bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Bacterial Virulence Protein Suppresses Host Innate Immunity to Cause Plant Disease
Authors: Nomura Kinya , DebRoy Sruti , Lee Yong Hoon , Pumplin Nathan , Jones Jonathan , He Sheng Yang
Published: July 2006

Plants have evolved a powerful immune system to defend against infection by most microbial organisms. However, successful pathogens, such as
Pseudomonas syringae
, have developed countermeasures and inject virulence proteins into the host plant cell to suppress immunity and cause devastating diseases. Despite intensive research efforts, the molecular targets of bacterial virulence proteins that are important for plant disease development have remained obscure. Here, we show that a conserved
P. syringae
virulence protein, HopM1, targets an immunity-associated protein, AtMIN7, in
Arabidopsis thaliana
. HopM1 mediates the destruction of AtMIN7 via the host proteasome. Our results illustrate a strategy by which a bacterial pathogen exploits the host proteasome to subvert host immunity and causes infection in plants.
From Foraging to Planting
Authors: Pearsall Deborah M.
Published: July 2006

Behavioral Ecology and the Transition to Agriculture
.
Douglas J. Kennett and Bruce Winterhalder, Eds.
. University of California Press, Berkeley, 2006. 408 pp. $60, £38.95. ISBN 0-520-24647-0.

The contributors, who include both archaeologists and ethnographers, explore the origins of agriculture from the perspective of human behavioral ecology.
Silverbacks and Their Satellites
Authors: Cann Rebecca L.
Published: July 2006

Before the Dawn
. Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors.
By Nicholas Wade
. Penguin, New York, 2006. 319 pp. $24.95. ISBN 1-59420-079-3.

Drawing on recent findings from genetics, molecular phylogenetics, paleontology, anthropology, and human genetics, the author sketches the evolution of modern humans and human nature.
Effective Suppression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 through a Combination of Short- or Long-Hairpin RNAs Targeting Essential Sequences for Retroviral Integration
Authors: Nishitsuji Hironori , Kohara Michinori , Kannagi Mari , Masuda Takao
Published: July 2006

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) could provide a new therapeutic approach to treating human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. For long-term suppression of HIV-1, emergence of siRNA escape variants must be controlled. Here, we constructed lentiviral vectors encoding short-hairpin RNAs (shRNA) corresponding to conserved target sequences within the integrase (int) and the attachment site (att) genes, both of which are essential for HIV-1 integration. Compared to shRNA targeting of the HIV-1 transcription factortat(shTat), shRNA againstint(shIN) or the U3 region ofatt(shU3) showed a more potent inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication in human CD4+T cells. Infection with a high dose of HIV-1 resulted in the emergence of escape mutants during long-term culture. Of note, limited genetic variation was observed in the viruses resistant to shIN. A combination of shINs against wild-type and escape mutant sequences had a negative effect on their antiviral activities, indicating a potentially detrimental effect when administering multiple shRNA targeting the same region to combat HIV-1 variants. The combination of shIN and shU3attexhibited the strongest anti-HIV-1 activity, as seen by complete abrogation of viral DNA synthesis and viral integration. In addition, a modified long-hairpin RNA spanning the 50 nucleotides in the shIN target region effectively suppressed wild-type and shIN-resistant mutant HIV-1. These results suggest that targeting of incoming viral RNA before proviral DNA formation occurs through the use of nonoverlapping multiple siRNAs is a potent approach to achieving sustained, efficient suppression of highly mutable viruses, such as HIV-1.
Versatile Reporter Systems Show that Transactivation by Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Tax Occurs Independently of Chromatin Remodeling Factor BRG1
Authors: Zhang Ling , Liu Meihong , Merling Randall , Giam Chou-Zen
Published: July 2006

Potent activation of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) gene expression is mediated by the virus-encoded transactivator protein Tax and three imperfect 21-bp repeats in the viral long terminal repeats. Each 21-bp repeat contains a cAMP-responsive-element core flanked by 5′ G-rich and 3′ C-rich sequences. Tax alone does not bind DNA. Rather, it interacts with basic domain-leucine zipper transcription factors CREB and ATF-1 to form ternary complexes with the 21-bp repeats. In the context of the ternary complexes, Tax contacts the G/C-rich sequences and recruits transcriptional coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300 to effect potent transcriptional activation. Using an easily transduced and chromosomally integrated reporter system derived from a self-inactivating lentivirus vector, we showed in a BRG1- and BRM1-deficient adrenal carcinoma cell line, SW-13, that Tax- and 21-bp repeat-mediated transactivation does not require BRG1 or BRM1 and is not enhanced by BRG1. With a similar reporter system, we further demonstrated that Tax- and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced NF-κB activation occurs readily in SW-13 cells in the absence of BRG1 and BRM1. These results suggest that the assembly of stable multiprotein complexes containing Tax, CREB/ATF-1, and CBP/p300 on the 21-bp repeats is the principal mechanism employed by Tax to preclude nucleosome formation at the HTLV-1 enhancer/promoter. This most likely bypasses the need for BRG1-containing chromatin-remodeling complexes. Likewise, recruitment of CBP/p300 by NF-κB may be sufficient to disrupt histone-DNA interaction for the initiation of transcription.
Evidence of a Potential Receptor-Binding Site on the Nipah Virus G Protein (NiV-G): Identification of Globular Head Residues with a Role in Fusion Promotion and Their Localization on an NiV-G Structural Model
Authors: Guillaume Vanessa , Aslan Hamide , Ainouze Michelle , Guerbois Mathilde , Fabian Wild T. , Buckland Robin , Langedijk Johannes P. M.
Published: July 2006

