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Ogrina A, Balke I, Kalnciema I, Skrastina D, Jansons J, Bachmann MF, Zeltins A. Bacterial expression systems based on Tymovirus-like particles for the presentation of vaccine antigens. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1154990. [PMID: 37032851 PMCID: PMC10076540 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1154990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are virus-derived artificial nanostructures that resemble a native virus-stimulating immune system through highly repetitive surface structures. Improved safety profiles, flexibility in vaccine construction, and the ease of VLP production and purification have highlighted VLPs as attractive candidates for universal vaccine platform generation, although exploration of different types of expression systems for their development is needed. Here, we demonstrate the construction of several simple Escherichia coli expression systems for the generation of eggplant mosaic virus (EMV) VLP-derived vaccines. We used different principles of antigen incorporation, including direct fusion of EMV coat protein (CP) with major cat allergen Feld1, coexpression of antigen containing and unmodified (mosaic) EMV CPs, and two coexpression variants of EMV VLPs and antigen using synthetic zipper pair 18/17 (SYNZIP 18/17), and coiled-coil forming peptides E and K (Ecoil/Kcoil). Recombinant Fel d 1 chemically coupled to EMV VLPs was included as control experiments. All EMV-Feld1 variants were expressed in E. coli, formed Tymovirus-like VLPs, and were used for immunological evaluation in healthy mice. The immunogenicity of these newly developed vaccine candidates demonstrated high titers of Feld1-specific Ab production; however, a comparably high immune response against carrier EMV was also observed. Antibody avidity tests revealed very specific Ab production (more than 50% specificity) for four out of the five vaccine candidates. Native Feld1 recognition and subclass-specific antibody tests suggested that the EMV-SZ18/17-Feld1 complex and chemically coupled EMV-Feld1 vaccines may possess characteristics for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anete Ogrina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ina Balke
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ieva Kalnciema
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Martin F. Bachmann
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andris Zeltins
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
- *Correspondence: Andris Zeltins,
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2
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Prakash DL, Gosavi S. The diversity of protein-protein interaction interfaces within T=3 icosahedral viral capsids. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:967877. [PMID: 36339706 PMCID: PMC9631432 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.967877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Some non-enveloped virus capsids assemble from multiple copies of a single type of coat-protein (CP). The comparative energetics of the diverse CP-CP interfaces present in such capsids likely govern virus assembly-disassembly mechanisms. The T = 3 icosahedral capsids comprise 180 CP copies arranged about two-, three-, five- and six-fold axes of (quasi-)rotation symmetry. Structurally diverse CPs can assemble into T = 3 capsids. Specifically, the Leviviridae CPs are structurally distinct from the Bromoviridae, Tombusviridae and Tymoviridae CPs which fold into the classic “jelly-roll” fold. However, capsids from across the four families are known to disassemble into dimers. To understand whether the overall symmetry of the capsid or the structural details of the CP determine virus assembly-disassembly mechanisms, we analyze the different CP-CP interfaces that occur in the four virus families. Previous work studied protein homodimer interfaces using interface size (relative to the monomer) and hydrophobicity. Here, we analyze all CP-CP interfaces using these two parameters and find that the dimerization interface (present between two CPs congruent through a two-fold axis of rotation) has a larger relative size in the Leviviridae than in the other viruses. The relative sizes of the other Leviviridae interfaces and all the jelly-roll interfaces are similar. However, the dimerization interfaces across families have slightly higher hydrophobicity, potentially making them stronger than other interfaces. Finally, although the CP-monomers of the jelly-roll viruses are structurally similar, differences in their dimerization interfaces leads to varied dimer flexibility. Overall, differences in CP-structures may induce different modes of swelling and assembly-disassembly in the T = 3 viruses.
