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Chameettachal A, Mustafa F, Rizvi TA. Understanding Retroviral Life Cycle and its Genomic RNA Packaging. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167924. [PMID: 36535429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Members of the family Retroviridae are important animal and human pathogens. Being obligate parasites, their replication involves a series of steps during which the virus hijacks the cellular machinery. Additionally, many of the steps of retrovirus replication are unique among viruses, including reverse transcription, integration, and specific packaging of their genomic RNA (gRNA) as a dimer. Progress in retrovirology has helped identify several molecular mechanisms involved in each of these steps, but many are still unknown or remain controversial. This review summarizes our present understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in various stages of retrovirus replication. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive analysis of our current understanding of how different retroviruses package their gRNA into the assembling virions. RNA packaging in retroviruses holds a special interest because of the uniqueness of packaging a dimeric genome. Dimerization and packaging are highly regulated and interlinked events, critical for the virus to decide whether its unspliced RNA will be packaged as a "genome" or translated into proteins. Finally, some of the outstanding areas of exploration in the field of RNA packaging are highlighted, such as the role of epitranscriptomics, heterogeneity of transcript start sites, and the necessity of functional polyA sequences. An in-depth knowledge of mechanisms that interplay between viral and cellular factors during virus replication is critical in understanding not only the virus life cycle, but also its pathogenesis, and development of new antiretroviral compounds, vaccines, as well as retroviral-based vectors for human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Chameettachal
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. https://twitter.com/chameettachal
| | - Farah Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Zayed bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences (ZCHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Tahir A Rizvi
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Zayed bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences (ZCHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Pillai VN, Ali LM, Prabhu SG, Krishnan A, Tariq S, Mustafa F, Rizvi TA. Expression, purification, and functional characterization of soluble recombinant full-length simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Pr55 Gag. Heliyon 2023; 9:e12892. [PMID: 36685375 PMCID: PMC9853374 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) precursor polypeptide Pr55Gag drives viral assembly and facilitates specific recognition and packaging of the SIV genomic RNA (gRNA) into viral particles. While several studies have tried to elucidate the role of SIV Pr55Gag by expressing its different components independently, studies using full-length SIV Pr55Gag have not been conducted, primarily due to the unavailability of purified and biologically active full-length SIV Pr55Gag. We successfully expressed soluble, full-length SIV Pr55Gag with His6-tag in bacteria and purified it using affinity and gel filtration chromatography. In the process, we identified within Gag, a second in-frame start codon downstream of a putative Shine-Dalgarno-like sequence resulting in an additional truncated form of Gag. Synonymously mutating this sequence allowed expression of full-length Gag in its native form. The purified Gag assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) in vitro in the presence of nucleic acids, revealing its biological functionality. In vivo experiments also confirmed formation of functional VLPs, and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR demonstrated efficient packaging of SIV gRNA by these VLPs. The methodology we employed ensured the availability of >95% pure, biologically active, full-length SIV Pr55Gag which should facilitate future studies to understand protein structure and RNA-protein interactions involved during SIV gRNA packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vineeta N. Pillai
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lizna Mohamed Ali
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Suresha G. Prabhu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anjana Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saeed Tariq
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farah Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates,Corresponding author. Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Tahir A. Rizvi