As a preliminary to the localization of the receptor-binding site(s) on the Nipah virus (NiV) glycoprotein (NiV-G), we have undertaken the identification of NiV-G residues that play a role in fusion promotion. To achieve this, we have used two strategies. First, as NiV and Hendra virus (HeV) share a common receptor and their cellular tropism is similar, we hypothesized that residues functioning in receptor attachment could be conserved between their respective G proteins. Our initial strategy was to target charged residues (which can be expected to be at the surface of the protein) conserved between the NiV-G and HeV-G globular heads. Second, we generated NiV variants that escaped neutralization by anti-NiV-G monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that neutralize NiV both in vitro and in vivo, likely by blocking receptor attachment. The sequencing of such “escape mutants” identified NiV-G residues present in the epitopes to which the neutralizing MAbs are directed. Residues identified via these two strategies whose mutation had an effect on fusion promotion were localized on a new structural model for the NiV-G protein. Our results suggest that seven NiV-G residues, including one (E533) that was identified using both strategies, form a contiguous site on the top of the globular head that is implicated in ephrinB2 binding. This site commences near the shallow depression in the center of the top surface of the globular head and extends to the rim of the barrel-like structure on the top loops of β-sheet 5. The topology of this site is strikingly similar to that proposed to form the SLAM receptor site on another paramyxovirus attachment protein, that of the measles virus hemagglutinin.
Role for Wee1 in Inhibition of G
2
-to-M Transition through the Cooperation of Distinct Human Papillomavirus Type 1 E4 Proteins
Authors: Knight Gillian L. , Turnell Andrew S. , Roberts Sally
Published: July 2006

The infectious cycle of human papillomavirus type 1 (HPV1) is accompanied by abundant expression of the full-length E1^E4 protein (17-kDa) and smaller E4 polypeptides (16-, 11-, and 10-kDa) that arise by sequential loss of N-terminal E1^E4 sequences. HPV1 E4 inhibits G
2
-to-M transition of the cell cycle. Here, we show that HPV1 E4 proteins mediate inhibition of cell division by more than one mechanism. Cells arrested by coexpression of E1^E4 (E4-17K) and a truncated protein equivalent to the 16-kDa species (E4-16K) contain inactive cyclin B1-cdk1 complexes. Inactivation of cdk1 is through inhibitory Tyr
15
phosphorylation, with cells containing elevated levels of Wee1, the kinase responsible for inhibitory cdk1 phosphorylation. Consistent with these findings, overexpression of Wee1 enhanced the extent to which E4-17K/16K-expressing cells arrest in G
2
, indicating that maintenance of Wee1 activity is necessary for inhibition of cell division induced by coexpression of the two E4 proteins. Moreover, we have determined that depletion of Wee1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) alleviates the G
2
block imposed by E4-17K/16K. In contrast however, maintenance of Wee1 activity is not necessary for G
2
-to-M inhibition mediated by E4-16K alone, as overexpression or depletion of Wee1 does not influence the G
2
arrest function of E4-16K. Cells arrested by E4-16K expression contain low levels of active cyclin B1-cdk1 complexes. We hypothesize that differential expression of HPV1 E4 proteins during the viral life cycle determines the host cell cycle status. Different mechanisms of inhibition of G
2
-to-M transition reinforce the supposition that distinct E4 functions are important for HPV replication.
Alpha Interferon Potently Enhances the Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Activity of APOBEC3G in Resting Primary CD4 T Cells
Authors: Chen Keyang , Huang Jialing , Zhang Chune , Huang Sophia , Nunnari Giuseppe , Wang Feng-xiang , Tong Xiangrong , Gao Ling , Nikisher Kristi , Zhang Hui
Published: July 2006

The interferon (IFN) system, including various IFNs and IFN-inducible gene products, is well known for its potent innate immunity against wide-range viruses. Recently, a family of cytidine deaminases, functioning as another innate immunity against retroviral infection, has been identified. However, its regulation remains largely unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that through a regular IFN-α/β signal transduction pathway, IFN-α can significantly enhance the expression of apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme-catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) in human primary resting but not activated CD4 T cells and the amounts of APOBEC3G associated with a low molecular mass. Interestingly, short-time treatments of newly infected resting CD4 T cells with IFN-α will significantly inactivate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) at its early stage. This inhibition can be counteracted by APOBEC3G-specific short interfering RNA, indicating that IFN-α-induced APOBEC3G plays a key role in mediating this anti-HIV-1 process. Our data suggest that APOBEC3G is also a member of the IFN system, at least in resting CD4 T cells. Given that the IFN-α/APOBEC3G pathway has potent anti-HIV-1 capability in resting CD4 T cells, augmentation of this innate immunity barrier could prevent residual HIV-1 replication in its native reservoir in the post-highly active antiretroviral therapy era.
Assembly of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Antigens on Bacteriophage T4: a Novel In Vitro Approach To Construct Multicomponent HIV Vaccines
Authors: Sathaliyawala Taheri , Rao Mangala , Maclean Danielle M. , Birx Deborah L. , Alving Carl R. , Rao Venigalla B.
Published: July 2006

