African swine fever virus is wrapped by the endoplasmic reticulum

The proteomic analysis uncovers the cellular responses to the African swine fever virus membrane proteins p54, p17, and pB117L

African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection causes African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious and fatal disease that poses severe threat to swine production. To gain insights into the host responses to ASFV, we generated recombinant adenovirus Ad5 expressing viral membrane proteins p54, p17, and pB117L individually and infected an alveolar cell line, 3D4/21, with these recombinant viruses. Then, the cell lysates were analyzed using label-free quantification proteomic analysis method. A total of 2158 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, of which 817, 466, and 875 proteins were from Ad5-p54-, Ad5-p17-, Ad5-pB117L-infected 3D4/21 cells, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) classification and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed distinct yet interconnecting patterns of protein interaction networks. Specifically, the Ad5-p54 virus infection enriched the DEPs primarily involved in the metabolic pathways, endocytosis, adherens junction, and SNARE interactions in vesicular transport. The Ad5-p17 virus infection enriched the DEPs in endocytosis, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, N-Glycan biosynthesis, and apoptosis, while the Ad5-pB117L virus infection enriched the DEPs in metabolic pathways, endocytosis, oxidative phosphorylation, and focal adhesion. In summary, these results provide a comprehensive proteinomics analysis of the cellular responses to three ASFV membrane proteins, thus facilitating our understanding of ASFV pathogenesis.

African swine fever virus protein p17 promotes mitophagy by facilitating the interaction of SQSTM1 with TOMM70

Viruses have developed different strategies to hijack mitophagy to facilitate their replication. However, whether and how African swine fever virus (ASFV) regulates mitophagy are largely unknown. Here, we found that the ASFV-encoded p17 induced mitophagy. Coimmunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry assays identified translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 70 (TOMM70) as the protein that interacted with p17. The binding of TOMM70 to p17 promoted the binding of the mitophagy receptor SQSTM1 to TOMM70, led to engulfment of mitochondria by autophagosomes, and consequently decreased the number of mitochondria. Consistently, the levels of TOMM70 and TOMM20 decreased substantially after p17 expression or ASFV infection. Furthermore, p17-mediated mitophagy resulted in the degradation of mitochondrial antiviral signalling proteins and inhibited the production of IFN-α, IL-6 and TNFα. Overall, our findings suggest that ASFV p17 regulates innate immunity by inducing mitophagy via the interaction of SQSTM1 with TOMM70.

The non-classical major histocompatibility complex II protein SLA-DM is crucial for African swine fever virus replication

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a lethal animal pathogen that enters its host cells through endocytosis. So far, host factors specifically required for ASFV replication have been barely identified. In this study a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen in porcine cells indicated that the genes RFXANK, RFXAP, SLA-DMA, SLA-DMB, and CIITA are important for productive ASFV infection. The proteins encoded by these genes belong to the major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II), or swine leucocyte antigen complex II (SLA II). RFXAP and CIITA are MHC II-specific transcription factors, whereas SLA-DMA/B are subunits of the non-classical MHC II molecule SLA-DM. Targeted knockout of either of these genes led to severe replication defects of different ASFV isolates, reflected by substantially reduced plating efficiency, cell-to-cell spread, progeny virus titers and viral DNA replication. Transgene-based reconstitution of SLA-DMA/B fully restored the replication capacity demonstrating that SLA-DM, which resides in late endosomes, plays a crucial role during early steps of ASFV infection.

Near-atomic architecture of Singapore grouper iridovirus and implications for giant virus assembly

Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV), one of the nucleocytoviricota viruses (NCVs), is a highly pathogenic iridovirid. SGIV infection results in massive economic losses to the aquaculture industry and significantly threatens global biodiversity. In recent years, high morbidity and mortality in aquatic animals have been caused by iridovirid infections worldwide. Effective control and prevention strategies are urgently needed. Here, we present a near-atomic architecture of the SGIV capsid and identify eight types of capsid proteins. The viral inner membrane-integrated anchor protein colocalizes with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), supporting the hypothesis that the biogenesis of the inner membrane is associated with the ER. Additionally, immunofluorescence assays indicate minor capsid proteins (mCPs) could form various building blocks with major capsid proteins (MCPs) before the formation of a viral factory (VF). These results expand our understanding of the capsid assembly of NCVs and provide more targets for vaccine and drug design to fight iridovirid infections.

African swine fever virus transmembrane protein pEP84R guides core assembly

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a devastating hemorrhagic disease with worldwide circulation and no widely available therapeutic prevention. The infectious particle has a multilayered architecture that is articulated upon an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived inner envelope. This membrane acts as docking platform for the assembly of the outer icosahedral capsid and the underlying core shell, a bridging layer required for the formation of the central genome-containing nucleoid. While the details of outer capsid assembly are relatively well understood, those of core formation remain unclear. Here we report the functional characterization of pEP84R, a transmembrane polypeptide embedded in the inner envelope that surrounds the viral core. Using an ASFV recombinant inducibly expressing the EP84R gene, we show that absence of pEP84R results in the formation of non-infectious core-less icosahedral particles displaying a significant DNA-packaging defect. Concomitantly, aberrant core shell-like structures formed by co-assembly of viral polyproteins pp220 and pp62 are mistargeted to non-ER membranes, as also occurs when these are co-expressed in the absence of other viral proteins. Interestingly, co-expression of both polyproteins with pEP84R led to the formation of ER-targeted core shell-like assemblies and co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that pEP84R binds to the N-terminal region of pp220. Altogether, these results indicate that pEP84R plays a crucial role in core assembly by targeting the core shell polyproteins to the inner viral envelope, which enables subsequent genome packaging and nucleoid formation. These findings unveil a key regulatory mechanism for ASFV morphogenesis and identify a relevant novel target for the development of therapeutic tools against this re-emerging threat.

