CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of the Dicer and Ago2 Genes in BHK-21 Cell Promoted Seneca Virus A Replication and Enhanced Autophagy

m7G gene expression and disease risk model construction in patients with herpes zoster

This study investigates the association between mRNA levels of genes involved in 7-methylguanosine (m7G) metabolism and the prognosis of herpes zoster. By analyzing the transcriptional profiles of m7G-related genes in herpes zoster from the GSE242252 dataset, it was found that NSUN2, AGO2, and SNUPN were differentially expressed between herpes zoster and normal controls (p < 0.05). AGO2 and SNUPN were negatively correlated with multiple immune cell infiltrations, while NSUN2 was positively correlated with immature B cell infiltration. A nomogram model based on NSUN2, AGO2, and SNUPN was constructed and showed good predictive ability, validated through clinical impact curve analysis (CICA), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). The results suggest that a nomogram based on NSUN2, AGO2, and SNUPN can predict the risk of herpes zoster, and the relationship between these genes and immune infiltration may influence the prognosis of herpes zoster.Trial registration: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital (No 2023QH003).

Virus-Host Protein Interaction Network of the Hepatitis E Virus ORF2-4 by Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assays

Throughout their life cycle, viruses interact with cellular host factors, thereby influencing propagation, host range, cell tropism and pathogenesis. The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underestimated RNA virus in which knowledge of the virus-host interaction network to date is limited. Here, two related high-throughput mammalian two-hybrid approaches (MAPPIT and KISS) were used to screen for HEV-interacting host proteins. Promising hits were examined on protein function, involved pathway(s), and their relation to other viruses. We identified 37 ORF2 hits, 187 for ORF3 and 91 for ORF4. Several hits had functions in the life cycle of distinct viruses. We focused on SHARPIN and RNF5 as candidate hits for ORF3, as they are involved in the RLR-MAVS pathway and interferon (IFN) induction during viral infections. Knocking out (KO) SHARPIN and RNF5 resulted in a different IFN response upon ORF3 transfection, compared to wild-type cells. Moreover, infection was increased in SHARPIN KO cells and decreased in RNF5 KO cells. In conclusion, MAPPIT and KISS are valuable tools to study virus-host interactions, providing insights into the poorly understood HEV life cycle. We further provide evidence for two identified hits as new host factors in the HEV life cycle.