bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Replacement of the Carboxy-Terminal Two-Thirds of the Influenza A Virus NS1 Protein with Short Heterologous Dimerization Domains
Authors: Wang Xiuyan , Basler Christopher F. , Williams Bryan R. G. , Silverman Robert H. , Palese Peter , García-Sastre Adolfo 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

The NS1 protein of influenza A/WSN/33 virus is a 230-amino-acid-long protein which functions as an interferon alpha/beta (IFN-α/β) antagonist by preventing the synthesis of IFN during viral infection. In tissue culture, the IFN inhibitory function of the NS1 protein has been mapped to the RNA binding domain, the first 73 amino acids. Nevertheless, influenza viruses expressing carboxy-terminally truncated NS1 proteins are attenuated in mice. Dimerization of the NS1 protein has previously been shown to be essential for its RNA binding activity. We have explored the ability of heterologous dimerization domains to functionally substitute in vivo for the carboxy-terminal domains of the NS1 protein. Recombinant influenza viruses were generated that expressed truncated NS1 proteins of 126 amino acids, fused to 28 or 24 amino acids derived from the dimerization domains of either the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PUT3 or the
Drosophila melanogaster
Ncd (DmNcd) proteins. These viruses regained virulence and lethality in mice. Moreover, a recombinant influenza virus expressing only the first 73 amino acids of the NS1 protein was able to replicate in mice lacking three IFN-regulated antiviral enzymes, PKR, RNaseL, and Mx, but not in wild-type (Mx-deficient) mice, suggesting that the attenuation was mainly due to an inability to inhibit the IFN system. Remarkably, a virus with an NS1 truncated at amino acid 73 but fused to the dimerization domain of DmNcd replicated and was also highly pathogenic in wild-type mice. These results suggest that the main biological function of the carboxy-terminal region of the NS1 protein of influenza A virus is the enhancement of its IFN antagonist properties by stabilizing the NS1 dimeric structure.
RNA Interference Directed against Viral and Cellular Targets Inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication
Authors: Surabhi Rama M. , Gaynor Richard B. 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gene expression is regulated by both cellular transcription factors and Tat. The ability of Tat to stimulate transcriptional elongation is dependent on its binding to TAR RNA in conjunction with cyclin T1 and CDK9. A variety of other cellular factors that bind to the HIV-1 long terminal repeat, including NF-κB, SP1, LBP, and LEF, are also important in the control of HIV-1 gene expression. Although these factors have been demonstrated to regulate HIV-1 gene expression by both genetic and biochemical analysis, in most cases a direct in vivo demonstration of their role on HIV-1 replication has not been established. Recently, the efficacy of RNA interference in mammalian cells has been shown utilizing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to result in the specific degradation of host mRNAs and decreases the levels of their corresponding proteins. In this study, we addressed whether siRNAs directed against either HIV-1
tat
or reverse transcriptase or the NF-κB p65 subunit could specifically decrease the levels of these proteins and thus alter HIV-1 replication. Our results demonstrate the specificity of siRNAs for decreasing the expression of these viral and cellular proteins and inhibiting HIV-1 replication. These studies suggest that RNA interference is useful in exploring the biological role of cellular and viral regulatory factors involved in the control of HIV-1 gene expression.
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3β Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Replication In Vivo
Authors: Banks Krista E. , Anderson Aimee L. , Tang Hong , Hughes Douglas E. , Costa Robert H. , McLachlan Alan 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice expressing rat hepatocyte nuclear factor 3β (HNF3β) were generated by breeding HBV transgenic mice with transgenic mice that constitutively overexpress the rat HNF3β polypeptide in the liver. HBV 3.5-, 2.4- and 2.1-kb transcripts were reduced 2- to 4-fold in these mice relative to the HBV transgenic mouse controls. In contrast, the abundance of viral replication intermediates was profoundly reduced in HBV transgenic mice by overexpression of HNF3β. This results, in part, from the preferential reduction in the level of the pregenomic 3.5-kb RNA relative to the precore 3.5-kb RNA. Therefore, it is apparent that increased expression of HNF3β modestly reduces viral transcription and dramatically inhibits replication in vivo in the HBV transgenic mouse. This suggests that altering the activity of this transcription factor in vivo in chronic HBV carriers might be therapeutically beneficial.