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates,Corresponding author. Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Wei W, Bai L, Yan B, Meng W, Wang H, Zhai J, Si F, Zheng C. When liquid-liquid phase separation meets viral infections. Front Immunol 2022; 13:985622. [PMID: 36016945 PMCID: PMC9395683 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.985622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells have both membranous and membraneless organelles. While the formation mechanism of membranous organelles is well understood, the formation mechanism of membraneless organelles remains unknown. Many biomolecules in the cytoplasm transition from the liquid phase to the agglutinated phase are known as liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). The biomolecular agglomerates’ physical properties enable them to function as dynamic compartments that respond to external pressures and stimuli. Scientists have gradually recognized the importance of phase separation during viral infections. LLPS provides a powerful new framework for understanding the viral life cycle from viral replication to evasion of host immune surveillance. As a result, this review focuses on the progress of LLPS research in viral infection and immune regulation to provide clues for antiviral therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Wei
- Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Infection and Biological Safety, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lu Bai
- Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Infection and Biological Safety, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bing Yan
- Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Infection and Biological Safety, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Weiquan Meng
- Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Infection and Biological Safety, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Hongju Wang
- Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Infection and Biological Safety, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jingbo Zhai
- Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonose Prevention and Control at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Tongliao, China
| | - Fusheng Si
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Breeding Pig, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Chunfu Zheng, ; Fusheng Si,
| | - Chunfu Zheng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Chunfu Zheng, ; Fusheng Si,
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Hanson HM, Willkomm NA, Yang H, Mansky LM. Human Retrovirus Genomic RNA Packaging. Viruses 2022; 14:1094. [PMID: 35632835 PMCID: PMC9142903 DOI: 10.3390/v14051094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Two non-covalently linked copies of the retrovirus genome are specifically recruited to the site of virus particle assembly and packaged into released particles. Retroviral RNA packaging requires RNA export of the unspliced genomic RNA from the nucleus, translocation of the genome to virus assembly sites, and specific interaction with Gag, the main viral structural protein. While some aspects of the RNA packaging process are understood, many others remain poorly understood. In this review, we provide an update on recent advancements in understanding the mechanism of RNA packaging for retroviruses that cause disease in humans, i.e., HIV-1, HIV-2, and HTLV-1, as well as advances in the understanding of the details of genomic RNA nuclear export, genome translocation to virus assembly sites, and genomic RNA dimerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M. Hanson
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (N.A.W.); (H.Y.)
| | - Nora A. Willkomm
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (N.A.W.); (H.Y.)
- DDS-PhD Dual Degree Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Huixin Yang
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (N.A.W.); (H.Y.)
- Comparative Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN 55455, USA
| | - Louis M. Mansky
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (N.A.W.); (H.Y.)
- DDS-PhD Dual Degree Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Comparative Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Division of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Sumner C, Ono A. Relationship between HIV-1 Gag Multimerization and Membrane Binding. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030622. [PMID: 35337029 PMCID: PMC8949992 DOI: 10.3390/v14030622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 viral particle assembly occurs specifically at the plasma membrane and is driven primarily by the viral polyprotein Gag. Selective association of Gag with the plasma membrane is a key step in the viral assembly pathway, which is traditionally attributed to the MA domain. MA regulates specific plasma membrane binding through two primary mechanisms including: (1) specific interaction of the MA highly basic region (HBR) with the plasma membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], and (2) tRNA binding to the MA HBR, which prevents Gag association with non-PI(4,5)P2 containing membranes. Gag multimerization, driven by both CA–CA inter-protein interactions and NC-RNA binding, also plays an essential role in viral particle assembly, mediating the establishment and growth of the immature Gag lattice on the plasma membrane. In addition to these functions, the multimerization of HIV-1 Gag has also been demonstrated to enhance its membrane binding activity through the MA domain. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms regulating Gag membrane binding through the MA domain and multimerization through the CA and NC domains, and examines how these two functions are intertwined, allowing for multimerization mediated enhancement of Gag membrane binding.