Expression of extracellular domain of ASFV CD2v protein in mammalian cells and identification of B cell epitopes

African swine fever virus (ASFV), a highly pathogenic large DNA virus, is the cause of African swine fever worldwide. The ASFV virulence gene EP402R encodes CD2v, a structural protein that plays an important role in the ASFV infection process. In this study, a CHO-S cell line stably expressing the extracellular region of CD2v was generated and secretory CD2v(sCD2v)was purified from the cell culture supernatant. The purified glycosylated sCD2v protein possessed high immunoreactivity and immunogenicity. In addition, we found that glycosylation had a decisive effect on the immune reactivity of CD2v. Then sCD2v was used to generate five CD2v-specific monoclonal antibodies. The reactivity of all monoclonal antibodies with CD2v protein was confirmed by Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Interestingly, mAb 8D5 reactivity with sCD2v depended on sCD2v glycosylation status. Subsequent B cell epitope mapping experiments conducted using a series of overlapping synthetic peptides of the CD2v extracellular domain led to identification of mAb B cell epitopes of 128TCKKNNGTNT137 for mAb 4B11 and 148VKYTNESILE157 for mAbs 5H4 and 5F7. Due to their well-defined epitopes, these three mAbs will likely serve as valuable tools for use in ASFV CD2v structure-function studies, diagnostic assays, and prophylactic methodologies to control ASFV transmission.

African Swine Fever Virus Host-Pathogen Interactions

African swine fever virus is a complex double-stranded DNA virus that exhibits tropism for cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system. Virus replication is a multi-step process that involves the nucleus of the host cell as well the formation of large perinuclear sites where progeny virions are assembled prior to transport to, and budding through, the plasma membrane. Like many viruses, African swine fever virus reorganises the cellular architecture to facilitate its replication and has evolved multiple mechanisms to avoid the potential deleterious effects of host cell stress response pathways. However, how viral proteins and virus-induced structures trigger cellular stress pathways and manipulate the subsequent responses is still relatively poorly understood. African swine fever virus alters nuclear substructures, modulates autophagy, apoptosis and the endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathways. The viral genome encodes for at least 150 genes, of which approximately 70 are incorporated into the virion. Many of the non-structural genes have not been fully characterised and likely play a role in host range and modifying immune responses. As the field moves towards approaches that take a broader view of the effect of expression of individual African swine fever genes, we summarise how the different steps in virus replication interact with the host cell and the current state of knowledge on how it modulates the resulting stress responses.

Proteome Analysis of Swine Macrophages after Infection with Two Genotype II African Swine Fever Isolates of Different Pathogenicity

Since the introduction of a highly pathogenic genotype II isolate of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) into Georgia in 2007, African swine fever (ASF) has gone panzootic. Outbreaks have been reported in Europe, Asia and, more recently, Latin America. Thus, ASFV has become a major threat to the pig industry worldwide, as broadly applicable vaccines are not available. While the majority of ASFV strains show high virulence in domestic pigs and wild boar, variations within the ASFV genome have resulted in the emergence of attenuated strains with low or moderate virulence. However, the molecular basis of the differences in virulence has not yet been discovered. To reveal virulence-associated protein expression patterns, we analysed the proteomes of the natural target cells of ASFV, primary porcine macrophages, after infection with two genotype II ASFV strains displaying high (Armenia 2008) and moderate (Estonia 2014) virulence using quantitative mass spectrometry. Very similar expression patterns were observed for the viral genes, and any differences were limited to the deletions within the Estonia 2014 genome. In addition to the canonical ASFV proteins, twelve novel protein products from recently described transcripts were confirmed in both isolates. Pathway analyses showed that both isolates evoked a similar host proteome response, despite their difference in virulence. However, subtle differences in the manipulation of the proteins involved in the proinflammatory response mediated by the MAPK14/p38 signalling cascade were observed.

African Swine Fever Virus: A Review

African swine fever (ASF) is a viral disease with a high fatality rate in both domestic pigs and wild boars. ASF has greatly challenged pig-raising countries and also negatively impacted regional and national trade of pork products. To date, ASF has spread throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia. The development of safe and effective ASF vaccines is urgently required for the control of ASF outbreaks. The ASF virus (ASFV), the causative agent of ASF, has a large genome and a complex structure. The functions of nearly half of its viral genes still remain to be explored. Knowledge on the structure and function of ASFV proteins, the mechanism underlying ASFV infection and immunity, and the identification of major immunogenicity genes will contribute to the development of an ASF vaccine. In this context, this paper reviews the available knowledge on the structure, replication, protein function, virulence genes, immune evasion, inactivation, vaccines, control, and diagnosis of ASFV.

Research progress on the proteins involved in African swine fever virus infection and replication

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute, hemorrhagic and highly contagious infectious disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), which infects domestic pigs or wild boars. It is characterized by short course of disease, high fever and hemorrhagic lesions, with mortality of up to 100% from acute infection. Up to now, the lack of commercial vaccines and effective drugs has seriously threatened the healthy economic development of the global pig industry. ASFV is a double-stranded DNA virus and genome varies between about 170-194 kb, which encodes 150-200 viral proteins, including 68 structural proteins and more than 100 non-structural proteins. In recent years, although the research on structure and function of ASFV-encoded proteins has been deepened, the structure and infection process of ASFV are still not clear. This review summarizes the main process of ASFV infection, replication and functions of related viral proteins to provide scientific basis and theoretical basis for ASFV research and vaccine development.

Unpicking the Secrets of African Swine Fever Viral Replication Sites

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious pathogen which causes a lethal haemorrhagic fever in domestic pigs and wild boar. The large, double-stranded DNA virus replicates in perinuclear cytoplasmic replication sites known as viral factories. These factories are complex, multi-dimensional structures. Here we investigated the protein and membrane compartments of the factory using super-resolution and electron tomography. Click IT chemistry in combination with stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy revealed a reticular network of newly synthesized viral proteins, including the structural proteins p54 and p34, previously seen as a pleomorphic ribbon by confocal microscopy. Electron microscopy and tomography confirmed that this network is an accumulation of membrane assembly intermediates which take several forms. At early time points in the factory formation, these intermediates present as small, individual membrane fragments which appear to grow and link together, in a continuous progression towards new, icosahedral virions. It remains unknown how these membranes form and how they traffic to the factory during virus morphogenesis.

Current capsid assembly models of icosahedral nucleocytoviricota viruses

Nucleocytoviricota viruses (NCVs) belong to a newly established phylum originally grouped as Nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses. NCVs are unique because of their large and complicated genomes that contain cellular genes with homologs from all kingdoms of life, raising intensive debates on their evolutional origins. Many NCVs pack their genomes inside massive icosahedral capsids assembled from thousands of proteins. Studying the assembly mechanism of such capsids has been challenging until breakthroughs from structural studies. Subsequently, several models of the capsid assembly were proposed, which provided some interesting insights on this elaborate process. In this review, we discuss three of the most recent assembly models as well as supporting experimental observations. Furthermore, we propose a new model that combines research developments from multiple sources. Investigation of the assembly process of these vast NCV capsids will facilitate future deciphering of the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of similar supramolecular complexes.