Bacteriophage T4 capsid is an elongated icosahedron decorated with 155 copies of Hoc, a nonessential highly antigenic outer capsid protein. One Hoc monomer is present in the center of each major capsid protein (gp23*) hexon. We describe an in vitro assembly system which allows display of HIV antigens, p24-gag, Nef, and an engineered gp41 C-peptide trimer, on phage T4 capsid surface through Hoc-capsid interactions. In-frame fusions were constructed by splicing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genes to the 5′ or 3′ end of the Hoc gene. The Hoc fusion proteins were expressed, purified, and displayed on
hoc

−

phage particles in a defined in vitro system. Single or multiple antigens were efficiently displayed, leading to saturation of all available capsid binding sites. The displayed p24 was highly immunogenic in mice in the absence of any external adjuvant, eliciting strong p24-specific antibodies, as well as Th1 and Th2 cellular responses with a bias toward the Th2 response. The phage T4 system offers new direction and insights for HIV vaccine development with the potential to increase the breadth of both cellular and humoral immune responses.
Surface Mutagenesis of the Bovine Papillomavirus E1 DNA Binding Domain Reveals Residues Required for Multiple Functions Related to DNA Replication
Authors: Schuck Stephen , Stenlund Arne
Published: July 2006

The E1 protein from papillomaviruses is a multifunctional protein with complex functions required for the initiation of viral DNA replication. We have performed a surface mutagenesis of the well-characterized E1 DNA binding domain (DBD). We demonstrate that substitutions of multiple residues on the surface of the E1 DBD are defective for DNA replication without affecting the DNA binding activity of the protein. The defects of individual substitutions include failure to form the double trimer that melts the ori and failure to form the double hexamer that unwinds the ori. These results demonstrate that the DBD plays an essential role in multiple DNA replication-related processes apart from DNA binding.
Compensatory Capsid Protein Mutations in Cucumber Mosaic Virus Confer Systemic Infectivity in Squash (
Cucurbita pepo
)
Authors: Thompson Jeremy R. , Doun Stephanie , Perry Keith L.
Published: July 2006

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) systemically infects both tobacco and zucchini squash. CMV capsid protein loop mutants with single-amino-acid substitutions are unable to systemically infect squash, but they revert to a wild-type phenotype in the presence of an additional, specific single-site substitution. The D118A, T120A, D192A, and D197A loop mutants reverted to a wild-type phenotype but did so in combination with P56S, P77L, A162V, and I53F or T124I mutations, respectively. The possible effect of these compensatory mutations on other, nonsystemically infecting loop mutants was tested with the F117A mutant and found to be neutral, thus indicating a specificity to the observed changes.
Resistance of mRNA Translation to Acute Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Inducing Agents in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Cells Requires Multiple Virus-Encoded Functions
Authors: Mulvey Matthew , Arias Carolina , Mohr Ian
Published: July 2006

Via careful control of multiple kinases that inactivate the critical translation initiation factor eIF2 by phosphorylation of its alpha subunit, the cellular translation machinery can rapidly respond to a spectrum of environmental stresses, including viral infection. Indeed, virus replication produces a battery of stresses, such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress resulting from misfolded proteins accumulating within the lumen of this organelle, which could potentially result in eIF2α phosphorylation and inhibit translation. While cellular translation is exquisitely sensitive to ER stress-inducing agents, protein synthesis in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected cells is notably resistant. Sustained translation in HSV-1-infected cells exposed to acute ER stress does not involve the interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-responsive eIF2α kinase PKR, and it does not require either the PKR inhibitor encoded by the Us11 gene or the eIF2α phosphatase component specified by the γ
1
34.5 gene, the two viral functions known to regulate eIF2α phosphorylation. In addition, although ER stress potently induced the GADD34 cellular eIF2α phosphatase subunit in uninfected cells, it did not accumulate to detectable levels in HSV-1-infected cells under identical exposure conditions. Significantly, resistance of translation to the acute ER stress observed in infected cells requires HSV-1 gene expression. Whereas blocking entry into the true late phase of the viral developmental program does not abrogate ER stress-resistant translation, the presence of viral immediate-early proteins is sufficient to establish a state permissive of continued polypeptide synthesis in the presence of ER stress-inducing agents. Thus, one or more previously uncharacterized viral functions exist to counteract the accumulation of phosphorylated eIF2α in response to ER stress in HSV-1-infected cells.
Locus-Specific Gene Expression Pattern Suggests a Unique Propagation Strategy for a Giant Algal Virus
Authors: Allen Michael J. , Forster Thorsten , Schroeder Declan C. , Hall Matthew , Roy Douglas , Ghazal Peter , Wilson William H.
Published: July 2006

Emiliania huxleyi
virus strain 86 is the largest algal virus sequenced to date and is unique among the
Phycodnaviridae
since its genome is predicted to contain six RNA polymerase subunit genes. We have used a virus microarray to profile the temporal transcription strategy of this unusual virus during infection. There are two distinct transcription phases to the infection process. The primary phase is dominated by a group of coding sequences (CDSs) expressed by 1 h postinfection that are localized to a subregion of the genome. The CDS of the primary group have no database homologues, and each is associated with a unique promoter element. The remainder of the CDSs are expressed in a secondary phase between 2 and 4 hours postinfection. Compartmentalized transcription of the two distinctive phases is discussed. We hypothesize that immediately after infection the nucleic acid of the virus targets the host nucleus, where primary-phase genes are transcribed by host RNA polymerase which recognizes the viral promoter. Secondary-phase transcription may then be conducted in the cytoplasm.
Isolation of an Active Lv1 Gene from Cattle Indicates that Tripartite Motif Protein-Mediated Innate Immunity to Retroviral Infection Is Widespread among Mammals
Authors: Ylinen Laura M. J. , Keckesova Zuzana , Webb Benjamin L. J. , Gifford Robert J. M. , Smith Timothy P. L. , Towers Greg J.
Published: July 2006