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3
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Shukla S, Wang C, Beiss V, Cai H, Washington T, Murray AA, Gong X, Zhao Z, Masarapu H, Zlotnick A, Fiering S, Steinmetz NF. The unique potency of Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) in situ cancer vaccine. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:5489-5503. [PMID: 32914796 PMCID: PMC8086234 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01219j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment enables cancer to resist immunotherapies. We have established that intratumoral administration of plant-derived Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) nanoparticles as an in situ vaccine overcomes the local immunosuppression and stimulates a potent anti-tumor response in several mouse cancer models and canine patients. CPMV does not infect mammalian cells but acts as a danger signal that leads to the recruitment and activation of innate and subsequently, adaptive immune cells. In the present study we addressed whether other icosahedral viruses or virus-like particles (VLPs) of plant, bacteriophage and mammalian origin can be similarly employed as intratumoral immunotherapy. Our results indicate that CPMV in situ vaccine outperforms Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), Physalis mosaic virus (PhMV), Sesbania mosaic virus (SeMV), bacteriophage Qβ VLPs, or Hepatitis B virus capsids (HBVc). Furthermore, ex vivo and in vitro assays reveal unique features of CPMV that makes it an inherently stronger immune stimulant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourabh Shukla
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA.
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA.
| | - Veronique Beiss
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA.
| | - Hui Cai
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA.
| | - Torus Washington
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA.
| | - Abner A Murray
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Xingjian Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Zhongchao Zhao
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Hema Masarapu
- Department of Virology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 517502, India
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Steven Fiering
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Nicole F Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA. and Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA and Department of Radiology, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA and Moores Cancer Center, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA and Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
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4
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Vasques RM, Correa RFT, da Silva LA, Blawid R, Nagata T, Ribeiro BM, Ardisson-Araújo DMP. Assembly of tomato blistering mosaic virus-like particles using a baculovirus expression vector system. Arch Virol 2019; 164:1753-1760. [PMID: 31025116 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04262-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The expression of several structural proteins from a wide variety of viruses in heterologous cell culture systems results in the formation of virus-like particles (VLPs). These VLPs structurally resemble the wild-type virus particles and have been used to study viral assembly process and as antigens for diagnosis and/or vaccine development. Tomato blistering mosaic virus (ToBMV) is a tymovirus that has a 6.3-kb positive-sense ssRNA genome. We have employed the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) for the production of tymovirus-like particles (tVLPs) in insect cells. Two recombinant baculoviruses containing the ToBMV wild-type coat protein (CP) gene or a modified short amino-terminal deletion (Δ2-24CP) variant were constructed and used to infect insect cells. Both recombinant viruses were able to express ToBMV CP and Δ2-24CP from infected insect cells that self-assembled into tVLPs. Therefore, the N-terminal residues (2-24) of the native ToBMV CP were shown not to be essential for self-assembly of tVLPs. We also constructed a third recombinant baculovirus containing a small sequence coding for the major epitope of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) envelope protein 2 (E2) replacing the native CP N-terminal 2-24 amino acids. This recombinant virus also produced tVLPs. In summary, ToBMV VLPs can be produced in a baculovirus/insect cell heterologous expression system, and the N-terminal residues 2-24 of the CP are not essential for this assembly, allowing its potential use as a protein carrier that facilitates antigen purification and might be used for diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Medeiros Vasques
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Virology, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Assis da Silva
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Rosana Blawid
- Laboratory of Phytovirology, Department of Agronomy, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Tatsuya Nagata
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Virology, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Bergmann Morais Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Baculovirus, Cell Biology Department, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel M P Ardisson-Araújo
- Laboratory of Insect Virology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil.
