scholarly journals Identification of the Rabies Virus Alpha/Beta Interferon Antagonist: Phosphoprotein P Interferes with Phosphorylation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 3

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 7673-7681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Brzózka ◽  
Stefan Finke ◽  
Karl-Klaus Conzelmann
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Rabies Virus ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Regulatory Factor ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Beta Interferon ◽  
P Gene ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Alpha Beta

ABSTRACT Rabies virus (RV) of the Rhabdoviridae family grows in alpha/beta interferon (IFN)-competent cells, suggesting the existence of viral mechanisms preventing IFN gene expression. We here identify the viral phosphoprotein P as the responsible IFN antagonist. The critical involvement of P was first suggested by the observation that an RV expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-P fusion protein (SAD eGFP-P) (S. Finke, K. Brzózka, and K. K. Conzelmann, J. Virol. 78:12333-12343, 2004) was eliminated in IFN-competent HEp-2 cell cultures, in contrast to wild-type (wt) RV or an RV replicon lacking the genes for matrix protein and glycoprotein. SAD eGFP-P induced transcription of the IFN-β gene and expression of the IFN-responsive MxA and STAT-1 genes. Similarly, an RV expressing low levels of P, which was generated by moving the P gene to a promoter-distal gene position (SAD ΔPLP), lost the ability to prevent IFN induction. The analysis of RV mutants lacking expression of truncated P proteins P2, P3, or P4, which are expressed from internal AUG codons of the wt RV P open reading frame, further showed that full-length P is competent in suppressing IFN-β gene expression. In contrast to wt RV, the IFN-inducing SAD ΔPLP caused S386 phosphorylation, dimerization, and transcriptional activity of IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3). Phosphorylation of IRF-3 by TANK-binding kinase-1 expressed from transfected plasmids was abolished in wt RV-infected cells or by cotransfection of P-encoding plasmids. Thus, RV P is necessary and sufficient to prevent a critical IFN response in virus-infected cells by targeting activation of IRF-3 by an upstream kinase.

scholarly journals The Leader Protein of Theiler's Virus Interferes with Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking of Cellular Proteins

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 4357-4362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Delhaye ◽  
Vincent van Pesch ◽  
Thomas Michiels
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Theiler's Virus ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking ◽  
Beta Interferon ◽  
Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein ◽  
Leader Protein ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT The leader protein of Theiler's virus was previously shown to block the production of alpha/beta interferon by infected cells. Here, we observed that expression of the leader protein in infected cells triggered subcellular redistribution of a nucleus-target green fluorescent protein. It enhanced redistribution of the nuclear polypyrimidine tract-binding protein but had no influence on the localization of the nuclear splicing factor SC-35. The leader protein also interfered with trafficking of the cytoplasmic interferon regulatory factor 3, a factor critical for transcriptional activation of alpha/beta interferon genes.

scholarly journals Tracking Fluorescence-Labeled Rabies Virus: Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein-Tagged Phosphoprotein P Supports Virus Gene Expression and Formation of Infectious Particles

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (22) ◽  
pp. 12333-12343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Finke ◽  
Krzysztof Brzózka ◽  
Karl-Klaus Conzelmann
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Rabies Virus ◽  
Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Live Cell ◽  
Fluorescence Labeling ◽  
Extracellular Virus ◽  
P Gene ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Rhabdoviruses such as rabies virus (RV) encode only five multifunctional proteins accomplishing viral gene expression and virus formation. The viral phosphoprotein, P, is a structural component of the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex and an essential cofactor for the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. We show here that RV P fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) can substitute for P throughout the viral life cycle, allowing fluorescence labeling and tracking of RV RNPs under live cell conditions. To first assess the functions of P fusion constructs, a recombinant RV lacking the P gene, SAD ΔP, was complemented in cell lines constitutively expressing eGFP-P or P-eGFP fusion proteins. P-eGFP supported the rapid accumulation of viral mRNAs but led to low infectious-virus titers, suggesting impairment of virus formation. In contrast, complementation with eGFP-P resulted in slower accumulation of mRNAs but similar infectious titers, suggesting interference with polymerase activity rather than with virus formation. Fluorescence microscopy allowed the detection of eGFP-P-labeled extracellular virus particles and tracking of cell binding and temperature-dependent internalization into intracellular vesicles. Recombinant RVs expressing eGFP-P or an eGFP-P mutant lacking the binding site for dynein light chain 1 (DLC1) instead of P were used to track interaction with cellular proteins. In cells expressing a DsRed-labeled DLC1, colocalization of DLC1 with eGFP-P but not with the mutant P was observed. Fluorescent labeling of RV RNPs will allow further dissection of virus entry, replication, and egress under live-cell conditions as well as cell interactions.