Lv1/TRIM5α (tripartite motif 5α) has recently emerged as an important factor influencing species-specific permissivity to retroviral infection in a range of primates, including humans. Old World monkey TRIM5α blocks human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infectivity, and the human and New World monkey TRIM5α proteins are inactive against HIV-1 but active against divergent murine (N-tropic murine leukemia virus [MLV-N]) and simian (simian immunodeficiency virus from rhesus macaque [SIVmac]) retroviruses, respectively. Here we demonstrate antiviral activity of the first nonprimate TRIM protein, from cattle, active against divergent retroviruses, including HIV-1. The number of closely related human TRIM sequences makes assignment of the bovine sequence as a TRIM5α ortholog uncertain, and we therefore refer to it as bovine Lv1. Bovine Lv1 is closely related to primate TRIM5α proteins in the N-terminal RING and B-box 2 domains but significantly less homologous in the C-terminal B30.2 domain, particularly in the region shown to influence antiviral specificity. Intriguingly, some viruses restricted by bovine Lv1, including HIV-1 and MLV-N, are unable to synthesize viral DNA by reverse transcription, whereas restricted HIV-2 makes normal amounts of DNA. The data support the conclusion that TRIM protein-mediated restriction of retroviral infection is a more common attribute of mammals than previously appreciated.
Characterization of the Archaeal ThermophileSulfolobusTurreted Icosahedral Virus Validates an Evolutionary Link among Double-Stranded DNA Viruses from All Domains of Life
Authors: Maaty Walid S. A. , Ortmann Alice C. , Dlakić Mensur , Schulstad Katie , Hilmer Jonathan K. , Liepold Lars , Weidenheft Blake , Khayat Reza , Douglas Trevor , Young Mark J. , Bothner Brian
Published: July 2006

Icosahedral nontailed double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses are present in all three domains of life, leading to speculation about a common viral ancestor that predates the divergence ofEukarya,Bacteria, andArchaea. This suggestion is supported by the shared general architecture of this group of viruses and the common fold of their major capsid protein. However, limited information on the diversity and replication of archaeal viruses, in general, has hampered further analysis.Sulfolobusturreted icosahedral virus (STIV), isolated from a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, was the first icosahedral virus with an archaeal host to be described. Here we present a detailed characterization of the components forming this unusual virus. Using a proteomics-based approach, we identified nine viral and two host proteins from purified STIV particles. Interestingly, one of the viral proteins originates from a reading frame lacking a consensus start site. The major capsid protein (B345) was found to be glycosylated, implying a strong similarity to proteins from other dsDNA viruses. Sequence analysis and structural predication of virion-associated viral proteins suggest that they may have roles in DNA packaging, penton formation, and protein-protein interaction. The presence of an internal lipid layer containing acidic tetraether lipids has also been confirmed. The previously presented structural models in conjunction with the protein, lipid, and carbohydrate information reported here reveal that STIV is strikingly similar to viruses associated with theBacteriaandEukaryadomains of life, further strengthening the hypothesis for a common ancestor of this group of dsDNA viruses from all domains of life.
Structure of A197 from
Sulfolobus
Turreted Icosahedral Virus: a Crenarchaeal Viral Glycosyltransferase Exhibiting the GT-A Fold
Authors: Larson Eric T. , Reiter Dirk , Young Mark , Lawrence C. Martin
Published: July 2006

Sulfolobus
turreted icosahedral virus (STIV) was the first icosahedral virus characterized from an archaeal host. It infects
Sulfolobus
species that thrive in the acidic hot springs (pH 2.9 to 3.9 and 72 to 92°C) of Yellowstone National Park. The overall capsid architecture and the structure of its major capsid protein are very similar to those of the bacteriophage PRD1 and eukaryotic viruses
Paramecium bursaria Chlorella
virus 1 and adenovirus, suggesting a viral lineage that predates the three domains of life. The 17,663-base-pair, circular, double-stranded DNA genome contains 36 potential open reading frames, whose sequences generally show little similarity to other genes in the sequence databases. However, functional and evolutionary information may be suggested by a protein's three-dimensional structure. To this end, we have undertaken structural studies of the STIV proteome. Here we report our work on A197, the product of an STIV open reading frame. The structure of A197 reveals a GT-A fold that is common to many members of the glycosyltransferase superfamily. A197 possesses a canonical DXD motif and a putative catalytic base that are hallmarks of this family of enzymes, strongly suggesting a glycosyltransferase activity for A197. Potential roles for the putative glycosyltransferase activity of A197 and their evolutionary implications are discussed.
Replication of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts: Protein Kinase R (PKR)-Dependent and PKR-Independent Mechanisms for Controlling HCV RNA Replication and Mediating Interferon Activities
Authors: Chang Kyung-Soo , Cai Zhaohui , Zhang Chen , Sen Ganes C. , Williams Bryan R. G. , Luo Guangxiang
Published: July 2006