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5
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Masarapu H, Patel BK, Chariou PL, Hu H, Gulati NM, Carpenter BL, Ghiladi RA, Shukla S, Steinmetz NF. Physalis Mottle Virus-Like Particles as Nanocarriers for Imaging Reagents and Drugs. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:4141-4153. [PMID: 29144726 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Platform technologies based on plant virus nanoparticles (VNPs) and virus-like particles (VLPs) are attracting the attention of researchers and clinicians because the particles are biocompatible, biodegradable, noninfectious in mammals, and can readily be chemically and genetically engineered to carry imaging agents and drugs. When the Physalis mottle virus (PhMV) coat protein is expressed in Escherichia coli, the resulting VLPs are nearly identical to the viruses formed in vivo. Here, we isolated PhMV-derived VLPs from ClearColi cells and carried out external and internal surface modification with fluorophores using reactive lysine-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester and cysteine-maleimide chemistries, respectively. The uptake of dye-labeled particles was tested in a range of cancer cells and monitored by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. VLPs labeled internally on cysteine residues were taken up with high efficiency by several cancer cell lines and were colocalized with the endolysosomal marker LAMP-1 within 6 h, whereas VLPs labeled externally on lysine residues were taken up with lower efficiency, probably reflecting differences in surface charge and the propensity to bind to the cell surface. The infusion of dye and drug molecules into the cavity of the VLPs revealed that the photosensitizer (PS), Zn-EpPor, and the drugs crystal violet, mitoxantrone (MTX), and doxorubicin (DOX) associated stably with the carrier via noncovalent interactions. We confirmed the cytotoxicity of the PS-PhMV and DOX-PhMV particles against prostate cancer, ovarian and breast cancer cell lines, respectively. Our results show that PhMV-derived VLPs provide a new platform technology for the delivery of imaging agents and drugs, with preferential uptake into cancer cells. These particles could therefore be developed as multifunctional tools for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hema Masarapu
- Department of Virology, Sri Venkateswara University , Tirupati, 517 502 Andhra Pradesh, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Bradley L Carpenter
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Reza A Ghiladi
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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6
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Shin HI, Chae KH, Cho TJ. Modification of Turnip yellow mosaic virus coat protein and its effect on virion assembly. BMB Rep 2013; 46:495-500. [PMID: 24148770 PMCID: PMC4133836 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2013.46.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 03/09/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) is a positive strand RNA virus. We have modified TYMV coat protein (CP) by inserting a c-Myc epitope peptide at the N- or C-terminus of the CP, and have examined its effect on assembly. We introduced the recombinant CP constructs into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves by agroinfiltration. Examination of the leaf extracts by agarose gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis showed that the CP modified at the N-terminus produced a band co-migrating with wild-type virions. With C-terminal modification, however, the detected bands moved faster than the wild-type virions. To further examine the effect, TYMV constructs producing the modified CPs were prepared. With N-terminal modification, viral RNAs were protected from RNase A. In contrast, the viral RNAs were not protected with C-terminal modification. Overall, the results suggest that virion assembly and RNA packaging occur properly when the N-terminus of CP is modified, but not when the C-terminus is modified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Il Shin
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Korea
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7
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Turnip yellow mosaic virus forms infectious particles without the native beta-annulus structure and flexible coat protein N-terminus. Virology 2012; 422:165-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2011.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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8
