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 Poliovirus CRE-Dependent VPg Uridylylation Is Required for Positive-Strand RNA Synthesis but Not for Negative-Strand RNA Synthesis

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 4739-4750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth E. Murray ◽  
David J. Barton
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Step Model ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT The cis-acting replication element (CRE) is a 61-nucleotide stem-loop RNA structure found within the coding sequence of poliovirus protein 2C. Although the CRE is required for viral RNA replication, its precise role(s) in negative- and positive-strand RNA synthesis has not been defined. Adenosine in the loop of the CRE RNA structure functions as the template for the uridylylation of the viral protein VPg. VPgpUpUOH, the predominant product of CRE-dependent VPg uridylylation, is a putative primer for the poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. By examining the sequential synthesis of negative- and positive-strand RNAs within preinitiation RNA replication complexes, we found that mutations that disrupt the structure of the CRE prevent VPg uridylylation and positive-strand RNA synthesis. The CRE mutations that inhibited the synthesis of VPgpUpUOH, however, did not inhibit negative-strand RNA synthesis. A Y3F mutation in VPg inhibited both VPgpUpUOH synthesis and negative-strand RNA synthesis, confirming the critical role of the tyrosine hydroxyl of VPg in VPg uridylylation and negative-strand RNA synthesis. trans-replication experiments demonstrated that the CRE and VPgpUpUOH were not required in cis or in trans for poliovirus negative-strand RNA synthesis. Because these results are inconsistent with existing models of poliovirus RNA replication, we propose a new four-step model that explains the roles of VPg, the CRE, and VPgpUpUOH in the asymmetric replication of poliovirus RNA.

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 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 Mutation of Host dnaJ Homolog Inhibits Brome Mosaic Virus Negative-Strand RNA Synthesis

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 2990-2997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuriko Tomita ◽  
Tomomitsu Mizuno ◽  
Juana Díez ◽  
Satoshi Naito ◽  
Paul Ahlquist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Brome Mosaic Virus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Replication Complex ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Rna Accumulation ◽  
Positive Strand Rna ◽  
Mutant Cells

ABSTRACT The replication of positive-strand RNA viruses involves not only viral proteins but also multiple cellular proteins and intracellular membranes. In both plant cells and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, brome mosaic virus (BMV), a member of the alphavirus-like superfamily, replicates its RNA in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated complexes containing viral 1a and 2a proteins. Prior to negative-strand RNA synthesis, 1a localizes to ER membranes and recruits both positive-strand BMV RNA templates and the polymerase-like 2a protein to ER membranes. Here, we show that BMV RNA replication in S. cerevisiae is markedly inhibited by a mutation in the host YDJ1 gene, which encodes a chaperone Ydj1p related to Escherichia coli DnaJ. In the ydj1 mutant, negative-strand RNA accumulation was inhibited even though 1a protein associated with membranes and the positive-strand RNA3 replication template and 2a protein were recruited to membranes as in wild-type cells. In addition, we found that in ydj1 mutant cells but not wild-type cells, a fraction of 2a protein accumulated in a membrane-free but insoluble, rapidly sedimenting form. These and other results show that Ydj1p is involved in forming BMV replication complexes active in negative-strand RNA synthesis and suggest that a chaperone system involving Ydj1p participates in 2a protein folding or assembly into the active replication complex.

scholarly journals Structural and functional characterization of the coxsackievirus B3 CRE(2C): role of CRE(2C) in negative- and positive-strand RNA synthesis

2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. M. van Ooij ◽  
Dorothee A. Vogt ◽  
Aniko Paul ◽  
Christian Castro ◽  
Judith Kuijpers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Coxsackievirus B3 ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Free System ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

A stem–loop element located within the 2C-coding region of the coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) genome has been proposed to function as a cis-acting replication element (CRE). It is shown here that disruption of this structure indeed interfered with viral RNA replication in vivo and abolished uridylylation of VPg in vitro. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the previously proposed enteroviral CRE consensus loop sequence, R1NNNAAR2NNNNNNR3, is also applicable to CVB3 CRE(2C) and that a positive correlation exists between the ability of CRE(2C) mutants to serve as template in the uridylylation reaction and the capacity of these mutants to support viral RNA replication. To further investigate the effects of the mutations on negative-strand RNA synthesis, an in vitro translation/replication system containing HeLa S10 cell extracts was used. Similar to the results observed for poliovirus and rhinovirus, it was found that a complete disruption of the CRE(2C) structure interfered with positive-strand RNA synthesis, but not with negative-strand synthesis. All CRE(2C) point mutants affecting the enteroviral CRE consensus loop, however, showed a marked decrease in efficiency to induce negative-strand synthesis. Moreover, a transition (A5G) regarding the first templating adenosine residue in the loop was even unable to initiate complementary negative-strand synthesis above detectable levels. Taken together, these results indicate that the CVB3 CRE(2C) is not only required for the initiation of positive-strand RNA synthesis, but also plays an essential role in the efficient initiation of negative-strand RNA synthesis, a conclusion that has not been reached previously by using the cell-free system.

