scholarly journals Amino acids from both N-terminal hydrophobic regions of the Lassa virus envelope glycoprotein GP-2 are critical for pH-dependent membrane fusion and infectivity

2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (8) ◽  
pp. 2320-2328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Klewitz ◽  
Hans-Dieter Klenk ◽  
Jan ter Meulen
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
Virus Envelope ◽  
Glycoprotein Precursor ◽  
Alanine Scan ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Hydrophobic Amino Acids ◽  
Ph Dependent

Lassa virus glycoprotein 2 (LASV GP-2) belongs to the class I fusion protein family. Its N terminus contains two stretches of highly conserved hydrophobic amino acids (residues 260–266 and 276–298) that have been proposed as N-terminal or internal fusion peptide segments (N-FPS, I-FPS) by analogy with similar sequences of other viral glycoproteins or based on experimental data obtained with synthetic peptides, respectively. By using a pH-dependent, recombinant LASV glycoprotein mediated cell–cell fusion assay and a retroviral pseudotype infectivity assay, an alanine scan of all hydrophobic amino acids within both proposed FPSs was performed. Fusogenicity and infectivity were correlated, both requiring correct processing of the glycoprotein precursor. Most point mutations in either FPS accounted for reduced or abolished fusion or infection, respectively. Some mutations also had an effect on pre-fusion steps of virus entry, possibly by inducing structural changes in the glycoprotein. The data demonstrate that several amino acids from both hydrophobic regions of the N terminus, some of which (W264, G277, Y278 and L280) are 100 % conserved in all arenaviruses, are involved in fusogenicity and infectivity of LASV GP-2.

scholarly journals Cell cycle-regulated degradation of Xenopus cyclin B2 requires binding to p34cdc2.

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 713-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
H M van der Velden ◽  
M J Lohka
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Terminal Deletion ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
Protein Kinase Activity ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Xenopus Egg ◽  
Destruction Box

The protein kinase activity of the cell cycle regulator p34cdc2 is inactivated when the mitotic cyclin to which it is bound is degraded. The amino (N)-terminus of mitotic cyclins includes a conserved "destruction box" sequence that is essential for degradation. Although the N-terminus of sea urchin cyclin B confer cell cycle-regulated degradation to a fusion protein, a truncated protein containing only the N-terminus of Xenopus cyclin B2, including the destruction box, is stable under conditions where full length molecules are degraded. In an attempt to identify regions of cyclin B2, other than the destruction box, involved in degradation, the stability of proteins encoded by C-terminal deletion mutants of cyclin B2 was examined in Xenopus egg extracts. Truncated cyclin with only the first 90 amino acids was stable, but other C-terminal deletions lacking between 14 and 187 amino acids were unstable and were degraded by a mechanism that was neither cell cycle regulated nor dependent upon the destruction box. None of the C-terminal deletion mutants bound p34cdc2. To investigate whether the binding of p34cdc2 is required for cell cycle-regulated degradation, the behavior of proteins encoded by a series of full length Xenopus cyclin B2 cDNA with point mutations in conserved amino acids in the p34cdc2-binding domain was examined. All of the point mutants failed to form stable complexes with p34cdc, and their degradation was markedly reduced compared to wild-type cyclin. Similar results were obtained when the mutant cyclins were synthesized in reticulocyte lysates and when cyclin mRNA was translated directly in a Xenopus egg extract. These results indicate that mutations that interfere with p34cdc2 binding also interfere with cyclin destruction, suggesting that p34cdc2 binding is required for the cell cycle-regulated destruction of Xenopus cyclin B2.

