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Windah ALL, Tallei TE, AlShehail BM, Suoth EJ, Fatimawali, Alhashem YN, Halwani MA, AlShakhal MM, Aljeldah M, Alissa M, Alsuwat MA, Almanaa TN, Alshehri AA, Rabaan AA. Immunoinformatics-Driven Strategies for Advancing Epitope-Based Vaccine Design for West Nile Virus. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:906-917. [PMID: 38042341 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
The West Nile virus (WNV) is the causative agent of West Nile disease (WND), which poses a potential risk of meningitis or encephalitis. The aim of the study was to design an epitope-based vaccine for WNV by utilizing computational analyses. The epitope-based vaccine design process encompassed WNV sequence collection, phylogenetic tree construction, and sequence alignment. Computational models identified B-cell and T-cell epitopes, followed by immunological property analysis. Epitopes were then modeled and docked with B-cell receptors, MHC I, and MHC II. Molecular dynamics simulations further explored dynamic interactions between epitopes and receptors. The findings indicated that the B-cell epitope QINHHWHKSGSSIG, along with three T-cell epitopes (FLVHREWFM for MHC I, NPFVSVATANAKVLI for MHC II, and NAYYVMTVGTKTFLV for MHC II), successfully passed the immunological evaluations. These four epitopes were further subjected to docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. Although each demonstrated favorable affinities with their respective receptors, only NAYYVMTVGTKTFLV displayed a stable interaction with MHC II during MDS analysis, hence emerging as a potential candidate for a WNV epitope-based vaccine. This study demonstrates a comprehensive approach to epitope vaccine design, combining computational analyses, molecular modeling, and simulation techniques to identify potential vaccine candidates for WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axl Laurens Lukas Windah
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Trina Ekawati Tallei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado 95115, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
| | - Bashayer M AlShehail
- Pharmacy Practice Department, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elly Juliana Suoth
- Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Mana-do 95115, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
| | - Fatimawali
- Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi University, Mana-do 95115, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
| | - Yousef N Alhashem
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad A Halwani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University. Al Baha 4781, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mouayd M AlShakhal
- Internal Medicine Department, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif 32654, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Aljeldah
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39831, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alissa
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Meshari A Alsuwat
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Al-Taif 21974, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taghreed N Almanaa
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad A Alshehri
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
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2
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Maloney BE, Carpio KL, Bilyeu AN, Saunders DRD, Park SL, Pohl AE, Ball NC, Raetz JL, Huang CY, Higgs S, Barrett ADT, Roman-Sosa G, Kenney JL, Vanlandingham DL, Huang YJS. Identification of the flavivirus conserved residues in the envelope protein hinge region for the rational design of a candidate West Nile live-attenuated vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:172. [PMID: 37932282 PMCID: PMC10628263 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00765-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The flavivirus envelope protein is a class II fusion protein that drives flavivirus-cell membrane fusion. The membrane fusion process is triggered by the conformational change of the E protein from dimer in the virion to trimer, which involves the rearrangement of three domains, EDI, EDII, and EDIII. The movement between EDI and EDII initiates the formation of the E protein trimer. The EDI-EDII hinge region utilizes four motifs to exert the hinge effect at the interdomain region and is crucial for the membrane fusion activity of the E protein. Using West Nile virus (WNV) NY99 strain derived from an infectious clone, we investigated the role of eight flavivirus-conserved hydrophobic residues in the EDI-EDII hinge region in the conformational change of E protein from dimer to trimer and viral entry. Single mutations of the E-A54, E-I130, E-I135, E-I196, and E-Y201 residues affected infectivity. Importantly, the E-A54I and E-Y201P mutations fully attenuated the mouse neuroinvasive phenotype of WNV. The results suggest that multiple flavivirus-conserved hydrophobic residues in the EDI-EDII hinge region play a critical role in the structure-function of the E protein and some contribute to the virulence phenotype of flaviviruses as demonstrated by the attenuation of the mouse neuroinvasive phenotype of WNV. Thus, as a proof of concept, residues in the EDI-EDII hinge region are proposed targets to engineer attenuating mutations for inclusion in the rational design of candidate live-attenuated flavivirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey E Maloney
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Kassandra L Carpio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Ashley N Bilyeu
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Danielle R D Saunders
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Department of Biology, Dean of Faculty, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, 80840, USA
| | - So Lee Park
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Adrienne E Pohl
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Natalia Costa Ball
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Janae L Raetz
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Claire Y Huang
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Stephen Higgs
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Alan D T Barrett
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Gleyder Roman-Sosa
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Buentewg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Joanie L Kenney
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Dana L Vanlandingham
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Yan-Jang S Huang
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
- Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, Institute of Global Health and Translation Science, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
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3
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Akash S, Bayıl I, Rahman MA, Mukerjee N, Maitra S, Islam MR, Rajkhowa S, Ghosh A, Al-Hussain SA, Zaki MEA, Jaiswal V, Sah S, Barboza JJ, Sah R. Target specific inhibition of West Nile virus envelope glycoprotein and methyltransferase using phytocompounds: an in silico strategy leveraging molecular docking and dynamics simulation. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1189786. [PMID: 37455711 PMCID: PMC10338848 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1189786] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes are the primary vector for West Nile virus, a flavivirus. The virus's ability to infiltrate and establish itself in increasing numbers of nations has made it a persistent threat to public health worldwide. Despite the widespread occurrence of this potentially fatal disease, no effective treatment options are currently on the market. As a result, there is an immediate need for the research and development of novel pharmaceuticals. To begin, molecular docking was performed on two possible West Nile virus target proteins using a panel of twelve natural chemicals, including Apigenin, Resveratrol, Hesperetin, Fungisterol, Lucidone, Ganoderic acid, Curcumin, Kaempferol, Cholic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Pinocembrin, and Sanguinarine. West Nile virus methyltransferase (PDB ID: 2OY0) binding affinities varied from -7.4 to -8.3 kcal/mol, whereas West Nile virus envelope glycoprotein affinities ranged from -6.2 to -8.1 kcal/mol (PDB ID: 2I69). Second, substances with larger molecular weights are less likely to be unhappy with the Lipinski rule. Hence, additional research was carried out without regard to molecular weight. In addition, compounds 01, 02, 03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 11 are more soluble in water than compound 04 is. Besides, based on maximum binding affinity, best three compounds (Apigenin, Curcumin, and Ganoderic Acid) has been carried out molecular dynamic simulation (MDs) at 100 ns to determine their stability. The MDs data is also reported that these mentioned molecules are highly stable. Finally, advanced principal component analysis (PCA), dynamics cross-correlation matrices (DCCM) analysis, binding free energy and dynamic cross correlation matrix (DCCM) theoretical study is also included to established mentioned phytochemical as a potential drug candidate. Research has indicated that the aforementioned natural substances may be an effective tool in the battle against the dangerous West Nile virus. This study aims to locate a bioactive natural component that might be used as a pharmaceutical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shopnil Akash
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Imren Bayıl
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Türkiye
| | | | - Nobendu Mukerjee
- Department of Microbiology, West Bengal State University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
- Department of Health Sciences, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW, Australia
| | - Swastika Maitra
- Department of Microbiology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Md. Rezaul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sanchaita Rajkhowa
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Arabinda Ghosh
- Microbiology Division, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Gwahati, Assam, India
| | - Sami A. Al-Hussain
- Department of Chemistry, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdi E. A. Zaki
- Department of Chemistry, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vikash Jaiswal
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sanjit Sah
- Global Consortium for Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India
- SR Sanjeevani Hospital, Kayanpur, Siraha, Nepal
| | | | - Ranjit Sah
- Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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4
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Zuzic L, Marzinek JK, Anand GS, Warwicker J, Bond PJ. A pH-dependent cluster of charges in a conserved cryptic pocket on flaviviral envelopes. eLife 2023; 12:82447. [PMID: 37144875 PMCID: PMC10162804 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are enveloped viruses which include human pathogens that are predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Some, such as dengue virus, exhibit the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of disease, making vaccine-based routes of fighting infections problematic. The pH-dependent conformational change of the envelope (E) protein required for fusion between the viral and endosomal membranes is an attractive point of inhibition by antivirals as it has the potential to diminish the effects of ADE. We examined six flaviviruses by employing large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of raft systems that represent a substantial portion of the flaviviral envelope. We utilised a benzene-mapping approach that led to a discovery of shared hotspots and conserved cryptic sites. A cryptic pocket previously shown to bind a detergent molecule exhibited strain-specific characteristics. An alternative conserved cryptic site at the E protein domain interfaces showed a consistent dynamic behaviour across flaviviruses and contained a conserved cluster of ionisable residues. Constant-pH simulations revealed cluster and domain-interface disruption under low pH conditions. Based on this, we propose a cluster-dependent mechanism that addresses inconsistencies in the histidine-switch hypothesis and highlights the role of cluster protonation in orchestrating the domain dissociation pivotal for the formation of the fusogenic trimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Zuzic
- Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ganesh S Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, 16 Science Drive 4, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, United States
| | - Jim Warwicker
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Bond
- Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, 16 Science Drive 4, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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5
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Yang B, Meng R, Feng C, Huang J, Li Q, Wang X, Zhang D. An Antibody Neutralization Determinant on Domain III and the First α-Helical Domain in the Stem-Anchor Region of Tembusu Virus Envelope Protein. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 209:684-695. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Previous studies identified three neutralizing epitopes on domains I, II, and III of the Tembusu virus (TMUV) envelope (E). More evidence is needed to understand the molecular basis of Ab-mediated neutralization and protection against TMUV. In this study, we observed a neutralizing mAb, 6C8, that neutralized TMUV infection primarily by inhibiting cell attachment. In immunofluorescence assays, 6C8 recognized the premembrane and E proteins coexpressed in HEK-293T cells, but failed to react with premembrane or E expressed individually. Epitope mapping identified nine E protein residues positioned on BC/EF loops and F/G strands in domain III and the first α-helical domain in the stem region. Further investigation with mutant viruses showed that 6C8 pressure resulted in mutations at residues 330 of BC loop and 409 of the first α-helical domain, although 6C8 only exhibited a moderate neutralizing activity in BHK-21 cells and a weak protective activity in BALB/c mice and Shaoxing duck models. Mutations A330S and T409M conferred high- and low-level 6C8 resistance, respectively, whereas the combination of A330S and T409M mutations conferred moderate-level 6C8 resistance. As a result, a quasispecies comprising three groups of antigenic variants appeared in BHK-21 cell–derived viral stocks after repeated passages of TMUV strain Y in the presence of 6C8 treatment. Taken together, these findings have raised a concern about Ab-induced antigenic variations in vivo, and they have revealed information concerning the conformational structure of the 6C8 epitope and its role in constraint on antigenic variations. The present work contributes to a better understanding of the complexity of the TMUV immunogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Runze Meng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chonglun Feng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Dabing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Han X, Cai Z, Dai Y, Huang H, Cao X, Wang Y, Fang Y, Liu G, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Yang B, Xue W, Zhao G, Tai W, Li M. Re-burying Artificially Exposed Surface of Viral Subunit Vaccines Through Oligomerization Enhances Vaccine Efficacy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:927674. [PMID: 35846760 PMCID: PMC9278648 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.927674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral subunit vaccines often suffer low efficacy. We recently showed that when taken out of the context of whole virus particles, recombinant subunit vaccines contain artificially exposed surface regions that are non-neutralizing and reduce their efficacy, and thus these regions need to be re-buried in vaccine design. Here we used the envelope protein domain III (EDIII) of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a subunit vaccine candidate, to further validate this important concept for subunit vaccine designs. We constructed monomeric EDIII, dimeric EDIII via a linear space, dimeric EDIII via an Fc tag, and trimeric EDIII via a foldon tag. Compared to monomeric EDIII or linearly linked dimeric EDIII, tightly packed EDIII oligomers via the Fc or foldon tag induce higher neutralizing antibody titers in mice and also protect mice more effectively from lethal JEV challenge. Structural analyses demonstrate that part of the artificially exposed surface areas on recombinant EDIII becomes re-buried in Fc or foldon-mediated oligomers. This study further establishes the artificially exposed surfaces as an intrinsic limitation of subunit vaccines, and suggests that re-burying these surfaces through tightly packed oligomerization is a convenient and effective approach to overcome this limitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuming Cai
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yulong Dai
- Institute of Hemu Biotechnology, Beijing Hemu Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - He Huang
- Institute of Hemu Biotechnology, Beijing Hemu Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangwen Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Public Health School, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingying Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Binhui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Public Health School, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Wanbo Tai
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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7
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Discovery of archaeal fusexins homologous to eukaryotic HAP2/GCS1 gamete fusion proteins. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3880. [PMID: 35794124 PMCID: PMC9259645 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31564-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractSexual reproduction consists of genome reduction by meiosis and subsequent gamete fusion. The presence of genes homologous to eukaryotic meiotic genes in archaea and bacteria suggests that DNA repair mechanisms evolved towards meiotic recombination. However, fusogenic proteins resembling those found in gamete fusion in eukaryotes have so far not been found in prokaryotes. Here, we identify archaeal proteins that are homologs of fusexins, a superfamily of fusogens that mediate eukaryotic gamete and somatic cell fusion, as well as virus entry. The crystal structure of a trimeric archaeal fusexin (Fusexin1 or Fsx1) reveals an archetypical fusexin architecture with unique features such as a six-helix bundle and an additional globular domain. Ectopically expressed Fusexin1 can fuse mammalian cells, and this process involves the additional globular domain and a conserved fusion loop. Furthermore, archaeal fusexin genes are found within integrated mobile elements, suggesting potential roles in cell-cell fusion and gene exchange in archaea, as well as different scenarios for the evolutionary history of fusexins.
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8
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Mittal A, Chauhan A. Aspects of Biological Replication and Evolution Independent of the Central Dogma: Insights from Protein-Free Vesicular Transformations and Protein-Mediated Membrane Remodeling. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:185-209. [PMID: 35333977 PMCID: PMC8951669 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00230-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Biological membrane remodeling is central to living systems. In spite of serving as “containers” of whole-living systems and functioning as dynamic compartments within living systems, biological membranes still find a “blue collar” treatment compared to the “white collar” nucleic acids and proteins in biology. This may be attributable to the fact that scientific literature on biological membrane remodeling is only 50 years old compared to ~ 150 years of literature on proteins and a little less than 100 years on nucleic acids. However, recently, evidence for symbiotic origins of eukaryotic cells from data only on biological membranes was reported. This, coupled with appreciation of reproducible amphiphilic self-assemblies in aqueous environments (mimicking replication), has already initiated discussions on origins of life beyond nucleic acids and proteins. This work presents a comprehensive compilation and meta-analyses of data on self-assembly and vesicular transformations in biological membranes—starting from model membranes to establishment of Influenza Hemagglutinin-mediated membrane fusion as a prototypical remodeling system to a thorough comparison between enveloped mammalian viruses and cellular vesicles. We show that viral membrane fusion proteins, in addition to obeying “stoichiometry-driven protein folding”, have tighter compositional constraints on their amino acid occurrences than general-structured proteins, regardless of type/class. From the perspective of vesicular assemblies and biological membrane remodeling (with and without proteins) we find that cellular vesicles are quite different from viruses. Finally, we propose that in addition to pre-existing thermodynamic frameworks, kinetic considerations in de novo formation of metastable membrane structures with available “third-party” constituents (including proteins) were not only crucial for origins of life but also continue to offer morphological replication and/or functional mechanisms in modern life forms, independent of the central dogma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Mittal
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India. .,Supercomputing Facility for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (SCFBio), IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India.
| | - Akanksha Chauhan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
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9
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Rana R, Kant R, Kaul D, Sachdev A, Ganguly NK. Integrated view of molecular diagnosis and prognosis of dengue viral infection: future prospect of exosomes biomarkers. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:815-832. [PMID: 35059925 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04326-8] [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: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Dengue viruses (DENVs) are the viruses responsible for dengue infection which affects lungs, liver, heart and also other organs of individuals. DENVs consist of the group of four serotypically diverse dengue viruses transmitted in tropical and sub-tropical countries of world. Aedes mosquito is the principal vector which spread the infection from infected person to healthy humans. DENVs can cause different syndromes depending on serotype of virus which range from undifferentiated mild fever to dengue hemorrhagic fever resulting in vascular leakage due to release of cytokine and Dengue shock syndrome with fluid loss and hypotensive shock, or other severe manifestations such as bleeding and organ failure. Increase in dengue cases in pediatric population is a major concern. Transmission of dengue depends on various factors like temperature, rainfall, and distribution of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The present review describes a comprehensive overview of dengue, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment with an emphasis on potential of exosomes as biomarkers for early prediction of dengue in pediatrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Rana
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, 110060, India.