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Benner BE, Bruce JW, Kentala JR, Murray M, Becker JT, Garcia-Miranda P, Ahlquist P, Butcher SE, Sherer NM. Perturbing HIV-1 Ribosomal Frameshifting Frequency Reveals a cis Preference for Gag-Pol Incorporation into Assembling Virions. J Virol 2022; 96:e0134921. [PMID: 34643428 PMCID: PMC8754204 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01349-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 virion production is driven by Gag and Gag-Pol (GP) proteins, with Gag forming the bulk of the capsid and driving budding, while GP binds Gag to deliver the essential virion enzymes protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase. Virion GP levels are traditionally thought to reflect the relative abundances of GP and Gag in cells (∼1:20), dictated by the frequency of a -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) event occurring in gag-pol mRNAs. Here, we exploited a panel of PRF mutant viruses to show that mechanisms in addition to PRF regulate GP incorporation into virions. First, we show that GP is enriched ∼3-fold in virions relative to cells, with viral infectivity being better maintained at subphysiological levels of GP than when GP levels are too high. Second, we report that GP is more efficiently incorporated into virions when Gag and GP are synthesized in cis (i.e., from the same gag-pol mRNA) than in trans, suggesting that Gag/GP translation and assembly are spatially coupled processes. Third, we show that, surprisingly, virions exhibit a strong upper limit to trans-delivered GP incorporation; an adaptation that appears to allow the virus to temper defects to GP/Gag cleavage that may negatively impact reverse transcription. Taking these results together, we propose a "weighted Goldilocks" scenario for HIV-1 GP incorporation, wherein combined mechanisms of GP enrichment and exclusion buffer virion infectivity over a broad range of local GP concentrations. These results provide new insights into the HIV-1 virion assembly pathway relevant to the anticipated efficacy of PRF-targeted antiviral strategies. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 infectivity requires incorporation of the Gag-Pol (GP) precursor polyprotein into virions during the process of virus particle assembly. Mechanisms dictating GP incorporation into assembling virions are poorly defined, with GP levels in virions traditionally thought to solely reflect relative levels of Gag and GP expressed in cells, dictated by the frequency of a -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) event that occurs in gag-pol mRNAs. Herein, we provide experimental support for a "weighted Goldilocks" scenario for GP incorporation, wherein the virus exploits both random and nonrandom mechanisms to buffer infectivity over a wide range of GP expression levels. These mechanistic data are relevant to ongoing efforts to develop antiviral strategies targeting PRF frequency and/or HIV-1 virion maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayleigh E. Benner
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- UW—Madison Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - James W. Bruce
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jacob R. Kentala
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Magdalena Murray
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jordan T. Becker
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Pablo Garcia-Miranda
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Paul Ahlquist
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samuel E. Butcher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nathan M. Sherer
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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D’Souza AR, Jayaraman D, Long Z, Zeng J, Prestwood LJ, Chan C, Kappei D, Lever AML, Kenyon JC. HIV-1 Packaging Visualised by In-Gel SHAPE. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122389. [PMID: 34960658 PMCID: PMC8707378 DOI: 10.3390/v13122389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 packages two copies of its gRNA into virions via an interaction with the viral structural protein Gag. Both copies and their native RNA structure are essential for virion infectivity. The precise stepwise nature of the packaging process has not been resolved. This is largely due to a prior lack of structural techniques that follow RNA structural changes within an RNA-protein complex. Here, we apply the in-gel SHAPE (selective 2'OH acylation analysed by primer extension) technique to study the initiation of HIV-1 packaging, examining the interaction between the packaging signal RNA and the Gag polyprotein, and compare it with that of the NC domain of Gag alone. Our results imply interactions between Gag and monomeric packaging signal RNA in switching the RNA conformation into a dimerisation-competent structure, and show that the Gag-dimer complex then continues to stabilise. These data provide a novel insight into how HIV-1 regulates the translation and packaging of its genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R. D’Souza
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore; (A.R.D.); (D.J.)
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; (C.C.); (D.K.)
| | - Dhivya Jayaraman
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore; (A.R.D.); (D.J.)
| | - Ziqi Long
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 5 Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (Z.L.); (J.Z.); (L.J.P.)
| | - Jingwei Zeng
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 5 Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (Z.L.); (J.Z.); (L.J.P.)
| | - Liam J. Prestwood
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 5 Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (Z.L.); (J.Z.); (L.J.P.)
| | - Charlene Chan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; (C.C.); (D.K.)
| | - Dennis Kappei
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; (C.C.); (D.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrew M. L. Lever
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore; (A.R.D.); (D.J.)