scholarly journals Biarsenical Labeling of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Encoding Tetracysteine-Tagged M Protein Allows Dynamic Imaging of M Protein and Virus Uncoating in Infected Cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 2611-2622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subash C. Das ◽  
Debasis Panda ◽  
Debasis Nayak ◽  
Asit K. Pattnaik
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Dynamic Imaging ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
M Protein ◽  
Recombinant Viruses ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Vesicular Stomatitis

ABSTRACT A recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-PeGFP-M-MmRFP) encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein fused in frame with P (PeGFP) in place of P and a fusion matrix protein (monomeric red fluorescent protein fused in frame at the carboxy terminus of M [MmRFP]) at the G-L gene junction, in addition to wild-type (wt) M protein in its normal location, was recovered, but the MmRFP was not incorporated into the virions. Subsequently, we generated recombinant viruses (VSV-PeGFP-ΔM-Mtc and VSV-ΔM-Mtc) encoding M protein with a carboxy-terminal tetracysteine tag (Mtc) in place of the M protein. These recombinant viruses incorporated Mtc at levels similar to M in wt VSV, demonstrating recovery of infectious rhabdoviruses encoding and incorporating a tagged M protein. Virions released from cells infected with VSV-PeGFP-ΔM-Mtc and labeled with the biarsenical red dye (ReAsH) were dually fluorescent, fluorescing green due to incorporation of PeGFP in the nucleocapsids and red due to incorporation of ReAsH-labeled Mtc in the viral envelope. Transport and subsequent association of M protein with the plasma membrane were shown to be independent of microtubules. Sequential labeling of VSV-ΔM-Mtc-infected cells with the biarsenical dyes ReAsH and FlAsH (green) revealed that newly synthesized M protein reaches the plasma membrane in less than 30 min and continues to accumulate there for up to 2 1/2 hours. Using dually fluorescent VSV, we determined that following adsorption at the plasma membrane, the time taken by one-half of the virus particles to enter cells and to uncoat their nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm is approximately 28 min.

scholarly journals High Physiological Levels of LMP1 Result in Phosphorylation of eIF2α in Epstein-Barr Virus-Infected Cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 1657-1664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngan Lam ◽  
Mark L. Sandberg ◽  
Bill Sugden
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Signaling Domain ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

ABSTRACT LMP1 is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded membrane protein essential for the proliferation of EBV-infected lymphoblasts (E. Kilger, A. Kieser, M. Baumann, and W. Hammerschmidt, EMBO J. 17:1700-1709, 1998). LMP1 also inhibits gene expression and induces cytostasis in transfected cells when it is expressed at levels as little as twofold higher than the average for EBV-positive lymphoblasts (M. Sandberg, A. Kaykas, and B. Sugden, J. Virol. 74:9755-9761, 2000; A. Kaykas and B. Sugden, Oncogene 19:1400-1410, 2000). We have found that in three different clones of EBV-infected lymphoblasts the levels of expression of LMP1 in individual cells in each clone ranged over 100-fold. This difference is due to a difference in levels of the LMP1 transcript. In these clones, cells expressing high levels of LMP1 incorporated less BrdU. We also found that induction of expression of LMP1 or of a derivative of LMP1 with its transmembrane domain fused to green fluorescent protein instead of its carboxy-terminal signaling domain resulted in phosphorylation of eIF2α in EBV-negative Burkitt's lymphoma cells. This induction of phosphorylation of eIF2α was also detected in EBV-infected lymphoblasts, in which high levels of LMP1 correlated with high levels of phosphorylation of eIF2α. Our results indicate that inhibition of gene expression and of cell proliferation by LMP1 occurs normally in EBV-infected cells.

scholarly journals Determination of the henipavirus phosphoprotein gene mRNA editing frequencies and detection of the C, V and W proteins of Nipah virus in virus-infected cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 398-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Lo ◽  
Brian H. Harcourt ◽  
Bruce A. Mungall ◽  
Azaibi Tamin ◽  
Mark E. Peeples ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Hendra Virus ◽  
Mrna Editing ◽  
C Protein ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Frame Sequence ◽  
P Gene ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Phosphoprotein Gene

