scholarly journals Preparation of nuclease-resistant RNA standard for hepatitis C virus quantification

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Minh Tuan Nguyen ◽  
◽  
Thi Le Thuy Nguyen ◽  
Thi Thu Thuy Thuong ◽  
Ngoc Le Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Armored Rna

Positive control (or standard) is an indispensable ingredient in molecular biology assays widely used for the quantification of nucleic acid. The commonly used standards are plasmid DNA, cDNA, or naked RNA, which are unstable and easily degraded by nucleases in the surrounding environment; this might affect the accuracy of quantitative results. In this study, the authors designed and created a positive control for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) quantification based on armored RNA technology. The 5’UTR non-encoding sequence of HCV was cloned into the BH20 plasmid. Armored RNA HCV (AR-HCV) was induced for expression in the E. coli BL21 (DE3) by the addition of an IPTG inducer. AR-HCV was collected by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation followed by gel filtration chromatography using Superdex 75 column. Created AR-HCV was determined the concentration and examined the formation of pseudo viral particles by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Stability assessment of AR-HCV to DNase and RNase treatment simultaneously has demonstrated its ability to resist these nucleases. Moreover, AR-HCV is stable over time and storage conditions. Strikingly, AR-HCV can be directly added to the specimen, allowing better and more accurate control of the whole quantitative procedure of HCV.

scholarly journals Differential Biophysical Properties of Infectious Intracellular and Secreted Hepatitis C Virus Particles

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (22) ◽  
pp. 11074-11081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Gastaminza ◽  
Sharookh B. Kapadia ◽  
Francis V. Chisari
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Buoyant Density ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Viral Egress ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT The recent development of a cell culture infection model for hepatitis C virus (HCV) permits the production of infectious particles in vitro. In this report, we demonstrate that infectious particles are present both within the infected cells and in the supernatant. Kinetic analysis indicates that intracellular particles constitute precursors of the secreted infectious virus. Ultracentrifugation analyses indicate that intracellular infectious viral particles are similar in size (∼65 to 70 nm) but different in buoyant density (∼1.15 to 1.20 g/ml) from extracellular particles (∼1.03 to 1.16 g/ml). These results indicate that infectious HCV particles are assembled intracellularly and that their biochemical composition is altered during viral egress.

scholarly journals Characterization of the Envelope Glycoproteins Associated with Infectious Hepatitis C Virus

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (19) ◽  
pp. 10159-10168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Vieyres ◽  
Xavier Thomas ◽  
Véronique Descamps ◽  
Gilles Duverlie ◽  
Arvind H. Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Infectious Hepatitis ◽  
Envelope Glycoproteins ◽  
Oligomeric State ◽  
Enveloped Virus ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Heterologous Expression Systems

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C is caused by an enveloped virus whose entry is mediated by two glycoproteins, namely, E1 and E2, which have been shown to assemble as a noncovalent heterodimer. Despite extensive research in the field of such an important human pathogen, hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoproteins have only been studied so far in heterologous expression systems, and their organization at the surfaces of infectious virions has not yet been described. Here, we characterized the envelope glycoproteins associated with cell-cultured infectious virions and compared them with their prebudding counterparts. Viral particles were analyzed by ultracentrifugation, and the envelope glycoproteins were characterized by coimmunoprecipitation and receptor pulldown assays. Furthermore, their oligomeric state was determined by sedimentation through sucrose gradients and by separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under nonreducing conditions. In sucrose gradient analyses, HCV envelope glycoproteins were associated with fractions containing the most infectious viral particles. Importantly, besides maturation of some of their glycans, HCV envelope glycoproteins showed a dramatic change in their oligomeric state after incorporation into the viral particle. Indeed, virion-associated E1 and E2 envelope glycoproteins formed large covalent complexes stabilized by disulfide bridges, whereas the intracellular forms of these proteins assembled as noncovalent heterodimers. Furthermore, the virion-associated glycoprotein complexes were recognized by the large extracellular loop of CD81 as well as conformation-sensitive antibodies, indicating that these proteins are in a functional conformation. Overall, our study fills a gap in the description of HCV outer morphology and should guide further investigations into virus entry and assembly.

