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Jablunovsky A, Jose J. The Dynamic Landscape of Capsid Proteins and Viral RNA Interactions in Flavivirus Genome Packaging and Virus Assembly. Pathogens 2024; 13:120. [PMID: 38392858 PMCID: PMC10893219 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family of enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses encompasses more than 70 members, many of which cause significant disease in humans and livestock. Packaging and assembly of the flavivirus RNA genome is essential for the formation of virions, which requires intricate coordination of genomic RNA, viral structural, and nonstructural proteins in association with virus-induced, modified endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane structures. The capsid (C) protein, a small but versatile RNA-binding protein, and the positive single-stranded RNA genome are at the heart of the elusive flavivirus assembly process. The nucleocapsid core, consisting of the genomic RNA encapsidated by C proteins, buds through the ER membrane, which contains viral glycoproteins prM and E organized as trimeric spikes into the lumen, forming an immature virus. During the maturation process, which involves the low pH-mediated structural rearrangement of prM and E and furin cleavage of prM in the secretory pathway, the spiky immature virus with a partially ordered nucleocapsid core becomes a smooth, mature virus with no discernible nucleocapsid. This review focuses on the mechanisms of genome packaging and assembly by examining the structural and functional aspects of C protein and viral RNA. We review the current lexicon of critical C protein features and evaluate interactions between C and genomic RNA in the context of assembly and throughout the life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastazia Jablunovsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Joyce Jose
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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2
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Jablunovsky A, Narayanan A, Jose J. Identification of a critical role for ZIKV capsid α3 in virus assembly and its genetic interaction with M protein. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011873. [PMID: 38166143 PMCID: PMC10786401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses such as Zika and dengue viruses are persistent health concerns in endemic regions worldwide. Efforts to combat the spread of flaviviruses have been challenging, as no antivirals or optimal vaccines are available. Prevention and treatment of flavivirus-induced diseases require a comprehensive understanding of their life cycle. However, several aspects of flavivirus biogenesis, including genome packaging and virion assembly, are not well characterized. In this study, we focused on flavivirus capsid protein (C) using Zika virus (ZIKV) as a model to investigate the role of the externally oriented α3 helix (C α3) without a known or predicted function. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of surface-exposed amino acids on C α3 revealed a critical CN67 residue essential for ZIKV virion production. The CN67A mutation did not affect dimerization or RNA binding of purified C protein in vitro. The virus assembly is severely affected in cells transfected with an infectious cDNA clone of ZIKV with CN67A mutation, resulting in a highly attenuated phenotype. We isolated a revertant virus with a partially restored phenotype by continuous passage of the CN67A mutant virus in Vero E6 cells. Sequence analysis of the revertant revealed a second site mutation in the viral membrane (M) protein MF37L, indicating a genetic interaction between the C and M proteins of ZIKV. Introducing the MF37L mutation on the mutant ZIKV CN67A generated a double-mutant virus phenotypically consistent with the isolated genetic revertant. Similar results were obtained with analogous mutations on C and M proteins of dengue virus, suggesting the critical nature of C α3 and possible C and M residues contributing to virus assembly in other Aedes-transmitted flaviviruses. This study provides the first experimental evidence of a genetic interaction between the C protein and the viral envelope protein M, providing a mechanistic understanding of the molecular interactions involved in the assembly and budding of Aedes-transmitted flaviviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastazia Jablunovsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Anoop Narayanan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Joyce Jose
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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3
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Hafeez S, Achur R, Kiran SK, Thippeswamy NB. Computational prediction of B and T-cell epitopes of Kyasanur Forest Disease virus marker proteins towards the development of precise diagnosis and potent subunit vaccine. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:9157-9176. [PMID: 36336957 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2141882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as 'monkey fever', caused by KFD Virus (KFDV), is a highly neglected tropical disease endemic to Western Ghat region of Karnataka, India. Recently, KFD, which is fatal for both monkeys and humans with a mortality rate of 2-10% has been found to spread from its epicenter to neighboring districts and states also. The current ELISA based KFD detection method is very non-specific due to cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses. Further, presently available formalin-inactivated vaccine has been found to be less effective leading to disease susceptibility and severity. To address these, the present study was aimed at predicting the potent specific B and T-cell epitopes of KFDV immunogenic marker proteins using diverse computational tools aiming at developing precise diagnostic method and an effective subunit vaccine. Here, we have chosen E, NS1 and NS5 proteins as markers of KFDV by taking into account of their differential and non-overlapping sequences with selected arboviruses. Based on the linear and nonlinear epitope prediction tools and important biophysical parameters, we identified three potential linear and ten nonlinear B-cell epitopes. We also predicted T-cell epitope peptides which binds to MHC class-I and class-II receptors for the effective T-cell activation. Thus, our molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis has identified six different TH-cell epitopes based on the distribution frequency of MHC-II haplotypes in the human population and one TC-cell epitope from NS5 protein that has maximum interaction with class-I MHC. Overall, we have successfully identified potential B and T-cell epitope marker peptides present in the envelope and two non-structural proteins.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayad Hafeez
- Department of PG Studies and Research in Microbiology, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, India
| | - Rajeshwara Achur
- Department of PG Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, India
| | - S K Kiran
- Department of Health and family welfare Government of Karnataka, Virus Diagnostic Laboratory, Shivamogga, India
| | - N B Thippeswamy
- Department of PG Studies and Research in Microbiology, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, India
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4
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Diani E, Lagni A, Lotti V, Tonon E, Cecchetto R, Gibellini D. Vector-Transmitted Flaviviruses: An Antiviral Molecules Overview. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2427. [PMID: 37894085 PMCID: PMC10608811 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses cause numerous pathologies in humans across a broad clinical spectrum with potentially severe clinical manifestations, including hemorrhagic and neurological disorders. Among human flaviviruses, some viral proteins show high conservation and are good candidates as targets for drug design. From an epidemiological point of view, flaviviruses cause more than 400 million cases of infection worldwide each year. In particular, the Yellow Fever, dengue, West Nile, and Zika viruses have high morbidity and mortality-about an estimated 20,000 deaths per year. As they depend on human vectors, they have expanded their geographical range in recent years due to altered climatic and social conditions. Despite these epidemiological and clinical premises, there are limited antiviral treatments for these infections. In this review, we describe the major compounds that are currently under evaluation for the treatment of flavivirus infections and the challenges faced during clinical trials, outlining their mechanisms of action in order to present an overview of ongoing studies. According to our review, the absence of approved antivirals for flaviviruses led to in vitro and in vivo experiments aimed at identifying compounds that can interfere with one or more viral cycle steps. Still, the currently unavailability of approved antivirals poses a significant public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Diani
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.L.); (V.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Anna Lagni
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.L.); (V.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Virginia Lotti
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.L.); (V.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Emil Tonon
- Unit of Microbiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Cecchetto
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.L.); (V.L.); (R.C.)
