The disordered N-terminal region of dengue virus capsid protein contains a lipid-droplet-binding motif

2012 ◽  
Vol 444 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivo C. Martins ◽  
Francisco Gomes-Neto ◽  
André F. Faustino ◽  
Filomena A. Carvalho ◽  
Fabiana A. Carneiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Capsid Protein ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
C Protein ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Virus C

Dengue is the major arthropod-borne human viral disease, for which no vaccine or specific treatment is available. We used NMR, zeta potential measurements and atomic force microscopy to study the structural features of the interaction between dengue virus C (capsid) protein and LDs (lipid droplets), organelles crucial for infectious particle formation. C protein-binding sites to LD were mapped, revealing a new function for a conserved segment in the N-terminal disordered region and indicating that conformational selection is involved in recognition. The results suggest that the positively charged N-terminal region of C protein prompts the interaction with negatively charged LDs, after which a conformational rearrangement enables the access of the central hydrophobic patch to the LD surface. Taken together, the results allowed the design of a peptide with inhibitory activity of C protein–LD binding, paving the way for new drug development approaches against dengue.

scholarly journals Structural and Functional Properties of the Capsid Protein of Dengue and Related Flavivirus

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 3870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faustino ◽  
Martins ◽  
Karguth ◽  
Artilheiro ◽  
Enguita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Capsid Protein ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Virus Capsid ◽  
Structural And Functional Properties ◽  
Virus Capsid Protein

Dengue, West Nile and Zika, closely related viruses of the Flaviviridae family, are an increasing global threat, due to the expansion of their mosquito vectors. They present a very similar viral particle with an outer lipid bilayer containing two viral proteins and, within it, the nucleocapsid core. This core is composed by the viral RNA complexed with multiple copies of the capsid protein, a crucial structural protein that mediates not only viral assembly, but also encapsidation, by interacting with host lipid systems. The capsid is a homodimeric protein that contains a disordered N-terminal region, an intermediate flexible fold section and a very stable conserved fold region. Since a better understanding of its structure can give light into its biological activity, here, first, we compared and analyzed relevant mosquito-borne Flavivirus capsid protein sequences and their predicted structures. Then, we studied the alternative conformations enabled by the N-terminal region. Finally, using dengue virus capsid protein as main model, we correlated the protein size, thermal stability and function with its structure/dynamics features. The findings suggest that the capsid protein interaction with host lipid systems leads to minor allosteric changes that may modulate the specific binding of the protein to the viral RNA. Such mechanism can be targeted in future drug development strategies, namely by using improved versions of pep14-23, a dengue virus capsid protein peptide inhibitor, previously developed by us. Such knowledge can yield promising advances against Zika, dengue and closely related Flavivirus.

Hydrophobic segment of dengue virus C protein. Interaction with model membranes

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrique Nemésio ◽  
M. Francisca Palomares-Jerez ◽  
José Villalaín
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Protein Interaction ◽  
Model Membranes ◽  
C Protein ◽  
Virus C

Modification of the cytoprotective protein C pathway during Dengue virus infection of human endothelial vascular cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (05) ◽  
pp. 916-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Cabello-Gutiérrez ◽  
Maria Eugenia Manjarrez-Zavala ◽  
Alejandra Huerta-Zepeda ◽  
Jorge Cime-Castillo ◽  
Verónica Monroy-Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Dengue Shock Syndrome ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Endothelial Damage ◽  
Vascular Cells ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Soluble Thrombomodulin

