated eEF1A and eEF1B genes from pepper (Capsicum annuum) and suppressed their homologs in Nicotiana benthamiana using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The accumulation of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Potato virus X (PVX) was significantly reduced in the eEF1Bβ- or eEF1Bɣ-silenced plants as well as in eEF1A-silenced plants. Yeast two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that eEF1Bα and eEF1Bβ interacted with eEF1A and that eEF1A and eEF1Bβ interacted with triple gene block protein 1 (TGBp1) of PVX. These results suggest that both eEF1A and eEF1Bβ play essential roles in the multiplication of PVX by physically interacting with TGBp1. Furthermore, using eEF1Bβ deletion constructs, we found that both N- (1-64 amino acids) and C-terminal (150-195 amino acids) domains of eEF1Bβ are important for the interaction with PVX TGBp1 and that the C-terminal domain of eEF1Bβ is involved in the interaction with eEF1A. These results suggest that eEF1Bβ could be a potential target for engineering virus-resistant plants.

Melon necrotic spot virus Replication Occurs in Association with Altered Mitochondria

Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) (genus Carmovirus, family Tombusviridae) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus that has become an experimental model for the analysis of cell-to-cell virus movement and translation of uncapped viral RNAs, whereas little is known about its replication. Analysis of the cytopathology after MNSV infection showed the specific presence of modified organelles that resemble mitochondria. Immunolocalization of the glycine decarboxylase complex (GDC) P protein in these organelles confirmed their mitochondrial origin. In situ hybridization and immunolocalization experiments showed the specific localization of positive-sense viral RNA, capsid protein (CP), and double-stranded (ds)RNA in these organelles meaning that replication of the virus takes place in association with them. The three-dimensional reconstructions of the altered mitochondria showed the presence of large, interconnected, internal dilations which appeared to be linked to the outside cytoplasmic environment through pores and/or complex structures, and with lipid bodies. Transient expression of MNSV p29 revealed that its specific target is mitochondria. Our data document the extensive reorganization of host mitochondria induced by MNSV, which provides a protected environment to viral replication, and show that the MNSV p29 protein is the primary determinant of this effect in the host.

Activation of Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase by Cellular Heat Shock Protein 70 Is Enhanced by Phospholipids In Vitro

Similar to other positive-strand RNA viruses, tombusviruses are replicated by the membrane-bound viral replicase complex (VRC). The VRC consists of the p92 virus-coded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), the viral p33 RNA chaperone, and several co-opted host proteins. In order to become a functional RdRp after its translation, the p92 replication protein should be incorporated into the VRC, followed by its activation. We have previously shown in a cell-free yeast extract-based assay that the activation of the Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) RdRp requires a soluble host factor(s). In this article, we identify the cellular heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) as the co-opted host factor required for the activation of an N-terminally truncated recombinant TBSV RdRp. In addition, small-molecule-based blocking of Hsp70 function inhibits RNA synthesis by the tombusvirus RdRp in vitro. Furthermore, we show that neutral phospholipids, namely, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), enhance RdRp activation in vitro. In contrast, phosphatidylglycerol (PG) shows a strong and dominant inhibitory effect on in vitro RdRp activation. We also demonstrate that PE and PC stimulate RdRp-viral plus-strand RNA [(+)RNA] interaction, while PG inhibits the binding of the viral RNA to the RdRp. Based on the stimulatory versus inhibitory roles of various phospholipids in tombusvirus RdRp activation, we propose that the lipid composition of targeted subcellular membranes might be utilized by tombusviruses to regulate new VRC assembly during the course of infection.

IMPORTANCE

The virus-coded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which is responsible for synthesizing the viral RNA progeny in infected cells of several positive-strand RNA viruses, is initially inactive. This strategy is likely to avoid viral RNA synthesis in the cytosol that would rapidly lead to induction of RNA-triggered cellular antiviral responses. During the assembly of the membrane-bound replicase complex, the viral RdRp becomes activated through an incompletely understood process that makes the RdRp capable of RNA synthesis. By using TBSV RdRp, we show that the co-opted cellular Hsp70 chaperone and neutral phospholipids facilitate RdRp activation in vitro. In contrast, phosphatidylglycerol (PG) has a dominant inhibitory effect on in vitro RdRp activation and RdRp-viral RNA interaction, suggesting that the membranous microdomain surrounding the RdRp greatly affects its ability for RNA synthesis. Thus, the activation of the viral RdRp likely depends on multiple host components in infected cells.

Viral sensing of the subcellular environment regulates the assembly of new viral replicase complexes during the course of infection

Replication of plus-stranded RNA [(+)RNA] viruses depends on the availability of coopted host proteins and lipids. But, how could viruses sense the accessibility of cellular resources? An emerging concept based on tombusviruses, small plant viruses, is that viruses might regulate viral replication at several steps depending on what cellular factors are available at a given time point. I discuss the role of phospholipids, sterols, and cellular WW domain proteins and eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) in control of activation of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and regulation of the assembly of viral replicase complexes (VRCs). These regulatory mechanisms might explain how tombusviruses could adjust the efficiency of RNA replication and new VRC assembly to the limiting resources of the host cells during infections.

Translation elongation factor 1A mutants with altered actin bundling activity show reduced aminoacyl-tRNA binding and alter initiation via eIF2α phosphorylation

Apart from its canonical function in translation elongation, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) has been shown to interact with the actin cytoskeleton. Amino acid substitutions in eEF1A that reduce its ability to bind and bundle actin in vitro cause improper actin organization in vivo and reduce total translation. Initial in vivo analysis indicated the reduced translation was through initiation. The mutant strains exhibit increased levels of phosphorylated initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) dependent on the presence of the general control non-derepressible 2 (Gcn2p) protein kinase. Gcn2p causes downregulation of total protein synthesis at initiation in response to increases in deacylated tRNA levels in the cell. Increased levels of eIF2α phosphorylation are not due to a general reduction in translation elongation as eEF2 and eEF3 mutants do not exhibit this effect. Deletion of GCN2 from the eEF1A actin bundling mutant strains revealed a second defect in translation. The eEF1A actin-bundling proteins exhibit changes in their elongation activity at the level of aminoacyl-tRNA binding in vitro. These findings implicate eEF1A in a feedback mechanism for regulating translation at initiation.