Roles of HIV-1 auxiliary proteins in viral pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions

Active host-pathogen interactions take place during infection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Outcomes of these interactions determine the efficiency of viral infection and subsequent disease progression. HIV- infected cells respond to viral invasion with various defensive strategies such as innate, cellular and humoral immune antiviral mechanisms. On the other hand, the virus has also developed various offensive tactics to suppress these host cellular responses. Among many of the viral offensive strategies, HIV-1 viral auxiliary proteins (Tat, Rev, Nef, Vif, Vpr and Vpu) play important roles in the host-pathogen interaction and thus have significant impacts on the outcome of HIV infection. One of the best examples is the interaction of Vif with a host cytidine deaminase APOBEC3G. Although specific roles of other auxiliary proteins are not as well described as Vif-APOBEC3G interaction, it is the goal of this brief review to summarize some of the preliminary findings with the hope to stimulate further discussion and investiga- tion in this exhilarating area of research.

The Nucleocytoplasmic Transport of Viral Proteins

Molecules can enter the nucleus by passive diffusion or active transport mechanisms, depending on their size. Small molecules up to size of 50-60 kDa or less than 10 nm in diameter can diffuse passively through the nuclear pore complex （NPC）, while most proteins are transported by energy driven transport mechanisms Active transport of viral proteins is mediated by nuclear localization signals （NLS）, which were first identified in Simian Virus 40 large T antigen and had subsequently been identified in a large number of viral they contain short stretches of lysine or arginine residues. These signals are recognized proteins. Usually by the importin super-family （importin α and β） proteins that mediate the transport across the nuclear envelope through Ran-GTP In contrast, only one class of the leucine-rich nuclear export signal （NES） on viral proteins is known at present. Chromosome region maintenance 1 （CRM1） protein mediates nuclear export of hundreds of viral proteins through the recognition of the leucine-rich NES.

Advances of Studies on the Viral Proteins of PRRSV

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome( PRRS) is one of viral diseases with severe reproductive obstacle of pregnant sows and respiratory tract symptoms and higher mortality of piglets as characteristics,which is caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus( PRRSV). PRRS has brought great threats to swine industry in the world. The advances of studies on the viral proteins of PRRSV were reviewed from the genome,non-structural proteins and structural proteins of PRRSV.

Immunohistochemical study of hepatic oval cells in human chronic viral hepatitis

AIM: To detect immunohistochemically the presence of oval cells in chronic viral hepatitis with antibody against c-kit. METHODS: We detected oval cells in paraffin embedded liver sections of 3 normal controls and 26 liver samples from patients with chronic viral hepatitis, using immunohistochemistry with antibodies against c-kit, piclass glutathione S-transferase (pi-GST) and cytokeratins 19 (CK19). RESULTS: Oval cells were not observed in normal livers. In chronic viral hepatitis, hepatic oval cells were located predominantly in the periportal region and fibrosis septa,characterized by an ovoid nucleus, small size,and scant cytoplasm. Antibody against stem cell factor receptor, c-kit, had higher sensitivity and specificity than pi-GST and CK19. About 50%-70% of c-kit positive oval cells were stained positively for either pi-GST or CK19. CONCLUSION: Oval cells are frequently detected in human livers with chronic viral hepatitis, suggesting that oval cell proliferation is associated with the liver regeneration in this condition.

Acute hepatitis C in a chronically HIV-infected patient:Evolution of different viral genomic regions

AIM: To analyze the molecular evolution of different viral genomic regions of HCV in an acute HCV infected patient chronically infected with HIV through a 42-month follow-up.METHODS: Serum samples of a chronically HIV infected patient that seroconverted to anti HCV antibodies were sequenced, from the event of superinfection through a period of 17 months and in a late sample (42nd month). Hypervariable genomic regions of HIV (V3 loop of the gp120) and HCV (HVR-1 on the E2 glycoprotein gene) were studied. In order to analyze genomic regions involved in different biological functions and with the cellular immune response, HCV core and NS5A were also chosen to be sequenced. Amplification of the different regions was done by RT-PCR and directly sequenced. Confirmation of sequences was done on reamplified material. Nucleotide sequences of the different time points were aligned with CLUSTAL W 1.5, and the corresponding amino acid ones were deduced.RESULTS: Hypervariable genomic regions of both viruses (HVR1 and gp120 V3 loop) presented several nonsynonymous changes but, while in the gp120 V3 loop mutations were detected in the sample obtained right after HCV superinfection and maintained throughout, they occurred following a sequential and cumulative pattern in the HVR1. In the NS5A region of HCV, two amino acid changes were detected during the follow-up period, whereas the core region presented several amino acid replacements, once the HCV chronic infection had been established.CONCLUSION: During the HIV-HCV superinfection, each genomic region analyzed shows a different evolutionary pattem.Most of the nucleotide substitutions observed are nonsynonymous and clustered in previously described epitopes,thus suggesting an immune-driven evolutionary process.