Long-Distance Movement, Virulence, and RNA Silencing Suppression Controlled by a Single Protein in Hordei- and Potyviruses: Complementary Functions between Virus Families
Authors: Yelina Natalia E. , Savenkov Eugene I. , Solovyev Andrey G. , Morozov Sergey Y. , Valkonen Jari P. T. 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

RNA silencing is a natural defense mechanism against genetic stress factors, including viruses. A mutant hordeivirus (
Barley stripe mosaic virus
[BSMV]) lacking the γ
b
gene was confined to inoculated leaves in
Nicotiana benthamiana
, but systemic infection was observed in transgenic
N. benthamiana
expressing the potyviral silencing suppressor protein HCpro, suggesting that the γb protein may be a long-distance movement factor and have antisilencing activity. This was shown for γb proteins of both BSMV and
Poa semilatent virus
(PSLV), a related hordeivirus. Besides the functions in RNA silencing suppression, γb and HCpro had analogous effects on symptoms induced by the hordeiviruses. Severe BSMV-induced symptoms were correlated with high HCpro concentrations in the HCpro-transgenic plants, and substitution of the γb cistron of BSMV with that of PSLV led to greatly increased symptom severity and an altered pattern of viral gene expression. The efficient systemic infection with the chimera was followed by the development of dark green islands (localized recovery from infection) in leaves and exemption of new developing leaves from infection. Recovery and the accumulation of short RNAs diagnostic of RNA silencing in the recovered tissues in wild-type
N. benthamiana
were suppressed in HCpro-transgenic plants. These results provide evidence that potyviral HCpro and hordeivirus γb proteins contribute to systemic viral infection, symptom severity, and RNA silencing suppression. HCpro's ability to suppress the recovery of plants from viral infection emphasizes recovery as a manifestation of RNA silencing.
Oligosaccharides as Receptors for JC Virus
Authors: Komagome Rika , Sawa Hirofumi , Suzuki Takashi , Suzuki Yasuo , Tanaka Shinya , Atwood Walter J. , Nagashima Kazuo 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT
JC virus (JCV) belongs to the polyomavirus family of double-stranded DNA viruses and in humans causes a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Its hemagglutination activity and entry into host cells have been reported to depend on an N-linked glycoprotein containing sialic acid. In order to identify the receptors of JCV, we generated virus-like particles (VLP) consisting of major viral capsid protein VP1. We then developed an indirect VLP overlay assay to detect VLP binding to glycoproteins and a panel of glycolipids. We found that VLP bound to sialoglycoproteins, including α1-acid glycoprotein, fetuin, and transferrin receptor, and that this binding depended on α2-3-linked sialic acids and N-linked sugar chains. Neoglycoproteins were synthesized by using ovalbumin and conjugation with oligosaccharides containing the terminal α2-3- or α2-6-linked sialic acid or the branched α2-6-linked sialic acid. We show that the neoglycoprotein containing the terminal α2-6-linked sialic acid had the highest affinity for VLP, inhibited the hemagglutination activity of VLP and JCV, and inhibited the attachment of VLP to cells. We also demonstrate that VLP bound to specific glycolipids, such as lactosylceramide, and gangliosides, including GM3, GD2, GD3, GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b, and that VLP bound weakly to GD1a but did not bind to GM1a, GM2, or galactocerebroside. Furthermore, the neoglycoprotein containing the terminal α2-6-linked sialic acid and the ganglioside GT1b inhibited JCV infection in the susceptible cell line IMR-32. These results suggest that the oligosaccharides of glycoproteins and glycolipids work as JCV receptors and may be feasible as anti-JCV agents.
Highly Permissive Cell Lines for Subgenomic and Genomic Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication
Authors: Blight Keril J. , McKeating Jane A. , Rice Charles M. 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication appears to be restricted to the human hepatoma cell line Huh-7, indicating that a favorable cellular environment exists within these cells. Although adaptive mutations in the HCV nonstructural proteins typically enhance the replicative capacity of subgenomic replicons in Huh-7 cells, replication can only be detected in a subpopulation of these cells. Here we show that self-replicating subgenomic RNA could be eliminated from Huh-7 clones by prolonged treatment with alpha interferon (IFN-α) and that a higher frequency of cured cells could support both subgenomic and full-length HCV replication. The increased permissiveness of one of the cured cell lines allowed us to readily detect HCV RNA and antigens early after RNA transfection, eliminating the need for selection of replication-positive cells. We also demonstrate that a single amino acid substitution in NS5A is sufficient for establishing HCV replication in a majority of cured cells and that the major phosphate acceptor site of subtype 1b NS5A is not essential for HCV replication.
