scholarly journals In Vitro Assembly of Sindbis Virus Core-Like Particles from Cross-Linked Dimers of Truncated and Mutant Capsid Proteins

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2810-2817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy L. Tellinghuisen ◽  
Rushika Perera ◽  
Richard J. Kuhn

ABSTRACT A nucleic acid-bound capsid protein dimer was previously identified using a Sindbis virus in vitro nucleocapsid assembly system and cross-linking reagents. Cross-link mapping, in combination with a model of the nucleocapsid core, suggested that this dimer contained one monomer from each of two adjacent capsomeres. This intercapsomere dimer is believed to be the initial intermediate in the nucleocapsid core assembly mechanism. This paper presents the purification of cross-linked dimers of a truncated capsid protein and the partial purification of cross-linked dimers of a full-length assembly-defective mutant. The assembly of core-like particles from these cross-linked capsid protein dimers is demonstrated. Core-like particles generated from cross-linked full-length mutant CP(19-264)L52D were examined by electron microscopy and appeared to have a morphology similar to that of wild-type in vitro-assembled core-like particles, although a slight size difference was often visible. Truncated cross-linked CP(81-264) dimers generated core-like particles as well. These core-like particles could subsequently be disassembled when reversible cross-linking reagents were used to form the dimers. The ability of the covalent intercapsomere cross-link to rescue capsid proteins with assembly defects or truncations in the amino-terminal region of the capsid protein supports the previous model of assembly and suggests a possible role for the amino-terminal region of the protein.

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 4302-4309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy L. Tellinghuisen ◽  
Richard J. Kuhn

ABSTRACT The assembly of the alphavirus nucleocapsid core is a multistep event requiring the association of the nucleocapsid protein with nucleic acid and the subsequent oligomerization of capsid proteins into an assembled core particle. Although the mechanism of assembly has been investigated extensively both in vivo and in vitro, no intermediates in the core assembly pathway have been identified. Through the use of both truncated and mutant Sindbis virus nucleocapsid proteins and a variety of cross-linking reagents, a possible nucleic acid-protein assembly intermediate has been detected. The cross-linked species, a covalent dimer, has been detected only in the presence of nucleic acid and with capsid proteins capable of binding nucleic acid. Optimum nucleic acid-dependent cross-linking was seen at a protein-to-nucleic-acid ratio identical to that required for maximum binding of the capsid protein to nucleic acid. Identical results were observed when cross-linking in vitro assembled core particles of both Sindbis and Ross River viruses. Purified cross-linked dimers of truncated proteins and of mutant proteins that failed to assemble were found to incorporate into assembled core particles when present as minor components in assembly reactions, suggesting that the cross-linking traps an authentic intermediate in nucleocapsid core assembly. Endoproteinase Lys-C mapping of the position of the cross-link indicated that lysine 250 of one capsid protein was cross-linked to lysine 250 of an adjacent capsid protein. Examination of the position of the cross-link in relation to the existing model of the nucleocapsid core suggests that the cross-linked species is a cross-capsomere contact between a pentamer and hexamer at the quasi-threefold axis or is a cross-capsomere contact between hexamers at the threefold axis of the icosahedral core particle and suggests several possible assembly models involving a nucleic acid-bound dimer of capsid protein as an early step in the assembly pathway.


1999 ◽  
Vol 147 (6) ◽  
pp. 1275-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrad L. Leung ◽  
Dongming Sun ◽  
Min Zheng ◽  
David R. Knowles ◽  
Ronald K.H. Liem

We cloned and characterized a full-length cDNA of mouse actin cross-linking family 7 (mACF7) by sequential rapid amplification of cDNA ends–PCR. The completed mACF7 cDNA is 17 kb and codes for a 608-kD protein. The closest relative of mACF7 is the Drosophila protein Kakapo, which shares similar architecture with mACF7. mACF7 contains a putative actin-binding domain and a plakin-like domain that are highly homologous to dystonin (BPAG1-n) at its NH2 terminus. However, unlike dystonin, mACF7 does not contain a coiled–coil rod domain; instead, the rod domain of mACF7 is made up of 23 dystrophin-like spectrin repeats. At its COOH terminus, mACF7 contains two putative EF-hand calcium-binding motifs and a segment homologous to the growth arrest–specific protein, Gas2. In this paper, we demonstrate that the NH2-terminal actin-binding domain of mACF7 is functional both in vivo and in vitro. More importantly, we found that the COOH-terminal domain of mACF7 interacts with and stabilizes microtubules. In transfected cells full-length mACF7 can associate not only with actin but also with microtubules. Hence, we suggest a modified name: MACF (microtubule actin cross-linking factor). The properties of MACF are consistent with the observation that mutations in kakapo cause disorganization of microtubules in epidermal muscle attachment cells and some sensory neurons.


Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.H. Barton ◽  
G. Dickson ◽  
H.J. Gower ◽  
L.H. Rowett ◽  
W. Putt ◽  
...  

