scholarly journals Identification of a glycosylation site in the woodchuck hepatitis virus preS2 protein and its role in protein trafficking

2004 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-793
Author(s):  
O. Schildgen ◽  
M. Roggendorf ◽  
M. Lu
Keyword(s):  
Protein Trafficking ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Virus Assembly ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Middle Surface ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus

The middle surface antigen (M-sAg) of hepadnaviruses is one of three envelope proteins that share a common C-terminal S domain. M-sAg contains the preS2 domain in addition to the S region. The preS2 region of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) contains a potential glycosylation site Asn-Gln-Thr at amino acid (aa) positions 3–5. In this study, we mutated this site by site-directed mutagenesis and confirmed that glycosylation occurs here. In in vitro translation assays, the mutation Thr to Asn at aa 5 significantly impaired glycosylation of M-sAg. The mutated M-sAg formed abnormal clustered structures in transfected cells as determined by immunofluorescent staining. Confocal microscopic analysis showed that an enrichment of this glycosylation-deficient protein in the Golgi apparatus occurred, which is not typical for the wild-type protein. These results are consistent with earlier findings that incorrect glycosylation of viral proteins may interfere with virus assembly.

scholarly journals Knockout of mouse receptor accessory protein 6 leads to sperm function and morphology defects†

2020 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 1234-1247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darius J Devlin ◽  
Smriti Agrawal Zaneveld ◽  
Kaori Nozawa ◽  
Xiao Han ◽  
Abigail R Moye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Protein Trafficking ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Accessory Protein ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Reproductive Processes ◽  
Receptor Accessory Protein

Abstract Receptor accessory protein 6 (REEP6) is a member of the REEP/Ypt-interacting protein family that we recently identified as essential for normal endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis and protein trafficking in the retina of mice and humans. Interestingly, in addition to the loss of REEP6 in our knockout (KO) mouse model recapitulating the retinal degeneration of humans with REEP6 mutations causing retinitis pigmentosa (RP), we also found that male mice are sterile. Herein, we characterize the infertility caused by loss of Reep6. Expression of both Reep6 mRNA transcripts is present in the testis; however, isoform 1 becomes overexpressed during spermiogenesis. In vitro fertilization assays reveal that Reep6 KO spermatozoa are able to bind the zona pellucida but are only able to fertilize oocytes lacking the zona pellucida. Although spermatogenesis appears normal in KO mice, cauda epididymal spermatozoa have severe motility defects and variable morphological abnormalities, including bent or absent tails. Immunofluorescent staining reveals that REEP6 expression first appears in stage IV tubules within step 15 spermatids, and REEP6 localizes to the connecting piece, midpiece, and annulus of mature spermatozoa. These data reveal an important role for REEP6 in sperm motility and morphology and is the first reported function for a REEP protein in reproductive processes. Additionally, this work identifies a new gene potentially responsible for human infertility and has implications for patients with RP harboring mutations in REEP6.

scholarly journals Antiviral Effect of Oral Administration of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Woodchucks with Chronic Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Infection

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 2720-2728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Menne ◽  
Paul J. Cote ◽  
Brent E. Korba ◽  
Scott D. Butler ◽  
Andrea L. George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Administration ◽  
Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Hepatic Expression ◽  
Chronic Hbv

ABSTRACT Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a nucleotide analogue approved for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. TDF also has been shown in vitro to inhibit replication of wild-type hepatitis B virus (HBV) and lamivudine-resistant HBV mutants and to inhibit lamivudine-resistant HBV in patients and HBV in patients coinfected with the HIV. Data on the in vivo efficacy of TDF against wild-type virus in non-HIV-coinfected or lamivudine-naïve chronic HBV-infected patients are lacking in the published literature. The antiviral effect of oral administration of TDF against chronic woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection, an established and predictive animal model for antiviral therapy, was evaluated in a placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study (doses, 0.5 to 15.0 mg/kg of body weight/day). Four weeks of once-daily treatment with TDF doses of 0.5, 1.5, or 5.0 mg/kg/day reduced serum WHV viremia significantly (0.2 to 1.5 log reduction from pretreatment level). No effects on the levels of anti-WHV core and anti-WHV surface antibodies in serum or on the concentrations of WHV RNA or WHV antigens in the liver of treated woodchucks were observed. Individual TDF-treated woodchucks demonstrated transient declines in WHV surface antigen serum antigenemia and, characteristically, these woodchucks also had transient declines in serum WHV viremia, intrahepatic WHV replication, and hepatic expression of WHV antigens. No evidence of toxicity was observed in any of the TDF-treated woodchucks. Following drug withdrawal there was prompt recrudescence of WHV viremia to pretreatment levels. It was concluded that oral administration of TDF for 4 weeks was safe and effective in the woodchuck model of chronic HBV infection.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Infectivity and Pathogenicity of the Lymphoid Cell-Derived Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 1770-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Yee Lew ◽  
Tomasz I. Michalak
Keyword(s):  
Lymphoid Cell ◽  
Lymphatic System ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Dna Viruses ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Total Pool

