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Course and outcome of hepatitis C.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small enveloped RNA virus belonging to the family flaviviridae and genus hepacivirus. The HCV RNA genome is 9,600 nucleotides in length and encodes a single polyprotein that is post-translationally cleaved into 10 polypeptides including t3 structural (C, E1, and E2) and multiple nonstructural proteins ([NS] NS2 to NS5). The NS proteins include enzymes necessary for protein processing (proteases) and viral replication (RNA polymerase). The virus replicates at a high rate in the liver and has marked sequence heterogeneity. There are 6 genotypes and more than 90 subtypes of HCV, the most common in the United States being 1a and 1b (approximately 75%), 2a and 2b (approximately 15%), and 3 (approximately 7%). Acute hepatitis C is marked by appearance of HCV RNA in serum within 1 to 2 weeks of exposure followed by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations, and then symptoms and jaundice. Antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) tends to arise late. In acute resolving hepatitis, HCV RNA is cleared and serum ALT levels fall to normal. However, 55% to 85% of patients do not clear virus, but develop chronic hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis C is often asymptomatic, but is usually associated with persistent or fluctuating elevations in ALT levels. The chronic sequelae of hepatitis C include progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Extra-hepatic manifestations include sicca syndrome, cryoglobulinemia, glomerulonephritis, and porphyria cutanea tarda. Knowledge of the course and outcome of hepatitis C is important in developing approaches to management and therapy.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Construction and characterization of subgenomic replicons of New York strain of West Nile virus.

The lineage I strain of West Nile virus (WNV) frequently causes human epidemics, including the recent outbreak in North America (Lanciotti et al., 1999, Science 286:2333-2337). As an initial step in studying the replication and pathogenesis of WNV, we constructed several cDNA clones of a WNV replicon derived from an epidemic strain (lineage I) isolated from the epicenter of New York City in the year 2000. Replicon RNAs were in vitro transcribed from cDNA plasmids and transfected into BHK-21 cells. RNA replication in transfected cells was monitored by immunofluorescence analysis (IFA) and 5' nuclease real-time RT-PCR (TaqMan). The replicon RNAs contained large in-frame deletions (greater than 92%) of the C-prM-E structural region yet still replicated efficiently in BHK-21 cells. 5' nuclease real-time RT-PCR showed that a great excess of plus-sense replicon RNA over the minus-sense RNA was synthesized in transfected cells. Replication efficiency decreased upon insertion of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene driven by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) in the upstream end of the 3' untranslated region of the replicon. Strong GFP expression was detected in cells transfected with a replicon containing IRES-GFP positioned in the plus-sense orientation. IFA showed that GFP and viral proteins were exclusively coexpressed in transfected cells. In contrast, no GFP fluorescence was observed in cells transfected with a replicon containing IRES-GFP positioned in the minus-sense orientation, despite high levels of synthesis of viral proteins and RNA in the cells. Substitution of the GFP gene in the plus-sense GFP replicon with the neomycin phosphotransferase gene allowed selection of geneticin-resistant cells in which WNV replicons persistently replicated without apparent cytopathic effect. These results suggest that WNV replicons may serve as a noncytopathic RNA virus expression system and should provide a valuable tool to study WNV replication.

Animals↗

Functional analysis of the grapevine virus A genome.

Grapevine virus A (GVA) carries five open reading frames (ORFs). Only the coat protein ORF has been experimentally identified as such; the roles of some of the other ORFs have been deduced by sequence homology to known genes (Minafra et al., 1997). The construction of a full-length, infectious clone of GVA has been previously reported. In an attempt to experimentally define the role of the various genes of GVA, we utilized the infectious clone, inserted mutations in every ORF, and studied the effect on viral replication, gene expression, symptoms and viral movement. Mutations in ORF 1 abolished RNA replication. Mutations in ORF 2 did not affect any of the aforementioned parameters. Mutations in ORFs 3 and 4 restricted viral movement. Mutations in ORF 5 rendered the virus asymptomatic, and partially restricted its movement.

Capsid Proteins↗

The small delta antigen of hepatitis delta virus is an acetylated protein and acetylation of lysine 72 may influence its cellular localization and viral RNA synthesis.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that encodes two viral nucleocapsid proteins named small and large form hepatitis delta antigen (S-HDAg and L-HDAg). The S-HDAg is essential for viral RNA replication while the L-HDAg is required for viral assembly. In this study, we demonstrated that HDAg are acetylated proteins. Metabolic labeling with [(3)H]acetate revealed that both forms of HDAg could be acetylated in vivo. The histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain of cellular acetyltransferase p300 could acetylate the full-length and the N-terminal 88 amino acids of S-HDAg in vitro. By mass spectrometric analysis of the modified protein, Lys-72 of S-HDAg was identified as one of the acetylation sites. Substitution of Lys-72 to Arg caused the mutant S-HDAg to redistribute from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The mutant reduced viral RNA accumulation and resulted in the earlier appearance of L-HDAg. These results demonstrated that HDAg is an acetylated protein and mutation of HDAg at Lys-72 modulates HDAg subcellular localization and may participate in viral RNA nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and replication.

