High Level Expression of Grass Carp Reovirus VP7 Protein in Prokaryotic Cells

Sequences analysis revealed Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) s10 was 909 nucleotides coding a 34 kDa protein denoted as VP7, which was determined to be a viral outer capsid protein (OCP). To obtain expressed OCP in vitro, a full length VP7 gene was produced by RT-PCR amplification, and the amplified fragment was cloned into T7 promoted prokaryotic expression vector pRSET. The recombinant plasmid,which was named as pR/GCRV-VP7,was then transformed into E.coli BL21 host cells. The data indicated that the expressed recombinant was in frame with the N-terminal fusion peptide. The over-expressed fusion protein was produced by inducing with IPTG, and its molecular weight was about 37kDa, which was consistent with its predicted size. In addition, the fusion protein was produced in the form of the inclusion body with their yield remaining steady at more than 60% of total bacterial protein. Moreover,the expressed protein was able to bind immunologically to anti-his-tag monoclonal antibody (mouse) and anti-GCRV serum (rabbit). This work provides a research basis for further structure and function studies of GCRV during entry into cells.

Expression of Outer Capsid Protein VP5 of Grass Carp Reovirus in E.coli and Analysis of its Immunogenicity

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) is a tentative member of the Aquareovirus genus in the family Reoviridae. The mature virion comprises 11 dsRNA genomes enclosed by two concentric icosahedral proteins shells that is comprised of five core proteins and two outer capsid proteins. The genome sequence and 3D structure demonstrate there is a higher level of sequence homology in structural proteins between GCRV and mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRV) compared to other members of the family. To understand the pathogenesis of GCRV infection, the outer capsid protein VP5, a homology of the μ1 protein of MRV, was expressed in E.coli. It was found that the recombinant VP5 was highly expressed, and the expressed His-tag fusion protein was involved in the formation of the inclusion body. Additionally, specific anti-VP5 serum was prepared from purified protein and western blot demonstrated that the expressed protein was able to bind immunologically to rabbit anti GCRV particle serum and the immunogenicity was determined by ELISA assay. Additional experiments in investigating the functional properties of VP5 will further elucidate the role of the GCRV outer capsid protein VP5 during entry into host cells, and its interaction among viral proteins and host cells during the infection process.

Molecular Characterization of Nonstructural Protein NS38 of Grass Carp Reovirus

Viral nonstructural proteins in both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses play important roles in viral replication. Protein NS38 of Grass carp reovirus (GCRV), has been deduced to be a non-structural protein, and, consistent with other reoviruses, is considered to cooperate with the NS80 protein in viral particle assembly. To investigate the molecular basis of the role of NS38, a complete protein was expressed in E.coli for the first time. It was found that there is a better expression of NS38 induced with IPTG at 28 ℃ rather than 37 ℃. In addition, the antiserum of NS38 prepared with purified fusion protein and injected into rabbit could be used for detecting NS38 protein expression in GCRV infected cell lysate, while there is not any reaction crossed with purified virus particle, confirming NS38 is not a component of the viral structural protein. The result reported in this study will provide evidence for further viral protein-protein and protein-RNA interaction in dsRNA viruses replication.

The VP2 protein of grass carp reovirus(GCRV) expressed in a baculovirus exhibits RNA polymerase activity

The double-shelled grass carp reovirus （GCRV） is capable of endogenous RNA transcription and processing.Genome sequence analysis has revealed that the protein VP2,encoded by gene segment 2 （S2）,is the putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase （RdRp）.In previous work,we have ex-pressed the functional region of VP2 that is associated with RNA polymerase activity （denoted as rVP2390-900） in E.coil and have prepared a polyclonal antibody against VP2.To characterize the GCRV RNA polymerase,a recombinant full-length VP2 （rVP2） was first constructed and expressed in a baculovirus system,as a fusion protein with an attached His-tag.Immunofluorescence （IF） assays,together with immunoblot （IB） analyses from both expressed cell extracts and purified Histagged rVP2,showed that rVP2 was successfully expressed in Sf9 cells.Further characterization of the replicase activity showed that purified rVP2 and GCRV particles exhibited poly（C）-dependent poly（G） polymerase activity.The RNA enzymatic activity required the divalent cation Mg2＋,and was optimal at 28 ℃.The results provide a foundation for further studies on the RNA polymerases of aquareoviruses during viral transcription and replication.

