scholarly journals Genetic Analysis of the Vaccinia Virus I6 Telomere-Binding Protein Uncovers a Key Role in Genome Encapsidation

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (20) ◽  
pp. 10929-10942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivera Grubisha ◽  
Paula Traktman
Keyword(s):  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Proteolytic Processing ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Recombinant Viruses ◽  
Telomere Binding Protein ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Genome Encapsidation

ABSTRACT The linear, double-stranded DNA genome of vaccinia virus contains covalently closed hairpin termini. These hairpin termini comprise a terminal loop and an A+T-rich duplex stem that has 12 extrahelical bases. DeMasi et al. have shown previously that proteins present in infected cells and in virions form distinct complexes with the telomeric hairpins and that these interactions require the extrahelical bases. The vaccinia virus I6 protein was identified as the protein showing the greatest specificity and affinity for interaction with the viral hairpins (J. DeMasi, S. Du, D. Lennon, and P. Traktman, J. Virol. 75:10090-10105, 2001). To gain insight into the role of I6 in vivo, we generated eight recombinant viruses bearing altered alleles of I6 in which clusters of charged amino acids were changed to alanine residues. One allele (temperature-sensitive I6-12 [tsI6-12]) conferred a tight ts phenotype and was used to examine the stage(s) of the viral life cycle that was affected at the nonpermissive temperature. Gene expression, DNA replication, and genome resolution proceeded normally in this mutant. However, proteolytic processing of structural proteins, which accompanies virus maturation, was incomplete. Electron microscopic studies confirmed a severe block in morphogenesis in which immature, but no mature, virions were observed. Instead, aberrant spherical virions and large crystalloids were seen. When purified, these aberrant virions were found to have normal protein content but to be devoid of viral DNA. We propose that the binding of I6 to viral telomeres directs genome encapsidation into the virus particle.

Studies of two temperature-sensitive mutants of Mengo virus

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 902-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick W. K. Lee ◽  
John S. Colter
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Structural Polypeptide ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Mengo Virus ◽  
In Vitro Stability

Studies of the synthesis of viral ribonucleates and polypeptides in cells infected with two RNA−ts mutants of Mengo virus (ts 135 and ts 520) have shown that when ts 135 infected cells are shifted from the permissive (33 °C) to the nonpermissive (39 °C) temperature: (i) the synthesis of all three species of viral RNA (single stranded, replicative form, and replicative intermediate) is inhibited to about the same extent, and (ii) the posttranslational cleavage of structural polypeptide precursors A and B is partially blocked. Investigations of the in vivo and in vitro stability of the viral RNA replicase suggest that the RNA− phentotype reflects a temperature-sensitive defect in the enzyme. The second defect does not appear to result from the inhibition of viral RNA synthesis at 39 °C, since normal cleavage of polypeptides A and B occurs in wt Mengo-infected cells in which viral RNA synthesis is blocked by cordycepin, and at the nonpermissive temperature in ts 520 infected cells. Considered in toto, the evidence suggests that ts 135 is a double mutant.Subviral (53 S) particles have been shown to accumulate in ts 520 (but not ts 135) infected cells when cultures are shifted from 33 to 39 °C. This observation provides supporting evidence for the proposal that this recently discovered particle is an intermediate in the assembly pathway of Mengo virions.

Electron microscopic studies on the structure of motile primordial germ cells of Xenopus laevis in vitro

Development ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-133
Author(s):  
Janet Heasman ◽  
C. C. Wylie
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Microscopic Studies

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) of Xenopus laevis have been isolated from early embryos and kept alive in vitro, in order to study the structural basis of their motility, using the transmission and scanning electron microscope. The culture conditions used mimicked as closely as possible the in vivo environment of migrating PGCs, in that isolated PGCs were seeded onto monolayers of amphibian mesentery cells. In these conditions we have demonstrated that: (a) No significant differences were found between the morphology of PGCs in vitro and in vivo. (b) Structural features involved in PGC movement in vitro include (i) the presence of a filamentous substructure, (ii) filopodial and blunt cell processes, (iii) cell surface specializations. These features are also characteristic of migratory PGCs studied in vivo. (c) PGCs in vitro have powers of invasion similar to those of migrating PGCs in vivo. They occasionally become completely surrounded by cells of the monolayer and, in this situation, bear striking resemblance to PGCs moving between mesentery cells to the site of the developing gonad in stage-44 tadpoles. We conclude that as far as it is possible to assess, the behaviour of isolated PGCs in these in vitro conditions mimics their activities in vivo. This allows us to study the ultrastructural basis of their migration.