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, 110060, India
| | - Dinesh Kaul
- Department of Pediatrics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, 110060, India
| | - Anil Sachdev
- Department of Pediatrics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, 110060, India
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10
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Goodsell DS, Burley SK. RCSB Protein Data Bank resources for structure-facilitated design of mRNA vaccines for existing and emerging viral pathogens. Structure 2022; 30:55-68.e2. [PMID: 34739839 PMCID: PMC8567414 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Structural biologists provide direct insights into the molecular bases of human health and disease. The open-access Protein Data Bank (PDB) stores and delivers three-dimensional (3D) biostructure data that facilitate discovery and development of therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools. We are in the midst of a revolution in vaccinology. Non-infectious mRNA vaccines have been proven during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This new technology underpins nimble discovery and clinical development platforms that use knowledge of 3D viral protein structures for societal benefit. The RCSB PDB supports vaccine designers through expert biocuration and rigorous validation of 3D structures; open-access dissemination of structure information; and search, visualization, and analysis tools for structure-guided design efforts. This resource article examines the structural biology underpinning the success of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines and enumerates some of the many protein structures in the PDB archive that could guide design of new countermeasures against existing and emerging viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Goodsell
- RCSB Protein Data Bank and Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA; Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Stephen K Burley
- RCSB Protein Data Bank and Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA; Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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11
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Osminkina LA, Agafilushkina SN, Kropotkina EA, Saushkin NY, Bozhev IV, Abramchuk SS, Samsonova JV, Gambaryan AS. Antiviral adsorption activity of porous silicon nanoparticles against different pathogenic human viruses. Bioact Mater 2022; 7:39-46. [PMID: 34179568 PMCID: PMC8215515 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New viral infections, due to their rapid spread, lack of effective antiviral drugs and vaccines, kill millions of people every year. The global pandemic SARS-CoV-2 in 2019-2021 has shown that new strains of viruses can widespread very quickly, causing disease and death, with significant socio-economic consequences. Therefore, the search for new methods of combating different pathogenic viruses is an urgent task, and strategies based on nanoparticles are of significant interest. This work demonstrates the antiviral adsorption (virucidal) efficacy of nanoparticles of porous silicon (PSi NPs) against various enveloped and non-enveloped pathogenic human viruses, such as Influenza A virus, Poliovirus, Human immunodeficiency virus, West Nile virus, and Hepatitis virus. PSi NPs sized 60 nm with the average pore diameter of 2 nm and specific surface area of 200 m2/g were obtained by ball-milling of electrochemically-etched microporous silicon films. After interaction with PSi NPs, a strong suppression of the infectious activity of the virus-contaminated fluid was observed, which was manifested in a decrease in the infectious titer of all studied types of viruses by approximately 104 times, and corresponded to an inactivation of 99.99% viruses in vitro. This sorption capacity of PSi NPs is possible due to their microporous structure and huge specific surface area, which ensures efficient capture of virions, as confirmed by ELISA analysis, dynamic light scattering measurements and transmission electron microscopy images. The results obtained indicate the great potential of using PSi NPs as universal viral sorbents and disinfectants for the detection and treatment of viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liubov A. Osminkina
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation of Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
| | - Svetlana N. Agafilushkina
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Ekaterina A. Kropotkina
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products, Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nikolay Yu Saushkin
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Chemistry, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Ivan V. Bozhev
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Quantum Technology Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sergei S. Abramchuk
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
- A.N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova 28, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Jeanne V. Samsonova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Chemistry, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Alexandra S. Gambaryan
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation of Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russian Federation
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12
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Abstract
Viral fusion glycoproteins catalyze membrane fusion during viral entry. Unlike most enzymes, however, they lack a conventional active site in which formation or scission of a specific covalent bond is catalyzed. Instead, they drive the membrane fusion reaction by cojoining highly regulated changes in conformation to membrane deformation. Despite the challenges in applying inhibitor design approaches to these proteins, recent advances in knowledge of the structures and mechanisms of viral fusogens have enabled the development of small-molecule inhibitors of both class I and class II viral fusion proteins. Here, we review well-validated inhibitors, including their discovery, targets, and mechanism(s) of action, while highlighting mechanistic similarities and differences. Together, these examples make a compelling case for small-molecule inhibitors as tools for probing the mechanisms of viral glycoprotein-mediated fusion and for viral glycoproteins as druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Yuan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94305, USA;
| | - Priscilla L Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94305, USA;
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13
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New Insights into the Biology of the Emerging Tembusu Virus. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10081010. [PMID: 34451474 PMCID: PMC8398659 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Reported for the first time in 1955 in Malaysia, Tembusu virus (TMUV) remained, for a long time, in the shadow of flaviviruses with human health importance such as dengue virus or Japanese encephalitis virus. However, since 2010 and the first large epidemic in duck farms in China, the threat of its emergence on a large scale in Asia or even its spillover into the human population is becoming more and more significant. This review aims to report current knowledge on TMUV from viral particle organization to the development of specific vaccines and therapeutics, with a particular focus on host-virus interactions.
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14
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Auguste AJ, Langsjoen RM, Porier DL, Erasmus JH, Bergren NA, Bolling BG, Luo H, Singh A, Guzman H, Popov VL, Travassos da Rosa APA, Wang T, Kang L, Allen IC, Carrington CVF, Tesh RB, Weaver SC. Isolation of a novel insect-specific flavivirus with immunomodulatory effects in vertebrate systems. Virology 2021; 562:50-62. [PMID: 34256244 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We describe the isolation and characterization of a novel insect-specific flavivirus (ISFV), tentatively named Aripo virus (ARPV), that was isolated from Psorophora albipes mosquitoes collected in Trinidad. The ARPV genome was determined and phylogenetic analyses showed that it is a dual host associated ISFV, and clusters with the main mosquito-borne flaviviruses. ARPV antigen was significantly cross-reactive with Japanese encephalitis virus serogroup antisera, with significant cross-reactivity to Ilheus and West Nile virus (WNV). Results suggest that ARPV replication is limited to mosquitoes, as it did not replicate in the sandfly, culicoides or vertebrate cell lines tested. We also demonstrated that ARPV is endocytosed into vertebrate cells and is highly immunomodulatory, producing a robust innate immune response despite its inability to replicate in vertebrate systems. We show that prior infection or coinfection with ARPV limits WNV-induced disease in mouse models, likely the result of a robust ARPV-induced type I interferon response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Auguste
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Rose M Langsjoen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Danielle L Porier
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Jesse H Erasmus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Nicholas A Bergren
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bethany G Bolling
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Huanle Luo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ankita Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Hilda Guzman
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | | | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Lin Kang
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Monroe, LA, 71203, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Irving C Allen
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Christine V F Carrington
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Robert B Tesh
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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15
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Hu T, Wu Z, Wu S, Chen S, Cheng A. The key amino acids of E protein involved in early flavivirus infection: viral entry. Virol J 2021; 18:136. [PMID: 34217298 PMCID: PMC8254458 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01611-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are enveloped viruses that infect multiple hosts. Envelope proteins are the outermost proteins in the structure of flaviviruses and mediate viral infection. Studies indicate that flaviviruses mainly use envelope proteins to bind to cell attachment receptors and endocytic receptors for the entry step. Here, we present current findings regarding key envelope protein amino acids that participate in the flavivirus early infection process. Among these sites, most are located in special positions of the protein structure, such as the α-helix in the stem region and the hinge region between domains I and II, motifs that potentially affect the interaction between different domains. Some of these sites are located in positions involved in conformational changes in envelope proteins. In summary, we summarize and discuss the key envelope protein residues that affect the entry process of flaviviruses, including the process of their discovery and the mechanisms that affect early infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Hu
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaoxiong Wu
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.
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16
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Khan MT, Islam R, Jerin TJ, Mahmud A, Khatun S, Kobir A, Islam MN, Akter A, Mondal SI. Immunoinformatics and molecular dynamics approaches: Next generation vaccine design against West Nile virus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253393. [PMID: 34138958 PMCID: PMC8211291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a life threatening flavivirus that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. No preventive therapeutics including vaccines against WNV are available for human use. In this study, immunoinformatics approach was performed to design a multi epitope-based subunit vaccine against this deadly pathogen. Human (HLA) and Mice (H-2) allele specific potential T-cell and B-cell epitopes were shortlisted through a stringent procedure. Molecular docking showed selected epitopes that have stronger binding affinity with human TLR-4. Molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the stable nature of the docked complex. Furthermore, in silico cloning analysis ensures efficient expression of desired gene in the microbial system. Interestingly, previous studies showed that two of our selected epitopes have strong immune response against WNV. Therefore, selected epitopes could be strong vaccine candidates to prevent WNV infections in human. However, further in vitro and in vivo investigations could be strengthening the validation of the vaccine candidate against WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Tahsin Khan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Rahatul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Tarhima Jahan Jerin
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh
| | - Araf Mahmud
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Sahara Khatun
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Ahasanul Kobir
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Md Nahidul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Arzuba Akter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- * E-mail: (SIM); (AA)
| | - Shakhinur Islam Mondal
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- * E-mail: (SIM); (AA)
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17
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Roy U. Structural and molecular analyses of functional epitopes and escape mutants in Japanese encephalitis virus envelope protein domain III. Immunol Res 2021; 68:81-89. [PMID: 32445181 PMCID: PMC7243247 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-020-09130-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is one of the vector borne causes of encephalitis found in southeastern Asia. This positive single-stranded RNA virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family, which notably includes dengue, tick-borne, West Nile, Zika as well as yellow fever, and transmits to humans by infected mosquitos. The main site of interactions for antibodies against this virus is the envelope protein domain III (ED3). The present report investigates the time-dependent structural and conformational changes of JEV ED3 functional epitopes and escape mutants by computer simulations. The results indicate the presence of significant structural differences between the functional epitopes and the escape mutants. Mutation-induced structural/conformational instabilities of this type can decrease the antibody neutralization activity. Among the different escape mutants studied here, Ser40Lys/Asp41Arg appear to be most unstable, while Ser40Glu/Asp41Leu exhibit the lowest structural variations. The highest level of escape mutation observed in Ser40Lys is linked to the relatively higher values of root mean square deviation/fluctuation found in the molecular dynamics simulation of this protein. Secondary-structure deviations and depletion of H bonding are other contributing factors to the protein’s increased instability. Overall, the proteins with residue 41 mutations are found to be structurally more ordered than those with residue 40 mutations. The detailed time-based structural assessment of the mutant epitopes described here may contribute to the development of novel vaccines and antiviral drugs necessary to defend against future outbreaks of JEV escape mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Roy
- Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, 8 Clarkson Avenue, Potsdam, NY, 13699-5820, USA.