Suppression of RNA Interference Pathway in vitro by Grass Carp Reovirus

The means of survival of genomic dsRNA of reoviruses from dsRNA-triggered and Dicer-initiated RNAi pathway remains to be defined. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) replication on the RNAi pathway of grass carp kidney cells (CIK). The dsRNA-triggered RNAi pathway was demonstrated unimpaired in CIK cells through RNAi assay. GCRV-specific siRNA was generated in CIK cells transfected with purified GCRV genomic dsRNA in Northern blot analysis; while in GCRV-infected CIK cells, no GCRV-specific siRNA could be detected. Infection and transfection experiments further indicated that replication of GCRV correlated with the increased transcription level of the Dicer gene and functional inhibition of in vitro synthesized egfp-siRNA in silencing the EGFP reporter gene. These data demonstrated that although only the genomic dsRNA of GCRV was sensitive to the cellular RNAi pathway, unidentified RNAi suppressor protein(s) might contribute to the survival of the viral genome and efficient viral replication.

Temperature-regulated typeⅡgrass carp reovirus establishes latent infection in Ctenopharyngodon idella brain

Grass carp reovirus(GCRV)causes extensive infection and death in grass carp and black carp fingerlings,with a highly seasonal prevalence.Previous studies suggested that GCRV can become latent after primary infection.In this study,we investigated type II GCRV(GCRV-II)latency in asymptomatic grass carp with GCRV infection or exposure history.We found that during latent infection,GCRV-II was detectable only in the brain of grass carp,unlike the multi-tissue distribution observed in natural infection.GCRV-II only caused damage to the brain during latent infection,while in natural infection,brain,heart,and eye tissues had relatively higher viral loads.We also discovered viral inclusion bodies in infected fish brains.Additionally,GCRV-II distribution in grass carp was notably affected by ambient temperature,with the virus targeting the brain only during low temperatures and multi-tissue distribution during high temperatures.This study provides insights into the mechanisms of GCRV-II latent infection and reactivation and contributes to the prevention and control of GCRV pandemics.

Antigenic analysis of grass carp reovirus using single-chain variable fragment antibody against IgM from Ctenopharyngodon idella

Grass carp （Ctenopharyngodon idella） is an important species of freshwater aquaculture fish in China. However, grass carp reovirus （GCRV） can cause fatal hemorrhagic disease in yearling populations. Until now, a strategy to define the antigenic ca- pacity of the virus＇s structural proteins for preparing an effective vaccine has not been available. In this study, some sin- gle-chain variable fragment antibodies （scFv）, which could specifically recognize grass carp IgM, were selected from a con- structed mouse naive antibody phage display cDNA library. The identified scFv C1B3 clone was shown to possess relatively higher specific binding activity to grass carp IgM. Furthermore, ELISA analysis indicated that the IgM level in serum from vi- rus-infected grass carp was more than two times higher than that of the control group at 5-7 days post infection. Moreover, Western blot analysis demonstrated that the outer capsid protein VP7 has a specific immuno-binding-reaction with the serum IgM from virus-infected grass carp. Our results suggest that VP7 can induce a stronger immune response in grass carp than the other GCRV structural proteins, which implies that VP7 protein could be used as a preferred immunogen for vaccine design.