ABSTRACT Woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) and human hepatitis B virus are closely related, highly hepatotropic mammalian DNA viruses that also replicate in the lymphatic system. The infectivity and pathogenicity of hepadnaviruses propagating in lymphoid cells are under debate. In this study, hepato- and lymphotropism of WHV produced by naturally infected lymphoid cells was examined in specifically established woodchuck hepatocyte and lymphoid cell cultures and coculture systems, and virus pathogenicity was tested in susceptible animals. Applying PCR-based assays discriminating between the total pool of WHV genomes and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), combined with enzymatic elimination of extracellular viral sequences potentially associated with the cell surface, our study documents that virus replicating in woodchuck lymphoid cells is infectious to homologous hepatocytes and lymphoid cells in vitro. The productive replication of WHV from lymphoid cells in cultured hepatocytes was evidenced by the appearance of virus-specific DNA, cccDNA, and antigens, transmissibility of the virus through multiple passages in hepatocyte cultures, and the ability of the passaged virus to infect virus-naive animals. The data also revealed that WHV from lymphoid cells can initiate classical acute viral hepatitis in susceptible animals, albeit small quantities (∼103 virions) caused immunovirologically undetectable (occult) WHV infection that engaged the lymphatic system but not the liver. Our results provide direct in vitro and in vivo evidence that lymphoid cells in the infected host support propagation of infectious hepadnavirus that has the potential to induce hepatitis. They also emphasize a principal role of the lymphatic system in the maintenance and dissemination of hepadnavirus infection, particularly when infection is induced by low virus doses.

scholarly journals In vivo antiviral activity and pharmacokinetics of (-)-cis-5-fluoro-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]cytosine in woodchuck hepatitis virus-infected woodchucks.

1997 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 2076-2082 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Cullen ◽  
S L Smith ◽  
M G Davis ◽  
S E Dunn ◽  
C Botteron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Dna Polymerase ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Normal Ranges ◽  
B Virus

The (-) enantiomer of cis-5-fluoro-1l-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]cytosine [(-)-FTC)], a substituted oxathiolane compound with anti-hepatitis B virus activity in vitro, was assessed for its efficacy in woodchucks with naturally acquired woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection. Pharmacokinetics and in vitro anabolism were also determined. (-)-FTC was anabolized to the 5'-triphosphate in a dose-related fashion, reaching a maximum concentration at about 24 h in cultured woodchuck hepatocytes. Following administration of a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight intraperitoneally (i.p.), the clearance of (-)-FTC from plasma was monoexponential, the terminal half-life was 3.76 +/- 1.4 h, and the systemic clearance was 0.12 +/- 0.06 liters/h/kg. The antiviral efficacy of (-)-FTC in the woodchuck model was assessed by quantitation of serum WHV DNA levels and by WHV particle-associated DNA polymerase activity at two dosages, 30 and 20 mg/kg given i.p. twice daily (b.i.d.), respectively. The level of WHV DNA in serum was reduced 20- to 150-fold (average, 56-fold) in the 30-mg/kg-b.i.d. treatment group and 6- to 49-fold (average, 27-fold) in the 20-mg/kg-b.i.d. treatment group. Viral DNA polymerase levels diminished accordingly. One week after treatment was discontinued, WHV levels returned to pretreatment levels in both studies. These animals were biopsied before and following treatment with 30 mg of (-)-FTC per kg. Their livers were characterized by a mild increase in cytoplasmic lipid levels, but this change was not associated with altered liver enzyme levels. Serum chemistry and hematology results were within the normal ranges for all treated animals. We conclude that (-)-FTC is a potent antihepadnaviral agent and that it has no detectable toxic effects in woodchucks when given for up to 25 days. Further development of (-)-FTC as an anti-hepatitis B virus therapy for patients is warranted.

