scholarly journals Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the Nidovirus Replicative Endoribonuclease NendoU Exerts Pleiotropic Effects on the Arterivirus Life Cycle

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1653-1661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara C. Posthuma ◽  
Danny D. Nedialkova ◽  
Jessika C. Zevenhoven-Dobbe ◽  
Jeroen H. Blokhuis ◽  
Alexander E. Gorbalenya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Pleiotropic Effects ◽  
Equine Arteritis Virus ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Conserved Residues

ABSTRACT The highly conserved NendoU replicative domain of nidoviruses (arteriviruses, coronaviruses, and roniviruses) belongs to a small protein family whose cellular branch is prototyped by XendoU, a Xenopus laevis endoribonuclease involved in nucleolar RNA processing. Recently, sequence-specific in vitro endoribonuclease activity was demonstrated for the NendoU-containing nonstructural protein (nsp) 15 of several coronaviruses. To investigate the biological role of this novel enzymatic activity, we have characterized a comprehensive set of arterivirus NendoU mutants. Deleting parts of the NendoU domain from nsp11 of equine arteritis virus was lethal. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved residues exerted pleiotropic effects. In a first-cycle analysis, replacement of two conserved Asp residues in the C-terminal part of NendoU rendered viral RNA synthesis and virus production undetectable. In contrast, mutagenesis of other conserved residues, including two putative catalytic His residues that are absolutely conserved in NendoU and cellular homologs, produced viable mutants displaying reduced plaque sizes (20 to 80% reduction) and reduced yields of infectious progeny of up to 5 log units. A more detailed analysis of these mutants revealed a moderate reduction in RNA synthesis, with subgenomic RNA synthesis consistently being more strongly affected than genome replication. Our data suggest that the arterivirus nsp11 is a multifunctional protein with a key role in viral RNA synthesis and additional functions in the viral life cycle that are as yet poorly defined.

scholarly journals The arterivirus replicase is the only viral protein required for genome replication and subgenomic mRNA transcription

2000 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 2491-2496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Molenkamp ◽  
Hans van Tol ◽  
Babette C. D. Rozier ◽  
Yvonne van der Meer ◽  
Willy J. M. Spaan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Equine Arteritis Virus ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Mrna Transcription ◽  
Replication Complex ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Wild Type Phenotype

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) (Arteriviridae) encodes several structural proteins. Whether any of these also function in viral RNA synthesis is unknown. For the related mouse hepatitis coronavirus (MHV), it has been suggested that the nucleocapsid protein (N) is involved in viral RNA synthesis. As described for MHV, we established that the EAV N protein colocalizes with the viral replication complex, suggesting a role in RNA synthesis. Using an infectious cDNA clone, point mutations and deletions were engineered in the EAV genome to disrupt the expression of each of the structural genes. All structural proteins, including N, were found to be dispensable for genome replication and subgenomic mRNA transcription. We also constructed a mutant in which translation of the intraleader ORF was disrupted. This mutant had a wild-type phenotype, indicating that, at least in cell culture, the product of this ORF does not play a role in the EAV replication cycle.

scholarly journals The Predicted Metal-Binding Region of the Arterivirus Helicase Protein Is Involved in Subgenomic mRNA Synthesis, Genome Replication, and Virion Biogenesis

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 5213-5223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie C. van Dinten ◽  
Hans van Tol ◽  
Alexander E. Gorbalenya ◽  
Eric J. Snijder
Keyword(s):  
Metal Binding ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Proteolytic Processing ◽  
Equine Arteritis Virus ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Zinc Binding ◽  
Progeny Virus ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Mrna Synthesis ◽  
Mrna Transcription

ABSTRACT Equine arteritis virus (EAV), the prototypeArterivirus, is a positive-stranded RNA virus that expresses its replicase in the form of two large polyproteins of 1,727 and 3,175 amino acids. The functional replicase subunits (nonstructural proteins), which drive EAV genome replication and subgenomic mRNA transcription, are generated by extensive proteolytic processing. Subgenomic mRNA transcription involves an unusual discontinuous step and generates the mRNAs for structural protein expression. Previously, the phenotype of mutant EAV030F, which carries a single replicase point mutation (Ser-2429→Pro), had implicated the nsp10 replicase subunit (51 kDa) in viral RNA synthesis, and in particular in subgenomic mRNA transcription. nsp10 contains an N-terminal (putative) metal-binding domain (MBD), located just upstream of the Ser-2429→Pro mutation, and a helicase activity in its C-terminal part. We have now analyzed the N-terminal domain of nsp10 in considerable detail. A total of 38 mutants, most of them carrying specific single point mutations, were tested in the context of an EAV infectious cDNA clone. Variable effects on viral genome replication and subgenomic mRNA transcription were observed. In general, our results indicated that the MBD region, and in particular a set of 13 conserved Cys and His residues that are assumed to be involved in zinc binding, is essential for viral RNA synthesis. On the basis of these data and comparative sequence analyses, we postulate that the MBD may employ a rather unusual mode of zinc binding that could result in the association of up to four zinc cations with this domain. The region containing residue Ser-2429 may play the role of “hinge spacer,” which connects the MBD to the rest of nsp10. Several mutations in this region specifically affected subgenomic mRNA synthesis. Furthermore, one of the MBD mutants was replication and transcription competent but did not produce infectious progeny virus. This suggests that nsp10 is involved in an as yet unidentified step of virion biogenesis.