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18
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Hardy JM, Newton ND, Modhiran N, Scott CAP, Venugopal H, Vet LJ, Young PR, Hall RA, Hobson-Peters J, Coulibaly F, Watterson D. A unified route for flavivirus structures uncovers essential pocket factors conserved across pathogenic viruses. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3266. [PMID: 34075032 PMCID: PMC8169900 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22773-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidemic emergence of relatively rare and geographically isolated flaviviruses adds to the ongoing disease burden of viruses such as dengue. Structural analysis is key to understand and combat these pathogens. Here, we present a chimeric platform based on an insect-specific flavivirus for the safe and rapid structural analysis of pathogenic viruses. We use this approach to resolve the architecture of two neurotropic viruses and a structure of dengue virus at 2.5 Å, the highest resolution for an enveloped virion. These reconstructions allow improved modelling of the stem region of the envelope protein, revealing two lipid-like ligands within highly conserved pockets. We show that these sites are essential for viral growth and important for viral maturation. These findings define a hallmark of flavivirus virions and a potential target for broad-spectrum antivirals and vaccine design. We anticipate the chimeric platform to be widely applicable for investigating flavivirus biology. Understanding virus assembly could identify potential drug targets. Here the authors use a safe and efficient method to solve pathogenic flavivirus structures, revealing two lipid-like ligands within highly conserved pockets of the stem region of envelope protein that are important for virus maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Hardy
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Natalee D Newton
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Naphak Modhiran
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Connor A P Scott
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hariprasad Venugopal
- Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Laura J Vet
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul R Young
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Roy A Hall
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Fasséli Coulibaly
- Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Daniel Watterson
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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19
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Dey D, Poudyal S, Rehman A, Hasan SS. Structural and biochemical insights into flavivirus proteins. Virus Res 2021; 296:198343. [PMID: 33607183 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Flaviviruses are the fastest spreading arthropod-borne viruses that cause severe symptoms such as hepatitis, hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, and congenital deformities. Nearly 40 % of the entire human population is at risk of flavivirus epidemics. Yet, effective vaccination is restricted only to a few flaviviruses such as yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis viruses, and most recently for select cases of dengue virus infections. Despite the global spread of dengue virus, and emergence of new threats such as Zika virus and a new genotype of Japanese encephalitis virus, insights into flavivirus targets for potentially broad-spectrum vaccination are limited. In this review article, we highlight biochemical and structural differences in flavivirus proteins critical for virus assembly and host interactions. A comparative sequence analysis of pH-responsive properties of viral structural proteins identifies trends in conservation of complementary acidic-basic character between interacting viral structural proteins. This is highly relevant to the understanding of pH-sensitive differences in virus assembly in organelles such as neutral ER and acidic Golgi. Surface residues in viral interfaces identified by structural approaches are shown to demonstrate partial conservation, further reinforcing virus-specificity in assembly and interactions with host proteins. A comparative analysis of epitope conservation in emerging flaviviruses identifies therapeutic antibody candidates that have potential as broad spectrum anti-virals, thus providing a path towards development of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debajit Dey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 108 N. Greene Street, Baltimore MD 21201, USA
| | - Shishir Poudyal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W. State Street, West Lafayette IN 47907, USA
| | - Asma Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 108 N. Greene Street, Baltimore MD 21201, USA
| | - S Saif Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 108 N. Greene Street, Baltimore MD 21201, USA; University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland Medical Center, 22. S. Greene St. Baltimore MD 21201, USA; Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 9600 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville MD 20850, USA.
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20
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Abstract
The flavivirus genus encompasses more than 75 unique viruses, including dengue virus which accounts for almost 390 million global infections annually. Flavivirus infection can result in a myriad of symptoms ranging from mild rash and flu-like symptoms, to severe encephalitis and even hemorrhagic fever. Efforts to combat the impact of these viruses have been hindered due to limited antiviral drug and vaccine development. However, the advancement of knowledge in the structural biology of flaviviruses over the last 25 years has produced unique perspectives for the identification of potential therapeutic targets. With particular emphasis on the assembly and maturation stages of the flavivirus life cycle, it is the goal of this review to comparatively analyze the structural similarities between flaviviruses to provide avenues for new research and innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conrrad M R Nicholls
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Madhumati Sevvana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Richard J Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
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21
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Chen X, Li C, Lin W, Li T, Li X, Bai X, Wulin S, Zhang Q, Li S, Liu M, Liu JH, Zhang Y. A Novel Neutralizing Antibody Targeting a Unique Cross-Reactive Epitope on the hi Loop of Domain II of the Envelope Protein Protects Mice against Duck Tembusu Virus. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:1836-1848. [PMID: 32132180 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The Flavivirus E protein induces protective immunity, and its Abs cause serious problems for serodiagnosis because of the difficulty in differentiating cross-reactive Abs. Moreover, cross-reactive Abs may increase disease severity after secondary Flavivirus infections via Ab-dependent enhancement. Cross-reactive epitopes are therefore critical for understanding serodiagnosis and improving the general knowledge of Flavivirus infections. A minimal epitope, 227GSSAGTWQN235, was identified by a neutralizing mAb 1G2 against duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV), which recognized only monomer E protein under nonreducing conditions. It was unexpectedly found that mutations in the epitope residues G231 or W233 completely abolished reactivity to 1G2 and sera from mice infected with Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. An immunofluorescence assay confirmed that mAb 1G2 could cross-react with the E proteins from Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. Protein and virus modeling revealed that the epitope was surface accessible in the mature virus and located in the hi loop of domain II. The neutralization of DTMUV by 1G2 played a clear therapeutic role in mouse models. The passive transfer of 1G2 resulted in 100% survival, reduced weight loss, and the complete clearance of DTMUV from the blood of BALB/c mice. Our findings document, for the first time to our knowledge, that mAb 1G2 targets the cross-reactive epitope on the hi loop of domain II in the E protein and might be of potential therapeutic value in treating DTMUV infection and improve the understanding of the issues related to serodiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Chenxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Weiwei Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Tongtong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Xiaojun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Xiaofei Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Shaozhou Wulin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Qingshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Shuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
| | - Jyung-Hurng Liu
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 40227, Taiwan
| | - Yun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; and
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22
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Caldwell HS, Ngo K, Pata JD, Kramer LD, Ciota AT. West Nile Virus fidelity modulates the capacity for host cycling and adaptation. J Gen Virol 2020; 101:410-419. [PMID: 32068528 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The fidelity of flaviviruses is thought to be tightly regulated for optimal fitness within and between hosts. West Nile virus (WNV) high-fidelity (HiFi) mutations V793I and G806R within the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and low-fidelity (LoFi) mutation T248I within the methyltransferase, were previously shown to attenuate infectivity and replicative fitness in Culex mosquitoes and Culex tarsalis (CXT) cells but not in mammalian cells. We hypothesized that fidelity alterations would modify adaptation and maintenance in a host-specific manner. To test this hypothesis, wild-type (WT), HiFi (V793I/G806R) and LoFi (T248I) variants were sequentially passaged eight times in avian (PDE) or mosquito cells, or alternately between the two. Initial characterization confirmed that fidelity mutants are attenuated in mosquito, but not avian, cells. Deep sequencing revealed mutations unique to both cell lines and fidelity mutants, including ENV G1378A, a mutation associated with avian cell adaptation. To characterize maintenance and adaptation, viral outputs were monitored throughout passaging and viral fitness was assessed. The results indicate that fidelity mutants can at times recover fitness during mosquito cell passage, but remain attenuated relative to WT. Despite similar initial fitness, LoFi mutants were impaired during sequential passage in avian cells. Conversely, HiFi mutants passaged in avian cells showed increased adaptation, suggesting that increased fidelity may be advantageous in avian hosts. Although some adaptation occurred with individual mutants, the output titres of fidelity mutants were on average lower and were often lost during host switching. These data confirm that arbovirus fidelity is likely fine-tuned to maximize survival in disparate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley S Caldwell
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Kiet Ngo
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, USA
| | - Janice D Pata
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Laura D Kramer
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Alexander T Ciota
- The Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY, USA
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23
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Double Lock of a Human Neutralizing and Protective Monoclonal Antibody Targeting the Yellow Fever Virus Envelope. Cell Rep 2020; 26:438-446.e5. [PMID: 30625326 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.12.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Yellow fever virus (YFV), a deadly human pathogen, is the prototype of the genus Flavivirus. Recently, YFV re-emerged in Africa and Brazil, leading to hundreds of deaths, with some cases imported to China. Prophylactic or therapeutic countermeasures are urgently needed. Previously, several human monoclonal antibodies against YFV were screened out by phage display. Here, we find that one of them, 5A, exhibits high neutralizing potency and good protection. Crystallographic analysis of the YFV envelope (E) protein in its pre- and post-fusion states shows conformations similar to those observed in other E proteins of flaviviruses. Furthermore, the structures of 5A in complex with the E protein in both states are resolved, revealing an invariant recognition site. Structural analysis and functional data suggest that 5A has high neutralization potency because it interferes with virus entry by preventing both virus attachment and fusion. These findings will be instrumental for immunogen or inhibitor design.
