scholarly journals nsP4 is a major determinant of alphavirus replicase activity and template selectivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Sandra Lello ◽  
Koen Bartholomeeusen ◽  
Sainan Wang ◽  
Sandra Coppens ◽  
Rennos Fragkoudis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Semliki Forest Virus ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Subgenomic Rna ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Positive Strand Rna ◽  
Chimeric Viruses

Alphaviruses have positive-strand RNA genomes containing two open reading frames (ORFs). The first ORF encodes the non-structural (ns) polyproteins P123 and P1234 that act as precursors for the subunits of the viral RNA replicase (nsP1-nsP4). Processing of P1234 leads to the formation of a negative-strand replicase consisting of nsP4 (RNA polymerase) and P123 components. Subsequent processing of P123 results in a positive-strand replicase. The second ORF encoding the structural proteins is expressed via the synthesis of a subgenomic RNA. Alphavirus replicase is capable of using template RNAs that contain essential cis -active sequences. Here we demonstrate that the replicases of nine alphaviruses, expressed in the form of separate P123 and nsP4 components, are active. Their activity depends on the abundance of nsP4. The match of nsP4 to its template strongly influences efficient subgenomic RNA synthesis. nsP4 of Barmah Forest virus (BFV) formed a functional replicase only with matching P123 while nsP4s of other alphaviruses were compatible also with several heterologous P123s. The P123 components of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus and Sindbis virus (SINV) required matching nsP4s while P123 of other viruses could form active replicases with different nsP4s. Chimeras of Semliki Forest virus, harboring the nsP4 of chikungunya virus, Ross River virus, BFV or SINV were viable. In contrast, chimeras of SINV, harboring an nsP4 from different alphaviruses, exhibited a temperature-sensitive phenotype. These findings highlight the possibility for formation of new alphaviruses via recombination events and provide a novel approach for the development of attenuated chimeric viruses for vaccination strategies. Importance. A key element of every virus with an RNA genome is the RNA replicase. Understanding the principles of RNA replicase formation and functioning is therefore crucial for understanding and responding to the emergence of new viruses. Reconstruction of the replicases of nine alphaviruses from nsP4 and P123 polyproteins revealed that the nsP4 of the majority of alphaviruses, including the mosquito-specific Eilat virus, could form a functional replicase with P123 originating from a different virus, and the corresponding chimeric viruses were replication-competent. nsP4 also had an evident role in determining the template RNA preference and the efficiency of RNA synthesis. The revealed broad picture of the compatibility of the replicase components of alphaviruses is important for understanding the formation and functioning of the alphavirus RNA replicase and highlights the possibilities for recombination between different alphavirus species.

scholarly journals Identification of Mutations Causing Temperature-Sensitive Defects in Semliki Forest Virus RNA Synthesis

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 3108-3111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Lulla ◽  
Andres Merits ◽  
Peter Sarin ◽  
Leevi Kääriäinen ◽  
Sirkka Keränen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Semliki Forest Virus ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Prototype Strain ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Helicase Domain ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Subgenomic Rna ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACT We have sequenced the nonstructural protein coding region of Semliki Forest virus temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant strains ts1, ts6, ts9, ts10, ts11, ts13, and ts14. In each case, the individual amino acid changes uncovered were transferred to the prototype strain background and thereby identified as the underlying cause of the altered RNA synthesis phenotype. All mutations mapping to the protease domain of nonstructural protein nsP2 caused defects in nonstructural polyprotein processing and subgenomic RNA synthesis, and all mutations in the helicase domain of nsP2 affected subgenomic RNA production. These types of defects were not associated with mutations in other nonstructural proteins.

scholarly journals Molecular Defects Caused by Temperature-Sensitive Mutations in Semliki Forest Virus nsP1

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (18) ◽  
pp. 9236-9244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Lulla ◽  
Dorothea L. Sawicki ◽  
Stanley G. Sawicki ◽  
Aleksei Lulla ◽  
Andres Merits ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Semliki Forest Virus ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Minus Strand ◽  
Nonstructural Proteins ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Recombinant Viruses ◽  
Mrna Capping