Allosteric inhibition of VIM metallo-β-lactamases by a camelid nanobody

2013 ◽  
Vol 450 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean S. Sohier ◽  
Clémentine Laurent ◽  
Andy Chevigné ◽  
Els Pardon ◽  
Vasundara Srinivasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Substrate Inhibition ◽  
Inhibition Mechanism ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Single Domain Antibody ◽  
Alanine Scan ◽  
Hydrophobic Amino Acids ◽  
Micromolar Range

MβL (metallo-β-lactamase) enzymes are usually produced by multi-resistant Gram-negative bacterial strains and have spread worldwide. An approach on the basis of phage display was used to select single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs, also called nanobodies) that would inhibit the clinically relevant VIM (Verona integron-encoded MβL)-4 MβL. Out of more than 50 selected nanobodies, only the NbVIM_38 nanobody inhibited VIM-4. The paratope, inhibition mechanism and epitope of the NbVIM_38 nanobody were then characterized. An alanine scan of the NbVIM_38 paratope showed that its binding was driven by hydrophobic amino acids. The inhibitory concentration was in the micromolar range for all β-lactams tested. In addition, the inhibition was found to follow a mixed hyperbolic profile with a predominantly uncompetitive component. Moreover, substrate inhibition was recorded only after nanobody binding. These kinetic data are indicative of a binding site that is distant from the active site. This finding was confirmed by epitope mapping analysis that was performed using peptides, and which identified two stretches of amino acids in the L6 loop and at the end of the α2 helix. Because this binding site is distant from the active site and alters both the substrate binding and catalytic properties of VIM-4, this nanobody can be considered as an allosteric inhibitor.

scholarly journals Characterizing the Murine Leukemia Virus Envelope Glycoprotein Membrane-Spanning Domain for Its Roles in Interface Alignment and Fusogenicity

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (24) ◽  
pp. 12492-12500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Salamango ◽  
Marc C. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Murine Leukemia Virus ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Tail Domain ◽  
Virus Envelope ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Viral Glycoproteins ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
Murine Leukemia

ABSTRACTThe membrane-proximal region of murine leukemia virus envelope (Env) is a critical modulator of its functionality. We have previously shown that the insertion of one amino acid (+1 leucine) within the membrane-spanning domain (MSD) abolished protein functionality in infectivity assays. However, functionality could be restored to this +1 leucine mutant by either inserting two additional amino acids (+3 leucine) or by deleting the cytoplasmic tail domain (CTD) in the +1 leucine background. We inferred that the ectodomain and CTD have protein interfaces that have to be in alignment for Env to be functional. Here, we made single residue deletions to the Env mutant with the +1 leucine insertion to restore the interface alignment (gain of functionality) and therefore define the boundaries of the two interfaces. We identified the glycine-proline pairs near the N terminus (positions 147 and 148) and the C terminus (positions 159 and 160) of the MSD as being the boundaries of the two interfaces. Deletions between these pairs restored function, but deletions outside of them did not. In addition, the vast majority of the single residue deletions regained function if the CTD was deleted. The exceptions were four hydroxyl-containing amino acid residues (T139, T140, S143, and T144) that reside in the ectodomain interface and the proline at position 148, which were all indispensable for functionality. We hypothesize that the hydroxyl-containing residues at positions T139 and S143 could be a driving force for stabilizing the ectodomain interface through formation of a hydrogen-bonding network.IMPORTANCEThe membrane-proximal external region (MPER) and membrane-spanning domains (MSDs) of viral glycoproteins have been shown to be critical for regulating glycoprotein fusogenicity. However, the roles of these two domains are poorly understood. We report here that point deletions and insertions within the MPER or MSD result in functionally inactive proteins. However, when the C-terminal tail domain (CTD) is deleted, the majority of the proteins remain functional. The only residues that were found to be critical for function regardless of the CTD were four hydroxyl-containing amino acids located at the C terminus of the MPER (T139 and T140) and at the N terminus of the MSD (S143 and T144) and a proline near the beginning of the MSD (P148). We demonstrate that hydrogen-bonding at positions T139 and S143 is critical for protein function. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of the MPER in regulating fusogenic activity of viral glycoproteins.

scholarly journals The expanded specificity and physiological role of a widespread N-degron recognin

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (37) ◽  
pp. 18629-18637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Gao ◽  
Jinki Yeom ◽  
Eduardo A. Groisman
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Strong Preference ◽  
Protein Homeostasis ◽  
Intact Proteins ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Hydrophobic Amino Acids