The henipaviruses, Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV), are highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxoviruses. Like many other paramyxoviruses, henipaviruses employ a process of co-transcriptional mRNA editing during transcription of the phosphoprotein (P) gene to generate additional mRNAs encoding the V and W proteins. The C protein is translated from the P mRNA, but in an alternate reading frame. Sequence analysis of multiple, cloned mRNAs showed that the mRNA editing frequencies of the P genes of the henipaviruses are higher than those reported for other paramyxoviruses. Antisera to synthetic peptides from the P, V, W and C proteins of NiV were generated to study their expression in infected cells. All proteins were detected in both infected cells and purified virions. In infected cells, the W protein was detected in the nucleus while P, V and C were found in the cytoplasm.

scholarly journals Nipah Virus Edits Its P Gene at High Frequency To Express the V and W Proteins

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 3982-3987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachin Kulkarni ◽  
Valentina Volchkova ◽  
Christopher F. Basler ◽  
Peter Palese ◽  
Viktor E. Volchkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Open Reading Frame ◽  
Mrna Editing ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
P Gene ◽  
Gene Transcripts ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACT Nipah virus (NiV) is predicted to encode four proteins from its P gene (P, V, W, and C) via mRNA editing and an alternate open reading frame. By use of specific antibodies, the expression of the V, W, and C proteins in NiV-infected cells has now been confirmed. Analysis of the P-gene transcripts shows a ratio of P:V:W mRNA of 1:1:1, but this differs over time, with greater proportions of V and W transcripts observed as the infection progresses. Eighty-two percent of transcripts are edited, with up to 11 G insertions observed. This exceptionally high editing frequency ensures expression of the V and W proteins.

scholarly journals Tula hantavirus L protein is a 250 kDa perinuclear membrane-associated protein

2004 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 1181-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami K. J. Kukkonen ◽  
Antti Vaheri ◽  
Alexander Plyusnin
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Peak Level ◽  
Cell Fractionation ◽  
L Protein ◽  
System L ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
In Cells

The complete open reading frame of Tula hantavirus (TULV) L RNA was cloned in three parts. The middle third (nt 2191–4344) could be expressed in E. coli and was used to immunize rabbits. The resultant antiserum was then used to immunoblot concentrated TULV and infected Vero E6 cells. The L protein of a hantavirus was detected, for the first time, in infected cells and was found to be expressed as a single protein with an apparent molecular mass of 250 kDa in both virions and infected cells. Using the antiserum, the expression level of the L protein was followed and image analysis of immunoblots indicated that there were 104 copies per cell at the peak level of expression. The antiserum was also used to detect the L protein in cell fractionation studies. In cells infected with TULV and cells expressing recombinant L, the protein pelleted with the microsomal membrane fraction. The membrane association was confirmed with membrane flotation assays. To visualize L protein localization in cells, a fusion protein of L and enhanced green fluorescent protein, L–EGFP, was expressed in Vero E6 cells with a plasmid-driven T7 expression system. L–EGFP localized in the perinuclear region where it had partial co-localization with the Golgi matrix protein GM130 and the TULV nucleocapsid protein.

scholarly journals Theiler's Virus Infection of Primary Cultures of Bone Marrow-Derived Monocytes/Macrophages

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (24) ◽  
pp. 12823-12833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Martinat ◽  
Ignacio Mena ◽  
Michel Brahic
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Virus Production ◽  
Theiler's Virus ◽  
Viral Antigens ◽  
Beta Interferon ◽  
Viral Yield ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
Virus Expression

ABSTRACT Theiler's virus, a murine picornavirus, causes a persistent infection of macrophage/microglial cells in the central nervous systems of SJL/J mice. Viral replication is restricted in the majority of infected cells, whereas a minority of them contain large amounts of viral RNA and antigens. For the present work, we infected primary cultures of bone marrow monocytes/macrophages from SJL/J mice with Theiler's virus. During the first 10 h postinfection (p.i.), infected monocytes/macrophages were round and covered with filopodia and contained large amounts of viral antigens throughout their cytoplasm. Later on, they were large, flat, and devoid of filopodia and they contained only small amounts of viral antigens distributed in discrete inclusions. These two types of infected cells were very reminiscent of the two types of infected macrophages found in the spinal cords of SJL/J mice. At the peak of virus production, the viral yield per cell was approximately 200 times lower than that for BHK-21 cells. Cell death occurred in the culture during the first 24 h p.i. but not thereafter. No infected cells could be detected after 4 days p.i., and the infection never spread to 100% of the cells. This restriction was unchanged by treating the medium at pH 2 but was abolished by treating it with a neutralizing alpha/beta interferon antiserum, indicating a role for this cytokine in limiting virus expression in monocyte/macrophage cultures. The role of alpha/beta interferon was confirmed by the observation that monocytes/macrophages from IFNA/BR−/− mice were fully permissive.