scholarly journals Entry and Release of Hepatitis C Virus in Polarized Human Hepatocytes

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Belouzard ◽  
Adeline Danneels ◽  
Lucie Fénéant ◽  
Karin Séron ◽  
Yves Rouillé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Cell Polarity ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Cell Culture System ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Polarized Cells ◽  
Lipoprotein Secretion

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) primarily infects hepatocytes, which are highly polarized cells. The relevance of cell polarity in the HCV life cycle has been addressed only in distantly related models and remains poorly understood. Although polarized epithelial cells have a rather simple morphology with a basolateral and an apical domain, hepatocytes exhibit complex polarization structures. However, it has been reported that some selected polarized HepG2 cell clones can exhibit a honeycomb pattern of distribution of the tight-junction proteins typical of columnar polarized epithelia, which can be used as a simple model to study the role of cell polarization in viral infection of hepatocytes. To obtain similar clones, HepG2 cells expressing CD81 (HepG2-CD81) were used, and clones were isolated by limiting dilutions. Two clones exhibiting a simple columnar polarization capacity when grown on a semipermeable support were isolated and characterized. To test the polarity of HCV entry and release, our polarized HepG2-CD81 clones were infected with cell culture-derived HCV. Our data indicate that HCV binds equally to both sides of the cells, but productive infection occurs mainly when the virus is added at the basolateral domain. Furthermore, we also observed that HCV virions are released from the basolateral domain of the cells. Finally, when polarized cells were treated with oleic acid and U0126, a MEK inhibitor, to promote lipoprotein secretion, a higher proportion of infectious viral particles of lower density were secreted. This cell culture system provides an excellent model to investigate the influence of cell polarization on the HCV life cycle. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis C is a major health burden, with approximately 170 million persons infected worldwide. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) primarily infects hepatocytes, which are highly polarized cells with a complex organization. The relevance of cell polarity in the HCV life cycle has been addressed in distantly related models and remains unclear. Hepatocyte organization is complex, with multiple apical and basolateral surfaces. A simple culture model of HepG2 cells expressing CD81 that are able to polarize with unique apical and basolateral domains was developed to study HCV infection. With this model, we demonstrated that HCV enters and exits hepatocytes by the basolateral domain. Furthermore, lower-density viral particles were produced under conditions that promote lipoprotein secretion. This cell culture system provides a useful model to study the influence of cell polarization on HCV infection.

scholarly journals Robust production of infectious viral particles in Huh-7 cells by introducing mutations in hepatitis C virus structural proteins

2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 2495-2503 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Delgrange ◽  
André Pillez ◽  
Sandrine Castelain ◽  
Laurence Cocquerel ◽  
Yves Rouillé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Genotype 1A ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
A Cell

Recently, the characterization of a cell culture system allowing the amplification of an authentic virus, named hepatitis C virus cell culture (HCVcc), has been reported by several groups. To obtain higher HCV particle productions, we investigated the potential effect of some amino acid changes on the infectivity of the JFH-1 isolate. As a first approach, successive infections of naïve Huh-7 cells were performed until high viral titres were obtained, and mutations that appeared during this selection were identified by sequencing. Only one major modification, N534K, located in the E2 glycoprotein sequence was found. Interestingly, this mutation prevented core glycosylation of E2 site 6. In addition, JFH-1 generated with this modification facilitated the infection of Huh-7 cells. In a second approach to identify mutations favouring HCVcc infectivity, we exploited the observation that a chimeric virus containing the genotype 1a core protein in the context of JFH-1 background was more infectious than wild-type JFH-1 isolate. Sequence alignment between JFH-1 and our chimera, led us to identify two major positions, 172 and 173, which were not occupied by similar amino acids in these two viruses. Importantly, higher viral titres were obtained by introducing these residues in the context of wild-type JFH-1. Altogether, our data indicate that a more robust production of HCVcc particles can be obtained by introducing a few specific mutations in JFH-1 structural proteins.