scholarly journals Mechanistic Consequences of hnRNP C Binding to Both RNA Termini of Poliovirus Negative-Strand RNA Intermediates

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
pp. 4229-4242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Ertel ◽  
Jo Ellen Brunner ◽  
Bert L. Semler
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Virus Rna ◽  
Hnrnp C ◽  
C Proteins ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT The poliovirus 3′ noncoding region (3′ NCR) is necessary for efficient virus replication. A poliovirus mutant, PVΔ3′NCR, with a deletion of the entire 3′ NCR, yielded a virus that was capable of synthesizing viral RNA, albeit with a replication defect caused by deficient positive-strand RNA synthesis compared to wild-type virus. We detected multiple ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes in extracts from poliovirus-infected HeLa cells formed with a probe corresponding to the 5′ end of poliovirus negative-strand RNA (the complement of the genomic 3′ NCR), and the levels of these RNP complexes increased during the course of viral infection. Previous studies have identified RNP complexes formed with the 3′ end of poliovirus negative-strand RNA, including one that contains a 36-kDa protein later identified as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (hnRNP C). We report here that the 5′ end of poliovirus negative-strand RNA is capable of interacting with endogenous hnRNP C, as well as with poliovirus nonstructural proteins. Further, we demonstrate that the addition of recombinant purified hnRNP C proteins can stimulate virus RNA synthesis in vitro and that depletion of hnRNP C proteins in cultured cells results in decreased virus yields and a correspondingly diminished accumulation of positive-strand RNAs. We propose that the association of hnRNP C with poliovirus negative-strand termini acts to stabilize or otherwise promote efficient positive-strand RNA synthesis.

scholarly journals Role of the Alfalfa Mosaic Virus Methyltransferase-Like Domain in Negative-Strand RNA Synthesis

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (22) ◽  
pp. 11321-11328 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Corina Vlot ◽  
Aymeric Menard ◽  
John F. Bol
Keyword(s):  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Alfalfa Mosaic Virus ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Putative Role ◽  
Associated Functions ◽  
Rna Accumulation ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT RNAs 1 and 2 of the tripartite genome of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) encode the replicase proteins P1 and P2, respectively. P1 contains a methyltransferase-like domain in its N-terminal half, which has a putative role in capping the viral RNAs. Six residues in this domain that are highly conserved in the methyltransferase domains of alphavirus-like viruses were mutated individually in AMV P1. None of the mutants was infectious to plants. Mutant RNA 1 was coexpressed with wild-type (wt) RNAs 2 and 3 from transferred DNA vectors in Nicotiana benthamiana by agroinfiltration. Mutation of His-100 or Cys-189 in P1 reduced accumulation of negative- and positive-strand RNA in the infiltrated leaves to virtually undetectable levels. Mutation of Asp-154, Arg-157, Cys-182, or Tyr-266 in P1 reduced negative-strand RNA accumulation to levels ranging from 2 to 38% of those for the wt control, whereas positive-strand RNA accumulation by these mutants was 2% or less. The (transiently) expressed replicases of the six mutants were purified from the agroinfiltrated leaves. Polymerase activities of these preparations in vitro ranged from undetectable to wt levels. The data indicate that, in addition to its putative role in RNA capping, the methyltransferase-like domain of P1 has distinct roles in replication-associated functions required for negative-strand RNA synthesis. The defect in negative-strand RNA synthesis of the His-100 and Cys-189 mutants could be complemented in trans by coexpression of wt P1.

scholarly journals Poliovirus cis-Acting Replication Element-Dependent VPg Uridylylation Lowers the Km of the Initiating Nucleoside Triphosphate for Viral RNA Replication