Neural cell adhesion molecules (N-CAMs) are a family of cell surface sialoglycoproteins encoded by a single copy gene. A full-length cDNA clone that encodes a nontransmembrane phosphatidylinositol (PI) linked N-CAM of Mr 125 × 10(3) has been isolated from a human skeletal muscle cDNA library. The deduced protein sequence encodes a polypeptide of 761 amino acids and is highly homologous to the N-CAM isoform in brain of Mr 120 × 10(3). The size difference between the 125 × 10(3). The size difference between the 125 × 10(3) Mr skeletal muscle form and the 120 × 10(3) Mr N-CAM form from brain is accounted for by the insertion of a block of 37 amino acids called MSD1, in the extracellular domain of the muscle form. Transient expression of the human cDNA in COS cells results in cell surface N-CAM expression via a putative covalent attachment to PI-containing phospholipid. Linked in vitro transcription and translation experiments followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-N-CAM antibodies demonstrate that the full-length clone of 761 amino acid coding potential produces a core polypeptide of Mr 110 × 10(3) which is processed by microsomal membranes to yield a 122 × 10(3) Mr species. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the cloned cDNA sequence encodes a lipid-linked, PI-specific phospholipase C releasable surface isoform of N-CAM with core glycopeptide molecular weight corresponding to the authentic muscle 125 × 10(3) Mr N-CAM isoform. This is the first direct correlation of cDNA and deduced protein sequence with a known PI-linked N-CAM isoform from skeletal muscle.


2004 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 1251-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian H. Maxwell ◽  
Françoise Maxwell

Human cell lines are permissive for LuIII, a member of the rodent group of autonomous parvoviruses. However, LuIII vectors pseudotyped with feline panleukopaenia virus (FPV) capsid proteins can transduce feline cells but not human cells. Feline transferrin receptor (FelTfR) functions as a receptor for FPV. Transfection of Rh18A, a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, with FelTfR enabled transduction by vector with FPV capsid. This was not true of other human lines, suggesting restriction at some additional, post-entry, level(s) in human cells other than Rh18A. It seemed a reasonable hypothesis that a second blockage might be in nuclear delivery mediated by the N-terminal region of the minor capsid protein, VP1. We therefore generated virions containing an LuIII–luciferase genome, packaged using chimaeric VP1 molecules (N-terminal region of LuIII VP1, fused with body of FPV, and vice versa) together with the major capsid protein, VP2, of FPV or LuIII. The virions were tested for ability to transduce feline and human cells. Our hypothesis predicted that the N-terminal region of LuIII VP1 should allow transduction of human cells expressing FelTfR, while the FPV N-terminal region should not allow transduction of human cells (except for Rh18A). The experimental results did not bear out either of these predictions. Therefore, the VP1 N-terminal region appears not to be a major determinant of permissiveness for LuIII, versus FPV, capsid in human cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (7) ◽  
pp. 1973-1984
Author(s):  
Detao Gao ◽  
Mohammad Z. Ashraf ◽  
Lifang Zhang ◽  
Niladri Kar ◽  
Tatiana V. Byzova ◽  
...  

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) is cross-linked and dysfunctional in human atheroma. Although multiple mechanisms of apoA-I cross-linking have been demonstrated in vitro, the in vivo mechanisms of cross-linking are not well-established. We have recently demonstrated the highly selective and efficient modification of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) apoproteins by endogenous oxidized phospholipids (oxPLs), including γ-ketoalkenal phospholipids. In the current study, we report that γ-ketoalkenal phospholipids effectively cross-link apoproteins in HDL. We further demonstrate that cross-linking impairs the cholesterol efflux mediated by apoA-I or HDL3 in vitro and in vivo. Using LC-MS/MS analysis, we analyzed the pattern of apoprotein cross-linking in isolated human HDL either by synthetic γ-ketoalkenal phospholipids or by oxPLs generated during HDL oxidation in plasma by the physiologically relevant MPO-H2O2-NO2− system. We found that five histidine residues in helices 5–8 of apoA-I are preferably cross-linked by oxPLs, forming stable pyrrole adducts with lysine residues in the helices 3–4 of another apoA-I or in the central domain of apoA-II. We also identified cross-links of apoA-I and apoA-II with two minor HDL apoproteins, apoA-IV and apoE. We detected a similar pattern of apoprotein cross-linking in oxidized murine HDL. We further detected oxPL cross-link adducts of HDL apoproteins in plasma and aorta of hyperlipidemic LDLR−/− mice, including cross-link adducts of apoA-I His-165–apoA-I Lys-93, apoA-I His-154–apoA-I Lys-105, apoA-I His-154–apoA-IV Lys-149, and apoA-II Lys-30–apoE His-227. These findings suggest an important mechanism that contributes to the loss of HDL's atheroprotective function in vivo.


