scholarly journals Influence of N-glycosylation on Expression and Function of Pseudorabies Virus Glycoprotein gB

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Melina Vallbracht ◽  
Barbara G. Klupp ◽  
Thomas C. Mettenleiter
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Pseudorabies Virus ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Glycosylation Sites ◽  
Functional Relevance ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cell Cell

Envelope glycoprotein (g)B is conserved throughout the Herpesviridae and mediates fusion of the viral envelope with cellular membranes for infectious entry and spread. Like all viral envelope fusion proteins, gB is modified by asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation. Glycans can contribute to protein function, intracellular transport, trafficking, structure and immune evasion. gB of the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV) contains six consensus sites for N-linked glycosylation, but their functional relevance is unknown. Here, we investigated the occupancy and functional relevance of N-glycosylation sites in PrV gB. To this end, all predicted N-glycosylation sites were inactivated either singly or in combination by the introduction of conservative mutations (N➔Q). The resulting proteins were tested for expression, fusion activity in cell–cell fusion assays and complementation of a gB-deficient PrV mutant. Our results indicate that all six sites are indeed modified. However, while glycosylation at most sites was dispensable for gB expression and fusogenicity, inactivation of N154 and N700 affected gB processing by furin cleavage and surface localization. Although all single mutants were functional in cell–cell fusion and viral entry, simultaneous inactivation of all six N-glycosylation sites severely impaired fusion activity and viral entry, suggesting a critical role of N-glycans for maintaining gB structure and function.

scholarly journals Functional Role of N-Linked Glycosylation in Pseudorabies Virus Glycoprotein gH

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (9) ◽  
pp. e00084-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina Vallbracht ◽  
Sascha Rehwaldt ◽  
Barbara G. Klupp ◽  
Thomas C. Mettenleiter ◽  
Walter Fuchs
Keyword(s):  
Pseudorabies Virus ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Glycosylation Sites ◽  
Functional Relevance ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cell Spread

ABSTRACTMany viral envelope proteins are modified by asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation, which can influence their structure, physicochemical properties, intracellular transport, and function. Here, we systematically analyzed the functional relevance of N-linked glycans in the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV) glycoprotein H (gH), which is an essential component of the conserved core herpesvirus fusion machinery. Upon gD-mediated receptor binding, the heterodimeric complex of gH and gL activates gB to mediate fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane for viral entry. gH contains five potential N-linked glycosylation sites at positions 77, 162, 542, 604, and 627, which were inactivated by conservative mutations (asparagine to glutamine) singly or in combination. The mutated proteins were tested for correct expression and fusion activity. Additionally, the mutated gH genes were inserted into the PrV genome for analysis of function during virus infection. Our results demonstrate that all five sites are glycosylated. Inactivation of the PrV-specific N77 or the conserved N627 resulted in significantly reducedin vitrofusion activity, delayed penetration kinetics, and smaller virus plaques. Moreover, substitution of N627 greatly affected transport of gH in transfected cells, resulting in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention and reduced surface expression. In contrast, mutation of N604, which is conserved in theVaricellovirusgenus, resulted in enhancedin vitrofusion activity and viral cell-to-cell spread. These results demonstrate a role of the N-glycans in proper localization and function of PrV gH. However, even simultaneous inactivation of all five N-glycosylation sites of gH did not severely inhibit formation of infectious virus particles.IMPORTANCEHerpesvirus infection requires fusion of the viral envelope with cellular membranes, which involves the conserved fusion machinery consisting of gB and the heterodimeric gH/gL complex. The bona fide fusion protein gB depends on the presence of the gH/gL complex for activation. Viral envelope glycoproteins, such as gH, usually contain N-glycans, which can have a strong impact on their folding, transport, and functions. Here, we systematically analyzed the functional relevance of all five predicted N-linked glycosylation sites in the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV) gH. Despite the fact that mutation of specific sites affected gH transport,in vitrofusion activity, and cell-to-cell spread and resulted in delayed penetration kinetics, even simultaneous inactivation of all five N-glycosylation sites of gH did not severely inhibit formation of infectious virus particles. Thus, our results demonstrate a modulatory but nonessential role of N-glycans for gH function.

scholarly journals G541R within the 4070A TM Protein Regulates Fusion in Murine Leukemia Viruses

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (22) ◽  
pp. 12011-12021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucille O'Reilly ◽  
Monica J. Roth
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Vector System ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Murine Leukemia ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT The mutation G541R within the ectodomain of TM was isolated in three independent chimeric enveloped murine leukemia virus (MuLV) viral populations originally impaired in viral passage and in wild-type 4070A. Isolation of G541R in multiple populations suggested it played a critical role in viral envelope function. Using a viral vector system, the observed effects of the G541R mutation within MuLV envelope proteins were pleiotropic and included effects on the regulation of SU-TM interactions and membrane fusion. G541R suppresses enhanced cell-cell fusion events attributable to the absence of the R-peptide yet does not adversely affect virus titers. The ability to suppress cell-cell fusion is dependent on the presence of the C terminus of the amphotropic 4070A SU protein. Within the wild-type 4070A envelope background, the mutation results in a decreased level of Env at the cell surface that is mirrored in the virion. The TM mutation alters recognition of the SU C terminus by a monoclonal antibody, suggestive of an altered conformation. The presence of G541R allowed the virus to achieve a balance between cytopathogenicity and replication and restored productive viral entry.