All cells use proteases to maintain protein homeostasis. The proteolytic systems known as the N-degron pathways recognize signals at the N terminus of proteins and bring about the degradation of these proteins. The ClpS protein enforces the N-degron pathway in bacteria and bacteria-derived organelles by targeting proteins harboring leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, or tyrosine at the N terminus for degradation by the protease ClpAP. We now report that ClpS binds, and ClpSAP degrades, proteins still harboring the N-terminal methionine. We determine that ClpS recognizes a type of degron in intact proteins based on the identity of the fourth amino acid from the N terminus, showing a strong preference for large hydrophobic amino acids. We uncover natural ClpS substrates in the bacteriumSalmonella enterica, including SpoT, the essential synthase/hydrolase of the alarmone (p)ppGpp. Our findings expand both the specificity and physiological role of the widespread N-degron recognin ClpS.

scholarly journals Mapping of the Tacaribe Arenavirus Z-Protein Binding Sites on the L Protein Identified both Amino Acids within the Putative Polymerase Domain and a Region at the N Terminus of L That Are Critically Involved in Binding

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (22) ◽  
pp. 11454-11460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximiliano Wilda ◽  
Nora Lopez ◽  
Juan Cruz Casabona ◽  
Maria T. Franze-Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Ring Finger ◽  
Protein Z ◽  
Glycoprotein Precursor ◽  
Polymerase Domain ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Domain Iii ◽  
Nucleoprotein N

ABSTRACT Tacaribe virus (TacV) is the prototype of the New World group of arenaviruses. The TacV genome encodes four proteins: the nucleoprotein (N), the glycoprotein precursor, the polymerase (L), and a RING finger protein (Z). Using a reverse genetics system, we demonstrated that TacV N and L are sufficient to drive transcription and replication mediated by TacV-like RNAs and that Z is a powerful inhibitor of these processes (Lopez et al., J. Virol. 65:12241-12251, 2001). More recently, we provided the first evidence of an interaction between Z and L and showed that Z's inhibitory activity was dependent on its ability to bind to L (Jácamo et al., J. Virol. 77:10383-10393, 2003). In the present study, we mapped the TacV Z-binding sites on the 2,210-amino-acid L polymerase. To that end, we performed deletion analysis and point mutations of L and studied the Z-L interaction by coimmunoprecipitation with specific sera. We found that the C-terminal region of L was not essential for the interaction and identified two noncontiguous regions that were critical for binding: one at the N-terminus of L between residues 156 and 292 and a second one in the polymerase domain (domain III). The importance of domain III in binding was revealed by substitutions in D1188 and H1189 within motif A and in each residue of the conserved SDD sequence (residues 1328, 1329, and 1330) within motif C. Our results showed that of the substituted residues, only H1189 and D1329 appeared to be critically involved in binding Z.

scholarly journals An Evolutionarily Conserved Positively Charged Amino Acid in the Putative Membrane-Spanning Domain of the Foamy Virus Envelope Protein Controls Fusion Activity

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 4474-4482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Pietschmann ◽  
Hanswalter Zentgraf ◽  
Axel Rethwilm ◽  
Dirk Lindemann
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Intracellular Transport ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Foamy Virus ◽  
Cell Surface Expression ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Virus Envelope ◽  
Fusogenic Activity ◽  
Env Protein ◽  
Membrane Spanning

ABSTRACT Foamy viruses (FVs) are highly fusogenic, and their replication induces massive syncytium formation in infected cell cultures which is believed to be mediated by expression of the envelope (Env) protein. The FV Env is essential for virus particle egress. The unusually long putative membrane-spanning domain (MSD) of the transmembrane subunit carries dispersed charged amino acids and has an important function for particle envelopment. To better understand the capsid-envelope interaction and Env-mediated cell fusion, we generated a variety of FV MSD mutations. C-terminal deletions revealed the cytoplasmic domain to be dispensable but the full-length MSD to be required for fusogenic activity. The N-terminal 15 amino acids of the MSD were found to be sufficient for membrane anchorage and promotion of FV particle release. Expression of wild-type Env protein rarely induced syncytia due to intracellular retention. Coexpression with FV Gag-Pol resulted in particle export and a dramatic increase in fusion activity. A nonconservative mutation of K959 in the middle of the putative MSD resulted in increased fusogenic activity of Env in the absence of Gag-Pol due to enhanced cell surface expression as well as structural changes in the mutant proteins. Coexpression with Gag-Pol resulted in a further increase in the fusion activity of mutant FV Env proteins. Our results suggest that an interaction between the viral capsid and Env is required for FV-induced giant-cell formation and that the positive charge in the MSD is an important determinant controlling intracellular transport and fusogenic activity of the FV Env protein.

