DNA-Directed expression of functional flock house virus RNA1 derivatives in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, heterologous gene expression, and selective effects on subgenomic mRNA synthesis

Unbiased genetic screen identifies Caenorhabditis elegans genes conserved for nodavirus genome replication

All RNA viruses produce and use RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) for their genome replication. Efficient viral genome replication also requires host factors which often function as co-factors of viral RdRP. To identify host factors required for nodavirus genome replication, we carried out an unbiased genetic screen in Caenorhabditis elegans mutants defective in antiviral RNA interference. This genetic screen utilized a self-replicating GFP-tagged viral replicon, derived from flock house virus, as a reporter for the loss of viral genome replication. Upon completing the screen, 16 candidate alleles were isolated and assigned to 14 candidate genes through genetic complementation. Interestingly, 4 of the candidate genes were also found to be required for the genome replication of Orsay virus, a nodavirus that naturally infects C. elegans. Our unbiased genetic screen therefore has led to the identification of a set of worm genes conserved for nodavirus genome replication.

Atomistic dynamics of a viral infection process: Release of membrane lytic peptides from a non-enveloped virus

Molecular simulations have played an instrumental role in uncovering the structural dynamics and physical properties of virus capsids. In this work, we move beyond equilibrium physicochemical characterization of a virus system to study a stage of the infection process that is required for viral proliferation. Despite many biochemical and functional studies, the molecular mechanism of host cell entry by non-enveloped viruses remains largely unresolved. Flock House virus (FHV) is a model system for non-enveloped viruses and is the subject of the current study. FHV infects through the acid-dependent endocytic pathway, where low pH triggers externalization of membrane-disrupting (γ) peptides from the capsid interior. Using all-atom equilibrium and enhanced sampling simulations, the mechanism and energetics of γ peptide liberation and the effect of pH on this process are investigated. Our computations agree with experimental findings and reveal nanoscopic details regarding the pH control mechanism, which are not readily accessible in experiments.

Rescue of Infectious Sindbis Virus by Yeast Spheroplast-Mammalian Cell Fusion

Sindbis virus (SINV), a positive-sense single stranded RNA virus that causes mild symptoms in humans, is transmitted by mosquito bites. SINV reverse genetics have many implications, not only in understanding alphavirus transmission, replication cycle, and virus-host interactions, but also in biotechnology and biomedical applications. The rescue of SINV infectious particles is usually achieved by transfecting susceptible cells (BHK-21) with SINV-infectious mRNA genomes generated from cDNA constructed via in vitro translation (IVT). That procedure is time consuming, costly, and relies heavily on reagent quality. Here, we constructed a novel infectious SINV cDNA construct that expresses its genomic RNA in yeast cells controlled by galactose induction. Using spheroplasts made from this yeast, we established a robust polyethylene glycol-mediated yeast: BHK-21 fusion protocol to rescue infectious SINV particles. Our approach is timesaving and utilizes common lab reagents for SINV rescue. It could be a useful tool for the rescue of large single strand RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.

The RNA Capping Enzyme Domain in Protein A is Essential for Flock House Virus Replication

The nodavirus flock house virus (FHV) and the alphavirus Semliki Forest virus (SFV) show evolutionarily intriguing similarities in their replication complexes and RNA capping enzymes. In this study, we first established an efficient FHV trans-replication system in mammalian cells, which disjoins protein expression from viral RNA synthesis. Following transfection, FHV replicase protein A was associated with mitochondria, whose outer surface displayed pouch-like invaginations with a ‘neck’ structure opening towards the cytoplasm. In mitochondrial pellets from transfected cells, high-level synthesis of both genomic and subgenomic RNA was detected in vitro and the newly synthesized RNA was of positive polarity. Secondly, we initiated the study of the putative RNA capping enzyme domain in protein A by mutating the conserved amino acids H93, R100, D141, and W215. RNA replication was abolished for all mutants inside cells and in vitro except for W215A, which showed reduced replication. Transfection of capped RNA template did not rescue the replication activity of the mutants. Comparing the efficiency of SFV and FHV trans-replication systems, the FHV system appeared to produce more RNA. Using fluorescent marker proteins, we demonstrated that both systems could replicate in the same cell. This work may facilitate the comparative analysis of FHV and SFV replication.

Engineered Flock House Virus for Targeted Gene Suppression Through RNAi in Fruit Flies (Drosophila melanogaster) in Vitro and in Vivo

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to study functional genomics in insects and the potential of using RNAi to suppress crop pests has made outstanding progress. However, the delivery of dsRNA is a challenging step in the development of RNAi bioassays. In this study, we investigated the ability of engineered Flock House virus (FHV) to induce targeted gene suppression through RNAi under in vitro and in vivo condition. As proxy for fruit flies of agricultural importance, we worked with S2 cells as derived from Drosophila melanogaster embryos, and with adult stages of D. melanogaster. We found that the expression level for all of the targeted genes were reduced by more than 70% in both the in vitro and in vivo bioassays. Furthermore, the cell viability and median survival time bioassays demonstrated that the recombinant FHV expressing target gene sequences caused a significantly higher mortality (60–73% and 100%) than the wild type virus (24 and 71%), in both S2 cells and adult insects, respectively. This is the first report showing that a single stranded RNA insect virus such as FHV, can be engineered as an effective in vitro and in vivo RNAi delivery system. Since FHV infects many insect species, the described method could be exploited to improve the efficiency of dsRNA delivery for RNAi-related studies in both FHV susceptible insect cell lines and live insects that are recalcitrant to the uptake of naked dsRNA.

Chimeric Flock House virus protein A with endoplasmic reticulum-targeting domain enhances viral replication and virus-like particle trans-encapsidation in plants

Flock House virus (FHV) RNA can be trans-encapsidated, entirely in planta, by tobacco mosaic virus coat protein to form virus-like particles (VLPs). Vaccination with these VLPs leads to strong antigen expression in mice and immune-activation. We hypothesize that creating an additional cellular site for replication and/or trans-encapsidation might significantly improve the final output of trans-encapsidated product. FHV protein A was engineered to target the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via a heterologous tobacco etch virus ER-targeting domain, and was expressed in cis or in trans relative to the replicating FHV RNA1. A strong increase in marker gene expression in plants was noted when ER-targeted protein A was supplied in trans. RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed RNA1 replication in both the mitochondria and ER, and total RNA1 accumulation was increased. In support of our hypothesis, VLP yield was increased significantly by the addition of this single genetic component to the inoculum.

Viral Delivery of dsRNA for Control of Insect Agricultural Pests and Vectors of Human Disease: Prospects and Challenges

RNAi is applied as a new and safe method for pest control in agriculture but efficiency and specificity of delivery of dsRNA trigger remains a critical issue. Various agents have been proposed to augment dsRNA delivery, such as engineered micro-organisms and synthetic nanoparticles, but the use of viruses has received relatively little attention. Here we present a critical view of the potential of the use of recombinant viruses for efficient and specific delivery of dsRNA. First of all, it requires the availability of plasmid-based reverse genetics systems for virus production, of which an overview is presented. For RNA viruses, their application seems to be straightforward since dsRNA is produced as an intermediate molecule during viral replication, but DNA viruses also have potential through the production of RNA hairpins after transcription. However, application of recombinant virus for dsRNA delivery may not be straightforward in many cases, since viruses can encode RNAi suppressors, and virus-induced silencing effects can be determined by the properties of the encoded RNAi suppressor. An alternative is virus-like particles that retain the efficiency and specificity determinants of natural virions but have encapsidated non-replicating RNA. Finally, the use of viruses raises important safety issues which need to be addressed before application can proceed.