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Zlotnick A, Mukhopadhyay S. Virus assembly, allostery and antivirals. Trends Microbiol 2010; 19:14-23. [PMID: 21163649 PMCID: PMC3026312 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2010.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Revised: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Assembly of virus capsids and surface proteins must be regulated to ensure that the resulting complex is an infectious virion. In this review, we examine assembly of virus capsids, focusing on hepatitis B virus and bacteriophage MS2, and formation of glycoproteins in the alphaviruses. These systems are structurally and biochemically well-characterized and are simplest-case paradigms of self-assembly. Published data suggest that capsid and glycoprotein assembly is subject to allosteric regulation, that is regulation at the level of conformational change. The hypothesis that allostery is a common theme in viruses suggests that deregulation of capsid and glycoprotein assembly by small molecule effectors will be an attractive antiviral strategy, as has been demonstrated with hepatitis B virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Zlotnick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
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9
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Chandran D, Shahana PV, Rani GS, Sugumar P, Shankar CR, Srinivasan VA. Display of neutralizing epitopes of Canine parvovirus and a T-cell epitope of the fusion protein of Canine distemper virus on chimeric tymovirus-like particles and its use as a vaccine candidate both against Canine parvo and Canine distemper. Vaccine 2009; 28:132-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.09.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Revised: 09/01/2009] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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10
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Hema M, Nagendrakumar SB, Yamini R, Chandran D, Rajendra L, Thiagarajan D, Parida S, Paton DJ, Srinivasan VA. Chimeric tymovirus-like particles displaying foot-and-mouth disease virus non-structural protein epitopes and its use for detection of FMDV-NSP antibodies. Vaccine 2007; 25:4784-94. [PMID: 17499404 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2007] [Revised: 04/04/2007] [Accepted: 04/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Expression of Physalis mottle tymovirus (PhMV) coat protein (CP) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) was earlier shown to self-assemble into empty capsids that are nearly identical to the capsids formed in vivo. Aminoacid substitutions were made at the N-terminus of wild-type PhMV CP with single or tandem repeats of infection related B-cell epitopes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) non-structural proteins (NSPs) 3B1, 3B2, 3AB, 3D and 3ABD of lengths 48, 66, 49, 51 and 55, respectively to produce chimeras pR-Ph-3B1, pR-Ph-3B2, pR-Ph- 3AB, pR-Ph-3D and pR-Ph-3ABD. Expression of these constructs in E. coli resulted in chimeric proteins which self-assembled into chimeric tymovirus-like particles (TVLPs), Ph-3B1, Ph-3B2, Ph-3AB, Ph-3D and Ph-3ABD as determined by ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy. Ph-3B1, Ph-3B2, Ph-3AB and Ph-3ABD reacted with polyclonal anti-3AB antibodies in ELISA and electroblot immunoassay, while wild-type PhMV TVLP and Ph-3D antigens did not react. An indirect ELISA (I-ELISA) was developed using Ph-3AB to detect FMDV-NSP antibodies in sera of animals that showed clinical signs of FMD. Field serum samples from cattle, buffalos, sheep, goats and pigs were examined by using these chimeric TVLPs for the differentiation of FMDV infected animals from vaccinated animals (DIVA). The assay was demonstrated to be highly specific (100%) and reproducible with sensitivity levels (94%) comparable to the Ceditest kit (P>0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Masarapu Hema
- Indian Immunologicals Limited, Rakshapuram, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500032, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Umashankar M, Murthy MRN, Singh SA, Appu Rao AG, Savithri HS. The role of inter-subunit ionic interactions in the assembly of Physalis mottle tymovirus. Arch Virol 2006; 151:1917-31. [PMID: 16732495 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-006-0783-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2005] [Accepted: 04/12/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Physalis mottle tymovirus (PhMV) is a small spherical plant virus with its RNA genome encapsidated in a protein shell made of 180 identical coat protein (CP) subunits. The amino acid residues involved in two interfacial salt bridges, Asp-83/Arg-159 and Arg-68/Asp-150 and Lys-153, were targeted for mutagenesis with a view to delineate the role of interfacial ionic interactions in the subunit folding and assembly of the virus. R159A and D83A-R159A recombinant CP (rCP) mutants formed stable T = 3 capsids, indicating that the D83-R159 interfacial salt bridge is dispensable for the folding and assembly of PhMV. However, D150A and R68Q-D150A mutant rCPs were present in the insoluble fraction, suggesting that the R68-D150 interfacial salt bridge is crucial for subunit folding and assembly. Similarly, K153Q, D83A-K153Q, and H69A-K153Q mutant rCPs were present in the insoluble fraction. Interestingly, the R68Q-D150A, D83A-K153Q, and H69A-K153Q double mutant rCPs could be refolded into partially folded soluble heterogeneous aggregates of 14-16 S. The results further confirm our earlier observation that subunit folding and assembly are concerted events in PhMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Umashankar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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12