Acetylation↗

Alphavirus vectors for cancer gene therapy (review).

Alphaviruses have several characteristics that make them attractive as gene therapy vectors such as transient and high-level expression of a heterologous gene. Alphavirus vectors, Semliki Forest virus (SFV), Sindbis virus (SIN) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) have been developed as gene expression vectors. Alphaviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses that can mediate efficient cytoplasmic gene expression in mammalian cells. The alphavirus RNA replication machinery has been engineered for high level heterologous gene expression. Since an RNA virus vector cannot integrate into chromosomal DNA, concerns about cell transformation are reduced. Alphavirus vectors demonstrate promise for the safe tumor-killing and tumor-specific immune responses. Recombinant alphavirus RNA replicons may facilitate gene therapy of cancer.

Alphavirus↗

Genomic and copy-back 3' termini in Sendai virus defective interfering RNA species.

Direct sequencing of nine Sendai virus defective interfering RNA species revealed two kinds of 3'-terminal sequences. Six RNA species had 3' termini identical to the virus genome (negative strand), confirming that internal deletions are a frequent cause of Sendai virus defectiveness. The other three RNA species had 3'-terminal sequences identical to that described as the complement of the 5' terminus of the virus genome (R. A. Lazzarini, J. D. Keene, and M. Schubert, Cell 26:145-154, 1981), indicating that they are of the copy-back type. Extensive homology between these two types of 3' sequences evidently accounts for the ability of the copy-back sequence to function as an initiation signal for viral RNA replication. There may not be a selective advantage of one type of terminus over the other, since one defective interfering strain possessed two RNA species, one of which had the genomic 3' terminus and the other copy-back type.

Base Sequence↗

The effect of cycloheximide on the replication of measles virus.

Treatment of measles virus-infected cells with cycloheximide results in a three-fold increase of 3H-uridine incorporation into the 12 to 36S mRNA species and in the inhibition of genomic 50S RNA synthesis. Consistent with these observations was the finding of a build-up of polyribosomes but an absence of nucleocapsids in the infected cells. These results suggest that measles virus RNA replication, but not transcription, is dependent upon active protein synthesis.

Capsid↗

Mutational isolation of a sieve for editing in a transfer RNA synthetase.

Editing reactions are essential for the high fidelity of information transfer in processes such as replication, RNA splicing, and protein synthesis. The accuracy of interpretation of the genetic code is enhanced by the editing reactions of aminoacyl transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases, whereby amino acids are prevented from being attached to the wrong tRNAs. Amino acid discrimination is achieved through sieves that may overlap with or coincide with the amino acid binding site. With the class I Escherichia coli isoleucine tRNA synthetase, which activates isoleucine and occasionally misactivates valine, as an example, a rationally chosen mutant enzyme was constructed that lacks entirely its normal strong ability to distinguish valine from isoleucine by the initial amino acid recognition sieve. The misactivated valine, however, is still eliminated by hydrolytic editing reactions. These data suggest that there is a distinct sieve for editing that is functionally independent of the amino acid binding site.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Characterization of the nucleoside triphosphatase activity of poliovirus protein 2C reveals a mechanism by which guanidine inhibits poliovirus replication.

The highly conserved non-structural protein 2C of picornaviruses is involved in viral genome replication and encapsidation and in the rearrangement of intracellular structures. 2C binds RNA, has nucleoside triphosphatase activity, and shares three motifs with superfamily III helicases. Motifs "A" and "B" are involved in nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) binding and hydrolysis, whereas a function for motif "C" has not yet been demonstrated. Poliovirus RNA replication is inhibited by millimolar concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl). Resistance and dependence to GdnHCl map to 2C. To characterize the nucleoside triphosphatase activity of 2C, we purified poliovirus recombinant 2C fused to glutathione S-transferase (GST-2C) from Escherichia coli. GST-2C hydrolyzed ATP with a Km of 0.7 mM. Other NTPs, including GTP, competed with ATP for binding to 2C but were poor substrates for hydrolysis. Mutation of conserved residues in motif A and B abolished ATPase activity, as did mutation of the conserved asparagine residue in motif C, an observation indicating the involvement of this motif in ATP hydrolysis. GdnHCl at millimolar concentrations inhibited ATP hydrolysis. Mutations in 2C that confer poliovirus resistant to or dependent on GdnHCl increased the tolerance to GdnHCl up to 100-fold.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

Bovine herpesvirus-1 infects activated CD4+ lymphocytes.