A Novel Gene Expression Control System and Its Use in Stable, High-Titer 293 Cell-Based Adeno-Associated Virus Packaging Cell Lines
Authors: Qiao Chunping , Wang Bing , Zhu Xiaodong , Li Juan , Xiao Xiao 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

Previous attempts to establish 293cell-based stable and high-titer adeno-associated virus (AAV) packaging cell lines were unsuccessful, primarily due to adenovirus E1-activated Rep gene expression, which exerts cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on the host cells. Control of the two large AAV Rep proteins (Rep78/68) was insufficient to eliminate the adverse effects, because of the leaky expression of the two small Rep proteins (Rep52/40). However, it was unsuccessful to control Rep52/40 gene expression since its promoter is located within the coding sequence of Rep78/68. To tightly regulate all four Rep proteins by using their own promoters, we have developed a novel gene control paradigm termed “dual splicing switch,” which disrupts all four Rep genes by inserting into their shared coding region an intron that harbors transcription termination sequences flanked the LoxP sites. As a result, the structure and activities of the Rep gene promoters, both p5 and p19, are not affected; however, all of the Rep transcripts are prematurely terminated and the genes were inactivated. Removal of the terminator by Cre protein reactivates the transcription of all four Rep proteins derived from their own promoters. This switch system was initially tested in the
lacZ
gene and a 600-fold induction of β-galactosidase activity was observed. Using the dual splicing switch strategy, we have subsequently established a number of AAV packaging cell lines from 293 cells, which showed a normal growth rate, high stability, and more importantly, high yields of AAV vectors. Such a gene control paradigm is also useful for other viruses, e.g., autonomous parvoviruses. Finally, the high-titer 293-based AAV packaging cell lines should greatly reduce the risk of wild-type adenovirus contamination and provide a scalable AAV vector production method for both preclinical and clinical studies.
Role of the Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Protein in the Mechanism of Paramyxovirus-Cell Membrane Fusion
Authors: Takimoto Toru , Taylor Garry L. , Connaris Helen C. , Crennell Susan J. , Portner Allen 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

Paramyxovirus infects cells by initially attaching to a sialic acid-containing cellular receptor and subsequently fusing with the plasma membrane of the cells. Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein, which is responsible for virus attachment, interacts with the fusion protein in a virus type-specific manner to induce efficient membrane fusion. To elucidate the mechanism of HN-promoted membrane fusion, we characterized a series of Newcastle disease virus HN proteins whose surface residues were mutated. Fusion promotion activity was substantially altered in only the HN proteins with a mutation in the first or sixth β sheet. These regions overlap the large hydrophobic surface of HN; thus, the hydrophobic surface may contain the fusion promotion domain. Furthermore, a comparison of the HN structure crystallized alone or in complex with 2-deoxy-2,3-dehydro-
N
-acetylneuraminic acid revealed substantial conformational changes in several loops within or near the hydrophobic surface. Our results suggest that the binding of HN protein to the receptor induces the conformational change of residues near the hydrophobic surface of HN protein and that this change triggers the activation of the F protein, which initiates membrane fusion.
Identification of a Second Major Site for CD46 Binding in the Hemagglutinin Protein from a Laboratory Strain of Measles Virus (MV): Potential Consequences for Wild-Type MV Infection
Authors: Massé Nicolas , Barrett Thomas , Muller Claude P. , Wild T. Fabian , Buckland Robin 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT
Natural or wild-type (wt) measles virus (MV) infection in vivo which is restricted to humans and certain monkeys represents an enigma in terms of receptor usage. Although wt MV is known to use the protein SLAM (CD150) as a cell receptor, many human tissues, including respiratory epithelium in which the infection initiates, are SLAM negative. These tissues are CD46 positive, but wt MV strains, unlike vaccinal and laboratory MV strains, are not thought to use CD46 as a receptor. We have identified a novel CD46 binding site at residues S548 and F549, in the hemagglutinin (H) protein from a laboratory MV strain, which is also present in wt H proteins. Our results suggest that although wt MV interacts with SLAM with high affinity, it also possesses the capacity to interact with CD46 with low affinity.