A Viral Expression Vector from Foxtail mosaic virus to Express Green Fluorescent Protein

[Objective]Foxtail mosaic virus(FoMV)infects gramineous and dicotyledonous plants.In this study,we sought to construct a viral vector based on FoMV to express exogenous proteins in plants.[Method]A recombinant viral expression vector was constructed by inserting the promotor of Potato virus X(PVX)and exogenous gene sequences into the 3’non-coding region of the FoMV coat protein gene.[Results]The plasmid pCB301-FoMV-CP-PVXprom-GFP expressed green fluorescent protein in inoculated Nicotiana benthamiana leaves.[Conclusion]A recombinant viral expression vector was constructed successfully.

Suppression of Breast Cancer Proliferation and Induction of Apoptosis via AKT and ERK1/2 Signal Transduction Pathways by Synthetic Polypeptide Derived from Viral Macrophage Inflammatory Protein Ⅱ

SDF-1α,a ligand for the chemokine receptor CXCR4,is well known for mediating the migration of breast cancer cells.In a previous study we demonstrated that a synthetic 21-mer peptide antagonist of CXCR4（NT21MP） derived from the viral macrophage inflammatory protein Ⅱ could antagonize tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting cellular proliferation and inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cells.However,the role of SDF-1α in the signaling pathways underlying the proliferation of human breast cancer cells and associated signaling pathways and inhibiting signal pathways of NT21MP remained unclear.The present study investigated the mechanism of NT21MP on anti-tumor in breast cancer in vitro.The effect of NT21MP on the viability of cells was determined by the MTT assay.Annexin V-FITC and PI staining was performed to detect early stage apoptosisin SKBR3 cells treated with SDF-1α and AMD3100 or NT21MP.Western blotting techniques were used to assay the composition of phosphoproteomics and total proteins present in the SKBR3 breast cancer cells.RT-PCR and Western blotting technique were used to detect the effect of NT21MP and AMD3100 on Bcl-2 and Bax expression.The results indicated that SDF-1α prevented apoptosis and promoted the proliferation of SKBR3 human breast cancer cells.As compared with untreated SKBR3 cells,Treatment with SDF-1α significantly increased cell viability,and NT21MP abolished the protective effects of SDF-1α dose-dependently（P0.05）.There was a significant decrease in the percentage of apoptotic cells after SDF-1α treatment as compared with control group（2.7%±0.2% vs.5.7%±0.4%,P0.05）.But pretreatment of SKBR3 cells with NT21MP significantly attenuated the antiapoptotic effects of SDF-1α as compared with SKBR3 cells without NT21MP pretreatment.The proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of SDF-1α in SKBR3 cells were associated with an increase in AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation as well as a decrease in Bax expression and an increase in Bcl-2 expression.These changes in intracellular processes were blocked by NT21MP in a dose-dependent manner（P0.05）.In conclusion,NT21MP efficiently inhibits SDF-1α-induced proliferation and antiapoptosis in SKBR3 cells by reducing the levels of phosphorylated AKT and ERK1/2,as well as decreasing the ratio of expression of Bcl-2 relative to Bax.

Nuclear domain 10 of the viral aspect

Nuclear domain 10(ND10) are spherical bodies distributed throughout the nucleoplasm and measuring around 0.2-1.0 μm. First observed under an electron microscope, they were originally described as dense bodies found in the nucleus. They are known by a number of other names, including Promyelocytic Leukemia bodies(PML bodies), Kremer bodies, and PML oncogenic domains. ND10 are frequently associated with Cajal bodies and cleavage bodies. It has been suggested that they play a role in regulating gene transcription. ND10 were originally characterized using human autoantisera, which recognizes Speckled Protein of 100 kD a, from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. At the immunohistochemical level, ND10 appear as nuclear punctate structures, with 10 indicating the approximate number of dots per nucleus observed. ND10 do not colocalize with kinetochores, centromeres, sites of mR NA processing, or chromosomes. Resistance of ND10 antigens to nuclease digestion and salt extraction suggest that ND10 are associated with the nuclear matrix.They are often identified by immunofluorescent assay using specific antibodies against PML, Death domainassociated protein, nuclear dot protein(NDP55), and so on. The role of ND10 has long been the subject of investigation, with the specific connection of ND10 and viral infection having been a particular focus for almost 20 years. This review summarizes the relationship of ND10 and viral infection. Some future study directions are also discussed.