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic hepatitis and is currently treated with alpha interferon (IFN-α)-based therapies. The underlying mechanisms of chronic HCV infection and IFN-based therapies, however, have not been defined. Protein kinase R (PKR) was implicated in the control of HCV replication and mediation of IFN-induced antiviral response. In this report, we demonstrate that a subgenomic RNA replicon of genotype 2a HCV replicated efficiently in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), as determined by cell colony formation efficiency and the detection of HCV proteins and both positive- and negative-strand RNAs. Additionally, the subgenomic HCV RNA was found to replicate more efficiently in the PKR knockout (PKR
−/−
) MEF than in the wild-type (PKR
+/+
) MEF. The knockdown expression of PKR by specific small interfering RNAs significantly enhanced the level of HCV RNA replication, suggesting that PKR is involved in the control of HCV RNA replication. The level of ISG56 (p56) was induced by HCV RNA replication, indicating the activation of PKR-independent antiviral pathways. Furthermore, IFN-α/β inhibited HCV RNA replication in PKR
−/−
MEFs as efficiently as in PKR
+/+
MEFs. These findings demonstrate that PKR-independent antiviral pathways play important roles in controlling HCV replication and mediating IFN-induced antiviral effect. Our findings also provide a foundation for the development of transgenic mouse models of HCV replication and set a stage to further define the roles of cellular genes in the establishment of chronic HCV infection and the mediation of intracellular innate antiviral response by using MEFs derived from diverse gene knockout animals.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Precludes Replenishment of the Short-Lived Receptor of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha by Virion Host Shutoff-Dependent Degradation of Its mRNA
Authors: Liang Li , Roizman Bernard
Published: July 2006

Cell function is tightly regulated by surface receptors. Earlier reports showed that herpes simplex virus 1 regulates by diverse mechanisms the presentation of antigenic peptides, downregulates the signaling pathways associated with receptor tyrosine kinases, and posttranslationally modifies members of the Src family of protein kinases. Here we report that the receptor for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-R1) rapidly disappears from both the cell surface and total cell lysates in cells infected with wild-type virus or a variety of mutants but not in cells infected with the mutant ΔUL41, which lacks the UL41 gene, the virion host shutoff gene. The half-life of TNF-R1 appears to be less than 30 min in both mock-infected and infected cells. The disappearance of TNF-R1 correlates with the disappearance of cytoplasmic TNF-R1 mRNA in wild-type-virus-infected cells. The results suggest that by degrading the TNFR1 mRNA, the virus precludes the replenishment of naturally decaying TNF-R1.
Role of the Stable Signal Peptide of Junín Arenavirus Envelope Glycoprotein in pH-Dependent Membrane Fusion
Authors: York Joanne , Nunberg Jack H.
Published: July 2006

The envelope glycoprotein of the arenaviruses (GP-C) is unusual in that the mature complex retains the cleaved, 58-amino-acid signal peptide. Association of this stable signal peptide (SSP) has been shown to be essential for intracellular trafficking and proteolytic maturation of the GP-C complex. We identify here a specific and previously unrecognized role of SSP in pH-dependent membrane fusion. Amino acid substitutions that alter the positive charge at lysine K33 in SSP affect the ability of GP-C to mediate cell-cell fusion and the threshold pH at which membrane fusion is triggered. Based on the presumed location of K33 at or near the luminal domain of SSP, we postulate that SSP interacts with the membrane-proximal or transmembrane regions of the G2 fusion protein. This unique organization of the GP-C complex may suggest novel strategies for intervention in arenavirus infection.
Independent Contributions of Polyomavirus Middle T and Small T to the Regulation of Early and Late Gene Expression and DNA Replication
Authors: Chen Li , Wang Xiaoyu , Fluck Michele M.
Published: July 2006

We previously showed that murine polyomavirus mutants that lack both middle T (MT) and small T (ST) functions have a severe pleiotropic defect in early and late viral gene expression as well as genome amplification. The respective contribution of MT and ST to this phenotype was unclear. This work separates the roles of MT and ST in both permissive mouse cells and nonpermissive rat cells. It demonstrates for the first time a role for both proteins. To gain insight into the signaling pathways that might be required, we focused on MT and its mutants. The results show that each of the major MT signaling connections, Shc, phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase, and phospholipase C γ1, could contribute in an additive way. Unexpectedly, a mutant lacking all these connections because the three major tyrosines had been converted to phenylalanine retained some activity. A mutant in which all six MT C-terminal tyrosines had been mutated was inactive. This suggests a novel signaling pathway for MT that uses the minor tyrosines. What is common to ST and the individual MT signaling pathways is the ability to signal to the polyomavirus enhancer, in particular to the crucial AP-1 and PEA3/ets binding sites. This connection explains the pleiotropy of MT and ST effects on transcription and DNA replication.
Mouse Cytomegalovirus Crosses the Species Barrier with Help from a Few Human Cytomegalovirus Proteins
Authors: Tang Qiyi , Maul Gerd G.
Published: July 2006

Strong species specificity and similar tropisms suggest mouse cytomegalovirus (mCMV) as a potential vector for transgenes into human cells. We reexamined the dogma that mouse cytomegalovirus cannot productively replicate in human cells and found that mouse cytomegalovirus can produce infectious particles albeit at a level that does not sustain an infection. This finding demonstrates that mouse cytomegalovirus can undergo all processes of its life cycle in human cells but may not be well adapted to circumvent the human cell's intrinsic defenses. The suppression of mCMV production in human cells is affected at several levels, which additively or synergistically result in the appearance of species specificity. Hydrolysis of most newly replicated viral DNA and very low capsid protein transcription reduced the potential particle production to insignificant levels. These effects can be ameliorated by adding human cytomegalovirus tegument proteins and immediate-early protein 1. They function synergistically to produce significant amounts of mCMV in human cells. While the possibility that mouse cytomegalovirus might replicate in human cells raises caution in the use of this virus as a transgene vector, manipulation of the mouse cytomegalovirus genome to allow limited spread to other human cells might also provide an advantage for the distribution of certain transgenic products.
Serial Passage through Human Glioma Xenografts Selects for a Δγ
1
34.5 Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Mutant That Exhibits Decreased Neurotoxicity and Prolongs Survival of Mice with Experimental Brain Tumors
Authors: Shah Amish C. , Price Kathleen H. , Parker Jacqueline N. , Samuel Sharon L. , Meleth Sreelatha , Cassady Kevin A. , Yancey Gillespie G. , Whitley Richard J. , Markert James M.
Published: July 2006