- Unit of Microbiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Davide Gibellini
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.L.); (V.L.); (R.C.)
- Unit of Microbiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
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5
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Cardoso-Lima R, Santos-Oliveira R, Souza PFN, Barbosa LRS, Wuite GJL, Alencar LMR. Physical virology: how physics is enabling a better understanding of recent viral invaders. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:611-623. [PMID: 37681101 PMCID: PMC10480132 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01075-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The world is frequently afflicted by several viral outbreaks that bring diseases and health crises. It is vital to comprehend how viral assemblies' fundamental components work to counteract them. Determining the ultrastructure and nanomechanical characteristics of viruses from a physical standpoint helps categorize their mechanical characteristics, offers insight into new treatment options, and/or shows weak spots that can clarify methods for medication targeting. This study compiles the findings from studies on the ultrastructure and nanomechanical behavior of SARS-CoV-2, ZIKV (Zika virus), and CHIKV (Chikungunya virus) viral particles. With results that uncovered aspects of the organization and the spatial distribution of the proteins on the surface of the viral particle as well as the deformation response of the particles when applied a recurring loading force, this review aims to provide further discussion on the mechanical properties of viral particles at the nanoscale, offering new prospects that could be employed for designing strategies for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12551-023-01075-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruana Cardoso-Lima
- Physics Department, Laboratory of Biophysics and Nanosystems, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA Brazil
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ralph Santos-Oliveira
- Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Rio de Janeiro, 21941906 Brazil
- Laboratory of Nanoradiopharmacy, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, 23070200 Brazil
| | - Pedro Filho Noronha Souza
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE Brazil
| | - Leandro R. S. Barbosa
- Department of General Physics, Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-000 Brazil
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP 13083-100 Brazil
| | - Gijs J. L. Wuite
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Malogolovkin A, Davies A, Abouelhadid S, Kerviel A, Roy P, Falconar AK. Enhanced Zika virus-like particle development using Baculovirus spp. constructs. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28252. [PMID: 36271727 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is one of several examples of an unprecedented pandemic spread and against which there is currently no suitable vaccine or treatment. Here, we constructed and characterized recombinant baculovirus-derived ZIKV-like particles (Zika VLPs) to study ZIKV-antibody interactions. These VLPs, uniquely consisted of the full-length ZIKV capsid (C), pre-membrane (prM), and envelope (E) proteins with either: a) the viral nonstructural NS2B and NS3 protease unit under one or two different promoters or b) an alternative host-cell furin protease encoding cleavage sequence inserted between the C and prM genes, together with lobster tropomyosin leader and honeybee signal sequences with one promoter for increased extracellular secretion. All these Zika VLPs displayed typical virion morphology in transmission electron microscopic analysis when expressed in both insect (Sf9) and mammalian (HEK293T) cells and no uncleaved prM glycoprotein was detected, as are present on immature virions. The importance of glycosylation of the E glycoprotein was shown by the effects on both polyclonal and monoclonal antibody reactions after these N-linked carbohydrate residues were disrupted by oxidation or enzymatic cleavage. Importantly, the construct which contained the host-cell furin protease cleavage sequence together with a lobster tropomyosin leader and honeybee signal sequences under one promoter produced higher Zika VLP titers and protein concentrations and which can now be tested as a superior construct in multifunctional diagnostic (ELISA and neutralization/antibody-dependent enhancement) assays and immunogenic assessments possibly leading to vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Malogolovkin
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Andrew Davies
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sherif Abouelhadid
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Adeline Kerviel
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Polly Roy
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Andrew K Falconar
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad del Norte, Km5 Antigua via Puerto Colombia, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
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Eriksen MS, Bramham CR. Molecular physiology of Arc/Arg3.1: The oligomeric state hypothesis of synaptic plasticity. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2022; 236:e13886. [PMID: 36073248 PMCID: PMC9787330 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The immediate early gene, Arc, is a pivotal regulator of synaptic plasticity, memory, and cognitive flexibility. But what is Arc protein? How does it work? Inside the neuron, Arc is a protein interaction hub and dynamic regulator of intra-cellular signaling in synaptic plasticity. In remarkable contrast, Arc can also self-assemble into retrovirus-like capsids that are released in extracellular vesicles and capable of intercellular transfer of RNA. Elucidation of the molecular basis of Arc hub and capsid functions, and the relationship between them, is vital for progress. Here, we discuss recent findings on Arc structure-function and regulation of oligomerization that are giving insight into the molecular physiology of Arc. The unique features of mammalian Arc are emphasized, while drawing comparisons with Drosophila Arc and retroviral Gag. The Arc N-terminal domain, found only in mammals, is proposed to play a key role in regulating Arc hub signaling, oligomerization, and formation of capsids. Bringing together several lines of evidence, we hypothesize that Arc function in synaptic plasticity-long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD)-are dictated by different oligomeric forms of Arc. Specifically, monomer/dimer function in LTP, tetramer function in basic LTD, and 32-unit oligomer function in enhanced LTD. The role of mammalian Arc capsids is unclear but likely depends on the cross-section of captured neuronal activity-induced RNAs. As the functional states of Arc are revealed, it may be possible to selectively manipulate specific forms of Arc-dependent plasticity and intercellular communication involved in brain function and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clive R. Bramham
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity of BergenBergenNorway,Mohn Research Center for the BrainUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
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8
