scholarly journals Messenger RNA Cap Methylation in Vesicular Stomatitis Virus, a Prototype of Non‐Segmented Negative‐Sense RNA Virus

Author(s):  
Jianrong Li ◽  
Yu Zhang

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1092
Author(s):  
Guodong Liu ◽  
Wenguang Cao ◽  
Abdjeleel Salawudeen ◽  
Wenjun Zhu ◽  
Karla Emeterio ◽  
...  

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which belongs to the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae, is a well studied livestock pathogen and prototypic non-segmented, negative-sense RNA virus. Although VSV is responsible for causing economically significant outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis in cattle, horses, and swine, the virus also represents a valuable research tool for molecular biologists and virologists. Indeed, the establishment of a reverse genetics system for the recovery of infectious VSV from cDNA transformed the utility of this virus and paved the way for its use as a vaccine vector. A highly effective VSV-based vaccine against Ebola virus recently received clinical approval, and many other VSV-based vaccines have been developed, particularly for high-consequence viruses. This review seeks to provide a holistic but concise overview of VSV, covering the virus’s ascension from perennial agricultural scourge to promising medical countermeasure, with a particular focus on vaccines.



2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (17) ◽  
pp. 7895-7902 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Brian Flanagan ◽  
L. Andrew Ball ◽  
Gail W. Wertz

ABSTRACT Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is the prototype of the Rhabdoviridae and contains nonsegmented negative-sense RNA as its genome. The 11-kb genome encodes five genes in the order 3′-N-P-M-G-L-5′, and transcription is obligatorily sequential from the single 3′ promoter. As a result, genes at promoter-proximal positions are transcribed at higher levels than those at promoter-distal positions. Previous work demonstrated that moving the gene encoding the nucleocapsid protein N to successively more promoter-distal positions resulted in stepwise attenuation of replication and lethality for mice. In the present study we investigated whether moving the gene for the attachment glycoprotein G, which encodes the major neutralizing epitopes, from its fourth position up to first in the gene order would increase G protein expression in cells and alter the immune response in inoculated animals. In addition to moving the G gene alone, we also constructed viruses having both the G and N genes rearranged. This produced three variant viruses having the orders 3′-G-N-P-M-L-5′ (G1N2), 3′-P-M-G-N-L-5′ (G3N4), and 3′-G-P-M-N-L-5′ (G1N4), respectively. These viruses differed from one another and from wild-type virus in their levels of gene expression and replication in cell culture. The viruses also differed in their pathogenesis, immunogenicity, and level of protection of mice against challenge with wild-type VSV. Translocation of the G gene altered the kinetics and level of the antibody response in mice, and simultaneous reduction of N protein expression reduced replication and lethality for animals. These studies demonstrate that gene rearrangement can be exploited to design nonsegmented negative-sense RNA viruses that have characteristics desirable in candidates for live attenuated vaccines.



2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis-Marie Bloyet ◽  
Benjamin Morin ◽  
Vesna Brusic ◽  
Erica Gardner ◽  
Robin A. Ross ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Nonsegmented negative-strand (NNS) RNA viruses possess a ribonucleoprotein template in which the genomic RNA is sequestered within a homopolymer of nucleocapsid protein (N). The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) resides within an approximately 250-kDa large protein (L), along with unconventional mRNA capping enzymes: a GDP:polyribonucleotidyltransferase (PRNT) and a dual-specificity mRNA cap methylase (MT). To gain access to the N-RNA template and orchestrate the LRdRP, LPRNT, and LMT, an oligomeric phosphoprotein (P) is required. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) P is dimeric with an oligomerization domain (OD) separating two largely disordered regions followed by a globular C-terminal domain that binds the template. P is also responsible for bringing new N protomers onto the nascent RNA during genome replication. We show VSV P lacking the OD (PΔOD) is monomeric but is indistinguishable from wild-type P in supporting mRNA transcription in vitro. Recombinant virus VSV-PΔOD exhibits a pronounced kinetic delay in progeny virus production. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching demonstrates that PΔOD diffuses 6-fold more rapidly than the wild type within viral replication compartments. A well-characterized defective interfering particle of VSV (DI-T) that is only competent for RNA replication requires significantly higher levels of N to drive RNA replication in the presence of PΔOD. We conclude P oligomerization is not required for mRNA synthesis but enhances genome replication by facilitating RNA encapsidation. IMPORTANCE All NNS RNA viruses, including the human pathogens rabies, measles, respiratory syncytial virus, Nipah, and Ebola, possess an essential L-protein cofactor, required to access the N-RNA template and coordinate the various enzymatic activities of L. The polymerase cofactors share a similar modular organization of a soluble N-binding domain and a template-binding domain separated by a central oligomerization domain. Using a prototype of NNS RNA virus gene expression, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), we determined the importance of P oligomerization. We find that oligomerization of VSV P is not required for any step of viral mRNA synthesis but is required for efficient RNA replication. We present evidence that this likely occurs through the stage of loading soluble N onto the nascent RNA strand as it exits the polymerase during RNA replication. Interfering with the oligomerization of P may represent a general strategy to interfere with NNS RNA virus replication.