ABSTRACT Alphavirus replicase protein nsP1 has multiple functions during viral RNA synthesis. It catalyzes methyltransferase and guanylyltransferase activities needed in viral mRNA capping, attaches the viral replication complex to cytoplasmic membranes, and is required for minus-strand RNA synthesis. Two temperature-sensitive (ts) mutations in Semliki Forest virus (SFV) were previously identified within nsP1: ts10 (E529D) and ts14 (D119N). Recombinant viruses containing these individual mutations reproduced the features of the original ts strains. We now find that the capping-associated enzymatic activities of recombinant nsP1, containing ts10 or ts14 lesions, were not ts. The mutant proteins and polyproteins also were membrane bound, mutant nsP1 interacted normally with the other nonstructural proteins, and there was no major defect in nonstructural polyprotein processing in the mutants, although ts14 surprisingly displayed slightly retarded processing. The two mutant viruses were specifically defective in minus-strand RNA synthesis at the restrictive temperature. Integrating data from SFV and Sindbis virus, we discuss the domain structure of nsP1 and the relative positioning of and interactions between the replicase proteins. nsP1 is suggested to contain a specific subdomain involved in minus-strand synthesis and interaction with the polymerase nsP4 and the protease nsP2.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms for Norovirus Genome Replication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Amir Yunus
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Productive Infection ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Subgenomic Rna ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Viral Genome Replication ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

The genomes of positive strand RNA viruses often contain more than one open reading frame. Some of these viruses have evolved novel mechanisms to regulate the synthesis of the other open reading frames that in some cases involved the production of a subgenomic RNA or RNAs. Very often, the presence of the subgenomic RNA is used as indicator for active viral genome replication. Norovirus, a major cause for gastroenteritis as well as with all other caliciviruses follow a typical positive strand RNA viruses genome replication strategy. In addition, noroviruses also produce a subgenomic RNA during their replication in infected cells. Efficient and adequate synthesis of norovirus subgenomic RNA is crucial for successful viral replication and productive infection leading to the generation of infectious viral progeny. This chapter will dissect the significant findings on mechanisms involved in norovirus genome replication as well as focusing on subgenomic RNA production.

scholarly journals A New Role for ns Polyprotein Cleavage in Sindbis Virus Replication

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (13) ◽  
pp. 6218-6231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodion Gorchakov ◽  
Elena Frolova ◽  
Stanley Sawicki ◽  
Svetlana Atasheva ◽  
Dorothea Sawicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Type I ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Cellular Antiviral Response ◽  
High Level ◽  
Positive Strand Rna ◽  
Spread Of Infection

ABSTRACT One of the distinguishing features of the alphaviruses is a sequential processing of the nonstructural polyproteins P1234 and P123. In the early stages of the infection, the complex of P123+nsP4 forms the primary replication complexes (RCs) that function in negative-strand RNA synthesis. The following processing steps make nsP1+P23+nsP4, and later nsP1+nsP2+nsP3+nsP4. The latter mature complex is active in positive-strand RNA synthesis but can no longer produce negative strands. However, the regulation of negative- and positive-strand RNA synthesis apparently is not the only function of ns polyprotein processing. In this study, we developed Sindbis virus mutants that were incapable of either P23 or P123 cleavage. Both mutants replicated in BHK-21 cells to levels comparable to those of the cleavage-competent virus. They continuously produced negative-strand RNA, but its synthesis was blocked by the translation inhibitor cycloheximide. Thus, after negative-strand synthesis, the ns proteins appeared to irreversibly change conformation and formed mature RCs, in spite of the lack of ns polyprotein cleavage. However, in the cells having no defects in α/β interferon (IFN-α/β) production and signaling, the cleavage-deficient viruses induced a high level of type I IFN and were incapable of causing the spread of infection. Moreover, the P123-cleavage-deficient virus was readily eliminated, even from the already infected cells. We speculate that this inability of the viruses with unprocessed polyprotein to productively replicate in the IFN-competent cells and in the cells of mosquito origin was an additional, important factor in ns polyprotein cleavage development. In the case of the Old World alphaviruses, it leads to the release of nsP2 protein, which plays a critical role in inhibiting the cellular antiviral response.

