Expression of the hepatitis C virus structural proteins in mammalian cells induces morphology similar to that in natural infection

2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Greive ◽  
R. I. Webb ◽  
J. M. Mackenzie ◽  
E. J. Gowans
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Structural Proteins

scholarly journals A link between translation of the hepatitis C virus polyprotein and polymerase function; possible consequences for hyperphosphorylation of NS5A

2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. McCormick ◽  
David Brown ◽  
Stephen Griffin ◽  
Lisa Challinor ◽  
David J. Rowlands ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Point Mutation ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Polymerase Activity ◽  
Encephalomyocarditis Virus ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Viral Transcript

Hyperphosphorylation of NS5A is thought to play a key role in controlling hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA replication. Using a tetracycline-regulable baculovirus delivery system to introduce non-culture-adapted HCV replicons into HepG2 cells, we found that a point mutation in the active site of the viral polymerase, NS5B, led to an increase in NS5A hyperphosphorylation. Although replicon transcripts lacking elements downstream of NS5A also had altered NS5A hyperphosphorylation, this did not explain the changes resulting from polymerase inactivation. Instead, two additional findings may be related to the link between polymerase activity and NS5A hyperphosphorylation. Firstly, we found that disabling polymerase activity, either by targeted mutation of the polymerase active site or by use of a synthetic inhibitor, stimulated translation from the replicon transcript. Secondly, when the rate of translation of non-structural proteins from replicon transcripts was reduced by use of a defective encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosome entry site, there was a substantial decrease in NS5A hyperphosphorylation, but this was not observed when non-structural protein expression was reduced by simply lowering replicon transcript levels using tetracycline. Therefore, one possibility is that the point mutation within the active site of NS5B causes an increase in NS5A hyperphosphorylation because of an increase in translation from each viral transcript. These findings represent the first demonstration that NS5A hyperphosphorylation can be modulated without use of kinase inhibitors or mutations within non-structural proteins and, as such, provide an insight into a possible means by which HCV replication is controlled during a natural infection.

Expression of structural proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in mammalian cells

1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingchun Li ◽  
Guangdi Li ◽  
Yuying Kong ◽  
Yuan Wang ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Structural Proteins

scholarly journals Antigenicity and Immunogenicity of Novel Chimeric Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Particles with Exposed Hepatitis C Virus Epitopes

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 2130-2141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans J. Netter ◽  
Thomas B. Macnaughton ◽  
Wai-Ping Woo ◽  
Robert Tindle ◽  
Eric J. Gowans
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Hypervariable Region ◽  
Antigenic Structure ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACT The small envelope protein of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg-S) can self-assemble into highly organized virus like particles (VLPs) and induce an effective immune response. In this study, a restriction enzyme site was engineered into the cDNA of HBsAg-S at a position corresponding to the exposed site within the hydrophilic a determinant region (amino acid [aa] 127–128) to create a novel HBsAg vaccine vector allowing surface orientation of the inserted sequence. We inserted sequences of various lengths from hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 protein containing immunodominant epitopes and demonstrated secretion of the recombinant HBsAg VLPs from transfected mammalian cells. A number of different recombinant proteins were synthesized, and HBsAg VLPs containing inserts up to 36 aa were secreted with an efficiency similar to that of wild-type HBsAg. The HVR1 region exposed on the particles retained an antigenic structure similar to that recognized immunologically during natural infection. VLPs containing epitopes from either HCV-1a or -1b strains were produced that induced strain-specific antibody responses in immunized mice. Injection of a combination of these VLPs induced antibodies against both HVR1 epitopes that resulted in higher titers than were achieved by vaccination with the individual VLPs, suggesting a synergistic effect. This may lead to the development of recombinant particles which are able to induce a broad anti-HCV immune response against the HCV quasispecies or other quasispecies-like infectious agents.

Hepatitis C Virus Structural Proteins and Activation of Toll-Like Receptors

2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Hoffmann ◽  
P Henneke ◽  
S Weichert ◽  
H Barth ◽  
B Gissler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Toll Like Receptors

scholarly journals Control of PKR Protein Kinase by Hepatitis C Virus Nonstructural 5A Protein: Molecular Mechanisms of Kinase Regulation

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 5208-5218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gale ◽  
Collin M. Blakely ◽  
Bart Kwieciszewski ◽  
Seng-Lai Tan ◽  
Michelle Dossett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Binding Region ◽  
Dimerization Domain ◽  
Antiviral Effects