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24
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Malafa S, Medits I, Aberle JH, Aberle SW, Haslwanter D, Tsouchnikas G, Wölfel S, Huber KL, Percivalle E, Cherpillod P, Thaler M, Roßbacher L, Kundi M, Heinz FX, Stiasny K. Impact of flavivirus vaccine-induced immunity on primary Zika virus antibody response in humans. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008034. [PMID: 32017766 PMCID: PMC7021315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zika virus has recently spread to South- and Central America, causing congenital birth defects and neurological complications. Many people at risk are flavivirus pre-immune due to prior infections with other flaviviruses (e.g. dengue virus) or flavivirus vaccinations. Since pre-existing cross-reactive immunity can potentially modulate antibody responses to Zika virus infection and may affect the outcome of disease, we analyzed fine-specificity as well as virus-neutralizing and infection-enhancing activities of antibodies induced by a primary Zika virus infection in flavivirus-naïve as well as yellow fever- and/or tick-borne encephalitis-vaccinated individuals. Methodology Antibodies in sera from convalescent Zika patients with and without vaccine-induced immunity were assessed by ELISA with respect to Zika virus-specificity and flavivirus cross-reactivity. Functional analyses included virus neutralization and infection-enhancement. The contribution of IgM and cross-reactive antibodies to these properties was determined by depletion experiments. Principal findings Pre-existing flavivirus immunity had a strong influence on the antibody response in primary Zika virus infections, resulting in higher titers of broadly flavivirus cross-reactive antibodies and slightly lower levels of Zika virus-specific IgM. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus was mediated by sub-neutralizing concentrations of specific IgG but not by cross-reactive antibodies. This effect was potently counteracted by the presence of neutralizing IgM. Broadly cross-reactive antibodies were able to both neutralize and enhance infection of dengue virus but not Zika virus, indicating a different exposure of conserved sequence elements in the two viruses. Conclusions Our data point to an important role of flavivirus-specific IgM during the transient early stages of infection, by contributing substantially to neutralization and by counteracting ADE. In addition, our results highlight structural differences between strains of Zika and dengue viruses that are used for analyzing infection-enhancement by cross-reactive antibodies. These findings underscore the possible impact of specific antibody patterns on flavivirus disease and vaccination efficacy. The explosive spread of Zika virus, a flavivirus, to South- and Central America underscores the potential threat of newly emerging arthropod-borne viruses. Zika virus infection can cause congenital birth defects and neurological complications. Many people at risk are flavivirus pre-immune because of prior infections with other flaviviruses (e.g. dengue virus, which co-circulates in Zika outbreak regions) or vaccinations (e.g. against yellow fever or tick-borne encephalitis) and have non-protective cross-reactive antibodies at the time of infection. Since pre-existing immunity can modulate the specificity and functional activity of antibody responses, and cross-reactive antibodies have been implicated in disease enhancement, we compared the specificities of serum samples from flavivirus-naïve and vaccinated individuals after primary Zika virus infections. Prior immunity led to a strong booster of cross-reactive antibodies that did not neutralize Zika virus. Importantly, we could also show that newly formed IgM antibodies contributed significantly to virus neutralization and prevented infection enhancement by other antibodies. Our data thus show how pre-existing cross-reactive immunities can alter the specificities and functional activities of antibody responses in flavivirus infections, which may affect flavivirus-induced disease and the efficacy of vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Malafa
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Iris Medits
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith H. Aberle
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Silke Wölfel
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner, Munich, Germany
| | - Kristina L. Huber
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Elena Percivalle
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Pascal Cherpillod
- Laboratory of Virology, Laboratory Medicine Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Thaler
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lena Roßbacher
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Kundi
- Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz X. Heinz
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (FXH); (KS)
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (FXH); (KS)
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25
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Koblischke M, Spitzer FS, Florian DM, Aberle SW, Malafa S, Fae I, Cassaniti I, Jungbauer C, Knapp B, Laferl H, Fischer G, Baldanti F, Stiasny K, Heinz FX, Aberle JH. CD4 T Cell Determinants in West Nile Virus Disease and Asymptomatic Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:16. [PMID: 32038660 PMCID: PMC6989424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile (WN) virus infection of humans is frequently asymptomatic, but can also lead to WN fever or neuroinvasive disease. CD4 T cells and B cells are critical in the defense against WN virus, and neutralizing antibodies, which are directed against the viral glycoprotein E, are an accepted correlate of protection. For the efficient production of these antibodies, B cells interact directly with CD4 helper T cells that recognize peptides from E or the two other structural proteins (capsid-C and membrane-prM/M) of the virus. However, the specific protein sites yielding such helper epitopes remain unknown. Here, we explored the CD4 T cell response in humans after WN virus infection using a comprehensive library of overlapping peptides covering all three structural proteins. By measuring T cell responses in 29 individuals with either WN virus disease or asymptomatic infection, we showed that CD4 T cells focus on peptides in specific structural elements of C and at the exposed surface of the pre- and postfusion forms of the E protein. Our data indicate that these immunodominant epitopes are recognized in the context of multiple different HLA molecules. Furthermore, we observed that immunodominant antigen regions are structurally conserved and similarly targeted in other mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Together, these findings indicate a strong impact of virion protein structure on epitope selection and antigenicity, which is an important issue to consider in future vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David M Florian
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan W Aberle
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Malafa
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingrid Fae
- Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Irene Cassaniti
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Christof Jungbauer
- Blood Service for Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, Austrian Red Cross, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Hermann Laferl
- Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Süd, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Spital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gottfried Fischer
- Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fausto Baldanti
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz X Heinz
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith H Aberle
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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26
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Kumar N, Sood D, Sharma N, Chandra R. Multiepitope Subunit Vaccine to Evoke Immune Response against Acute Encephalitis. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:421-433. [PMID: 31873008 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b01051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Acute encephalitis syndrome outbreak has emerged as a major health concern on both national and international scales. Brain inflammation/infections caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) can lead to death. The cases are growing in numbers globally, and this emergent health concern requires an effective and viable vaccine to strengthen the body's immune system against this deadly virus. Proteomic analyses of JEV revealed the envelope protein as a potential target for vaccine development by patient samples analysis. Hence, in this study, we aimed to design a multiepitope subunit vaccine for acute encephalitis using the advanced structural biology and immunoinformatics approaches. We report the multiepitope subunit vaccine consisted of the putative T-cell epitope (MHC-1 and MHC-2 restricted) and B-cell epitope and with high antigenicity and immunogenicity. The TAP affinity epitopes along with adjuvants were engineered to the vaccine, to ensure the ease transportation inside the host and elicitation of a strong immune response. The specificity of vaccine construct was evaluated by molecular docking with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) receptors and host membrane receptor TLR2. High docking scores and a close interaction to the binding groove of receptors confirmed the potency and specificity of the vaccine. Also, molecular dynamics simulation studies confirmed the stable interaction of vaccine with TLR2 for a long run (100 ns), which showed the prolonged elicitation of the strong immune response. Peptide dynamics studies showed the flexible, strong, and stable binding of vaccine with minimal deviation in root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), and secondary structure estimation (SSE) plots till 100 ns simulation run. The in silico immune simulation approach based on the position-specific scoring matrix and machine learning methods resulted in the strong immune response reinforcement statistics of immune cells (T-cells, B-cells population, and memory cells) in response to vaccine candidate. The favorable results and well-correlated data of varied in silico techniques paved for a potent multiepitope vaccine and helped us to propose the mechanism of action of designed vaccine and generation of the immune response against acute encephalitis syndrome.
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27
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Slathia PS, Sharma P. A common conserved peptide harboring predicted T and B cell epitopes in domain III of envelope protein of Japanese Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus for potential use in epitope based vaccines. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 65:238-245. [PMID: 31300121 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are two major mosquito borne flaviviruses belonging to same serocomplex. JEV is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes and the reservoir host for the virus is pigs and/or water birds. WNV is also transmitted by Culex mosquitoes and reservoir host in this case is birds. It can also be transmitted through contact with other infected animals, their blood, or other tissues. The envelope protein of these viruses is the major source of epitopes and provides protective immunity. Bioinformatics tools were used to identify conserved epitopes in the envelope protein of these viruses. A conserved peptide "TPVGRLVTVNPFV" present in both the viruses containing predicted T and B cell epitopes was found. The model of one of the predicted epitope was generated and upon docking it bound in the groove of HLA-A0201 Class I MHC molecule. Further, it was amenable to proteasomal cleavage enhancing its chances of processing by cytosolic pathway. The peptide was found to be non toxic, non allergenic and stable in mammalian cells based on database search. The population coverage was pan world and nearly 70% identity of the peptide was found in the Zika virus envelope protein. The peptide was located in the domain III of envelope protein which is the exposed domain therefore B cell receptors may recognize this peptide easily. The conserved peptide containing T and B cell epitopes can have future application for designing epitope based vaccines for both JEV and WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvez Singh Slathia
- School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Kakrial, Katra, J&K, India.
| | - Preeti Sharma
- School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Kakrial, Katra, J&K, India
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28
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Role of NS1 and TLR3 in Pathogenesis and Immunity of WNV. Viruses 2019; 11:v11070603. [PMID: 31277274 PMCID: PMC6669597 DOI: 10.3390/v11070603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus which causes encephalitis especially in elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Previous studies have suggested the protective role of the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) pathway against WNV entry into the brain, while the WNV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) interferes with the TLR3 signaling pathway, besides being a component of viral genome replication machinery. In this study, we investigated whether immunization with NS1 could protect against WNV neuroinvasion in the context of TLR3 deficiency. We immunized mice with either an intact or deleted TLR3 system (TLR3KO) with WNV envelope glycoprotein (gE) protein, NS1, or a combination of gE and NS1. Immunization with gE or gE/NS1, but not with NS1 alone, induced WNV neutralizing antibodies and protected against WNV brain invasion and inflammation. The presence of intact TLR3 signaling had no apparent effect on WNV brain invasion. However, mock-immunized TLR3KO mice had higher inflammatory cell invasion upon WNV brain infection than NS1-immunized TLR3KO mice and wild type mice. Thus, immunization against NS1 may reduce brain inflammation in a context of TLR3 signaling deficiency.
