scholarly journals Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Function Requires Zinc Binding

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhivya Ramakrishnan ◽  
Weimei Xing ◽  
Rudolf K. Beran ◽  
Saketh Chemuru ◽  
Henry Rohrs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Zinc Binding ◽  
Cysteine Residues ◽  
X Protein ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes

ABSTRACTThe host structural maintenance of chromosomes 5/6 complex (Smc5/6) suppresses hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcription. HBV counters this restriction by expressing the X protein (HBx), which redirects the cellular DNA damage-binding protein 1 (DDB1)-containing E3 ubiquitin ligase to target Smc5/6 for degradation. However, the details of how HBx modulates the interaction between DDB1 and Smc5/6 remain to be determined. In this study, we performed biophysical analyses of recombinant HBx and functional analysis of HBx mutants in HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHH) to identify key regions and residues that are required for HBx function. We determined that recombinant HBx is soluble and exhibits stoichiometric zinc binding when expressed in the presence of DDB1. Mass spectrometry-based hydrogen-deuterium exchange and cysteine-specific chemical footprinting of the HBx:DDB1 complex identified several HBx cysteine residues (located between amino acids 61 and 137) that are likely involved in zinc binding. These cysteine residues did not form disulfide bonds in HBx expressed in human cells. In line with the biophysical data, functional analysis demonstrated that HBx amino acids 45 to 140 are required for Smc6 degradation and HBV transcription in PHH. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis determined that C61, C69, C137, and H139 are necessary for HBx function, although they are likely not essential for DDB1 binding. This CCCH motif is highly conserved in HBV as well as in the X proteins from various mammalian hepadnaviruses. Collectively, our data indicate that the essential HBx cysteine and histidine residues form a zinc-binding motif that is required for HBx function.IMPORTANCEThe structural maintenance of chromosomes 5/6 complex (Smc5/6) is a host restriction factor that suppresses HBV transcription. HBV counters this restriction by expressing HBV X protein (HBx), which redirects a host ubiquitin ligase to target Smc5/6 for degradation. Despite this recent advance in understanding HBx function, the key regions and residues of HBx required for Smc5/6 degradation have not been determined. In the present study, we performed biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based analyses of HBx. By doing so, we mapped the minimal functional region of HBx and identified a highly conserved CCCH motif in HBx that is likely responsible for coordinating zinc and is essential for HBx function. We also developed a method to produce soluble recombinant HBx protein that likely adopts a physiologically relevant conformation. Collectively, this study provides new insights into the HBx structure-function relationship and suggests a new approach for structural studies of this enigmatic viral regulatory protein.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein in Primary Human Hepatocytes

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmytro Kornyeyev ◽  
Dhivya Ramakrishnan ◽  
Christian Voitenleitner ◽  
Christine M. Livingston ◽  
Weimei Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Spatiotemporal Analysis ◽  
Human Hepatocytes ◽  
X Protein ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes

ABSTRACTThe structural maintenance of chromosomes 5/6 complex (Smc5/6) is a host restriction factor that suppresses hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcription. HBV counters this restriction by expressing the X protein (HBx), which redirects the host DNA damage-binding protein 1 (DDB1) E3 ubiquitin ligase to target Smc5/6 for degradation. HBx is an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but it is challenging to study this important viral protein in the context of natural infection due to the lack of a highly specific and sensitive HBx antibody. In this study, we developed a novel monoclonal antibody that enables detection of HBx protein in HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHH) by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Confocal imaging studies with this antibody demonstrated that HBx is predominantly located in the nucleus of HBV-infected PHH, where it exhibits a diffuse staining pattern. In contrast, a DDB1-binding-deficient HBx mutant was detected in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, suggesting that the DDB1 interaction plays an important role in the nuclear localization of HBx. Our study also revealed that HBx is expressed early after infection and has a short half-life (∼3 h) in HBV-infected PHH. In addition, we found that treatment with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that target DDB1 or HBx mRNA decreased HBx protein levels and led to the reappearance of Smc6 in the nuclei of HBV-infected PHH. Collectively, these studies provide the first spatiotemporal analysis of HBx in a natural infection system and also suggest that HBV transcriptional silencing by Smc5/6 can be restored by therapeutic targeting of HBx.IMPORTANCEHepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a promising drug target since it promotes the degradation of the host structural maintenance of chromosomes 5/6 complex (Smc5/6) that inhibits HBV transcription. To date, it has not been possible to study HBx in physiologically relevant cell culture systems due to the lack of a highly specific and selective HBx antibody. In this study, we developed a novel monoclonal HBx antibody and performed a spatiotemporal analysis of HBx in a natural infection system. This revealed that HBx localizes to the nucleus of infected cells, is expressed shortly after infection, and has a short half-life. In addition, we demonstrated that inhibiting HBx expression or function promotes the reappearance of Smc6 in the nucleus of infected cells. These data provide new insights into HBx and underscore its potential as a novel target for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Sensitizes TRAIL-Induced Hepatocyte Apoptosis by Inhibiting the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase A20

