Cross Talk between Viruses and Insect Cells Cytoskeleton

Viruses are excellent manipulators of host cellular machinery, behavior, and life cycle, with the host cell cytoskeleton being a primordial viral target. Viruses infecting insects generally enter host cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis or membrane fusion mechanisms followed by transport of the viral particles to the corresponding replication sites. After viral replication, the viral progeny egresses toward adjacent cells and reaches the different target tissues. Throughout all these steps, actin and tubulin re-arrangements are driven by viruses. The mechanisms used by viruses to manipulate the insect host cytoskeleton are well documented in the case of alphabaculoviruses infecting Lepidoptera hosts and plant viruses infecting Hemiptera vectors, but they are not well studied in case of other insect–virus systems such as arboviruses–mosquito vectors. Here, we summarize the available knowledge on how viruses manipulate the insect host cell cytoskeleton, and we emphasize the primordial role of cytoskeleton components in insect virus motility and the need to expand the study of this interaction.

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High Voltage Electron Microscopy of Viral Inclusion Bodies

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s1431927600002117 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 486-487 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H.M. Mazzone ◽

W.F. Engler ◽

G. Wray ◽

A. Szirmae ◽

J. Conroy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Inclusion Bodies ◽

Host Cells ◽

High Voltage Electron Microscopy ◽

Voltage Electron ◽

Viral Particles ◽

Pest Insects ◽

Viral Inclusion ◽

Insect Gut

Viral inclusion bodies isolated from infected pest insects are being evaluated by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture as biological insecticides against their hosts. Our research on these inclusion bodies constitutes part of an effort to support their approval by the Environmental Protection Agency as insect control agents. The inclusion bodies in this study are polyhedral in shape and contain rod-shaped viral particles. When ingested by pest insects, the inclusion bodies are broken down in the insect gut and release the viral particles which infect and multiply in the nuclei of host cells. These viruses are termed nucleopolyhedrosis viruses (NPV) and are representatives of the baculoviruses (Wildy, P. 1971 IN J.L. Melnick, ed., Monographs in Virology, vol. 5, S.Karger, New York).

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Metabolic Signatures of Cryptosporidium parvum-Infected HCT-8 Cells and Impact of Selected Metabolic Inhibitors on C. parvum Infection under Physioxia and Hyperoxia

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10010060 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 60

Author(s):

Juan Vélez ◽

Zahady Velasquez ◽

Liliana M. R. Silva ◽

Ulrich Gärtner ◽

Klaus Failing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Cell ◽

Cryptosporidium Parvum ◽

Cell Metabolism ◽

Lactate Production ◽

Glucose Consumption ◽

Host Cells ◽

Metabolic Inhibitors ◽

Low Oxygen ◽

Metabolic Signatures

Cryptosporidium parvum is an apicomplexan zoonotic parasite recognized as the second leading-cause of diarrhoea-induced mortality in children. In contrast to other apicomplexans, C.parvum has minimalistic metabolic capacities which are almost exclusively based on glycolysis. Consequently, C. parvum is highly dependent on its host cell metabolism. In vivo (within the intestine) infected epithelial host cells are typically exposed to low oxygen pressure (1–11% O2, termed physioxia). Here, we comparatively analyzed the metabolic signatures of C. parvum-infected HCT-8 cells cultured under both, hyperoxia (21% O2), representing the standard oxygen condition used in most experimental settings, and physioxia (5% O2), to be closer to the in vivo situation. The most pronounced effect of C. parvum infection on host cell metabolism was, on one side, an increase in glucose and glutamine uptake, and on the other side, an increase in lactate release. When cultured in a glutamine-deficient medium, C. parvum infection led to a massive increase in glucose consumption and lactate production. Together, these results point to the important role of both glycolysis and glutaminolysis during C. parvum intracellular replication. Referring to obtained metabolic signatures, we targeted glycolysis as well as glutaminolysis in C. parvum-infected host cells by using the inhibitors lonidamine [inhibitor of hexokinase, mitochondrial carrier protein (MCP) and monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) 1, 2, 4], galloflavin (lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor), syrosingopine (MCT1- and MCT4 inhibitor) and compound 968 (glutaminase inhibitor) under hyperoxic and physioxic conditions. In line with metabolic signatures, all inhibitors significantly reduced parasite replication under both oxygen conditions, thereby proving both energy-related metabolic pathways, glycolysis and glutaminolysis, but also lactate export mechanisms via MCTs as pivotal for C. parvum under in vivo physioxic conditions of mammals.