In planta production of flock house virus transencapsidated RNA and its potential use as a vaccine

We have developed a transencapsidated vaccine delivery system based on the insect virus, Flock House virus (FHV). FHV is attractive due to its small genome size, simple organization, and nonpathogenic characteristics. With the insertion of a Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) origin of assembly (Oa), the independently replicating FHV RNA1 can be transencapsidated by TMV coat protein. In this study, we demonstrated that the Oa-adapted FHV RNA1 transencapsidation process can take place in planta, by using a bipartite plant expression vector system, where TMV coat protein is expressed by another plant virus vector, Foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV). Dual infection in the same cell by both FHV and FoMV was observed. Though an apparent classical coat protein-mediated resistance repressed FHV expression, this was overcome by delaying inoculation of the TMV coat protein vector by 3 days after FHV vector inoculation. Expression of the transgene marker in animals by these in vivo-generated transencapsidated nanoparticles was confirmed by mouse vaccination, which also showed an improved vaccine response compared to similar in vitro-produced vaccines.

Rapid evolution of virus sequences in intrinsically disordered protein regions

Nodamura Virus (NoV) is a nodavirus originally isolated from insects that can replicate in a wide variety of hosts, including mammals. Because of their simplicity and ability to replicate in many diverse hosts, NoV, and the Nodaviridae in general, provide a unique window into the evolution of viruses and host-virus interactions. Here we show that the C-terminus of the viral polymerase exhibits extreme structural and evolutionary flexibility. Indeed, fewer than 10 positively charged residues from the 110 amino acid-long C-terminal region of protein A are required to support RNA1 replication. Strikingly, this region can be replaced by completely unrelated protein sequences, yet still produce a functional replicase. Structure predictions, as well as evolutionary and mutational analyses, indicate that the C-terminal region is structurally disordered and evolves faster than the rest of the viral proteome. Thus, the function of an intrinsically unstructured protein region can be independent of most of its primary sequence, conferring both functional robustness and sequence plasticity on the protein. Our results provide an experimental explanation for rapid evolution of unstructured regions, which enables an effective exploration of the sequence space, and likely function space, available to the virus.

Proteins often contain regions with defined structures that enable their function. While important for maintaining the overall architecture of the protein, structural conservation adds constraints on the ability of the protein to mutate, and thus evolve. Viruses of eukaryotes, however, often encode for proteins with unstructured regions. As these regions are less constrained, they are more likely to accumulate mutations, which in turn can facilitate the appearance of novel functions during the evolution of the virus. Even though it has been known that such “disordered protein regions” have been particularly malleable in evolution, their functions and their ability to withstand extensive mutations have not been explored in detail. Here, we discovered that a disordered part of the Nodamura Virus polymerase is both required for replication of the viral genome, and extremely variable among different nodaviruses. We examined the tolerance of this protein region to mutations and found an unexpected ability to accommodate very diverse protein sequences. We propose that disordered protein regions can be a reservoir for evolutionary innovation that can play important roles in virus adaptation to new environments.

Nanoparticle encapsidation of Flock house virus by auto assembly of Tobacco mosaic virus coat protein

Tobacco Mosaic virus (TMV) coat protein is well known for its ability to self-assemble into supramolecular nanoparticles, either as protein discs or as rods originating from the ~300 bp genomic RNA origin-of-assembly (OA). We have utilized TMV self-assembly characteristics to create a novel Flock House virus (FHV) RNA nanoparticle. FHV encodes a viral polymerase supporting autonomous replication of the FHV genome, which makes it an attractive candidate for viral transgene expression studies and targeted RNA delivery into host cells. However, FHV viral genome size is strictly limited by native FHV capsid. To determine if this packaging restriction could be eliminated, FHV was adapted to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP), to allow for monitoring of functional FHV RNA activity. Then TMV OA was introduced in six 3' insertion sites, with only site one supporting functional FHV GFP expression. To create nanoparticles, FHV GFP-OA modified genomic RNA was mixed in vitro with TMV coat protein and monitored for encapsidation by agarose electrophoresis and electron microscopy. The production of TMV-like rod shaped nanoparticles indicated that modified FHV RNA can be encapsidated by purified TMV coat protein by self-assembly. This is the first demonstration of replication-independent packaging of the FHV genome by protein self-assembly.

Replication and packaging of Turnip yellow mosaic virus RNA containing Flock house virus RNA1 sequence

Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) is a spherical plant virus that has a single 6.3 kb positive strand RNA as a genome. In this study, RNA1 sequence of Flock house virus (FHV) was inserted into the TYMV genome to test whether TYMV can accommodate and express another viral entity. In the resulting construct, designated TY-FHV, the FHV RNA1 sequence was expressed as a TYMV subgenomic RNA. Northern analysis of the Nicotiana benthamiana leaves agroinfiltrated with the TY-FHV showed that both genomic and subgenomic FHV RNAs were abundantly produced. This indicates that the FHV RNA1 sequence was correctly expressed and translated to produce a functional FHV replicase. Although these FHV RNAs were not encapsidated, the FHV RNA having a TYMV CP sequence at the 3'-end was efficiently encapsidated. When an eGFP gene was inserted into the B2 ORF of the FHV sequence, a fusion protein of B2-eGFP was produced as expected.

Genome-wide analysis of host factors in nodavirus RNA replication

Flock House virus (FHV), the best studied of the animal nodaviruses, has been used as a model for positive-strand RNA virus research. As one approach to identify host genes that affect FHV RNA replication, we performed a genome-wide analysis using a yeast single gene deletion library and a modified, reporter gene-expressing FHV derivative. A total of 4,491 yeast deletion mutants were tested for their ability to support FHV replication. Candidates for host genes modulating FHV replication were selected based on the initial genome-wide reporter gene assay and validated in repeated Northern blot assays for their ability to support wild type FHV RNA1 replication. Overall, 65 deletion strains were confirmed to show significant changes in the replication of both FHV genomic RNA1 and sub-genomic RNA3 with a false discovery rate of 5%. Among them, eight genes support FHV replication, since their deletion significantly reduced viral RNA accumulation, while 57 genes limit FHV replication, since their deletion increased FHV RNA accumulation. Of the gene products implicated in affecting FHV replication, three are localized to mitochondria, where FHV RNA replication occurs, 16 normally reside in the nucleus and may have indirect roles in FHV replication, and the remaining 46 are in the cytoplasm, with functions enriched in translation, RNA processing and trafficking.

The cellular decapping activators LSm1, Pat1, and Dhh1 control the ratio of subgenomic to genomic Flock House virus RNAs

Positive-strand RNA viruses depend on recruited host factors to control critical replication steps. Previously, it was shown that replication of evolutionarily diverse positive-strand RNA viruses, such as hepatitis C virus and brome mosaic virus, depends on host decapping activators LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 (J. Diez et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 97:3913-3918, 2000; A. Mas et al., J. Virol. 80:246 -251, 2006; N. Scheller et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 106:13517-13522, 2009). By using a system that allows the replication of the insect Flock House virus (FHV) in yeast, here we show that LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 control the ratio of subgenomic RNA3 to genomic RNA1 production, a key feature in the FHV life cycle mediated by a long-distance base pairing within RNA1. Depletion of LSM1, PAT1, or DHH1 dramatically increased RNA3 accumulation during replication. This was not caused by differences between RNA1 and RNA3 steady-state levels in the absence of replication. Importantly, coimmunoprecipitation assays indicated that LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 interact with the FHV RNA genome and the viral polymerase. By using a strategy that allows dissecting different stages of the replication process, we found that LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 did not affect the early replication steps of RNA1 recruitment to the replication complex or RNA1 synthesis. Furthermore, their function on RNA3/RNA1 ratios was independent of the membrane compartment, where replication occurs and requires ATPase activity of the Dhh1 helicase. Together, these results support that LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 control RNA3 synthesis. Their described function in mediating cellular mRNP rearrangements suggests a parallel role in mediating key viral RNP transitions, such as the one required to maintain the balance between the alternative FHV RNA1 conformations that control RNA3 synthesis.