scholarly journals Repression of beta interferon gene expression in virus-infected cells is correlated with a poly(A) tail elongation.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 468-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Dehlin ◽  
A von Gabain ◽  
G Alm ◽  
R Dingelmaier ◽  
O Resnekov
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Sendai Virus ◽  
Rnase H ◽  
Beta Interferon ◽  
Cell Extracts ◽  
Burkitt Lymphoma Cell Line ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Interferon Gene

Expression of beta interferon (IFN-beta) is transiently induced when Namalwa B cells (Burkitt lymphoma cell line) are infected by Sendai virus. In this study, we found that an elongation of the IFN-beta mRNA could be detected in virus-infected cells and that such a modification was not observed when the IFN-beta transcript was induced by a nonviral agent, poly(I-C). Treatment of the cells with a transcriptional inhibitor (actinomycin D or 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole) resulted in further elongation of the transcript. Characterization of the elongated IFN-beta transcript by primer extension and RNase H treatment showed that the modification was a result of an elongated poly(A) tail of up to 400 nucleotides. We conclude that the poly(A) tail elongation of the IFN-beta transcript is associated with the viral infection. Furthermore, the presence of the elongated IFN-beta transcript correlated with a decrease of IFN-beta protein in the medium and in cell extracts. Sucrose gradient analysis of cytoplasmic extracts showed that IFN-beta transcripts with elongated poly(A) tails were found in the nonpolysomal fractions, whereas the shorter transcripts could be detected in both polysomal and nonpolysomal fractions. A longer form of the IFN-beta mRNA was also found in the nonpolysomal fractions of cells not treated with transcriptional inhibitors. Thus, the observed regulation of IFN-beta mRNA is not entirely dependent on the inhibition of transcription. To our knowledge, this study provides the first example of a poly(A) tail elongation in somatic cells that negatively influences gene expression in vivo.

scholarly journals Complete Genome Sequence of Fer-de-Lance Virus Reveals a Novel Gene in Reptilian Paramyxoviruses

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 2045-2056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gael Kurath ◽  
William N. Batts ◽  
Winfried Ahne ◽  
James R. Winton
Keyword(s):  
Genome Sequence ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
V Protein ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
P Gene ◽  
Intergenic Regions ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Active Transcription ◽  
Matrix Fusion

ABSTRACT The complete RNA genome sequence of the archetype reptilian paramyxovirus, Fer-de-Lance virus (FDLV), has been determined. The genome is 15,378 nucleotides in length and consists of seven nonoverlapping genes in the order 3′ N-U-P-M-F-HN-L 5′, coding for the nucleocapsid, unknown, phospho-, matrix, fusion, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase, and large polymerase proteins, respectively. The gene junctions contain highly conserved transcription start and stop signal sequences and tri-nucleotide intergenic regions similar to those of other Paramyxoviridae. The FDLV P gene expression strategy is like that of rubulaviruses, which express the accessory V protein from the primary transcript and edit a portion of the mRNA to encode P and I proteins. There is also an overlapping open reading frame potentially encoding a small basic protein in the P gene. The gene designated U (unknown), encodes a deduced protein of 19.4 kDa that has no counterpart in other paramyxoviruses and has no similarity with sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Active transcription of the U gene in infected cells was demonstrated by Northern blot analysis, and bicistronic N-U mRNA was also evident. The genomes of two other snake paramyxovirus genotypes were also found to have U genes, with 11 to 16% nucleotide divergence from the FDLV U gene. Pairwise comparisons of amino acid identities and phylogenetic analyses of all deduced FDLV protein sequences with homologous sequences from other Paramyxoviridae indicate that FDLV represents a new genus within the subfamily Paramyxovirinae. We suggest the name Ferlavirus for the new genus, with FDLV as the type species.

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