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Hu X, Bai X, Tian F, Xing Y, Shi Y, Tong Y, Zhong J. A novel BSL-2 Lassa virus reverse genetics system modelling the complete viral life cycle. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2356149. [PMID: 38747061 PMCID: PMC11168227 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2356149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), a risk-group 4 pathogen, must be handled in biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) conditions, thereby limiting its research and antiviral development. Here, we developed a novel LASV reverse genetics system which, to our knowledge, is the first to study the complete LASV life cycle under BSL-2 conditions. Viral particles can be produced efficiently when LASV minigenomic RNA harbouring minimal viral cis-elements and reporter genes is transfected into a helper cell line stably expressing viral NP, GP, Z and L proteins. The resulting defective virions, named LASVmg, can propagate only in the helper cell line, providing a BSL-2 model to study the complete LASV life cycle. Using this model, we found that a previously reported cellular receptor α-dystroglycan is dispensable for LASVmg infection. Furthermore, we showed that ribavirin can inhibit LASVmg infection by inducing viral mutations. This new BSL-2 system should facilitate studying the LASV life cycle and screening antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyou Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xu Bai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fangling Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yifan Xing
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Shi
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yimin Tong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jin Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Nuñez IA, Crane A, Crozier I, Worwa G, Kuhn JH. Treatment of highly virulent mammarenavirus infections-status quo and future directions. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:537-551. [PMID: 38606475 PMCID: PMC11069405 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2340494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mammarenaviruses are negative-sense bisegmented enveloped RNA viruses that are endemic in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Several are highly virulent, causing acute human diseases associated with high case fatality rates, and are considered to be significant with respect to public health impact or bioterrorism threat. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the status quo of treatment development, starting with drugs that are in advanced stages of evaluation in early clinical trials, followed by promising candidate medical countermeasures emerging from bench analyses and investigational animal research. EXPERT OPINION Specific therapeutic treatments for diseases caused by mammarenaviruses remain limited to the off-label use of ribavirin and transfusion of convalescent sera. Progress in identifying novel candidate medical countermeasures against mammarenavirus infection has been slow in part because of the biosafety and biosecurity requirements. However, novel methodologies and tools have enabled increasingly efficient high-throughput molecular screens of regulatory-agency-approved small-molecule drugs and led to the identification of several compounds that could be repurposed for the treatment of infection with several mammarenaviruses. Unfortunately, most of them have not yet been evaluated in vivo. The most promising treatment under development is a monoclonal antibody cocktail that is protective against multiple lineages of the Lassa virus in nonhuman primate disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivette A. Nuñez
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of
Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National
Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD21702, USA
| | - Anya Crane
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of
Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National
Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD21702, USA
| | - Ian Crozier
- Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate, Frederick
National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Gabriella Worwa
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of
Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National
Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD21702, USA
| | - Jens H. Kuhn
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Division of
Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National
Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD21702, USA
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Iyer K, Yan Z, Ross SR. Entry inhibitors as arenavirus antivirals. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1382953. [PMID: 38650890 PMCID: PMC11033450 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1382953] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses belonging to the Arenaviridae family, genus mammarenavirus, are enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses primarily found in rodent species, that cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. With high mortality rates and limited treatment options, the search for effective antivirals is imperative. Current treatments, notably ribavirin and other nucleoside inhibitors, are only partially effective and have significant side effects. The high lethality and lack of treatment, coupled with the absence of vaccines for all but Junín virus, has led to the classification of these viruses as Category A pathogens by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This review focuses on entry inhibitors as potential therapeutics against mammarenaviruses, which include both New World and Old World arenaviruses. Various entry inhibition strategies, including small molecule inhibitors and neutralizing antibodies, have been explored through high throughput screening, genome-wide studies, and drug repurposing. Notable progress has been made in identifying molecules that target receptor binding, internalization, or fusion steps. Despite promising preclinical results, the translation of entry inhibitors to approved human therapeutics has faced challenges. Many have only been tested in in vitro or animal models, and a number of candidates showed efficacy only against specific arenaviruses, limiting their broader applicability. The widespread existence of arenaviruses in various rodent species and their potential for their zoonotic transmission also underscores the need for rapid development and deployment of successful pan-arenavirus therapeutics. The diverse pool of candidate molecules in the pipeline provides hope for the eventual discovery of a broadly effective arenavirus antiviral.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Susan R. Ross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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Taniguchi S, Maruyama J, Saito T, Littlefield K, Reyna RA, Manning JT, Huang C, Saijo M, Paessler S. Development of reverse genetics system for Guanarito virus: substitution of E1497K in the L protein of Guanarito virus S-26764 strain changes plaque phenotype and growth kinetics. J Virol 2024; 98:e0196423. [PMID: 38289100 PMCID: PMC10878084 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01964-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Guanarito virus (GTOV) is the causative agent of Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever. GTOV belongs to the genus Mammarenavirus, family Arenaviridae and has been classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite being a high-priority agent, vaccines and drugs against Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever are not available. GTOV S-26764, isolated from a non-fatal human case, produces an unclear cytopathic effect (CPE) in Vero cells, posing a significant obstacle to research and countermeasure development efforts. Vero cell-adapted GTOV S-26764 generated in this study produced clear CPE and demonstrated rapid growth and high yield in Vero cells compared to the original GTOV S-26764. We developed a reverse genetics system for GTOV to study amino acid changes acquired through Vero cell adaptation and leading to virus phenotype changes. The results demonstrated that E1497K in the L protein was responsible for the production of clear plaques as well as enhanced viral RNA replication and transcription efficiency. Vero cell-adapted GTOV S-26764, capable of generating CPE, will allow researchers to easily perform neutralization assays and anti-drug screening against GTOV. Moreover, the developed reverse genetics system will accelerate vaccine and antiviral drug development.IMPORTANCEGuanarito virus (GTOV) is a rodent-borne virus. GTOV causes fever, prostration, headache, arthralgia, cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epistaxis, bleeding gums, menorrhagia, and melena in humans. The lethality rate is 23.1% or higher. Vero cell-adapted GTOV S-26764 shows a clear cytopathic effect (CPE), whereas the parental virus shows unclear CPE in Vero cells. We generated a reverse genetics system to rescue recombinant GTOVs and found that E1497K in the L protein was responsible for the formation of clear plaques as well as enhanced viral RNA replication and transcription efficiency. This reverse genetic system will accelerate vaccine and antiviral drug developments, and the findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the function of GTOV L as an RNA polymerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Takeshi Saito
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Kirsten Littlefield
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel A. Reyna
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - John T. Manning
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Masayuki Saijo
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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5
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Gorzkiewicz M, Cramer J, Xu HC, Lang PA. The role of glycosylation patterns of viral glycoproteins and cell entry receptors in arenavirus infection. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115196. [PMID: 37586116 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammarenaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses that can be associated with rodent-transmitted diseases in humans. Their virions are composed of a nucleocapsid surrounded by a lipid bilayer with glycoprotein (GP) spikes interacting with receptors on target cells. Both the GP and receptors are highly glycosylated, with glycosylation patterns being crucial for virus binding and cell entry, viral tropism, immune responses, or therapy strategies. These effects have been previously described for several different viruses. In case of arenaviruses, they remain insufficiently understood. Thus, it is important to determine the mechanisms of glycosylation of viral proteins and receptors responsible for infection, in order to fully understand the biology of arenaviruses. In this article, we have summarized and critically evaluated the available literature data on the glycosylation of mammarenavirus-associated proteins to facilitate further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Gorzkiewicz
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 141/143 Pomorska St., 90-236 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Jonathan Cramer
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Haifeng C Xu
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Philipp A Lang
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Bezerra EHS, Melo-Hanchuk TD, Marques RE. Structural and molecular biology of Sabiá virus. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:1624-1634. [PMID: 37937408 PMCID: PMC10723027 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231199071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Brazilian mammarenavirus, or Sabiá virus (SABV), is a New World (NW) arenavirus associated with fulminant hemorrhagic disease in humans and the sole biosafety level 4 microorganism ever isolated in Brazil. Since the isolation of SABV in the 1990s, studies on viral biology have been scarce, with no available countermeasures against SABV infection or disease. Here we provide a comprehensive review of SABV biology, including key aspects of SABV replication, and comparisons with related Old World and NW arenaviruses. SABV is most likely a rodent-borne virus, transmitted to humans, through exposure to urine and feces in peri-urban areas. Using protein structure prediction methods and alignments, we analyzed shared and unique features of SABV proteins (GPC, NP, Z, and L) that could be explored in search of therapeutic strategies, including repurposing intended application against arenaviruses. Highly conserved catalytic activities present in L protein could be targeted for broad-acting antiviral activity among arenaviruses, while protein-protein interactions, such as those between L and the matrix protein Z, have evolved in NW arenaviruses and should be specific to SABV. The nucleoprotein (NP) also shares targetable interaction interfaces with L and Z and exhibits exonuclease activity in the C-terminal domain, which may be involved in multiple aspects of SABV replication. Envelope glycoproteins GP1 and GP2 have been explored in the development of promising cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies and vaccines, some of which could be repurposed for SABV. GP1 remains a challenging target in SABV as evolutive pressures render it the most variable viral protein in terms of both sequence and structure, while antiviral strategies targeting the Z protein remain to be validated. In conclusion, the prediction and analysis of protein structures should revolutionize research on viruses such as SABV by facilitating the rational design of countermeasures while reducing dependence on sophisticated laboratory infrastructure for experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rafael Elias Marques