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Sotcheff SL, Chen JYC, Elrod N, Cao J, Jaworski E, Kuyumcu-Martinez MN, Shi PY, Routh AL. Zika Virus Infection Alters Gene Expression and Poly-Adenylation Patterns in Placental Cells. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080936. [PMID: 36015056 PMCID: PMC9414685 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are small RNA viruses that are mainly transmitted via arthropod vectors and are found in tropic and sub-tropical regions. Most infections are asymptomatic (90-95%), but symptoms can be as severe as hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis. One recently emerged flavivirus is Zika virus (ZIKV), which was originally isolated from rhesus monkeys in Uganda roughly 70 years ago but has recently spread east, reaching S. America in 2015-2016. This outbreak was associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults and microcephaly in infants born to expectant mothers infected early in pregnancy. ZIKV must traverse the placenta to impact the development of the fetus, but the mechanisms responsible are unknown. While flaviviruses are known to disrupt splicing patterns in host cells, little is known about how flaviviruses such as ZIKV impact the alternative polyadenylation (APA) of host transcripts. This is important as APA is well-established as a mechanism in the regulation of mRNA metabolism and translation. Thus, we sought to characterize transcriptomic changes including APA in human placental (JEG3) cells in response to ZIKV infection using Poly(A)-ClickSeq (PAC-Seq). We used our differential Poly(A)-cluster (DPAC) analysis pipeline to characterize changes in differential gene expression, alternative poly-adenylation (APA) and the use of alternative terminal exons. We identified 98 upregulated genes and 28 downregulated genes. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that many RNA processing and immune pathways were upregulated in ZIKV-infected JEG3 cells. We also updated DPAC to provide additional metrics of APA including the percentage-distal usage index (PDUI), which revealed that APA was extensive and the 3' UTRs of 229 genes were lengthened while 269 were shortened. We further found that there were 214 upregulated and 59 downregulated poly(A)-clusters (PACs). We extracted the nucleotide sequences surrounding these PACs and found that the canonical signals for poly-adenylation (binding site for poly-A binding protein (PABP) upstream and a GU-rich region down-stream of the PAC) were only enriched in the downregulated PACs. These results indicate that ZIKV infection makes JEG3 cells more permissive to non-canonical poly-adenylation signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanea L. Sotcheff
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - John Yun-Chung Chen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Nathan Elrod
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jun Cao
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental and Viral Oncology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Elizabeth Jaworski
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Mugé N. Kuyumcu-Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Andrew L. Routh
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Correspondence:
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de Araujo Dorneles ML, Cardoso-Lima R, Souza PFN, Santoro Rosa D, Magne TM, Santos-Oliveira R, Alencar LMR. Zika Virus (ZIKV): A New Perspective on the Nanomechanical and Structural Properties. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081727. [PMID: 36016349 PMCID: PMC9414353 DOI: 10.3390/v14081727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) from Flavivirus. In 2015, Brazil and other Latin American countries experienced an outbreak of ZIKV infections associated with severe neurological disorders such as Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS), encephalopathy, and encephalitis. Here, a complete mechanical and structural analysis of the ZIKV has been performed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). AFM analysis corroborated the virus mean size (~50 nm) and icosahedral geometry and revealed high mechanical resistance of both: the viral surface particle (~200 kPa) and its internal content (~800 kPa). The analysis demonstrated the detailed organization of the nucleocapsid structure (such as RNA strips). An interesting finding was the discovery that ZIKV has no surface self-assembling property. These results can contribute to the development of future treatment candidates and circumscribe the magnitude of viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruana Cardoso-Lima
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Nanosystems, Physics Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65020070, Brazil
| | - Pedro Filho Noronha Souza
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440900, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60440900, Brazil
| | - Daniela Santoro Rosa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo 04023062, Brazil
| | - Tais Monteiro Magne
- Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21941906, Brazil
| | - Ralph Santos-Oliveira
- Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21941906, Brazil
- Laboratory of Nanoradiopharmacy, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro 23070200, Brazil
| | - Luciana Magalhães Rebelo Alencar
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Nanosystems, Physics Department, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65020070, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Zhou Y, Sotcheff SL, Routh AL. Next-generation sequencing: A new avenue to understand viral RNA-protein interactions. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101924. [PMID: 35413291 PMCID: PMC8994257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The genomes of RNA viruses present an astonishing source of both sequence and structural diversity. From intracellular viral RNA-host interfaces to interactions between the RNA genome and structural proteins in virus particles themselves, almost the entire viral lifecycle is accompanied by a myriad of RNA-protein interactions that are required to fulfill their replicative potential. It is therefore important to characterize such rich and dynamic collections of viral RNA-protein interactions to understand virus evolution and their adaptation to their hosts and environment. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have allowed the characterization of viral RNA-protein interactions, including both transient and conserved interactions, where molecular and structural approaches have fallen short. In this review, we will provide a methodological overview of the high-throughput techniques used to study viral RNA-protein interactions, their biochemical mechanisms, and how they evolved from classical methods as well as one another. We will discuss how different techniques have fueled virus research to characterize how viral RNA and proteins interact, both locally and on a global scale. Finally, we will present examples on how these techniques influence the studies of clinically important pathogens such as HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
| | - Stephanea L Sotcheff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew L Routh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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11
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Finding a chink in the armor: Update, limitations, and challenges toward successful antivirals against flaviviruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010291. [PMID: 35482672 PMCID: PMC9049358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses have caused large epidemics and ongoing outbreaks for centuries. They are now distributed in every continent infecting up to millions of people annually and may emerge to cause future epidemics. Some of the viruses from this group cause severe illnesses ranging from hemorrhagic to neurological manifestations. Despite decades of research, there are currently no approved antiviral drugs against flaviviruses, urging for new strategies and antiviral targets. In recent years, integrated omics data-based drug repurposing paired with novel drug validation methodologies and appropriate animal models has substantially aided in the discovery of new antiviral medicines. Here, we aim to review the latest progress in the development of both new and repurposed (i) direct-acting antivirals; (ii) host-targeting antivirals; and (iii) multitarget antivirals against flaviviruses, which have been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo, with an emphasis on their targets and mechanisms. The search yielded 37 compounds that have been evaluated for their efficacy against flaviviruses in animal models; 20 of them are repurposed drugs, and the majority of them exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activity. The review also highlighted the major limitations and challenges faced in the current in vitro and in vivo evaluations that hamper the development of successful antiviral drugs for flaviviruses. We provided an analysis of what can be learned from some of the approved antiviral drugs as well as drugs that failed clinical trials. Potent in vitro and in vivo antiviral efficacy alone does not warrant successful antiviral drugs; current gaps in studies need to be addressed to improve efficacy and safety in clinical trials.