Previous studies have described in vitro serial passage of a Δγ
1
34.5 herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells and selection of mutants that have acquired the ability to infect and replicate in this previously nonpermissive cell line. Here we describe the selection of a mutant HSV-1 strain by in vivo serial passage, which prolongs survival in two separate experimental murine brain tumor models. Two conditionally replication-competent Δγ
1
34.5 viruses, M002, which expresses murine interleukin-12, and its parent virus, R3659, were serially passaged within human malignant glioma D54-MG cell lines in vitro or flank tumor xenografts in vivo. The major findings are (i) viruses passaged in vivo demonstrate decreased neurovirulence, whereas those passaged in vitro demonstrate a partial recovery of the neurovirulence associated with HSV-1; and (ii) vvD54-M002, the virus selected after in vivo serial passage of M002 in D54-MG tumors, improves survival in two independent murine brain tumor models compared to the parent (unpassaged) M002. Additionally, in vitro-passaged, but not in vivo-passaged, M002 displayed changes in the protein synthesis profile in previously nonpermissive cell lines, as well as early U
S
11 transcription. Thus, a mutant HSV-1 strain expressing a foreign gene can be selected for enhanced antitumor efficacy via in vivo serial passage within flank D54-MG tumor xenografts. The enhanced antitumor efficacy of vvD54-M002 is not due to restoration of protein synthesis or early U
S
11 expression. This finding emphasizes the contribution of the in vivo tumor environment for selecting novel oncolytic HSV specifically adapted for tumor cell destruction in vivo.
Vaccinia Virus B1R Kinase Interacts with JIP1 and Modulates c-Jun-Dependent Signaling
Authors: Santos Claudio R. , Blanco Sandra , Sevilla Ana , Lazo Pedro A.
Published: July 2006

Viruses have to adjust to the host cell to guarantee their life cycle and survival. This aspect of the virus-host cell interaction is probably performed by viral proteins, such as serine-threonine kinases, that are present early during infection. Vaccinia virus has an early Ser-Thr kinase, B1R, which, although required for successful viral infection, is poorly characterized regarding its effects on cellular proteins, and thus, its potential contribution to pathogenesis is not known. Signaling by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is mediated by the assembly of complexes between these kinases and the JIP scaffold proteins. To understand how vaccinia virus B1R can affect the host, its roles in the cellular signaling by MAPK complexes and c-Jun activation have been studied. Independently of its kinase activity, B1R can interact with the central region of the JIP1 scaffold protein. The B1R-JIP1 complex increases the amount of MAPK bound to JIP1; thus, MKK7 and TAK1 either bind with higher affinity or bind more stably to JIP1, while there is an increase in the phosphorylation state of JNK bound to JIP1. The functional consequence of these more stable interactions is an increase in the activity of transcription factors, such as c-Jun, that respond to these complexes. Furthermore, B1R is also able to directly phosphorylate c-Jun in residues different from those targeted by JNK and, thus, B1R can also cooperate by an independent route in c-Jun activation. Vaccinia virus B1R can thus modulate the signaling of pathways that respond to cellular stress.
Kinetics of Influenza A Virus Infection in Humans
Authors: Baccam Prasith , Beauchemin Catherine , Macken Catherine A. , Hayden Frederick G. , Perelson Alan S.
Published: July 2006

Currently, little is known about the viral kinetics of influenza A during infection within an individual. We utilize a series of mathematical models of increasing complexity, which incorporate target cell limitation and the innate interferon response, to examine influenza A virus kinetics in the upper respiratory tracts of experimentally infected adults. The models were fit to data from an experimental H1N1 influenza A/Hong Kong/123/77 infection and suggest that it is important to include the eclipse phase of the viral life cycle in viral dynamic models. Doing so, we estimate that after a delay of ∼6 h, infected cells begin producing influenza virus and continue to do so for ∼5 h. The average lifetime of infected cells is ∼11 h, and the half-life of free infectious virus is ∼3 h. We calculated the basic reproductive number,R0, which indicated that a single infected cell could produce ∼22 new productive infections. This suggests that antiviral treatments have a large hurdle to overcome in moderating symptoms and limiting infectiousness and that treatment has to be initiated as early as possible. For about 50% of patients, the curve of viral titer versus time has two peaks. This bimodal behavior can be explained by incorporating the antiviral effects of interferon into the model. Our model also compared well to an additional data set on viral titer after experimental infection and treatment with the neuraminidase inhibitor zanamivir, which suggests that such models may prove useful in estimating the efficacies of different antiviral therapies for influenza A infection.
Autoactivation of the Epstein-Barr Virus Oncogenic Protein LMP1 during Type II Latency through Opposite Roles of the NF-κB and JNK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Goormachtigh Gautier , Ouk Tan-Sothéa , Mougel Alexandra , Tranchand-Bunel Denis , Masy Eric , Le Clorennec Christophe , Feuillard Jean , Bornkamm Georg W. , Auriault Claude , Manet Evelyne , Fafeur Véronique , Adriaenssens Eric , Coll Jean
Published: July 2006