scholarly journals Ribonuclease-resistant RNA Controls (Armored RNA) for Reverse Transcription-PCR, Branched DNA, and Genotyping Assays for Hepatitis C Virus

1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 2079-2085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy R WalkerPeach ◽  
Matthew Winkler ◽  
Dwight B DuBois ◽  
Brittan L Pasloske
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Rna Sequences ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Clinical Assay ◽  
Probe Assay ◽  
Armored Rna

Abstract Background: Comparison and evaluation of molecular diagnostic assays for the detection and quantification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA have been limited by the lack of RNA controls and calibrators. Armored RNA® technology is a means for producing RNA that is completely protected from plasma ribonucleases. This method produces recombinant pseudoviral particles that are noninfectious and contain predefined RNA sequences. Methods: A consensus 412-base sequence from the 5′NCR/Core region of HCV subtype 2b was derived from 34 individually sequenced HCV genotype 2b variants. A DNA fragment encoding the consensus HCV-2b sequence was synthesized de novo, cloned, and expressed as an Armored RNA control. The resulting HCV-2b Armored RNA (AR-HCV-2b) contained the complete HCV-2b consensus RNA sequence encapsidated within a protective protein coat. Results: AR-HCV-2b was fully recoverable from human plasma incubated at 4 °C for >300 days. The particles were tested in three clinical assay formats: AmplicorTM HCV Monitor 1.0, QuantiplexTM HCV RNA 2.0, and INNO-LiPATM HCV II. When added into seronegative, nonviremic plasma, AR-HCV-2b showed reproducible signals and linear dilutions in both the Amplicor and Quantiplex assays. AR-HCV-2b was correctly identified as subtype 2b in the INNO-LiPA line probe assay. Conclusion: The HCV-2b Armored RNA control is a versatile, durable, ribonuclease-resistant viral RNA control that is compatible in three different clinical assay formats.

scholarly journals Membrane-associated actin from the microvillar membranes of ascites tumor cells.

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 624-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
K L Carraway ◽  
R F Cerra ◽  
G Jung ◽  
C A Carraway
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fraction ◽  
Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient ◽  
Membrane Preparation ◽  
Intermediate Form ◽  
Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Triton X

A membrane fraction (MF2) has been purified from isolated microvilli of the MAT-C1 subline of the 13762 rat mammary ascites adenocarcinoma under conditions which cause F-actin depolymerization. This membrane preparation contains actin as a major component, although no filamentous structures are observed by transmission electron microscopy. Membranes were extracted with a Triton X-100-containing actin-stabilizing buffer (S buffer) or actin-destabilizing buffer (D buffer). In D buffer greater than 90% of metabolically labeled protein and glycoprotein was extracted, and 80-90% of these labeled species was extracted in S buffer. When S buffer extracts of MF2 were fractionated by either gel filtration on Sepharose 6 B or rate-zonal sucrose density gradient centrifugation, most of the actin was found to be intermediate in size between G- and F-actin. In D buffer most of the MF2 actin behaved as G-actin. Extraction and gel filtration of intact microvilli in S buffer also showed the presence of the intermediate form of actin, indicating that it did not arise during membrane preparation. When [35S]methionine-labeled G-actin from ascites cells was added to S buffer extracts of MF2 and chromatographed, all of the radioactivity chromatographed as G-actin, indicating that the intermediate form of actin did not result from an association of G-actin molecules during extraction or chromatography. The results of this study suggest that the microvillar membrane fraction is enriched in an intermediate form of actin smaller than F-actin and larger than G-actin.

scholarly journals Characterization of hepatitis C virus pseudoparticles by cryo-transmission electron microscopy using functionalized magnetic nanobeads