Exploitation of a thermosensitive splicing event to study pre-mRNA splicing in vivo

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1558-1569
Author(s):  
P E Cizdziel ◽  
M de Mars ◽  
E C Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Rna Splicing ◽  
Mrna Splicing ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Exon Ligation ◽  
Branch Point Sequence ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Low Efficiency

The spliced form of MuSVts110 viral RNA is approximately 20-fold more abundant at growth temperatures of 33 degrees C or lower than at 37 to 41 degrees C. This difference is due to changes in the efficiency of MuSVts110 RNA splicing rather than selective thermolability of the spliced species at 37 to 41 degrees C or general thermosensitivity of RNA splicing in MuSVts110-infected cells. Moreover, RNA transcribed from MuSVts110 DNA introduced into a variety of cell lines is spliced in a temperature-sensitive fashion, suggesting that the structure of the viral RNA controls the efficiency of the event. We exploited this novel splicing event to study the cleavage and ligation events during splicing in vivo. No spliced viral mRNA or splicing intermediates were observed in MuSVts110-infected cells (6m2 cells) at 39 degrees C. However, after a short (about 30-min) lag following a shift to 33 degrees C, viral pre-mRNA cleaved at the 5' splice site began to accumulate. Ligated exons were not detected until about 60 min following the initial detection of cleavage at the 5' splice site, suggesting that these two splicing reactions did not occur concurrently. Splicing of viral RNA in the MuSVts110 revertant 54-5A4, which lacks the sequence -AG/TGT- at the usual 3' splice site, was studied. Cleavage at the 5' splice site in the revertant viral RNA proceeded in a temperature-sensitive fashion. No novel cryptic 3' splice sites were activated; however, splicing at an alternate upstream 3' splice site used at low efficiency in normal MuSVts110 RNA was increased to a level close to that of 5'-splice-site cleavage in the revertant viral RNA. Increased splicing at this site in 54-5A4 viral RNA is probably driven by the unavailability of the usual 3' splice site for exon ligation. The thermosensitivity of this alternate splice event suggests that the sequences governing the thermodependence of MuSVts110 RNA splicing do not involve any particular 3' splice site or branch point sequence, but rather lie near the 5' end of the intron.

scholarly journals By Binding CD80 and CD86, the Vaccinia Virus M2 Protein Blocks Their Interactions with both CD28 and CTLA4 and Potentiates CD80 Binding to PD-L1

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Kleinpeter ◽  
Christelle Remy-Ziller ◽  
Eline Winter ◽  
Murielle Gantzer ◽  
Virginie Nourtier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte ◽  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
Parental Virus ◽  
M2 Protein ◽  
First Results ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACTIn this article we report that the M2 protein encoded by the vaccinia virus is secreted as a homo-oligomer by infected cells and binds two central costimulation molecules, CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2). These interactions block the ligation of the two B7 proteins to both soluble CD28 and soluble cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4) but favor the binding of soluble PD-L1 to soluble CD80. M2L gene orthologues are found in several other poxviruses, and the B7-CD28/CTLA4 blocking activity has been identified for several culture supernatants of orthopoxvirus-infected cells and for a recombinant myxoma virus M2 protein homolog (i.e., Gp120-like protein, or Gp120LP). Overall, these data indicate that the M2 poxvirus family of proteins may be involved in immunosuppressive activities broader than the NF-κB inhibition already reported (R. Gedey, X. L. Jin, O. Hinthong, and J. L. Shisler, J Virol 80:8676–8685, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00935-06). A Copenhagen vaccinia virus with a deletion of the nonessential M2L locus was generated and compared with its parental virus. This M2L-deleted vaccinia virus, unlike the parental virus, does not generate interference with the B7-CD28/CTLA4/PD-L1 interactions. Moreover, this deletion did not affect any key features of the virus (in vitroreplication, oncolytic activitiesin vitroandin vivo,and intratumoral expression of a transgene in an immunocompetent murine model). Altogether, these first results suggest that the M2 protein has the potential to be used as a new immunosuppressive biotherapeutic and that the M2L-deleted vaccinia virus represents an attractive new oncolytic platform with an improved immunological profile.IMPORTANCEThe vaccinia virus harbors in its genome several genes dedicated to the inhibition of the host immune response. Among them, M2L was reported to inhibit the intracellular NF-κB pathway. We report here several new putative immunosuppressive activities of M2 protein. M2 protein is secreted and binds cornerstone costimulatory molecules (CD80/CD86). M2 binding to CD80/CD86 blocks their interaction with soluble CD28/CTLA4 but also favors the soluble PD-L1-CD80 association. These findings open the way for new investigations deciphering the immune system effects of soluble M2 protein. Moreover, a vaccinia virus with a deletion of its M2L has been generated and characterized as a new oncolytic platform. The replication and oncolytic activities of the M2L-deleted vaccinia virus are indistinguishable from those of the parental virus. More investigations are needed to characterize in detail the immune response triggered against both the tumor and the virus by this M2-defective vaccinia virus.

scholarly journals The Saccharomyces telomere-binding protein Cdc13p interacts with both the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase α and the telomerase-associated Est1 protein