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12
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Tracking the Replication-Competent Zika Virus with Tetracysteine-Tagged Capsid Protein in Living Cells. J Virol 2022; 96:e0184621. [PMID: 35285687 PMCID: PMC9006885 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01846-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is the mosquito-borne enveloped flavivirus that causes microcephaly in neonates. While real-time imaging plays a critical role in dissecting viral biology, no fluorescent, genetically engineered ZIKV for single-particle tracking is currently available.
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Mebus-Antunes NC, Ferreira WS, Barbosa GM, Neves-Martins TC, Weissmuller G, Almeida FCL, Da Poian AT. The interaction of dengue virus capsid protein with negatively charged interfaces drives the in vitro assembly of nucleocapsid-like particles. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264643. [PMID: 35231063 PMCID: PMC8887749 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) causes a major arthropod-borne viral disease, with 2.5 billion people living in risk areas. DENV consists in a 50 nm-diameter enveloped particle in which the surface proteins are arranged with icosahedral symmetry, while information about nucleocapsid (NC) structural organization is lacking. DENV NC is composed of the viral genome, a positive-sense single-stranded RNA, packaged by the capsid (C) protein. Here, we established the conditions for a reproducible in vitro assembly of DENV nucleocapsid-like particles (NCLPs) using recombinant DENVC. We analyzed NCLP formation in the absence or presence of oligonucleotides in solution using small angle X-ray scattering, Rayleigh light scattering as well as fluorescence anisotropy, and characterized particle structural properties using atomic force and transmission electron microscopy imaging. The experiments in solution comparing 2-, 5- and 25-mer oligonucleotides established that 2-mer is too small and 5-mer is sufficient for the formation of NCLPs. The assembly process was concentration-dependent and showed a saturation profile, with a stoichiometry of 1:1 (DENVC:oligonucleotide) molar ratio, suggesting an equilibrium involving DENVC dimer and an organized structure compatible with NCLPs. Imaging methods proved that the decrease in concentration to sub-nanomolar concentrations of DENVC allows the formation of regular spherical NCLPs after protein deposition on mica or carbon surfaces, in the presence as well as in the absence of oligonucleotides, in this latter case being surface driven. Altogether, the results suggest that in vitro assembly of DENV NCLPs depends on DENVC charge neutralization, which must be a very coordinated process to avoid unspecific aggregation. Our hypothesis is that a specific highly positive spot in DENVC α4-α4' is the main DENVC-RNA binding site, which is required to be firstly neutralized to allow NC formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathane C. Mebus-Antunes
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wellington S. Ferreira
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Glauce M. Barbosa
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thais C. Neves-Martins
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Weissmuller
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio C. L. Almeida
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea T. Da Poian
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Sallaberry I, Luszczak A, Philipp N, Navarro GSC, Gabriel MV, Gratton E, Gamarnik AV, Estrada LC. In vivo pair correlation microscopy reveals dengue virus capsid protein nucleocytoplasmic bidirectional movement in mammalian infected cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24415. [PMID: 34952906 PMCID: PMC8709865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03854-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are major human disease-causing pathogens, including dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus, yellow fever virus and others. DENV infects hundreds of millions of people per year around the world, causing a tremendous social and economic burden. DENV capsid (C) protein plays an essential role during genome encapsidation and viral particle formation. It has been previously shown that DENV C enters the nucleus in infected cells. However, whether DENV C protein exhibits nuclear export remains unclear. By spatially cross-correlating different regions of the cell, we investigated DENV C movement across the nuclear envelope during the infection cycle. We observed that transport takes place in both directions and with similar translocation times (in the ms time scale) suggesting a bidirectional movement of both C protein import and export.Furthermore, from the pair cross-correlation functions in cytoplasmic or nuclear regions we found two populations of C molecules in each compartment with fast and slow mobilities. While in the cytoplasm the correlation times were in the 2-6 and 40-110 ms range for the fast and slow mobility populations respectively, in the cell nucleus they were 1-10 and 25-140 ms range, respectively. The fast mobility of DENV C in cytoplasmic and nuclear regions agreed with the diffusion coefficients from Brownian motion previously reported from correlation analysis. These studies provide the first evidence of DENV C shuttling from and to the nucleus in infected cells, opening new venues for antiviral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Sallaberry
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IFIBA-National Research Council for Science and Technology (CONICET), 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alexis Luszczak
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IFIBA-National Research Council for Science and Technology (CONICET), 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Philipp
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IFIBA-National Research Council for Science and Technology (CONICET), 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe S Costa Navarro
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-National Research Council for Science and Technology (CONICET), 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Manuela V Gabriel
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IFIBA-National Research Council for Science and Technology (CONICET), 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Enrico Gratton
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics and Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Andrea V Gamarnik
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-National Research Council for Science and Technology (CONICET), 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura C Estrada