Assembly of alphavirus replication complexes from RNA and protein components in a novel trans-replication system in mammalian cells

For positive-strand RNA viruses, the viral genomic RNA also acts as an mRNA directing the translation of the replicase proteins of the virus. Replication takes place in association with cytoplasmic membranes, which are heavily modified to create specific replication compartments. Here we have expressed by plasmid DNA transfection the large replicase polyprotein of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) in mammalian cells from a nonreplicating mRNA and provided a separate RNA containing the replication signals. The replicase proteins were able to efficiently and specifically replicate the template in trans, leading to accumulation of RNA and marker gene products expressed from the template RNA. The replicase proteins and double-stranded RNA replication intermediates localized to structures similar to those seen in SFV-infected cells. Using correlative light electron microscopy (CLEM) with fluorescent marker proteins to relocate those transfected cells, in which active replication was ongoing, abundant membrane modifications, representing the replication complex spherules, were observed both at the plasma membrane and in intracellular endolysosomes. Thus, replication complexes are faithfully assembled and localized in the trans-replication system. We demonstrated, using CLEM, that the replication proteins alone or a polymerase-negative polyprotein mutant together with the template did not give rise to spherule formation. Thus, the trans-replication system is suitable for cell biological dissection and examination in a mammalian cell environment, and similar systems may be possible for other positive-strand RNA viruses.

Nodavirus-induced membrane rearrangement in replication complex assembly requires replicase protein a, RNA templates, and polymerase activity

Positive-strand RNA [(+)RNA] viruses invariably replicate their RNA genomes on modified intracellular membranes. In infected Drosophila cells, Flock House nodavirus (FHV) RNA replication complexes form on outer mitochondrial membranes inside ∼50-nm, virus-induced spherular invaginations similar to RNA replication-linked spherules induced by many (+)RNA viruses at various membranes. To better understand replication complex assembly, we studied the mechanisms of FHV spherule formation. FHV has two genomic RNAs; RNA1 encodes multifunctional RNA replication protein A and RNA interference suppressor protein B2, while RNA2 encodes the capsid proteins. Expressing genomic RNA1 without RNA2 induced mitochondrial spherules indistinguishable from those in FHV infection. RNA1 mutation showed that protein B2 was dispensable and that protein A was the only FHV protein required for spherule formation. However, expressing protein A alone only "zippered" together the surfaces of adjacent mitochondria, without inducing spherules. Thus, protein A is necessary but not sufficient for spherule formation. Coexpressing protein A plus a replication-competent FHV RNA template induced RNA replication in trans and membrane spherules. Moreover, spherules were not formed when replicatable FHV RNA templates were expressed with protein A bearing a single, polymerase-inactivating amino acid change or when wild-type protein A was expressed with a nonreplicatable FHV RNA template. Thus, unlike many (+)RNA viruses, the membrane-bounded compartments in which FHV RNA replication occurs are not induced solely by viral protein(s) but require viral RNA synthesis. In addition to replication complex assembly, the results have implications for nodavirus interaction with cell RNA silencing pathways and other aspects of virus control.

Mapping the subgenomic RNA promoter of the Citrus leaf blotch virus coat protein gene by Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation

Citrus leaf blotch virus has a single-stranded positive-sense genomic RNA (gRNA) of 8747 nt organized in three open reading frames (ORFs). The ORF1, encoding a polyprotein involved in replication, is translated directly from the gRNA, whereas ORFs encoding the movement (MP) and coat (CP) proteins are expressed via 3' coterminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs). We characterized the minimal promoter region critical for the CP-sgRNA expression in infected cells by deletion analyses using Agrobacterium-mediated infection of Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The minimal CP-sgRNA promoter was mapped between nucleotides -67 and +50 nt around the transcription start site. Surprisingly, larger deletions in the region between the CP-sgRNA transcription start site and the CP translation initiation codon resulted in increased CP-sgRNA accumulation, suggesting that this sequence could modulate the CP-sgRNA transcription. Site-specific mutational analysis of the transcription start site revealed that the +1 guanylate and the +2 adenylate are important for CP-sgRNA synthesis.

Complementary transcriptomic, lipidomic, and targeted functional genetic analyses in cultured Drosophila cells highlight the role of glycerophospholipid metabolism in Flock House virus RNA replication

Background

Cellular membranes are crucial host components utilized by positive-strand RNA viruses for replication of their genomes. Published studies have suggested that the synthesis and distribution of membrane lipids are particularly important for the assembly and function of positive-strand RNA virus replication complexes. However, the impact of specific lipid metabolism pathways in this process have not been well defined, nor have potential changes in lipid expression associated with positive-strand RNA virus replication been examined in detail.

Results

In this study we used parallel and complementary global and targeted approaches to examine the impact of lipid metabolism on the replication of the well-studied model alphanodavirus Flock House virus (FHV). We found that FHV RNA replication in cultured Drosophila S2 cells stimulated the transcriptional upregulation of several lipid metabolism genes, and was also associated with increased phosphatidylcholine accumulation with preferential increases in lipid molecules with longer and unsaturated acyl chains. Furthermore, targeted RNA interference-mediated downregulation of candidate glycerophospholipid metabolism genes revealed a functional role of several genes in virus replication. In particular, we found that downregulation of Cct1 or Cct2, which encode essential enzymes for phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, suppressed FHV RNA replication.

Conclusion

These results indicate that glycerophospholipid metabolism, and in particular phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, plays an important role in FHV RNA replication. Furthermore, they provide a framework in which to further explore the impact of specific steps in lipid metabolism on FHV replication, and potentially identify novel cellular targets for the development of drugs to inhibit positive-strand RNA viruses.

A targeted analysis of cellular chaperones reveals contrasting roles for heat shock protein 70 in flock house virus RNA replication

Cytosolic chaperones are a diverse group of ubiquitous proteins that play central roles in multiple processes within the cell, including protein translation, folding, intracellular trafficking, and quality control. These cellular proteins have also been implicated in the replication of numerous viruses, although the full extent of their involvement in viral replication is unknown. We have previously shown that the heat shock protein 40 (hsp40) chaperone encoded by the yeast YDJ1 gene facilitates RNA replication of flock house virus (FHV), a well-studied and versatile positive-sense RNA model virus. To further explore the roles of chaperones in FHV replication, we examined a panel of 30 yeast strains with single deletions of cytosolic proteins that have known or hypothesized chaperone activity. We found that the majority of cytosolic chaperone deletions had no impact on FHV RNA accumulation, with the notable exception of J-domain-containing hsp40 chaperones, where deletion of APJ1 reduced FHV RNA accumulation by 60%, while deletion of ZUO1, JJJ1, or JJJ2 markedly increased FHV RNA accumulation, by 4- to 40-fold. Further studies using cross complementation and double-deletion strains revealed that the contrasting effects of J domain proteins were reproduced by altering expression of the major cytosolic hsp70s encoded by the SSA and SSB families and were mediated in part by divergent effects on FHV RNA polymerase synthesis. These results identify hsp70 chaperones as critical regulators of FHV RNA replication and indicate that cellular chaperones can have both positive and negative regulatory effects on virus replication.

