SHIP2 regulates epithelial cell polarity through its lipid product, which binds to Dlg1, a pathway subverted by hepatitis C virus core protein

The main targets of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are hepatocytes, the highly polarized cells of the liver, and all the steps of its life cycle are tightly dependent on host lipid metabolism. The interplay between polarity and lipid metabolism in HCV infection has been poorly investigated. Signaling lipids, such as phosphoinositides (PIs), play a vital role in polarity, which depends on the distribution and expression of PI kinases and PI phosphatases. In this study, we report that HCV core protein, expressed in Huh7 and Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, disrupts apicobasal polarity. This is associated with decreased expression of the polarity protein Dlg1 and the PI phosphatase SHIP2, which converts phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate into phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4)P2). SHIP2 is mainly localized at the basolateral membrane of polarized MDCK cells. In addition, PtdIns(3,4)P2 is able to bind to Dlg1. SHIP2 small interfering RNA or its catalytically dead mutant disrupts apicobasal polarity, similar to HCV core. In core-expressing cells, RhoA activity is inhibited, whereas Rac1 is activated. Of interest, SHIP2 expression rescues polarity, RhoA activation, and restricted core level in MDCK cells. We conclude that SHIP2 is an important regulator of polarity, which is subverted by HCV in epithelial cells. It is suggested that SHIP2 could be a promising target for anti-HCV treatment.

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Hepatitis C virus core protein impairs metabolic disorder of liver cell via HOTAIR-Sirt1 signalling

Bioscience Reports ◽

10.1042/bsr20160088 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Zhi-qin Li ◽

Xin-yu Gu ◽

Jin-xing Hu ◽

Yu Ping ◽

Hua Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Liver Cell ◽

Core Protein ◽

Related Gene ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Glucose And Lipid Metabolism ◽

Hcv Core Protein

It has been suggested that Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is associated with metabolic disorders of liver cell. However, the precise mechanism is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of HCV core protein on hepatocyte metabolism by HepG2 and the possible involvement of long non-coding (lnc) RNAs in this process. The effect of HCV core protein on lncRNAs expression was examined with quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Manipulation of HVC core protein and lncRNA HOTAIR was to evaluate the role of interaction between them on cell metabolism-related gene expression and cellular metabolism. The potential downstream Sirt1 signal was examined by western blotting and qRT-PCR. Our data suggested that suppression of HOTAIR abrogates HCV core protein-induced reduction in Sirt1 and differential expression of glucose- and lipid-metabolism-related genes. Also it benefits for metabolic homoeostasis of hepatocyte indicated by restoration of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and NAD/NADH ratio. By manipulation of HOTAIR, we concluded that HOTAIR negatively regulates Sirt1 expression through affecting its promotor methylation. Moreover, overexpression of Sirt1 reverses pcDNA-HOTAIR-induced glucose- and lipid-metabolism-related gene expression. Our study suggests that HCV core protein causes dysfunction of glucose and lipid metabolism in liver cells through HOTAIR-Sirt1 signalling pathway.

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