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires and IFIBA-National Research Council for Science and Technology (CONICET), 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Talavera-Aguilar LG, Murrieta RA, Kiem S, Cetina-Trejo RC, Baak-Baak CM, Ebel GD, Blitvich BJ, Machain-Williams C. Infection, dissemination, and transmission efficiencies of Zika virus in Aedes aegypti after serial passage in mosquito or mammalian cell lines or alternating passage in both cell types. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:261. [PMID: 34006306 PMCID: PMC8130322 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04726-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) with an urban transmission cycle that primarily involves humans and Aedes aegypti. Evidence suggests that the evolution of some arboviruses is constrained by their dependency on alternating between disparate (vertebrate and invertebrate) hosts. The goals of this study are to compare the genetic changes that occur in ZIKV after serial passaging in mosquito or vertebrate cell lines or alternate passaging in both cell types and to compare the replication, dissemination, and transmission efficiencies of the cell culture-derived viruses in Ae. aegypti. Methods An isolate of ZIKV originally acquired from a febrile patient in Yucatan, Mexico, was serially passaged six times in African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells or Aedes albopictus (C6/36) cells or both cell types by alternating passage. A colony of Ae. aegypti from Yucatan was established, and mosquitoes were challenged with the cell-adapted viruses. Midguts, Malpighian tubules, ovaries, salivary glands, wings/legs and saliva were collected at various times after challenge and tested for evidence of virus infection. Results Genome sequencing revealed the presence of two non-synonymous substitutions in the premembrane and NS1 regions of the mosquito cell-adapted virus and two non-synonymous substitutions in the capsid and NS2A regions of both the vertebrate cell-adapted and alternate-passaged viruses. Additional genetic changes were identified by intrahost variant frequency analysis. Virus maintained by continuous C6/36 cell passage was significantly more infectious in Ae. aegypti than viruses maintained by alternating passage and consecutive Vero cell passage. Conclusions Mosquito cell-adapted ZIKV displayed greater in vivo fitness in Ae. aegypti compared to the other viruses, indicating that obligate cycling between disparate hosts carries a fitness cost. These data increase our understanding of the factors that drive ZIKV adaptation and evolution and underscore the important need to consider the in vivo passage histories of flaviviruses to be evaluated in vector competence studies. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04726-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes G Talavera-Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Arbovirología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | - Reyes A Murrieta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Sungmin Kiem
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Internal Medicine, Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Sejong, Korea
| | - Rosa C Cetina-Trejo
- Laboratorio de Arbovirología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | - Carlos M Baak-Baak
- Laboratorio de Arbovirología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México
| | - Gregory D Ebel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Bradley J Blitvich
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Carlos Machain-Williams
- Laboratorio de Arbovirología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México.
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Woodson M, Pajak J, Mahler BP, Zhao W, Zhang W, Arya G, White MA, Jardine PJ, Morais MC. A viral genome packaging motor transitions between cyclic and helical symmetry to translocate dsDNA. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/19/eabc1955. [PMID: 33962953 PMCID: PMC8104870 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc1955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Molecular segregation and biopolymer manipulation require the action of molecular motors to do work by applying directional forces to macromolecules. The additional strand conserved E (ASCE) ring motors are an ancient family of molecular motors responsible for diverse biological polymer manipulation tasks. Viruses use ASCE segregation motors to package their genomes into their protein capsids and provide accessible experimental systems due to their relative simplicity. We show by cryo-EM-focused image reconstruction that ASCE ATPases in viral double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) packaging motors adopt helical symmetry complementary to their dsDNA substrates. Together with previous data, our results suggest that these motors cycle between helical and planar configurations, providing a possible mechanism for directional translocation of DNA. Similar changes in quaternary structure have been observed for proteasome and helicase motors, suggesting an ancient and common mechanism of force generation that has been adapted for specific tasks over the course of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Woodson
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Joshua Pajak
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Bryon P Mahler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Characterization Facility, College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Gaurav Arya
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Mark A White
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
| | - Paul J Jardine
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Marc C Morais
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Pontremoli C, Forni D, Clerici M, Cagliani R, Sironi M. Alternation between taxonomically divergent hosts is not the major determinant of flavivirus evolution. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab040. [PMID: 33976907 PMCID: PMC8093920 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses display diverse epidemiological and ecological features. Tick-borne and mosquito-borne flaviviruses (TBFV and MBFV, respectively) are important human pathogens that alternate replication in invertebrate vectors and vertebrate hosts. The Flavivirus genus also includes insect-specific viruses (ISFVs) and viruses with unknown invertebrate hosts. It is generally accepted that viruses that alternate between taxonomically different hosts evolve slowly and that the evolution of MBFVs and TBFVs is dominated by strong constraints, with limited episodes of positive selection. We exploited the availability of flavivirus genomes to test these hypotheses and to compare their rates and patterns of evolution. We estimated the substitution rates of CFAV and CxFV (two ISFVs) and, by taking into account the time-frame of measurement, compared them with those of other flaviviruses. Results indicated that CFAV and CxFV display relatively different substitution rates. However, these data, together with estimates for single-host members of the Flaviviridae family, indicated that MBFVs do not display relatively slower evolution. Conversely, TBFVs displayed some of lowest substitution rates among flaviviruses. Analysis of selective patterns over longer evolutionary time-frames confirmed that MBFVs evolve under strong purifying selection. Interestingly, TBFVs and ISFVs did not show extremely different levels of constraint, although TBFVs alternate among hosts, whereas ISFVs do not. Additional results showed that episodic positive selection drove the evolution of MBFVs, despite their high constraint. Positive selection was also detected on two branches of the TBFVs phylogeny that define the seabird clade. Thus, positive selection was much more common during the evolution of arthropod-borne flaviviruses than previously thought. Overall, our data indicate that flavivirus evolutionary patterns are complex and most likely determined by multiple factors, not limited to the alternation between taxonomically divergent hosts. The frequency of both positive and purifying selection, especially in MBFVs, suggests that a minority of sites in the viral polyprotein experience weak constraint and can evolve to generate new viral phenotypes and possibly promote adaptation to new hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diego Forni
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bioinformatics, Bosisio Parini 23842, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy,Don C. Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, IRCCS, Milan 20121, Italy
