Virus-specific messenger RNA and nascent polypeptides in polyribosomes of cells replicating murine sarcoma-leukemia viruses

Arenavirus infection induces discrete cytosolic structures for RNA replication

Arenaviruses are responsible for acute hemorrhagic fevers with high mortality and pose significant threats to public health and biodefense. These enveloped negative-sense RNA viruses replicate in the cell cytoplasm and express four proteins. To better understand how these proteins insinuate themselves into cellular processes to orchestrate productive viral replication, we have identified and characterized novel cytosolic structures involved in arenavirus replication and transcription. In cells infected with the nonpathogenic Tacaribe virus or the attenuated Candid#1 strain of Junín virus, we find that newly synthesized viral RNAs localize to cytosolic puncta containing the nucleoprotein (N) of the virus. Density gradient centrifugation studies reveal that these replication-transcription complexes (RTCs) are associated with cellular membranes and contain full-length genomic- and antigenomic-sense RNAs. Viral mRNAs segregate at a higher buoyant density and are likewise scant in immunopurified RTCs, consistent with their translation on bulk cellular ribosomes. In addition, confocal microscopy analysis reveals that RTCs contain the lipid phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate and proteins involved in cellular mRNA metabolism, including the large and small ribosomal subunit proteins L10a and S6, the stress granule protein G3BP1, and a subset of translation initiation factors. Elucidating the structure and function of RTCs will enhance our understanding of virus-cell interactions that promote arenavirus replication and mitigate against host cell immunity. This knowledge may lead to novel intervention strategies to limit viral virulence and pathogenesis.

Subcellular distribution of newly synthesized virus-specific polypeptides in Moloney murine leukemia virus infected cells

Immune precipitation analysis of pulse-labeled proteins present in subcellular fractions of mouse embryo cells infected with Moloney murine leukemia virus showed the presence of anti-gp70 serum-precipitable viral envelope gene products mainly in the microsomal fractions of these cells. In contrast, anti-p30 serum-specific gag (group specific antigen) gene products were found to be distributed in similar amounts in both the microsomal and postmicrosomal supernatant fractions of pulse-labeled cells.

Analysis of cytoplasmic RNA and polyribosmomes from feline leukemia virus-infected cells

Cytoplasmic virus-specific RNA and polyribosomes from a chronically infected feline thymus tumor cell line, F-422, were analyzed by using in vitro-synthesized feline leukemia virus (Rickard strain) (R-FeLV) complementary DNA (cDNA) probe. By hybridization kinetics analysis, cytoplasmic, polyribosomat, and nuclear RNAs were found to be 2.1, 2.6, and 0.7% virus specific, respectively. Size classes within subcellular fractions were determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide followed by hybridization. The cytoplasmic fraction contained a 28S size class, which corresponds to the size of virion subunit RNA, and 36S, 23S, and 15 to 18S RNA species. The virus-specific 36S, 23S, and 15 to 18S species but not the 28S RNA were present in both the total and polyadenylic acid-containing polyribosomal RNA. Anti-FeLV gamma globulin bound to rapidly sedimenting polyribosomes, with the peak binding at 400S. The specificity of the binding for nascent virus-specific protein was determined in control experiments that involved mixing polyribosomes with soluble virion proteins, absorption of specific gamma globulin with soluble virion proteins, and puromycin-induced nascent protein release. The R-FeLV cDNA probe hybridized to RNA in two polyribosomal regions (approximately 400 to 450S and 250S) within the polyribosomal gradients before but not after EDTA treatment. The 400 to 450S polyribosomes contained three major peaks of virus-specific RNA at 36S, 23S, and 15 to 18S, whereas the 250S polyribosomes contained predominantly 36S and 15 to 18S RNA. Further experiments suggest that an approximately 36S minor subunit is present in virion RNA.