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Identification of Tomato Infecting Viruses That Co-Isolate with Nanovesicles Using a Combined Proteomics and Electron-Microscopic Approach

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11081922 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1922

Author(s):

Ramila Mammadova ◽

Immacolata Fiume ◽

Ramesh Bokka ◽

Veronika Kralj-Iglič ◽

Darja Božič ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Mosaic Virus ◽

Protein Identification ◽

Plant Viruses ◽

Size Exclusion ◽

Tomato Mosaic Virus ◽

High Yield ◽

Plant Resources ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Viral Particles

Plant-derived nanovesicles (NVs) have attracted interest due to their anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidative properties and their efficient uptake by human intestinal epithelial cells. Previously we showed that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit is one of the interesting plant resources from which NVs can be obtained at a high yield. In the course of the isolation of NVs from different batches of tomatoes, using the established differential ultracentrifugation or size-exclusion chromatography methods, we occasionally observed the co-isolation of viral particles. Density gradient ultracentrifugation (gUC), using sucrose or iodixanol gradient materials, turned out to be efficient in the separation of NVs from the viral particles. We applied cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the morphological assessment and LC–MS/MS-based proteomics for the protein identification of the gradient fractions. Cryo-TEM showed that a low-density gUC fraction was enriched in membrane-enclosed NVs, while the high-density fractions were rich in rod-shaped objects. Mass spectrometry–based proteomic analysis identified capsid proteins of tomato brown rugose fruit virus, tomato mosaic virus and tomato mottle mosaic virus. In another batch of tomatoes, we isolated tomato spotted wilt virus, potato virus Y and southern tomato virus in the vesicle sample. Our results show the frequent co-isolation of plant viruses with NVs and the utility of the combination of cryo-TEM, SEM and proteomics in the detection of possible viral contamination.

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The Campylobacter jejuni CiaD effector co-opts the host cell protein IQGAP1 to promote cell entry

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-21579-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas M. Negretti ◽

Christopher R. Gourley ◽

Prabhat K. Talukdar ◽

Geremy Clair ◽

Courtney M. Klappenbach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Cell ◽

Campylobacter Jejuni ◽

Foodborne Pathogen ◽

Small Gtpase ◽

Host Cells ◽

Cell Protein ◽

Host Cell Protein ◽

Cell Binding ◽

Actin Reorganization ◽

Cell Cytosol

AbstractCampylobacter jejuni is a foodborne pathogen that binds to and invades the epithelial cells lining the human intestinal tract. Maximal invasion of host cells by C. jejuni requires cell binding as well as delivery of the Cia proteins (Campylobacter invasion antigens) to the host cell cytosol via the flagellum. Here, we show that CiaD binds to the host cell protein IQGAP1 (a Ras GTPase-activating-like protein), thus displacing RacGAP1 from the IQGAP1 complex. This, in turn, leads to the unconstrained activity of the small GTPase Rac1, which is known to have roles in actin reorganization and internalization of C. jejuni. Our results represent the identification of a host cell protein targeted by a flagellar secreted effector protein and demonstrate that C. jejuni-stimulated Rac signaling is dependent on IQGAP1.

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A Single-Pass Type I Membrane Protein from the Apicomplexan Parasite Cryptosporidium parvum with Nanomolar Binding Affinity to Host Cell Surface

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9051015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 1015

Author(s):