| | - Rachele Cagliani
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bioinformatics, Bosisio Parini 23842, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bioinformatics, Bosisio Parini 23842, Italy
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Bagasra O, Shamabadi NS, Pandey P, Desoky A, McLean E. Differential expression of miRNAs in a human developing neuronal cell line chronically infected with Zika virus. Libyan J Med 2021; 16:1909902. [PMID: 33849406 PMCID: PMC8049460 DOI: 10.1080/19932820.2021.1909902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a serious public health concern that may lead to neurological disorders in affected individuals. The virus can be transmitted from an infected mother to her fetus, via mosquitoes, or sexually. ZIKV infections are associated with increased risk for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and congenital microcephaly in newborns infected prenatally. Dysregulations of intracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) in infected neurons have been linked to different neurological diseases. To determine the potential role of miRNAs in ZIKV infection we developed a chronically infected neuroblastoma cell line and carried out differential expression analyses of miRNAs with reference to an uninfected neuroblastoma cell line. A total of 3192miRNAs were evaluated and 389 were found to be upregulated < 2-fold and 1291 were downregulated < 2-fold. In particular, we determined that hsa-mir-431-5p, hsa-mir-3687, hsa-mir-4655-5p, hsa-mir-6071, hsa-mir-762, hsa-mir-5787, and hsa-mir-6825-3p were significantly downregulated, ranging from -5711 to -660-fold whereas, has-mir-4315, hsa-mir-5681b, hsa-mir-6511a-3p, hsa-mir-1264, hsa-mir-4418, hsa-mir-4497, hsa-mir-4485-3p, hsa-mir-4715-3p, hsa-mir-4433-3p, hsa-mir-4708-3p, hsa-mir-1973 and hsa-mir-564 were upregulated, ranging from 20-0.8-fold. We carried out target gene alignment of these miRNAs with the ZIKV genome to predict the function of the differentially expressed miRNAs and their potential impact on ZIKV pathogenesis. These miRNAs might prove useful as novel diagnostic or therapeutic markers and targets for further research on ZIKV infection and neuronal injury resulting from ZIKV infectivity in developing fetal brain neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Bagasra
- Omar Bagasra, South Carolina Center for Biotechnology, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC, USA
| | | | - Pratima Pandey
- Omar Bagasra, South Carolina Center for Biotechnology, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC, USA
| | - Abdelrahman Desoky
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC, USA
| | - Ewen McLean
- Department of Aquatic Research, Aqua Cognoscenti LLC, West Columbia, SC, USA
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Alves AMB, Costa SM, Pinto PBA. Dengue Virus and Vaccines: How Can DNA Immunization Contribute to This Challenge? FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2021; 3:640964. [PMID: 35047911 PMCID: PMC8757892 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2021.640964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue infections still have a tremendous impact on public health systems in most countries in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is systemic and dynamic with broad range of manifestations, varying from mild symptoms to severe dengue (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome). The only licensed tetravalent dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, is a chimeric yellow fever virus with prM and E genes from the different dengue serotypes. However, recent results indicated that seronegative individuals became more susceptible to develop severe dengue when infected after vaccination, and now WHO recommends vaccination only to dengue seropositive people. One possibility to explain these data is the lack of robust T-cell responses and antibody-dependent enhancement of virus replication in vaccinated people. On the other hand, DNA vaccines are excellent inducers of T-cell responses in experimental animals and it can also elicit antibody production. Clinical trials with DNA vaccines have improved and shown promising results regarding the use of this approach for human vaccination. Therefore, in this paper we review preclinical and clinical tests with DNA vaccines against the dengue virus. Most of the studies are based on the E protein since this antigen is the main target for neutralizing antibody production. Yet, there are other reports with DNA vaccines based on non-structural dengue proteins with protective results, as well. Combining structural and non-structural genes may be a solution for inducing immune responses aging in different infection moments. Furthermore, DNA immunizations are also a very good approach in combining strategies for vaccines against dengue, in heterologous prime/boost regimen or even administering different vaccines at the same time, in order to induce efficient humoral and cellular immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Maria Barcelos Alves
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Viral Infections, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Neves-Martins TC, Mebus-Antunes NC, Caruso IP, Almeida FCL, Da Poian AT. Unique structural features of flaviviruses' capsid proteins: new insights on structure-function relationship. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 47:106-112. [PMID: 33721656 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The Flaviviridae family comprises important human pathogens, including Dengue, Zika, West Nile, Yellow Fever and Japanese Encephalitis viruses. The viral genome, a positive-sense single-stranded RNA, is packaged by a single protein, the capsid protein, which is a small and highly basic protein that form intertwined homodimers in solution. Atomic-resolution structures of four flaviviruses capsid proteins were solved either in solution by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or after protein crystallization by X-ray diffraction. Analyses of these structures revealed very particular properties, namely (i) the predominance of quaternary contacts maintaining the structure; (ii) a highly electropositive surface throughout the protein; and (iii) a flexible helix (α1). The goal of this review is to discuss the role of these features in protein structure-function relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais C Neves-Martins
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Nathane C Mebus-Antunes
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Icaro P Caruso
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Multiuser Center for Biomolecular Innovation (CMIB) and Department of Physics, Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), São Paulo State University (UNESP), 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabio C L Almeida
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Andrea T Da Poian
