scholarly journals Changes of the Secondary Structure of the 5′ End of the Sindbis Virus Genome Inhibit Virus Growth in Mosquito Cells and Lead to Accumulation of Adaptive Mutations

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 4953-4964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafik Fayzulin ◽  
Ilya Frolov
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Virus Growth ◽  
Adaptive Mutations ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Mosquito Cells ◽  
In Cells

ABSTRACT Both the 5′ end of the Sindbis virus (SIN) genome and its complement in the 3′ end of the minus-strand RNA synthesized during virus replication serve as parts of the promoters recognized by the enzymes that comprise the replication complex (RdRp). In addition to the 5′ untranslated region (UTR), which was shown to be critical for the initiation of replication, another 5′ sequence element, the 51-nucleotide (nt) conserved sequence element (CSE), was postulated to be important for virus replication. It is located in the nsP1-encoding sequence and is highly conserved among all members of the Alphavirus genus. Studies with viruses containing clustered mutations in this sequence demonstrated that this RNA element is dispensable for SIN replication in cells of vertebrate origin, but its integrity can enhance the replication of SIN-specific RNAs. However, we showed that the same mutations had a deleterious effect on virus replication in mosquito cells. SIN with a mutated 51-nt CSE rapidly accumulated adaptive mutations in the nonstructural proteins nsP2 and nsP3 and the 5′ UTR. These mutations functioned synergistically in a cell-specific manner and had a stimulatory effect only on the replication of viruses with a mutated 51-nt CSE. Taken together, the results suggest the complex nature of interactions between nsP2, nsP3, the 5′ UTR, and host-specific protein factors binding to the 51-nt CSE and involved in RdRp formation. The data also demonstrate an outstanding potential of alphaviruses for adaptation. Within one passage, SIN can adapt to replication in cells of a vertebrate or invertebrate origin.

scholarly journals Effects of inducing or inhibiting apoptosis on Sindbis virus replication in mosquito cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 89 (11) ◽  
pp. 2651-2661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Wang ◽  
Carol D. Blair ◽  
Ken E. Olson ◽  
Rollie J. Clem
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Persistent Infection ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Actinomycin D ◽  
Virus Production ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Lytic Infection ◽  
Mosquito Cells ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Genes

Sindbis virus (SINV) is a mosquito-borne virus in the genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae. Like most alphaviruses, SINVs exhibit lytic infection (apoptosis) in many mammalian cell types, but are generally thought to cause persistent infection with only moderate cytopathic effects in mosquito cells. However, there have been several reports of apoptotic-like cell death in mosquitoes infected with alphaviruses or flaviviruses. Given that apoptosis has been shown to be an antiviral response in other systems, we have constructed recombinant SINVs that express either pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic genes in order to test the effects of inducing or inhibiting apoptosis on SINV replication in mosquito cells. Recombinant SINVs expressing the pro-apoptotic genes reaper (rpr) from Drosophila or michelob_x (mx) from Aedes aegypti caused extensive apoptosis in cells from the mosquito cell line C6/36, thus changing the normal persistent infection observed with SINV to a lytic infection. Although the infected cells underwent apoptosis, high levels of virus replication were still observed during the initial infection. However, virus production subsequently decreased compared with persistently infected cells, which continued to produce high levels of virus over the next several days. Infection of C6/36 cells with SINV expressing the baculovirus caspase inhibitor P35 inhibited actinomycin D-induced caspase activity and protected infected cells from actinomycin D-induced apoptosis, but had no observable effect on virus replication. This study is the first to test directly whether inducing or inhibiting apoptosis affects arbovirus replication in mosquito cells.

scholarly journals Variable Inhibition of Zika Virus Replication by Different Wolbachia Strains in Mosquito Cell Cultures

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela J. Schultz ◽  
Sharon Isern ◽  
Scott F. Michael ◽  
Ronald B. Corley ◽  
John H. Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Mosquito Cell ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Viral Inhibition ◽  
Virus Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Endosymbiont ◽  
Mosquito Cells

