Entry of an insect poxvirus by fusion of the virus envelope with the host cell membrane

Virology ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert R. Granados
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2037
Author(s):  
Manuela Grimaldi ◽  
Michela Buonocore ◽  
Mario Scrima ◽  
Ilaria Stillitano ◽  
Gerardino D’Errico ◽  
...  

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a lentivirus causing an immunodeficiency syndrome in cats, represents a relevant model of pre-screening therapies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The envelope glycoproteins gp36 in FIV and gp41 in HIV mediate the fusion of the virus with the host cell membrane. They have a common structural framework in the C-terminal region that includes a Trp-rich membrane-proximal external region (MPER) and a C-terminal heptad repeat (CHR). MPER is essential for the correct positioning of gp36 on the lipid membrane, whereas CHR is essential for the stabilization of the low-energy six-helical bundle (6HB) that is necessary for the fusion of the virus envelope with the cell membrane. Conformational data for gp36 are missing, and several aspects of the MPER structure of different lentiviruses are still debated. In the present work, we report the structural investigation of a gp36 construct that includes the MPER and part of the CHR domain (737-786gp36 CHR–MPER). Using 2D and 3D homo and heteronuclear NMR spectra on 15N and 13C double-labelled samples, we solved the NMR structure in micelles composed of dodecyl phosphocholine (DPC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) 90/10 M: M. The structure of 737-786gp36 CHR–MPER is characterized by a helix–turn–helix motif, with a regular α-helix and a moderately flexible 310 helix, characterizing the CHR and the MPER domains, respectively. The two helices are linked by a flexible loop regulating their orientation at a ~43° angle. We investigated the positioning of 737-786gp36 CHR–MPER on the lipid membrane using spin label-enhanced NMR and ESR spectroscopies. On a different scale, using confocal microscopy imaging, we studied the effect of 737-786gp36 CHR–MPER on 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1’-rac-glycerol) (DOPC/DOPG) multilamellar vesicles (MLVs). This effect results in membrane budding and tubulation that is reminiscent of a membrane-plasticizing role that is typical of MPER domains during the event in which the virus envelope merges with the host cell membrane.


2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (12) ◽  
pp. 6119-6129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne York ◽  
Jody D. Berry ◽  
Ute Ströher ◽  
Qunnu Li ◽  
Heinz Feldmann ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The arenavirus envelope glycoprotein (GPC) initiates infection in the host cell through pH-induced fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes. As in other class I viral fusion proteins, this process proceeds through a structural reorganization in GPC in which the ectodomain of the transmembrane fusion subunit (G2) engages the host cell membrane and subsequently refolds to form a highly stable six-helix bundle structure that brings the two membranes into apposition for fusion. Here, we describe a G2-directed monoclonal antibody, F100G5, that prevents membrane fusion by binding to an intermediate form of the protein on the fusion pathway. Inhibition of syncytium formation requires that F100G5 be present concomitant with exposure of GPC to acidic pH. We show that F100G5 recognizes neither the six-helix bundle nor the larger trimer-of-hairpins structure in the postfusion form of G2. Rather, Western blot analysis using recombinant proteins and a panel of alanine-scanning GPC mutants revealed that F100G5 binding is dependent on an invariant lysine residue (K283) near the N terminus of G2, in the so-called fusion peptide that inserts into the host cell membrane during the fusion process. The F100G5 epitope is located in the internal segment of the bipartite GPC fusion peptide, which also contains four conserved cysteine residues, raising the possibility that this fusion peptide may be highly structured. Collectively, our studies indicate that F100G5 identifies an on-path intermediate form of GPC. Binding to the transiently exposed fusion peptide may interfere with G2 insertion into the host cell membrane. Strategies to effectively target fusion peptide function in the endosome may lead to novel classes of antiviral agents.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Kloc ◽  
Ahmed Uosef ◽  
Jacek Z. Kubiak ◽  
Rafik M. Ghobrial