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; (C.C.); (D.K.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 5 Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (Z.L.); (J.Z.); (L.J.P.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.L.L.); (J.C.K.); Tel.: +44-(0)1-2237-47308 (J.C.K.)
| | - Julia C. Kenyon
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; (C.C.); (D.K.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 5 Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; (Z.L.); (J.Z.); (L.J.P.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Homerton College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8PH, UK
- Correspondence: (A.M.L.L.); (J.C.K.); Tel.: +44-(0)1-2237-47308 (J.C.K.)
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Mao S, Ying Y, Ma Z, Yang Y, Chen AK. A Background Assessable and Correctable Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation System for Nanoscopic Single-Molecule Imaging of Intracellular Protein-Protein Interactions. ACS NANO 2021; 15:14338-14346. [PMID: 34427423 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c03242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) is a versatile approach for intracellular analysis of protein-protein interactions (PPIs), but the tendency of the split fluorescent protein (FP) fragments to self-assemble when brought into close proximity of each other by random collision can lead to generation of false-positive signals that hamper high-definition imaging of PPIs occurring on the nanoscopic level. While it is thought that expressing the fusion proteins at a low level can remove false positives without impacting specific signals, there has been no effective strategy to test this possibility. Here, we present a system capable of assessing and removing BiFC false positives, termed Background Assessable and Correctable-BiFC (BAC-BiFC), in which one of the split FP fragments is fused with an optically distinct FP that serves as a reference marker, and the single-cell fluorescence ratio of the BiFC signal to the reference signal is used to gauge an optimal transfection condition. We showed that when BAC-BiFC is designed to image PPIs regulating Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) assembly, the fluorescence ratio could decrease with decreasing probe quantity, and ratios approaching the limit of detection could allow physiologically relevant characterization of the assembly process on the nanoscale by single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). With much improved clarity, previously undescribed features of HIV-1 assembly were revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yachen Ying
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhao Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yantao Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Antony K Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Lentiviral Vectors for T Cell Engineering: Clinical Applications, Bioprocessing and Future Perspectives. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081528. [PMID: 34452392 PMCID: PMC8402758 DOI: 10.3390/v13081528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors have played a critical role in the emergence of gene-modified cell therapies, specifically T cell therapies. Tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) and most recently brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) are examples of T cell therapies which are now commercially available for distribution after successfully obtaining EMA and FDA approval for the treatment of blood cancers. All three therapies rely on retroviral vectors to transduce the therapeutic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) into T lymphocytes. Although these innovations represent promising new therapeutic avenues, major obstacles remain in making them readily available tools for medical care. This article reviews the biological principles as well as the bioprocessing of lentiviral (LV) vectors and adoptive T cell therapy. Clinical and engineering successes, shortcomings and future opportunities are also discussed. The development of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant instruments, technologies and protocols will play an essential role in the development of LV-engineered T cell therapies.
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Deng Y, Hammond JA, Pauszek R, Ozog S, Chai I, Rabuck-Gibbons J, Lamichhane R, Henderson SC, Millar DP, Torbett BE, Williamson JR. Discrimination between Functional and Non-functional Cellular Gag Complexes involved in HIV-1 Assembly. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166842. [PMID: 33539875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 Gag and Gag-Pol are responsible for viral assembly and maturation and represent a major paradigm for enveloped virus assembly. Numerous intracellular Gag-containing complexes (GCCs) have been identified in cellular lysates using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. While these complexes are universally present in Gag-expressing cells, their roles in virus assembly are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that most GCC species are predominantly comprised of monomeric or dimeric Gag molecules bound to ribosomal complexes, and as such, are not on-pathway intermediates in HIV assembly. Rather, these GCCs represent a population of Gag that is not yet functionally committed for incorporation into a viable virion precursor. We hypothesize that these complexes act as a reservoir of monomeric Gag that can incorporate into assembling viruses, and serve to mitigate non-specific intracellular Gag oligomerization. We have identified a subset of large GCC complexes, comprising more than 20 Gag molecules, that may be equivalent to membrane-associated puncta previously shown to be bona fide assembling-virus intermediates. This work provides a clear rationale for the existence of diverse GCCs, and serves as the foundation for characterizing on-pathway intermediates early in virus assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisong Deng
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - John A Hammond
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Raymond Pauszek
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Stosh Ozog
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Ilean Chai
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Jessica Rabuck-Gibbons
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Rajan Lamichhane
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Scott C Henderson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - David P Millar
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Bruce E Torbett
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - James R Williamson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States; Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States; The Skaggs Institute of Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States.