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), São Paulo 13083-100, Brazil
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7
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Reuter G, Boros Á, Takáts K, Mátics R, Pankovics P. A novel mammarenavirus (family Arenaviridae) in hedgehogs (Erinaceus roumanicus) in Europe. Arch Virol 2023; 168:174. [PMID: 37291370 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05804-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a novel mammarenavirus (family Arenaviridae) was identified in a hedgehog (family Erinaceidae) in Hungary and genetically characterized. Mecsek Mountains virus (MEMV, OP191655, OP191656) was detected in nine (45%) out of 20 faecal specimens collected from a Northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus). The L-segment proteins (RdRp and Z) and S-segment proteins (NP and GPC) of MEMV had 67.5%/70% and 74.6%/65.6% amino acid sequence identity, respectively, to the corresponding proteins of Alxa virus (species Mammarenavirus alashanense) identified recently in an anal swab from a three-toed jerboa (Dipus sagitta) in China. MEMV is the second known arenavirus endemic in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Reuter
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Ákos Boros
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Károly Takáts
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pécs, Hungary
| | | | - Péter Pankovics
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., 7624, Pécs, Hungary
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8
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Saito T, Reyna RA, Taniguchi S, Littlefield K, Paessler S, Maruyama J. Vaccine Candidates against Arenavirus Infections. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:635. [PMID: 36992218 PMCID: PMC10057967 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030635] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The viral family Arenaviridae contains several members that cause severe, and often lethal, diseases in humans. Several highly pathogenic arenaviruses are classified as Risk Group 4 agents and must be handled in the highest biological containment facility, biosafety level-4 (BSL-4). Vaccines and treatments are very limited for these pathogens. The development of vaccines is crucial for the establishment of countermeasures against highly pathogenic arenavirus infections. While several vaccine candidates have been investigated, there are currently no approved vaccines for arenavirus infection except for Candid#1, a live-attenuated Junin virus vaccine only licensed in Argentina. Current platforms under investigation for use include live-attenuated vaccines, recombinant virus-based vaccines, and recombinant proteins. We summarize here the recent updates of vaccine candidates against arenavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Saito
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Rachel A. Reyna
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Kirsten Littlefield
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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9
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Cuypers LN, Gryseels S, Van Houtte N, Baird SJE, Sabuni CA, Katakweba AS, van den Burg SRM, Bryja J, Leirs H, Goüy de Bellocq J. Subspecific rodent taxa as the relevant host taxonomic level for mammarenavirus host specificity. Virology 2023; 581:116-127. [PMID: 36958216 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.02.014] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Mastomys natalensis-borne mammarenaviruses appear specific to subspecific M. natalensis taxa rather than to the whole species. Yet mammarenaviruses carried by M. natalensis are known to spill over and jump hosts in northern sub-Saharan Africa. Phylogeographic studies increasingly show that, like M. natalensis, small mammals in sub-Saharan Africa are often genetically structured into several subspecific taxa. Other mammarenaviruses may thus also form virus-subspecific host taxon associations. To investigate this, and if mammarenaviruses carried by M. natalensis in southern Africa are less prone to spill-over, we screened 1225 non-M. natalensis samples from Tanzania where many small mammal taxa meet. We found mammarenavirus RNA in 6 samples. Genetic/genomic characterisation confirmed they were not spill-over from M. natalensis. We detected host jumps among rodent tribe members and an association between mammarenaviruses and subspecific taxa of Mus minutoides and Grammomys surdaster, indicating host genetic structure may be crucial to understand virus distribution and host specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura N Cuypers
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium; OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stuart J E Baird
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Christopher A Sabuni
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3110 Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Abdul S Katakweba
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3110 Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Sebastiaan R M van den Burg
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Josef Bryja
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic
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Revisiting Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases: Insights from Recent Structural Studies. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102200. [PMID: 36298755 PMCID: PMC9612308 DOI: 10.3390/v14102200] [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] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) represent a distinctive yet versatile class of nucleic acid polymerases encoded by RNA viruses for the replication and transcription of their genome. The structure of the RdRP is comparable to that of a cupped right hand consisting of fingers, palm, and thumb subdomains. Despite the presence of a common structural core, the RdRPs differ significantly in the mechanistic details of RNA binding and polymerization. The present review aims at exploring these incongruities in light of recent structural studies of RdRP complexes with diverse cofactors, RNA moieties, analogs, and inhibitors.
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11
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Murphy H, Ly H. Understanding Immune Responses to Lassa Virus Infection and to Its Candidate Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1668. [PMID: 36298533 PMCID: PMC9612042 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a deadly viral hemorrhagic fever disease that is endemic in several countries in West Africa. It is caused by Lassa virus (LASV), which has been estimated to be responsible for approximately 300,000 infections and 5000 deaths annually. LASV is a highly pathogenic human pathogen without effective therapeutics or FDA-approved vaccines. Here, we aim to provide a literature review of the current understanding of the basic mechanism of immune responses to LASV infection in animal models and patients, as well as to several of its candidate vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hinh Ly
- Comparative & Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
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12
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Reyna RA, Maruyama J, Mantlo EK, Manning JT, Taniguchi S, Makishima T, Lukashevich IS, Paessler S. Depletion of CD4 and CD8 T Cells Reduces Acute Disease and Is Not Associated with Hearing Loss in ML29-Infected STAT1-/- Mice. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2433. [PMID: 36289695 PMCID: PMC9598517 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102433] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a zoonotic virus endemic to western Africa that can cause a potentially lethal and hemorrhagic disease, Lassa fever (LF). Survivors suffer a myriad of sequelae, most notably sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), the mechanism of which remains unclear. Unfortunately, studies aiming to identify the mechanism of these sequelae are limited due to the biosafety level 4 (BSL4) requirements of LASV itself. ML29, a reassortant virus proposed as an experimental vaccine candidate against LASV, is potentially an ideal surrogate model of LF in STAT1-/- mice due to similar phenotype in these animals. We intended to better characterize ML29 pathogenesis and potential sequelae in this animal model. Our results indicate that while both CD4 and CD8 T cells are responsible for acute disease in ML29 infection, ML29 induces significant hearing loss in a mechanism independent of either CD4 or CD8 T cells. We believe that this model could provide valuable information for viral-associated hearing loss in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Reyna
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Emily K. Mantlo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - John T. Manning
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Tomoko Makishima
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Di D, Huang Q, Ly H, Liang Y. Evaluating the Biological Role of Lassa Viral Z Protein-Mediated RIG-I Inhibition Using a Replication-Competent Trisegmented Pichinde Virus System in an Inducible RIG-IN Expression Cell Line. J Virol 2022; 96:e0075422. [PMID: 35913216 PMCID: PMC9400496 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00754-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a mammarenavirus that can cause lethal Lassa fever disease with no FDA-approved vaccine and limited treatment options. Fatal LASV infections are associated with innate immune suppression. We have previously shown that the small matrix Z protein of LASV, but not of a nonpathogenic arenavirus Pichinde virus (PICV), can inhibit the cellular RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), but its biological significance has not been evaluated in an infectious virus due to the multiple essential functions of the Z protein required for the viral life cycle. In this study, we developed a stable HeLa cell line (HeLa-iRIGN) that could be rapidly and robustly induced by doxycycline (Dox) treatment to express RIG-I N-terminal effector, with concomitant production of type I interferons (IFN-Is). We also generated recombinant tri-segmented PICVs, rP18tri-LZ, and rP18tri-PZ, which encode LASV Z and PICV Z, respectively, as an extra mScarlet fusion protein that is nonessential for the viral life cycle. Upon infection, rP18tri-LZ consistently expressed viral genes at a higher level than rP18tri-PZ. rP18tri-LZ also showed a higher level of a viral infection than rP18tri-PZ did in HeLa-iRIGN cells, especially upon Dox induction. The heterologous Z gene did not alter viral growth in Vero and A549 cells by growth curve analysis, while LASV Z strongly increased and prolonged viral gene expression, especially in IFN-competent A549 cells. Our study provides important insights into the biological role of LASV Z-mediated RIG-I inhibition and implicates LASV Z as a potential virulence factor. IMPORTANCE Lassa virus (LASV) can cause lethal hemorrhagic fever disease in humans but other arenaviruses, such as Pichinde virus (PICV), do not cause obvious disease. We have previously shown that the Z protein of LASV but not of PICV can inhibit RIG-I, a cytosolic innate immune receptor. In this study, we developed a stable HeLa cell line that can be induced to express the RIG-I N-terminal effector domain, which allows for timely control of RIG-I activation. We also generated recombinant PICVs encoding LASV Z or PICV Z as an extra gene that is nonessential for the viral life cycle. Compared to PICV Z, LASV Z could increase viral gene expression and viral infection in an infectious arenavirus system, especially when RIG-I signaling is activated. Our study presented a convenient cell system to characterize RIG-I signaling and its antagonists and revealed LASV Z as a possible virulence factor and a potential antiviral target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Di
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Qinfeng Huang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
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14
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Gallo GL, López N, Loureiro ME. The Virus–Host Interplay in Junín Mammarenavirus Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061134. [PMID: 35746604 PMCID: PMC9228484 DOI: 10.3390/v14061134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Junín virus (JUNV) belongs to the Arenaviridae family and is the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), a severe human disease endemic to agricultural areas in Argentina. At this moment, there are no effective antiviral therapeutics to battle pathogenic arenaviruses. Cumulative reports from recent years have widely provided information on cellular factors playing key roles during JUNV infection. In this review, we summarize research on host molecular determinants that intervene in the different stages of the viral life cycle: viral entry, replication, assembly and budding. Alongside, we describe JUNV tight interplay with the innate immune system. We also review the development of different reverse genetics systems and their use as tools to study JUNV biology and its close teamwork with the host. Elucidating relevant interactions of the virus with the host cell machinery is highly necessary to better understand the mechanistic basis beyond virus multiplication, disease pathogenesis and viral subversion of the immune response. Altogether, this knowledge becomes essential for identifying potential targets for the rational design of novel antiviral treatments to combat JUNV as well as other pathogenic arenaviruses.