The Porcine Deltacoronavirus Replication Organelle Comprises Double-Membrane Vesicles and Zippered Endoplasmic Reticulum with Double-Membrane Spherules

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) was first identified in Hong Kong in 2012 from samples taken from pigs in 2009. PDCoV was subsequently identified in the USA in 2014 in pigs with a history of severe diarrhea. The virus has now been detected in pigs in several countries around the world. Following the development of tissue culture adapted strains of PDCoV, it is now possible to address questions regarding virus-host cell interactions for this genera of coronavirus. Here, we presented a detailed study of PDCoV-induced replication organelles. All positive-strand RNA viruses induce the rearrangement of cellular membranes during virus replication to support viral RNA synthesis, forming the replication organelle. Replication organelles for the Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammacoronavirus genera have been characterized. All coronavirus genera induced the formation of double-membrane vesicles (DMVs). In addition, Alpha- and Betacoronaviruses induce the formation of convoluted membranes, while Gammacoronaviruses induce the formation of zippered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with tethered double-membrane spherules. However, the structures induced by Deltacoronaviruses, particularly the presence of convoluted membranes or double-membrane spherules, are unknown. Initially, the dynamics of PDCoV strain OH-FD22 replication were assessed with the onset of viral RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and progeny particle release determined. Subsequently, virus-induced membrane rearrangements were identified in infected cells by electron microscopy. As has been observed for all other coronaviruses studied to date, PDCoV replication was found to induce the formation of double-membrane vesicles. Significantly, however, PDCoV replication was also found to induce the formation of regions of zippered endoplasmic reticulum, small associated tethered vesicles, and double-membrane spherules. These structures strongly resemble the replication organelle induced by avian Gammacoronavirus infectious bronchitis virus.

Molecular studies on African swine fever virus from Brazilian isolates

ABSTRACT: African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating viral infirmity that affects domestic and wild swine caused by the ASF virus (ASFV) that belongs to the family Asfaviridae in the Asfavirus genus. Studies for genotypic and antigenic determination of ASFV including samples from Brazilian outbreaks were carried out outside Brazil. Here, we have reviewed studies on the molecular aspects of Brazilian isolates from 1978 and 1979. Results obtained from restriction fragment analysis, cloning and gene sequencing display the genotypic variation of viral samples. Viral genotyping based on sequences of the 3’ region of the p72 gene included in genotype I Brazilian samples, reinforcing the suggestion of the European origin for the virus that infected Brazilian herds and having low virulence potential. Corroborating those findings, at the American station PIADC, the infection of healthy pigs with the Brazilian strain induced ASF sub acute disease with low mortality and a low-virulence. Those results were similar with epidemiological vigilance forms of Brazilian swineherd in good health conditions having at least one ASFV isolation, and the ASF pioneer’s studies on the low mortality in the Brazilian herds affected by ASF. The ASFV spreading in Eastern Europe and Russia triggered a greater concern with intensifying the risk of viral dissemination from country to country. The low virulence ASF strains can increase the problem because of hidden viral reservoirs - which further reinforces the need for safety and preventive measures in virus-free countries. Finally, the problem is further compounded by the lack of vaccines and other immunological resources.

Redistribution of Endosomal Membranes to the African Swine Fever Virus Replication Site

African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection causes endosomal reorganization. Here, we show that the virus causes endosomal congregation close to the nucleus as the infection progresses, which is necessary to build a compact viral replication organelle. ASFV enters the cell by the endosomal pathway and reaches multivesicular late endosomes. Upon uncoating and fusion, the virus should exit to the cytosol to start replication. ASFV remodels endosomal traffic and redistributes endosomal membranes to the viral replication site. Virus replication also depends on endosomal membrane phosphoinositides (PtdIns) synthesized by PIKfyve. Endosomes could act as platforms providing membranes and PtdIns, necessary for ASFV replication. Our study has revealed that ASFV reorganizes endosome dynamics, in order to ensure a productive infection.

Ultrastructural morphogenesis of a virus associated with lymphocystis-like lesions in parore Girella tricuspidata (Kyphosidae: Perciformes)

The morphogenesis of large icosahedral viruses associated with lymphocystis-like lesions in the skin of parore Girella tricuspidata is described. The electron-lucent perinuclear viromatrix comprised putative DNA with open capsids at the periphery, very large arrays of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER), much of it with a reticulated appearance (rsER) or occurring as rows of vesicles. Lysosomes, degenerating mitochondria and virions in various stages of assembly, and paracrystalline arrays were also present. Long electron-dense inclusions (EDIs) with 15 nm repeating units split terminally and curled to form tubular structures internalising the 15 nm repeating structures. These tubular structures appeared to form the virion capsids. Large parallel arrays of sER sometimes alternated with aligned arrays of crinkled cisternae along which passed a uniformly wide (20 nm) thread-like structure. Strings of small vesicles near open capsids may also have been involved in formation of an inner lipid layer. Granules with a fine fibrillar appearance also occurred in the viromatrix, and from the presence of a halo around mature virions it appeared that the fibrils may form a layer around the capsid. The general features of virogenesis of large icosahedral dsDNA viruses, the large amount of ER, particularly rsER and the EDIs, are features of nucleo-cytoplasmic large DNA viruses, rather than features of 1 genus or family.

African Swine Fever Virus Undergoes Outer Envelope Disruption, Capsid Disassembly and Inner Envelope Fusion before Core Release from Multivesicular Endosomes

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus (NCLDV) that causes a highly lethal disease in domestic pigs. As other NCLDVs, the extracellular form of ASFV possesses a multilayered structure consisting of a genome-containing nucleoid successively wrapped by a thick protein core shell, an inner lipid membrane, an icosahedral protein capsid and an outer lipid envelope. This structural complexity suggests an intricate mechanism of internalization in order to deliver the virus genome into the cytoplasm. By using flow cytometry in combination with pharmacological entry inhibitors, as well as fluorescence and electron microscopy approaches, we have dissected the entry and uncoating pathway used by ASFV to infect the macrophage, its natural host cell. We found that purified extracellular ASFV is internalized by both constitutive macropinocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Once inside the cell, ASFV particles move from early endosomes or macropinosomes to late, multivesicular endosomes where they become uncoated. Virus uncoating requires acidic pH and involves the disruption of the outer membrane as well as of the protein capsid. As a consequence, the inner viral membrane becomes exposed and fuses with the limiting endosomal membrane to release the viral core into the cytosol. Interestingly, virus fusion is dependent on virus protein pE248R, a transmembrane polypeptide of the inner envelope that shares sequence similarity with some members of the poxviral entry/fusion complex. Collective evidence supports an entry model for ASFV that might also explain the uncoating of other multienveloped icosahedral NCLDVs.