scholarly journals Differences in Viral RNA Synthesis but Not Budding or Entry Contribute to the In Vitro Attenuation of Reston Virus Compared to Ebola Virus

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1215
Author(s):  
Bianca S. Bodmer ◽  
Josephin Greßler ◽  
Marie L. Schmidt ◽  
Julia Holzerland ◽  
Janine Brandt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Rnp Complex ◽  
Reston Virus

Most filoviruses cause severe disease in humans. For example, Ebola virus (EBOV) is responsible for the two most extensive outbreaks of filovirus disease to date, with case fatality rates of 66% and 40%, respectively. In contrast, Reston virus (RESTV) is apparently apathogenic in humans, and while transmission of RESTV from domestic pigs to people results in seroconversion, no signs of disease have been reported in such cases. The determinants leading to these differences in pathogenicity are not well understood, but such information is needed in order to better evaluate the risks posed by the repeated spillover of RESTV into the human population and to perform risk assessments for newly emerging filoviruses with unknown pathogenic potential. Interestingly, RESTV and EBOV already show marked differences in their growth in vitro, with RESTV growing slower and reaching lower end titers. In order to understand the basis for this in vitro attenuation of RESTV, we used various life cycle modeling systems mimicking different aspects of the virus life cycle. Our results showed that viral RNA synthesis was markedly slower when using the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) components from RESTV, rather than those for EBOV. In contrast, the kinetics of budding and entry were indistinguishable between these two viruses. These data contribute to our understanding of the molecular basis for filovirus pathogenicity by showing that it is primarily differences in the robustness of RNA synthesis by the viral RNP complex that are responsible for the impaired growth of RESTV in tissue culture.

scholarly journals Conserved Residues Control the T1R3-Specific Allosteric Signaling Pathway of the Mammalian Sweet-Taste Receptor

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 303-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Baptiste Chéron ◽  
Amanda Soohoo ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Jérôme Golebiowski ◽  
Serge Antonczak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Taste Receptor ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Activation Mechanism ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Conserved Residues ◽  
Sweet Taste Receptor

Abstract Mammalian sensory systems detect sweet taste through the activation of a single heteromeric T1R2/T1R3 receptor belonging to class C G-protein-coupled receptors. Allosteric ligands are known to interact within the transmembrane domain, yet a complete view of receptor activation remains elusive. By combining site-directed mutagenesis with computational modeling, we investigate the structure and dynamics of the allosteric binding pocket of the T1R3 sweet-taste receptor in its apo form, and in the presence of an allosteric ligand, cyclamate. A novel positively charged residue at the extracellular loop 2 is shown to interact with the ligand. Molecular dynamics simulations capture significant differences in the behavior of a network of conserved residues with and without cyclamate, although they do not directly interact with the allosteric ligand. Structural models show that they adopt alternate conformations, associated with a conformational change in the transmembrane region. Site-directed mutagenesis confirms that these residues are unequivocally involved in the receptor function and the allosteric signaling mechanism of the sweet-taste receptor. Similar to a large portion of the transmembrane domain, they are highly conserved among mammals, suggesting an activation mechanism that is evolutionarily conserved. This work provides a structural basis for describing the dynamics of the receptor, and for the rational design of new sweet-taste modulators.

scholarly journals An RNA Pseudoknot in the 3′ End of the Arterivirus Genome Has a Critical Role in Regulating Viral RNA Synthesis

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 9426-9436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Beerens ◽  
Eric J. Snijder
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Equine Arteritis Virus ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Replicase Gene ◽  
Loop Structure ◽  
Minus Strand ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Loop Region ◽  
Stem Loop Structure