scholarly journals Cleavage of Rhesus Rotavirus VP4 after Arginine 247 Is Essential for Rotavirus-Like Particle-Induced Fusion from Without

1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 5323-5327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna M. Gilbert ◽  
Harry B. Greenberg
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Recombinant Baculovirus ◽  
Syncytium Formation ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Arginine Residues ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT We recently described our finding that recombinant baculovirus-produced virus-like particles (VLPs) can induce cell-cell fusion similar to that induced by intact rotavirus in our assay for viral entry into tissue culture cells (J. M. Gilbert and H. B. Greenberg, J. Virol. 71:4555–4563, 1997). The conditions required for syncytium formation are similar to those for viral penetration of the plasma membrane during the course of viral infection. This VLP-mediated fusion activity was dependent on the presence of the outer-layer proteins, viral protein 4 (VP4) and VP7, and on the trypsinization of VP4. Fusion activity occurred only with cells that are permissive for rotavirus infection. Here we begin to dissect the role of VP4 in rotavirus entry by examining the importance of the precise trypsin cleavage of VP4 and the activation of VP4 function related to viral entry. We present evidence that the elimination of the three trypsin-susceptible arginine residues of VP4 by specific site-directed mutagenesis prevents syncytium formation. Two of the three arginine residues in VP4 are dispensable for syncytium formation, and only the arginine residue at site 247 appears to be required for activation of VP4 functions and cell-cell fusion. Using the recombinant VLPs in our syncytium assay will aid in understanding the conformational changes that occur in VP4 involved in rotavirus penetration into host cells.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Requires Cholesterol for Viral Entry and Pathological Syncytia Formation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Sanders ◽  
Chanelle C. Jumper ◽  
Paul J. Ackerman ◽  
Dan Bracha ◽  
Anita Donlic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Membrane Lipid ◽  
List Type ◽  
Multinucleated Cells ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Syncytia Formation ◽  
Cell Cell

SummaryMany enveloped viruses induce multinucleated cells (syncytia), reflective of membrane fusion events caused by the same machinery that underlies viral entry. These syncytia are thought to facilitate replication and evasion of the host immune response. Here, we report that co-culture of human cells expressing the receptor ACE2 with cells expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike, results in synapse-like intercellular contacts that initiate cell-cell fusion, producing syncytia resembling those we identify in lungs of COVID-19 patients. To assess the mechanism of spike/ACE2-driven membrane fusion, we developed a microscopy-based, cell-cell fusion assay to screen ∼6000 drugs and >30 spike variants. Together with cell biological and biophysical approaches, the screen reveals an essential role for membrane cholesterol in spike-mediated fusion, which extends to replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Our findings provide a molecular basis for positive outcomes reported in COVID-19 patients taking statins, and suggest new strategies for therapeutics targeting the membrane of SARS-CoV-2 and other fusogenic viruses.HighlightsCell-cell fusion at ACE2-spike clusters cause pathological syncytia in COVID-19Drug screen reveals critical role for membrane lipid composition in fusionSpike’s unusual membrane-proximal cysteines and aromatics are essential for fusionCholesterol tunes relative infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles

scholarly journals Acquisition of Cell–Cell Fusion Activity by Amino Acid Substitutions in Spike Protein Determines the Infectivity of a Coronavirus in Cultured Cells

PLoS ONE ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. e6130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiyuki Yamada ◽  
Xiao Bo Liu ◽  
Shou Guo Fang ◽  
Felicia P. L. Tay ◽  
Ding Xiang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Amino Acid Substitutions ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Cell Cell

scholarly journals HIV Cell Fusion Assay

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth B. Smith ◽  
Robert A. Ogert ◽  
David Pechter ◽  
Artjohn Villafania ◽  
Susan J. Abbondanzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Chemokine Receptor ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Envelope Glycoprotein ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Fusion Event ◽  
Cxcr4 Signaling ◽  
Hiv Entry

The health and disease-related biology of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor presents the challenge of finding a small molecule that can bind CXCR4 and block T-cell tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cell entry, while preserving the ability of CXCR4 to respond to its native ligand, CXCL12. HIV entry into the host cell involves the interaction of the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120 binding to CD4, followed by a rearrangement in gp120, and subsequent interaction with the chemokine receptor CXCR4 or CCR5. These initial events can be re-created in a cell fusion assay that represents a surrogate system, mimicking the early stages of viral entry via these host cell receptors. In the current study, a T-tropic HIV cell fusion assay was established using U2OS cells expressing the envelope glycoprotein gp160 from the T-tropic HIV NL4-3 and HeLa cells expressing CD4 and CXCR4. Detection of the cell fusion event was based on a Gal4/VP16-activated β-lactamase signal and was measured by automated microscopy or laser scanning plate cytometry. Changes in morphology associated with cell fusion were combined with β-lactamase activity to generate results with robust assay statistics in both 384-well and 1536-well plates. Compounds were subsequently characterized by CXCR4 signaling assays to eliminate functional antagonists and allow the identification of a function-sparing HIV entry inhibitor.