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Palucha A, Loniewska A, Satheshkumar S, Boguszewska-Chachulska AM, Umashankar M, Milner M, Haenni AL, Savithri HS. Virus-like particles: models for assembly studies and foreign epitope carriers. PROGRESS IN NUCLEIC ACID RESEARCH AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 80:135-68. [PMID: 16164974 PMCID: PMC7119358 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6603(05)80004-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Virus‐like particles (VLPs), formed by the structural elements of viruses, have received considerable attention over the past two decades. The number of reports on newly obtained VLPs has grown proportionally with the systems developed for the expression of these particles. The chapter outlines the recent achievements in two important fields of research brought about by the availability of VLPs produced in a foreign host. These are: (1) The requirements for VLP assembly and (2) the use of VLPs as carriers for foreign epitopes. VLP technology is a rapidly advancing domain of molecular and structural biology. Extensive progress in VLP studies was achieved as the insect cell based protein production system was developed. This baculovirus expression system has many advantages for the synthesis of viral structural proteins resulting in the formation of VLPs. It allows production of large amounts of correctly folded proteins while also providing cell membranes that can serve as structural elements for enveloped viruses. These features give us the opportunity to gain insights into the interactions and requirements accompanying VLP formation that are similar to the assembly events occurring in mammalian cells. Other encouraging elements are the ability to easily scale up the system and the simplicity of purification of the assembled VLPs. The growing number of VLPs carrying foreign protein fragments on their surface and studies on the successful assembly of these chimeric molecules is a promising avenue towards the development of a new technology, in which the newly designed VLPs will be directed to particular mammalian cell types by exposing specific binding domains. The progress made in modeling the surface of VLPs makes them to date the best candidates for the design of delivery systems that can efficiently reach their targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Palucha
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
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13
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Bink HHJ, Roepan SK, Pleij CWA. Two histidines of the coat protein of turnip yellow mosaic virus at the capsid interior are crucial for viability. Proteins 2004; 55:236-44. [PMID: 15048817 DOI: 10.1002/prot.10600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
RNA-coat protein interactions in turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) have been shown to involve low pK proton-donating groups. Two different types of interaction have been proposed. In the so-called type I interaction, protonated C-residues interact with acidic amino acids at low pH, thereby providing a rationale for the high C-content (38%) of the genomic RNA. The type II interaction involves charged histidines interacting with phosphates of the RNA backbone. Site-directed mutagenesis of the TYMV coat protein and subsequent in vivo analysis were performed to distinguish between these two types of RNA-protein interaction. The results reveal a prominent role for the histidines H68 and H180, since mutation to an alanine residue inhibits symptom development on secondary leaves, indicating that spreading of the virus in the plant is blocked. Viral RNA and coat protein synthesis are not altered, showing that these two histidines may play a role in the process of RNA encapsidation. Overexpression of the TYMV coat protein in Escherichia coli leads to the formation of bona fide capsids, showing that the two histidines are not critical in capsid assembly. Mutagenesis of the acidic amino acids D11, E135, and D143 to alanine apparently did not interfere with virus viability. The functional role of the histidines during the infection cycle is discussed in terms of the structure of the coat protein, both at the level of amino acid sequence conservation among the members of the Tymoviridae family and as the three-dimensional structure of the coat protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo H J Bink
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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14