ABSTRACT In the life cycle of plus-strand RNA viruses, the genome initially serves as the template for both translation of the viral replicase gene and synthesis of minus-strand RNA and is ultimately packaged into progeny virions. These various processes must be properly balanced to ensure efficient viral proliferation. To achieve this, higher-order RNA structures near the termini of a variety of RNA virus genomes are thought to play a key role in regulating the specificity and efficiency of viral RNA synthesis. In this study, we have analyzed the signals for minus-strand RNA synthesis in the prototype of the arterivirus family, equine arteritis virus (EAV). Using site-directed mutagenesis and an EAV reverse genetics system, we have demonstrated that a stem-loop structure near the 3′ terminus of the EAV genome is required for RNA synthesis. We have also obtained evidence for an essential pseudoknot interaction between the loop region of this stem-loop structure and an upstream hairpin residing in the gene encoding the nucleocapsid protein. We propose that the formation of this pseudoknot interaction may constitute a molecular switch that could regulate the specificity or timing of viral RNA synthesis. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that phylogenetic analysis predicted the formation of similar pseudoknot interactions near the 3′ end of all known arterivirus genomes, suggesting that this interaction has been conserved in evolution.

scholarly journals Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Nucleocapsid Protein Interacts with Nsp9 and Cellular DHX9 To Regulate Viral RNA Synthesis

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 5384-5398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Liu ◽  
Jiao Tian ◽  
Hao Nan ◽  
Mengmeng Tian ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Continuous Extension ◽  
Rna Helicase ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽  
Nascent Transcript ◽  
Multifunctional Protein ◽  
N Protein

ABSTRACTPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) nucleocapsid (N) protein is the main component of the viral capsid to encapsulate viral RNA, and it is also a multifunctional protein involved in the regulation of host cell processes. Nonstructural protein 9 (Nsp9) is the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that plays a critical role in viral RNA transcription and replication. In this study, we demonstrate that PRRSV N protein is bound to Nsp9 by protein-protein interaction and that the contacting surface on Nsp9 is located in the two predicted α-helixes formed by 48 residues at the C-terminal end of the protein. Mutagenesis analyses identified E646, E608, and E611 on Nsp9 and Q85 on the N protein as the pivotal residues participating in the N-Nsp9 interaction. By overexpressing the N protein binding fragment of Nsp9 in infected Marc-145 cells, the synthesis of viral RNAs, as well as the production of infectious progeny viruses, was dramatically inhibited, suggesting that Nsp9-N protein association is involved in the process of viral RNA production. In addition, we show that PRRSV N interacts with cellular RNA helicase DHX9 and redistributes the protein into the cytoplasm. Knockdown of DHX9 increased the ratio of short subgenomic mRNAs (sgmRNAs); in contrast, DHX9 overexpression benefited the synthesis of longer sgmRNAs and the viral genomic RNA (gRNA). These results imply that DHX9 is recruited by the N protein in PRRSV infection to regulate viral RNA synthesis. We postulate that N and DHX9 may act as antiattenuation factors for the continuous elongation of nascent transcript during negative-strand RNA synthesis.IMPORTANCEIt is unclear whether the N protein of PRRSV is involved in regulation of the viral RNA production process. In this report, we demonstrate that the N protein of the arterivirus PRRSV participates in viral RNA replication and transcription through interacting with Nsp9 and its RdRp and recruiting cellular RNA helicase to promote the production of longer viral sgmRNAs and gRNA. Our data here provide some new insights into the discontinuous to continuous extension of PRRSV RNA synthesis and also offer a new potential anti-PRRSV strategy targeting the N-Nsp9 and/or N-DHX9 interaction.

scholarly journals The PDZ Domain of the SpoIVB Serine Peptidase Facilitates Multiple Functions

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (14) ◽  
pp. 4364-4373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngo T. Hoa ◽  
James A. Brannigan ◽  
Simon M. Cutting
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Pdz Domain ◽  
Proteolytic Processing ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Critical Component ◽  
Conserved Residues ◽  
Multiple Functions ◽  
Serine Peptidase ◽  
Distinct Process

ABSTRACT During spore formation in Bacillus subtilis, the SpoIVB protein is a critical component of the ςKregulatory checkpoint. SpoIVB has been shown to be a serine peptidase that is synthesized in the spore chamber and which self-cleaves, releasing active forms. These forms can signal proteolytic processing of the transcription factor ςK in the outer mother cell chamber of the sporulating cell. This forms the basis of the ςK checkpoint and ensures accurate ςK-controlled gene expression. SpoIVB has also been shown to activate a second distinct process, termed the second function, which is essential for the formation of heat-resistant spores. In addition to the serine peptidase domain, SpoIVB contains a PDZ domain. We have altered a number of conserved residues in the PDZ domain by site-directed mutagenesis and assayed the sporulation phenotype and signaling properties of mutant SpoIVB proteins. Our work has revealed that the SpoIVB PDZ domain could be used for up to four distinct processes, (i) targeting of itself for transproteolysis, (ii) binding to the protease inhibitor BofC, (iii) signaling of pro-ςK processing, and (iv) signaling of the second function of SpoIVB.

