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Xue Q, Swevers L, Taning CNT. Drosophila X virus-like particles as delivery carriers for improved oral insecticidal efficacy of scorpion Androctonus australis peptide against the invasive fruit fly, Drosophila suzukii. INSECT SCIENCE 2023. [PMID: 37681406 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Insect-specific neurotoxic peptides derived from the venoms of scorpions and spiders can cause acute paralysis and death when injected into insects, offering a promising insecticidal component for insect pest control. However, effective delivery systems are required to help neurotoxic peptides pass through the gut barrier into the hemolymph, where they can act. Here, we investigated the potential of a novel nanocarrier, Drosophila X virus-like particle (DXV-VLP), for delivering a neurotoxin from the scorpion Androctonus australis Hector (AaIT) against the invasive pest fruit fly, Drosophila suzukii. Our results show that the fusion proteins of DXV polyproteins with AaIT peptide at their C-termini could be sufficiently produced in Lepidoptera Hi5 cells in a soluble form using the recombinant baculovirus expression system, and could self-assemble into VLPs with similar particle morphology and size to authentic DXV virions. In addition, the AaIT peptides displayed on DXV-VLPs retained their toxicity, as demonstrated in injection bioassays that resulted in severe mortality (72%) in adults after 72 h. When fed to adults, mild mortality was observed in the group treated with DXV-AaIT (38%), while no mortality occurred in the group treated with AaIT peptide, thus indicating the significant role of DXV-VLPs in delivering AaIT peptides. Overall, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates for the first time that VLPs can be exploited to enhance oral delivery of insect-specific neurotoxic peptides in the context of pest control. Moreover, it provides insights for further improvements and potentially the development of neurotoxin-based bioinsecticides and/or transgenic crops for insect pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xue
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Plants and Crops, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Xue Q, Swevers L, Taning CNT. Plant and insect virus-like particles: emerging nanoparticles for agricultural pest management. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:2975-2991. [PMID: 37103223 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) represent a biodegradable, biocompatible nanomaterial made from viral coat proteins that can improve the delivery of antigens, drugs, nucleic acids, and other substances, with most applications in human and veterinary medicine. Regarding agricultural viruses, many insect and plant virus coat proteins have been shown to assemble into VLPs accurately. In addition, some plant virus-based VLPs have been used in medical studies. However, to our knowledge, the potential application of plant/insect virus-based VLPs in agriculture remains largely underexplored. This review focuses on why and how to engineer coat proteins of plant/insect viruses as functionalized VLPs, and how to exploit VLPs in agricultural pest control. The first part of the review describes four different engineering strategies for loading cargo at the inner or the outer surface of VLPs depending on the type of cargo and purpose. Second, the literature on plant and insect viruses the coat proteins of which have been confirmed to self-assemble into VLPs is reviewed. These VLPs are good candidates for developing VLP-based agricultural pest control strategies. Lastly, the concepts of plant/insect virus-based VLPs for delivering insecticidal and antiviral components (e.g., double-stranded RNA, peptides, and chemicals) are discussed, which provides future prospects of VLP application in agricultural pest control. In addition, some concerns are raised about VLP production on a large scale and the short-term resistance of hosts to VLP uptake. Overall, this review is expected to stimulate interest and research exploring plant/insect virus-based VLP applications in agricultural pest management. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xue
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Adams MC, Schiltz CJ, Heck ML, Chappie JS. Crystal structure of the potato leafroll virus coat protein and implications for viral assembly. J Struct Biol 2021; 214:107811. [PMID: 34813955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2021.107811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Luteoviruses, poleroviruses, and enamoviruses are insect-transmitted, agricultural pathogens that infect a wide array of plants, including staple food crops. Previous cryo-electron microscopy studies of virus-like particles show that luteovirid viral capsids are built from a structural coat protein that organizes with T = 3 icosahedral symmetry. Here, we present the crystal structure of a truncated version of the coat protein monomer from potato leafroll virus at 1.80-Å resolution. In the crystal lattice, monomers pack into flat sheets that preserve the two-fold and three-fold axes of icosahedral symmetry and show minimal structural deviations when compared to the full-length subunits of the assembled virus-like particle. These observations have important implications in viral assembly and maturation and suggest that the CP N-terminus and its interactions with RNA play an important role in generating capsid curvature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myfanwy C Adams
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Carl J Schiltz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Michelle L Heck
- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Joshua S Chappie
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Byrne MJ, Steele JFC, Hesketh EL, Walden M, Thompson RF, Lomonossoff GP, Ranson NA. Combining Transient Expression and Cryo-EM to Obtain High-Resolution Structures of Luteovirid Particles. Structure 2019; 27:1761-1770.e3. [PMID: 31611039 PMCID: PMC6899511 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The Luteoviridae are pathogenic plant viruses responsible for significant crop losses worldwide. They infect a wide range of food crops, including cereals, legumes, cucurbits, sugar beet, sugarcane, and potato and, as such, are a major threat to global food security. Viral replication is strictly limited to the plant vasculature, and this phloem limitation, coupled with the need for aphid transmission of virus particles, has made it difficult to generate virus in the quantities needed for high-resolution structural studies. Here, we exploit recent advances in heterologous expression in plants to produce sufficient quantities of virus-like particles for structural studies. We have determined their structures to high resolution by cryoelectron microscopy, providing the molecular-level insight required to rationally interrogate luteovirid capsid formation and aphid transmission, thereby providing a platform for the development of preventive agrochemicals for this important family of plant viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Byrne
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - John F C Steele
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Emma L Hesketh
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Miriam Walden
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Rebecca F Thompson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - George P Lomonossoff
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