Mitochondrion-enriched anionic phospholipids facilitate flock house virus RNA polymerase membrane association

One characteristic of all positive-strand RNA viruses is the necessity to assemble viral RNA replication complexes on host intracellular membranes, a process whose molecular details are poorly understood. To study viral replication complex assembly we use the established model system of Flock House virus (FHV), which assembles its replication complexes on the mitochondrial outer membrane. The FHV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, protein A, is the only viral protein necessary for genome replication in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To examine the host components involved in protein A-membrane interactions, an initial step of FHV RNA replication complex assembly, we established an in vitro protein A membrane association assay. Protein A translated in vitro rapidly and specifically associated with mitochondria isolated from yeast, insect, and mammalian cells. This process was temperature dependent but independent of protease-sensitive mitochondrial outer membrane components or the host mitochondrial import machinery. Furthermore, lipid-binding studies revealed that protein A preferentially bound to specific anionic phospholipids, in particular the mitochondrion-specific phospholipid cardiolipin. These studies implicate membrane phospholipids as important host determinants for FHV RNA polymerase membrane association and provide evidence for the involvement of host phospholipids in positive-strand RNA virus membrane-specific targeting.

Characterization of the 5'- and 3'-terminal subgenomic RNAs produced by a capillovirus: Evidence for a CP subgenomic RNA

The members of Capillovirus genus encode two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs): ORF1 encodes a large polyprotein containing the replication-associated proteins plus a coat protein (CP), and ORF2 encodes a movement protein (MP), located within ORF1 in a different reading frame. Organization of the CP sequence as part of the replicase ORF is unusual in capilloviruses. In this study, we examined the capillovirus genome expression strategy by characterizing viral RNAs produced by Citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV), isolate ML, a Capillovirus. CTLV-ML produced a genome-length RNA of approximately 6.5-kb and two 3'-terminal sgRNAs in infected tissue that contain the MP and CP coding sequences (3'-sgRNA1), and the CP coding sequence (3'-sgRNA2), respectively. Both 3'-sgRNAs initiate at a conserved octanucleotide (UUGAAAGA), and are 1826 (3'-sgRNA1) and 869 (3'-sgRNA2) nts with 119 and 15 nt leader sequences, respectively, suggesting that these two 3'-sgRNAs could serve to express the MP and CP. Additionally, accumulation of two 5'-terminal sgRNAs of 5586 (5'-sgRNA1) and 4625 (5'-sgRNA2) nts was observed, and their 3'-termini mapped to 38-44 nts upstream of the transcription start sites of 3'-sgRNAs. The presence of a separate 3'-sgRNA corresponding to the CP coding sequence and its cognate 5'-terminal sgRNA (5'-sgRNA1) suggests that CTLV-ML produces a dedicated sg mRNA for the expression of its CP.

5' cis elements direct nodavirus RNA1 recruitment to mitochondrial sites of replication complex formation

Positive-strand RNA viruses replicate their genomes on intracellular membranes, usually in conjunction with virus-induced membrane rearrangements. For the nodavirus flock house virus (FHV), we recently showed that multifunctional FHV replicase protein A induces viral RNA template recruitment to a membrane-associated state, but the site(s) and function of this recruitment were not determined. By tagging viral RNA with green fluorescent protein, we show here in Drosophila cells that protein A recruits FHV RNA specifically to the outer mitochondrial membrane sites of RNA replication complex formation. Using Drosophila cells and yeast cells, which also support FHV replication, we also defined the cis-acting regions that direct replication and template recruitment for FHV genomic RNA1. RNA1 nucleotides 68 to 205 were required for RNA replication and directed efficient protein A-mediated RNA recruitment in both cell types. RNA secondary structure prediction, structure probing, and phylogenetic comparisons in this region identified two stable, conserved stem-loops with nearly identical loop sequences. Further mutational analysis showed that both stem-loops and certain flanking sequences were required for RNA1 recruitment, negative-strand synthesis, and subsequent positive-strand amplification in yeast and Drosophila cells. Thus, we have shown that protein A recruits RNA1 templates to mitochondria, as expected for RNA replication, and identified a new RNA1 cis element that is necessary and sufficient for RNA1 template recognition and recruitment to these mitochondrial membranes for negative-strand RNA1 synthesis. These results establish RNA recruitment to the sites of replication complex formation as an essential, distinct, and selective early step in nodavirus replication.

Betanodavirus non-structural protein B1: A novel anti-necrotic death factor that modulates cell death in early replication cycle in fish cells

The functions of the Betanodavirus non-structural protein B1 is still unknown. We examined B1 expression patterns and investigated novel cell death regulatory functions for this viral protein following RGNNV infection in fish cells. The B1 gene (336 nt) was cloned from the redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genome. B1 mRNA was rapidly expressed in the fish cells from viral RNA3 at 12 h post-infection (p.i.). At the protein level, expression was low at 12 h p.i., and then increased rapidly between 24 h and 72 h p.i. In RGNNV-infected, B1-containing fish cells, over expression of RGNNV B1 reduced Annexin-V positive cells by 50% and 65% at 48 h and 72 h p.i., respectively, and decreased loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by 20% and 70% at 48 h and 72 h p.i., respectively. Finally, B1 knockdown during RGNNV infection using anti-sense RNA increased necrotic cell death and reduced cell viability during the early replication cycle (24 h p.i.). Our results suggest that B1 is an early expression protein that has an anti-necrotic cell death function which reduces the MMP loss and enhances viral host cell viability. This finding provides new insights into RNA viral pathogenesis and disease control.

Host Factors Promoting Viral RNA Replication

Plus-stranded RNA viruses, the largest group among eukaryotic viruses, are capable of reprogramming host cells by subverting host proteins and membranes, by co-opting and modulating protein and ribonucleoprotein complexes, and by altering cellular pathways during infection. To achieve robust replication, plus-stranded RNA viruses interact with numerous cellular molecules via protein–protein, RNA–protein, and protein–lipid interactions using molecular mimicry and other means. These interactions lead to the transformation of the host cells into viral “factories" that can produce 10,000–1,000,000 progeny RNAs per infected cell. This chapter presents the progress that was made largely in the last 15 years in understanding virus–host interactions during RNA virus replication. The most commonly employed approaches to identify host factors that affect plus-stranded RNA virus replication are described. In addition, we discuss many of the identified host factors and their proposed roles in RNA virus replication. Altogether, host factors are key determinants of the host range of a given virus and affect virus pathology, host–virus interactions, as well as virus evolution. Studies on host factors also contribute insights into their normal cellular functions, thus promoting understanding of the basic biology of the host cell. The knowledge obtained in this fast-progressing area will likely stimulate the development of new antiviral methods as well as novel strategies that could make plus-stranded RNA viruses useful in bio- and nanotechnology.

Replication-coupled packaging mechanism in positive-strand RNA viruses: synchronized coexpression of functional multigenome RNA components of an animal and a plant virus in Nicotiana benthamiana cells by agroinfiltration

Flock house virus (FHV), a bipartite RNA virus of insects and a member of the Nodaviridae family, shares viral replication features with the tripartite brome mosaic virus (BMV), an RNA virus that infects plants and is a member of the Bromoviridae family. In BMV and FHV, genome packaging is coupled to replication, a widely conserved mechanism among positive-strand RNA viruses of diverse origin. To unravel the events that modulate the mechanism of replication-coupled packaging, in this study, we have extended the transfer DNA (T-DNA)-based agroinfiltration system to express functional genome components of FHV in plant cells (Nicotiana benthamiana). Replication, intracellular membrane localization, and packaging characteristics in agroinfiltrated plant cells revealed that T-DNA plasmids of FHV were biologically active and faithfully mimicked complete replication and packaging behavior similar to that observed for insect cells. Synchronized coexpression of wild-type BMV and FHV genome components in plant cells resulted in the assembly of virions packaging the respective viral progeny RNA. To further elucidate the link between replication and packaging, coat protein (CP) open reading frames were precisely exchanged between BMV RNA 3 (B3) and FHV RNA 2 (F2), creating chimeric RNAs expressing heterologous CP genes (B3/FCP and F2/BCP). Coinfiltration of each chimera with its corresponding genome counterpart to provide viral replicase (B1+B2+B3/FCP and F1+F2/BCP) resulted in the expected progeny profiles, but virions exhibited a nonspecific packaging phenotype. Complementation with homologous replicase (with respect to CP) failed to enhance packaging specificity. Taken together, we propose that the transcription of CP mRNA from homologous replication and its translation must be synchronized to confer packaging specificity.