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several human malignancies where it expresses limited subsets of latent proteins. Of the latent proteins, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is a potent transforming protein that constitutively induces multiple cell signaling pathways and contributes to EBV-associated oncogenesis. Regulation of LMP1 expression has been extensively described during the type III latency of EBV. Nevertheless, in the majority of EBV-associated tumors, the virus is commonly found to display a type II latency program in which it is still unknown which viral or cellular protein is really involved in maintaining LMP1 expression. Here, we demonstrate that LMP1 activates its own promoter pLMP1 through the JNK signaling pathway emerging from the TES2 domain. Our results also reveal that this activation is tightly controlled by LMP1, since pLMP1 is inhibited by LMP1-activated NF-κB signaling pathway. By using our physiological models of EBV-infected cells displaying type II latency as well as lymphoblastoid cell lines expressing a type III latency, we also demonstrate that this balanced autoregulation of LMP1 is shared by both latency programs. Finally, we show that this autoactivation is the most important mechanism to maintain LMP1 expression during the type II latency program of EBV.
Entry of Feline Calicivirus Is Dependent on Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis and Acidification in Endosomes
Authors: Stuart Amanda D. , Brown T. David K.
Published: July 2006

Feline calicivirus is a major causative agent of respiratory disease in cats. It is also one of the few cultivatable members of
Caliciviridae
. We have examined the entry process of feline calicivirus (FCV). An earlier study demonstrated that acidification in endosomes may be required. We have confirmed this observation and expanded upon it, demonstrating, using drugs to inhibit the various endocytic pathways and dominant-negative mutants, that FCV infects cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. We have also observed that FCV permeabilizes cell membranes early during infection to allow the coentry of toxins such as α-sarcin. Inhibitors of endosome acidification such as chloroquine and bafilomycin A1 blocked this permeabilization event, demonstrating that acidification is required for uncoating of the genome and access to the cytoplasm.
Intramolecular and Intermolecular Uridylylation by Poliovirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
Authors: Richards Oliver C. , Spagnolo Jeannie F. , Lyle John M. , Vleck Susan E. , Kuchta Robert D. , Kirkegaard Karla
Published: July 2006

The 22-amino-acid protein VPg can be uridylylated in solution by purified poliovirus 3D polymerase in a template-dependent reaction thought to mimic primer formation during RNA amplification in infected cells. In the cell, the template used for the reaction is a hairpin RNA termed 2C-
cre
and, possibly, the poly(A) at the 3′ end of the viral genome. Here, we identify several additional substrates for uridylylation by poliovirus 3D polymerase. In the presence of a 15-nucleotide (nt) RNA template, the poliovirus polymerase uridylylates other polymerase molecules in an intermolecular reaction that occurs in a single step, as judged by the chirality of the resulting phosphodiester linkage. Phosphate chirality experiments also showed that VPg uridylylation can occur by a single step; therefore, there is no obligatory uridylylated intermediate in the formation of uridylylated VPg. Other poliovirus proteins that could be uridylylated by 3D polymerase in solution were viral 3CD and 3AB proteins. Strong effects of both RNA and protein ligands on the efficiency and the specificity of the uridylylation reaction were observed: uridylylation of 3D polymerase and 3CD protein was stimulated by the addition of viral protein 3AB, and, when the template was poly(A) instead of the 15-nt RNA, the uridylylation of 3D polymerase itself became intramolecular instead of intermolecular. Finally, an antiuridine antibody identified uridylylated viral 3D polymerase and 3CD protein, as well as a 65- to 70-kDa host protein, in lysates of virus-infected human cells.
Induction of the Early Growth Response 1 Gene by Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Transactivator Zta
Authors: Chang Yao , Lee Heng-Huan , Chen Yu-Te , Lu Jean , Wu Shih-Yi , Chen Chaio-Wei , Takada Kenzo , Tsai Ching-Hwa
Published: July 2006

Early growth response 1 (Egr-1) is a cellular transcription factor involved in diverse biologic functions. Egr-1 has been associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, but it is still unknown whether any EBV protein regulates Egr-1 expression. In this study, we first showed that EBV reactivation is involved in upregulation of Egr-1 and that Egr-1 can be induced by Zta, an EBV lytic transactivator. Zta not only binds to the Egr-1 promoter but also activates the ERK signaling pathway to trigger binding of Elk-1 to the Egr-1 promoter. In addition, knockdown of Egr-1 significantly reduces the spontaneous expression of Zta and Rta in EBV-infected 293 cells, suggesting that a positive-feedback network involving Egr-1 is required for EBV reactivation. This study also implies that Zta has the potential to affect expression of certain genes through Egr-1.
Identification of Essential Host Factors Affecting Tombusvirus RNA Replication Based on the Yeast Tet Promoters Hughes Collection
Authors: Jiang Yi , Serviene Elena , Gal Jozsef , Panavas Tadas , Nagy Peter D.
Published: July 2006