Characterization of viral entry and infection of quantum dot-labeled grass carp reovirus

Dear Editor,Reoviruses are non-enveloped icosahedral virions with an outer capsid surrounding their cores,which harbor the10–12 segmented double-stranded RNA(ds RNA)genome.To date,there are 15 proposed genera in the family Reoviridae(King et al.,2012),including Aquareovirus.Generally,aquareoviruses are of low pathogenicity in aquaculture.However,grass carp reovirus(GCRV)is

Oral PLGA-based DNA vaccines using interferons as adjuvants remarkably promote the immune protection of grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella)against GCRV infection

Grass carp hemorrhagic disease caused by grass carp reovirus(GCRV)results in significant economic losses to the global grass carp aquaculture industry.Oral vaccination is an ideal choice for disease precaution in aquaculture.However,oral vaccine can be degraded in the gut.Therefore,the selection of loading materials is essential.In this study,the S6 and S7 fragments(encoding the outer capsid protein VP4 and fibronectin VP56 of GCRV)and grass carp interferons(IFNs),including IFN1,IFN3,and IFNγ2 were used to create DNA vaccines and adjuvants based on pcDNA3.1,respectively.The oral DNA vaccine was encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)and polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)with IFNs.The PLGA-PVA(PP)nano-microspheres were prepared by double emulsionsolvent evaporation technique.Using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering assays,it was determined the vaccines had a spherical structure with uniform particle size(643.5±35.3 nm).The nanomicrospheres possessed excellent encapsulation efficiency(81.6±2.6%)and loading rate(0.54±0.02%),and simultaneously exhibited negligible hemolytic activity and cell toxicity.The protection rate and tissue viral loads post-GCRV challenge in grass carp were assessed.The oral PP nano-microsphere with pVP4 t pIFN1(PP41)vaccine increased protection rate by 44%compared with the control group and was correlated with relatively low viral loads in the spleen,head kidney,and hindgut.Further,three crucial serum biochemical indexes,total superoxide dismutase(TSOD),complement C3(C3),and lysozyme(LZM),were also dramatically increased.Furthermore,mRNA expressions of representative immune-related genes(IgM,IFN1,IFNγ2,MHC-I,and CD8α)in the head kidney and spleen were significantly enhanced.In addition,mRNA expression of IgT was significantly boosted in the hindgut.The results indicate that DNA vaccine capsulated with PP is effective against GCRV infection.The present study provides insights into a prospective strategy for oral vaccine development in aquaculture.

Characterization of grass carp FosB, Fosl2, JunD transcription factors in response to GCRV infection

Activating protein-1(AP-1)composed of Jun and Fos family proteins,which are frequently activated by pathogens to induce cellular inflammation and immune responses.In this study,by using RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)technology,we found that FosB,Fosl2,and JunD expression was co-induced 12 and 20 h in grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idella)kidney cell line(CIK cells)after grass carp reovirus(GCRV)infection.Full-length cDNA of the three genes were cloned and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the corresponding proteins shared high homology with those in higher vertebrates.The tissue distribution analysis of the three genes showed they were ubiquitously expressed in various tissues of healthy grass carp.In infection assay,FosB,Fosl2,and JunD were up-regulated and co-expressed 8 h after GCRV infection in CIK cells.Protein interaction and co-expression network analysis revealed that FosB,Fosl2,and JunD showed similar functions and were co-expressed in mammals and fish.Taken together,these results indicated that the co-expression of the AP-1 family proteins in grass carp uniformly responds to GCRV infection.These findings provided insights into the further study of AP-1 transcription factors function during grass carp reovirus infection.

GCRV NS38 counteracts SVCV proliferation by intracellular antagonization during co-infection

Viral co-infection has been found in animals;however,the mechanisms of co-infection are unclear.The abundance and diversity of viruses in water make fish highly susceptible to co-infection.Here,we reported a coinfection in fish,which resulted in reduced host lethality and illustrated the intracellular molecular mechanism of viral co-infection.The spring viremia of carp virus(SVCV)is a highly lethal virus that infects Cyprinidae,such as zebrafish.The mortality of SVCV infection was significantly reduced when co-infected with the grass carp reovirus(GCRV).The severity of tissue damage and viral proliferation of SVCV was also reduced in co-infection with GCRV.The transcriptome bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that the effect on the host transcripts in response to SVCV infection was significantly reduced in co-infection.After excluding the extracellular interactions of these two viruses,the intracellular mechanisms were studied.We found that the GCRV NS38 remarkably decreased SVCV infection and viral proliferation.The interaction between GCRV NS38 and SVCV nucleoprotein(N)and phosphoprotein(P)proteins was identified,and NS38 downregulated both N and P proteins.Further analysis demonstrated that the N protein was degraded by NS38 indispensable of the autophagy receptor,sequestosome 1(p62).Meanwhile,K63-linked ubiquitination of the P protein was reduced by NS38,leading to ubiquitinated degradation of the P protein.These results reveal that the intracellular viral protein interactions are a crucial mechanism of co-infection and influence the host pathology and expand our understanding in intracellular viral interactions co-infection.