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis (IBqM), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Lemasson M, Caignard G, Unterfinger Y, Attoui H, Bell-Sakyi L, Hirchaud E, Moutailler S, Johnson N, Vitour D, Richardson J, Lacour SA. Exploration of binary protein-protein interactions between tick-borne flaviviruses and Ixodes ricinus. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:144. [PMID: 33676573 PMCID: PMC7937244 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04651-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Louping ill virus (LIV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are tick-borne flaviviruses that are both transmitted by the major European tick, Ixodes ricinus. Despite the importance of I. ricinus as an arthropod vector, its capacity to acquire and subsequently transmit viruses, known as vector competence, is poorly understood. At the molecular scale, vector competence is governed in part by binary interactions established between viral and cellular proteins within infected tick cells. Methods To investigate virus-vector protein–protein interactions (PPIs), the entire set of open reading frames for LIV and TBEV was screened against an I. ricinus cDNA library established from three embryonic tick cell lines using yeast two-hybrid methodology (Y2H). PPIs revealed for each viral bait were retested in yeast by applying a gap repair (GR) strategy, and notably against the cognate protein of both viruses, to determine whether the PPIs were specific for a single virus or common to both. The interacting tick proteins were identified by automatic BLASTX, and in silico analyses were performed to expose the biological processes targeted by LIV and TBEV. Results For each virus, we identified 24 different PPIs involving six viral proteins and 22 unique tick proteins, with all PPIs being common to both viruses. According to our data, several viral proteins (pM, M, NS2A, NS4A, 2K and NS5) target multiple tick protein modules implicated in critical biological pathways. Of note, the NS5 and pM viral proteins establish PPI with several tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) proteins, which are essential adaptor proteins at the nexus of multiple signal transduction pathways. Conclusion We provide the first description of the TBEV/LIV-I. ricinus PPI network, and indeed of any PPI network involving a tick-borne virus and its tick vector. While further investigation will be needed to elucidate the role of each tick protein in the replication cycle of tick-borne flaviviruses, our study provides a foundation for understanding the vector competence of I. ricinus at the molecular level. Indeed, certain PPIs may represent molecular determinants of vector competence of I. ricinus for TBEV and LIV, and potentially for other tick-borne flaviviruses.![]() Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04651-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Lemasson
- UMR 1161 Virologie Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Grégory Caignard
- UMR 1161 Virologie Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Yves Unterfinger
- UMR 1161 Virologie Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Houssam Attoui
- UMR 1161 Virologie Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Edouard Hirchaud
- Viral Genetic and Biosecurity Unit, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, ANSES, Ploufragan, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Damien Vitour
- UMR 1161 Virologie Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- UMR 1161 Virologie Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sandrine A Lacour
- UMR 1161 Virologie Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Paris-Est Sup, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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22
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Torres MC, Lima de Mendonça MC, Damasceno dos Santos Rodrigues C, Fonseca V, Ribeiro MS, Brandão AP, Venâncio da Cunha R, Dias AI, Santos Vilas Boas L, Felix AC, Alves Pereira M, de Oliveira Pinto LM, Sakuntabhai A, Bispo de Filippis AM. Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Intrahost Diversity in Patients with Different Clinical Outcomes. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020349. [PMID: 33672226 PMCID: PMC7926750 DOI: 10.3390/v13020349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrahost genetic diversity is thought to facilitate arbovirus adaptation to changing environments and hosts, and it might also be linked to viral pathogenesis. Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) has circulated in Brazil since 1990 and is associated with severe disease and explosive outbreaks. Intending to shed light on the viral determinants for severe dengue pathogenesis, we sought to analyze the DENV-2 intrahost genetic diversity in 68 patient cases clinically classified as dengue fever (n = 31), dengue with warning signs (n = 19), and severe dengue (n = 18). Unlike previous DENV intrahost diversity studies whose approaches employed PCR, here we performed viral whole-genome deep sequencing from clinical samples with an amplicon-free approach, representing the real intrahost diversity scenario. Striking differences were detected in the viral population structure between the three clinical categories, which appear to be driven mainly by different infection times and selection pressures, rather than being linked with the clinical outcome itself. Diversity in the NS2B gene, however, showed to be constrained, irrespective of clinical outcome and infection time. Finally, 385 non-synonymous intrahost single-nucleotide variants located along the viral polyprotein, plus variants located in the untranslated regions, were consistently identified among the samples. Of them, 124 were exclusively or highly detected among cases with warning signs and among severe cases. However, there was no variant that by itself appeared to characterize the cases of greater severity, either due to its low intrahost frequency or the conservative effect on amino acid substitution. Although further studies are necessary to determine their real effect on viral proteins, this heightens the possibility of epistatic interactions. The present analysis represents an initial effort to correlate DENV-2 genetic diversity to its pathogenic potential and thus contribute to understanding the virus’s dynamics within its human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Celeste Torres
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (M.C.L.d.M.); (C.D.d.S.R.); (A.M.B.d.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marcos Cesar Lima de Mendonça
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (M.C.L.d.M.); (C.D.d.S.R.); (A.M.B.d.F.)
| | | | - Vagner Fonseca
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP), School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 4041 Durban, South Africa;
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Coordenação Geral dos Laboratórios de Saúde Pública/Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, (CGLAB/SVS-MS) Brasília, 70719-040 Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Mario Sergio Ribeiro
- Superintendência Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 20031-142 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
| | - Ana Paula Brandão
- Laboratório Central Noel Nutels/LACEN, 20231-092 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
| | - Rivaldo Venâncio da Cunha
- Coordenação de Vigilância em Saúde e Laboratórios de Referência da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
| | - Ana Isabel Dias
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 05403-000 São Paulo, Brazil; (A.I.D.); (L.S.V.B.); (A.C.F.)
| | - Lucy Santos Vilas Boas
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 05403-000 São Paulo, Brazil; (A.I.D.); (L.S.V.B.); (A.C.F.)
| | - Alvina Clara Felix
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 05403-000 São Paulo, Brazil; (A.I.D.); (L.S.V.B.); (A.C.F.)
| | | | | | - Anavaj Sakuntabhai
- Functional Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Department of Global Health, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Ana Maria Bispo de Filippis
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (M.C.L.d.M.); (C.D.d.S.R.); (A.M.B.d.F.)
| | - on behalf of ZikAction Consortium
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (M.C.L.d.M.); (C.D.d.S.R.); (A.M.B.d.F.)