A Mutant of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6 Deficient in Binding α-Helix Partners Displays Reduced Oncogenic Potential In Vivo
Authors: Nguyen Marie , Song Shiyu , Liem Amy , Androphy Elliot , Liu Yun , Lambert Paul F. 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small DNA tumor viruses that are the causative agent of warts and are associated with many anogenital cancers. The viral gene encoding the E6 protein has been found to be involved in HPV oncogenesis. E6 is known to inactivate the cellular tumor suppressor, p53. In addition, E6 has been shown to bind to a variety of other cellular proteins. The focus of this study was to determine what role the interactions of E6 with a subset of cellular proteins which contain a common α-helical domain in their E6 binding region (α-helix partners) play in E6-mediated phenotypes. We generated transgenic mice expressing a mutant of E6, E6
I128T
, which is defective for binding at least a subset of the α-helix partners, including E6AP, the ubiquitin ligase that mediates E6-dependent degradation of the p53 protein, to determine whether binding of α-helix partners plays a role in E6-mediated activities in vivo. Unlike mice expressing the wild-type E6 (strain K14E6
WT
), the mice expressing E6
I128T
lacked the ability to alter the radiation-induced block to DNA synthesis and promote the formation of benign skin tumors in conjunction with chemical carcinogens. Additionally, they displayed reduced levels of skin hyperplasia, spontaneous skin tumors, and tumor progression activity compared to those of the K14E6
WT
mice. From these results, we conclude that a domain in E6 that mediates α-helix partner binding is critical for E6-induced phenotypes in transgenic mice.
Epitope-Tagged L* Protein of Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus Is Expressed in the Central Nervous System in the Acute Phase of Infection
Authors: Asakura Kunihiko , Murayama Harunobu , Himeda Toshiki , Ohara Yoshiro 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACTTO subgroup strains of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) synthesize L* protein from an alternative initiation codon. We first demonstrated L* expression in the central nervous system (CNS) of TMEV-infected mice during the acute phase of infection by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting with anti-L* antibody. In addition, we generated mutant viruses which synthesize FLAG or 3xFLAG epitope-tagged L* protein. With a mutant virus expressing 3xFLAG epitope-tagged L*, designated DA/3xFLAGL*, we investigated L* in the CNS in the acute phase of infection. DA/3xFLAGL* did not change the virus tropism in comparison with wild-type virus, and L* was clearly identified in the CNS in both susceptible and resistant strains of mice. Double immunolabeling studies showed that L* is colocalized with TMEV polyprotein and exclusively expressed in neurons.
Restriction of Viral Replication by Mutation of the Influenza Virus Matrix Protein
Authors: Liu Teresa , Ye Zhiping 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT
The matrix protein (M1) of influenza virus plays an essential role in viral assembly and has a variety of functions, including association with influenza virus ribonucleoprotein (RNP). Our previous studies show that the association of M1 with viral RNA and nucleoprotein not only promotes formation of helical RNP but also is required for export of RNP from the nucleus during viral replication. The RNA-binding domains of M1 have been mapped to two independent regions: a zinc finger motif at amino acid positions 148 to 162 and a series of basic amino acids (RKLKR) at amino acid positions 101 to 105, which is also involved in RNP-binding activity. To further understand the role of the RNP-binding domain of M1 in viral assembly and replication, mutations in the coding sequences of RKLKR and the zinc finger motif of M1 were constructed using a PCR technique and introduced into wild-type influenza virus by reverse genetics. Altering the zinc finger motif of M1 only slightly affected viral growth. Substitution of Arg with Ser at position 101 or 105 of RKLKR did not have a major impact on nuclear export of RNP or viral replication. In contrast, deletion of RKLKR or substitution of Lys with Asn at position 102 or 104 of RKLKR resulted in a lethal mutation. These results indicate that the RKLKR domain of M1 protein plays an important role in viral replication.