Analysis of intracellular feline leukemia virus proteins. I. Identification of a 60,000-dalton precursor of feline leukemia virus p30

The synthesis and release of feline leukemia virus p30 was studied using a permanently infected feline thymus tumor cell line. Disrupted cells were divided into two subcellular fractions, a cytoplasmic extract (CE) representing cellular material soluble in 0.5% NP-40 and a particulate fraction (PF) insoluble in 0.5% NP-40 but soluble in 0.2% deoxycholate and 0.5% NP-40. Intracellular feline leukemia virus p30 was isolated from infected cells by immune precipitation with antiserum to p30 and subsequent sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the precipitated proteins. Cells labeled for 3 h with [35S]methionine contained equal amounts of p30 in both the CE and the PF. p30 synthesis was estimated to be 0.8% of the total host cell protein synthesis. Immune precipitates from cell pulse labeled for 2.5 min contained a labeled 60,000-dalton polypeptide (Pp60) in the PF and a polypeptide in the CE that comigrated with feline leukemia virus p30 in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When cells were chased after a pulse label, there was a rapid loss of Pp60 in the PF and an accumulation of p30 in the CE within 30 min followed by distribution of p30 in both the PF and the CE. Estimation of intracellular and extracellular p30 levels during a 0.5- to 24-h chase period suggested that most of the newly synthesized p30 was incorporated into extracellular virus. Typtic peptide analysis of labeled Pp60 and p30 demonstrated the presence of 13 of 15 p30 peptides within the Pp60 molecule. The tryptic peptide analysis in concert with the pulse-chase labeling data provides strong evidence that Pp60 is a precursor of p30.

Cell-free translation of virion RNA from nondefective and transformation-defective Rous sarcoma viruses

Nondefective and transformation-defective virion subunit RNAs from two strains of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) were translated in cell-free systems derived from Krebs IIA ascites cells, wheat germ, and L-cells. In each case the predominant viral-specific product was a polypeptide of molecular weight 76,000 that is related to the internal viral group-specific antigens, as judged by immunoprecipitation with monospecific antisera and tryptic peptide fingerprinting. No difference could be detected between the translation products of 35S RNA from nondefective and transformation-defective RSV virions, nor of 35S RNA from different strains of RSV. The 76,000-molecular-weight polypeptide synthesized in response to 35S RNA in vitro was labeled with formyl-methionine from initiator tRNA. Models for viral protein synthesis are discussed in the light of these results, and arguments positioning the group-specific antigen gene at the 5' end of the 35S RNA are presented.

In vitro synthesis of A-particle structual protein by membrane-bound polyribosomes

On the basis of association with endoplasmic reticulum membranes, poyribosomes isolated from mouse myeloma MOPC-104E were separated into two classes, membrane bound and free. The membrane-bound and free polyribosomes were then compared for their capacity to incorporate [35S]methionine into A-particle proteins in vitro. As revealed by a radioimmunological assay method, labeling of A-particle protein occurred with the membrane-bound polyribosomes but not with the free polyribosomes. Peptide mapping of the immunoprecipitated, in vitro [35S]methionine-labeled product confirmed that A-particle protein had been synthesized in vitro.

Synthesis of Rauscher murine leukemia virus-specific polypeptides in vitro

The biosynthesis of specific polypeptides directed by purified viral messenger RNA from JLS-V9 cells infected with Rauscher leukemia virus has been studied in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The 35S viral mRNA gives rise to two major products of 65,000 and 72,000 molecular weight. The synthesis of specific polypeptides was also investigated in lysates derived from infected cells. The main products were polypeptides with molecular weights of 65,000, 76,000, and 82,000, and were preferentially made in association with membranes. The relative content of the virus-specific polypeptide of 65,000 molecular weight, synthesized in a cell-free system supplemented with purified polyribosomes, is considerably higher for membrane-bound polyribosomes.

RNA processing and RNA tumor virus origin and evolution

The results of molecular hybridization experiments with high-molecular-weight RNA isolated from RNA tumor viruses and DNA from normal cells suggest that RNA tumor virus genomes originate from cell genes. Some RNA tumor viruses (here called class 1) appear to have been generated in recent times in that their RNA is closely related in nucleotide sequence to certain cell genes (class 1 genes). A second class of RNA tumor viruses (here called class 2) is more distantly related to genomic information of normal cells. Structural properties of the RNA of RNA tumor viruses lead us to propose that the tumor virus RNA is originated when RNA transcripts of class 1 genes are processed by a mechanism we call "paraprocessing." We postulate that RNA paraprocessing is normally used only at particular times during differentiation and is characterized by the cytoplasmic appearance of high-molecular-weight RNA chains containing terminal polyadenylic acid (200 residues). Paraprocessing of class 1 gene transcripts in committed or differentiated cells is considered to be aberrant in transcription that can lead to the generation of an RNA tumor virus genome. If the paraprocessed class 1 gene transcript codes for a reverse transcriptase, replication of the RNA becomes possible. Transfer of the replicating RNA to a new cell can result in genetic change such that the virus genome mutates, differing from the original progenitor genes. We propose that this genetic change causes class 1 viruses to become class 2. These ideas are applied to evidence concerning the biology of infection of RNA tumor viruses and concerning the involvement of RNA tumor viruses in human cancer. Genetic change can also occur during the origination of an RNA tumor virus genome by repeated reverse transcription and recombination (45) or by genetic alteration of particularly changeable cell genes ("hot spots") (43).