ABSTRACT Mosquito-borne arboviruses are a major source of human disease. One strategy to reduce arbovirus disease is to reduce the mosquito's ability to transmit virus. Mosquito infection with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis wMel is a novel strategy to reduce Aedes mosquito competency for flavivirus infection. However, experiments investigating cyclic environmental temperatures have shown a reduction in maternal transmission of wMel, potentially weakening the integration of this strain into a mosquito population relative to that of other Wolbachia strains. Consequently, it is important to investigate additional Wolbachia strains. All Zika virus (ZIKV) suppression studies are limited to the wMel Wolbachia strain. Here we show ZIKV inhibition by two different Wolbachia strains: wAlbB (isolated from Aedes albopictus mosquitoes) and wStri (isolated from the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus) in mosquito cells. Wolbachia strain wStri inhibited ZIKV most effectively. Single-cycle infection experiments showed that ZIKV RNA replication and nonstructural protein 5 translation were reduced below the limits of detection in wStri-containing cells, demonstrating early inhibition of virus replication. ZIKV replication was rescued when Wolbachia was inhibited with a bacteriostatic antibiotic. We observed a partial rescue of ZIKV growth when Wolbachia-infected cells were supplemented with cholesterol-lipid concentrate, suggesting competition for nutrients as one of the possible mechanisms of Wolbachia inhibition of ZIKV. Our data show that wAlbB and wStri infection causes inhibition of ZIKV, making them attractive candidates for further in vitro mechanistic and in vivo studies and future vector-centered approaches to limit ZIKV infection and spread. IMPORTANCE Zika virus (ZIKV) has swiftly spread throughout most of the Western Hemisphere. This is due in large part to its replication in and spread by a mosquito vector host. There is an urgent need for approaches that limit ZIKV replication in mosquitoes. One exciting approach for this is to use a bacterial endosymbiont called Wolbachia that can populate mosquito cells and inhibit ZIKV replication. Here we show that two different strains of Wolbachia, wAlbB and wStri, are effective at repressing ZIKV in mosquito cell lines. Repression of virus growth is through the inhibition of an early stage of infection and requires actively replicating Wolbachia. Our findings further the understanding of Wolbachia viral inhibition and provide novel tools that can be used in an effort to limit ZIKV replication in the mosquito vector, thereby interrupting the transmission and spread of the virus.

scholarly journals Development of Sindbis Viruses Encoding nsP2/GFP Chimeric Proteins and Their Application for Studying nsP2 Functioning

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 5046-5057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Atasheva ◽  
Rodion Gorchakov ◽  
Robert English ◽  
Ilya Frolov ◽  
Elena Frolova
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Chimeric Protein ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Heterologous Proteins ◽  
Peptide Tags ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Sindbis virus (SINV) is one of almost 30 currently known alphaviruses. In infected cells, it produces only a few proteins that function in virus replication and interfere with the development of the antiviral response. One of the viral nonstructural proteins, nsP2, not only exhibits protease and RNA helicase activities that are directly involved in viral RNA replication but also plays critical roles in the development of transcriptional and translational shutoffs in the SINV-infected cells. These multiple activities of nsP2 complicate investigations of this protein's functions and further understanding of its structure. Using a transposon-based approach, we generated a cDNA library of SINV genomes with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene randomly inserted into nsP2 and identified a number of sites that can be used for GFP cloning without a strong effect on virus replication. Recombinant SIN viruses encoding nsP2/GFP chimeric protein were capable of growth in tissue culture and interfering with cellular functions. SINV, expressing GFP in the nsP2, was used to isolate nsP2-specific protein complexes formed in the cytoplasm of the infected cells. These complexes contained viral nsPs, all of the cellular proteins that we previously coisolated with SINV nsP3, and some additional protein factors that were not found before in detectable concentrations. The random insertion library-based approach, followed by the selection of the viable variants expressing heterologous proteins, can be applied for mapping the domain structure of the viral nonstructural and structural proteins, cloning of peptide tags for isolation of the protein-specific complexes, and studying their formation by using live-cell imaging. This approach may also be applicable to presentation of additional antigens and retargeting of viruses to new receptors.

scholarly journals Alphavirus RNA Genome Repair and Evolution: Molecular Characterization of Infectious Sindbis Virus Isolates Lacking a Known Conserved Motif at the 3′ End of the Genome

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (20) ◽  
pp. 9776-9785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyothi George ◽  
Ramaswamy Raju
Keyword(s):  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Repeat Sequence ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Nontranslated Region ◽  
Viral Promoters ◽  
Sequence Elements