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15
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Fan J, Pan J, Zhang X, Chen Y, Zeng Y, Huang L, Ma D, Chen Z, Wu G, Fan W. A peptide derived from the N-terminus of charged multivesicular body protein 6 (CHMP6) promotes the secretion of gene editing proteins via small extracellular vesicle production. Bioengineered 2022; 13:4702-4716. [PMID: 35188876 PMCID: PMC8973635 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2030571] [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] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a promising new therapeutic platform. However, the low cargo-loading efficiency limits their clinical translation. In this study, we developed a high-yield EV cargo-loading device and explored its ability to encapsulate gene editing proteins. A series of fusion protein-based systems were constructed and their cargo loading efficiencies were compared by a NanoGlo luciferase assay. A myristoylated (Myr) peptide tag cloned from the N-terminal region of charged multivesicular body protein 6 (CHMP6), termed Myr(CHMP6), outcompeted CD9, ARRDC1, and other short polypeptides as an active packaging device. As determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy, the overexpression of Myr(CHMP6) increased small EV (sEV) production in Lenti-X 293T cells without altering sEV morphology. The high passive packaging efficiency of Myr(CHMP6) was also elucidated for unmodified cargo loading. Western blotting revealed that Myr(CHMP6) facilitated the loading of Cre and Cas9 into sEVs without the generation of packaging device-cargo fusion proteins. Furthermore, Myr(CHMP6)-modified sEVs loaded with Cre or Cas9 promoted gene-editing in recipient cells, as observed using a fluorescence reporter system. Subsequent investigation demonstrated a dose-dependent effect of Myr(CHMP6) tag-induced cargo-loading. Mechanistically, N-myristoylation alone was necessary but not sufficient for the effective packaging of proteins into EVs. Thus, our results indicated that Myr(CHMP6) induces sEV production and may be effective in loading gene editing proteins into sEVs for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Fan
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jiajie Pan
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiaozhe Zhang
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yixi Chen
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yue Zeng
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Lihan Huang
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dongwei Ma
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Ziqi Chen
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Guifu Wu
- Department of Cardiology The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Guangdong Innovative Engineering and Technology Research Center for Assisted Circulation Guangdong Shenzhen P.R. China
| | - Wendong Fan
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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16
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Murphy HL, Ly H. Pathogenicity and virulence mechanisms of Lassa virus and its animal modeling, diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic developments. Virulence 2021; 12:2989-3014. [PMID: 34747339 PMCID: PMC8923068 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.2000290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a deadly viral hemorrhagic disease that is endemic to West Africa. The causative agent of LF is Lassa virus (LASV), which causes approximately 300,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually. There are currently no approved therapeutics or FDA-approved vaccines against LASV. The high genetic variability between LASV strains and immune evasion mediated by the virus complicate the development of effective therapeutics and vaccines. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the basic biology of LASV and its mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and virulence in various animal models, as well as an update on prospective vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for LF. Until effective vaccines and/or therapeutics are available for use to prevent or treat LF, a better level of understanding of the basic biology of LASV, its natural genetic variations and immune evasion mechanisms as potential pathogenicity factors, and of the rodent reservoir-vector populations and their geographical distributions, is necessary for the development of accurate diagnostics and effective therapeutics and vaccines against this deadly human viral pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Murphy
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Comparative & Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Comparative & Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
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17
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Structure of Machupo virus polymerase in complex with matrix protein Z. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6163. [PMID: 34697302 PMCID: PMC8546121 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Arenaviridae family includes several viruses that cause severe human hemorrhagic fevers with high mortality, with no effective countermeasures currently available. The arenavirus multi-domain L protein is involved in viral transcription and replication and represents a promising target for antiviral drugs. The arenavirus matrix protein Z is a small multi-functional protein that inhibits the activities of the L protein. Here we report the structure of Machupo virus L protein in complex with Z determined by cryo-electron microscopy. The Z protein acts as a staple and binds the L protein with 1:1 stoichiometry at the intersection between the PA-C-like region, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and PB2-N-like region. Binding of the Z protein may lock the multiple domains of L into a fixed arrangement leading to loss of catalytic activity. These results further our understanding of the inhibitory mechanism of arenavirus replication machinery and provide a novel perspective to develop antiviral drugs. The RNA polymerase L of arenaviruses is of interest for drug design and its activity is inhibited by the matrix protein Z. Here, the authors present the cryo-EM structure of the Machupo virus polymerase L in complex with matrix protein Z and discuss the inhibitory mechanism.
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18
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Meier K, Thorkelsson SR, Quemin ERJ, Rosenthal M. Hantavirus Replication Cycle-An Updated Structural Virology Perspective. Viruses 2021; 13:1561. [PMID: 34452426 PMCID: PMC8402763 DOI: 10.3390/v13081561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantaviruses infect a wide range of hosts including insectivores and rodents and can also cause zoonotic infections in humans, which can lead to severe disease with possible fatal outcomes. Hantavirus outbreaks are usually linked to the population dynamics of the host animals and their habitats being in close proximity to humans, which is becoming increasingly important in a globalized world. Currently there is neither an approved vaccine nor a specific and effective antiviral treatment available for use in humans. Hantaviruses belong to the order Bunyavirales with a tri-segmented negative-sense RNA genome. They encode only five viral proteins and replicate and transcribe their genome in the cytoplasm of infected cells. However, many details of the viral amplification cycle are still unknown. In recent years, structural biology methods such as cryo-electron tomography, cryo-electron microscopy, and crystallography have contributed essentially to our understanding of virus entry by membrane fusion as well as genome encapsidation by the nucleoprotein. In this review, we provide an update on the hantavirus replication cycle with a special focus on structural virology aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Meier
- Department of Virology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Sigurdur R. Thorkelsson
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, University of Hamburg, 22607 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Emmanuelle R. J. Quemin
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, University of Hamburg, 22607 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Maria Rosenthal
- Department of Virology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany;
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
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19
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Kang H, Cong J, Wang C, Ji W, Xin Y, Qian Y, Li X, Chen Y, Rao Z. Structural basis for recognition and regulation of arenavirus polymerase L by Z protein. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4134. [PMID: 34226547 PMCID: PMC8257661 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24458-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Junin virus (JUNV) causes Argentine hemorrhagic fever, a debilitating human disease of high mortality rates and a great risk to public health worldwide. Studying the L protein that replicates and transcribes the genome of JUNV, and its regulator Z protein should provide critical clues to identify therapeutic targets for disrupting the life cycle of JUNV. Here we report the 3.54 Å cryo-EM structure of the JUNV L protein complexed with regulator Z protein. JUNV L structure reveals a conserved architecture containing signature motifs found in other L proteins. Structural analysis shows that L protein is regulated by binding of Z protein at the RNA product exit site. Based on these findings, we propose a model for the role of Z protein as a switch to turn on/off the viral RNA synthesis via its interaction with L protein. Our work unveils the mechanism of JUNV transcription, replication and regulation, which provides a framework for the rational design of antivirals for combating viral infections. Junin virus (JUNV) causes Argentine hemorrhagic fever and encodes the large protein (L) of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and its regulator, the matrix zinc-binding protein (Z). Here, the authors present the 3.54 Å cryo-EM structure of the complex of JUNV L with Z, and they propose a model of how JUNV L is regulated by Z during the viral life cycle and RNA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Kang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingyuan Cong
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenlong Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenxin Ji
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhui Xin
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Qian
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemei Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yutao Chen
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zihe Rao
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Laboratory of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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20
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Kim YJ, Venturini V, de la Torre JC. Progress in Anti-Mammarenavirus Drug Development. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071187. [PMID: 34206216 PMCID: PMC8310104 DOI: 10.3390/v13071187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammarenaviruses are prevalent pathogens distributed worldwide, and several strains cause severe cases of human infections with high morbidity and significant mortality. Currently, there is no FDA-approved antiviral drugs and vaccines against mammarenavirus and the potential treatment option is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin that shows only partial protective effect and associates with side effects. For the past few decades, extensive research has reported potential anti-mammarenaviral drugs and their mechanisms of action in host as well as vaccine candidates. This review describes current knowledge about mammarenavirus virology, progress of antiviral drug development, and technical strategies of drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jin Kim
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (Y.-J.K.); (V.V.)
| | - Victor Venturini
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (Y.-J.K.); (V.V.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV), Carretera Pozuelo-Majadahonda, Km 1,800, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan C. de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (Y.-J.K.); (V.V.)