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11
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Addressing Antiretroviral Drug Resistance with Host-Targeting Drugs-First Steps towards Developing a Host-Targeting HIV-1 Assembly Inhibitor. Viruses 2021; 13:v13030451. [PMID: 33802145 PMCID: PMC8001593 DOI: 10.3390/v13030451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The concerning increase in HIV-1 resistance argues for prioritizing the development of host-targeting antiviral drugs because such drugs can offer high genetic barriers to the selection of drug-resistant viral variants. Targeting host proteins could also yield drugs that act on viral life cycle events that have proven elusive to inhibition, such as intracellular events of HIV-1 immature capsid assembly. Here, we review small molecule inhibitors identified primarily through HIV-1 self-assembly screens and describe how all act either narrowly post-entry or broadly on early and late events of the HIV-1 life cycle. We propose that a different screening approach could identify compounds that specifically inhibit HIV-1 Gag assembly, as was observed when a potent rabies virus inhibitor was identified using a host-catalyzed rabies assembly screen. As an example of this possibility, we discuss an antiretroviral small molecule recently identified using a screen that recapitulates the host-catalyzed HIV-1 capsid assembly pathway. This chemotype potently blocks HIV-1 replication in T cells by specifically inhibiting immature HIV-1 capsid assembly but fails to select for resistant viral variants over 37 passages, suggesting a host protein target. Development of such small molecules could yield novel host-targeting antiretroviral drugs and provide insight into chronic diseases resulting from dysregulation of host machinery targeted by these drugs.
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12
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Identification of an Antiretroviral Small Molecule That Appears To Be a Host-Targeting Inhibitor of HIV-1 Assembly. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.00883-20. [PMID: 33148797 PMCID: PMC7925099 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00883-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the projected increase in multidrug-resistant HIV-1, there is an urgent need for development of antiretrovirals that act on virus life cycle stages not targeted by drugs currently in use. Host-targeting compounds are of particular interest because they can offer a high barrier to resistance. Here, we report identification of two related small molecules that inhibit HIV-1 late events, a part of the HIV-1 life cycle for which potent and specific inhibitors are lacking. This chemotype was discovered using cell-free protein synthesis and assembly systems that recapitulate intracellular host-catalyzed viral capsid assembly pathways. These compounds inhibit replication of HIV-1 in human T cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and are effective against a primary isolate. They reduce virus production, likely by inhibiting a posttranslational step in HIV-1 Gag assembly. Notably, the compound colocalizes with HIV-1 Gag in situ; however, unexpectedly, selection experiments failed to identify compound-specific resistance mutations in gag or pol, even though known resistance mutations developed upon parallel nelfinavir selection. Thus, we hypothesized that instead of binding to Gag directly, these compounds localize to assembly intermediates, the intracellular multiprotein complexes containing Gag and host factors that form during immature HIV-1 capsid assembly. Indeed, imaging of infected cells shows compound colocalized with two host enzymes found in assembly intermediates, ABCE1 and DDX6, but not two host proteins found in other complexes. While the exact target and mechanism of action of this chemotype remain to be determined, our findings suggest that these compounds represent first-in-class, host-targeting inhibitors of intracellular events in HIV-1 assembly.IMPORTANCE The success of antiretroviral treatment for HIV-1 is at risk of being undermined by the growing problem of drug resistance. Thus, there is a need to identify antiretrovirals that act on viral life cycle stages not targeted by drugs in use, such as the events of HIV-1 Gag assembly. To address this gap, we developed a compound screen that recapitulates the intracellular events of HIV-1 assembly, including virus-host interactions that promote assembly. This effort led to the identification of a new chemotype that inhibits HIV-1 replication at nanomolar concentrations, likely by acting on assembly. This compound colocalized with Gag and two host enzymes that facilitate capsid assembly. However, resistance selection did not result in compound-specific mutations in gag, suggesting that the chemotype does not directly target Gag. We hypothesize that this chemotype represents a first-in-class inhibitor of virus production that acts by targeting a virus-host complex important for HIV-1 Gag assembly.