To identify essential host genes affecting replication of
Tomato bushy stunt virus
(TBSV), a small model plant virus, we screened 800 yeast genes present in the yeast Tet promoters Hughes Collection. In total, we have identified 30 new host genes whose down-regulation either increased or decreased the accumulation of a TBSV replicon RNA. The identified essential yeast genes are involved in RNA transcription/metabolism, protein metabolism/transport, or other cellular processes. Detailed analysis of the effects of some of the identified yeast genes revealed that they might affect RNA replication by altering (i) the amounts/functions of p33 and p92
pol
viral replication proteins, (ii) the standard 10 to 20:1 ratio between p33 and p92
pol
in the viral replicase, (iii) the activity of the tombusvirus replicase, and (iv) the ratio of plus- versus minus-stranded RNA replication products. Altogether, this and previous genetic screening of yeast (Panavas et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
102:
7326-7331, 2005) led to the identification of 126 host genes (out of ∼5,600 genes that represent ∼95% of all the known and predicted yeast genes) that affected the accumulation of tombusvirus RNA.
Expression of CCL20 and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor, but Not Flt3-L, from Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Enhances Antiviral Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses
Authors: Chavan R. , Marfatia K. A. , An I. C. , Garber D. A. , Feinberg M. B.
Published: July 2006

While modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is currently in clinical development as a safe vaccine against smallpox and heterologous infectious diseases, its immunogenicity is likely limited due to the inability of the virus to replicate productively in mammalian hosts. In light of recent data demonstrating that vaccinia viruses, including MVA, preferentially infect antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that play crucial roles in generating antiviral immunity, we hypothesized that expression of specific cytokines and chemokines that mediate APC recruitment and activation from recombinant MVA (rMVA) vectors would enhance the immunogenicity of these vectors. To test this hypothesis, we generated rMVAs that express murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGM-CSF), human CCL20/human macrophage inflammatory protein 3α (hCCL20/hMIP-3α), or human fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (hFlt3-L), factors predicted to increase levels of dendritic cells (DCs), to recruit DCs to sites of immunization, or to promote maturation of DCs in vivo, respectively. These rMVAs also coexpress the well-characterized, immunodominant lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus nucleoprotein (NP) antigen that enabled sensitive and quantitative assessment of antigen-specific CD8+T-cell responses following immunization of BALB/c mice. Our results demonstrate that immunization of mice with rMVAs expressing mGM-CSF or hCCL20, but not hFlt3-L, results in two- to fourfold increases of cellular immune responses directed against vector-encoded antigens and 6- to 17-fold enhancements of MVA-specific antibody titers, compared to those responses elicited by nonadjuvanted rMVA. Of note, cytokine augmentation of cellular immune responses occurs when rMVAs are given as primary immunizations but not when they are used as booster immunizations, suggesting that these APC-modulating proteins, when used as poxvirus-encoded adjuvants, are more effective at stimulating naïve T-cell responses than in promoting recall of preexisting memory T-cell responses. Our results demonstrate that a strategy to express specific genetic adjuvants from rMVA vectors can be successfully applied to enhance the immunogenicity of MVA-based vaccines.
Adenosine N1-Oxide Analogues as Inhibitors of Orthopox Virus Replication
Authors: Khandazhinskaya Anastasiya L. , Shirokova Elena A. , Shipitsin Alexander V. , Karpenko Inna L. , Belanov Evgenii F. , Kukhanova Marina K. , Yasko Maksim V.
Published: July 2006

Several new types of adenosineN1-oxide (ANO) derivatives includingN1-alkoxy andN6-alkyl as well as the analogues with a trihydroxycyclopentane ring in place of the ribose residue were synthesized and their antiviral properties were evaluated in Vero and LLC-MK2 cell cultures infected with vaccinia, mousepox, monkeypox, cowpox, and different isolates of smallpox viruses. The antiviral activity of ANO and its derivatives significantly depended on the virus type and cell cultures. Mousepox and monkeypox viruses were the most sensitive to these compounds, while vaccinia and cowpox viruses were inhibited at the concentrations 1-1.5 orders of magnitude higher. The toxicity of the synthesized compounds was much lower than that of ANO. Modifications of the ANON6-position did not offer any advantages over the parent compound. The synthesizedN1-oxide derivatives of noraristeromycin retained the activity comparable with noraristeromycin and displayed a decreased toxicity. No direct correlation between antiviral activity and stability of the compounds was found.
Expression of the polycomb-group geneBMI1is related to an unfavourable prognosis in primary nodal DLBCL
Authors: van Galen Joost C , Muris Jettie J F , Oudejans Joost J , Vos Wim , Giroth Cindy P E , Ossenkoppele Gert J , Otte Arie P , Raaphorst Frank M , Meijer Chris J L M
Published: July 2006

Background:: Clinical outcome in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) is highly variable and poorly predictable. Microarray studies showed that patients with DLBCL with a germinal centre B cell-like (GCB) phenotype have a better prognosis than those with an activated B cell-like (ABC) phenotype. TheBMI1proto-oncogene was identified as one of the genes present in the signature of the ABC type of DLBCL, associated with a poor prognosis.

Objectives:: (1) To investigate, in primary nodal DLBCL, the expression ofBMI1and its association with clinical outcome and DLBCL signature; (2) to look for an association betweenBMI1expression and the expression of its putative downstream targetsp14ARFandp16INK4a.

Results::BMI1expression was found to be associated with poor clinical outcome, but not clearly with an ABC-like phenotype of DLBCL. Expression ofBMI1was frequently, but not always, related to low levels of expression ofp14ARFandp16INK4a.

Conclusion:: Expression ofBMI1is associated with an unfavourable clinical outcome of primary nodal DLBCL.