- Correspondence:
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21
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Monette A, Mouland AJ. Zinc and Copper Ions Differentially Regulate Prion-Like Phase Separation Dynamics of Pan-Virus Nucleocapsid Biomolecular Condensates. Viruses 2020; 12:E1179. [PMID: 33081049 PMCID: PMC7589941 DOI: 10.3390/v12101179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a rapidly growing research focus due to numerous demonstrations that many cellular proteins phase-separate to form biomolecular condensates (BMCs) that nucleate membraneless organelles (MLOs). A growing repertoire of mechanisms supporting BMC formation, composition, dynamics, and functions are becoming elucidated. BMCs are now appreciated as required for several steps of gene regulation, while their deregulation promotes pathological aggregates, such as stress granules (SGs) and insoluble irreversible plaques that are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Treatment of BMC-related diseases will greatly benefit from identification of therapeutics preventing pathological aggregates while sparing BMCs required for cellular functions. Numerous viruses that block SG assembly also utilize or engineer BMCs for their replication. While BMC formation first depends on prion-like disordered protein domains (PrLDs), metal ion-controlled RNA-binding domains (RBDs) also orchestrate their formation. Virus replication and viral genomic RNA (vRNA) packaging dynamics involving nucleocapsid (NC) proteins and their orthologs rely on Zinc (Zn) availability, while virus morphology and infectivity are negatively influenced by excess Copper (Cu). While virus infections modify physiological metal homeostasis towards an increased copper to zinc ratio (Cu/Zn), how and why they do this remains elusive. Following our recent finding that pan-retroviruses employ Zn for NC-mediated LLPS for virus assembly, we present a pan-virus bioinformatics and literature meta-analysis study identifying metal-based mechanisms linking virus-induced BMCs to neurodegenerative disease processes. We discover that conserved degree and placement of PrLDs juxtaposing metal-regulated RBDs are associated with disease-causing prion-like proteins and are common features of viral proteins responsible for virus capsid assembly and structure. Virus infections both modulate gene expression of metalloproteins and interfere with metal homeostasis, representing an additional virus strategy impeding physiological and cellular antiviral responses. Our analyses reveal that metal-coordinated virus NC protein PrLDs initiate LLPS that nucleate pan-virus assembly and contribute to their persistence as cell-free infectious aerosol droplets. Virus aerosol droplets and insoluble neurological disease aggregates should be eliminated by physiological or environmental metals that outcompete PrLD-bound metals. While environmental metals can control virus spreading via aerosol droplets, therapeutic interference with metals or metalloproteins represent additional attractive avenues against pan-virus infection and virus-exacerbated neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Monette
- Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Andrew J. Mouland
- Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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22
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Mpingabo PI, Urata S, Yasuda J. Analysis of the Cell Type-Dependence on the Arenavirus Z-Mediated Virus-Like Particle Production. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:562814. [PMID: 33117310 PMCID: PMC7561441 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.562814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Several arenaviruses are highly pathogenic to humans, causing hemorrhagic fever. Discovery of anti-arenavirus drug candidates is urgently needed, although the molecular basis of the host- and organ-specific pathogenicity remains to be fully elucidated. The arenavirus Z protein facilitates production of virus-like particles (VLPs), providing an established method to assess virus budding. In this study, we examined the efficiency of VLP production by solely expressing Z protein of several different arenaviruses. In addition, we analyzed the role of the late (L)-domain of the arenavirus Z protein, which is essential for the interaction with ESCRT proteins, in VLP production among different cell lines. VLP assay was performed using Z proteins of Junín virus (JUNV), Machupo virus (MACV), Tacaribe virus (TCRV), Latino virus (LATV), Pichinde virus (PICV), and Lassa virus (LASV) in six different cell lines: HEK293T, Huh-7, A549, Vero76, BHK-21, and NIH3T3 cells. JUNV, MACV, and LASV Z proteins efficiently produced VLPs in all tested cell lines, while the efficiencies of VLP production by the other arenavirus Z proteins were cell type-dependent. The contribution of the L-domain(s) within Z protein to VLP production also highly depended on the cell type. These results suggested that each arenavirus has its own particle-production mechanism, which is different among the cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick I Mpingabo
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.,Program for Nurturing Global Leaders in Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shuzo Urata
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.,National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Jiro Yasuda
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.,Program for Nurturing Global Leaders in Tropical and Emerging Communicable Diseases, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.,National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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23
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Huang Q, Liu X, Brisse M, Ly H, Liang Y. Effect of Strain Variations on Lassa Virus Z Protein-Mediated Human RIG-I Inhibition. Viruses 2020; 12:E907. [PMID: 32824946 PMCID: PMC7551410 DOI: 10.3390/v12090907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammarenaviruses include several known human pathogens, such as the prototypic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) that can cause neurological diseases and Lassa virus (LASV) that causes endemic hemorrhagic fever infection. LASV-infected patients show diverse clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic infection to hemorrhage, multi-organ failures and death, the mechanisms of which have not been well characterized. We have previously shown that the matrix protein Z of pathogenic arenaviruses, including LASV and LCMV, can strongly inhibit the ability of the innate immune protein RIG-I to suppress type I interferon (IFN-I) expression, which serves as a mechanism of viral immune evasion and virulence. Here, we show that Z proteins of diverse LASV isolates derived from rodents and humans have a high degree of sequence variations at their N- and C-terminal regions and produce variable degrees of inhibition of human RIG-I (hRIG-I) function in an established IFN-β promoter-driven luciferase (LUC) reporter assay. Additionally, we show that Z proteins of four known LCMV strains can also inhibit hRIG-I at variable degrees of efficiency. Collectively, our results confirm that Z proteins of pathogenic LASV and LCMV can inhibit hRIG-I and suggest that strain variations of the Z proteins can influence their efficiency to suppress host innate immunity that might contribute to viral virulence and disease heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yuying Liang
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-612-625-3376; Fax: +1-612-625-0204
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24
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Distinct Molecular Mechanisms of Host Immune Response Modulation by Arenavirus NP and Z Proteins. Viruses 2020; 12:v12070784. [PMID: 32708250 PMCID: PMC7412275 DOI: 10.3390/v12070784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endemic to West Africa and South America, mammalian arenaviruses can cross the species barrier from their natural rodent hosts to humans, resulting in illnesses ranging from mild flu-like syndromes to severe and fatal haemorrhagic zoonoses. The increased frequency of outbreaks and associated high fatality rates of the most prevalent arenavirus, Lassa, in West African countries, highlights the significant risk to public health and to the socio-economic development of affected countries. The devastating impact of these viruses is further exacerbated by the lack of approved vaccines and effective treatments. Differential immune responses to arenavirus infections that can lead to either clearance or rapid, widespread and uncontrolled viral dissemination are modulated by the arenavirus multifunctional proteins, NP and Z. These two proteins control the antiviral response to infection by targeting multiple cellular pathways; and thus, represent attractive targets for antiviral development to counteract infection. The interplay between the host immune responses and viral replication is a key determinant of virus pathogenicity and disease outcome. In this review, we examine the current understanding of host immune defenses against arenavirus infections and summarise the host protein interactions of NP and Z and the mechanisms that govern immune evasion strategies.
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25
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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: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [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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The Glycoprotein of the Live-Attenuated Junin Virus Vaccine Strain Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Forms Aggregates prior to Degradation in the Lysosome. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.01693-19. [PMID: 31996435 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01693-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Argentine hemorrhagic fever is a potentially lethal disease that is caused by Junin virus (JUNV). There are currently around 5 million individuals at risk of infection within regions of endemicity in Argentina. The live attenuated vaccine strain Candid #1 (Can) is approved for use in regions of endemicity and has substantially decreased the number of annual Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) cases. The glycoprotein (GPC) gene is primarily responsible for attenuation of the Can strain, and we have shown that the absence of an N-linked glycosylation motif in the subunit G1 of the glycoprotein complex of Can, which is otherwise present in the wild-type pathogenic JUNV, causes GPC retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we show that Can GPC aggregates in the ER of infected cells, forming incorrect cross-chain disulfide bonds, which results in impaired GPC processing into G1 and G2. The GPC fails to cleave into its G1 and G2 subunits and is targeted for degradation within lysosomes. Cells infected with the wild-type Romero (Rom) strain do not produce aggregates that are observed in Can infection, and the stress on the ER remains minimal. While the mutation of the N-linked glycosylation motif (T168A) is primarily responsible for the formation of aggregates, other mutations within G1 that occurred earlier in the passage history of the Can strain also contribute to aggregation of the GPC within the ER.IMPORTANCE The development of vaccines and therapeutics to combat viral hemorrhagic fevers remains a top priority within the Implementation Plan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise. The Can strain, derived from the pathogenic XJ strain of JUNV, has been demonstrated to be both safe and protective against AHF. While the vaccine strain is approved for use in regions of endemicity within Argentina, the mechanisms of Can attenuation have not been elucidated. A better understanding of the viral genetic determinants of attenuation will improve our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to disease pathogenesis and provide critical information for the rational design of live attenuated vaccine candidates for other viral hemorrhagic fevers.
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E3 Ligase ITCH Interacts with the Z Matrix Protein of Lassa and Mopeia Viruses and Is Required for the Release of Infectious Particles. Viruses 2019; 12:v12010049. [PMID: 31906112 PMCID: PMC7019300 DOI: 10.3390/v12010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) and Mopeia virus (MOPV) are two closely related, rodent-born mammarenaviruses. LASV is the causative agent of Lassa fever, a deadly hemorrhagic fever endemic in West Africa, whereas MOPV is non-pathogenic in humans. The Z matrix protein of arenaviruses is essential to virus assembly and budding by recruiting host factors, a mechanism that remains partially defined. To better characterize the interactions involved, a yeast two-hybrid screen was conducted using the Z proteins from LASV and MOPV as a bait. The cellular proteins ITCH and WWP1, two members of the Nedd4 family of HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases, were found to bind the Z proteins of LASV, MOPV and other arenaviruses. The PPxY late-domain motif of the Z proteins is required for the interaction with ITCH, although the E3 ubiquitin-ligase activity of ITCH is not involved in Z ubiquitination. The silencing of ITCH was shown to affect the replication of the old-world mammarenaviruses LASV, MOPV, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and to a lesser extent Lujo virus (LUJV). More precisely, ITCH was involved in the egress of virus-like particles and the release of infectious progeny viruses. Thus, ITCH constitutes a novel interactor of LASV and MOPV Z proteins that is involved in virus assembly and release.