Virus entry is a crucial initial event for productive infection, being therefore a potential target for antiviral strategies. African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of a frequently fatal swine disease for which there is no vaccine. ASFV belongs to the superfamily of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV), which are among the most complex viruses known. ASFV genome locates at a core structure that is wrapped by two lipid membranes separated by an icosahedral protein capsid. Here we have dissected the internalization process of ASFV into host macrophages. Our results indicate that ASFV uses two alternative endocytic mechanisms, clathrin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis, an ongoing process in macrophages. Once internalized, ASFV particles move to multivesicular endosomes, where they undergo a disassembly process leading to the loss of the two outermost layers. This exposes the inner viral envelope, which fuses to the limiting endosome membrane to deliver the viral core into the cytosol. ASFV penetration depends on acidic pH and on the inner envelope viral protein pE248R. Our findings point to an internalization model that could also explain the uncoating of other icosahedral enveloped NCLDVs. Also, they provide new cellular and viral targets for the development of antiviral strategies against ASFV.

Membrane dynamics associated with viral infection

Viral replication and spreading are fundamental events in the viral life cycle, accounting for the assembly and egression of nascent virions, events that are directly associated with viral pathogenesis in target hosts. These processes occur in cellular compartments that are modified by specialized viral proteins, causing a rearrangement of different cell membranes in infected cells and affecting the ER, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, vesicles and endosomes, as well as processes such as autophagic membrane flux. In fact, the activation or inhibition of membrane trafficking and other related activities are fundamental to ensure the adequate replication and spreading of certain viruses. In this review, data will be presented that support the key role of membrane dynamics in the viral cycle, especially in terms of the assembly, egression and infection processes. By defining how viruses orchestrate these events it will be possible to understand how they successfully complete their route of infection, establishing viral pathogenesis and provoking disease. © 2015 The Authors Reviews in Medical Virology Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

African swine fever virus assembles a single membrane derived from rupture of the endoplasmic reticulum

Collective evidence argues that two members of the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) acquire their membrane from open membrane intermediates, postulated to be derived from membrane rupture. We now study membrane acquisition of the NCLDV African swine fever virus. By electron tomography (ET), the virion assembles a single bilayer, derived from open membrane precursors that collect as ribbons in the cytoplasm. Biochemically, lumenal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins are released into the cytosol, arguing that the open intermediates are ruptured ER membranes. ET shows that viral capsid assembles on the convex side of the open viral membrane to shape it into an icosahedron. The viral capsid is composed of tiny spikes with a diameter of ∼5 nm, connected to the membrane by a 6 nm wide structure displaying thin striations, as observed by several complementary electron microscopy imaging methods. Immature particles display an opening that closes after uptake of the viral genome and core proteins, followed by the formation of the mature virion. Together with our previous data, this study shows a common principle of NCLDVs to build a single internal envelope from open membrane intermediates. Our data now provide biochemical evidence that these open intermediates result from rupture of a cellular membrane, the ER.

Structural differences observed in arboviruses of the alphavirus and flavivirus genera

Arthropod borne viruses have developed a complex life cycle adapted to alternate between insect and vertebrate hosts. These arthropod-borne viruses belong mainly to the families Togaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Bunyaviridae. This group of viruses contains many pathogens that cause febrile, hemorrhagic, and encephalitic disease or arthritic symptoms which can be persistent. It has been appreciated for many years that these viruses were evolutionarily adapted to function in the highly divergent cellular environments of both insect and mammalian phyla. These viruses are hybrid in nature, containing viral-encoded RNA and proteins which are glycosylated by the host and encapsulate viral nucleocapsids in the context of a host-derived membrane. From a structural perspective, these virus particles are macromolecular machines adapted in design to assemble into a packaging and delivery system for the virus genome and, only when associated with the conditions appropriate for a productive infection, to disassemble and deliver the RNA cargo. It was initially assumed that the structures of the virus from both hosts were equivalent. New evidence that alphaviruses and flaviviruses can exist in more than one conformation postenvelopment will be discussed in this review. The data are limited but should refocus the field of structural biology on the metastable nature of these viruses.

The nairovirus nairobi sheep disease virus/ganjam virus induces the translocation of protein disulphide isomerase-like oxidoreductases from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface and the extracellular space

Nairobi sheep disease virus (NSDV) of the genus Nairovirus causes a haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in sheep and goats with mortality up to 90%; the virus is found in East and Central Africa, and in India, where the virus is called Ganjam virus. NSDV is closely related to the human pathogen Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, which also causes a haemorrhagic disease. As with other nairoviruses, replication of NSDV takes place in the cytoplasm and the new virus particles bud into the Golgi apparatus; however, the effect of viral replication on cellular compartments has not been studied extensively. We have found that the overall structure of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment and the Golgi were unaffected by infection with NSDV. However, we observed that NSDV infection led to the loss of protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), an oxidoreductase present in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and which assists during protein folding, from the ER. Further investigation showed that NSDV-infected cells have high levels of PDI at their surface, and PDI is also secreted into the culture medium of infected cells. Another chaperone from the PDI family, ERp57, was found to be similarly affected. Analysis of infected cells and expression of individual viral glycoproteins indicated that the NSDV PreGn glycoprotein is involved in redistribution of these soluble ER oxidoreductases. It has been suggested that extracellular PDI can activate integrins and tissue factor, which are involved respectively in pro-inflammatory responses and disseminated intravascular coagulation, both of which manifest in many viral haemorrhagic fevers. The discovery of enhanced PDI secretion from NSDV-infected cells may be an important finding for understanding the mechanisms underlying the pathogenicity of haemorrhagic nairoviruses.