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29
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The distribution of important sero-complexes of flaviviruses in Malaysia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 51:495-506. [PMID: 30604332 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-018-01786-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Flaviviruses (FVs) are arthropod-borne viruses of medical and veterinary importance. Numerous species of FVs have been isolated from various host; mainly humans, animals, ticks, and mosquitoes. Certain FVs are extremely host-specific; at the same time, some FVs can infect an extensive range of species. Based on published literatures, 11 species of FVs have been detected from diverse host species in Malaysia. In humans, dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus have been reported since 1901 and 1942. In animals, the Batu Cave virus, Sitiawan virus, Carey Island, Tembusu virus, Duck Tembusu virus, and Japanese encephalitis viruses were isolated from various species. In mosquitoes, Japanese encephalitis virus and Kunjin virus were isolated from Culex spp., while Zika virus and Jugra virus were isolated from Aedes spp. In ticks, the Langat virus was isolated from Ixodes spp. One of the major challenges in the diagnosis of FVs is the presence of sero-complexes as a result of cross-reactivity with one or more FV species. Subsequently, the distribution of specific FVs among humans and animals in a specific population is problematic to assess and often require comprehensive and thorough analyses. Molecular assays such as quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and digital droplet RT-PCR (ddRT-PCR) have been used for the differentiation of flavivirus infections to increase the accuracy of epidemiological data for disease surveillance, monitoring, and control. In situations where sero-complexes are common in FVs, even sensitive assays such as qRT-pCR can produce false positive results. In this write up, an overview of the various FV sero-complexes reported in Malaysia to date and the challenges faced in diagnosis of FV infections are presented.
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30
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Rawle RJ, Webster ER, Jelen M, Kasson PM, Boxer SG. pH Dependence of Zika Membrane Fusion Kinetics Reveals an Off-Pathway State. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2018; 4:1503-1510. [PMID: 30555902 PMCID: PMC6276045 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.8b00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The recent spread of Zika virus stimulated extensive research on its structure, pathogenesis, and immunology, but mechanistic study of entry has lagged behind, in part due to the lack of a defined reconstituted system. Here, we report Zika membrane fusion measured using a platform that bypasses these barriers, enabling observation of single-virus fusion kinetics without receptor reconstitution. Surprisingly, target membrane binding and low pH are sufficient to trigger viral hemifusion to liposomes containing only neutral lipids. Second, although the extent of hemifusion strongly depends on pH, hemifusion rates are relatively insensitive to pH. Kinetic analysis shows that an off-pathway state is required to capture this pH-dependence and suggests this may be related to viral inactivation. Our surrogate-receptor approach thus yields new understanding of flaviviral entry mechanisms and should be applicable to many emerging viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Rawle
- Departments of Molecular
Physiology and Biological Physics and of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Elizabeth R. Webster
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Marta Jelen
- Departments of Molecular
Physiology and Biological Physics and of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Peter M. Kasson
- Departments of Molecular
Physiology and Biological Physics and of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden 75124
- (P.M.K.) E-mail:
| | - Steven G. Boxer
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- (S.G.B.) E-mail: . Address: 380
Roth Way, Stanford CA 94305-5012. Phone: 650-723-4442
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31
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Chen Z, Ye F, Lin S, Yang F, Cheng Y, Cao Y, Chen Z, Lu G. Crystal structure of Usutu virus envelope protein in the pre-fusion state. Virol J 2018; 15:183. [PMID: 30477514 PMCID: PMC6260896 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-018-1092-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-born flavivirus that can infect multiple avian and mammalian species. The viral surface envelope (E) protein functions to initiate the viral infection by recognizing cellular receptors and mediating the subsequent membrane fusion, and is therefore a key virulence factor involved in the pathogenesis of USUV. The structural features of USUV-E, however, remains un-investigated thus far. FINDINGS Using the crystallographic method, we determined the structure of USUV-E in the pre-fusion state at 2.0 angstrom. As expected, the overall fold of USUV-E, with three β-barrel domains (DI, DII, and DIII), resembles those of other flaviviral E proteins. In comparison to other pre-fusion E structures, however, USUV-E exhibits an apparently enlarged inter-domain angle between DI and DII, leading to a more extended conformation. Using our structure and other reported pre-fusion E structures, the DI-DII domain-angle difference was analyzed in a pairwise manner. The result shows a much higher degree of variations for USUV-E, indicating the potential for remarkable DI-DII domain angle plasticity among flaviviruses. CONCLUSION We report the crystal structure of USUV-E and show that its pre-fusion structure has an enlarged DI-DII domain-angle which has not been observed in other reported flaviviral E-structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimin Chen
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Fei Ye
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Sheng Lin
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Fanli Yang
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Yanwei Cheng
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Yu Cao
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China ,0000 0001 0807 1581grid.13291.38Disaster Medicine Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Zhujun Chen
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
| | - Guangwen Lu
- 0000 0004 1770 1022grid.412901.fWest China Hospital Emergency Department (WCHED), State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 Sichuan China
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32
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Frenz B, Rämisch S, Borst AJ, Walls AC, Adolf-Bryfogle J, Schief WR, Veesler D, DiMaio F. Automatically Fixing Errors in Glycoprotein Structures with Rosetta. Structure 2018; 27:134-139.e3. [PMID: 30344107 PMCID: PMC6616339 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) have resulted in determination of an increasing number of protein structures with resolved glycans. However, existing protocols for the refinement of glycoproteins at low resolution have failed to keep up with these advances. As a result, numerous deposited structures contain glycan stereochemical errors. Here, we describe a Rosetta-based approach for both cryoEM and X-ray crystallography refinement of glycoproteins that is capable of correcting conformational and configurational errors in carbohydrates. Building upon a previous Rosetta framework, we introduced additional features and score terms enabling automatic detection, setup, and refinement of glycan-containing structures. We benchmarked this approach using 12 crystal structures and showed that glycan geometries can be automatically improved while maintaining good fit to the crystallographic data. Finally, we used this method to refine carbohydrates of the human coronavirus NL63 spike glycoprotein and of an HIV envelope glycoprotein, demonstrating its usefulness for cryoEM refinement. New method for refinement of carbohydrates with low-resolution electron density Improved physical geometry of glycans in protein structures Compatible with cryoEM and X-ray crystallography data
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Frenz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sebastian Rämisch
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew J Borst
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Alexandra C Walls
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jared Adolf-Bryfogle
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - William R Schief
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Frank DiMaio
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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Aberle JH, Koblischke M, Stiasny K. CD4 T cell responses to flaviviruses. J Clin Virol 2018; 108:126-131. [PMID: 30312909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2018.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Flaviviruses pose an increasing threat to global health with their potential to cause severe disease in millions of people. Protective and long-lived immunity is closely linked to the generation of CD4 T cells, which provide B cell help and support high affinity neutralizing antibody responses. Research performed during the last years revealed important new insights into the antigen specificities and diverse effector functions of CD4 T cell responses to flaviviruses. Moreover, the identification of mechanisms involved in the regulation of T cell specificity and function provides significant advances in our understanding of how durable protective immunity is established. Here, we summarize what is known about human CD4 T cell responses to flaviviruses, with a special emphasis on CD4 T cells that provide direct help to B cells producing neutralizing and protective antibodies. We review recent progress in the identification of epitope sites in the context of the atomic structures of flavivirus proteins and highlight specific influences that shape the human CD4 T cell response in the context of infection or vaccination. Finally, we discuss challenges facing vaccine efforts to generate appropriate CD4 T cell responses, as well as recent strategies to enhance T cell-mediated antibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith H Aberle
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Sinigaglia A, Riccetti S, Trevisan M, Barzon L. In silico approaches to Zika virus drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:825-835. [PMID: 30160181 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1515909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION After the WHO declared Zika virus (ZIKV) as a public health emergency of international concern, intense research for the development of vaccines and drugs has been undertaken, leading to the development of several candidates. Areas covered: This review discusses the developments achieved so far by computational methods in the discovery of candidate compounds targeting ZIKV proteins, i.e. the envelope and capsid structural proteins, the NS3 helicase/protease, and the NS5 methyltransferase/RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Expert opinion: Research for effective drugs against ZIKV is still in a very early discovery phase. Notwithstanding the intense efforts for the development of new drugs and the identification of several promising candidates by using different approaches, including computational methods, so far only a few candidates have been experimentally tested. An important caveat of anti-flavivirus drug development is represented by the difficult of reproducing the in vivo microenvironment of the replication complex, which may lead to discrepancies between in vitro results and experimental evaluation in vivo. Moreover, anti-ZIKV drugs have the additional requirement of an excellent safety profile in pregnancy and ability to diffuse to different tissues, including the central nervous system, the testis, and the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Riccetti
- a Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , Padova , Italy
| | - Marta Trevisan
- a Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , Padova , Italy
| | - Luisa Barzon
- a Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , Padova , Italy
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Early Events in Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection: Viral Entry. Pathogens 2018; 7:pathogens7030068. [PMID: 30104482 PMCID: PMC6161159 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens7030068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne zoonotic flavivirus, is an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus that can cause a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild febrile illness to severe neuroinvasive disease. Today, several killed and live vaccines are available in different parts of the globe for use in humans to prevent JEV-induced diseases, yet no antivirals are available to treat JEV-associated diseases. Despite the progress made in vaccine research and development, JEV is still a major public health problem in southern, eastern, and southeastern Asia, as well as northern Oceania, with the potential to become an emerging global pathogen. In viral replication, the entry of JEV into the cell is the first step in a cascade of complex interactions between the virus and target cells that is required for the initiation, dissemination, and maintenance of infection. Because this step determines cell/tissue tropism and pathogenesis, it is a promising target for antiviral therapy. JEV entry is mediated by the viral glycoprotein E, which binds virions to the cell surface (attachment), delivers them to endosomes (endocytosis), and catalyzes the fusion between the viral and endosomal membranes (membrane fusion), followed by the release of the viral genome into the cytoplasm (uncoating). In this multistep process, a collection of host factors are involved. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the viral and cellular components involved in JEV entry into host cells, with an emphasis on the initial virus-host cell interactions on the cell surface.