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Takamatsu Y, Kajikawa J, Muramoto Y, Nakano M, Noda T. Microtubule-dependent transport of arenavirus matrix protein demonstrated using live-cell imaging microscopy. Microscopy (Oxf) 2019; 68:450-456. [PMID: 31722015 DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfz034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), belonging to the family Arenaviridae, causes severe haemorrhagic manifestations and is associated with a high mortality rate in humans. Thus, it is classified as a biosafety level (BSL)-4 agent. Since countermeasures for LASV diseases are yet to be developed, it is important to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the life cycle of the virus, including its viral and host cellular protein interactions. These underlying molecular mechanisms may serve as the key for developing novel therapeutic options. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a close relative of LASV, is usually asymptomatic and is categorized as a BSL-2 agent. In the present study, we visualized the transport of viral matrix Z protein in LCMV-infected cells using live-cell imaging microscopy. We demonstrated that the transport of Z protein is mediated by polymerized microtubules. Interestingly, the transport of LASV Z protein showed characteristics similar to those of Z protein in LCMV-infected cells. The live-cell imaging system using LCMV provides an attractive surrogate measure for studying arenavirus matrix protein transport in BSL-2 laboratories. In addition, it could be also utilized to analyze the interactions between viral matrix proteins and the cellular cytoskeleton, as well as to evaluate the antiviral compounds that target the transport of viral matrix proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Takamatsu
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan.,Institut für Virologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany
| | - Junichi Kajikawa
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Yukiko Muramoto
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakano
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Takeshi Noda
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
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29
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Ziegler CM, Dang L, Eisenhauer P, Kelly JA, King BR, Klaus JP, Manuelyan I, Mattice EB, Shirley DJ, Weir ME, Bruce EA, Ballif BA, Botten J. NEDD4 family ubiquitin ligases associate with LCMV Z's PPXY domain and are required for virus budding, but not via direct ubiquitination of Z. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008100. [PMID: 31710650 PMCID: PMC6874086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral late domains are used by many viruses to recruit the cellular endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) to mediate membrane scission during viral budding. Unlike the P(S/T)AP and YPX(1–3)L late domains, which interact directly with the ESCRT proteins Tsg101 and ALIX, the molecular linkage connecting the PPXY late domain to ESCRT proteins is unclear. The mammarenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) matrix protein, Z, contains only one late domain, PPXY. We previously found that this domain in LCMV Z, as well as the ESCRT pathway, are required for the release of defective interfering (DI) particles but not infectious virus. To better understand the molecular mechanism of ESCRT recruitment by the PPXY late domain, affinity purification-mass spectrometry was used to identify host proteins that interact with the Z proteins of the Old World mammarenaviruses LCMV and Lassa virus. Several Nedd4 family E3 ubiquitin ligases interact with these matrix proteins and in the case of LCMV Z, the interaction was PPXY-dependent. We demonstrated that these ligases directly ubiquitinate LCMV Z and mapped the specific lysine residues modified. A recombinant LCMV containing a Z that cannot be ubiquitinated maintained its ability to produce both infectious virus and DI particles, suggesting that direct ubiquitination of LCMV Z alone is insufficient for recruiting ESCRT proteins to mediate virus release. However, Nedd4 ligases appear to be important for DI particle release suggesting that ubiquitination of targets other than the Z protein itself is required for efficient viral ESCRT recruitment. Enveloped viruses derive their lipid bilayer from either the cellular plasma membrane or an intracellular organelle during the process of viral budding in which a virus particle is formed at a membrane. Many enveloped viruses recruit the cellular endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) in order to efficiently cut the membrane that connects a newly budded, but not released, virus particle from its parent membrane. Late domains, which are short protein motifs found in numerous enveloped viruses, specifically recruit ESCRT for this process. Two types of late domains accomplish this by binding directly to ESCRT proteins. A third late domain, PPXY, recruits ESCRT proteins through an unknown, indirect linkage. In this study, we sought to identify proteins that may bridge the PPXY late domain and ESCRT proteins. We found that Nedd4 family ubiquitin ligases interact with the PPXY domain in the mammarenavirus Z protein resulting in ubiquitination of Z at two lysine residues. However, Z ubiquitination was largely dispensable for the virus. Conversely, Nedd4 ubiquitin ligases were critical during infection suggesting that the most important contribution made to virus release by Nedd4 ligases is not direct ubiquitination of the viral matrix protein, but possibly the ubiquitination of cellular proteins or other viral proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Ziegler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Loan Dang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Philip Eisenhauer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Jamie A. Kelly
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Benjamin R. King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Joseph P. Klaus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Inessa Manuelyan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Ethan B. Mattice
- Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - David J. Shirley
- Ixis LLC, Data Science Division, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Marion E. Weir
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Emily A. Bruce
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Bryan A. Ballif
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Jason Botten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Lechner J, Hartkopf F, Hiort P, Nitsche A, Grossegesse M, Doellinger J, Renard BY, Muth T. Purple: A Computational Workflow for Strategic Selection of Peptides for Viral Diagnostics Using MS-Based Targeted Proteomics. Viruses 2019; 11:E536. [PMID: 31181768 PMCID: PMC6630961 DOI: 10.3390/v11060536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging virus diseases present a global threat to public health. To detect viral pathogens in time-critical scenarios, accurate and fast diagnostic assays are required. Such assays can now be established using mass spectrometry-based targeted proteomics, by which viral proteins can be rapidly detected from complex samples down to the strain-level with high sensitivity and reproducibility. Developing such targeted assays involves tedious steps of peptide candidate selection, peptide synthesis, and assay optimization. Peptide selection requires extensive preprocessing by comparing candidate peptides against a large search space of background proteins. Here we present Purple (Picking unique relevant peptides for viral experiments), a software tool for selecting target-specific peptide candidates directly from given proteome sequence data. It comes with an intuitive graphical user interface, various parameter options and a threshold-based filtering strategy for homologous sequences. Purple enables peptide candidate selection across various taxonomic levels and filtering against backgrounds of varying complexity. Its functionality is demonstrated using data from different virus species and strains. Our software enables to build taxon-specific targeted assays and paves the way to time-efficient and robust viral diagnostics using targeted proteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Lechner
- Bioinformatics Unit (MF 1), Department for Methods Development and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Felix Hartkopf
- Bioinformatics Unit (MF 1), Department for Methods Development and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Pauline Hiort
- Bioinformatics Unit (MF 1), Department for Methods Development and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS1), Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Marica Grossegesse
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS1), Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Joerg Doellinger
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Proteomics and Spectroscopy (ZBS 6), Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Bernhard Y Renard
- Bioinformatics Unit (MF 1), Department for Methods Development and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Thilo Muth
- Bioinformatics Unit (MF 1), Department for Methods Development and Research Infrastructure, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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31
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Autophagy Promotes Infectious Particle Production of Mopeia and Lassa Viruses. Viruses 2019; 11:v11030293. [PMID: 30909570 PMCID: PMC6466445 DOI: 10.3390/v11030293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) and Mopeia virus (MOPV) are two closely related Old-World mammarenaviruses. LASV causes severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality in humans, whereas no case of MOPV infection has been reported. Comparing MOPV and LASV is a powerful strategy to unravel pathogenic mechanisms that occur during the course of pathogenic arenavirus infection. We used a yeast two-hybrid approach to identify cell partners of MOPV and LASV Z matrix protein in which two autophagy adaptors were identified, NDP52 and TAX1BP1. Autophagy has emerged as an important cellular defense mechanism against viral infections but its role during arenavirus infection has not been shown. Here, we demonstrate that autophagy is transiently induced by MOPV, but not LASV, in infected cells two days after infection. Impairment of the early steps of autophagy significantly decreased the production of MOPV and LASV infectious particles, whereas a blockade of the degradative steps impaired only MOPV infectious particle production. Our study provides insights into the role played by autophagy during MOPV and LASV infection and suggests that this process could partially explain their different pathogenicity.
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32
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Ziegler CM, Bruce EA, Kelly JA, King BR, Botten JW. The use of novel epitope-tagged arenaviruses reveals that Rab5c-positive endosomal membranes are targeted by the LCMV matrix protein. J Gen Virol 2019; 99:187-193. [PMID: 29393022 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the development of recombinant New World (Junín; JUNV) and Old World (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; LCMV) mammarenaviruses that encode an HA-tagged matrix protein (Z). These viruses permit the robust affinity purification of Z from infected cells or virions, as well as the detection of Z by immunofluorescent microscopy. Importantly, the HA-tagged viruses grow with wild-type kinetics in a multi-cycle growth assay. Using these viruses, we report a novel description of JUNV Z localization in infected cells, as well as the first description of colocalization between LCMV Z and the GTPase Rab5c. This latter result, when combined with our previous findings that LCMV genome and glycoprotein also colocalize with Rab5c, suggest that LCMV may target Rab5c-positive membranes for preassembly of virus particles prior to budding. The recombinant viruses reported here will provide the field with new tools to better study Z protein functionality and identify key Z protein interactions with host machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Ziegler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.,Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Emily A Bruce
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jamie A Kelly
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Benjamin R King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.,Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jason W Botten
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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33
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Loureiro ME, D'Antuono A, López N. Virus⁻Host Interactions Involved in Lassa Virus Entry and Genome Replication. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8010017. [PMID: 30699976 PMCID: PMC6470645 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is the causative agent of Lassa fever, a human hemorrhagic disease associated with high mortality and morbidity rates, particularly prevalent in West Africa. Over the past few years, a significant amount of novel information has been provided on cellular factors that are determinant elements playing a role in arenavirus multiplication. In this review, we focus on host proteins that intersect with the initial steps of the LASV replication cycle: virus entry and genome replication. A better understanding of relevant virus⁻host interactions essential for sustaining these critical steps may help to identify possible targets for the rational design of novel therapeutic approaches against LASV and other arenaviruses that cause severe human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Eugenia Loureiro
- Centro de Virología Animal (CEVAN), CONICET-SENASA, Av Sir Alexander Fleming 1653, Martínez, Provincia de Buenos Aires B1640CSI, Argentina.
| | - Alejandra D'Antuono
- Centro de Virología Animal (CEVAN), CONICET-SENASA, Av Sir Alexander Fleming 1653, Martínez, Provincia de Buenos Aires B1640CSI, Argentina.
| | - Nora López
- Centro de Virología Animal (CEVAN), CONICET-SENASA, Av Sir Alexander Fleming 1653, Martínez, Provincia de Buenos Aires B1640CSI, Argentina.