Medaka haploid embryonic stem cells are susceptible to Singapore grouper iridovirus as well as to other viruses of aquaculture fish species

Viral infection is a challenge in high-density aquaculture, as it leads to various diseases and causes massive or even complete loss. The identification and disruption of host factors that viruses utilize for infection offer a novel approach to generate viral-resistant seed stocks for cost-efficient and sustainable aquaculture. Genetic screening in haploid cell cultures represents an ideal tool for host factor identification. We have recently generated haploid embryonic stem (ES) cells in the laboratory fish medaka. Here, we report that HX1, one of the three established medaka haploid ES cell lines, was susceptible to the viruses tested and is thus suitable for genetic screening to identify host factors. HX1 cells displayed a cytopathic effect and massive death upon inoculation with three highly infectious and notifiable fish viruses, namely Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV), spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) and red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV). Reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed the expression of virus genes. SGIV infection in HX1 cells elicited a host immune response and apoptosis. Viral replication kinetics were determined from a virus growth curve, and electron microscopy revealed propagation, assembly and release of infectious SGIV particles in HX1 cells. Our results demonstrate that medaka haploid ES cells are susceptible to SGIV, as well as to SVCV and RGNNV, offering a unique opportunity for the identification of host factors by genetic screening.

A role for endoplasmic reticulum exit sites in foot-and-mouth disease virus infection

Picornaviruses replicate their genomes in association with cellular membranes. While enteroviruses are believed to utilize membranes of the early secretory pathway, the origin of the membranes used by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) for replication are unknown. Secretory-vesicle traffic through the early secretory pathway is mediated by the sequential acquisition of two distinct membrane coat complexes, COPII and COPI, and requires the coordinated actions of Sar1, Arf1 and Rab proteins. Sar1 is essential for generating COPII vesicles at endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit sites (ERESs), while Arf1 and Rab1 are required for subsequent vesicle transport by COPI vesicles. In the present study, we have provided evidence that FMDV requires pre-Golgi membranes of the early secretory pathway for infection. Small interfering RNA depletion of Sar1 or expression of a dominant-negative (DN) mutant of Sar1a inhibited FMDV infection. In contrast, a dominant-active mutant of Sar1a, which allowed COPII vesicle formation but inhibited the secretory pathway by stabilizing COPII coats, caused major disruption to the ER–Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) but did not inhibit infection. Treatment of cells with brefeldin A, or expression of DN mutants of Arf1 and Rab1a, disrupted the Golgi and enhanced FMDV infection. These results show that reagents that block the early secretory pathway at ERESs have an inhibitory effect on FMDV infection, while reagents that block the early secretory pathway immediately after ER exit but before the ERGIC and Golgi make infection more favourable. Together, these observations argue for a role for Sar1 in FMDV infection and that initial virus replication takes place on membranes that are formed at ERESs.

Membrane assembly during the infection cycle of the giant Mimivirus

Although extensively studied, the structure, cellular origin and assembly mechanism of internal membranes during viral infection remain unclear. By combining diverse imaging techniques, including the novel Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscopy tomography, we elucidate the structural stages of membrane biogenesis during the assembly of the giant DNA virus Mimivirus. We show that this elaborate multistage process occurs at a well-defined zone localized at the periphery of large viral factories that are generated in the host cytoplasm. Membrane biogenesis is initiated by fusion of multiple vesicles, ~70 nm in diameter, that apparently derive from the host ER network and enable continuous supply of lipid components to the membrane-assembly zone. The resulting multivesicular bodies subsequently rupture to form large open single-layered membrane sheets from which viral membranes are generated. Membrane generation is accompanied by the assembly of icosahedral viral capsids in a process involving the hypothetical major capsid protein L425 that acts as a scaffolding protein. The assembly model proposed here reveals how multiple Mimivirus progeny can be continuously and efficiently generated and underscores the similarity between the infection cycles of Mimivirus and Vaccinia virus. Moreover, the membrane biogenesis process indicated by our findings provides new insights into the pathways that might mediate assembly of internal viral membranes in general.

African swine fever virus organelle rearrangements

Like most viruses African swine fever virus (ASFV) subsumes the host cell apparatus in order to facilitate its replication. ASFV replication is a highly orchestrated process with a least four stages of transcription, immediate-early, early, intermediate and late. As the infective cycle progresses through these stages most if not all of the organelles that comprise a nucleated cell are modified, adapted or in some cases destroyed. The entry of the virus is receptor-mediated, but the precise mechanism of endocytosis is a matter of keen, current debate. Once ASFV has exited from the endosomal-lysosomal complex the virus life-cycle enters into an intimate relationship with the microtubular network. Genome replication is believed to be initiated within the nucleus and ASFV infection completely reorders the structure of this organelle. The majority of replication and assembly occurs in discrete, perinuclear regions of the cell called virus factories and finally progeny virions are transported to the plasma membrane along microtubules where they bud out or are propelled away along actin projections to infect new cells. The generation of ASFV replication sites induces profound reorganisation of the organelles that comprise the secretory pathway and may contribute to the induction of cellular stress responses that ASFV modulates. The level of organisation and complexity of virus factories are not dissimilar to those seen in cellular organelles. Like their cellular counterparts the formation of virus factories, as well as virus entry and exit, are dependent on the various components of the cytoskeleton. This review will summarise these rearrangements, the viral proteins involved and their functional consequences.

African swine fever virus infection in Ornithodoros ticks

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is an arbovirus which is vectored by soft ticks of the Ornithodoros spp. and in the sylvatic cycle infects wart hogs and bush pigs. ASFV infection of domestic swine causes a high mortality disease. On the other hand, ASFV infection of the tick can result in a high-titered and persistent infection depending upon the ASFV isolate and the tick combination. Recently, morphological, classical virology (titration) and recombinant ASFV have been used to study the cellular, molecular and genetic interactions that occur between ASFV and its host tick.

Mechanism of collapse of endoplasmic reticulum cisternae during African swine fever virus infection

Infection of cells with African swine fever virus (ASFV) can lead to the formation of zipper-like stacks of structural proteins attached to collapsed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) cisternae. We show that the collapse of ER cisternae observed during ASFV infection is dependent on the viral envelope protein, J13Lp. Expression of J13Lp alone in cells is sufficient to induce collapsed ER cisternae. Collapse was dependent on a cysteine residue in the N-terminal domain of J13Lp exposed to the ER lumen. Luminal collapse was also dependent on the expression of J13Lp within stacks of ER where antiparallel interactions between the cytoplasmic domains of J13Lp orientated N-terminal domains across ER cisternae. Cisternal collapse was then driven by disulphide bonds between N-terminal domains arranged in antiparallel arrays across the ER lumen. This provides a novel mechanism for biogenesis of modified stacks of ER present in cells infected with ASFV, and may also be relevant to cellular processes.