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13
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HIV-1 Gag Forms Ribonucleoprotein Complexes with Unspliced Viral RNA at Transcription Sites. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111281. [PMID: 33182496 PMCID: PMC7696413 DOI: 10.3390/v12111281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of the retroviral Gag protein of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) to transiently traffic through the nucleus is well-established and has been implicated in genomic RNA (gRNA) packaging Although other retroviral Gag proteins (human immunodeficiency virus type 1, HIV-1; feline immunodeficiency virus, FIV; Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, MPMV; mouse mammary tumor virus, MMTV; murine leukemia virus, MLV; and prototype foamy virus, PFV) have also been observed in the nucleus, little is known about what, if any, role nuclear trafficking plays in those viruses. In the case of HIV-1, the Gag protein interacts in nucleoli with the regulatory protein Rev, which facilitates nuclear export of gRNA. Based on the knowledge that RSV Gag forms viral ribonucleoprotein (RNPs) complexes with unspliced viral RNA (USvRNA) in the nucleus, we hypothesized that the interaction of HIV-1 Gag with Rev could be mediated through vRNA to form HIV-1 RNPs. Using inducible HIV-1 proviral constructs, we visualized HIV-1 Gag and USvRNA in discrete foci in the nuclei of HeLa cells by confocal microscopy. Two-dimensional co-localization and RNA-immunoprecipitation of fractionated cells revealed that interaction of nuclear HIV-1 Gag with USvRNA was specific. Interestingly, treatment of cells with transcription inhibitors reduced the number of HIV-1 Gag and USvRNA nuclear foci, yet resulted in an increase in the degree of Gag co-localization with USvRNA, suggesting that Gag accumulates on newly synthesized viral transcripts. Three-dimensional imaging analysis revealed that HIV-1 Gag localized to the perichromatin space and associated with USvRNA and Rev in a tripartite RNP complex. To examine a more biologically relevant cell, latently infected CD4+ T cells were treated with prostratin to stimulate NF-κB mediated transcription, demonstrating striking localization of full-length Gag at HIV-1 transcriptional burst site, which was labelled with USvRNA-specific riboprobes. In addition, smaller HIV-1 RNPs were observed in the nuclei of these cells. These data suggest that HIV-1 Gag binds to unspliced viral transcripts produced at the proviral integration site, forming vRNPs in the nucleus.
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14
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Monette A, Niu M, Chen L, Rao S, Gorelick RJ, Mouland AJ. Pan-retroviral Nucleocapsid-Mediated Phase Separation Regulates Genomic RNA Positioning and Trafficking. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107520. [PMID: 32320662 PMCID: PMC8965748 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The duality of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of cellular components into membraneless organelles defines the nucleation of both normal and disease processes including stress granule (SG) assembly. From mounting evidence of LLPS utility by viruses, we discover that HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NC) protein condenses into zinc-finger (ZnF)-dependent LLPSs that are dynamically influenced by cytosolic factors. ZnF-dependent and Zinc (Zn2+)-chelation-sensitive NC-LLPS are formed in live cells. NC-Zn2+ ejection reverses the HIV-1 blockade on SG assembly, inhibits NC-SG assembly, disrupts NC/Gag-genomic RNA (vRNA) ribonucleoprotein complexes, and causes nuclear sequestration of NC and the vRNA, inhibiting Gag expression and virus release. NC ZnF mutagenesis eliminates the HIV-1 blockade of SG assembly and repositions vRNA to SGs. We find that NC-mediated, Zn2+-coordinated phase separation is conserved among diverse retrovirus subfamilies, illustrating that this exquisitely evolved Zn2+-dependent feature of virus replication represents a critical target for pan-antiretroviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Monette
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
| | - Meijuan Niu
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Lois Chen
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Shringar Rao
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Ee634, PO Box 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert James Gorelick
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Andrew John Mouland
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada.