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34
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Ziegler CM, Eisenhauer P, Manuelyan I, Weir ME, Bruce EA, Ballif BA, Botten J. Host-Driven Phosphorylation Appears to Regulate the Budding Activity of the Lassa Virus Matrix Protein. Pathogens 2018; 7:pathogens7040097. [PMID: 30544850 PMCID: PMC6313517 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens7040097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa mammarenavirus (LASV) is an enveloped RNA virus that can cause Lassa fever, an acute hemorrhagic fever syndrome associated with significant morbidity and high rates of fatality in endemic regions of western Africa. The arenavirus matrix protein Z has several functions during the virus life cycle, including coordinating viral assembly, driving the release of new virus particles, regulating viral polymerase activity, and antagonizing the host antiviral response. There is limited knowledge regarding how the various functions of Z are regulated. To investigate possible means of regulation, mass spectrometry was used to identify potential sites of phosphorylation in the LASV Z protein. This analysis revealed that two serines (S18, S98) and one tyrosine (Y97) are phosphorylated in the flexible N- and C-terminal regions of the protein. Notably, two of these sites, Y97 and S98, are located in (Y97) or directly adjacent to (S98) the PPXY late domain, an important motif for virus release. Studies with non-phosphorylatable and phosphomimetic Z proteins revealed that these sites are important regulators of the release of LASV particles and that host-driven, reversible phosphorylation may play an important role in the regulation of LASV Z protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Ziegler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | - Philip Eisenhauer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | - Inessa Manuelyan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
- Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | - Marion E Weir
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | - Emily A Bruce
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | - Bryan A Ballif
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | - Jason Botten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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35
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A Proteomics Survey of Junín Virus Interactions with Human Proteins Reveals Host Factors Required for Arenavirus Replication. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01565-17. [PMID: 29187543 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01565-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses are negative-strand, enveloped RNA viruses that cause significant human disease. In particular, Junín mammarenavirus (JUNV) is the etiologic agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. At present, little is known about the cellular proteins that the arenavirus matrix protein (Z) hijacks to accomplish its various functions, including driving the process of virus release. Furthermore, there is little knowledge regarding host proteins incorporated into arenavirus particles and their importance for virion function. To address these deficiencies, we used mass spectrometry to identify human proteins that (i) interact with the JUNV matrix protein inside cells or within virus-like particles (VLPs) and/or (ii) are incorporated into bona fide JUNV strain Candid#1 particles. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that multiple classes of human proteins were overrepresented in the data sets, including ribosomal proteins, Ras superfamily proteins, and endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins. Several of these proteins were required for the propagation of JUNV (ADP ribosylation factor 1 [ARF1], ATPase, H+ transporting, lysosomal 38-kDa, V0 subunit d1 [ATP6V0D1], and peroxiredoxin 3 [PRDX3]), lymphocytic choriomeningitis mammarenavirus (LCMV) (Rab5c), or both viruses (ATP synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial F1 complex, beta polypeptide [ATP5B] and IMP dehydrogenase 2 [IMPDH2]). Furthermore, we show that the release of infectious JUNV particles, but not LCMV particles, requires a functional ESCRT pathway and that ATP5B and IMPDH2 are required for JUNV budding. In summary, we have provided a large-scale map of host machinery that associates with JUNV and identified key human proteins required for its propagation. This data set provides a resource for the field to guide antiviral target discovery and to better understand the biology of the arenavirus matrix protein and the importance of host proteins for virion function.IMPORTANCE Arenaviruses are deadly human pathogens for which there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines and only limited treatment options. Little is known about the host proteins that are incorporated into arenavirus particles or that associate with its multifunctional matrix protein. Using Junín mammarenavirus (JUNV), the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, as a model organism, we mapped the human proteins that are incorporated into JUNV particles or that associate with the JUNV matrix protein. Functional analysis revealed host machinery that is required for JUNV propagation, including the cellular ESCRT pathway. This study improves our understanding of critical arenavirus-host interactions and provides a data set that will guide future studies to better understand arenavirus pathogenesis and identify novel host proteins that can be therapeutically targeted.
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36
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Shao J, Liang Y, Ly H. Roles of Arenavirus Z Protein in Mediating Virion Budding, Viral Transcription-Inhibition and Interferon-Beta Suppression. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1604:217-227. [PMID: 28986837 PMCID: PMC6439471 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6981-4_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The smallest arenaviral protein is the zinc-finger protein (Z) that belongs to the RING finger protein family. Z serves as a main component required for virus budding from the membrane of the infected cells through self-oligomerization, a process that can be aided by the viral nucleoprotein (NP) to form the viral matrix of progeny virus particles. Z has also been shown to be essential for mediating viral transcriptional repression activity by locking the L polymerase onto the viral promoter in a catalytically inactive state, thus limiting viral replication. The Z protein has also recently been shown to inhibit the type I interferon-induction pathway by directly binding to the intracellular pathogen-sensor proteins RIG-I and MDA5, and thus inhibiting their normal functions. This chapter describes several assays used to examine the important roles of the arenaviral Z protein in mediating virus budding (i.e., either Z self-budding or NP-Z budding activities), viral transcriptional inhibition in a viral minigenome (MG) assay, and type I IFN suppression in an IFN-β promoter-mediated luciferase reporter assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Shao
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. Cleavage of the Glycoprotein of Arenaviruses. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7121819 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The arenaviruses are a large family of emerging negative-stranded RNA viruses that include several severe human pathogens causing hemorrhagic fevers with high mortality. During the arenavirus life cycle, processing of the viral envelope glycoprotein precursor (GPC) by the cellular subtilisin kexin isozyme-1 (SKI-1)/site-1 protease (S1P) is crucial for productive infection. The ability of newly emerging arenaviruses to hijack human SKI-1/S1P is a key factor for zoonotic transmission and human disease potential. Apart from being an essential host factor for arenavirus infection, SKI-1/S1P is involved in the regulation of important physiological processes and linked to major human diseases. This chapter provides an overview of the mechanisms of arenavirus GPC processing by SKI-1/S1P including recent findings. We will highlight to what extent the molecular mechanisms of SKI-1/S1P cleavage of viral GPC differ from processing of SKI-1/S1P’s cellular substrates and discuss the implications for virus-host interaction and coevolution. Moreover, we will show how the use of the viral GPC as a “molecular probe” uncovered novel and unusual aspects of SKI-1/S1P biosynthesis and maturation. The crucial role of SKI-1/S1P in arenavirus infection and other major human diseases combined with its nature as an enzyme makes SKI-1/S1P further an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. In the last part, we will therefore cover past and present efforts to identify specific SKI-1/S1P inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
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Vasou A, Paulus C, Narloch J, Gage ZO, Rameix-Welti MA, Eléouët JF, Nevels M, Randall RE, Adamson CS. Modular cell-based platform for high throughput identification of compounds that inhibit a viral interferon antagonist of choice. Antiviral Res 2017; 150:79-92. [PMID: 29037975 PMCID: PMC5800491 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Viral interferon (IFN) antagonists are a diverse class of viral proteins that counteract the host IFN response, which is important for controlling viral infections. Viral IFN antagonists are often multifunctional proteins that perform vital roles in virus replication beyond IFN antagonism. The critical importance of viral IFN antagonists is highlighted by the fact that almost all viruses encode one of these proteins. Inhibition of viral IFN antagonists has the potential to exert pleiotropic antiviral effects and thus this important protein class represents a diverse plethora of novel therapeutic targets. To exploit this, we have successfully developed and executed a novel modular cell-based platform that facilitates the safe and rapid screening for inhibitors of a viral IFN antagonist of choice. The platform is based on two reporter cell-lines that provide a simple method to detect activation of IFN induction or signaling via an eGFP gene placed under the control of the IFNβ or an ISRE-containing promoter, respectively. Expression of a target IFN antagonist in the appropriate reporter cell-line will block the IFN response and hence eGFP expression. We hypothesized that addition of a compound that inhibits IFN antagonist function will release the block imposed on the IFN response and hence restore eGFP expression, providing a measurable parameter for high throughput screening (HTS). We demonstrate assay proof-of-concept by (i) exploiting hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors to inhibit NS3-4A's capacity to block IFN induction and (ii) successfully executing two HTS targeting viral IFN antagonists that block IFN signaling; NS2 and IE1 from human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) respectively, two clinically important viruses for which vaccine development has thus far been unsuccessful and new antivirals are required. Both screens performed robustly and Z′ Factor scores of >0.6 were achieved. We identified (i) four hit compounds that specifically inhibit RSV NS2's ability to block IFN signaling by mediating STAT2 degradation and exhibit modest antiviral activity and (ii) two hit compounds that interfere with IE1 transcription and significantly impair CMV replication. Overall, we demonstrate assay proof-of-concept as we target viral IFN antagonists from unrelated viruses and demonstrate its suitability for HTS. Viral IFN antagonists represent a plethora of novel therapeutic targets not specifically targeted by current antivirals. We developed a novel modular cell-based screening platform that potentially targets any viral IFN antagonist of choice. The assay is based on eGFP reporter gene expression at the end-point of activated IFN induction and signaling pathways. We demonstrate assay proof-of-concept via HCV protease inhibitors, which block NS3-4A's capacity to block IFN induction. We successfully execute two high-throughput screens targeting IFN antagonists NS2 and IE1 from RSV and CMV, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andri Vasou
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Paulus
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Janina Narloch
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Zoe O Gage
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti
- UMR INSERM U1173 2I, UFR des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil-UVSQ, 78180, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France; AP-HP, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, 92104, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Jean-François Eléouët
- Unité de Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires (UR892), INRA, Université Paris-Saclay, 78352, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Michael Nevels
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Richard E Randall
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine S Adamson
- School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on earth and show remarkable diversity of genome sequences, replication and expression strategies, and virion structures. Evolutionary genomics of viruses revealed many unexpected connections but the general scenario(s) for the evolution of the virosphere remains a matter of intense debate among proponents of the cellular regression, escaped genes, and primordial virus world hypotheses. A comprehensive sequence and structure analysis of major virion proteins indicates that they evolved on about 20 independent occasions, and in some of these cases likely ancestors are identifiable among the proteins of cellular organisms. Virus genomes typically consist of distinct structural and replication modules that recombine frequently and can have different evolutionary trajectories. The present analysis suggests that, although the replication modules of at least some classes of viruses might descend from primordial selfish genetic elements, bona fide viruses evolved on multiple, independent occasions throughout the course of evolution by the recruitment of diverse host proteins that became major virion components.