| | - Neil A Ranson
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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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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Elgaied L, Salem R, Elmenofy W. Expression of tomato yellow leaf curl virus coat protein using baculovirus expression system and evaluation of its utility as a viral antigen. 3 Biotech 2017; 7:269. [PMID: 28794924 PMCID: PMC5534191 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-017-0893-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA encoding the coat protein (CP) of an Egyptian isolate of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was inserted into the genome of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcNPV) under the control of polyhedrin promoter. The generated recombinant baculovirus construct harboring the coat protein gene was characterized using PCR analysis. The recombinant coat protein expressed in infected insect cells was used as a coating antigen in an indirect Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dot blot to test its utility for the detection of antibody generated against TYLCV virus particles. The results of ELISA and dot blot showed that the TYLCV-antibodies reacted positively with extracts of infected cells using the recombinant virus as a coating antigen with strong signals as well as the TYLCV infected tomato and beat plant extracts as positive samples. Scanning electron microscope examination showed that the expressed TYLCV coat protein was self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) similar in size and morphology to TYLCV virus particles. These results concluded that, the expressed coat protein of TYLCV using baculovirus vector system is a reliable candidate for generation of anti-CP antibody for inexpensive detection of TYLCV-infected plants using indirect CP-ELISA or dot blot with high specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamiaa Elgaied
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, ARC, 9 Gamma St, Giza, Egypt
| | - Reda Salem
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, ARC, 9 Gamma St, Giza, Egypt
| | - Wael Elmenofy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, ARC, 9 Gamma St, Giza, Egypt
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7
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Sivakumar S, Wang Z, Harrison RL, Liu S, Miller WA, Bonning BC. Baculovirus-expressed virus-like particles of Pea enation mosaic virus vary in size and encapsidate baculovirus mRNAs. Virus Res 2009; 139:54-63. [PMID: 19013202 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2008.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2008] [Revised: 09/30/2008] [Accepted: 10/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV: family Luteoviridae) is transmitted in a persistent, circulative manner by aphids. We inserted cDNAs encoding the structural proteins of PEMV, the coat protein (CP) and coat protein-read through domain (CPRT) into the genome of the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus with and without a histidine tag or an upstream Kozak consensus sequence. The Sf21 cell line provided the highest level of CP expression of the cell lines tested and resulted in production of virus-like particles (VLPs). The CPRT was not detected in recombinant baculovirus-infected cells by Western blot. Addition of a Kozak sequence increased the yield of baculovirus produced VLPs. Baculovirus-expressed VLPs purified on a nickel NTA column were of variable size (13-30 nm) and contained CP mRNA. The purified VLPs were also shown by RT-PCR to contain 70% of 154 baculovirus mRNAs, indicative of non-specific RNA encapsidation in the absence of viral RNA replication. When fed to the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), the VLPs entered the aphid hemocoel, demonstrating that CPRT is not required for uptake of PEMV from the aphid gut. Baculovirus expression of PEMV VLPs provides a useful tool for future analysis of RNA encapsidation requirements and molecular aphid-virus interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sivakumar
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3222, United States
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Abstract
Members of the Luteoviridae are transmitted by aphids in a circulative, nonpropagative manner that requires the virus to be acquired through gut tissue into the aphid hemocoel and then exit through salivary tissues. This process is aphid species-specific and involves specific recognition of the virus by unidentified components on the membranes of gut and salivary tissues. Transport through the tissues is an endocytosis/exocytosis process. Both structural proteins of the virus are involved in the transmission process, with multiple protein domains regulating the movement and survival of the virus in the aphid and plant. Here we review what is known about the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms regulating these complex and specific virus-aphid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart Gray
- USDA, ARS, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
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Gillock ET, Rottinghaus S, Chang D, Cai X, Smiley SA, An K, Consigli RA. Polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1 is capable of packaging cellular DNA when expressed in the baculovirus system. J Virol 1997; 71:2857-65. [PMID: 9060642 PMCID: PMC191411 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.71.4.2857-2865.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Using the p2Bac dual multiple cloning site transfer vector, the polyomavirus major capsid protein gene VP1 was cloned for expression in the baculovirus-insect cell expression system. The 5-day-infected cellular lysate from this recombinant preparation was purified by cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation. Capsid-like particles were observed in the resulting preparation. The purified particle preparation was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was shown to have accurately expressed the polyomavirus VP1 protein as cloned. It was found that the preparation revealed the presence of host histones in the stained gels, which is indicative of DNA packaging. To determine if cellular DNA was being packaged in the particles, Sf9 insect cells were prelabeled with [3H] thymidine. The label was removed, and the cells were subsequently infected with a recombinant Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) carrying the polyomavirus VP1 gene. Upon purification through three cesium chloride gradients and DNase I treatment, capsid-like particles, containing [3H]thymidine-labeled DNA, were isolated which were found to coincide with hemagglutination activity. Studies have indicated that the AcMNPV appears to have the ability to fragment Sf9 cellular DNA. When infected with the recombinant AcMNPV carrying the VP1 gene of polyomavirus, these host DNA fragments are being packaged by the VPI major capsid protein; further, these DNA fragments have been shown to be approximately 5 kb in size, which corresponds to the size of the native polyomavirus genome. These studies demonstrate that the recombinant polyomavirus VP1 protein has the ability to package DNA in the absence of the minor structural proteins VP2 and VP3 and independently of the polyomavirus T antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Gillock
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA
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