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Reguera J, Carreira A, Riolobos L, Almendral JM, Mateu MG. Role of interfacial amino acid residues in assembly, stability, and conformation of a spherical virus capsid. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:2724-9. [PMID: 14981262 PMCID: PMC365688 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0307748101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2003] [Accepted: 01/12/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty-eight amino acid residues involved in most noncovalent interactions between trimeric protein subunits in the capsid of the parvovirus minute virus of mice were truncated individually to alanine, and the effects on capsid assembly, thermostability, and conformation were analyzed. Only seven side chains were essential for protein subunit recognition. These side chains virtually corresponded with those that either buried a large hydrophobic surface on trimer association or formed buried intertrimer hydrogen bonds or salt bridges. The seven residues are evolutionarily conserved, and they define regularly spaced spots on a thin equatorial belt surrounding each trimer. Truncation of the many side chains that were dispensable for assembly, including those participating in solvent-accessible polar interactions, did not substantially affect capsid thermostability either. However, the interfacial residues located at the base of the pores delineating the capsid five-fold axes participated in a heat-induced conformational rearrangement associated with externalization of the capsid protein N terminus, and they were needed for infectivity. Thus, at the subunit interfaces of this model virus capsid, only key residues involved in the strongest interactions are critical for assembly and stability, but additional residues fulfill other important biological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Reguera
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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15
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Mateo R, Díaz A, Baranowski E, Mateu MG. Complete alanine scanning of intersubunit interfaces in a foot-and-mouth disease virus capsid reveals critical contributions of many side chains to particle stability and viral function. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:41019-27. [PMID: 12857761 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m304990200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Spherical virus capsids are large, multimeric protein shells whose assembly and stability depend on the establishment of multiple non-covalent interactions between many polypeptide subunits. In a foot-and-mouth disease virus capsid, 42 amino acid side chains per protomer are involved in noncovalent interactions between pentameric subunits that function as assembly/disassembly intermediates. We have individually truncated to alanine these 42 side chains and assessed their relevance for completion of the virus life cycle and capsid stability. Most mutations provoked a drastic reduction in virus yields. Nearly all of these critical mutations led to virions whose thermal inactivation rates differed from that of the parent virus, and many affected also early steps in the viral cycle. Rapid selection of genotypic revertants or variants with forward or compensatory mutations that restored viability was occasionally detected. The results with this model virus indicate the following. (i). Most of the residues at the interfaces between capsid subunits are critically important for viral function, in part but not exclusively because of their involvement in intersubunit recognition. Each hydrogen bond and salt bridge buried at the subunit interfaces may be important for capsid stability. (ii). New mutations able to restore viability may arise frequently at the subunit interfaces during virus evolution. (iii). A few interfacial side chains are functionally tolerant to truncation and may provide adequate mutation sites for the engineering of a thermostable capsid, potentially useful as an improved vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Mateo
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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Umashankar M, Murthy MRN, Savithri HS. Mutation of interfacial residues disrupts subunit folding and particle assembly of Physalis mottle tymovirus. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:6145-52. [PMID: 12477730 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m207992200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) serve as excellent model systems to identify the pathways of virus assembly. To gain insights into the assembly mechanisms of the Physalis mottle tymovirus (PhMV), six interfacial residues, identified based on the crystal structure of the native and recombinant capsids, were targeted for mutagenesis. The Q37E, Y67A, R68Q, D83A, I123A, and S145A mutants of the PhMV recombinant coat protein (rCP) expressed in Escherichia coli were soluble. However, except for the S145A mutant, which assembled into VLPs similar to that of wild type rCP capsids, all the other mutants failed to assemble into VLPs. Furthermore, the purified Q37E, Y67A, R68Q, D83A, and I123A rCP mutants existed essentially as partially folded monomers as revealed by sucrose density gradient analysis, circular dichroism, fluorescence, thermal, and urea denaturation studies. The rCP mutants locked into such conformations probably lack the structural signals/features that would allow them to assemble into capsids. Thus, the mutation of residues involved in inter-subunit interactions in PhMV disrupts both subunit folding and particle assembly.