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Manning JT, Seregin AV, Yun NE, Koma T, Huang C, Barral J, de la Torre JC, Paessler S. Absence of an N-Linked Glycosylation Motif in the Glycoprotein of the Live-Attenuated Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever Vaccine, Candid #1, Results in Its Improper Processing, and Reduced Surface Expression. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:20. [PMID: 28220142 PMCID: PMC5292626 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Junin virus (JUNV), a highly pathogenic New World arenavirus, is the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF). The live-attenuated Candid #1 (Can) strain currently serves as a vaccine for at-risk populations. We have previously shown that the Can glycoprotein (GPC) gene is the primary gene responsible for attenuation in a guinea pig model of AHF. However, the mechanisms through which the GPC contributes to the attenuation of the Can strain remain unknown. A more complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the attenuation and immunogenicity of the Can strain will potentially allow for the rational design of additional safe and novel vaccines. Here, we provide a detailed comparison of both RNA and protein expression profiles between both inter- and intra-segment chimeric JUNV recombinant clones expressing combinations of genes from the Can strain and the pathogenic Romero (Rom) strain. The recombinant viruses that express Can GPC, which were shown to be attenuated in guinea pigs, displayed different RNA levels and GPC processing patterns as determined by Northern and Western blot analyses, respectively. Analysis of recombinant viruses containing amino acid substitutions selected at different mouse brain passages during the generation of Can revealed that altered Can GPC processing was primarily due to the T168A substitution within G1, which eliminates an N-linked glycosylation motif. Incorporation of the T168A substitution in the Rom GPC resulted in a Can-like processing pattern of Rom GPC. In addition, JUNV GPCs containing T168A substitution were retained within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and displayed significantly lower cell surface expression than wild-type Rom GPC. Interestingly, the reversion A168T in Can GPC significantly increased GPC expression at the cell surface. Our results demonstrate that recombinant JUNV (rJUNV) expressing Can GPC display markedly different protein expression and elevated genomic RNA expression when compared to viruses expressing Rom GPC. Additionally, our findings indicate that the N-linked glycosylation motif at amino acid positions 166–168 is important for trafficking of JUNV GPC to the cell surface, and the elimination of this motif interferes with the GPC release from the ER.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T Manning
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Alexey V Seregin
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nadezhda E Yun
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Takaaki Koma
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
| | - José Barral
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Juan C de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
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41
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Ferron F, Weber F, de la Torre JC, Reguera J. Transcription and replication mechanisms of Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae L proteins. Virus Res 2017; 234:118-134. [PMID: 28137457 PMCID: PMC7114536 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bunyavirus and arenavirus are important public health threats. Bunyavirus and arenavirus molecular biology, common and differential features. Implications of LACV L protein structure for understanding viral RNA synthesis. Current state and future perspectives on bunya- and arenavirus antivirals.
Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae virus families include an important number of highly pathogenic viruses for humans. They are enveloped viruses with negative stranded RNA genomes divided into three (bunyaviruses) or two (arenaviruses) segments. Each genome segment is coated by the viral nucleoproteins (NPs) and the polymerase (L protein) to form a functional ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. The viral RNP provides the necessary context on which the L protein carries out the biosynthetic processes of RNA replication and gene transcription. Decades of research have provided a good understanding of the molecular processes underlying RNA synthesis, both RNA replication and gene transcription, for these two families of viruses. In this review we will provide a global view of the common features, as well as differences, of the molecular biology of Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae. We will also describe structures of protein and protein-RNA complexes so far determined for these viral families, mainly focusing on the L protein, and discuss their implications for understanding the mechanisms of viral RNA replication and gene transcription within the architecture of viral RNPs, also taking into account the cellular context in which these processes occur. Finally, we will discuss the implications of these structural findings for the development of antiviral drugs to treat human diseases caused by members of the Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae families.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Ferron
- Aix-Marseille Université, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France; CNRS, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Juan Reguera
- Aix-Marseille Université, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France; CNRS, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France; INSERM, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France.
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Ziegler CM, Eisenhauer P, Bruce EA, Beganovic V, King BR, Weir ME, Ballif BA, Botten J. A novel phosphoserine motif in the LCMV matrix protein Z regulates the release of infectious virus and defective interfering particles. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:2084-2089. [PMID: 27421645 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We report that the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) matrix protein, which drives viral budding, is phosphorylated at serine 41 (S41). A recombinant (r)LCMV bearing a phosphomimetic mutation (S41D) was impaired in infectious and defective interfering (DI) particle release, while a non-phosphorylatable mutant (S41A) was not. The S41D mutant was disproportionately impaired in its ability to release DI particles relative to infectious particles. Thus, DI particle production by LCMV may be dynamically regulated via phosphorylation of S41.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Ziegler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.,Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Philip Eisenhauer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Emily A Bruce
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Vedran Beganovic
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Benjamin R King
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.,Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Marion E Weir
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Bryan A Ballif
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jason Botten
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Immunobiology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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Generation of Anti-Boa Immunoglobulin Antibodies for Serodiagnostic Applications, and Their Use to Detect Anti-Reptarenavirus Antibodies in Boa Constrictor. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158417. [PMID: 27355360 PMCID: PMC4927170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulins (Igs), the key effectors of the adaptive immune system, mediate the specific recognition of foreign structures, i.e. antigens. In mammals, IgM production commonly precedes the production of IgG in the response to an infection. The reptilian counterpart of IgG is IgY, but the exact kinetics of the reptilian immune response are less well known. Boid inclusion body disease (BIBD), an often fatal disease of captive boas and pythons has been linked to reptarenavirus infection, and BIBD is believed to be immunosuppressive. However, so far, the study of the serological response towards reptarenaviruses in BIBD has been hampered by the lack of reagents. Thus we set up a purification protocol for boa constrictor IgY and IgM, which should also be applicable for other snake species. We used centrifugal filter units, poly ethylene glycol precipitation and gel permeation chromatography to purify and separate the IgM and IgY fractions from boa constrictor serum, which we further used to immunise rabbits. We affinity purified IgM and IgY specific reagents from the produced antiserum, and labelled the reagents with horseradish peroxidase. Finally, using the sera of snakes with known exposure to reptarenaviruses we demonstrated that the newly generated reagents can be utilised for serodiagnostic purposes, such as immunoblotting and immunofluorescent staining. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show reptarenavirus-specific antibodies in boa constrictors.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lassa virus (LASV), the most prominent human pathogen of the Arenaviridae, is transmitted to humans from infected rodents and can cause Lassa Fever (LF). The sizeable disease burden in West Africa, numerous imported LF cases worldwide, and the possibility that LASV can be used as an agent of biological warfare make a strong case for vaccine development. There are no licensed LASV vaccines and the antiviral treatment is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin that is only partially effective. AREAS COVERED LASV vaccine development is hampered by high cost of biocontainment requirement, the absence of appropriate small animal models, genetic diversity of LASV species, and by high HIV-1 prevalence in LASV endemic areas. Over the past 15 years several vaccine platforms have been developed. Natural history of LASV and pathogenesis of the disease provide strong justification for replication-competent (RC) vaccine as one of the most feasible approaches to control LF. Development of LASV vaccine candidates based on reassortant, recombinant, and alphavirus replicon technologies is covered in this review. Expert commentary: Two lead RC vaccine candidates, reassortant ML29 and recombinant VSV/LASV, have been successfully tested in non-human primates and have been recommended by international vaccine experts for rapid clinical development. Both platforms have powerful molecular tools to further secure safety, improve immunogenicity, and cross-protection. These platforms are well positioned to design multivalent vaccines to protect against all LASV strains citculatrd in West Africa. The regulatory pathway of Candid #1, the first live-attenuated arenaviral vaccine against Argentine hemorrhagic, will be a reasonable guideline for LASV vaccine efficacy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S Lukashevich
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, and the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
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Abstract
Mammalian arenaviruses are zoonotic viruses that cause asymptomatic, persistent infections in their rodent hosts but can lead to severe and lethal hemorrhagic fever with bleeding and multiorgan failure in human patients. Lassa virus (LASV), for example, is endemic in several West African countries, where it is responsible for an estimated 500,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually. There are currently no FDA-licensed therapeutics or vaccines available to combat arenavirus infection. A hallmark of arenavirus infection (e.g., LASV) is general immunosuppression that contributes to high viremia. Here, we discuss the early host immune responses to arenavirus infection and the recently discovered molecular mechanisms that enable pathogenic viruses to suppress host immune recognition and to contribute to the high degree of virulence. We also directly compare the innate immune evasion mechanisms between arenaviruses and other hemorrhagic fever-causing viruses, such as Ebola, Marburg, Dengue, and hantaviruses. A better understanding of the immunosuppression and immune evasion strategies of these deadly viruses may guide the development of novel preventative and therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern Meyer
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
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The Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Matrix Protein PPXY Late Domain Drives the Production of Defective Interfering Particles. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005501. [PMID: 27010636 PMCID: PMC4806877 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses cause severe diseases in humans but establish asymptomatic, lifelong infections in rodent reservoirs. Persistently-infected rodents harbor high levels of defective interfering (DI) particles, which are thought to be important for establishing persistence and mitigating virus-induced cytopathic effect. Little is known about what drives the production of DI particles. We show that neither the PPXY late domain encoded within the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) matrix protein nor a functional endosomal sorting complex transport (ESCRT) pathway is absolutely required for the generation of standard infectious virus particles. In contrast, DI particle release critically requires the PPXY late domain and is ESCRT-dependent. Additionally, the terminal tyrosine in the PPXY motif is reversibly phosphorylated and our findings indicate that this posttranslational modification may regulate DI particle formation. Thus we have uncovered a new role for the PPXY late domain and a possible mechanism for its regulation. Arenaviruses cause severe and often fatal diseases in humans yet typically establish lifelong, asymptomatic infections in their rodent reservoirs. Several families of enveloped RNA viruses, including the arenaviruses, encode short amino acid motifs, called late domains, to hijack host proteins in the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) to drive the release of virus particles from the host cell’s outer membrane. Many late domain-containing viruses produce defective interfering (DI) particles in addition to standard, infectious virus. DI particles cannot self-replicate but interfere with the production of infectious virus and mitigate virus-induced cytopathic effect. Arenaviruses such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) generate high levels of DI particles, yet, the mechanism that drives their formation is not known. We show that LCMV’s only encoded late domain, PPXY, and a functional ESCRT pathway are critical for DI particle production, but in contrast, are not absolutely required for infectious virus production. We also demonstrate that the LCMV PPXY late domain is phosphorylated and that this modification may regulate DI particle production. In summary, we have discovered a new and unexpected role for a viral late domain in selectively driving the production of DI particles independently of standard infectious virus particles.