Tianyu Zhang ◽

Xin Gao ◽

Dongqiang Wang ◽

Jixue Zhao ◽

Nan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Membrane Protein ◽

Cell Surface ◽

Host Cell ◽

Binding Affinity ◽

Cryptosporidium Parvum ◽

Host Cells ◽

Watery Diarrhea ◽

Type I ◽

Single Pass ◽

Host Cell Surface

Cryptosporidium parvum is a globally recognized zoonotic parasite of medical and veterinary importance. This parasite mainly infects intestinal epithelial cells and causes mild to severe watery diarrhea that could be deadly in patients with weakened or defect immunity. However, its molecular interactions with hosts and pathogenesis, an important part in adaptation of parasitic lifestyle, remain poorly understood. Here we report the identification and characterization of a C. parvum T-cell immunomodulatory protein homolog (CpTIPH). CpTIPH is a 901-aa single-pass type I membrane protein encoded by cgd5_830 gene that also contains a short Vibrio, Colwellia, Bradyrhizobium and Shewanella (VCBS) repeat and relatively long integrin alpha (ITGA) N-terminus domain. Immunofluorescence assay confirmed the location of CpTIPH on the cell surface of C. parvum sporozoites. In congruence with the presence of VCBS repeat and ITGA domain, CpTIPH displayed high, nanomolar binding affinity to host cell surface (i.e., Kd(App) at 16.2 to 44.7 nM on fixed HCT-8 and CHO-K1 cells, respectively). The involvement of CpTIPH in the parasite invasion is partly supported by experiments showing that an anti-CpTIPH antibody could partially block the invasion of C. parvum sporozoites into host cells. These observations provide a strong basis for further investigation of the roles of CpTIPH in parasite-host cell interactions.

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Targeting Viral Surface Proteins through Structure-Based Design

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13071320 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1320

Author(s):

Yogesh B Narkhede ◽

Karen J Gonzalez ◽

Eva-Maria Strauch

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Surface Proteins ◽

Host Cells ◽

Viral Fusion ◽

Health It ◽

Viral Particles ◽

Pathogenic Viruses ◽

Viral Surface

The emergence of novel viral infections of zoonotic origin and mutations of existing human pathogenic viruses represent a serious concern for public health. It warrants the establishment of better interventions and protective therapies to combat the virus and prevent its spread. Surface glycoproteins catalyzing the fusion of viral particles and host cells have proven to be an excellent target for antivirals as well as vaccines. This review focuses on recent advances for computational structure-based design of antivirals and vaccines targeting viral fusion machinery to control seasonal and emerging respiratory viruses.

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Revisiting Ehrlichia ruminantium Replication Cycle Using Proteomics: The Host and the Bacterium Perspectives

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9061144 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 1144

Author(s):

Isabel Marcelino ◽

Philippe Holzmuller ◽

Ana Coelho ◽

Gabriel Mazzucchelli ◽

Bernard Fernandez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Host Cell ◽

Cell Metabolism ◽

Replication Cycle ◽

Host Cells ◽

Ehrlichia Ruminantium ◽

Host Interaction ◽

Infected Cells ◽

Related Proteins

The Rickettsiales Ehrlichia ruminantium, the causal agent of the fatal tick-borne disease Heartwater, induces severe damage to the vascular endothelium in ruminants. Nevertheless, E. ruminantium-induced pathobiology remains largely unknown. Our work paves the way for understanding this phenomenon by using quantitative proteomic analyses (2D-DIGE-MS/MS, 1DE-nanoLC-MS/MS and biotin-nanoUPLC-MS/MS) of host bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAE) during the in vitro bacterium intracellular replication cycle. We detect 265 bacterial proteins (including virulence factors), at all time-points of the E. ruminantium replication cycle, highlighting a dynamic bacterium–host interaction. We show that E. ruminantium infection modulates the expression of 433 host proteins: 98 being over-expressed, 161 under-expressed, 140 detected only in infected BAE cells and 34 exclusively detected in non-infected cells. Cystoscape integrated data analysis shows that these proteins lead to major changes in host cell immune responses, host cell metabolism and vesicle trafficking, with a clear involvement of inflammation-related proteins in this process. Our findings led to the first model of E. ruminantium infection in host cells in vitro, and we highlight potential biomarkers of E. ruminantium infection in endothelial cells (such as ROCK1, TMEM16K, Albumin and PTPN1), which may be important to further combat Heartwater, namely by developing non-antibiotic-based strategies.