Translation of Rous sarcoma virus RNA in a cell-free system from ascites Krebs II cells

The template activities of the 60-70S RNA complex and of the 30-40S subunit RNA species of Rous sarcoma virus were tested in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system from mouse ascites Krebs II cells. Stimulation of protein synthesis over the endogenous background was about 2-fold with 30-40S viral RNA and about 1.3-fold with 60-70S viral RNA as template. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis showed that the predominant polypeptide synthesized in vitro in response to 30-40S RNA of Rous sarcoma virus had a molecular weight of 75,000-80,000. This polypeptide could be precipitated by antiserum against the group-specific antigens of the virus, although its molecular weight is higher than that of virion group-specific antigen proteins. Analysis of tryptic digests of the protein made in vitro indicates similarity to tryptic digests from authentic virion group-specific proteins. It is concluded that part of the RNA from Rous sarcoma virus is translated in vitro into a high-molecular-weight protein, perhaps a precursor of the virion group-specific proteins.

The 7S RNA common to oncornaviruses and normal cells is associated with polyribosomes

The 7S RNA species first demonstrated in avian and murine oncornaviruses and later in normal, uninfected cells is found associated in part with cellular polyribosomes. A molar ratio of 7S RNA to 5S ribosomal RNA of 0.05 indicates that there is approximately one mole of 7S RNA per mole of messenger RNA. Dissociation of polyribosomes with dimethylsulfoxide results in a marked decrease in the sedimentation rate of the 7S RNA. The dimethylsulfoxide-induced dissociation of polyribosomes and the concomitant movement of the 7S RNA from the polyribosome region into lighter regions of a sucrose gradient are both inhibited by cycloheximide, indicating that the 7S RNA is indeed associated with polyribosomes and not with a ribonucleoprotein particle sedimenting with polyribosomes.

The homopolyadenylate and adjacent nucleotides at the 3'-terminus of 30-40s RNA subunits in the genome of murine sarcoma-leukemia virus

Adenosine is the major 3'OH-terminal nucleoside of the 60-70S RNA genome of the murine sarcoma-leukemia virus, its 30-40S RNA subunits, and the poly(A) segments derived by RNase treatment of both RNA species, as determined by periodate oxidation-[(3)H]-borohydride reduction. The binding 30-40S RNA to oligo(dT)-cellulose suggests that most viral RNA subunits contain poly(A). The molecular weight of poly(A) derived from viral RNA by digestion with RNase and purified by affinity chromatography is 64,000-68,000, as determined by gel electrophoresis. From the size of poly(A) and the poly(A) content of viral RNA (1.6%), it is estimated that there is about one poly(A) segment for each viral 30-40S RNA subunit. The results of 3'-termini labeling with [(3)H]borohydride, in vivo labeling with [(3)H]adenosine, and base composition of [(32)P]poly(A) indicate that a homopoly(A) segment is located at the 3'-end of a 30-40S RNA subunit. The homogeneous poly(A) segments isolated from RNase T1 digests of 60-70S [(32)P]RNA consist of one cytidylate, one uridylate, and about 190 adenylate residues, while those isolated from RNase A digests consist exclusively of adenylate residues. These results indicate that -G(C,U)A(190)A(OH) is the 3'-terminal nucleotide sequence of the viral 30-40S RNA subunits.

Virus-specific messenger RNA on free and membrane-bound polyribosomes from cells infected with Rauscher leukemia virus

Cells infected by Rauscher leukemia virus synthesize virus-specific RNA which can be detected by hybridization to the single-stranded DNA copy of the viral RNA. Evidence is provided that virus-specific RNA is present in free and membrane-bound polyribosomes of these cells. The relative content of virus-specific RNA, as measured by hybridization, is 6-10 times less on free polyribosomes than on membrane-bound polyribosomes. The messenger RNA associated with both classes of polyribosomes was characterized by density gradient centrifugation. In addition to a major RNA species identified as 36S RNA, at least 2 minor components in the 14S and 21S region have also been found. There is a striking difference in the distribution of these RNA species between free and membrane-bound polyribosomes.