Three-dimensional analysis of a viral RNA replication complex reveals a virus-induced mini-organelle

Positive-strand RNA viruses are the largest genetic class of viruses and include many serious human pathogens. All positive-strand RNA viruses replicate their genomes in association with intracellular membrane rearrangements such as single- or double-membrane vesicles. However, the exact sites of RNA synthesis and crucial topological relationships between relevant membranes, vesicle interiors, surrounding lumens, and cytoplasm generally are poorly defined. We applied electron microscope tomography and complementary approaches to flock house virus (FHV)–infected Drosophila cells to provide the first 3-D analysis of such replication complexes. The sole FHV RNA replication factor, protein A, and FHV-specific 5-bromouridine 5'-triphosphate incorporation localized between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes inside ∼50-nm vesicles (spherules), which thus are FHV-induced compartments for viral RNA synthesis. All such FHV spherules were outer mitochondrial membrane invaginations with interiors connected to the cytoplasm by a necked channel of ∼10-nm diameter, which is sufficient for ribonucleotide import and product RNA export. Tomographic, biochemical, and other results imply that FHV spherules contain, on average, three RNA replication intermediates and an interior shell of ∼100 membrane-spanning, self-interacting protein As. The results identify spherules as the site of protein A and nascent RNA accumulation and define spherule topology, dimensions, and stoichiometry to reveal the nature and many details of the organization and function of the FHV RNA replication complex. The resulting insights appear relevant to many other positive-strand RNA viruses and support recently proposed structural and likely evolutionary parallels with retrovirus and double-stranded RNA virus virions.

Whereas cells store and replicate their genomes as DNA, most viruses have RNA genomes that replicate by using virus-specific pathways in the host cell. The largest class of RNA viruses, the positive-strand RNA viruses, replicate their genomes on intracellular membranes. However, little is understood about how and why these viruses use membranes in RNA replication. The well-studied flock house virus (FHV) replicates its RNA on mitochondrial membranes. We found that the single FHV RNA replication factor and newly synthesized FHV RNA localized predominantly in numerous infection-specific membrane vesicles inside the outer mitochondrial membrane. We used electron microscope tomography to image these membranes in three dimensions and found that the interior of each vesicle was connected to the cytoplasm by a single necked channel large enough to import ribonucleotide substrates and to export product RNA. The results suggest that FHV uses these vesicles as replication compartments, which may also protect replicating RNA from competing processes and host defenses. These findings complement results from other viruses to support possible parallels between genome replication by positive-strand RNA viruses and two distinct virus classes, double-stranded RNA and reverse-transcribing viruses.

All positive-strand RNA viruses replicate their genomes in association with intracellular membrane rearrangements; here, a three-dimensional analysis of these complexes in flock house nodavirus-infected Drosophila cells provides insight into the replication process.

The heat shock protein 70 cochaperone YDJ1 is required for efficient membrane-specific flock house virus RNA replication complex assembly and function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The assembly of RNA replication complexes on intracellular membranes is an essential step in the life cycle of positive-sense RNA viruses. We have previously shown that Hsp90 chaperone complex activity is essential for efficient Flock House virus (FHV) RNA replication in Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells. To further explore the role of cellular chaperones in viral RNA replication, we used both pharmacologic and genetic approaches to examine the role of the Hsp90 and Hsp70 chaperone systems in FHV RNA replication complex assembly and function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast to results with insect cells, yeast deficient in Hsp90 chaperone complex activity showed no significant decrease in FHV RNA replication. However, yeast with a deletion of the Hsp70 cochaperone YDJ1 showed a dramatic reduction in FHV RNA replication that was due in part to reduced viral RNA polymerase accumulation. Furthermore, the absence of YDJ1 did not reduce FHV RNA replication when the viral RNA polymerase and replication complexes were retargeted from the mitochondria to the endoplasmic reticulum. These results identify YDJ1 as an essential membrane-specific host factor for FHV RNA replication complex assembly and function in S. cerevisiae and are consistent with known differences in the role of distinct chaperone complexes in organelle-specific protein targeting between yeast and higher eukaryotes.

Nodavirus RNA replication protein a induces membrane association of genomic RNA

Positive-strand RNA virus genome replication occurs in membrane-associated RNA replication complexes, whose assembly remains poorly understood. Here we show that prior to RNA replication, the multifunctional, transmembrane RNA replication protein A of the nodavirus flock house virus (FHV) recruits FHV genomic RNA1 to a membrane-associated state in both Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Protein A has mitochondrial membrane-targeting, self-interaction, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and RNA capping domains. In the absence of RdRp activity due to an active site mutation (A(D692E)), protein A stimulated RNA1 accumulation by increasing RNA1 stability. Protein A(D692E) stimulated RNA1 accumulation in wild-type cells and in xrn1(-) yeast defective in decapped RNA decay, showing that increased RNA1 stability was not due to protein A-mediated RNA1 recapping. Increased RNA1 stability was closely linked with protein A-induced membrane association of the stabilized RNA and was highly selective for RNA1. Substantial N- and C-proximal regions of protein A were dispensable for these activities. However, increased RNA1 accumulation was eliminated by deleting protein A amino acids (aa) 1 to 370 but was restored completely by adding back the transmembrane domain (aa 1 to 35) and partially by adding back peripheral membrane association sequences in aa 36 to 370. Moreover, although RNA polymerase activity was not required, even small deletions in or around the RdRp domain abolished increased RNA1 accumulation. These and other results show that prior to negative-strand RNA synthesis, multiple domains of mitochondrially targeted protein A cooperate to selectively recruit FHV genomic RNA to membranes where RNA replication complexes form.

A multicomponent RNA-based control system regulates subgenomic mRNA transcription in a tombusvirus

During infections, positive-strand RNA tombusviruses transcribe two subgenomic (sg) mRNAs that allow for the expression of a subset of their genes. This process is thought to involve an unconventional mechanism involving the premature termination of the virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase while it is copying the virus genome. The 3' truncated minus strands generated by termination are then used as templates for sg mRNA transcription. In addition to requiring an extensive network of long-distance RNA-RNA interactions (H.-X. Lin and K. A. White, EMBO J. 23:3365-3374, 2004), the transcription of tombusvirus sg mRNAs also involves several additional RNA structures. In vivo analysis of these diverse RNA elements revealed that they function at distinct steps in the process by facilitating the formation or stabilization of the long-distance interactions, modulating minus-strand template production, or promoting the initiation of sg mRNA transcription. All of the RNA elements characterized could be readily incorporated into a premature termination model for sg mRNA transcription. Overall, the analyses revealed a complex system that displays a high level of structural integration and functional coordination. This multicomponent RNA-based control system may serve as a useful paradigm for understanding related transcriptional processes in other positive-sense RNA viruses.

Mass spectrometry reveals specific and global molecular transformations during viral infection

Mass spectrometry analysis was used to target three different aspects of the viral infection process: the expression kinetics of viral proteins, changes in the expression levels of cellular proteins, and the changes in cellular metabolites in response to viral infection. The combination of these methods represents a new, more comprehensive approach to the study of viral infection revealing the complexity of these events within the infected cell. The proteins associated with measles virus (MV) infection of human HeLa cells were measured using a label-free approach. On the other hand, the regulation of cellular and Flock House Virus (FHV) proteins in response to FHV infection of Drosophila cells was monitored using stable isotope labeling. Three complementary techniques were used to monitor changes in viral protein expression in the cell and host protein expression. A total of 1500 host proteins was identified and quantified, of which over 200 proteins were either up- or down-regulated in response to viral infection, such as the up-regulation of the Drosophila apoptotic croquemort protein, and the down-regulation of proteins that inhibited cell death. These analyses also demonstrated the up-regulation of viral proteins functioning in replication, inhibition of RNA interference, viral assembly, and RNA encapsidation. Over 1000 unique metabolites were also observed with significant changes in over 30, such as the down-regulated cellular phospholipids possibly reflecting the initial events in cell death and viral release. Overall, the cellular transformation that occurs upon viral infection is a process involving hundreds of proteins and metabolites, many of which are structurally and functionally uncharacterized.