Human placenta formation relies on the interaction between fused trophoblast cells of the embryo with uterine endometrium. The fusion between trophoblast cells, first into cytotrophoblast and then into syncytiotrophoblast, is facilitated by the fusogenic protein syncytin. Syncytin derives from an envelope glycoprotein (ENV) of retroviral origin. In exogenous retroviruses, the envelope glycoproteins coded by env genes allow fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane and entry of the virus into a host cell. During mammalian evolution, the env genes have been repeatedly, and independently, captured by various mammalian species to facilitate the formation of the placenta. Such a shift in the function of a gene, or a trait, for a different purpose during evolution is called an exaptation (co-option). We discuss the structure and origin of the placenta, the fusogenic and non-fusogenic functions of syncytin, and the mechanism of cell fusion. We also comment on an alleged danger of the COVID-19 vaccine based on the presupposed similarity between syncytin and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucio Ayres Caldas ◽  
Fabiana Avila Carneiro ◽  
Fabio Luis Monteiro ◽  
Ingrid Augusto ◽  
Luiza Mendonça Higa ◽  
...  

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Vlisidou ◽  
Alexia Hapeshi ◽  
Joseph RJ Healey ◽  
Katie Smart ◽  
Guowei Yang ◽  
...  

Photorhabdus is a highly effective insect pathogen and symbiont of insecticidal nematodes. To exert its potent insecticidal effects, it elaborates a myriad of toxins and small molecule effectors. Among these, the Photorhabdus Virulence Cassettes (PVCs) represent an elegant self-contained delivery mechanism for diverse protein toxins. Importantly, these self-contained nanosyringes overcome host cell membrane barriers, and act independently, at a distance from the bacteria itself. In this study, we demonstrate that Pnf, a PVC needle complex associated toxin, is a Rho-GTPase, which acts via deamidation and transglutamination to disrupt the cytoskeleton. TEM and Western blots have shown a physical association between Pnf and its cognate PVC delivery mechanism. We demonstrate that for Pnf to exert its effect, translocation across the cell membrane is absolutely essential.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Chaudhari ◽  
Vishakha Dey ◽  
Aishwarya Narayan ◽  
Shobhona Sharma ◽  
Swati Patankar

The secretory pathway in Plasmodium falciparum has evolved to transport proteins to the host cell membrane and to an endosymbiotic organelle, the apicoplast. The latter can occur via the ER or the ER-Golgi route. Here, we study these three routes using proteins Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1), Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP) and glutathione peroxidase-like thioredoxin peroxidase (PfTPxGl) and inhibitors of vesicular transport. As expected, the G protein dependent vesicular fusion inhibitor AlF4- and microtubule destabilizing drug vinblastine block the trafficking of PfEMP-1, a protein secreted to the host cell membrane. However, while both PfTPxGl and ACP are targeted to the apicoplast, only ACP trafficking remains unaffected by these treatments. This implies that G-protein dependent vesicles do not play a role in classical apicoplast protein targeting. Unlike the soluble protein ACP, we show that PfTPxGl is localized to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. Thus, the parasite apicoplast acquires proteins via two different pathways: first, the vesicular trafficking pathway appears to handle not only secretory proteins, but an apicoplast membrane protein, PfTPxGl. Second, trafficking of apicoplast luminal proteins appear to be independent of G-protein coupled vesicles.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Chaudhari ◽  
Vishakha Dey ◽  
Aishwarya Narayan ◽  
Shobhona Sharma ◽  
Swati Patankar

The secretory pathway in Plasmodium falciparum has evolved to transport proteins to the host cell membrane and to an endosymbiotic organelle, the apicoplast. The latter can occur via the ER or the ER-Golgi route. Here, we study these three routes using proteins Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1), Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP) and glutathione peroxidase-like thioredoxin peroxidase (PfTPxGl) and inhibitors of vesicular transport. As expected, the G protein dependent vesicular fusion inhibitor AlF4- and microtubule destabilizing drug vinblastine block the trafficking of PfEMP-1, a protein secreted to the host cell membrane. However, while both PfTPxGl and ACP are targeted to the apicoplast, only ACP trafficking remains unaffected by these treatments. This implies that G-protein dependent vesicles do not play a role in classical apicoplast protein targeting. Unlike the soluble protein ACP, we show that PfTPxGl is localized to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. Thus, the parasite apicoplast acquires proteins via two different pathways: first, the vesicular trafficking pathway appears to handle not only secretory proteins, but an apicoplast membrane protein, PfTPxGl. Second, trafficking of apicoplast luminal proteins appear to be independent of G-protein coupled vesicles.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document