Establishment and characterization of a new cell line derived from kidney of grouper, Epinephelus akaara (Temminck & Schlegel), susceptible to Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV)

A marine fish cell line derived from the kidney of red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara, designated as EAGK was established and characterized. The EAGK cells multiplied well in Leibovitz's L-15 medium containing 10% foetal bovine serum at 25 °C and have been subcultured for more than 90 passages. Karyotyping, chromosomal typing and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genotyping analysis revealed that EAGK had a modal diploid chromosome number of 82 and was a fibroblast cell line originated from grouper. A severe cytopathic effect was observed in EAGK cells incubated with Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV), but not with soft-shelled turtle iridovirus, viral nervous necrosis virus or spring viraemia of carp virus. SGIV replication was further confirmed by immunofluorescence, electron microscopy and virus titre determination. Bright fluorescence was observed after transfection with fluorescent protein reporter plasmids, indicating that EAGK cells can be used to identify gene functions in vitro. In addition, the cell organelles including mitochondria and endoplasm reticulum changed and aggregated around virus factories after SGIV infection, suggested that the EAGK cell line could be an important tool for investigation of iridovirus-host interactions.

Processing and localization of the african swine fever virus CD2v transmembrane protein

The African swine fever virus (ASFV)-encoded CD2v transmembrane protein is required for the hemadsorption of red blood cells around infected cells and is also required for the inhibition of bystander lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens. We studied the expression of CD2v by expressing the gene with a V5 tag downstream from the signal peptide near the N terminus and a hemagglutinin (HA) tag at the C terminus. In ASFV-infected cells, a full-length glycosylated form of the CD2v protein, which migrated mainly as a 89-kDa product, was detected, as well as an N-terminal glycosylated fragment of 63 kDa and a C-terminal nonglycosylated fragment of 26 kDa. All of these forms of the protein were localized in the membrane fraction of cells. The 26-kDa C-terminal fragment was also produced in infected cells treated with brefeldin A. These data indicate that the CD2v protein is cleaved within the luminal domain and that this occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi compartments. Confocal microscopy showed that most of the expressed CD2v protein was localized within cells rather than at the cell surface. Comparison of the localization of full-length CD2v with that of a deletion mutant lacking all of the cytoplasmic tail apart from the 12 membrane-proximal amino acids indicated that signals within the cytoplasmic tail are responsible for the predominant localization of the full-length and C-terminal 26-kDa fragment within membranes around the virus factories, which contain markers for the Golgi compartment. Processing of the CD2v protein was not observed in uninfected cells, indicating that it is induced by ASFV infection.

Frog virus 3 ORF 53R, a putative myristoylated membrane protein, is essential for virus replication in vitro

Although previous work identified 12 complementation groups with possible roles in virus assembly, currently only one frog virus 3 protein, the major capsid protein (MCP), has been linked with virion formation. To identify other proteins required for assembly, we used an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide to target 53R, a putative myristoylated membrane protein, and showed that treatment resulted in marked reductions in 53R levels and a 60% drop in virus titers. Immunofluorescence assays confirmed knock down and showed that 53R was found primarily within viral assembly sites, whereas transmission electron microscopy detected fewer mature virions and, in some cells, dense granular bodies that may represent unencapsidated DNA-protein complexes. Treatment with a myristoylation inhibitor (2-hydroxymyristic acid) resulted in an 80% reduction in viral titers. Collectively, these data indicate that 53R is an essential viral protein that is required for replication in vitro and suggest it plays a critical role in virion formation.

The classical swine fever virus N-terminal protease N(pro) binds to cellular HAX-1

The positive-stranded RNA genome of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) encodes 12 known proteins. The first protein to be translated is the N-terminal protease (N(pro)). N(pro) helps evade the innate interferon response by targeting interferon regulatory factor-3 for proteasomal degradation and also participates in the evasion of dsRNA-induced apoptosis. To elucidate the mechanisms by which N(pro) functions, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen in which the anti-apoptotic protein HAX-1 was identified. The N(pro)-HAX-1 interaction was confirmed using co-precipitation assays. A dramatic redistribution of both N(pro) and HAX-1 was observed in co-transfected cells, as well as in transfected cells infected with wild-type CSFV, but not in cells infected with an N(pro)-deleted CSFV strain.

The three-dimensional structure of Mimivirus

Mimivirus, the prototypic member of the new family of Mimiviridae, is the largest virus known to date. Progress has been made recently in determining the three-dimensional structure of the 0.75-microm diameter virion using cryo-electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. These showed that the virus is composed of an outer layer of dense fibers surrounding an icosahedrally shaped capsid and an internal membrane sac enveloping the genomic material of the virus. Additionally, a unique starfish-like structure at one of the fivefold vertices, required by the virus for infecting its host, has been defined in more detail.

African swine fever virus protein p17 is essential for the progression of viral membrane precursors toward icosahedral intermediates

The first morphological evidence of African swine fever virus (ASFV) assembly is the appearance of precursor viral membranes, thought to derive from the endoplasmic reticulum, within the assembly sites. We have shown previously that protein p54, a viral structural integral membrane protein, is essential for the generation of the viral precursor membranes. In this report, we study the role of protein p17, an abundant transmembrane protein localized at the viral internal envelope, in these processes. Using an inducible virus for this protein, we show that p17 is essential for virus viability and that its repression blocks the proteolytic processing of polyproteins pp220 and pp62. Electron microscopy analyses demonstrate that when the infection occurs under restrictive conditions, viral morphogenesis is blocked at an early stage, immediately posterior to the formation of the viral precursor membranes, indicating that protein p17 is required to allow their progression toward icosahedral particles. Thus, the absence of this protein leads to an accumulation of these precursors and to the delocalization of the major components of the capsid and core shell domains. The study of ultrathin serial sections from cells infected with BA71V or the inducible virus under permissive conditions revealed the presence of large helicoidal structures from which immature particles are produced, suggesting that these helicoidal structures represent a previously undetected viral intermediate.