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15
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Gaete-Argel A, Márquez CL, Barriga GP, Soto-Rifo R, Valiente-Echeverría F. Strategies for Success. Viral Infections and Membraneless Organelles. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:336. [PMID: 31681621 PMCID: PMC6797609 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of RNA homeostasis or “RNAstasis” is a central step in eukaryotic gene expression. From transcription to decay, cellular messenger RNAs (mRNAs) associate with specific proteins in order to regulate their entire cycle, including mRNA localization, translation and degradation, among others. The best characterized of such RNA-protein complexes, today named membraneless organelles, are Stress Granules (SGs) and Processing Bodies (PBs) which are involved in RNA storage and RNA decay/storage, respectively. Given that SGs and PBs are generally associated with repression of gene expression, viruses have evolved different mechanisms to counteract their assembly or to use them in their favor to successfully replicate within the host environment. In this review we summarize the current knowledge about the viral regulation of SGs and PBs, which could be a potential novel target for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracelly Gaete-Argel
- Molecular and Cellular Virology Laboratory, Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,HIV/AIDS Workgroup, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Chantal L Márquez
- Molecular and Cellular Virology Laboratory, Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,HIV/AIDS Workgroup, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo P Barriga
- Emerging Viruses Laboratory, Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo Soto-Rifo
- Molecular and Cellular Virology Laboratory, Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,HIV/AIDS Workgroup, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Valiente-Echeverría
- Molecular and Cellular Virology Laboratory, Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,HIV/AIDS Workgroup, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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16
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Purification and Functional Characterization of a Biologically Active Full-Length Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Pr50 Gag. Viruses 2019; 11:v11080689. [PMID: 31357656 PMCID: PMC6723490 DOI: 10.3390/v11080689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) full-length Pr50Gag precursor is a key player in the assembly of new viral particles. It is also a critical component of the efficient selection and packaging of two copies of genomic RNA (gRNA) into the newly formed virus particles from a wide pool of cellular and spliced viral RNA. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved during FIV gRNA packaging, we expressed the His6-tagged and untagged recombinant FIV Pr50Gag protein both in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The recombinant Pr50Gag-His6-tag fusion protein was purified from soluble fractions of prokaryotic cultures using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). This purified protein was able to assemble in vitro into virus-like particles (VLPs), indicating that it preserved its ability to oligomerize/multimerize. Furthermore, VLPs formed in eukaryotic cells by the FIV full-length Pr50Gag both in the presence and absence of His6-tag could package FIV sub-genomic RNA to similar levels, suggesting that the biological activity of the recombinant full-length Pr50Gag fusion protein was retained in the presence of His6-tag at the carboxy terminus. Successful expression and purification of a biologically active, recombinant full-length Pr50Gag-His6-tag fusion protein will allow study of the intricate RNA-protein interactions involved during FIV gRNA encapsidation.