2010 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 1919-1930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Bonnafous ◽  
Marie Perrault ◽  
Olivier Le Bihan ◽  
Birke Bartosch ◽  
Dimitri Lavillette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Magnetic Beads ◽  
Neutral Ph ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Magnetic Nanobeads

Cell entry and membrane fusion of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) depend on its envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2. HCV pseudotyped particles (HCVpps) are relevant and popular models to study the early steps of the HCV life cycle. However, no structural characterization of HCVpp has been available so far. Using cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), providing structural information at nanometric resolution, the molecular details of HCVpps and their fusion with liposomes were studied. Cryo-TEM revealed HCVpps as regular 100 nm spherical structures containing the dense retroviral nucleocapsid surrounded by a lipid bilayer. E1–E2 glycoproteins were not readily visible on the membrane surface. Pseudoparticles bearing the E1–E2 glycoproteins of Semliki forest virus looked similar, whereas avian influenza A virus (fowl plague virus) haemagglutinin/neuraminidase-pseudotyped particles exhibited surface spikes. To further characterize HCVpp structurally, a novel method was designed based on magnetic beads covered with anti-HCV antibodies to enrich the samples with particles containing E1–E2. This strategy efficiently sorted HCVpps, which were then directly observed by cryo-TEM in the presence or absence of liposomes at low or neutral pH. After acidification, HCVpps looked the same as at neutral pH and closely contacted the liposomes. These are the first visualizations of early HCV membrane fusion events at the nanometer scale. Furthermore, fluorimetry analysis revealed a relative resistance of HCVpps regarding their fusion capacity when exposed to low pH. This study therefore brings several new molecular details to HCVpp characterization and this efficient strategy of virion immunosorting with magnetic nanobeads is direct, efficient and adaptable to extensive characterization of any virus at a nanometric resolution.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Is Released via a Noncanonical Secretory Route

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (23) ◽  
pp. 10558-10573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Bayer ◽  
Carina Banning ◽  
Volker Bruss ◽  
Linda Wiltzer-Bach ◽  
Michael Schindler
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Intracellular Localization ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Viral Glycoprotein ◽  
Glycosylation Pattern ◽  
Viral Particles

ABSTRACTWe analyzed hepatitis C virus (HCV) morphogenesis using viral genomes encoding a mCherry-tagged E1 glycoprotein. HCV-E1-mCherry polyprotein expression, intracellular localization, and replication kinetics were comparable to those of untagged HCV, and E1-mCherry-tagged viral particles were assembled and released into cell culture supernatants. Expression and localization of structural E1 and nonstructural NS5A followed a temporospatial pattern with a succinct decrease in the number of replication complexes and the appearance of E1-mCherry punctae. Interaction of the structural proteins E1, Core, and E2 increased at E1-mCherry punctae in a time-dependent manner, indicating that E1-mCherry punctae represent assembled or assembling virions. E1-mCherry did not colocalize with Golgi markers. Furthermore, the bulk of viral glycoproteins within released particles revealed an EndoH-sensitive glycosylation pattern, indicating an absence of viral glycoprotein processing by the Golgi apparatus. In contrast, HCV-E1-mCherry trafficked with Rab9-positive compartments and inhibition of endosomes specifically suppressed HCV release. Our data suggest that assembled HCV particles are released via a noncanonical secretory route involving the endosomal compartment.IMPORTANCEThe goal of this study was to shed light on the poorly understood trafficking and release routes of hepatitis C virus (HCV). For this, we generated novel HCV genomes which resulted in the production of fluorescently labeled viral particles. We used live-cell microscopy and other imaging techniques to follow up on the temporal dynamics of virus particle formation and trafficking in HCV-expressing liver cells. While viral particles and viral structural protein were found in endosomal compartments, no overlap of Golgi structures could be observed. Furthermore, biochemical and inhibitor-based experiments support a HCV release route which is distinguishable from canonical Golgi-mediated secretion. Since viruses hijack cellular pathways to generate viral progeny, our results point toward the possible existence of a not-yet-described cellular secretion route.

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