SummaryDengue fever (DF) is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease of humans. No safe vaccine is available, there is no experimental animal model and no specific treatment (antiviral) for Dengue virus (DV) infection exists. The pathogenic mechanisms of the severe forms of the disease, such as Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), in which endothelial damage is the pathognomonic sign, are not fully understood. Clinical observations have revealed significant abnormalities in the coagulation and inflammation systems, with increased levels of soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) in the plasma of patients with DHF/DSS (grade III or IV). Blood sTM was proposed as an early predictor of DSS during the febrile stage. However, the role of the DV in endothelial injury during DSS is unclear. Here, we present novel insights into the participation of DV in the downregulation of the thrombomodulin-thrombin-protein C complex formation at the endothelial surface, with a reduction in activated protein C (APC). APC is the most important vasoprotective protein because it downregulates thrombin generation (by the inactivation of procoagulant factors Va and VIIIa) and has anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and barrier protection properties. These biological functions of APC are associated with the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and pro-tease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) signalling pathways, which link the coagulation-inflammation responses. We found alterations in the antithrombotic and cytoprotective protein C pathways during DV infection of human endothelial vascular cells, which may explain the vasculopathy observed during DHF/DSS. Clarification of the basic principles that underlie these processes has important implications for the design of new therapeutic strategies for DHF/DSS.

scholarly journals Multiple regions in dengue virus capsid protein contribute to nuclear localization during virus infection

2008 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 1254-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sutha Sangiambut ◽  
Poonsook Keelapang ◽  
John Aaskov ◽  
Chunya Puttikhunt ◽  
Watchara Kasinrerk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
C Protein ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Underlying Basis ◽  
Multiple Regions ◽  
Substitution Mutations ◽  
Virus C

During infection, the capsid (C) protein of many flaviviruses localizes to the nuclei and nucleoli of several infected cell lines; the underlying basis and significance of C protein nuclear localization remain poorly understood. In this study, double alanine-substitution mutations were introduced into three previously proposed nuclear-localization signals (at positions 6–9, 73–76 and 85–100) of dengue virus C protein, and four viable mutants, c(K6A,K7A), c(K73A,K74A), c(R85A,K86A) and c(R97A,R98A), were generated in a mosquito cell line in which C protein nuclear localization was rarely observed. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis revealed that, whilst C protein was present in the nuclei of PS and Vero cells throughout infection with a dengue serotype 2 parent virus, the substitution mutations in c(K73A,K74A) and c(R85A,K86A) resulted in an elimination of nuclear localization in PS cells and marked reduction in Vero cells. Mutants c(K6A,K7A) and c(R97A,R98A) exhibited reduced nuclear localization at the late period of infection in PS cells only. All four mutants displayed reduced replication in PS, Vero and C6/36 cells, but there was a lack of correlation between nuclear localization and viral growth properties. Distinct dibasic residues within dengue virus C protein, many of which were located on the solvent-exposed side of the C protein homodimer, contribute to its ability to localize to nuclei during virus infection.

Structural and Spectroscopic Study of Langmuir-Schäfer Films of Bis Zn-Ethane-Bridged Porphyrins Dimer

2003 ◽  
Vol 771 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Panzera ◽  
S. Conoci ◽  
S. Coffa ◽  
B. Pignataro ◽  
S. Sortino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Scanning Force Microscopy ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Solid Surfaces ◽  
Condensed Phases ◽  
Brewster Angle Microscopy ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Scanning Force ◽  
Supramolecular Aggregates

AbstractThin films (1-24 layers) of bis-zinc ethane-bridged porphyrin dimer (1) have been transferred on solid surfaces, by the Langmuir- Schäfer (LS) horizontal method. The related surface pressurearea isotherm curve shows that in dependence of the film pressure different condensed phases may occur in the monolayer. The inspection of the monolayer by Brewster Angle Microscopy (BAM) reveals the presence of peculiar networks whose structural features seemingly change upon film compression. On the other hand, the Scanning Force Microscopy (SFM) analysis performed on LS films shows fractal networks constituted by nanoscopic supramolecular aggregates, whose shape and size depend again on the LS deposition surface pressure. Finally, also UV-vis spectroscopy measurements indicates that the absorption is almost linearly related to the film thickness that is directly connected to the surface pressure.

scholarly journals Mutation of the N-Terminal Region of Chikungunya Virus Capsid Protein: Implications for Vaccine Design

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Taylor ◽  
Xiang Liu ◽  
Ali Zaid ◽  
Lucas Y. H. Goh ◽  
Jody Hobson-Peters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Capsid Protein ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Vaccine Design ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Nucleolar Localization ◽  
Localization Sequence