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Rao S, Hassine S, Monette A, Amorim R, DesGroseillers L, Mouland AJ. HIV-1 requires Staufen1 to dissociate stress granules and to produce infectious viral particles. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 25:727-736. [PMID: 30902835 PMCID: PMC6521601 DOI: 10.1261/rna.069351.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genomic RNA (vRNA) has two major fates during viral replication: to serve as the template for the major structural and enzymatic proteins, or to be encapsidated and packaged into assembling virions to serve as the genomic vRNA in budding viruses. The dynamic balance between vRNA translation and encapsidation is mediated by numerous host proteins, including Staufen1. During HIV-1 infection, HIV-1 recruits Staufen1 to assemble a distinct ribonucleoprotein complex promoting vRNA encapsidation and viral assembly. Staufen1 also rescues vRNA translation and gene expression during conditions of cellular stress. In this work, we utilized novel Staufen1-/- gene-edited cells to further characterize the contribution of Staufen1 in HIV-1 replication. We observed a marked deficiency in the ability of HIV-1 to dissociate stress granules (SGs) in Staufen1-deficient cells and remarkably, the vRNA repositioned to SGs. These phenotypes were rescued by Staufen1 expression in trans or in cis, but not by a dsRBD-binding mutant, Staufen1F135A. The mistrafficking of the vRNA in these Staufen1-/- cells was also accompanied by a dramatic decrease in viral production and infectivity. This work provides novel insight into the mechanisms by which HIV-1 uses Staufen1 to ensure optimal vRNA translation and trafficking, supporting an integral role for Staufen1 in the HIV-1 life cycle, positioning it as an attractive target for next-generation antiretroviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shringar Rao
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3T 1E2
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 2B4
| | - Sami Hassine
- Département de biochimie et médecine moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Anne Monette
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3T 1E2
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Raquel Amorim
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3T 1E2
| | - Luc DesGroseillers
- Département de biochimie et médecine moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3J7
| | - Andrew J Mouland
- HIV-1 RNA Trafficking Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3T 1E2
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 2B4
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H4A 3J1
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18
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Pitchai FNN, Ali L, Pillai VN, Chameettachal A, Ashraf SS, Mustafa F, Marquet R, Rizvi TA. Expression, purification, and characterization of biologically active full-length Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) Pr78 Gag. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11793. [PMID: 30087395 PMCID: PMC6081465 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30142-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MPMV precursor polypeptide Pr78Gag orchestrates assembly and packaging of genomic RNA (gRNA) into virus particles. Therefore, we have expressed recombinant full-length Pr78Gag either with or without His6-tag in bacterial as well as eukaryotic cultures and purified the recombinant protein from soluble fractions of the bacterial cultures. The recombinant Pr78Gag protein has the intrinsic ability to assemble in vitro to form virus like particles (VLPs). Consistent with this observation, the recombinant protein could form VLPs in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. VLPs formed in eukaryotic cells by recombinant Pr78Gag with or without His6-tag can encapsidate MPMV transfer vector RNA, suggesting that the inclusion of the His6-tag to the full-length Pr78Gag did not interfere with its expression or biological function. This study demonstrates the expression and purification of a biologically active, recombinant Pr78Gag, which should pave the way to study RNA-protein interactions involved in the MPMV gRNA packaging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fathima Nuzra Nagoor Pitchai
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lizna Ali
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vineeta Narayana Pillai
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Akhil Chameettachal
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Syed Salman Ashraf
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farah Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Roland Marquet
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR, 9002, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Tahir Aziz Rizvi
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Biochemical and Functional Characterization of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Full-Length Pr77 Gag Expressed in Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells. Viruses 2018; 10:v10060334. [PMID: 29912170 PMCID: PMC6024702 DOI: 10.3390/v10060334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) Pr77Gag polypeptide is an essential retroviral structural protein without which infectious viral particles cannot be formed. This process requires specific recognition and packaging of dimerized genomic RNA (gRNA) by Gag during virus assembly. Most of the previous work on retroviral assembly has used either the nucleocapsid portion of Gag, or other truncated Gag derivatives—not the natural substrate for virus assembly. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of MMTV gRNA packaging process, we expressed and purified full-length recombinant Pr77Gag-His6-tag fusion protein from soluble fractions of bacterial cultures. We show that the purified Pr77Gag-His6-tag protein retained the ability to assemble virus-like particles (VLPs) in vitro with morphologically similar immature intracellular particles. The recombinant proteins (with and without His6-tag) could both be expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and had the ability to form VLPs in vivo. Most importantly, the recombinant Pr77Gag-His6-tag fusion proteins capable of making VLPs in eukaryotic cells were competent for packaging sub-genomic MMTV RNAs. The successful expression and purification of a biologically active, full-length MMTV Pr77Gag should lay down the foundation towards performing RNA–protein interaction(s), especially for structure-function studies and towards understanding molecular intricacies during MMTV gRNA packaging and assembly processes.
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