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Bertolotti-Ciarlet A, White LJ, Chen R, Prasad BVV, Estes MK. Structural requirements for the assembly of Norwalk virus-like particles. J Virol 2002; 76:4044-55. [PMID: 11907243 PMCID: PMC136079 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.76.8.4044-4055.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2001] [Accepted: 01/08/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Norwalk virus (NV) is the prototype strain of a group of human caliciviruses responsible for epidemic outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis. While these viruses do not grow in tissue culture cells or animal models, expression of the capsid protein in insect cells results in the self-assembly of recombinant NV virus-like particles (rNV VLPs) that are morphologically and antigenically similar to native NV. The X-ray structure of the rNV VLPs has revealed that the capsid protein folds into two principal domains: a shell (S) domain and a protruding (P) domain (B. V. V. Prasad, M. E. Hardy, T. Dokland, J. Bella, M. G. Rossmann, and M. K. Estes, Science 286:287-290, 1999). To investigate the structural requirements for the assembly of rNV VLPs, we performed mutational analyses of the capsid protein. We examined the ability of 10 deletion mutants of the capsid protein to assemble into VLPs in insect cell cultures. Deletion of the N-terminal 20 residues, suggested by the X-ray structure to be involved in a switching mechanism during assembly, did not affect the ability of the mutant capsid protein to self-assemble into 38-nm VLPs with a T=3 icosahedral symmetry. Further deletions in the N-terminal region affected particle assembly. Deletions in the C-terminal regions of the P domain, involved in the interactions between the P and S domains, did not block the assembly process, but they affected the size and stability of the particles. Mutants carrying three internal deletion mutations in the P domain, involved in maintaining dimeric interactions, produced significantly larger 45-nm particles, albeit in low yields. The complete removal of the protruding domain resulted in the formation of smooth particles with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the 30-nm diameter expected from the rNV structure. These studies indicate that the shell domain of the NV capsid protein contains everything required to initiate the assembly of the capsid, whereas the entire protruding domain contributes to the increased stability of the capsid by adding intermolecular contacts between the dimeric subunits and may control the size of the capsid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bertolotti-Ciarlet
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030,, USA
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Lokesh GL, Gowri TDS, Satheshkumar PS, Murthy MRN, Savithri HS. A molecular switch in the capsid protein controls the particle polymorphism in an icosahedral virus. Virology 2002; 292:211-23. [PMID: 11878924 DOI: 10.1006/viro.2001.1242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The recombinant coat protein (CP) of Sesbania mosaic virus (SeMV; genus Sobemovirus) was found to self-assemble into capsids encapsidating 23S rRNA and CP mRNA in Escherichia coli. The CP lacking 22 amino acids from the N-terminus assembled into stable T = 3 capsids that appeared similar to SeMV, indicating that the N-terminal 22 amino acid residues are dispensable for T = 3 assembly. Two distinct capsids, T = 1 and pseudo T = 2, were observed when the N-terminal 36 amino acids encompassing the arginine-rich motif (N-ARM) were removed. Only T = 1 particles were observed upon deletion of 65 amino acids from the N-terminus, which also included the sequence element for the beta-annulus. These results reveal that N-ARM acts as a molecular switch in regulating T = 3 assembly. Formation of stable pseudo T = 2 particles shows that pentamers of AB dimers could nucleate assembly at icosahedral-5-folds. Capsids assembled from the N-terminally truncated proteins also encapsidated 23S rRNA and CP mRNA, suggesting the presence of sites outside the N-terminal 65 residues that may be involved in RNA--protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Lokesh
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
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Krishna SS, Sastri M, Savithri HS, Murthy MR. Structural studies on the empty capsids of Physalis mottle virus. J Mol Biol 2001; 307:1035-47. [PMID: 11286554 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2001.4533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The three-dimensional crystal structure of the empty capsid of Physalis mottle tymovirus has been determined to 3.2 A resolution. The empty capsids crystallized in the space group P1, leading to 60-fold non-crystallographic redundancy. The known structure of Physalis mottle virus was used as a phasing model to initiate the structure determination by real-space electron-density averaging. The main differences between the structures of the native and the empty