Processing and trafficking of cysteine proteases in Leishmania mexicana

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (22) ◽  
pp. 4035-4041 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Brooks ◽  
L. Tetley ◽  
G.H. Coombs ◽  
J.C. Mottram
Keyword(s):  
Cysteine Protease ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Flagellar Pocket ◽  
Leishmania Mexicana

Removal of the pro-domain of a cysteine protease is essential for activation of the enzyme. We have engineered a cysteine protease (CPB2.8) of the protozoan parasite Leishmania mexicana by site-directed mutagenesis to remove the active site cysteine (to produce CPB(C25G)). When CPB(C25G) was expressed in a L. mexicana mutant lacking all CPB genes, the inactive pro-enzyme was processed to the mature protein and trafficked to the lysosome. These results show that auto-activation is not required for correct processing of CPB in vivo. When CPB(C25G) was expressed in a L. mexicana mutant lacking both CPA and CPB genes, the majority of the pro-enzyme remained unprocessed and accumulated in the flagellar pocket. These data reveal that CPA can directly or indirectly process CPB(C25G) and suggest that cysteine proteases are targeted to lysosomes via the flagellar pocket. Moreover, they show that another protease can process CPB in the absence of either CPA or CPB, albeit less efficiently. Abolition of the glycosylation site in the mature domain of CPB did not affect enzyme processing, targeting or in vitro activity towards gelatin. This indicates that glycosylation is not required for trafficking. Together these findings provide evidence that the major route of trafficking of Leishmania cysteine proteases to lysosomes is via the flagellar pocket and therefore differs significantly from cysteine protease trafficking in mammalian cells.

scholarly journals Antiviral Effect of Orally Administered (−)-β-d-2-Aminopurine Dioxolane in Woodchucks with Chronic Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Infection

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 3177-3184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Menne ◽  
Ghazia Asif ◽  
Jannan Narayanasamy ◽  
Scott D. Butler ◽  
Andrea L. George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Administration ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Aqueous Solubility ◽  
Hepatic Metabolism ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Fold Reduction ◽  
Dose Dependent

ABSTRACT (−)-β-d-2-Aminopurine dioxolane (APD) is a nucleoside prodrug that is efficiently converted to 9-(β-d-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)guanine (DXG). DXG has antiviral activity in vitro against hepatitis B virus (HBV) but limited aqueous solubility, making it difficult to administer orally to HBV-infected individuals. APD is more water soluble than DXG and represents a promising prodrug for the delivery of DXG. A placebo-controlled, dose-ranging efficacy and pharmacokinetic study was conducted with woodchucks that were chronically infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV). APD was efficiently converted to DXG after oral and intravenous administrations of APD, with serum concentrations of DXG being higher following oral administration than following intravenous administration, suggestive of a considerable first-pass intestinal and/or hepatic metabolism. APD administered orally at 1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg of body weight per day for 4 weeks produced a dose-dependent antiviral response. Doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg/day reduced serum WHV viremia by 0.4 and 0.7 log10 copies/ml, respectively. The 30-mg/kg/day dose resulted in a more pronounced, statistically significant decline in serum WHV viremia of 1.9 log10 copies/ml and was associated with a 1.5-fold reduction in hepatic WHV DNA. Individual woodchucks within the highest APD dose group that had declines in serum WHV surface antigen levels, WHV viremia, and hepatic WHV DNA also had reductions in hepatic WHV RNA. There was a prompt recrudescence of WHV viremia following drug withdrawal. Therefore, oral administration of APD for 4 weeks was safe in the woodchuck model of chronic HBV infection, and the effect on serum WHV viremia was dose dependent.

scholarly journals Coupled Site-Directed Mutagenesis/Transgenesis Identifies Important Functional Domains of the Mouse Agouti Protein

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
William L Perry ◽  
Takuro Nakamura ◽  
Deborah A Swing ◽  
Lisa Secrest ◽  
Bryn Eagleson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disulfide Bonds ◽  
Coat Color ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Functional Domains ◽  
Basic Domain

Abstract The agouti locus encodes a novel paracrine signaling molecule containing a signal sequence, an N-linked glycosylation site, a central lysine-rich basic domain, and a C-terminal tail containing 10 cysteine (Cys) residues capable of forming five disulfide bonds. When overexpressed, agouti causes a number of pleiotropic effects including yellow coat and adult-onset obesity. Numerous studies suggest that agouti causes yellow coat color by antagonizing the binding of a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) to the a-MSH-(melanocortin-1) receptor. With the goal of identifying functional domains of agouti important for its diverse biological activities, we have generated 14 agouti mutations by in vitro sitedirected mutagenesis and analyzed these mutations in transgenic mice for their effects on coat color and obesity. These studies demonstrate that the signal sequence, the N-linked glycosylation site, and the C-terminal Cys residues are important for full biological activity, while at least a portion of the lysine-rich basic domain is dispensable for normal function. They also show that the same functional domains of agouti important in coat color determination are important for inducing obesity, consistent with the hypothesis that agouti induces obesity by antagonizing melanocortin binding to other melanocortin receptors.

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