Mutations Affecting Transcriptional Termination in the P Gene End of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Viruses
Authors: Ayata Minoru , Komase Katsuhiro , Shingai Masashi , Matsunaga Isamu , Katayama Yuko , Ogura Hisashi 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT
Numerous mutations are found in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) viruses, and the M gene is the gene most commonly affected. In some SSPE viruses, such as the MF, Osaka-1, Osaka-2, and Yamagata-1 strains, translation of the M protein is complicated by a transcriptional defect that leads to an almost exclusive synthesis of dicistronic P-M mRNA. To understand the molecular mechanisms of this defect, we sequenced the P gene at the P-M gene junction for several virus strains and probed the involvement of several mutations in the readthrough region via their expression in measles virus minigenomes containing different sequences of the P-M gene junction and flanking reporter genes. The deletion of a single U residue in the U tract of the Osaka-1 strain (3′-UAAUAUUUUU-5′) compared with the consensus sequence resulted in a marked reduction of the expression of the downstream reporter gene. In addition, the expression of the downstream gene was markedly decreased by (i) the substitution of a C residue in the U tract of the P gene end of the OSA-2/Fr/B strain of the Osaka-2 virus (3′-UGAUAUUCUU-5′ compared with the sequence 3′-UGAUAUUUUU-5′ from a sibling virus of the same strain, OSA-2/Fr/V), and (ii) the substitution of a G in the sequence of the P gene end of the Yamagata-1 strain at a variable site immediately upstream from the six-U tract (3′-UGAUGUUUUUU-5′ instead of 3′-UGAUUUUUUUU-5′). Mutations at the P gene end can account for the readthrough transcription variation at the P-M gene junction, which directly affects M protein expression.
Cellular Sequences in Pestivirus Genomes Encoding Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (A) Receptor-Associated Protein and Golgi-Associated ATPase Enhancer of 16 Kilodaltons
Authors: Becher Paul , Thiel Heinz-Jürgen , Collins Margaret , Brownlie Joe , Orlich Michaela 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT
The presence of cellular protein coding sequences within viral RNA genomes is a unique and particularly interesting feature of cytopathogenic (cp) pestiviruses. Here we report the identification and characterization of two novel cellular sequences in the genomes of cp bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strains. In BVDV strain CP X604, we detected a duplication of the genomic region encoding NS3, NS4A, and part of NS4B, together with an insertion of sequences that code for cellular gamma-aminobutyric acid (A) receptor-associated protein [GABA(A)-RAP]. Transient-expression studies showed that the GABA(A)-RAP sequence leads to additional processing of the viral polyprotein and thereby to the expression of nonstructural protein NS3. Transfection of bovine cells with RNA transcribed from an infectious cDNA clone revealed that the GABA(A)-RAP-encoding insertion together with the duplicated viral sequences constitutes the genetic basis for the cytopathogenicity of strain CP X604. Surprisingly, molecular analysis of another cp BVDV strain (CP 721) resulted in the identification of a cellular Golgi-associated ATPase enhancer of 16 kDa (GATE-16)-encoding insertion together with duplicated viral sequences. To our knowledge, the genomes of CP X604 and CP 721 are the first viral RNAs found with cellular sequences encoding GABA(A)-RAP and GATE-16, respectively. Interestingly, the two cellular proteins belong to a family of eukaryotic proteins involved in various intracellular trafficking processes. Processing after the C-terminal glycine residue of GABA(A)-RAP and GATE-16 by cellular proteases is essential for covalent attachment to target molecules. Accordingly, it can be assumed that these cellular proteases also recognize the cleavage sites in the context of the respective viral polyproteins and thereby lead to the generation of NS3, the marker protein of cp BVDV.
Interleukin-7 Induces Expression of Latent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 with Minimal Effects on T-Cell Phenotype
Authors: Scripture-Adams Deirdre D. , Brooks David G. , Korin Yael D. , Zack Jerome A. 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACTLatent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) persists even in patients treated with antiretroviral therapy. New treatment strategies are therefore needed to eradicate this latent viral reservoir without reducing immune cell function. We characterize the interleukin-7 (IL-7)-induced stimulation of primary human T cells and thymocytes and demonstrate, using the SCID-hu model, that IL-7 induces substantial expression of latent HIV while having minimal effects on the cell phenotype. Thus, IL-7 is a viable candidate to activate expression of latent HIV and may facilitate immune clearance of latently infected cells.