ABSTRACT The PKR protein kinase is a critical component of the cellular antiviral and antiproliferative responses induced by interferons. Recent evidence indicates that the nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) can repress PKR function in vivo, possibly allowing HCV to escape the antiviral effects of interferon. NS5A presents a unique tool by which to study the molecular mechanisms of PKR regulation in that mutations within a region of NS5A, termed the interferon sensitivity-determining region (ISDR), are associated with sensitivity of HCV to the antiviral effects of interferon. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of NS5A-mediated PKR regulation and the effect of ISDR mutations on this regulatory process. We observed that the NS5A ISDR, though necessary, was not sufficient for PKR interactions; we found that an additional 26 amino acids (aa) carboxyl to the ISDR were required for NS5A-PKR complex formation. Conversely, we localized NS5A binding to within PKR aa 244 to 296, recently recognized as a PKR dimerization domain. Consistent with this observation, we found that NS5A from interferon-resistant HCV genotype 1b disrupted kinase dimerization in vivo. NS5A-mediated disruption of PKR dimerization resulted in repression of PKR function and inhibition of PKR-mediated eIF-2α phosphorylation. Introduction of multiple ISDR mutations abrogated the ability of NS5A to bind to PKR in mammalian cells and to inhibit PKR in a yeast functional assay. These results indicate that mutations within the PKR-binding region of NS5A, including those within the ISDR, can disrupt the NS5A-PKR interaction, possibly rendering HCV sensitive to the antiviral effects of interferon. We propose a model of PKR regulation by NS5A which may have implications for therapeutic strategies against HCV.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Dynamics during Natural Infection Are Associated with Long‐Term Histological Outcome of Chronic Hepatitis C Disease

2007 ◽  
Vol 196 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel G. Sullivan ◽  
Dana Bruden ◽  
Heike Deubner ◽  
Susan McArdle ◽  
Minjun Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis C ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Virus Dynamics

scholarly journals Blocking Hepatitis C Virus Infection with Recombinant Form of Envelope Protein 2 Ectodomain

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (21) ◽  
pp. 11078-11089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian Whidby ◽  
Guaniri Mateu ◽  
Hannah Scarborough ◽  
Borries Demeler ◽  
Arash Grakoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Endosomal Acidification

ABSTRACT More than 120 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), making HCV infection the leading cause of liver transplantation in developed countries. Treatment is limited, and efficacy depends upon the infecting strain and the initial viral load. The HCV envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2) are involved in receptor binding, virus-cell fusion, and entry into the host cell. HCV infection proceeds by endosomal acidification, suggesting that fusion of the viral envelope with cellular membranes is a pH-triggered event. E2 consists of an amino-terminal ectodomain, an amphipathic helix that forms a stem region, and a carboxy-terminal membrane-associating segment. We have devised a novel expression system for the production of a secreted form of E2 ectodomain (eE2) from mammalian cells and performed a comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterization. eE2 is properly folded, as determined by binding to human CD81, blocking of infection of cell culture-derived HCV, and recognition by antibodies from patients chronically infected with different genotypes of HCV. The glycosylation pattern, number of disulfide bonds, oligomerization state, and secondary structure of eE2 have been characterized using mass spectrometry, size exclusion chromatography, circular dichroism, and analytical ultracentrifugation. These results advance the understanding of E2 and may assist in the design of an HCV vaccine and entry inhibitor.

scholarly journals Analysis of Antigenicity and Topology of E2 Glycoprotein Present on Recombinant Hepatitis C Virus-Like Particles

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (15) ◽  
pp. 7672-7682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginald F. Clayton ◽  
Ania Owsianka ◽  
Jim Aitken ◽  
Susan Graham ◽  
David Bhella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Recombinant Baculovirus ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Surface Topology ◽  
Viral Glycoprotein ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Virus Like Particles

ABSTRACT Purification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from sera of infected patients has proven elusive, hampering efforts to perform structure-function analysis of the viral components. Recombinant forms of the viral glycoproteins have been used instead for functional studies, but uncertainty exists as to whether they closely mimic the virion proteins. Here, we used HCV virus-like particles (VLPs) generated in insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus expressing viral structural proteins. Electron microscopic analysis revealed a population of pleomorphic VLPs that were at least partially enveloped with bilayer membranes and had viral glycoprotein spikes protruding from the surface. Immunogold labeling using specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) demonstrated these protrusions to be the E1 and E2 glycoproteins. A panel of anti-E2 MAbs was used to probe the surface topology of E2 on the VLPs and to compare the antigenicity of the VLPs with that of truncated E2 (E2660) or the full-length (FL) E1E2 complex expressed in mammalian cells. While most MAbs bound to all forms of antigen, a number of others showed striking differences in their abilities to recognize the various E2 forms. All MAbs directed against hypervariable region 1 (HVR-1) recognized both native and denatured E2660 with comparable affinities, but most bound either weakly or not at all to the FL E1E2 complex or to VLPs. HVR-1 on VLPs was accessible to these MAbs only after denaturation. Importantly, a subset of MAbs specific for amino acids 464 to 475 and 524 to 535 recognized E2660 but not VLPs or FL E1E2 complex. The antigenic differences between E2660, FL E1E2, and VLPs strongly point to the existence of structural differences, which may have functional relevance. Trypsin treatment of VLPs removed the N-terminal part of E2, resulting in a 42-kDa fragment. In the presence of detergent, this was further reduced to a trypsin-resistant 25-kDa fragment, which could be useful for structural studies.

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