scholarly journals Structural characterization of the PCV2d genotype at 3.3 Å resolution reveals differences to PCV2a and PCV2b genotypes, a tetranucleotide, and an N-terminus near the icosahedral 3-fold axes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Khayat ◽  
Ke Wen ◽  
Aleksandra Alimova ◽  
Boris Gavrilov ◽  
Al Katz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Structural Difference ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Swine Industry ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Axes Of Symmetry

AbstractPorcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is a T=1 non-enveloped icosahedral virus that has a major impact on the swine industry as an agent of porcine circovirus associate disease. PCV2 capsid protein sequences have been employed by others to provide a temporal description of the emerging genotypes. PCV2a is believed to be the earliest genotype and responsible for giving rise to PCV2b, which gives rise to PCV2d. The underlying mechanism responsible for the emerging genotypes is not understood. To determine if a change in the PCV2d capsid accompanies the emergence of this genotype, we determined the cryo-electron microscopy image reconstruction of PCV2d VLP at 3.3 Å resolution and compared it to the previously reported PCV2a and PCV2b structures. Differences between the CD and GH loops identify structural changes that accompany the emergence of PCV2b from PCV2a, and PCV2d from PCV2b. We also model additional amino acids for the N-terminus near the icosahedral 3-fold axes of symmetry and a tetranucleotide between the 5- and 2-fold axes of symmetry. To interpret the sequence diversity that defines the PCV2 genotypes on a structural platform we have performed structure-based sequence comparison. Our analysis demonstrates that each genotype possesses a unique set of amino acids located on the surface of the capsid that experience a high degree of substitution. These substitutions may be a response to the PCV2 vaccination program. The structural difference between PCV2a, b and d genotypes indicate that it is important to determine the PCV2 capsid structure as the virus evolves into different genotypes.ImportancePCV2 is a significant epidemic agricultural pathogen that is the causative agent of a variety of swine illnesses. PCV2 infections have significant economic impact in the swine industry and must be controlled by vaccination. Outbreaks in farms vaccinated for PCV2 suggest that improvements to the current vaccination programs are needed. Better understanding of the assembly, structure, replication and evolution of these viruses is necessary for production of improved vaccines. The ability of PCV2 to rapidly shift genotypes suggests that expression systems capable of rapidly producing large quantities of virus-like particles should be pursued. To these ends we have established a mammalian cell-based virus-like particle expression system and performed high resolution structural studies of a new PCV2 genotype. Differences between the structure of this genotype and earlier genotypes demonstrate that it is important to study the PCV2 structure as it shifts genotypes.

scholarly journals The Transmembrane Domain of Influenza Hemagglutinin Exhibits a Stringent Length Requirement to Support the Hemifusion to Fusion Transition

2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Todd Armstrong ◽  
Anna S. Kushnir ◽  
Judith M. White
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Critical Length ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Influenza Hemagglutinin ◽  
Hydrophobic Amino Acids ◽  
Tm Domain

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored influenza hemagglutinin (GPI-HA) mediates hemifusion, whereas chimeras with foreign transmembrane (TM) domains mediate full fusion. A possible explanation for these observations is that the TM domain must be a critical length in order for HA to promote full fusion. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed biochemical properties and fusion phenotypes of HA with alterations in its 27–amino acid TM domain. Our mutants included sequential 2–amino acid (Δ2–Δ14) and an 11–amino acid deletion from the COOH-terminal end, deletions of 6 or 8 amino acids from the NH2-terminal and middle regions, and a deletion of 12 amino acids from the NH2-terminal end of the TM domain. We also made several point mutations in the TM domain. All of the mutants except Δ14 were expressed at the cell surface and displayed biochemical properties virtually identical to wild-type HA. All the mutants that were expressed at the cell surface promoted full fusion, with the notable exception of deletions of >10 amino acids. A mutant in which 11 amino acids were deleted was severely impaired in promoting full fusion. Mutants in which 12 amino acids were deleted (from either end) mediated only hemifusion. Hence, a TM domain of 17 amino acids is needed to efficiently promote full fusion. Addition of either the hydrophilic HA cytoplasmic tail sequence or a single arginine to Δ12 HA, the hemifusion mutant that terminates with 15 (hydrophobic) amino acids of the HA TM domain, restored full fusion activity. Our data support a model in which the TM domain must span the bilayer to promote full fusion.