Intracellular Transport of HIV-1 Matrix Protein Associated with Viral RNA

HIV-1 matrix protein (MA) is a multifunctional structural protein localized on N terminus of Gag precursor p55. MA participates in HIV-1 assembly as membranotropic part of Gag precursor as well as an individual protein spliced from Gag early in infection. MA is found in the nuclei of infected cells and in plasma membrane, the site of virus assembly, in association with viral genome RNA. MA mutated variant M4 which contains two changed amino acids in N-terminal regions is also associated with viral RNA, but it is localized in the nuclear and cytoskeleton fractions but not in the plasma membrane suggesting that the mutant is deprived of membranotropic signal and “sticks” in the nuclei an d cytoskeleton, its previous location sites. These data allow suggesting that MA involved into transmission of viral RNA is transported to plasma membrane by cytoskeleton.

Virome-wide analysis of histone modification mimicry motifs carried by viral proteins

Histone mimicry(HM)refers to the presence of short linear motifs in viral proteins that mimic critical regions of host histone proteins.These motifs have the potential to interfere with host cell epigenome and counteract antiviral response.Recent research shows that HM is critical for the pathogenesis and transmissibility of influenza virus and coronavirus.However,the distribution,characteristics,and functions of HM in eukaryotic viruses remain obscure.Herein,we developed a bioinformatic pipeline,Histone Motif Scan(HiScan),to identify HM motifs in viral proteins and predict their functions in silico.By analyzing 592,643 viral proteins using HiScan,we found that putative HM motifs were widely distributed in most viral proteins.Among animal viruses,the ratio of HM motifs between DNA viruses and RNA viruses was approximately 1.9:1,and viruses with smaller genomes had a higher density of HM motifs.Notably,coronaviruses exhibited an uneven distribution of HM motifs,with betacoronaviruses(including most human pathogenic coronaviruses)harboring more HM motifs than other coronaviruses,primarily in the NSP3,S,and N proteins.In summary,our virome-wide screening of HM motifs using HiScan revealed extensive but uneven distribution of HM motifs in most viral proteins,with a preference in DNA viruses.Viral HM may play an important role in modulating viral pathogenicity and virus-host interactions,making it an attractive area of research in virology and antiviral medication.

MicroRNA-145 suppresses uveal melanoma angiogenesis and growth by targeting neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog and vascular endothelial growth factor

Background:Uveal melanoma(UM)is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults.It has been demonstrated that microRNA-145(miR-145)is correlated with the progression of various cancers by regulating the expression of multiple target genes,especially a number of genes that regulate angiogenesis and proliferation.However,the underlying mechanisms of miR-145 in tumor angiogenesis of UM are still not well illustrated.Thus,we aimed to explore the potential target genes or pathways regulated by miR-145 in UM and the effect of miR-145 on invasion and angiogenesis.Methods:Totally,24 choroid samples were collected in our study,including 12 UM samples and 12 normal uveal tissues.The expression of neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog(N-RAS),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-AKT),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in UM tissues and normal uveal tissues was analyzed using Western blotting analysis.Lentivirus expression system was used to construct MUM-2B and OCM-1 cell lines with stable overexpression of miR-145.Transwell and endothelial cell tube formation assay were used to measure the effects of miR-145 on the invasion and angiogenesis of UM in vitro.The downstream target genes of miR-145 were predicted by bioinformatics and confirmed using a luciferase assay.BALB/c nude mice models were established to investigate the mechanisms of miR-145 on tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo.Group data comparisons were performed using analysis of Student’s t test.A two-tailed P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results:The results of Western blotting analysis indicated that the expressions of N-RAS(1.10±0.35 vs.0.41±0.36,t=3.997,P=0.012),p-AKT(1.16±0.22 vs.0.57±0.03,t=7.05,P=0.001),and VEGF(0.97±0.32 vs.0.45±0.21,t=3.314,P=0.008)inUMtumor tissues were significantly higher than those in normal uveal tissue.Luciferase assay demonstrated N-RAS and VEGF as downstream targets of miR-145.Moreover,tube formation assay revealed that miR-145-transfected human microvascular endothelial cell line formed shorter tube length(36.10±1.51mm vs.42.91±0.94 mm,t=6.603,P=0.003)and less branch points(350.00±19.97 vs.406.67±17.62,t=3.685,P=0.021)as compared with controls.In addition,the numbers of invaded MUM-2B and OCM-1 cells with miR-145 overexpression were significantly lower than the controls(35.7±3.3 vs.279.1±4.9,t=273.75,P<0.001 and 69.5±4.4 vs.95.6±4.7,t=21.27,P<0.001,respectively).In vivo,xenografts expressing miR-145 had smaller sizes(miR-145 vs.miR-scr,717.41±502.62mm3 vs.1694.80±904.33mm3,t=2.314,P=0.045)and lower weights(miR-145 vs.miR-scr,0.74±0.46 g vs.1.65±0.85 g,t=2.295,P=0.045).Conclusion:Our results indicated that miR-145 is an important tumor suppressor and the inhibitory strategies against N-RAS/VEGF signaling pathway might be potential therapeutic applications for UM in the future.