scholarly journals Arterivirus Subgenomic mRNA Synthesis and Virion Biogenesis Depend on the Multifunctional nsp1 Autoprotease

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (19) ◽  
pp. 10496-10505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke A. Tijms ◽  
Danny D. Nedialkova ◽  
Jessika C. Zevenhoven-Dobbe ◽  
Alexander E. Gorbalenya ◽  
Eric J. Snijder
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Equine Arteritis Virus ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Mrna Synthesis ◽  
Nonstructural Proteins ◽  
Autocatalytic Processing

ABSTRACT Many groups of plus-stranded RNA viruses produce additional, subgenomic mRNAs to regulate the expression of part of their genome. Arteriviruses and coronaviruses (order Nidovirales) are unique among plus-stranded RNA viruses for using a mechanism of discontinuous RNA synthesis to produce a nested set of 5′- and 3′-coterminal subgenomic mRNAs, which serve to express the viral structural protein genes. The discontinuous step presumably occurs during minus-strand synthesis and joins noncontiguous sequences copied from the 3′- and 5′-proximal domains of the genomic template. Nidovirus genome amplification (“replication”) and subgenomic mRNA synthesis (“transcription”) are driven by 13 to 16 nonstructural proteins (nsp's), generated by autocatalytic processing of two large “replicase” polyproteins. Previously, using a replicon system, the N-terminal nsp1 replicase subunit of the arterivirus equine arteritis virus (EAV) was found to be dispensable for replication but crucial for transcription. Using reverse genetics, we have now addressed the role of nsp1 against the background of the complete EAV life cycle. Mutagenesis revealed that nsp1 is in fact a multifunctional regulatory protein. Its papain-like autoprotease domain releases nsp1 from the replicase polyproteins, a cleavage essential for viral RNA synthesis. Several mutations in the putative N-terminal zinc finger domain of nsp1 selectively abolished transcription, while replication was either not affected or even increased. Other nsp1 mutations did not significantly affect either replication or transcription but still dramatically reduced the production of infectious progeny. Thus, nsp1 is involved in at least three consecutive key processes in the EAV life cycle: replicase polyprotein processing, transcription, and virion biogenesis.

scholarly journals Ebola virus inclusion body formation and RNA synthesis are controlled by a novel domain of NP interacting with VP35

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Miyake ◽  
Charlotte M. Farley ◽  
Benjamin E. Neubauer ◽  
Thomas P. Beddow ◽  
Thomas Hoenen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Inclusion Body ◽  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Central Domain ◽  
Body Formation ◽  
Inclusion Body Formation

AbstractEbola virus (EBOV) inclusion bodies (IBs) are cytoplasmic sites of nucleocapsid formation and RNA replication, housing key steps in the virus life cycle that warrant further investigation. During infection IBs display dynamic properties regarding their size and location. Also, the contents of IBs must transition prior to further viral maturation, assembly and release, implying additional steps in IB function. Interestingly, expression of the viral nucleoprotein (NP) alone is sufficient for generation of IBs, indicating that it plays an important role in IB formation during infection. In addition to NP, other components of the nucleocapsid localize to IBs, including VP35, VP24, VP30 and the RNA polymerase L. Previously we defined and solved the crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of NP (NP-Ct), but its role in virus replication remained unclear. Here we show that NP-Ct is absolutely required for IB formation when NP is expressed alone. Interestingly, we find that NP-Ct is also required for production of infectious virus-like particles and retention of viral RNA within these particles. Furthermore, co-expression of the nucleocapsid component VP35 overcomes deletion of NP-Ct in triggering IB formation, demonstrating a functional interaction between the two proteins. Of all the EBOV proteins only VP35 is able to overcome the defect in IB formation caused by deletion of NP-Ct. This effect is mediated by a novel protein-protein interaction between VP35 and NP that controls both regulation of IB formation and RNA replication itself, and which is mediated by a newly identified domain of NP, the “central domain” (CD).ImportanceInclusion bodies (IBs) are cytoplasmic sites of RNA synthesis for a variety of negative sense RNA viruses including Ebola virus. In addition to housing important steps in the viral life cycle, IBs protect new viral RNA from innate immune attack and contain specific host proteins whose function is under study. A key viral factor in Ebola virus IB formation is the nucleoprotein, NP, which also is important in RNA encapsidation and synthesis. In this study, we have identified two domains of NP that control inclusion body formation. One of these, the central domain (CD), interacts with viral protein VP35 to control both inclusion body formation and RNA synthesis. The other is the NP C-terminal domain (NP-Ct), whose function has not previously been reported. These findings contribute to a model in which NP and its interactions with VP35 link the establishment of IBs to the synthesis of viral RNA.

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