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23
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Mwaliko C, Nyaruaba R, Zhao L, Atoni E, Karungu S, Mwau M, Lavillette D, Xia H, Yuan Z. Zika virus pathogenesis and current therapeutic advances. Pathog Glob Health 2021; 115:21-39. [PMID: 33191867 PMCID: PMC7850325 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2020.1845005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus that, upon infection, results in teratogenic effects and neurological disorders. ZIKV infections pose serious global public health concerns, prompting scientists to increase research on antivirals and vaccines against the virus. These efforts are still ongoing as the pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms of ZIKV have not yet been fully elaborated. Currently, no specific vaccines or drugs have been approved for ZIKV; however, some are undergoing clinical trials. Notably, several strategies have been used to develop antivirals, including drugs that target viral and host proteins. Additionally, drug repurposing is preferred since it is less costly and takes less time than other strategies because the drugs used have already been approved for human use. Likewise, different platforms have been evaluated for the design of vaccines, including DNA, mRNA, peptide, protein, viral vectors, virus-like particles (VLPSs), inactivated-virus, and live-attenuated virus vaccines. These vaccines have been shown to induce specific humoral and cellular immune responses and reduce viremia and viral RNA both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, most of these vaccines have entered clinical trials. Understanding the viral disease mechanism will provide better strategies for developing therapeutic agents against ZIKV. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the viral pathogenesis of ZIKV and current advancements in the development of vaccines and drugs against this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Mwaliko
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,Microbiology, Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Raphael Nyaruaba
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,Microbiology, Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Evans Atoni
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,Microbiology, Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samuel Karungu
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,Microbiology, Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Matilu Mwau
- Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Control Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dimitri Lavillette
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Xia
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China,CONTACT Han Xia ; Zhiming Yuan Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiming Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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24
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Orba Y, Matsuno K, Nakao R, Kryukov K, Saito Y, Kawamori F, Loza Vega A, Watanabe T, Maemura T, Sasaki M, Hall WW, Hall RA, Pereira JA, Nakagawa S, Sawa H. Diverse mosquito-specific flaviviruses in the Bolivian Amazon basin. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 33416463 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Flavivirus includes a range of mosquito-specific viruses in addition to well-known medically important arboviruses. Isolation and comprehensive genomic analyses of viruses in mosquitoes collected in Bolivia resulted in the identification of three novel flavivirus species. Psorophora flavivirus (PSFV) was isolated from Psorophora albigenu. The coding sequence of the PSFV polyprotein shares 60 % identity with that of the Aedes-associated lineage II insect-specific flavivirus (ISF), Marisma virus. Isolated PSFV replicates in both Aedes albopictus- and Aedes aegypti-derived cells, but not in mammalian Vero or BHK-21 cell lines. Two other flaviviruses, Ochlerotatus scapularis flavivirus (OSFV) and Mansonia flavivirus (MAFV), which were identified from Ochlerotatus scapularis and Mansonia titillans, respectively, group with the classical lineage I ISFs. The protein coding sequences of these viruses share only 60 and 40 % identity with the most closely related of known lineage I ISFs, including Xishuangbanna aedes flavivirus and Sabethes flavivirus, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that MAFV is clearly distinct from the groups of the current known Culicinae-associated lineage I ISFs. Interestingly, the predicted amino acid sequence of the MAFV capsid protein is approximately two times longer than that of any of the other known flaviviruses. Our results indicate that flaviviruses with distinct features can be found at the edge of the Bolivian Amazon basin at sites that are also home to dense populations of human-biting mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuko Orba
- International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Keita Matsuno
- Unit of Risk Analysis and Management, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kirill Kryukov
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yumi Saito
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Kawamori
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Gabriel Rene Moreno Autonomous University, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
| | - Ariel Loza Vega
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Gabriel Rene Moreno Autonomous University, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
| | - Tokiko Watanabe
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadashi Maemura
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michihito Sasaki
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - William W Hall
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Roy A Hall
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Juan Antonio Pereira
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Gabriel Rene Moreno Autonomous University, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
| | - So Nakagawa
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Sawa
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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25
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Barnard TR, Abram QH, Lin QF, Wang AB, Sagan SM. Molecular Determinants of Flavivirus Virion Assembly. Trends Biochem Sci 2021; 46:378-390. [PMID: 33423940 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Virion assembly is an important step in the life cycle of all viruses. For viruses of the Flavivirus genus, a group of enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses, the assembly step represents one of the least understood processes in the viral life cycle. While assembly is primarily driven by the viral structural proteins, recent studies suggest that several nonstructural proteins also play key roles in coordinating the assembly and packaging of the viral genome. This review focuses on describing recent advances in our understanding of flavivirus virion assembly, including the intermolecular interactions between the viral structural (capsid) and nonstructural proteins (NS2A and NS2B-NS3), host factors, as well as features of the viral genomic RNA required for efficient flavivirus virion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trisha R Barnard
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Quinn H Abram
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Qi Feng Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Alex B Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Selena M Sagan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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26
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Silva NM, Santos NC, Martins IC. Dengue and Zika Viruses: Epidemiological History, Potential Therapies, and Promising Vaccines. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E150. [PMID: 32977703 PMCID: PMC7709709 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5040150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV), which can lead to fatal hemorrhagic fever, affects 390 million people worldwide. The closely related Zika virus (ZIKV) causes microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Both viruses are mostly transmitted by Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which, due to globalization of trade and travel alongside climate change, are spreading worldwide, paving the way to DENV and ZIKV transmission and the occurrence of new epidemics. Local outbreaks have already occurred in temperate climates, even in Europe. As there are no specific treatments, these viruses are an international public health concern. Here, we analyze and discuss DENV and ZIKV outbreaks history, clinical and pathogenesis features, and modes of transmission, supplementing with information on advances on potential therapies and restraining measures. Taking advantage of the knowledge of the structure and biological function of the capsid (C) protein, a relatively conserved protein among flaviviruses, within a genus that includes DENV and ZIKV, we designed and patented a new drug lead, pep14-23 (WO2008/028939A1). It was demonstrated that it inhibits the interaction of DENV C protein with the host lipid system, a process essential for viral replication. Such an approach can be used to develop new therapies for related viruses, such as ZIKV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nuno C. Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Ivo C. Martins
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
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