[Study of animal viruses in yeast]

Yeast is often considered to be a model eukaryotic organism, in a manner analogous to E. coli as a model prokaryotic organism. Yeast has been extensively characterized and the genomes completely sequenced. Despite the small genome size, yeast displays most of features of higher eukaryotes. The facts that most of cellular machinery is conserved among different eukaryotes and that the powerful technologies of genetics and molecular biology are available have made yeast model eukaryotic cells in biological and biomedical sciences including virology. Cumulative data indicate that yeast can be a host for animal viruses. I briefly describe yeast gene expression and review viral replication in yeast. Great discovery include complete replication of animal viruses and production of virus-like particle vaccines in yeast. Current studies on yeast focus on identification of host factors and machinery used for viral replication. The studies are based on traditional yeast genetics and genome-wide identification using a complete set of yeast deletion strains.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a useful model host to study fundamental biology of viral replication

Understanding the fundamental steps of virus life cycles including virus–host interactions is essential for the design of effective antiviral strategies. Such understanding has been deferred by the complexity of higher eukaryotic host organisms. To circumvent experimental difficulties associated with this, systems were developed to replicate viruses in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The systems include viruses with RNA and DNA genomes that infect plants, animals and humans. By using the powerful methodologies available for yeast genetic analysis, fundamental processes occurring during virus replication have been brought to light. Here, we review the different viruses able to direct replication and gene expression in yeast and discuss their main contributions in the understanding of virus biology.

Characterization of Striped jack nervous necrosis virus subgenomic RNA3 and biological activities of its encoded protein B2

Striped jack nervous necrosis virus (SJNNV), which infects fish, is the type species of the genus Betanodavirus. This virus has a bipartite genome of positive-strand RNAs, designated RNAs 1 and 2. A small RNA (ca. 0.4 kb) has been detected from SJNNV-infected cells, which was newly synthesized and corresponded to the 3'-terminal region of RNA1. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends analysis showed that the 5' end of this small RNA (designated RNA3) initiated at nt 2730 of the corresponding RNA1 sequence and contained a 5' cap structure. Substitution of the first nucleotide of the subgenomic RNA sequence within RNA1 selectively inhibited production of the positive-strand RNA3 but not of the negative-strand RNA3, which suggests that RNA3 may be synthesized via a premature termination model. The single RNA3-encoded protein (designated protein B2) was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and used to immunize a rabbit to obtain an anti-protein B2 polyclonal antibody. An immunological test showed that the antigen was specifically detected in the central nervous system and retina of infected striped jack larvae (Pseudocaranx dentex), and in the cytoplasm of infected cultured E-11 cells. These results indicate that SJNNV produces subgenomic RNA3 from RNA1 and synthesizes protein B2 during virus multiplication, as reported for alphanodaviruses. In addition, an Agrobacterium co-infiltration assay established in transgenic plants that express green fluorescent protein showed that SJNNV protein B2 has a potent RNA silencing-suppression activity, as discovered for the protein B2 of insect-infecting alphanodaviruses.

In vivo self-interaction of nodavirus RNA replicase protein a revealed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Flock house virus (FHV) is the best-characterized member of the Nodaviridae, a family of small, positive-strand RNA viruses. Unlike most RNA viruses, FHV encodes only a single polypeptide, protein A, that is required for RNA replication. Protein A contains a C-proximal RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain and localizes via an N-terminal transmembrane domain to the outer mitochondrial membrane, where FHV RNA replication takes place in association with invaginations referred to as spherules. We demonstrate here that protein A self-interacts in vivo by using flow cytometric analysis of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), spectrofluorometric analysis of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, and coimmunoprecipitation. Several nonoverlapping protein A sequences were able to independently direct protein-protein interaction, including an N-terminal region previously shown to be sufficient for localization to the outer mitochondrial membrane (D. J. Miller and P. Ahlquist, J. Virol. 76:9856-9867, 2000). Mutations in protein A that diminished FRET also diminished FHV RNA replication, a finding consistent with an important role for protein A self-interaction in FHV RNA synthesis. Thus, the results imply that FHV protein A functions as a multimer rather than as a monomer at one or more steps in RNA replication.

The cellular chaperone heat shock protein 90 facilitates Flock House virus RNA replication in Drosophila cells

The assembly of viral RNA replication complexes on intracellular membranes represents a critical step in the life cycle of positive-strand RNA viruses. We investigated the role of the cellular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in viral RNA replication complex assembly and function using Flock House virus (FHV), an alphanodavirus whose RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, protein A, is essential for viral RNA replication complex assembly on mitochondrial outer membranes. The Hsp90 chaperone complex transports cellular mitochondrial proteins to the outer mitochondrial membrane import receptors, and thus we hypothesized that Hsp90 may also facilitate FHV RNA replication complex assembly or function. Treatment of FHV-infected Drosophila S2 cells with the Hsp90-specific inhibitor geldanamycin or radicicol potently suppressed the production of infectious virions and the accumulation of protein A and genomic, subgenomic, and template viral RNA. In contrast, geldanamycin did not inhibit the activity of preformed FHV RNA replication complexes. Hsp90 inhibitors also suppressed viral RNA and protein A accumulation in S2 cells expressing an FHV RNA replicon. Furthermore, Hsp90 inhibition with either geldanamycin or RNAi-mediated chaperone downregulation suppressed protein A accumulation in the absence of viral RNA replication. These results identify Hsp90 as a host factor involved in FHV RNA replication and suggest that FHV uses established cellular chaperone pathways to assemble its RNA replication complexes on intracellular membranes.

Yeast genome-wide screen reveals dissimilar sets of host genes affecting replication of RNA viruses

Viruses are devastating pathogens of humans, animals, and plants. To further our understanding of how viruses use the resources of infected cells, we systematically tested the yeast single-gene-knockout library for the effect of each host gene on the replication of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a positive-strand RNA virus of plants. The genome-wide screen identified 96 host genes whose absence either reduced or increased the accumulation of the TBSV replicon. The identified genes are involved in the metabolism of nucleic acids, lipids, proteins, and other compounds and in protein targeting/transport. Comparison with published genome-wide screens reveals that the replication of TBSV and brome mosaic virus (BMV), which belongs to a different supergroup among plus-strand RNA viruses, is affected by vastly different yeast genes. Moreover, a set of yeast genes involved in vacuolar targeting of proteins and vesicle-mediated transport both affected replication of the TBSV replicon and enhanced the cytotoxicity of the Parkinson's disease-related alpha-synuclein when this protein was expressed in yeast. In addition, a set of host genes involved in ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolism affected both TBSV replication and the cytotoxicity of a mutant huntingtin protein, a candidate agent in Huntington's disease. This finding suggests that virus infection and disease-causing proteins might use or alter similar host pathways and may suggest connections between chronic diseases and prior virus infection.