ABSTRACTMosquito-transmitted chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthritogenic alphavirus of theTogaviridaefamily responsible for frequent outbreaks of arthritic disease in humans. Capsid protein, a structural protein encoded by the CHIKV RNA genome, is able to translocate to the host cell nucleolus. In encephalitic alphaviruses, nuclear translocation induces host cell transcriptional shutoff; however, the role of capsid protein nucleolar localization in arthritogenic alphaviruses remains unclear. Using recombinant enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged expression constructs and CHIKV infectious clones, we describe a nucleolar localization sequence (NoLS) in the N-terminal region of capsid protein, previously uncharacterized in CHIKV. Mutation of the NoLS by site-directed mutagenesis reduced efficiency of nuclear import of CHIKV capsid protein. In the virus, mutation of the capsid protein NoLS (CHIKV-NoLS) attenuated replication in mammalian and mosquito cells, producing a small-plaque phenotype. Attenuation of CHIKV-NoLS is likely due to disruption of the viral replication cycle downstream of viral RNA synthesis. In mice, CHIKV-NoLS infection caused no disease signs compared to wild-type CHIKV (CHIKV-WT)-infected mice; lack of disease signs correlated with significantly reduced viremia and decreased expression of proinflammatory factors. Mice immunized with CHIKV-NoLS, challenged with CHIKV-WT at 30 days postimmunization, develop no disease signs and no detectable viremia. Serum from CHIKV-NoLS-immunized mice is able to efficiently neutralize CHIKV infectionin vitro. Additionally, CHIKV-NoLS-immunized mice challenged with the related alphavirus Ross River virus showed reduced early and peak viremia postchallenge, indicating a cross-protective effect. The high degree of CHIKV-NoLS attenuation may improve CHIKV antiviral and rational vaccine design.IMPORTANCECHIKV is a mosquito-borne pathogen capable of causing explosive epidemics of incapacitating joint pain affecting millions of people. After a series of major outbreaks over the last 10 years, CHIKV and its mosquito vectors have been able to expand their range extensively, now making CHIKV a human pathogen of global importance. With no licensed vaccine or antiviral therapy for the treatment of CHIKV disease, there is a growing need to understand the molecular determinants of viral pathogenesis. These studies identify a previously uncharacterized nucleolar localization sequence (NoLS) in CHIKV capsid protein, begin a functional analysis of site-directed mutants of the capsid protein NoLS, and examine the effect of the NoLS mutation on CHIKV pathogenesisin vivoand its potential to influence CHIKV vaccine design. A better understanding of the pathobiology of CHIKV disease will aid the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Dengue virus strain 2 capsid protein switches the annealing pathway and reduces intrinsic dynamics of the conserved 5’ untranslated region

RNA Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Xin Ee Yong ◽  
Palur Venkata Raghuvamsi ◽  
Ganesh S. Anand ◽  
Thorsten Wohland ◽  
Kamal K. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Capsid Protein ◽  
Virus Strain ◽  
Untranslated Region

scholarly journals 4,7-Disubstituted 7H-Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines and Their Analogs as Antiviral Agents against Zika Virus

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3779
Author(s):  
Ruben Soto-Acosta ◽  
Eunkyung Jung ◽  
Li Qiu ◽  
Daniel J. Wilson ◽  
Robert J. Geraghty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Molecular Target ◽  
Core Structure ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Important Group

Discovery of compound 1 as a Zika virus (ZIKV) inhibitor has prompted us to investigate its 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffold, revealing structural features that elicit antiviral activity. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that 9H-purine or 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine can serve as an alternative core structure. Overall, we have identified 4,7-disubstituted 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines and their analogs including compounds 1, 8 and 11 as promising antiviral agents against flaviviruses ZIKV and dengue virus (DENV). While the molecular target of these compounds is yet to be elucidated, 4,7-disubstituted 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines and their analogs are new chemotypes in the design of small molecules against flaviviruses, an important group of human pathogens.

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