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Hossain MU, Keya CA, Das KC, Hashem A, Omar TM, Khan MA, Rakib-Uz-Zaman SM, Salimullah M. An Immunopharmacoinformatics Approach in Development of Vaccine and Drug Candidates for West Nile Virus. Front Chem 2018; 6:246. [PMID: 30035107 PMCID: PMC6043868 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
An outbreak of West Nile Virus (WNV) like the recent Ebola can be more epidemic and fatal to public health throughout the world. WNV possesses utmost threat as no vaccine or drug is currently available for its treatment except mosquito control. The current study applied the combined approach of immunoinformatics and pharmacoinformatics to design potential epitope-based vaccines and drug candidates against WNV. By analyzing the whole proteome of 2994 proteins, the WNV envelope glycoprotein was selected as a therapeutic target based on its highest antigenicity. After proper assessment “KSFLVHREW” and “ITPSAPSYT” were found to be the most potential T and B-cell epitopes, respectively. Besides, we have designed and validated four novel drugs from a known WNV inhibitor, AP30451 by adopting computational approaches. Toxicity assessment and drug score confirmed the effectiveness of these drug candidates. This in silico research might greatly facilitate the wet lab experiments to develop vaccine and drug against WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chaman Ara Keya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Keshob Chandra Das
- Molecular Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abu Hashem
- Microbial Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Taimur Md Omar
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Life Science Faculty, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh
| | - Md Arif Khan
- Bio-Bio-1 Research Foundation, Sangskriti Bikash Kendra Bhavan, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - S M Rakib-Uz-Zaman
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Biotechnology Program, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Salimullah
- Molecular Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Biotechnology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Pulkkinen LIA, Butcher SJ, Anastasina M. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus: A Structural View. Viruses 2018; 10:v10070350. [PMID: 29958443 PMCID: PMC6071267 DOI: 10.3390/v10070350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a growing health concern. It causes a severe disease that can lead to permanent neurological complications or death and the incidence of TBEV infections is constantly rising. Our understanding of TBEV’s structure lags behind that of other flaviviruses, but has advanced recently with the publication of a high-resolution structure of the TBEV virion. The gaps in our knowledge include: aspects of receptor binding, replication and virus assembly. Furthermore, TBEV has mostly been studied in mammalian systems, even though the virus’ interaction with its tick hosts is a central part of its life cycle. Elucidating these aspects of TBEV biology are crucial for the development of TBEV antivirals, as well as the improvement of diagnostics. In this review, we summarise the current structural knowledge on TBEV, bringing attention to the current gaps in our understanding, and propose further research that is needed to truly understand the structural-functional relationship of the virus and its hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri I A Pulkkinen
- HiLIFE-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sarah J Butcher
- HiLIFE-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Maria Anastasina
- HiLIFE-Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
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de Wispelaere M, Lian W, Potisopon S, Li PC, Jang J, Ficarro SB, Clark MJ, Zhu X, Kaplan JB, Pitts JD, Wales TE, Wang J, Engen JR, Marto JA, Gray NS, Yang PL. Inhibition of Flaviviruses by Targeting a Conserved Pocket on the Viral Envelope Protein. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 25:1006-1016.e8. [PMID: 29937406 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Viral envelope proteins are required for productive viral entry and initiation of infection. Although the humoral immune system provides ample evidence for targeting envelope proteins as an antiviral strategy, there are few pharmacological interventions that have this mode of action. In contrast to classical antiviral targets such as viral proteases and polymerases, viral envelope proteins as a class do not have a well-conserved active site that can be rationally targeted with small molecules. We previously identified compounds that inhibit dengue virus by binding to its envelope protein, E. Here, we show that these small molecules inhibit dengue virus fusion and map the binding site of these compounds to a specific pocket on E. We further demonstrate inhibition of Zika, West Nile, and Japanese encephalitis viruses by these compounds, providing pharmacological evidence for the pocket as a target for developing broad-spectrum antivirals against multiple, mosquito-borne flavivirus pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenlong Lian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Supanee Potisopon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pi-Chun Li
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jaebong Jang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Scott B Ficarro
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncologic Pathology, Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 45 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Margaret J Clark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xuling Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jenifer B Kaplan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jared D Pitts
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas E Wales
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - John R Engen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jarrod A Marto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncologic Pathology, Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 45 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Priscilla L Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Tripathi NK, Karothia D, Shrivastava A, Banger S, Kumar JS. Enhanced production and immunological characterization of recombinant West Nile virus envelope domain III protein. N Biotechnol 2018; 46:7-13. [PMID: 29768182 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging mosquito-borne virus which is responsible for severe and fatal encephalitis in humans and for which there is no licensed vaccine or therapeutic available to prevent infection. The envelope domain III protein (EDIII) of WNV was over-expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using a two-step chromatography process which included immobilized metal affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. E. coli cells were grown in a bioreactor to high density using batch and fed-batch cultivation. Wet biomass obtained after batch and fed-batch cultivation processes was 11.2 g and 84 g/L of culture respectively. Protein yield after affinity purification was 5.76 mg and 5.81 mg/g wet cell weight after batch and fed-batch processes respectively. The purified WNV EDIII elicited specific antibodies in rabbits, confirming its immunogenicity. Moreover, the antibodies were able to neutralize WNV in vitro. These results established that the refolded and purified WNV EDIII could be a potential vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagesh K Tripathi
- Bioprocess Scale Up Facility, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, 474002, India.
| | - Divyanshi Karothia
- Division of Virology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, 474002, India
| | - Ambuj Shrivastava
- Division of Virology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, 474002, India
| | - Swati Banger
- Bioprocess Scale Up Facility, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, 474002, India
| | - Jyoti S Kumar
- Division of Virology, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Jhansi Road, Gwalior, 474002, India
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40
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Human monoclonal antibodies against West Nile virus from Japanese encephalitis-vaccinated volunteers. Antiviral Res 2018; 154:58-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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41
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Hasan SS, Sevvana M, Kuhn RJ, Rossmann MG. Structural biology of Zika virus and other flaviviruses. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2018; 25:13-20. [PMID: 29323278 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-017-0010-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an enveloped, icosahedral flavivirus that has structural and functional similarities to other human flavivirus pathogens such as dengue (DENV), West Nile (WNV) and Japanese encephalitis (JEV) viruses. ZIKV infections have been linked to fetal microcephaly and the paralytic Guillain-Barré syndrome. This review provides a comparative structural analysis of the assembly, maturation and host-cell entry of ZIKV with other flaviviruses, especially DENV. We also discuss the mechanisms of neutralization by antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Saif Hasan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Madhumati Sevvana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Richard J Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Michael G Rossmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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42
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Cedillo-Barrón L, García-Cordero J, Shrivastava G, Carrillo-Halfon S, León-Juárez M, Bustos Arriaga J, León Valenzuela P, Gutiérrez Castañeda B. The Role of Flaviviral Proteins in the Induction of Innate Immunity. Subcell Biochem 2018; 88:407-442. [PMID: 29900506 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-8456-0_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Flaviviruses are positive, single-stranded, enveloped cytoplasmic sense RNA viruses that cause a variety of important diseases worldwide. Among them, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and Dengue virus have the potential to cause severe disease. Extensive studies have been performed to elucidate the structure and replication strategies of flaviviruses, and current studies are aiming to unravel the complex molecular interactions between the virus and host during the very early stages of infection. The outcomes of viral infection and rapid establishment of the antiviral state, depends on viral detection by pathogen recognition receptors and rapid initiation of signalling cascades to induce an effective innate immune response. Extracellular and intracellular pathogen recognition receptors play a crucial role in detecting flavivirus infection and inducing a robust antiviral response. One of the main hallmarks of flaviviral nonstructural proteins is their multiple strategies to antagonise the interferon system. In this chapter, we summarize the molecular characteristics of flaviviral proteins and discuss how viral proteins target different components of the interferon signalling pathway by blocking phosphorylation, enhancing degradation, and downregulating the expression of major components of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway. We also discuss how the interactions of viral proteins with host proteins facilitate viral pathogenesis. Due to the lack of antivirals or prophylactic treatments for many flaviviral infections, it is necessary to fully elucidate how these viruses disrupt cellular processes to influence pathogenesis and disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cedillo-Barrón
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, CINVESTAV IPN, México, D.F, Mexico.
| | - J García-Cordero
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, CINVESTAV IPN, México, D.F, Mexico
| | - G Shrivastava
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, CINVESTAV IPN, México, D.F, Mexico
| | - S Carrillo-Halfon
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, CINVESTAV IPN, México, D.F, Mexico
| | - M León-Juárez
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, National Institute of Perinatology, México City, Mexico
| | - J Bustos Arriaga
- Unidad de Biomedicina. Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, Edo. de México, Mexico
| | - Pc León Valenzuela
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, CINVESTAV IPN, México, D.F, Mexico
| | - B Gutiérrez Castañeda
- Immunology Department UMF Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, Edo. de México, Mexico
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Abstract
The persistence of West Nile virus (WNV) infections throughout the USA since its inception in 1999 and its continuous spread throughout the globe calls for an urgent need of effective treatments and prevention measures. Although the licensing of several WNV vaccines for veterinary use provides a proof of concept, similar efforts on the development of an effective vaccine for humans remain still unsuccessful. Increased understanding of biology and pathogenesis of WNV together with recent technological advancements have raised hope that an effective WNV vaccine may be available in the near future. In addition, rapid progress in the structural and functional characterization of WNV and other flaviviral proteins have provided a solid base for the design and development of several classes of inhibitors as potential WNV therapeutics. Moreover, the therapeutic monoclonal antibodies demonstrate an excellent efficacy against WNV in animal models and represent a promising class of WNV therapeutics. However, there are some challenges as to the design and development of a safe and efficient WNV vaccine or therapeutic. In this chapter, we discuss the current approaches, progress, and challenges toward the development of WNV vaccines, therapeutic antibodies, and antiviral drugs.