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 1777-1788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Qi ◽  
Virginia A. Zakian
Keyword(s):  
Dna Polymerase ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Single Strand ◽  
Catalytic Subunit ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Dna Polymerase Α ◽  
Telomere Binding Protein

Saccharomyces telomeres consist of ∼350 bp of C1-3A/TG1-3 DNA. Most of this ∼350 bp is replicated by standard, semiconservative DNA replication. After conventional replication, the C1-3A strand is degraded to generate a long single strand TG1-3 tail that can serve as a substrate for telomerase. Cdc13p is a single strand TG1-3DNA-binding protein that localizes to telomeres in vivo. Genetic data suggest that the Cdc13p has multiple roles in telomere replication. We used two hybrid analysis to demonstrate that Cdc13p interacted with both the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase α, Pol1p, and the telomerase RNA-associated protein, Est1p. The association of these proteins was confirmed by biochemical analysis using full-length or nearly full-length proteins. Point mutations in either CDC13 orPOL1 that reduced the Cdc13p–Pol1p interaction resulted in telomerase mediated telomere lengthening. Over–expression of the carboxyl terminus of Est1p partially suppressed the temperature sensitive lethality of a cdc13-1 strain. We propose that Cdc13p's interaction with Est1p promotes TG1-3 strand lengthening by telomerase and its interaction with Pol1p promotes C1-3A strand resynthesis by DNA polymerase α.

scholarly journals Vaccinia Virus A6L Encodes a Virion Core Protein Required for Formation of Mature Virion

2006 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1433-1443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangzhi Meng ◽  
Addie Embry ◽  
Debbi Sochia ◽  
Yan Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Recombinant Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Proteolytic Processing ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Virion Morphogenesis ◽  
Viral Factory ◽  
Virion Core

ABSTRACT Vaccinia virus A6L is a previously uncharacterized gene that is conserved in all sequenced vertebrate poxviruses. Here, we constructed a recombinant vaccinia virus encoding A6 with an epitope tag and showed that A6 was expressed in infected cells after viral DNA replication and packaged in the core of the mature virion. Furthermore, we showed that A6 was essential for vaccinia virus replication by performing clustered charge-to-alanine mutagenesis on A6, which resulted in two vaccinia virus mutants (vA6L-mut1 and vA6L-mut2) that displayed a temperature-sensitive phenotype. At 31°C, both mutants replicated efficiently; however, at 40°C, vA6L-mut1 grew to a low titer, while vA6L-mut2 failed to replicate. The A6 protein expressed by vA6L-mut2 exhibited temperature-dependent instability. At the nonpermissive temperature, vA6L-mut2 was normal at viral gene expression and viral factory formation, but it was defective for proteolytic processing of the precursors of several major virion proteins, a defect that is characteristic of a block in virion morphogenesis. Electron microscopy further showed that the morphogenesis of vA6L-mut2 was arrested before the formation of immature virion with nucleoid and mature virion. Taken together, our data show that A6 is a virion core protein that plays an essential role in virion morphogenesis.

scholarly journals Platelet Satellitism

Blood ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 831-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl R. Kjeldsberg ◽  
John Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Normal Platelet ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Platelet Satellitism ◽  
Platelet Functions

Abstract Platelet adherence to polymorphonuclear leukocytes, or so-called platelet satellitism, has, to our knowledge, been reported in only four patients. We had the opportunity to study this phenomenon in two patients. Platelet satellitism was only seen in EDTA anticoagulated blood, and the platelets were seen to surround polymorphonuclear leukocytes only. Electron microscopic studies demonstrated focally opposed regions of platelet and neutrophil plasma membranes. Phagocytosis of platelets was also observed. In vivo and in vitro platelet functions were normal. Platelet satellitism is an in vitro phenomenon, the cause of which is unknown. We are unable to relate it to functional abnormalitles of the blood, the clinical condition of the patient, or to drugs. This phenomenon has some clinical importance in that it causes spurious thrombocytopenia.

scholarly journals Agranular membranes in free polysome preparations and their possible interference in studies of protein biosynthesis

1969 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. N. Murty ◽  
T. Hallinan
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Initial Rate ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Amino Acid Incorporation ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Acid Incorporation ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Purification Methods

1. Phospholipid-rich membranous contaminants are present in free polysomes from rat liver isolated on discontinuous sucrose gradients. 2. Electron-microscopic studies indicate that the membranous contaminants are mainly agranular with very occasional granular membranes. This is confirmed by the study of their sedimentation behaviour and their initial rate of labelling with radioactive glucosamine in vivo. 3. Conventional ribosome-purification methods fail to remove the contaminants, whereas deoxycholate effectively solubilizes the membranous contaminants with little breakdown of polysomes. 4. Amino acid-incorporation studies show that these membranous contaminants may seriously interfere in assessment of the functional capacity of free polysomes in protein biosynthesis in vivo.

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