scholarly journals An essential domain of the c-myc protein interacts with a nuclear factor that is also required for E1A-mediated transformation.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1536-1544 ◽  
Author(s):  
D E Brough ◽  
T J Hofmann ◽  
K B Ellwood ◽  
R A Townley ◽  
M D Cole
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Cell Transformation ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Myc Oncogene ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Essential Domain

Cell transformation by nuclear oncogenes such as c-myc presumably involves the transcriptional activation of a set of target genes that participate in the control of cell division. The function of a small evolutionarily conserved domain of the c-myc gene encompassing amino acids 129 to 145 was analyzed to explore the relationship between cell transformation and transcriptional activation. Deletion of this domain inactivated the c-myc oncogene for cell transformation while retaining the ability to activate transcription of either myc consensus binding sites or a GAL4-dependent promoter when the c-myc N-terminus was fused to the GAL4 DNA-binding domain. Point mutations that altered a conserved tryptophan (amino acid 136) within this domain had similar effects. Expression of the wt c-Myc N terminus (amino acids 1 to 262) as a GAL4 fusion was a dominant inhibitor of cell transformation by the c-myc oncogene, and this same domain also inhibited transformation by the adenovirus E1A gene. Surprisingly, deletion of amino acids 129 to 145 eliminated the dominant negative activity of GAL4-Myc on both c-myc and E1A transformation. Expression of the GAL4-Myc protein in Cos cells led to the formation of a specific complex between the Myc N terminus and a nuclear factor, and this complex was absent with the dl129-145 mutant. These results suggest that an essential domain of the c-Myc protein interacts with a specific nuclear factor that is also required for E1A transformation.

scholarly journals Effects of N-linked glycan of Lassa Virus Envelope Glycoprotein on the Immune Response

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueqin Zhu ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Jiao Guo ◽  
Zonglin Wang ◽  
Junyuan Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Antibody Titer ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Virus Envelope ◽  
Glycoprotein Precursor ◽  
The Individual

AbstractLassa virus (LASV) belongs to the Mammarenavirus genus (family Arenaviridae) and causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. The glycoprotein precursor (GPC) contains eleven N-linked glycans that play essential roles in GPC functionalities such as cleavage, transport, receptor recognition, epitope shielding, and immune response. We used three mutagenesis strategies to abolish the individual glycan chains on the GPC and found that all three mutations led to cleavage inefficiency on the 2nd, 5th, and 8th glycosylation motifs. To evaluate N to Q mutagenesis for further research, it was found that deletion of the 2nd and 8th glycans completely inhibited the infectivity. We further investigated the role of glycans on GPC-mediated immune response by DNA immunization of mice. Deletion of the individual 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th glycans significantly enhanced the proportion of effector CD4+ cells, whereas deletion of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th 5th, 6th, and 9th glycans enhanced the proportion of CD8+ effector T cells. Deletion of specific glycans improves the Th1-type immune response, and abolishment of glycan on GPC generally increases the antibody titer to the glycan-deficient GPC. However, the antibodies from either the mutant or WT GPC-immunized mice show little neutralization effect on wild-type LASV. The glycan residues on GPC provide an immune shield for the virus, and thus represent a target for the design and development of a vaccine.ImportanceAt present, there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs or vaccines specific for LASV. Similar to other enveloped viruses with a heavy glycan shield, the N-linked glycans of LASV make it difficult for effector T cells and neutralization antibodies to access the glycoprotein epitope. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the individual glycan chains on GPC-mediated immune response, and found that deletion of the glycan improves the proportion of effector T cells, improving the Th1-type immune response, and increasing the antibody titer to the WT and mutant GPC, which may be beneficial to vaccine design and development.

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