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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Preparation and application of monoclonal antibodies against hepatitis C virus nonstructural proteins

AIM To prepare hybridoma cell lines which secrete anti HCV recombinant NS3 and NS5 proteins′ monoclonal antibodies, and to evaluate their usage in the study of the distribution of HCV NS3 and NS5 antigen in liver tissues. METHODS The hybridoma cell lines were raised using the spleen cells of BALB/C mouse immunized with recombinant NS3 and NS5 proteins according to the conventional protocols. The antibody secreting cells were screened using solid phase ELISA and cloned by limited dilution method. In order to determine the specificity of these hybridoma cell lines, the culture supernatant of these cells was western blot assayed with expression and nonexpresion E. coli and ELISA with other antigens, including HCV core and NS3 and HBsAg. Immunohistochemistry of 51 cases paraffin embedded liver tissues was performed to determine the distribution of HCV NS5 antigen as well as NS3 antigen in liver tissues. RESULTS Eight hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against HCV NS3 and NS5 proteins were raised. They are named 2B6, 2F3, 3D8, 3D9, 8B2, 6F11, 4C6 and 7D9. Among them only 2B6 against NS3 protein can react with the polypipetides of C7 that is another recombinant polypipetides of NS3 gene. Others have no reaction with HCV core and HBsAg of HBV, and there is no cross reaction between NS3Ag and anti NS5Ag McAb and between NS5Ag and anti NS3 McAb. The immunohistochemistry results indicate that no HCV antigen was detected in the specimens of HBV infection in 20 cases. In 31 HCV infected specimens the positive rate of NS3Ag and NS5Ag are 51 6% (16/31) and 54 9% (17/31), respectively. There were six pure HCV infected specimens in these 31 specimens and half of them were HCV NS3Ag and NS5Ag positive. In the co infection of HBV and HCV group the positive rate of NS3Ag and NS5Ag were 52% (13/25) and 56% (14/25), respectively, almost the same with that of pure HCV infected group. The positive rates of HCV antigens were 70 6% (12/17) and 76 5% (13/17) in CAC patients. CONCLUSION The monoclonal antibodies we prepared are specific to the recombinant HCV NS3 and NS5 proteins and can be used in the clinical immunohistochemistry diagnosis.

Full-length core sequence dependent complex-type glycosylation of hepatitis C virus E2 glycoprotein

AIM: To study HCV polyprotein processing is important for the understanding of the natural history of HCV and the design of vaccines against HCV. The purpose of this study is to investigate the affection of context sequences on hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 processing. METHODS: HCV genes of different lengths were expressed and compared in vaccinia virus/T7 system with homologous patient serum S94 and mouse anti-serum M( E2116) raised against E.coli -derived E2 peptide, respectively.Deglycosylation analysis and GNA ( Galanthus nivalus ) lectin binding assay were performed to study the post-translational processing of the expressed products. RESULTS: E2 glycoproteins with different molecular weights (-75 kDa and -60 kDa) were detected using S94 and M( E2116), respectively. Deglycosylation analysis showed that this difference was mainly due to different glycosylation. Endo H resistance and its failure to bind to GNA lectin demonstrated that the higher molecular weight form (75 kDa) of E2 was complex-type glycosylated, which was readily recognized by homologous patient serum S94. Expression of complex-type glycosylated E2 could not be detected in all of the core-truncated constructs tested, but readily detected in constructs encoding full-length core sequences. CONCLUSION: The upstream conserved full-length core coding sequence was required for the production of E2 glycoproteins carrying complex-type N-glycans which reacted strongly with homologous patient serum and therefore possibly represented more mature forms of E2. As complex-type N-glycans indicated modification by Golgi enzymes, the results suggest that the presence of full-length core might be critical for E1/E2 complex to leave ER. Our data may contribute to a better understanding of the processing of HCV structural proteins as well as HCV morphogenesis.

Identification of the epitopes on HCV core protein recognized by HLA-A2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes

AIM: To identify hepatitis C virus(HCV) core protein epitopes recognized by HLA-A2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL). METHODS: Utilizing the method of computer prediction followed by a 4h(51)Cr release assay confirmation. RESULTS: The results showed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from two HLA-A2 positive donors who were infected with HCV could lyse autologous target cells labeled with peptide "ALAHGVRAL (core 150-158)". The rates of specific lysis of the cells from the two donors were 37.5% and 15.8%, respectively. Blocking of the CTL response with anti-CD4 mAb caused no significant decrease of the specific lysis. But blocking of CTL response with anti-CD8 mAb could abolish the lysis. CONCLUSION: The peptide (core 150-158) is the candidate epitope recognized by HLAA2 restricted CTL.

Immunogenicity of HGV NS5 protein expressed from Sf9 insect cells

INTRODUCTIONAlthough reliable assays for the detection ofhepatitis C virus and E virus became available, still10% 20% hepatitis are not caused byhepatitis A-E virus[1-3]. In 1996, two research groups isolatedthis agent independently and almost simultaneouslyand named hepatitis G virus and GB virus C,respectively[4-7].