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e0127329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Zhang ◽  
Changxin Huang ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Zhe Lu ◽  
Ningtong Zhuang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
E3 Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Hepatocyte Apoptosis ◽  
X Protein ◽  
B Virus

scholarly journals The Mitogenic Function of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Resides within Amino Acids 51 to 140 and Is Modulated by N- and C-Terminal Regulatory Regions

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (21) ◽  
pp. 10554-10564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huajie Li ◽  
Chia-Yi Chi ◽  
Sook Lee ◽  
Ourania M. Andrisani
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Liver Tumors ◽  
Cyclin A ◽  
X Protein ◽  
Pathway Activation ◽  
Conditional Expression ◽  
B Virus

ABSTRACT The hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (pX) is implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis by an unknown mechanism. pX variants encoded by HBV genomes found integrated in genomic DNA from liver tumors of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) generally lack amino acids 134 to 154. Since deregulation of mitogenic pathways is linked to oncogenic transformation, herein we define the pX region required for mitogenic pathway activation. A series of pX deletions was used to construct tetracycline-regulated pX-expressing cell lines. The activation of the mitogenic pathways by these pX deletions expressed in the constructed cell lines was measured by transient transreporter assays, effects on endogenous cyclin A expression, and apoptosis. Conditional expression of pX51-140 in AML12 clone 4 cell line activates the mitogenic pathways, induces endogenous cyclin A expression, and sensitizes cells to apoptosis, similar to wild-type (WT) pX. By contrast, pX1-115 is inactive, supporting the idea that amino acids 116 to 140 are required for mitogenic pathway activation. Moreover, this pX deletion analysis demonstrates that WT pX function is modulated by two regions spanning amino acids 1 to 78 and 141 to 154. The N-terminal X1-78, expressed via a retroviral vector in WT pX-expressing 4pX-1 cells, coimmunoprecipitates with WT pX, indicating this pX region participates in protein-protein interactions leading to pX oligomerization. Interestingly, pX1-78 interferes with WT pX in mediating mitogenic pathway activation, endogenous gene expression, and apoptosis. The C-terminal pX region spanning amino acids 141 to 154 decreases pX stability, determined by pulse-chase studies of WT pX and pX1-140, suggesting that increased stability of naturally occurring pX variants lacking amino acids 134 to 154 may play a role in HCC development.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B Virus X Protein and Simian Virus 5 V Protein Exhibit Similar UV-DDB1 Binding Properties To Mediate Distinct Activities

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 6274-6283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Leupin ◽  
Séverine Bontron ◽  
Michel Strubin
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
X Protein ◽  
Binding Properties ◽  
V Protein ◽  
Dna Binding Activity ◽  
Simian Virus 5 ◽  
B Virus

ABSTRACT The UV-damaged DNA-binding activity protein (UV-DDB) consists of two subunits, DDB1 and DDB2, and functions in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. The DDB1 subunit is a target for the hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx). Binding of HBx to DDB1 interferes with cell growth and viability in culture and has been implicated in the establishment of viral infection. DDB1 also interacts with the V proteins encoded by several paramyxoviruses including simian virus 5 (SV5), which prevent interferon signaling by targeting either STAT1 or STAT2 proteins for proteolysis. The role of V binding to DDB1, however, remains unclear. Here we show that the V protein of SV5 (SV5-V) and HBx exhibit strikingly similar DDB1 binding properties. Thus, SV5-V and HBx bind to DDB1 in a mutually exclusive manner, and SV5-V shares with HBx the ability to enhance the steady-state levels of DDB1 and to inhibit its association with DDB2. Yet only HBx induces cell death, and SV5-V can prevent HBx from doing so by blocking its interaction with DDB1. Binding of SV5-V to DDB1 may serve another function, since SV5-V shows a decreased ability to induce STAT1 degradation in cells expressing reduced amounts of DDB1. These findings demonstrate that HBx performs a unique function through its association with DDB1 for which SV5-V cannot substitute and suggest that SV5-V and HBx have evolved to bind DDB1 to achieve distinct functions, both by a mechanism that does not involve DDB2.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document