capsids were in residues 10 to 28 of the A-subunit, residues 1 to 9 of the B-subunit and residues 1 to 5 of the C-subunit, which are ordered only in the native virus particles. An analysis of the subunit disposition reveals that the virus has expanded radially outward by approximately 1.8 A in the empty particles. The A-subunits move in a direction that makes 10 degrees to the icosahedral 5-fold axes of symmetry. The B and C-subunits move along vectors making 12 degrees and 15 degrees to the quasi 6-fold axes. The quaternary organization of the pentameric and hexameric capsomeres are not altered significantly. However, the pentamer-hexamer contacts are reduced. Therefore, encapsidation of RNA appears to cause a reduction in the particle radius concomittant with the ordering of the N-terminal arm in the three subunits. These structural changes in Physalis mottle virus appear to be larger than the corresponding changes observed in viruses for which both the empty and full particle structures have been determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Krishna
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India
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Shanks M, Lomonossoff GP. Co-expression of the capsid proteins of Cowpea mosaic virus in insect cells leads to the formation of virus-like particles. J Gen Virol 2000; 81:3093-3097. [PMID: 11086140 DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-81-12-3093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The regions of RNA-2 of Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) that encode the Large (L) and Small (S) coat proteins were expressed either individually or together in Spodoptera frugiperda (sf21) cells using baculovirus vectors. Co-expression of the two coat proteins from separate promoters in the same construct resulted in the formation of virus-like particles whose morphology closely resembled that of native CPMV virions. No such particles were formed when the individual L and S proteins were expressed. Sucrose gradient centrifugation of the virus-like particles showed that they had the sedimentation characteristics of empty (protein-only) shells. The results confirm that the 60 kDa L-S fusion is not an obligate intermediate in the virion assembly pathway and indicate that expression of the coat proteins in insect cells will provide a fruitful route for the study of CPMV morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Shanks
- Department of Virus Research, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK1
| | - George P Lomonossoff
- Department of Virus Research, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK1
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Krishna SS, Hiremath CN, Munshi SK, Prahadeeswaran D, Sastri M, Savithri HS, Murthy MR. Three-dimensional structure of physalis mottle virus: implications for the viral assembly. J Mol Biol 1999; 289:919-34. [PMID: 10369772 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1999.2787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The structure of the T=3 single stranded RNA tymovirus, physalis mottle virus (PhMV), has been determined to 3.8 A resolution. PhMV crystals belong to the rhombohedral space group R 3, with one icosahedral particle in the unit cell leading to 20-fold non-crystallographic redundancy. Polyalanine coordinates of the related turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) with which PhMV coat protein shares 32 % amino acid sequence identity were used for obtaining the initial phases. Extensive phase refinement by real space molecular replacement density averaging resulted in an electron density map that revealed density for most of the side-chains and for the 17 residues ordered in PhMV, but not seen in TYMV, at the N terminus of the A subunits. The core secondary and tertiary structures of the subunits have a topology consistent with the capsid proteins of other T=3 plant viruses. The N-terminal arms of the A subunits, which constitute 12 pentamers at the icosahedral 5-fold axes, have a conformation very different from the conformations observed in B and C subunits that constitute hexameric capsomers with near 6-fold symmetry at the icosahedral 3-fold axes. An analysis of the interfacial contacts between protein subunits indicates that the hexamers are held more strongly than pentamers and hexamer-hexamer contacts are more extensive than pentamer-hexamer contacts. These observations suggest a plausible mechanism for the formation of empty capsids, which might be initiated by a change in the conformation of the N-terminal arm of the A subunits. The structure also provides insights into immunological and mutagenesis results. Comparison of PhMV with the sobemovirus, sesbania mosaic virus reveals striking similarities in the overall tertiary fold of the coat protein although the capsid morphologies of these two viruses are very different.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Krishna
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, 560 012, India.
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