2020 ◽  
Vol 217 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingchen Zhu ◽  
Tao Yu ◽  
Shucheng Gan ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Yifei Pei ◽  
...  

Ubiquitination is an essential mechanism in the control of antiviral immunity upon virus infection. Here, we identify a series of ubiquitination-modulating enzymes that are modulated by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Notably, TRIM24 is down-regulated through direct transcriptional suppression induced by VSV-activated IRF3. Reducing or ablating TRIM24 compromises type I IFN (IFN-I) induction upon RNA virus infection and thus renders mice more sensitive to VSV infection. Mechanistically, VSV infection induces abundant TRIM24 translocation to mitochondria, where TRIM24 binds with TRAF3 and directly mediates K63-linked TRAF3 ubiquitination at K429/K436. This modification of TRAF3 enables its association with MAVS and TBK1, which consequently activates downstream antiviral signaling. Together, these findings establish TRIM24 as a critical positive regulator in controlling the activation of antiviral signaling and describe a previously unknown mechanism of TRIM24 function.



2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (20) ◽  
pp. 11499-11506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer T. Wang ◽  
Lauren E. McElvain ◽  
Sean P. J. Whelan

ABSTRACT Many viruses of eukaryotes that use mRNA cap-dependent translation strategies have evolved alternate mechanisms to generate the mRNA cap compared to their hosts. The most divergent of these mechanisms are those used by nonsegmented negative-sense (NNS) RNA viruses, which evolved a capping enzyme that transfers RNA onto GDP, rather than GMP onto the 5′ end of the RNA. Working with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a prototype of the NNS RNA viruses, we show that mRNA cap formation is further distinct, requiring a specific cis-acting signal in the RNA. Using recombinant VSV, we determined the function of the eight conserved positions of the gene-start sequence in mRNA initiation and cap formation. Alterations to this sequence compromised mRNA initiation and separately formation of the GpppA cap structure. These studies provide genetic and biochemical evidence that the mRNA capping apparatus of VSV evolved an RNA capping machinery that functions in a sequence-specific manner.



2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (12) ◽  
pp. 2529-2545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Hastie ◽  
Valery Z. Grdzelishvili

Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy is an emerging anti-cancer approach that utilizes viruses to preferentially infect and kill cancer cells, while not harming healthy cells. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a prototypic non-segmented, negative-strand RNA virus with inherent OV qualities. Antiviral responses induced by type I interferon pathways are believed to be impaired in most cancer cells, making them more susceptible to VSV than normal cells. Several other factors make VSV a promising OV candidate for clinical use, including its well-studied biology, a small, easily manipulated genome, relative independence of a receptor or cell cycle, cytoplasmic replication without risk of host-cell transformation, and lack of pre-existing immunity in humans. Moreover, various VSV-based recombinant viruses have been engineered via reverse genetics to improve oncoselectivity, safety, oncotoxicity and stimulation of tumour-specific immunity. Alternative delivery methods are also being studied to minimize premature immune clearance of VSV. OV treatment as a monotherapy is being explored, although many studies have employed VSV in combination with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other OVs. Preclinical studies with various cancers have demonstrated that VSV is a promising OV; as a result, a human clinical trial using VSV is currently in progress.