scholarly journals Mutations in the nuclear localization signal of nsP2 influencing RNA synthesis, protein expression and cytotoxicity of Semliki Forest virus

2008 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 676-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi Tamm ◽  
Andres Merits ◽  
Inga Sarand
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Semliki Forest Virus ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Arginine Residues ◽  
Localization Signal ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Replicase Complex

The cytotoxicity of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) infection is caused partly by the non-structural protein nsP2, an essential component of the SFV replicase complex. Due to the presence of a nuclear localization signal (NLS), nsP2 also localizes in the nucleus of infected cells. The present study analysed recombinant SFV replicons and genomes with various deletions or substitutions in the NLS, or with a proline-to-glycine mutation at position 718 of nsP2 (P718G). Deletion of one or two arginine residues from the NLS or substitution of two of the arginines with aspartic acid resulted in a virus with a temperature-sensitive phenotype, and substitution of all three arginines was lethal. Thus, most of the introduced mutations severely affected nsP2 functioning in viral replication; in addition, they inhibited the ability of SFV to induce translational shut-off and kill infected cells. SFV replicons with a P718G mutation or replacement of the NLS residues 648RRR650 with RDD were found to be the least cytotoxic. Corresponding replicons expressed non-structural proteins at normal levels, but had severely reduced genomic RNA synthesis and were virtually unable to replicate and transcribe co-electroporated helper RNA. The non-cytotoxic phenotype was maintained in SFV full-length genomes harbouring the corresponding mutations; however, during a single cycle of cell culture, these were converted to a cytotoxic phenotype, probably due to the accumulation of compensatory mutations.

scholarly journals Expression of the Zinc-Finger Antiviral Protein Inhibits Alphavirus Replication

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (21) ◽  
pp. 11555-11562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Bick ◽  
John-William N. Carroll ◽  
Guangxia Gao ◽  
Stephen P. Goff ◽  
Charles M. Rice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Semliki Forest Virus ◽  
Yellow Fever Virus ◽  
Host Protein ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Antiviral Protein ◽  
Retroviral Infection ◽  
Virus Mutant ◽  
Simplex Virus

ABSTRACT The rat zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP) was recently identified as a host protein conferring resistance to retroviral infection. We analyzed ZAP's ability to inhibit viruses from other families and found that ZAP potently inhibits the replication of multiple members of the Alphavirus genus within the Togaviridae, including Sindbis virus, Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. However, expression of ZAP did not induce a broad-spectrum antiviral state as some viruses, including vesicular stomatitis virus, poliovirus, yellow fever virus, and herpes simplex virus type 1, replicated to normal levels in ZAP-expressing cells. We determined that ZAP expression inhibits Sindbis virus replication after virus penetration and entry, but before the amplification of newly synthesized plus strand genomic RNA. Using a temperature-sensitive Sindbis virus mutant expressing luciferase, we further showed that translation of incoming viral RNA is blocked by ZAP expression. Elucidation of the antiviral mechanism by which ZAP inhibits Sindbis virus translation may lead to the development of agents with broad activity against alphaviruses.

scholarly journals Differential Rescue of Poliovirus RNA Replication Functions by Genetically Modified RNA Polymerase Precursors