Antiviral treatment of hepatitis C virus infection and factors affecting efficacy

Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is the leading cause of chronic liver-related diseases,including cirrhosis,liver failure,and hepatocellular carcinoma.Currently,no effective vaccine is available for HCV infection.Polyethylene glycol interferon-α(PegIFN-α)in combination with ribavirin(RBV)is the standard of care(SOC)for chronic hepatitis C.However,the efficacy of PegIFN-αand RBV combination therapy is less than 50%for genotype 1HCV,which is the dominant virus in humans.In addition,IFN and RBV have several severe side effects.Therefore,strategies to improve sustained virological response(SVR)rates have been an important focus for clinical physicians.The serine protease inhibitors telaprevir and boceprevir were approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2011.The addition of HCV protease inhibitors to the SOC has significantly improved the efficacy of treatments for HCV infection.Several direct-acting antiviral drugs currently in late-stage clinical trials,both with and without pegIFN and RBV,have several advantages over the previous SOC,including higher specificity and efficacy,fewer side effects,and the ability to be administered orally,and might be optimal regimens in the future.Factors affecting the efficacy of anti-HCV treatments based on IFN-αinclude the HCV genotype,baseline viral load,virological response during treatment,host IL28B gene polymorphisms and hepatic steatosis.However,determining the effect of the above factors on DAA therapy is necessary.In this review,we summarize the development of antiHCV agents and assess the main factors affecting the efficacy of antiviral treatments.

Identification of the strain-specifically truncated nonstructural protein 10 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in infected cells

The nonstructural protein 10（nsp10） of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus（PRRSV） encodes for helicase which plays a vital role in viral replication. In the present study, a truncated form of nsp10, termed nsp10 a, was found in PRRSV-infected cells and the production of nsp10 a was strain-specific. Mass spectrometric analysis and deletion mutagenesis indicated that nsp10 a may be short of about 70 amino acids in the N terminus of nsp10. Further studies by rescuing recombinant viruses showed that the Glu-69 in nsp10 was the key amino acid for nsp10 a production. Finally, we demonstrated that nsp10 a exerted little influence on the growth kinetics of PRRSV in vitro.

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.

Purification and identification of HIV-1 gag p20 protein expressed in E.coli

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag p20 gene fragment was clonedinto plasmid pBV220 to construct a recombinant expression plasmid pCY7.By induction,the p20 protein was expressed in E.coli,and it was confirmed by Western blotting thatthe expressed p20 protein could be specifically recognized by anti-p17 monoclonalantibodies.The recombinant bacteria was lysed and fractionated into snpernatant andprecipitate by centrifugation.It was found that the p20 protein was present chiefly inthe precipitate.After p20 protein being washed twice,its purity reached 27.4%.Then theprecipitate was washed with 1 mol/L urea solution and the purity of p20 protein wasraised to 58.1%.Finally,the precipitate was dissolved in 6mol/L of urea and appliedonto a heparin affinity column.Four peaks were obtained and the p20 protein wasfound mainly in peak 3.The purity of p20 protein at this step reached 84.2% as meas-ured by gel scanning.

Cosic’s Resonance Recognition Model for Protein Sequences and Photon Emission Differentiates Lethal and Non-Lethal Ebola Strains: Implications for Treatment

The Cosic Resonance Recognition Model (RRM) for amino acid sequences was applied to the classes of proteins displayed by four strains (Sudan, Zaire, Reston, Ivory Coast) of Ebola virus that produced either high or minimal numbers of human fatalities. The results clearly differentiated highly lethal and non-lethal strains. Solutions for the two lethal strains exhibited near ultraviolet (~230 nm) photon values while the two asymptomatic forms displayed near infrared (~1000 nm) values. Cross-correlations of spectral densities of the RRM values of the different classes of proteins associated with the genome of the viruses supported this dichotomy. The strongest coefficient occurred only between Sudan-Zaire strains but not for any of the other pairs of strains for sGP, the small glycoprotein that intercalated with the plasma cell membrane to promote insertion of viral contents into cellular space. A surprising, statistically significant cross-spectral correlation occurred between the “spike” glycoprotein component (GP1) of the virus that associated the anchoring of the virus to the mammalian cell plasma membrane and the Schumann resonance of the earth whose intensities were determined by the incidence of equatorial thunderstorms. Previous applications of the RRM to shifting photon wavelengths emitted by melanoma cells adapting to reduced ambient temperature have validated Cosic’s model and have demonstrated very narrowwave-length (about 10 nm) specificity. One possible ancillary and non-invasive treatment of people within which the fatal Ebola strains are residing would be whole body application of narrow band near-infrared light pulsed as specific physiologically-patterned sequences with sufficient radiant flux density to perfuse the entire body volume.