Screening of Proteins Interacting with Nonstructural 1 Protein of H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus from T7-phage Display Library

Avian influenza virus（AIV） nonstructural 1（NS1） gene was amplified by real-time polymerse chain reac tion（RT-PCR） and inserted into pET28a, then transformed into E. coli BL21（DE3） competent cell. With the induction of isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside（IPTG） and the purification of Ni-NTA column, we finally obtained purified NS1 protein. T7-phage display system was used to screen the proteins that interacted with NS1 from lung cell cDNA li brary. The selected positive clones were identified by DNA sequencing and analyzed by BLAST program in Gene Bank. Two proteins were obtained as NS1 binding proteins, Homo sapiens nucleolar and coiled-body phosphoprotein 1（NOLC1） and Homo sapiens similar to colon cancer-associated antigen. By co-immunoprecipitation and other me thods, Homo sapiens NOLC1 was found to interact with the NS1 protein, the results would provide the basis for fur ther studying biological function of NS1 protein.

Construction and expression of a synthetic gene encoding nonstructural glycoprotein NS1 of dengue 2 virus in Pichia pastoris

To express and characterize NS1 of Indonesian-specific DENV2 virus in Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris).MethodsA codon optimized synthetic gene derived from the DENV-2 NS1 amino acid sequences was synthesized commercially and inserted into the P. pastoris pPICZαA expression vector. The recombinant DENV-2 NS1 protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, and its antigenicity was tested.ResultsThe recombinant DENV-2 NS1 protein was secreted as a protein with a molecular weight of ∼45 kDa, and the optimal expression condition was achieved by induction with 2% (v/v) methanol for 72 h. The purified recombinant DENV-2 NS1 protein was able to interact with a monoclonal antibody of NS1 in a commercial rapid test.ConclusionsThe resulting recombinant DENV-2 NS1 protein produced in P. pastoris KM71 is a potential candidate for use in the development of a dengue diagnostic kit and vaccine.

Structural insights into the distinct protective mechanisms of human antibodies targeting ZIKV NS1

Antibodies targeting non-structural protein 1(NS1)confer protection against Zika virus(ZIKV).Although monoclonal an-tibodies(MAbs)3G2 and 4B8 are more potent than MAb 4F10 in suppressing ZIKV infection in neonatal mice models,the epitopes are unclear.Herein,we determined the Cryo-electron microscopy(Cryo-EM)structures of ZIKV NS1 in com-plex withfive human antibodies at 2.6–2.9Åresolution.Group I antibodies(3G2 and 4B8)recognize the previously un-reported epitopes on the outer surface of the NS1 dimer.The unique binding mode of Group I antibodies led to a stronger recognition of the cell surface form of NS1 and completely inhibited secreted form non-structural protein 1(sNS1)-induced endothelial permeability via their immunoglobulin G(IgG)and Fab.Group II antibodies(4F10,2E11,and 14G5)recognize common epitopes in the distal end of the b-ladder domain,with a blockade efficiency that may be related to their affinity for the sNS1 protein and the presence of full-length IgG.Thesefindings elucidate the correlation between epitope recognition and protective efficacy of anti-NS1 antibodies and highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of 3G2 and 4B8.

Heterologous interactions between NS1 proteins from different influenza A virus subtypes/strains

Non-structural protein 1 （NS1） of the influenza virus plays a crucial role in modulating the host immune response and facili- tating virus replication. The formation of a homodimer or an oligomer is necessary for NSI to exert its function efficiently. In the present study, the NS 1 protein from the A/Shantou/602/06（H3N2） virus （herein abbreviated as NS32） was found to interact with NS1 from A/Shantou/169/O6（H1N1）, A/Chicken/Guangdong/1/05（HSN1） and A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97（H9N2） （abbre- viated as NS11, NS51 and NS92, respectively） viruses, although NS32 shares 17.4%-20.9% sequence diversity with NS11, NS51 and NS92. This indicates that the heterologous interactions between NS1 proteins from different influenza A virus sub- types/strains may be a common event during co-infection.

A multiple-target mRNA-LNP vaccine induces protective immunity against experimental multi-serotype DENV in mice

Dengue virus(DENV)is a mosquito-borne virus with a rapid spread to humans,causing mild to potentially fatal illness in hundreds of millions of people each year.Due to the large number of serotypes of the virus,there remains an unmet need to develop protective vaccines for a broad spectrum of the virus.Here,we constructed a modified mRNA vaccine containing envelope domain III(E-DIII)and non-structural protein 1(NS1)coated with lipid nanoparticles.This multi-target vaccine induced a robust antiviral immune response and increased neutralizing antibody titers that blocked all four types of DENV infection in vitro without significant antibodydependent enhancement(ADE).In addition,there was more bias for Th1 than Th2 in the exact E-DIII and NS1-specific T cell responses after a single injection.Importantly,intramuscular immunization limited DENV transmission in vivo and eliminated vascular leakage.Our findings highlight that chimeric allogeneic structural and non-structural proteins can be effective targets for DENV vaccine and that they can prevent the further development of congenital DENV syndrome.