1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean P. J. Whelan ◽  
Gail W. Wertz

ABSTRACT The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a nonsegmented negative-strand RNA virus, directs two discrete RNA synthetic processes, transcription and replication. Available evidence suggests that the two short extragenic regions at the genomic termini, the 3′ leader (Le) and the complement of the 5′ trailer (TrC), contain essential signals for these processes. We examined the roles in transcription and replication of sequences in Le and TrC by monitoring the effects of alterations to the termini of subgenomic replicons, or infectious viruses, on these RNA synthetic processes. Distinct elements in Le were found to be required for transcription that were not required for replication. The promoter for mRNA transcription was shown to include specific sequence elements within Le at positions 19 to 29 and 34 to 46, a separate element at nucleotides 47 to 50, the nontranscribed leader-N gene junction. The sequence requirements for transcription within the Le region could not be supplied by sequences found at the equivalent positions in TrC. In contrast, sequences from either Le or TrC functioned well to signal replication, indicating that within the confines of the VSV termini, the sequence requirements for replication were less stringent. Deletions engineered at the termini showed that the terminal 15 nucleotides of either Le or TrC allowed a minimal level of replication. Within these confines, levels of replication were affected by both the extent of complementarity between the genomic termini and the involvement of the template in transcription. In agreement with our previous observations, increasing the extent of complementarity between the natural termini increased levels of replication, and this effect was most operative at the extreme genome ends. In addition, abolishing the use of Le as a promoter for transcription enhanced replication. These analyses (i) identified signals at the termini required for transcription and replication and (ii) showed that Le functions as a less efficient promoter for replication than TrC at least in part because of its essential role in transcription. Consequently, these observations help explain the asymmetry of VSV replication which results in the synthesis of more negative- than positive-sense replication products in infected cells.



2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. e00146-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan H. Gumpper ◽  
Weike Li ◽  
Carlos H. Castañeda ◽  
M. José Scuderi ◽  
James K. Bashkin ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTPolyamides have been shown to bind double-stranded DNA by complementing the curvature of the minor groove and forming various hydrogen bonds with DNA. Several polyamide molecules have been found to have potent antiviral activities against papillomavirus, a double-stranded DNA virus. By analogy, we reason that polyamides may also interact with the structured RNA bound in the nucleocapsid of a negative-strand RNA virus. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was selected as a prototype virus to test this possibility since its genomic RNA encapsidated in the nucleocapsid forms a structure resembling one strand of an A-form RNA duplex. One polyamide molecule, UMSL1011, was found to inhibit infection of VSV. To confirm that the polyamide targeted the nucleocapsid, a nucleocapsid-like particle (NLP) was incubated with UMSL1011. The encapsidated RNA in the polyamide-treated NLP was protected from thermo-release and digestion by RNase A. UMSL1011 also inhibits viral RNA synthesis in the intracellular activity assay for the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The crystal structure revealed that UMSL1011 binds the structured RNA in the nucleocapsid. The conclusion of our studies is that the RNA in the nucleocapsid is a viable antiviral target of polyamides. Since the RNA structure in the nucleocapsid is similar in all negative-strand RNA viruses, polyamides may be optimized to target the specific RNA genome of a negative-strand RNA virus, such as respiratory syncytial virus and Ebola virus.IMPORTANCENegative-strand RNA viruses (NSVs) include several life-threatening pathogens, such as rabies virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and Ebola virus. There are no effective antiviral drugs against these viruses. Polyamides offer an exceptional opportunity because they may be optimized to target each NSV. Our studies on vesicular stomatitis virus, an NSV, demonstrated that a polyamide molecule could specifically target the viral RNA in the nucleocapsid and inhibit viral growth. The target specificity of the polyamide molecule was proved by its inhibition of thermo-release and RNA nuclease digestion of the RNA bound in a model nucleocapsid, and a crystal structure of the polyamide inside the nucleocapsid. This encouraging observation provided the proof-of-concept rationale for designing polyamides as antiviral drugs against NSVs.



Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document