ABSTRACT The 3′ nontranslated region of the genomes of Sindbis virus (SIN) and other alphaviruses carries several repeat sequence elements (RSEs) as well as a 19-nucleotide (nt) conserved sequence element (3′CSE). The 3′CSE and the adjoining poly(A) tail of the SIN genome are thought to act as viral promoters for negative-sense RNA synthesis and genome replication. Eight different SIN isolates that carry altered 3′CSEs were studied in detail to evaluate the role of the 3′CSE in genome replication. The salient findings of this study as it applies to SIN infection of BHK cells are as follows: i) the classical 19-nt 3′CSE of the SIN genome is not essential for genome replication, long-term stability, or packaging; ii) compensatory amino acid or nucleotide changes within the SIN genomes are not required to counteract base changes in the 3′ terminal motifs of the SIN genome; iii) the 5′ 1-kb regions of all SIN genomes, regardless of the differences in 3′ terminal motifs, do not undergo any base changes even after 18 passages; iv) although extensive addition of AU-rich motifs occurs in the SIN genomes carrying defective 3′CSE, these are not essential for genome viability or function; and v) the newly added AU-rich motifs are composed predominantly of RSEs. These findings are consistent with the idea that the 3′ terminal AU-rich motifs of the SIN genomes do not bind directly to the viral polymerase and that cellular proteins with broad AU-rich binding specificity may mediate this interaction. In addition to the classical 3′CSE, other RNA motifs located elsewhere in the SIN genome must play a major role in template selection by the SIN RNA polymerase.

scholarly journals Roles of Nonstructural Protein nsP2 and Alpha/Beta Interferons in Determining the Outcome of Sindbis Virus Infection

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (22) ◽  
pp. 11254-11264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena I. Frolova ◽  
Rafik Z. Fayzulin ◽  
Susan H. Cook ◽  
Diane E. Griffin ◽  
Charles M. Rice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Virus Replication ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Virus Propagation ◽  
Virus Growth ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Alpha Beta

ABSTRACT Alphaviruses productively infect a variety of vertebrate and insect cell lines. In vertebrate cells, Sindbis virus redirects cellular processes to meet the needs of virus propagation. At the same time, cells respond to virus replication by downregulating virus growth and preventing dissemination of the infection. The balance between these two mechanisms determines the outcome of infection at the cellular and organismal levels. In this report, we demonstrate that a viral nonstructural protein, nsP2, is a significant regulator of Sindbis virus-host cell interactions. This protein not only is a component of the replicative enzyme complex required for replication and transcription of viral RNAs but also plays a role in suppressing the antiviral response in Sindbis virus-infected cells. nsP2 most likely acts by decreasing interferon (IFN) production and minimizing virus visibility. Infection of murine cells with Sindbis virus expressing a mutant nsP2 leads to higher levels of IFN secretion and the activation of 170 cellular genes that are induced by IFN and/or virus replication. Secreted IFN protects naive cells against Sindbis virus infection and also stops viral replication in productively infected cells. Mutations in nsP2 can also attenuate Sindbis virus cytopathogenicity. Such mutants can persist in mammalian cells with defects in the alpha/beta IFN (IFN-α/β) system or when IFN activity is neutralized by anti-IFN-α/β antibodies. These findings provide new insight into the alphavirus-host cell interaction and have implications for the development of improved alphavirus expression systems with better antigen-presenting potential.

scholarly journals A Mutant of Sindbis Virus Which Is Able To Replicate in Cells with Reduced CTP Makes a Replicase/Transcriptase with a Decreased Km for CTP

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (18) ◽  
pp. 9645-9651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Ling Li ◽  
Yen-Huei Lin ◽  
H. Anne Simmonds ◽  
Victor Stollar
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Infected Mosquito ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Mosquito Cells ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Virus Mutant ◽  
In Cells

ABSTRACT We reported earlier the isolation and characterization of a Sindbis virus mutant, SVPZF, that can grow in mosquito cells treated with pyrazofurin (PZF), a compound that interferes with pyrimidine biosynthesis (Y. H. Lin, P. Yadav, R. Ravatn, and V. Stollar, Virology 272:61-71, 2000; Y. H. Lin, H. A. Simmonds, and V. Stollar, Virology 292:78-86, 2002). Three amino acid changes in nsP4, the viral RNA polymerase, were required to produce this phenotype. We now describe a mutant of Sindbis virus, SVCPC, that is resistant to cyclopentenylcytosine (CPC), a compound that interferes only with the synthesis of CTP. Thus, in contrast to SVPZF, which was selected for its ability to grow in mosquito cells with low levels of UTP and CTP, SVCPC was selected for its ability to grow in cells in which only the level of CTP was reduced. Although SVPZF was cross-resistant to CPC, SVCPC was not resistant to PZF. Only one amino acid change in nsP4, Leu 585 to Phe, was required for the CPC resistance phenotype. The viral replicase/transcriptase generated in SVCPC-infected mosquito cells had a lower Km for CTP (but not for UTP) than did the enzyme made in SVSTD-infected mosquito cells. SVPZF and SVCPC represent the first examples of viral mutants selected for the ability to grow in cells with low levels of ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs). Further study of these mutants and determination of the structure of nsP4 should demonstrate how alterations in an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase permit it to function in cells with abnormally low levels of rNTPs.