African swine fever virus polyprotein pp62 is essential for viral core development

One of the most characteristic features of African swine fever virus gene expression is its use of two polyproteins, pp220 and pp62, to produce several structural proteins that account for approximately 32% of the total protein virion mass. Equimolecular amounts of these proteins are the major components of the core shell, a thick protein layer that lies beneath the inner envelope, surrounding the viral nucleoid. Polyprotein pp220, which is located immediately underneath the internal envelope, is essential for the encapsidation of the core of the viral particle. In its absence, the infection produces essentially coreless particles. In this study we analyzed, by means of an IPTG (isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside)-inducible virus, the role of polyprotein pp62 in virus assembly. Polyprotein pp62 is indispensable for viral replication. The repression of polyprotein pp62 expression does not alter late gene expression or the proteolytic processing of the polyprotein pp220. However, it has a profound impact on the subcellular localization of polyprotein pp220. Electron microscopy studies revealed that polyprotein pp62 is necessary for the correct assembly and maturation of the core of the viral particle. Its repression leads to the appearance of a significant fraction of empty particles, to an increase in the number of immature-like particles, and to the accumulation of defective particles. Immunoelectron microscopy analysis showed a clear correlation between the amount of polyprotein pp62, the quantity of polyprotein pp220, and the state of development of the core, suggesting that the complete absence of polyprotein pp62 during morphogenesis would produce a homogenous population of empty particles.

Mimivirus and its virophage

Mimivirus, a virus infecting amoebae of the acanthamoeba genus, is the prototype member of the Mimiviridae, the latest addition to the family of the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses, already including the Poxviridae, the Iridoviridae, the Asfarviridae, and the Phycodnaviridae. Because of the size of its particle-a fiber-covered icosahedral protein capsid 0.75 microm in diameter-Mimivirus was initially mistaken for a parasitic bacterium. Its 1.2-Mb genome sequence encodes more than 900 proteins, many of them associated with functions never before encountered in a virus, such as four aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. These findings revived the debate about the origin of DNA viruses and their possible role in the emergence of the eukaryotic nucleus. The recent isolation of a new type of satellite virus, called a virophage, associated with a second strain of Mimivirus, confirmed its unique position within the virus world. Post-genomic studies are now in progress, slowly shedding some light on the physiology of the most complex virus isolated to date.

The African swine fever virus virion membrane protein pE248R is required for virus infectivity and an early postentry event

The African swine fever virus (ASFV) protein pE248R, encoded by the gene E248R, is a late structural component of the virus particle. The protein contains intramolecular disulfide bonds and has been previously identified as a substrate of the ASFV-encoded redox system. Its amino acid sequence contains a putative myristoylation site and a hydrophobic transmembrane region near its carboxy terminus. We show here that the protein pE248R is myristoylated during infection and associates with the membrane fraction in infected cells, behaving as an integral membrane protein. Furthermore, the protein localizes at the inner envelope of the virus particles in the cytoplasmic factories. The function of the protein pE248R in ASFV replication was investigated by using a recombinant virus that inducibly expresses the gene E248R. Under repressive conditions, the ASFV polyproteins pp220 and pp62 are normally processed and virus particles with morphology indistinguishable from that of those produced in a wild-type infection or under permissive conditions are generated. Moreover, the mutant virus particles can exit the cell as does the parental virus. However, the infectivity of the pE248R-deficient virions was reduced at least 100-fold. An investigation of the defect of the mutant virus indicated that neither virus binding nor internalization was affected by the absence of the protein pE248R, but a cytopathic effect was not induced and early and late gene expression was impaired, indicating that the protein is required for some early postentry event.

Modulation of the structure, catalytic activity, and fidelity of African swine fever virus DNA polymerase X by a reversible disulfide switch

African swine fever virus polymerase X (pol X) is the smallest DNA polymerase known (174 amino acids), and its tertiary structure resembles the C-terminal half of prototypical X-family pol beta, which includes a catalytic dNTP-binding site (palm domain) and a finger domain. This structural similarity and the presence of viral genes coding for other base excision repair proteins suggest that pol X functions in a manner similar to pol beta, but inconsistencies concerning pol X catalysis have been reported. We examined the structural and functional properties of two forms of pol X using spectroscopic and kinetic analysis. Using (1)H-(15)N correlated NMR, we unambiguously demonstrated the slow interconversion of pol X between a reduced (pol X(red)) and an oxidized form (pol X(ox)), confirmed by mass spectrometry. Steady-state kinetic analysis revealed that pol X(ox), with a disulfide bond between Cys-81 and Cys-86, has approximately 10-fold lower fidelity than pol X(red) during dNTP insertion opposite a template G. The disulfide linkage is located between two beta-strands in the palm domain, near the putative dNTP-binding site. Structural alignment of pol X with a pol beta ternary structure suggests that the disulfide switch may modulate fidelity by altering the ability of the palm domain to align and stabilize the primer terminus and catalytic metal ion for deprotonation of the 3'-OH group and subsequent phosphoryl transfer. Thus, DNA polymerase fidelity is altered by the redox state of the enzyme and its related conformational changes.

African swine fever virus

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large, intracytoplasmically-replicating DNA arbovirus and the sole member of the family Asfarviridae. It is the etiologic agent of a highly lethal hemorrhagic disease of domestic swine and therefore extensively studied to elucidate the structures, genes, and mechanisms affecting viral replication in the host, virus-host interactions, and viral virulence. Increasingly apparent is the complexity with which ASFV replicates and interacts with the host cell during infection. ASFV encodes novel genes involved in host immune response modulation, viral virulence for domestic swine, and in the ability of ASFV to replicate and spread in its tick vector. The unique nature of ASFV has contributed to a broader understanding of DNA virus/host interactions.

Virus evolution: how far does the double beta-barrel viral lineage extend?

During the past few years one of the most astonishing findings in the field of virology has been the realization that viruses that infect hosts from all three domains of life are often structurally similar. The recent burst of structural information points to a need to create a new way to organize the virosphere that, in addition to the current classification, would reflect relationships between virus families. Using the vertical beta-barrel major capsid proteins and ATPases related to known viral genome-packaging ATPases as examples, we can now re-evaluate the classification of viruses and virus-like genetic elements from a structural standpoint.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus persists in the light zone of germinal centres

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is one of the most contagious viruses of animals and is recognised as the most important constraint to international trade in animals and animal products. Two fundamental problems remain to be understood before more effective control measures can be put in place. These problems are the FMDV "carrier state" and the short duration of immunity after vaccination which contrasts with prolonged immunity after natural infection. Here we show by laser capture microdissection in combination with quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical analysis and corroborate by in situ hybridization that FMDV locates rapidly to, and is maintained in, the light zone of germinal centres following primary infection of naïve cattle. We propose that maintenance of non-replicating FMDV in these sites represents a source of persisting infectious virus and also contributes to the generation of long-lasting antibody responses against neutralising epitopes of the virus.