Dynamic localization and the associated translocation mechanism of HMGBs in response to GCRV challenge in CIK cells

High-mobility group box （HMGB） proteins, a family of chromatin-associated nuclear proteins, play amazingly multifaceted roles in the immune system of mammals. Thus far, little is known about the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of HMGBs in teleosts. The present study systematically investigated the dynamic localization of all six HMGB proteins in Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney （CIK） cells. Under basal conditions, all HMGBs exclusively localized to the nucleus. Grass carp reovirus （GCRV）, polyinosinic-polycytidylic （poly（I ： C）） potassium salt and lipopolysaccharide （LPS） challenge evoked the nuclear export of HMGBs to various degrees： GCRV challenge induced the highest nuclear export of CiHMGB2b, and poly（I ~ C） and LPS evoked the highest nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of CiHMGBlb. Overall, the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of CiHMGB2a and CiHMGB3b was rarely induced by these challenges. Dynamic imaging uncovered that the nucleocytoplasmic GCRV-induced relocation of CiHMGB2b occurred in cells undergoing karyotheca rupture, apoptosis or proliferation. Western blot analyses were used to examine HMGB-EGFP fusion proteins in whole cell lysates, cytosol, nuclear fractions and culture medium. Further investigation demonstrated the nuclear retention of N-terminal HMG-boxes and the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of the C-terminal acidic tails. Comparative analyses of the dynamic relocation of full-length, truncated or chimeric HMGBs confirmed that the intramolecular interaction between HMG-boxes and C-tail domains mediated the nucleocytoplasmic translocation of HMGBs. These results not only provide an overall understanding of the subcellular localization of HMGBs, but also reveal the induction mechanism of the nucleocytoplasmic translocation of HMGBs by GCRV challenge, which lays a foundation for further studies on the interactions among pathogens, HMGBs and pattern recognition receptors in the innate immunity of teleosts.

GCRV 096 VP6 protein and its impacts on GCRV replication with different genotypes in CIK cells

Grass carp reovirus(GCRV)is the causative agent of grass carp hemorrhagic disease,which has detrimental effects on the grass carp aquaculture industry.There are four known genotypes of GCRV and strains of different GCRV genotypes differ greatly.In this study,the diversity of the protein VP6 from different GCRV stains and the effect of genotype GCRV 096 on replication was investigated in CIK cells.Our results showed that the VP6 protein of GCRV 096(genotypeІ)exhibited limited homology to that of GCRV GD108(genotypeШ),with few residues conserved in predicted protein-protein interaction domains.GCRV 096 VP6 protein was expressed and purified and an antiserum against it was characterized.Addition of purified VP6 protein or antiserum to culture media of CIK cells inhibited the replication of GCRV 096 in these cells.In contrast,replication of GCRV GD108(genotypeШ)was not affected in CIK cells under the same condition.Overall,our results indicated that the protein VP6 and VP6 antiserum did not provide cross-protection against GCRV strains and this can be attributed to differences among GCRV genotypes.It will be important to consider multiple GCRV genotypes in the development of effective GCRV vaccines and other therapies against grass carp hemorrhagic disease.In addition,bioinformatics analysis also suggested that the protein VP6 may have a role in the process of GCRV infection.This study lays the foundation for the prevention of grass carp hemorrhagic disease and further detailed studies on the pathogenesis of GCRV.