An improved method for identifying SUMOylation sites of viral proteins

Dear Editor, In recent years, post-translational modifications （PTMs） by small ubiquitin-related modifiers （SUMOs） have emerged as an important regulatory mechanism for both cellular and viral processes （Ribet and Cossart, 2010）. Identifying the SUMOylation sites of the target protein is important to understand the molecular mechanism under- lying SUMO modification and virus-host interactions, as well as provide new insights into antiviral drug develop- ment （Wimmer and Schreiner, 2015）. Traditional site- directed mutagenesis for identifying viral protein SUMO- ylation sites lacks a specific aim and is laborious （McManus et al., 2016）. Recently, mass spectrometry （MS） has been employed as an accurate and sensitive tool to identify PTM sites, thereby greatly expanding the number of known SUMOylated proteins （Pedrioli et al., 2006）. However, during viral infection, SUMOylation is highly dynamic and SUMOylated viral proteins often have low abundance, which makes studying SUMOylation under natural conditions difficult.

A new approach for B-cell epitope prediction in viral proteins

Prediction of epitopes in viral proteins is helpful for the design of immunogenicpeptides, new generation of vaccines and diagnostic reagents. Unfortunately, there are atleast two constraints on the interpretation of the earlier predictive methods. In the firstplace, the earlier plots were based on experimental findings in general proteins, and

Phylogeography,Transmission,and Viral Proteins of Nipah Virus

Nipah virus (NiV), a zoonotic paramyxovirus belonging to the genus Henipavirus, is classified as a Biosafety Level-4 pathogen based on its high pathogenicity in humans and the lack of available vaccines or therapeutics. Since its initial emergence in 1998 in Malaysia, this virus has become a great threat to domestic animals and humans. Sporadic outbreaks and person-to-person transmission over the past two decades have resulted in hundreds of human fatalities. Epidemiological surveys have shown that NiV is distributed in Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific Ocean, and is transmitted by its natural reservoir, Pteropid bats. Numerous efforts have been made to analyze viral protein function and structure to develop feasible strategies for drug design. Increasing surveillance and preventative measures for the viral infectious disease are urgently needed.

ZIKV viral proteins and their roles in virus-host interactions

The re-emergence of Zika virus(ZIKV) and its associated neonatal microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome have led the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency. Until today, many related studies have successively reported the role of various viral proteins of ZIKVin the process of ZIKVinfection and pathogenicity. These studies have provided significant insights for the treatment and prevention of ZIKV infection. Here we review the current research advances in the functional characterization of the interactions between each ZIKV viral protein and its host factors.

Dissection the endocytic routes of viral capsid proteins-coated upconversion nanoparticles by single-particle tracking

Real-time exploring the cellular endocytic pathway of viral capsid proteins(VCPs)functionalized nanocargos at the single-particle level can provide deep insight into the kinetic information involved in virus infection.In this work,porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2)VCPs with different functions are modified onto the surface of upconversion nanoparticles(VCPs-UCNPs)to investigate the cellular internalization process in real-time.Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is found to be the essential uptake mechanism for these VCPs-UCNPs.Besides,it is verified that P_(1)-UCNPs(PCV2 VCPs with nuclear localization signal,namely P1)can be easily assembled close to the perinuclear area,which is different from that of P_(2)-UCNPs(PCV2 VCPs without nuclear localization signal,namely P_(2)).Interestingly,multistep entry processes are observed.Particularly,confined diffusion is observed during the transmembrane process.The intracellular transport of VCPs-UCNPs is dependent on microtubules toward the cell interior.During this process,P_(1)-UCNPs display increased velocities with active transport,while diffusion much faster around the perinuclear area.But for P_(2)-UCNPs,there are only two phases involved in their endocytosis process.This study presents distinct dynamic mechanisms for the nanocargos with different functions,which would make a useful contribution to the development of robust drug delivery systems.