scholarly journals Role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) and its variants in human cytomegalovirus control in vitro and in vivo

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (48) ◽  
pp. E7818-E7827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Hsin Fan ◽  
Sujayita Roy ◽  
Rupkatha Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Arun Kapoor ◽  
Priya Duggal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Nucleotide Binding ◽  
Virus Growth ◽  
Antiviral Responses ◽  
Hcmv Replication ◽  
Oligomerization Domain ◽  
In Cells

Induction of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) and downstream receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is known to up-regulate antiviral responses and suppress virus replication. We investigated the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1), which also signals through RIPK2, in HCMV control. NOD1 activation by Tri-DAP (NOD1 agonist) suppressed HCMV and induced IFN-β. Mouse CMV was also inhibited through NOD1 activation. NOD1 knockdown (KD) or inhibition of its activity with small molecule ML130 enhanced HCMV replication in vitro. NOD1 mutations displayed differential effects on HCMV replication and antiviral responses. In cells overexpressing the E56K mutation in the caspase activation and recruitment domain, virus replication was enhanced, but in cells overexpressing the E266K mutation in the nucleotide-binding domain or the wild-type NOD1, HCMV was inhibited, changes that correlated with IFN-β expression. The interaction of NOD1 and RIPK2 determined the outcome of virus replication, as evidenced by enhanced virus growth in NOD1 E56K mutant cells (which failed to interact with RIPK2). NOD1 activities were executed through IFN-β, given that IFN-β KD reduced the inhibitory effect of Tri-DAP on HCMV. Signaling through NOD1 resulting in HCMV suppression was IKKα-dependent and correlated with nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of IRF3. Finally, NOD1 polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of HCMV infection in women who were infected with HCMV during participation in a glycoprotein B vaccine trial. Collectively, our data indicate a role for NOD1 in HCMV control via RIPK2- IKKα-IRF3 and suggest that its polymorphisms predict the risk of infection.

scholarly journals Requirements at the 3′ End of the Sindbis Virus Genome for Efficient Synthesis of Minus-Strand RNA

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 4630-4639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. Hardy ◽  
Charles M. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Core Promoter ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Minus Strand ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Type 3

ABSTRACT The 3′-untranslated region of the Sindbis virus genome is 0.3 kb in length with a 19-nucleotide conserved sequence element (3′ CSE) immediately preceding the 3′-poly(A) tail. The 3′ CSE and poly(A) tail have been assumed to constitute the core promoter for minus-strand RNA synthesis during genome replication; however, their involvement in this process has not been formally demonstrated. Utilizing both in vitro and in vivo analyses, we have examined the role of these elements in the initiation of minus-strand RNA synthesis. The major findings of this study with regard to efficient minus-strand RNA synthesis are the following: (i) the wild-type 3′ CSE and the poly(A) tail are required, (ii) the poly(A) tail must be a minimum of 11 to 12 residues in length and immediately follow the 3′ CSE, (iii) deletion or substitution of the 3′ 13 nucleotides of the 3′ CSE severely inhibits minus-strand RNA synthesis, (iv) templates possessing non-wild-type 3′ sequences previously demonstrated to support virus replication do not program efficient RNA synthesis, and (v) insertion of uridylate residues between the poly(A) tail and a non-wild-type 3′ sequence can restore promoter function to a limited extent. This study shows that the optimal structure of the 3′ component of the minus-strand promoter is the wild-type 3′ CSE followed a poly(A) tail of at least 11 residues. Our findings also show that insertion of nontemplated bases can restore function to an inactive promoter.

scholarly journals Expression of Human MxA Protein in Mosquito Cells Interferes with LaCrosse Virus Replication

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 3001-3003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya A. Miura ◽  
Jonathan O. Carlson ◽  
Barry J. Beaty ◽  
Richard A. Bowen ◽  
Ken E. Olson
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Virus Replication ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Aedes Triseriatus ◽  
Virus Family ◽  
Mosquito Cells

ABSTRACT Human MxA protein inhibits LaCrosse virus (LAC virus; familyBunyaviridae) replication in vertebrate cells andMxA-transgenic mice. LAC virus is transmitted to humans byAedes triseriatus mosquitoes. In this report, we have shown that transfected mosquito cells expressing the humanMxA cDNA are resistant to LAC virus but permissive for Sindbis virus (family Togaviridae) infection.

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