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (19) ◽  
pp. 9400-9408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin P. Steil ◽  
David J. Barton
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Nucleoside Triphosphate ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Phosphodiester Bond ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT Initiation of RNA synthesis by RNA-dependent RNA polymerases occurs when a phosphodiester bond is formed between the first two nucleotides in the 5′ terminus of product RNA. The concentration of initiating nucleoside triphosphates (NTPi) required for RNA synthesis is typically greater than the concentration of NTPs required for elongation. VPg, a small viral protein, is covalently attached to the 5′ end of picornavirus negative- and positive-strand RNAs. A cis-acting replication element (CRE) within picornavirus RNAs serves as a template for the uridylylation of VPg, resulting in the synthesis of VPgpUpUOH. Mutations within the CRE RNA structure prevent VPg uridylylation. While the tyrosine hydroxyl of VPg can prime negative-strand RNA synthesis in a CRE- and VPgpUpUOH-independent manner, CRE-dependent VPgpUpUOH synthesis is absolutely required for positive-strand RNA synthesis. As reported herein, low concentrations of UTP did not support negative-strand RNA synthesis when CRE-disrupting mutations prevented VPg uridylylation, whereas correspondingly low concentrations of CTP or GTP had no negative effects on the magnitude of CRE-independent negative-strand RNA synthesis. The experimental data indicate that CRE-dependent VPg uridylylation lowers the Km of UTP required for viral RNA replication and that CRE-dependent VPgpUpUOH synthesis was required for efficient negative-strand RNA synthesis, especially when UTP concentrations were limiting. By lowering the concentration of UTP needed for the initiation of RNA replication, CRE-dependent VPg uridylylation provides a mechanism for a more robust initiation of RNA replication.

scholarly journals A Viral Noncoding RNA Generated by cis-Element-Mediated Protection against 5′→3′ RNA Decay Represses both Cap-Independent and Cap-Dependent Translation

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (20) ◽  
pp. 10162-10174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiro-oki Iwakawa ◽  
Hiroyuki Mizumoto ◽  
Hideaki Nagano ◽  
Yuka Imoto ◽  
Kazuma Takigawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Genomic Rnas ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Positive Strand Rna

ABSTRACT Positive-strand RNA viruses use diverse mechanisms to regulate viral and host gene expression for ensuring their efficient proliferation or persistence in the host. We found that a small viral noncoding RNA (0.4 kb), named SR1f, accumulated in Red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV)-infected plants and protoplasts and was packaged into virions. The genome of RCNMV consists of two positive-strand RNAs, RNA1 and RNA2. SR1f was generated from the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of RNA1, which contains RNA elements essential for both cap-independent translation and negative-strand RNA synthesis. A 58-nucleotide sequence in the 3′ UTR of RNA1 (Seq1f58) was necessary and sufficient for the generation of SR1f. SR1f was neither a subgenomic RNA nor a defective RNA replicon but a stable degradation product generated by Seq1f58-mediated protection against 5′→3′ decay. SR1f efficiently suppressed both cap-independent and cap-dependent translation both in vitro and in vivo. SR1f trans inhibited negative-strand RNA synthesis of RCNMV genomic RNAs via repression of replicase protein production but not via competition of replicase proteins in vitro. RCNMV seems to use cellular enzymes to generate SR1f that might play a regulatory role in RCNMV infection. Our results also suggest that Seq1f58 is an RNA element that protects the 3′-side RNA sequences against 5′→3′ decay in plant cells as reported for the poly(G) tract and stable stem-loop structure in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

scholarly journals Intracellular location and translocation of silent and active poliovirus replication complexes

2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Egger ◽  
Kurt Bienz
Keyword(s):  
Viral Protein ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Nuclear Periphery ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Intracellular Location ◽  
Positive Strand ◽  
Negative Strand ◽  
Positive Strand Rna ◽  
Intracellular Translocation

Replication of poliovirus (PV) genomic RNA in HeLa cells has previously been found to start at distinct sites at the nuclear periphery. In the present study, the earliest steps in the virus replication cycle, i.e. the appearance and intracellular translocation of viral protein and negative-strand RNA prior to positive-strand RNA synthesis, were followed. During translation, positive-strand RNA and newly synthesized viral protein presented as a dispersed endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-like pattern. Concomitant with translation, individual PV vesicle clusters emerged at the ER and formed nascent replication complexes, which contained newly synthesized negative-strand RNA. The complexes rapidly moved centripetally, in a microtubule-dependent way, to the perinuclear area to engage in positive-strand viral RNA synthesis. Replication complexes made transcriptionally silent with guanidine/HCl followed the anterograde membrane pathway to the Golgi complex within the microtubule-organizing centre (MTOC), whereas replication complexes active in positive-strand RNA synthesis were retained at the nuclear periphery. If the silent replication complexes that had accumulated at the MTOC were released from the guanidine block, transcription was not readily resumed. Rather, positive-strand RNA was redistributed back to the ER to start, after a lag phase, translation, followed by negative- and positive-strand RNA synthesis in replication complexes migrating to the nuclear periphery. As some of the findings appear to be in contrast to events reported in cell-free guanidine-synchronized translation/transcription systems, implications for the comparison of in vitro systems with the living cell are discussed.

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