Naturally occurring PA^(E206K)point mutation in 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza viruses impairs viral replication at high temperatures

The emergence of influenza virus A pandemic H1N1 in April 2009 marked the first pandemic of the 21st century.In this study,we observed significant differences in the polymerase activities of two clinical 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus isolates from Chinese and Japanese patients.Sequence comparison of the three main protein subunits(PB2,PB1,and PA)of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex and subsequent mutational analysis revealed that a single amino acid substitution(E206K)was responsible for the observed impaired replication phenotype.Further in vitro experiments showed that presence of PAE206K decreased the replication of influenza A/WSN/33 virus in mammalian cells and a reduction in the virus’s pathogenicity in vivo.Mechanistic studies revealed that PAE206K is a temperature-sensitive mutant associated with the inability to transport PB1–PA complex to the nucleus at high temperature(39.5℃).Hence,this naturally occurring variant in the PA protein represents an ideal candidate mutation for the development of live attenuated influenza vaccines.

The role of tazarotene-induced gene 1 in carcinogenesis:is it a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene?

Tazarotene-induced gene 1(TIG1)is induced by a derivative of vitamin A and is known to regulate many important biological processes and control the development of cancer.TIG1 is widely expressed in various tissues;yet in many cancer tissues,it is not expressed because of the methylation of its promoter.Additionally,the expression of TIG1 in cancer cells inhibits their growth and invasion,suggesting that TIG1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene.However,in some cancers,poor prognosis is associated with TIG1 expression,indicating its protumor growth characteristics,especially in promoting the invasion of inflammatory breast cancer cells.This review comprehensively summarizes the roles of the TIG1 gene in cancer development and details the mechanisms through which TIG1 regulates cancer development,with the aim of understanding its various roles in cancer development.

Prokaryotical expression of structural and non-structural proteins of hepatitis G virus

AIM: To study the epitope distribution of hepatitis G virus (HGV) and to seek for the potential recombinant antigens for the development of HGV diagnostic reagents. METHODS: Fourteen clones encompassing HGV gene fragments from core to NS3 and NS5 were constructed using prokaryotic expression vector pRSET and (or) pGEX, and expressed in E.coli. Western blotting and ELISA were used to detect the immunoreactivity of these recombinant proteins. RESULTS: One clone with HGV fragment from core to E1 (G1), one from E2 (G31), three from NS3 (G6, G61, G7), one from NS5B (G821) and one chimeric fragment from NS3 and NS5B (G61-821) could be expressed well and showed obvious immunoreactivity by Western blotting. One clone with HGV framment from NS5B (G82) was also well expressed, but could not show immunoreactivity by Western blotting. No obvious expression was found in the other six clones. All the expressed recombinant proteins were in inclusion body form, except the protein G61 which could be expressed in soluble form. Further purified recombinant proteins G1, G31, G61, G821 and G61-821 were detected in indirected ELISA as coating antigen respectively. Only recombinant G1 could still show immunoreactivity, and the other four recombinant proteins failed to react to the HGV antibody positive sera. Western blotting results indicated that the immunoactivity of these four recombinant proteins were lost during purification. CONCLUSION: Core to E1, E2, NS3 and NS5 fragment of HGV contain antigenic epitopes, which could be produced in prokaryotically expressed recombinant proteins. A high-yield recombinant protein (G1) located in HGV core to E1 could remain its epitope after purification, which showed the potential that G1 could be used as a coating antigen to develop an ELISA kit for HGV specific antibody diagnosis.

Effect of phosphorylation of MAPK and Stat3 and expression of c-fos and c-jun proteins on hepatocarcinogenesis and their clinical significance

AIM To study the effect of phosphorylation ofMAPK and Stat3 and the expression of c-fos andc-jun proteins on hepatocellular carcinogenesisand their clinical significance.METHODS SP immunohistochemistry was usedto detect the expression of p42/44MAPK, p-Stat3,c-fos and c-jun proteins in 55 hepatocellularcarcinomas (HCC) and their surrounding livertissues.RESULTS The positive rates and expressionlevels of p42/44MAPK, p-Stat3, c-fos and c-junproteins in HCCs were significantly higher thanthose in pericarcinomatous liver tissues (PCLT).A positive correlation was observed between theexpression of p42/44MAPK and c-fos proteins, andbetween p-Stat3 and c-jun, but there was nosignificant correlation between p42/44MAPK and p-Stat3 in HCCs and their surrounding livertissues.CONCLUSION The abnormalities of Ras/Rat/MAPK and JAKs/ Stat3 cascade reaction maycontribute to malignant transformation ofhepatocytes. Hepatocytes which are positive forp42/ 44MAPK, c-fos or c-jun proteins may bepotential malignant pre-cancerous cells.Activation of MAPK and Stat3 proteins may be anearly event in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.