2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (24) ◽  
pp. 13552-13565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Garmashova ◽  
Svetlana Atasheva ◽  
Wenli Kang ◽  
Scott C. Weaver ◽  
Elena Frolova ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The encephalitogenic New World alphaviruses, including Venezuelan (VEEV), eastern (EEEV), and western equine encephalitis viruses, constitute a continuing public health threat in the United States. They circulate in Central, South, and North America and have the ability to cause fatal disease in humans and in horses and other domestic animals. We recently demonstrated that these viruses have developed the ability to interfere with cellular transcription and use it as a means of downregulating a cellular antiviral response. The results of the present study suggest that the N-terminal, ∼35-amino-acid-long peptide of VEEV and EEEV capsid proteins plays the most critical role in the downregulation of cellular transcription and development of a cytopathic effect. The identified VEEV-specific peptide CVEE33-68 includes two domains with distinct functions: the α-helix domain, helix I, which is critically involved in supporting the balance between the presence of the protein in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and the downstream peptide, which might contain a functional nuclear localization signal(s). The integrity of both domains not only determines the intracellular distribution of the VEEV capsid but is also essential for direct capsid protein functioning in the inhibition of transcription. Our results suggest that the VEEV capsid protein interacts with the nuclear pore complex, and this interaction correlates with the protein's ability to cause transcriptional shutoff and, ultimately, cell death. The replacement of the N-terminal fragment of the VEEV capsid by its Sindbis virus-specific counterpart in the VEEV TC-83 genome does not affect virus replication in vitro but reduces cytopathogenicity and results in attenuation in vivo. These findings can be used in designing a new generation of live, attenuated, recombinant vaccines against the New World alphaviruses.


1974 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Rowe ◽  
Ermona B. McGoodwin ◽  
George R. Martin ◽  
Michael D. Sussman ◽  
Douglas Grahn ◽  
...  

A genetic abnormality in collagen and elastin cross-linking resembling experimental lathyrism has been identified in mice. The defect is an X-linked trait, attributed to the mottled locus which also influences coat color. The affected mice have aneurysms of the aorta and its branches, weak skin, and bone deformities in a spectrum of severity varying with the alleles at the mottled locus. A defect in the cross-linking of collagen was demonstrated in the skin of the affected animals by a marked increase in collagen extractability and a reduced proportion of cross-linked components in the extracted collagen. A decrease in lysine-derived aldehyde levels was found in both skin collagen and aortic elastin similar to that found in lathyritic tissue. Furthermore the in vitro formation of lysine-derived aldehyde was reduced. Thus the cause of the connective tissue abnormalities in these mice appears to be a defect in cross-link formation due to an impairment in aldehyde formation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 2863-2874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Tubon ◽  
William P. Tansey ◽  
Winship Herr

ABSTRACT The general transcription factor TFIIB is a highly conserved and essential component of the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription initiation machinery. It consists of a single polypeptide with two conserved structural domains: an amino-terminal zinc ribbon structure (TFIIBZR) and a carboxy-terminal core (TFIIBCORE). We have analyzed the role of the amino-terminal region of human TFIIB in transcription in vivo and in vitro. We identified a small nonconserved surface of the TFIIBZR that is required for pol II transcription in vivo and for different types of basal pol II transcription in vitro. Consistent with a general role in transcription, this TFIIBZR surface is directly involved in the recruitment of pol II to a TATA box-containing promoter. Curiously, although the amino-terminal human TFIIBZR domain can recruit both human pol II and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) pol II, the yeast TFIIB amino-terminal region recruits yeast pol II but not human pol II. Thus, a critical process in transcription from many different promoters—pol II recruitment—has changed in sequence specificity during eukaryotic evolution.


2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 778-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Li ◽  
Rachel A. Stevenson ◽  
Brendan S. Crabb ◽  
Michael J. Studdert ◽  
Carol A. Hartley

ABSTRACT Equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) is a significant pathogen of horses and is also closely related to Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Despite these facts, knowledge of the prevalence and importance of ERAV infections remains limited, largely due to the absence of a simple, robust diagnostic assay. In this study, we compared the antigenicities of recombinant full-length and fragmented ERAV capsid proteins expressed in Escherichia coli by using sera from experimentally infected and naturally exposed horses. We found that, from the range of antigens tested, recombinant proteins encompassing the C-terminal region of VP1, full-length VP2, and the N-terminal region of VP2 reacted specifically with antibodies present in sera from each of the five experimentally infected horses examined. Antibodies to epitopes on VP2 (both native and recombinant forms) persisted longer postinfection (>105 days) than antibodies specific for epitopes on other fragments. Our data also suggest that B-cell epitopes within the C terminus of VP1 and N terminus of VP2 contribute to a large proportion of the total reactivity of recombinant VP1 and VP2, respectively. Importantly, the reactivity of these VP1 and VP2 recombinant proteins in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) correlated well with the results from a range of native antigen-based serological assays using sera from 12 field horses. This study provides promising candidates for development of a diagnostic ERAV ELISA.


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