Nodamura virus RNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: heterologous gene expression allows replication-dependent colony formation

Nodamura virus (NoV) and Flock House virus (FHV) are members of the family Nodaviridae. The nodavirus genome is composed of two positive-sense RNA segments: RNA1 encodes the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and RNA2 encodes the capsid protein precursor. A small subgenomic RNA3, which encodes nonstructural proteins B1 and B2, is transcribed from RNA1 during RNA replication. Previously, FHV was shown to replicate both of its genomic RNAs and to transcribe RNA3 in transiently transfected yeast cells. FHV RNAs and their derivatives could also be expressed from plasmids containing RNA polymerase II promoters. Here we show that all of these features can be recapitulated for NoV, the only nodavirus that productively infects mammals. Inducible plasmid-based systems were used to characterize the RNA replication requirements for NoV RNA1 and RNA2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Induced NoV RNA1 replication was robust. Three previously described NoV RNA1 mutants behaved in yeast as they had in mammalian cells. Yeast colonies were selected from cells expressing NoV RNA1, and RNA2 replicons that encoded yeast nutritional markers, from plasmids. Unexpectedly, these NoV RNA replication-dependent yeast colonies were recovered at frequencies 10(4)-fold lower than in the analogous FHV system. Molecular analysis revealed that some of the NoV RNA replication-dependent colonies contained mutations in the NoV B2 open reading frame in the replicating viral RNA. In addition, we found that NoV RNA1 could support limited replication of a deletion derivative of the heterologous FHV RNA2 that expressed the yeast HIS3 selectable marker, resulting in formation of HIS+ colonies.

Heterologous RNA encapsidated in Pariacoto virus-like particles forms a dodecahedral cage similar to genomic RNA in wild-type virions

The genome of some icosahedral RNA viruses plays an essential role in capsid assembly and structure. In T=3 particles of the nodavirus Pariacoto virus (PaV), a remarkable 35% of the single-stranded RNA genome is icosahedrally ordered. This ordered RNA can be visualized at high resolution by X-ray crystallography as a dodecahedral cage consisting of 30 24-nucleotide A-form RNA duplex segments that each underlie a twofold icosahedral axis of the virus particle and interact extensively with the basic N-terminal region of 60 subunits of the capsid protein. To examine whether the PaV genome is a specific determinant of the RNA structure, we produced virus-like particles (VLPs) by expressing the wild-type capsid protein open reading frame from a recombinant baculovirus. VLPs produced by this system encapsidated similar total amounts of RNA as authentic virus particles, but only about 6% of this RNA was PaV specific, the rest being of cellular or baculovirus origin. Examination of the VLPs by electron cryomicroscopy and image reconstruction at 15.4-A resolution showed that the encapsidated RNA formed a dodecahedral cage similar to that of wild-type particles. These results demonstrate that the specific nucleotide sequence of the PaV genome is not required to form the dodecahedral cage of ordered RNA.

A complex network of RNA-RNA interactions controls subgenomic mRNA transcription in a tombusvirus

Eukaryotic (+)-strand RNA viruses utilize a wide variety of gene expression strategies to achieve regulated production of their viral proteins. A common mechanism used by many is to transcribe viral subgenomic (sg) mRNAs. Transcription of sg mRNA2 in tombusviruses allows for expression of the p19 suppressor of gene silencing and p22 movement proteins. We have investigated the mechanism of transcription of this sg mRNA in Tomato bushy stunt virus and have determined that this process is facilitated by no less than three different RNA modules that are located throughout the viral genome. These RNA units perform distinct tasks and function via long-distance RNA-RNA interactions. Systematic deconstruction of the RNA network and analysis of related RNA promoter elements allowed us to identify fundamental properties necessary for productive sg mRNA2 transcription. Collectively, our results (i) establish specific roles for the different RNA components of a multipartite RNA-based control system, (ii) support a premature termination mechanism for tombusvirus sg mRNA transcription and (iii) reveal a close mechanistic relationship between sg mRNA transcription, viral RNA replication and RNA recombination.

Nodamura virus nonstructural protein B2 can enhance viral RNA accumulation in both mammalian and insect cells

During infection of both vertebrate and invertebrate cell lines, the alphanodavirus Nodamura virus (NoV) expresses two nonstructural proteins of different lengths from the B2 open reading frame. The functions of these proteins have yet to be determined, but B2 of the related Flock House virus suppresses RNA interference both in Drosophila cells and in transgenic plants. To examine whether the NoV B2 proteins had similar functions, we compared the replication of wild-type NoV RNA with that of mutants unable to make the B2 proteins. We observed a defect in the accumulation of mutant viral RNA that varied in extent from negligible in some cell lines (e.g., baby hamster kidney cells) to severe in others (e.g., human HeLa and Drosophila DL-1 cells). These results are consistent with the notion that the NoV B2 proteins act to circumvent an innate antiviral response such as RNA interference that differs in efficacy among different host cells.

A reovirus of the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica that is infectious as particles and related to the coltivirus genus of animal pathogens

RNA viruses of filamentous fungi fall into two broad categories, those that contain double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genomes in rigid particles and those that are more closely related to positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses with dsRNA replicative intermediates found within lipid vesicles. Effective infectivity systems have been described for the latter, using RNA transcripts, but not for the former. We report the characterization of a reovirus from Cryphonectria parasitica, the filamentous fungus that causes chestnut blight disease. The virus substantially reduces the virulence of the fungus and results in dramatically altered colony morphology, as well as changes in other associated fungal traits, relative to the virus-free isogenic strain. Virus particles from infected mycelium contained 11 segments of dsRNA and showed characteristics typical of the family Reoviridae. Sequences of the largest three segments revealed that the virus is closely related to the Coltivirus genus of animal pathogens, which includes the human pathogen Colorado tick fever virus. The introduction of purified virus particles into protoplasts from virus-free isolates of the fungus resulted in a newly infected mycelium with the same morphology and virus composition as the original virus-infected isolate. This represents the completion of Koch's postulates for a true dsRNA virus from a filamentous fungus and the description of a definitive fungal member of the family Reoviridae.

Flock House virus subgenomic RNA3 is replicated and its replication correlates with transactivation of RNA2

The nodavirus Flock House virus has a bipartite genome composed of RNAs 1 and 2, which encode the catalytic component of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and the capsid protein precursor, respectively. In addition to catalyzing replication of the viral genome, the RdRp also transcribes from RNA1 a subgenomic RNA3, which is both required for and suppressed by RNA2 replication. Here, we show that in the absence of RNA1 replication, FHV RdRp replicated positive-sense RNA3 transcripts fully and copied negative-sense RNA3 transcripts into positive strands. The two nonstructural proteins encoded by RNA3 were dispensable for replication, but sequences in the 3'-terminal 58 nucleotides were required. RNA3 variants that failed to replicate also failed to transactivate RNA2. These results imply that RNA3 is naturally produced both by transcription from RNA1 and by subsequent RNA1-independent replication and that RNA3 replication may be necessary for transactivation of RNA2.

Advances in the molecular biology of tombusviruses: gene expression, genome replication, and recombination

The tombusviruses are among the most extensively studied messenger-sensed RNA plant viruses. Over the past decade, there have been numerous important advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of members in this genus. Unlike most other RNA viruses, the synthesis of tombusvirus proteins has been found to involve an atypical translational mechanism related to the uncapped and nonpolyadenylated nature of their genomes. Tombusviruses also appear to employ an unusual mechanism for transcription of the sg mRNAs that template translation of a subset of their viral proteins. In addition to these new insights into tombusvirus gene expression, there has also been significant progress made in our understanding of tombusvirus RNA replication. These studies have been facilitated greatly by small genome-derived RNA replicons, referred to as defective interfering RNAs. In addition, the development of an in vitro system to study viral RNA synthesis has allowed for dissection of some of the steps involved in the replication process. Another exciting recent advance has been the creation of yeast-based systems that support amplification of tombusvirus RNA replicons and will allow the identification of host factors involved in viral RNA synthesis. Lastly, the recombinogenic nature of tombusvirus genomes has made them ideal systems for studying RNA-RNA recombination and genetic rearrangements, both in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we compile recent information on each of the aforementioned processes-translation, transcription, replication and recombination-and discuss the significance of the results.