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47
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Li S, Sun Z, Pryce R, Parsy ML, Fehling SK, Schlie K, Siebert CA, Garten W, Bowden TA, Strecker T, Huiskonen JT. Acidic pH-Induced Conformations and LAMP1 Binding of the Lassa Virus Glycoprotein Spike. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005418. [PMID: 26849049 PMCID: PMC4743923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus is an enveloped, bi-segmented RNA virus and the most prevalent and fatal of all Old World arenaviruses. Virus entry into the host cell is mediated by a tripartite surface spike complex, which is composed of two viral glycoprotein subunits, GP1 and GP2, and the stable signal peptide. Of these, GP1 binds to cellular receptors and GP2 catalyzes fusion between the viral envelope and the host cell membrane during endocytosis. The molecular structure of the spike and conformational rearrangements induced by low pH, prior to fusion, remain poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the three-dimensional ultrastructure of Lassa virus using electron cryotomography. Sub-tomogram averaging yielded a structure of the glycoprotein spike at 14-Å resolution. The spikes are trimeric, cover the virion envelope, and connect to the underlying matrix. Structural changes to the spike, following acidification, support a viral entry mechanism dependent on binding to the lysosome-resident receptor LAMP1 and further dissociation of the membrane-distal GP1 subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Li
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Zhaoyang Sun
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rhys Pryce
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marie-Laure Parsy
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah K. Fehling
- Institute of Virology, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Schlie
- Institute of Virology, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - C. Alistair Siebert
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institute of Virology, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas A. Bowden
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Strecker
- Institute of Virology, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Juha T. Huiskonen
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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48
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Analysis of Assembly and Budding of Lujo Virus. J Virol 2015; 90:3257-61. [PMID: 26719243 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03198-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently identified arenavirus Lujo virus (LUJV) causes fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans. We analyzed its mechanism of viral release driven by matrix protein Z and the cell surface glycoprotein precursor GPC. The L domains in Z are required for efficient virus-like particle release, but Tsg101, ALIX/AIP1, and Vps4A/B are unnecessary for budding. LUJV GPC is cleaved by site 1 protease (S1P) at the RKLM motif, and treatment with the S1P inhibitor PF-429242 reduced LUJV production.
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49
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Dhanwani R, Zhou Y, Huang Q, Verma V, Dileepan M, Ly H, Liang Y. A Novel Live Pichinde Virus-Based Vaccine Vector Induces Enhanced Humoral and Cellular Immunity after a Booster Dose. J Virol 2015; 90:2551-60. [PMID: 26676795 PMCID: PMC4810697 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02705-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pichinde virus (PICV) is a bisegmented enveloped RNA virus that targets macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) early in infection and induces strong innate and adaptive immunity in mice. We have developed a reverse genetics system to produce live recombinant PICV (strain P18) with a trisegmented RNA genome (rP18tri), which encodes all four PICV gene products and as many as two foreign genes. We have engineered the vector to express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene (abbreviated as G in virus designations) and either the hemagglutination (HA [H]) or the nucleoprotein (NP [P]) gene of the influenza A/PR8 virus. The trisegmented viruses rP18tri-G/H and rP18tri-G/P showed slightly reduced growth in vitro and expressed HA and NP, respectively. Mice immunized with rP18tri-G/H were completely protected against lethal influenza virus challenge even 120 days after immunization. These rP18tri-based vectors could efficiently induce both neutralizing antibodies and antigen-specific T cell responses via different immunization routes. Interestingly, the immune responses were significantly increased upon a booster dose and remained at high levels even after three booster doses. In summary, we have developed a novel PICV-based live vaccine vector that can express foreign antigens to induce strong humoral and cell-mediated immunity and is ideal for a prime-and-boost vaccination strategy. IMPORTANCE We have developed a novel Pichinde virus (PICV)-based live viral vector, rP18tri, that packages three RNA segments and encodes as many as two foreign genes. Using the influenza virus HA and NP genes as model antigens, we show that this rP18tri vector can induce strong humoral and cellular immunity via different immunization routes and can lead to protection in mice. Interestingly, a booster dose further enhances the immune responses, a feature that distinguishes this from other known live viral vectors. In summary, our study demonstrates a unique feature of this live rP18tri vector to be used as a novel vaccine platform for a prime-and-boost vaccination strategy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Carriers
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Genes, Reporter
- Genetic Vectors
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/analysis
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics
- Guinea Pigs
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/genetics
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Nucleocapsid Proteins
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Pichinde virus/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Survival Analysis
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Viral Core Proteins/genetics
- Viral Core Proteins/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Dhanwani
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yanqin Zhou
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qinfeng Huang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA Department of Swine Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Vikram Verma
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mythili Dileepan
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
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In vitro and in vivo characterizations of pichinde viral nucleoprotein exoribonuclease functions. J Virol 2015; 89:6595-607. [PMID: 25878103 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00009-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Arenaviruses cause severe hemorrhagic fever diseases in humans, and there are limited preventative and therapeutic measures against these diseases. Previous structural and functional analyses of arenavirus nucleoproteins (NPs) revealed a conserved DEDDH exoribonuclease (RNase) domain that is important for type I interferon (IFN) suppression, but the biological roles of the NP RNase in viral replication and host immune suppression have not been well characterized. Infection of guinea pigs with Pichinde virus (PICV), a prototype arenavirus, can serve as a surrogate small animal model for arenavirus hemorrhagic fevers. In this report, we show that mutation of each of the five RNase catalytic residues of PICV NP diminishes the IFN suppression activity and slightly reduces the viral RNA replication activity. Recombinant PICVs with RNase catalytic mutations can induce high levels of IFNs and barely grow in IFN-competent A549 cells, in sharp contrast to the wild-type (WT) virus, while in IFN-deficient Vero cells, both WT and mutant viruses can replicate at relatively high levels. Upon infection of guinea pigs, the RNase mutant viruses stimulate strong IFN responses, fail to replicate productively, and can become WT revertants. Serial passages of the RNase mutants in vitro can also generate WT revertants. Thus, the NP RNase function is essential for the innate immune suppression that allows the establishment of a productive early viral infection, and it may be partly involved in the process of viral RNA replication. IMPORTANCE Arenaviruses, such as Lassa, Lujo, and Machupo viruses, can cause severe and deadly hemorrhagic fever diseases in humans, and there are limited preventative and treatment options against these diseases. Development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs depends on a better mechanistic understanding of the conserved arenavirus proteins in viral infection. The nucleoprotein (NPs) of all arenaviruses carry a unique exoribonuclease (RNase) domain that has been shown to be critical for the suppression of type I interferons. However, the functional roles of the NP RNase in arenavirus replication and host immune suppression have not been characterized systematically. Using a prototype arenavirus, Pichinde virus (PICV), we characterized the viral growth and innate immune suppression of recombinant RNase-defective mutants in both cell culture and guinea pig models. Our study suggests that the NP RNase plays an essential role in the suppression of host innate immunity, and possibly in viral RNA replication, and that it can serve as a novel target for developing antiviral drugs against arenavirus pathogens.
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