Distinct DNA exit and packaging portals in the virus Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus

Icosahedral double-stranded DNA viruses use a single portal for genome delivery and packaging. The extensive structural similarity revealed by such portals in diverse viruses, as well as their invariable positioning at a unique icosahedral vertex, led to the consensus that a particular, highly conserved vertex-portal architecture is essential for viral DNA translocations. Here we present an exception to this paradigm by demonstrating that genome delivery and packaging in the virus Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus occur through two distinct portals. By using high-resolution techniques, including electron tomography and cryo-scanning electron microscopy, we show that Mimivirus genome delivery entails a large-scale conformational change of the capsid, whereby five icosahedral faces open up. This opening, which occurs at a unique vertex of the capsid that we coined the “stargate”, allows for the formation of a massive membrane conduit through which the viral DNA is released. A transient aperture centered at an icosahedral face distal to the DNA delivery site acts as a non-vertex DNA packaging portal. In conjunction with comparative genomic studies, our observations imply a viral packaging pathway akin to bacterial DNA segregation, which might be shared by diverse internal membrane–containing viruses.

Two fundamental events in viral life cycles are the delivery of viral genomes into host cells and the packaging of these genomes into viral protein capsids. In bacteriophages and herpesviruses, these processes occur linearly along the genome, base pair after base pair, through a single portal located at a unique site in the viral capsid. We have addressed the question of whether such a linear translocation through a single portal also takes place for viruses harboring very large genomes, by studying genome delivery and packaging in the amoeba-infecting virus Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus. With 1.2 million base pairs, this double-stranded DNA genome is the largest documented viral genome. By using electron tomography and cryo-scanning electron microscopy, we identified a large tunnel in the Mimivirus capsid that is formed shortly after infection, following a large-scale opening of the capsid. The tunnel allows the whole viral genome to exit in a rapid, one-step process. DNA encapsidation is mediated by a transient aperture in the capsid that, we suggest, may promote concomitant entry of multiple segments of the viral DNA molecule. These unprecedented modes of viral genome translocation imply that Mimivirus—and potentially other large viruses—evolved mechanisms that allow them to cope effectively with the exit and entry of particularly large genomes.

The mechanisms that promote genome delivery and packaging in the giant virus Mimivirus call into question the conventional distinction between viruses and single-celled organisms.

The envelope of intracellular African swine fever virus is composed of a single lipid bilayer

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a member of a family of large nucleocytoplasmic DNA viruses that include poxviruses, iridoviruses, and phycodnaviruses. Previous ultrastructural studies of ASFV using chemical fixation and cryosectioning for electron microscopy (EM) have produced uncertainty over whether the inner viral envelope is composed of a single or double lipid bilayer. In this study we prepared ASFV-infected cells for EM using chemical fixation, cryosectioning, and high-pressure freezing. The appearance of the intracellular viral envelope was determined and compared to that of mitochondrial membranes in each sample. The best resolution of membrane structure was obtained with samples prepared by high-pressure freezing, and images suggested that the envelope of ASFV consisted of a single lipid membrane. It was less easy to interpret virus structure in chemically fixed or cryosectioned material, and in the latter case the virus envelope could be interpreted as having two membranes. Comparison of membrane widths in all three preparations indicated that the intracellular viral envelope of ASFV was not significantly different from the outer mitochondrial membrane (P < 0.05). The results support the hypothesis that the intracellular ASFV viral envelope is composed of a single lipid bilayer.

The Erv family of sulfhydryl oxidases

The Erv flavoenzymes contain a compact module that catalyzes the pairing of cysteine thiols into disulfide bonds. High-resolution structures of plant, animal, and fungal Erv enzymes that function in different contexts and intracellular compartments have been determined. Structural features can be correlated with biochemical properties, revealing how core sulfhydryl oxidase activity has been tailored to various functional niches. The introduction of disulfides into cysteine-containing substrates by Erv sulfhydryl oxidases is compared with the mechanisms used by NADPH-driven disulfide reductases and thioredoxin-like oxidoreductases to reduce and transfer disulfides, respectively.

A guide to viral inclusions, membrane rearrangements, factories, and viroplasm produced during virus replication

Virus replication can cause extensive rearrangement of host cell cytoskeletal and membrane compartments leading to the “cytopathic effect” that has been the hallmark of virus infection in tissue culture for many years. Recent studies are beginning to redefine these signs of viral infection in terms of specific effects of viruses on cellular processes. In this chapter, these concepts have been illustrated by describing the replication sites produced by many different viruses. In many cases, the cellular rearrangements caused during virus infection lead to the construction of sophisticated platforms in the cell that concentrate replicase proteins, virus genomes, and host proteins required for replication, and thereby increase the efficiency of replication. Interestingly, these same structures, called virus factories, virus inclusions, or virosomes, can recruit host components that are associated with cellular defences against infection and cell stress. It is possible that cellular defence pathways can be subverted by viruses to generate sites of replication. The recruitment of cellular membranes and cytoskeleton to generate virus replication sites can also benefit viruses in other ways. Disruption of cellular membranes can, for example, slow the transport of immunomodulatory proteins to the surface of infected cells and protect against innate and acquired immune responses, and rearrangements to cytoskeleton can facilitate virus release.

Reduced redox potential of the cytosol is important for African swine fever virus capsid assembly and maturation

Assembly of African swine fever virus (ASFV) involves the transfer of the major capsid protein, p73, from the cytosol onto the cytoplasmic face of endoplasmic reticulum-derived membranes. During this process, the folding of p73 is dependent upon transient association with a specific viral chaperone, CAP80. The cell cytoplasm maintains high concentrations of reduced glutathione, leading to a reducing environment. Here, the effects of redox environment on the assembly of ASFV have been studied. Diamide, which oxidizes the cell cytosol, slowed the folding of p73 and prevented release from CAP80 and subsequent binding of p73 to membranes. Similarly, cell oxidation slowed the assembly of p73 molecules already bound to membranes into virus capsid precursors. Interestingly, addition of oxidized glutathione to newly assembled virus capsid precursors in vitro led to disassembly; however, virus particles released from cells were resistant to oxidized glutathione. These data show that assembly of ASFV requires the reducing environment that prevails in the cytosol, but as the virus matures, it becomes resistant to oxidation, possibly indicating preparation for release from the cell.