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The Postfusion Structure of the Heartland Virus Gc Glycoprotein Supports Taxonomic Separation of the Bunyaviral Families Phenuiviridae and Hantaviridae. J Virol 2017; 92:JVI.01558-17. [PMID: 29070692 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01558-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heartland virus (HRTV) is an emerging human pathogen that belongs to the newly defined family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales Gn and Gc are two viral surface glycoproteins encoded by the M segment and are required for early events during infection. HRTV delivers its genome into the cytoplasm by fusion of the viral envelope and endosomal membranes under low-pH conditions. Here, we describe the crystal structure of HRTV Gc in its postfusion conformation. The structure shows that Gc displays a typical class II fusion protein conformation, and the overall structure is identical to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) Gc, which also belongs to the Phenuiviridae family. However, our structural analysis indicates that the hantavirus Gc presents distinct features in the aspects of subdomain orientation, N-linked glycosylation, the interaction pattern between protomers, and the fusion loop conformation. This suggests their family-specific subunit arrangement during the fusogenic process and supports the recent taxonomic revision of bunyaviruses. Our results provide insights into the comprehensive comparison of class II membrane fusion proteins in two bunyavirus families, yielding valuable information for treatments against these human pathogens.IMPORTANCE HRTV is an insect-borne virus found in America that can infect humans. It belongs to the newly defined family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales HRTV contains three single-stranded RNA segments (L, M, and S). The M segment of the virus encodes a polyprotein precursor that is cleaved into two glycoproteins, Gn and Gc. Gc is a fusion protein facilitating virus entry into host cells. Here, we report the crystal structure of the HRTV Gc protein. The structure displays a typical class II fusion protein conformation. Comparison of HRTV Gc with a recently solved structure of another bunyavirus Gc revealed that these Gc structures display a newly defined family specificity, supporting the recent International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses reclassification of the bunyaviruses. Our results expand the knowledge of bunyavirus fusion proteins and help us to understand bunyavirus characterizations. This study provides useful information to improve protection against and therapies for bunyavirus infections.
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45
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Structures and Functions of the Envelope Glycoprotein in Flavivirus Infections. Viruses 2017; 9:v9110338. [PMID: 29137162 PMCID: PMC5707545 DOI: 10.3390/v9110338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses that widely infect many animal species. The envelope protein, a structural protein of flavivirus, plays an important role in host cell viral infections. It is composed of three separate structural envelope domains I, II, and III (EDI, EDII, and EDIII). EDI is a structurally central domain of the envelope protein which stabilizes the overall orientation of the protein, and the glycosylation sites in EDI are related to virus production, pH sensitivity, and neuroinvasiveness. EDII plays an important role in membrane fusion because of the immunodominance of the fusion loop epitope and the envelope dimer epitope. Additionally, EDIII is the major target of neutralization antibodies. The envelope protein is an important target for research to develop vaccine candidates and antiviral therapeutics. This review summarizes the structures and functions of ED I/II/III, and provides practical applications for the three domains, with the ultimate goal of implementing strategies to utilize the envelope protein against flavivirus infections, thus achieving better diagnostics and developing potential flavivirus therapeutics and vaccines.
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46
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New insights into flavivirus biology: the influence of pH over interactions between prM and E proteins. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2017; 31:1009-1019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10822-017-0076-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abrams RPM, Solis J, Nath A. Therapeutic Approaches for Zika Virus Infection of the Nervous System. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:1027-1048. [PMID: 28952036 PMCID: PMC5722777 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0575-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus has spread rapidly in the Americas and has caused devastation of human populations affected in these regions. The virus causes teratogenic effects involving the nervous system, and in adults and children can cause a neuropathy similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome, an anterior myelitis, or, rarely, an encephalitis. While major efforts have been undertaken to control mosquito populations that spread the virus and to develop a vaccine, drug development that directly targets the virus in an infected individual to prevent or treat the neurological manifestations is necessary. Rational and targeted drug development is possible since the viral life cycle and the structure of the key viral proteins are now well understood. While several groups have identified therapeutic candidates, their approaches differ in the types of screening processes and viral assays used. Animal studies are available for only a few compounds. Here we provide an exhaustive review and compare each of the classes of drugs discovered, the methods used for drug discovery, and their potential use in humans for the prevention or treatment of neurological complications of Zika virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel P M Abrams
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jamie Solis
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Avindra Nath
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Koblischke M, Mackroth MS, Schwaiger J, Fae I, Fischer G, Stiasny K, Heinz FX, Aberle JH. Protein structure shapes immunodominance in the CD4 T cell response to yellow fever vaccination. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8907. [PMID: 28827760 PMCID: PMC5566484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09331-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The live attenuated yellow fever (YF) vaccine is a highly effective human vaccine and induces long-term protective neutralizing antibodies directed against the viral envelope protein E. The generation of such antibodies requires the help of CD4 T cells which recognize peptides derived from proteins in virus particles internalized and processed by E-specific B cells. The CD4 T helper cell response is restricted to few immunodominant epitopes, but the mechanisms of their selection are largely unknown. Here, we report that CD4 T cell responses elicited by the YF-17D vaccine are focused to hotspots of two helices of the viral capsid protein and to exposed strands and loops of E. We found that the locations of immunodominant epitopes within three-dimensional protein structures exhibit a high degree of overlap between YF virus and the structurally homologous flavivirus tick-borne encephalitis virus, although amino acid sequence identity of the epitope regions is only 15-45%. The restriction of epitopes to exposed E protein surfaces and their strikingly similar positioning within proteins of distantly related flaviviruses are consistent with a strong influence of protein structure that shapes CD4 T cell responses and provide leads for a rational design of immunogens for vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria S Mackroth
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Schwaiger
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingrid Fae
- Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gottfried Fischer
- Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz X Heinz
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith H Aberle
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Boldescu V, Behnam MAM, Vasilakis N, Klein CD. Broad-spectrum agents for flaviviral infections: dengue, Zika and beyond. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2017; 16:565-586. [PMID: 28473729 PMCID: PMC5925760 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2017.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Infections with flaviviruses, such as dengue, West Nile virus and the recently re-emerging Zika virus, are an increasing and probably lasting global risk. This Review summarizes and comments on the opportunities for broad-spectrum agents that are active against multiple flaviviruses. Broad-spectrum activity is particularly desirable to prepare for the next flaviviral epidemic, which could emerge from as-yet unknown or neglected viruses. Potential molecular targets for broad-spectrum antiflaviviral compounds include viral proteins, such as the viral protease or polymerase, and host targets that are exploited by these viruses during entry and replication, including α-glucosidase and proteins involved in nucleoside biosynthesis. Numerous compounds with broad-spectrum antiviral activity have already been identified by target-specific or phenotypic assays. For other compounds, broad-spectrum activity can be anticipated because of their mode of action and molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veaceslav Boldescu
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Laboratory of Organic Synthesis and Biopharmaceuticals, Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Academiei 3, 2028 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Mira A. M. Behnam
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nikos Vasilakis
- Dept. of Pathology and Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases and Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, 2.138D Keiller Bldg, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555–0609, USA
| | - Christian D. Klein
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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50
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Landry SJ, Moss DL, Cui D, Ferrie RP, Fullerton ML, Wells EA, Yang L, Zhou N, Dougherty T, Mettu RR. Structural Basis for CD4+ T Cell Epitope Dominance in Arbo-Flavivirus Envelope Proteins: A Meta-Analysis. Viral Immunol 2017; 30:479-489. [PMID: 28614011 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2017.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A meta-analysis of CD4+ T cell epitope maps reveals clusters and gaps in envelope-protein (E protein) immunogenicity that can be explained by the likelihood of epitope processing, as determined by E protein three-dimensional structures. Differential processing may be at least partially responsible for variations in disease severity among arbo-flaviruses and points to structural features that modulate protection from disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Landry
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Daniel L Moss
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Da Cui
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Ryan P Ferrie
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Mitchell L Fullerton
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Evan A Wells
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Lu Yang
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Nini Zhou
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Thomas Dougherty
- 1 Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Ramgopal R Mettu
- 2 Department of Computer Science, Tulane University , New Orleans, Louisiana
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