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The Importance of Therapeutically Targeting the Binary Toxin from Clostridioides difficile

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22062926 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 2926

Author(s):

Dinendra L. Abeyawardhane ◽

Raquel Godoy-Ruiz ◽

Kaylin A. Adipietro ◽

Kristen M. Varney ◽

Richard R. Rustandi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Cell ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Host Cells ◽

Binary Toxin ◽

Clostridioides Difficile ◽

Host Cell Receptor ◽

Oligomeric Assembly ◽

Nosocomial Disease ◽

Binary Toxins

Novel therapeutics are needed to treat pathologies associated with the Clostridioides difficile binary toxin (CDT), particularly when C. difficile infection (CDI) occurs in the elderly or in hospitalized patients having illnesses, in addition to CDI, such as cancer. While therapies are available to block toxicities associated with the large clostridial toxins (TcdA and TcdB) in this nosocomial disease, nothing is available yet to treat toxicities arising from strains of CDI having the binary toxin. Like other binary toxins, the active CDTa catalytic subunit of CDT is delivered into host cells together with an oligomeric assembly of CDTb subunits via host cell receptor-mediated endocytosis. Once CDT arrives in the host cell’s cytoplasm, CDTa catalyzes the ADP-ribosylation of G-actin leading to degradation of the cytoskeleton and rapid cell death. Although a detailed molecular mechanism for CDT entry and host cell toxicity is not yet fully established, structural and functional resemblances to other binary toxins are described. Additionally, unique conformational assemblies of individual CDT components are highlighted herein to refine our mechanistic understanding of this deadly toxin as is needed to develop effective new therapeutic strategies for treating some of the most hypervirulent and lethal strains of CDT-containing strains of CDI.

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Pathogen induced subversion of NAD+ metabolism mediating host cell death: a target for development of chemotherapeutics

Cell Death Discovery ◽

10.1038/s41420-020-00366-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ayushi Chaurasiya ◽

Swati Garg ◽

Ashish Khanna ◽

Chintam Narayana ◽

Ved Prakash Dwivedi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Host Cell ◽

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide ◽

Malaria Parasite ◽

Host Cells ◽

Nicotinamide Adenine ◽

Targeted Therapeutics ◽

Nad Metabolism ◽

Host Cell Death ◽

Nanomolar Range

AbstractHijacking of host metabolic status by a pathogen for its regulated dissemination from the host is prerequisite for the propagation of infection. M. tuberculosis secretes an NAD+-glycohydrolase, TNT, to induce host necroptosis by hydrolyzing Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Herein, we expressed TNT in macrophages and erythrocytes; the host cells for M. tuberculosis and the malaria parasite respectively, and found that it reduced the NAD+ levels and thereby induced necroptosis and eryptosis resulting in premature dissemination of pathogen. Targeting TNT in M. tuberculosis or induced eryptosis in malaria parasite interferes with pathogen dissemination and reduction in the propagation of infection. Building upon our discovery that inhibition of pathogen-mediated host NAD+ modulation is a way forward for regulation of infection, we synthesized and screened some novel compounds that showed inhibition of NAD+-glycohydrolase activity and pathogen infection in the nanomolar range. Overall this study highlights the fundamental importance of pathogen-mediated modulation of host NAD+ homeostasis for its infection propagation and novel inhibitors as leads for host-targeted therapeutics.

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Mbov_0503 Encodes a Novel Cytoadhesin that Facilitates Mycoplasma bovis Interaction with Tight Junctions

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8020164 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 164 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xifang Zhu ◽

Yaqi Dong ◽

Eric Baranowski ◽

Xixi Li ◽

Gang Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Cell ◽

Tight Junctions ◽

Binding Capacity ◽

Host Cells ◽

Mycoplasma Bovis ◽

Knock Out ◽

Cell Monolayers ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Complex Process ◽

Host Cell Surface

Molecules contributing to microbial cytoadhesion are important virulence factors. In Mycoplasma bovis, a minimal bacterium but an important cattle pathogen, binding to host cells is emerging as a complex process involving a broad range of surface-exposed structures. Here, a new cytoadhesin of M. bovis was identified by producing a collection of individual knock-out mutants and evaluating their binding to embryonic bovine lung cells. The cytoadhesive-properties of this surface-exposed protein, which is encoded by Mbov_0503 in strain HB0801, were demonstrated at both the mycoplasma cell and protein levels using confocal microscopy and ELISA. Although Mbov_0503 disruption was only associated in M. bovis with a partial reduction of its binding capacity, this moderate effect was sufficient to affect M. bovis interaction with the host-cell tight junctions, and to reduce the translocation of this mycoplasma across epithelial cell monolayers. Besides demonstrating the capacity of M. bovis to disrupt tight junctions, these results identified novel properties associated with cytoadhesin that might contribute to virulence and host colonization. These findings provide new insights into the complex interplay taking place between wall-less mycoplasmas and the host-cell surface.

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