Engineered retargeting of viral RNA replication complexes to an alternative intracellular membrane

Positive-strand RNA virus replication complexes are universally associated with intracellular membranes, although different viruses use membranes derived from diverse and sometimes multiple organelles. We investigated whether unique intracellular membranes are required for viral RNA replication complex formation and function in yeast by retargeting protein A, the Flock House virus (FHV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Protein A, the only viral protein required for FHV RNA replication, targets and anchors replication complexes to outer mitochondrial membranes in part via an N-proximal sequence that contains a transmembrane domain. We replaced the FHV protein A mitochondrial outer membrane-targeting sequence with the N-terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-targeting sequence from the yeast NADP cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase or inverted C-terminal ER-targeting sequences from the hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase or the yeast t-SNARE Ufe1p. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed that protein A chimeras retargeted to the ER. FHV subgenomic and genomic RNA accumulation in yeast expressing ER-targeted protein A increased 2- to 13-fold over that in yeast expressing wild-type protein A, despite similar protein A levels. Density gradient flotation assays demonstrated that ER-targeted protein A remained membrane associated, and in vitro RNA-dependent RNA polymerase assays demonstrated an eightfold increase in the in vitro RNA synthesis activity of the ER-targeted FHV RNA replication complexes. Electron microscopy showed a change in the intracellular membrane alterations from a clustered mitochondrial distribution with wild-type protein A to the formation of perinuclear layers with ER-targeted protein A. We conclude that specific intracellular membranes are not required for FHV RNA replication complex formation and function.

Virions of Pariacoto virus contain a minor protein translated from the second AUG codon of the capsid protein open reading frame

Virions of the alphanodavirus Pariacoto virus (PaV) have T=3 icosahedral symmetry and are assembled from multiple copies of a precursor protein that is cleaved into two mature capsid proteins after assembly. The crystal structure of PaV shows that the N-terminal approximately 30 amino acid residues of the subunits surrounding the 5-fold axes interact extensively with icosahedrally ordered regions of the encapsidated positive-sense genomic RNAs. We found that wild-type PaV particles also contain a minor capsid protein that is truncated by 24 residues at its N terminus. Reverse genetic experiments showed that translation of this protein initiated at the second AUG of the capsid protein open reading frame. When either the longer or shorter version of the capsid protein was expressed independently of the other, it assembled into virus particles and underwent maturational cleavage. Virions that lacked the shorter capsid protein retained infectivity for cultured insect cells and Galleria mellonella larvae.

Effects of modification of the transcription initiation site context on citrus tristeza virus subgenomic RNA synthesis

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), a member of the Closteroviridae, has a positive-sense RNA genome of about 20 kb organized into 12 open reading frames (ORFs). The last 10 ORFs are expressed through 3'-coterminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) regulated in both amounts and timing. Additionally, relatively large amounts of complementary sgRNAs are produced. We have been unable to determine whether these sgRNAs are produced by internal promotion from the full-length template minus strand or by transcription from the minus-stranded sgRNAs. Understanding the regulation of 10 sgRNAs is a conceptual challenge. In analyzing commonalities of a replicase complex in producing so many sgRNAs, we examined initiating nucleotides of the sgRNAs. We mapped the 5' termini of intermediate- (CP and p13) and low- (p18) produced sgRNAs that, like the two highly abundant sgRNAs (p20 and p23) previously mapped, all initiate with an adenylate. We then examined modifications of the initiation site, which has been shown to be useful in defining mechanisms of sgRNA synthesis. Surprisingly, mutation of the initiating nucleotide of the CTV sgRNAs did not prevent sgRNA accumulation. Based on our results, the CTV replication complex appears to initiate sgRNA synthesis with purines, preferably with adenylates, and is able to initiate synthesis using a nucleotide a few positions 5' or 3' of the native initiation nucleotide. Furthermore, the context of the initiation site appears to be a regulatory mechanism for levels of sgRNA production. These data do not support either of the established mechanisms for synthesis of sgRNAs, suggesting that CTV sgRNA production utilizes a different mechanism.

Two classes of subgenomic RNA of grapevine virus A produced by internal controller elements

Grapevine virus A (GVA), a species of the recently established genus Vitivirus, consists of an approximately 7.3-kb single-stranded RNA genome of positive polarity, organized into five open reading frames (ORFs). The virus, which is closely associated with the grapevine rugose wood disease complex, has been poorly investigated genetically. We explored the production of viral RNAs in a GVA-infected Nicotiana benthamiana herbaceous host and characterized one nested set of three 5'-terminal sgRNAs of 5.1, 5.5, and 6.0 kb, and another, of three 3'-terminal sgRNAs of 2.2, 1.8, and 1.0 kb that could serve for expression of ORFs 2-3, respectively. Neither 3'- nor 5'-terminal sgRNAs, which would correspond to ORF5, was detected, suggesting that expression of this ORF occurs via a bi- or polycistronic mRNA. The 5'-terminal sgRNAs were abundant in dsRNA-enriched extracts. Cloning and sequence analysis of the 3' end of 5.5-kb 5'-terminal sgRNA and the 5' end of the 1.8-kb 3'-terminal sgRNA suggested that a mechanism other than specific cleavage was involved in production of these sgRNAs. Apparently, the production of the 5'- and 3'-terminal sgRNAs was controlled by sequences upstream of the 5'-terminus of each of ORFs 2-4. Detection of both plus and minus strands of the 5'- and 3'-terminal sgRNAs, though in different levels of accumulation, suggested that each of these cis-acting elements is involved in production of four RNAs: a 3'-terminal plus-strand sgRNA which could act as an mRNA, the corresponding 3'-terminal minus-strand RNA, a 5'-terminal plus-strand sgRNA, and the corresponding 5'-terminal minus-strand RNA.

Flock house virus replicates and expresses green fluorescent protein in mosquitoes

Flock house virus (FHV) is a non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of insect origin that belongs to the family Nodaviridae. FHV has been shown to overcome the kingdom barrier and to replicate in plants, insects, yeast and mammalian cells. Although of insect origin, FHV has not previously been shown to replicate in mosquitoes. We have tested FHV replication in vitro in C6/36 cells (derived from neonatal Aedes albopictus) and in vivo in four different genera of mosquitoes, Aedes, Culex, Anopheles and Armigeres. FHV replicated to high titres in C6/36 cells that had been subcloned to support maximum growth of FHV. When adult mosquitoes were orally fed or injected with the virus, FHV antigen was detected in various tissues and infectious virus was recovered. Vectors developed from an infectious cDNA clone of a defective-interfering RNA, derived from FHV genomic RNA2, expressed green fluorescent protein in Drosophila cells and adult mosquitoes. This demonstrates the potential of FHV-based vectors for expression of foreign genes in mosquitoes and possibly other insects.

The cis-acting replication signal at the 3' end of Flock House virus RNA2 is RNA3-dependent

The nodavirus Flock House virus has a bipartite positive-sense RNA genome consisting of RNAs 1 and 2, which encode the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and capsid protein precursor, respectively. The RdRp catalyzes replication of both genome segments and produces from RNA1 a subgenomic RNA (RNA3) that transactivates RNA2 replication. Here, we replaced internal sequences of RNAs 1 and 2 with a common heterologous core and were thereby able to test the RNA termini for compatibility in supporting the replication of chimeric RNAs. The results showed that the 3' 50 nt of RNA2 contained an RNA3-dependent cis-acting replication signal. Since covalent RNA dimers can direct the synthesis of monomeric replication products, the RdRp can evidently respond to cis-acting replication signals located internally. Accordingly, RNA templates containing the 3' termini of both RNAs 1 and 2 in tandem generated different replication products depending on the presence or absence of RNA3.