The role of cell swelling and haemolysis in Sendai virus-induced cell fusion and in the diffusion of incorporated viral antigens

1980 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-167
Author(s):  
S. Knutton ◽  
T. Bachi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Erythrocyte Membrane ◽  
Sendai Virus ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Cell Swelling ◽  
Haemolytic Activity ◽  
Erythrocyte Ghosts ◽  
Viral Antigens ◽  
Cell Cell

The role of the haemolytic activity of Sendai virus in cell-cell fusion has been examined in monolayers of human erythrocytes and erythrocyte ghosts fused with either haemolytic or non-haemolytic virus. Morphological observations indicate that cell swelling and haemolysis is a distinct event in cell-cell fusion irrespective of whether it is virally induced or, in the case of non-haemolytic virus, experimentally induced. Osmotic swelling appears to be the driving force by which cells which have established sites of membrane fusion expand such sites to form poly-erythrocytes. Immunofluorescent labelling of viral antigens incorporated into the erythrocyte membrane as a result of viral envelope-cell fusion indicates that diffusion of antigens in the plane of the membrane is restricted in intact erythrocytes and resealed erythrocyte ghosts but not in haemolysed erythrocytes or unsealed ghosts. A perturbation of the erythrocyte membrane resulting from osmotic lysis appears to form a prerequisite for the lateral diffusion of viral elements.

scholarly journals Using Antibodies and Mutants To Localize the Presumptive gH/gL Binding Site on Herpes Simplex Virus gD

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doina Atanasiu ◽  
Wan Ting Saw ◽  
Eric Lazear ◽  
J. Charles Whitbeck ◽  
Tina M. Cairns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Epitope Mapping ◽  
Virus Entry ◽  
Cellular Receptor ◽  
Functional Sites ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACTHSV virus-cell and cell-cell fusion requires multiple interactions between four essential virion envelope glycoproteins, gD, gB, gH, and gL, and between gD and a cellular receptor, nectin-1 or herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM). Current models suggest that binding of gD to receptors induces a conformational change that leads to activation of gH/gL and consequent triggering of the prefusion form of gB to promote membrane fusion. Since protein-protein interactions guide each step of fusion, identifying the sites of interaction may lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets that block this process. We have previously identified two “faces” on gD: one for receptor binding and the other for its presumed interaction with gH/gL. We previously separated the gD monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) into five competition communities. MAbs from two communities (MC2 and MC5) neutralize virus infection and block cell-cell fusion but do not block receptor binding, suggesting that they block binding of gD to gH/gL. Using a combination of classical epitope mapping of gD mutants with fusion and entry assays, we identified two residues (R67 and P54) on the presumed gH/gL interaction face of gD that allowed for fusion and viral entry but were no longer sensitive to inhibition by MC2 or MC5, yet both were blocked by other MAbs. As neutralizing antibodies interfere with essential steps in the fusion pathway, our studies strongly suggest that these key residues block the interaction of gD with gH/gL.IMPORTANCEVirus entry and cell-cell fusion mediated by HSV require gD, gH/gL, gB, and a gD receptor. Neutralizing antibodies directed against any of these proteins bind to residues within key functional sites and interfere with an essential step in the fusion pathway. Thus, the epitopes of these MAbs identify critical, functional sites on their target proteins. Unlike many anti-gD MAbs, which block binding of gD to a cellular receptor, two, MC2 and MC5, block a separate, downstream step in the fusion pathway which is presumed to be the activation of the modulator of fusion, gH/gL. By combining epitope mapping of a panel of gD mutants with fusion and virus entry assays, we have identified residues that are critical in the binding and function of these two MAbs. This new information helps to define the site of the presumptive interaction of gD with gH/gL, of which we have limited knowledge.

scholarly journals Functional Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Envelope Proteins, Using a Cell-Cell Fusion Assay

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1817-1825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariko Kobayashi ◽  
Michael C. Bennett ◽  
Theodore Bercot ◽  
Ila R. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Envelope Proteins ◽  
Virus Envelope ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope proteins mediate the entry of virus into cells by binding to cellular receptors, resulting in fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane and permitting the viral genome to enter the cytoplasm. We report the development of a robust and reproducible cell-cell fusion assay using envelope proteins from commonly occurring genotypes of HCV. The assay scored HCV envelope protein-mediated fusion by the production of fluorescent green syncytia and allowed us to elucidate many aspects of HCV fusion, including the pH of fusion, cell types that permit viral entry, and the conformation of envelope proteins essential for fusion. We found that fusion could be specifically inhibited by anti-HCV antibodies and by at least one peptide. We also generated a number of insertional mutations in the envelope proteins and tested nine of these using the fusion assay. We demonstrate that this fusion assay is a powerful tool for understanding the mechanism of HCV-mediated fusion, elucidating mutant function, and testing antiviral agents.

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