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (23) ◽  
pp. 13007-13018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T. Cornell ◽  
Jo Ellen Brunner ◽  
Bert L. Semler
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT We have previously described the RNA replication properties of poliovirus transcripts harboring chimeric RNA polymerase sequences representing suballelic exchanges between poliovirus type 1 (PV1) and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) utilizing an in vitro translation and RNA replication assay (C. Cornell, R. Perera, J. E. Brunner, and B. L. Semler, J. Virol. 78:4397-4407, 2004). We showed that three of the seven chimeras were capable of RNA replication in vitro, although replication levels were greatly reduced compared to that of wild-type transcripts. Interestingly, one of the replication-competent transcripts displayed a strand-specific RNA synthesis defect suggesting (i) a differential replication complex assembly mechanism involving 3D and/or precursor molecules (i.e., 3CD) required for negative- versus positive-strand RNA synthesis or (ii) effect(s) on the ability of the 3D polymerase to form higher-ordered structures required for positive-strand RNA synthesis. In this study, we have attempted to rescue defective RNA replication in vitro by cotranslating nonstructural proteins from a transcript encoding a large precursor polyprotein (P3) to complement 3D polymerase and/or precursor polypeptide functions altered in each of the chimeric constructs. Utilization of a wild-type P3 construct revealed that all transcripts containing chimeric PV1/CVB3 polymerase sequences can be complemented in trans for both negative- and positive-strand RNA synthesis. Furthermore, data from experiments utilizing genetically modified forms of the P3 polyprotein, containing mutations within 3C or 3D sequences, strongly suggest the existence of different protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions required for positive- versus negative-strand RNA synthesis. These results, combined with data from in vitro RNA elongation assays, indicate that the delivery of active 3D RNA polymerase to replication complexes requires a series of macromolecular interactions that rely on the presence of specific 3D amino acid sequences.

scholarly journals Mutational Analysis of the Rubella Virus Nonstructural Polyprotein and Its Cleavage Products in Virus Replication and RNA Synthesis

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 5133-5141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuying Liang ◽  
Shirley Gillam
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Rubella Virus ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Rnase Protection Assay ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Nonstructural Proteins ◽  
Rnase Protection ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT Rubella virus nonstructural proteins, translated from input genomic RNA as a p200 polyprotein and subsequently processed into p150 and p90 by an intrinsic papain-like thiol protease, are responsible for virus replication. To examine the effect of p200 processing on virus replication and to study the roles of nonstructural proteins in viral RNA synthesis, we introduced into a rubella virus infectious cDNA clone a panel of mutations that had variable defective effects on p200 processing. The virus yield and viral RNA synthesis of these mutants were examined. Mutations that completely abolished (C1152S and G1301S) or largely abolished (G1301A) cleavage of p200 resulted in noninfectious virus. Mutations that partially impaired cleavage of p200 (R1299A and G1300A) decreased virus replication. An RNase protection assay revealed that all of the mutants synthesized negative-strand RNA as efficiently as the wild type does but produced lower levels of positive-strand RNA. Our results demonstrated that processing of rubella virus nonstructural protein is crucial for virus replication and that uncleaved p200 could function in negative-strand RNA synthesis, whereas the cleavage products p150 and p90 are required for efficient positive-strand RNA synthesis.

scholarly journals Strand-Specific RNA Synthesis Defects in a Poliovirus with a Mutation in Protein 3A

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (23) ◽  
pp. 12679-12691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalya L. Teterina ◽  
Mario S. Rinaudo ◽  
Ellie Ehrenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Polyprotein Processing ◽  
Delayed Onset ◽  
Methionine Residue ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT Substitution of a methionine residue at position 79 in poliovirus protein 3A with valine or threonine caused defective viral RNA synthesis, manifested as delayed onset and reduced yield of viral RNA, in HeLa cells transfected with a luciferase-containing replicon. Viruses containing these same mutations produced small or minute plaques that generated revertants upon further passage, with either wild-type 3A sequences or additional nearby compensating mutations. Translation and polyprotein processing were not affected by the mutations, and 3AB proteins containing the altered amino acids at position 79 showed no detectable loss of membrane-binding activity. Analysis of individual steps of viral RNA synthesis in HeLa cell extracts that support translation and replication of viral RNA showed that VPg uridylylation and negative-strand RNA synthesis occurred normally from mutant viral RNA; however, positive-strand RNA synthesis was specifically reduced. The data suggest that a function of viral protein 3A is required for positive-strand RNA synthesis but not for production of negative strands.

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