Acute virus infections can induce immune deficiencies, as shown by immunosuppression to a variety of antigens and mitogens. Previously we observed that live bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) induced considerable lymphocyte death in culture, suggesting that the virus infected one or more cell populations. Our goal was to identify the cells infected by BHV-1 and the mechanism resulting in cell death. ConA activated cells were cultured with BHV-1 and stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for virus envelope glycoproteins (gB, gC and gD) and lymphocyte surface proteins (CD2, CD4 and CD8) and a molecule associated with gamma/delta cells. Two-colour immunofluorescence revealed that virus glycoproteins were preferentially expressed on T lymphocytes of the CD4+ phenotype. Live virus was required for virus glycoprotein expression, and by 48 h considerable loss of CD4 expression was observed. To confirm virus replication, RNA was isolated from cells, reverse transcribed and amplified using primers to a 342 bp region of immediate-early and early genes (IER2.9/ER2.6) or a 392 bp region of an early gene (gD). Immediate-early/early gene products were detected in CD4+T lymphocytes but not in infectious virions. Lymphocyte apoptosis was observed by 7 h post-infection with increasing levels of cell death at 24-48 h after infection. These findings suggest that the loss of proliferating CD4+ T cells during infection or vaccination with modified live vaccines provides the opportunity for secondary infections that commonly occur following BHV-1 infection.

Animals↗

Two-step affinity purification of the hepatitis C virus ribonucleoprotein complex.

Positive-strand RNA viruses replicate their RNA genome within a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex that is associated with cellular membranes. We used a two-step method of purification to isolate hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNP complexes from human hepatoma cell line Huh7, which stably expresses HCV subgenomic replicons. The procedure involved hybridization of replicon-expressing cellular lysates with oligonucleotides tagged with biotin and digoxigenin at their respective termini complementary to subgenomic replicon RNA followed by avidin-agarose enrichment of the mixture and subsequent immunoprecipitation of biotin-eluted material with anti-digoxigenin antibody. The immunoprecipitates were immunoblotted with antisera against HCV nonstructural (NS) proteins. The analysis revealed the association of all the HCV NS proteins (NS3, NS4a, NS4b, NS5a, and NS5b) that are encoded by the subgenomic replicon RNA. The HCV RNP complex migrated in a native polyacrylamide gel with an approximate molecular mass of 450 kD. The association of these viral proteins in the RNP complex reinforces the widely acknowledged notion that RNA viruses accomplish replication within a membranous RNP complex.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

Phospholipid biosynthesis and poliovirus genome replication, two coupled phenomena.

Poliovirus infection leads to an increase of phospholipid synthesis and the proliferation of new membranes, giving rise to a great number of cytoplasmic vesicles in the infected cells. Viral RNA replication is physically associated with these newly-synthesized membranes. Cerulenin, an inhibitor of lipid biosynthesis, effectively blocks the growth of poliovirus in HeLa cells. The presence of cerulenin after virus entry prevents the synthesis of poliovirus proteins. However, if this antibiotic is added at later stages of the virus replication cycle, it has no effect on viral translation itself, nor on the proteolytic processing and myristoylation of poliovirus proteins. The synthesis of viral, but not cellular RNA is selectively inhibited by cerulenin. Analysis of the viral RNA made in poliovirus-infected cells by specific minus-or plus-stranded RNA probes suggests a selective blockade by cerulenin of plus-strand RNA synthesis. Finally, the synthesis of phospholipids and the proliferation of membranes does not take place if cerulenin is added to the culture medium. These findings indicate that continuous phospholipid synthesis is required for efficient poliovirus genome replication and provide new insights towards the understanding of the molecular events that occur during poliovirus growth.

Antifungal Agents↗

Localization of the tomato bushy stunt virus replication protein p33 reveals a peroxisome-to-endoplasmic reticulum sorting pathway.

Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a positive-strand RNA virus, causes extensive inward vesiculations of the peroxisomal boundary membrane and formation of peroxisomal multivesicular bodies (pMVBs). Although pMVBs are known to contain protein components of the viral membrane-bound RNA replication complex, the mechanisms of protein targeting to peroxisomal membranes and participation in pMVB biogenesis are not well understood. We show that the TBSV 33-kD replication protein (p33), expressed on its own, targets initially from the cytosol to peroxisomes, causing their progressive aggregation and eventually the formation of peroxisomal ghosts. These altered peroxisomes are distinct from pMVBs; they lack internal vesicles and are surrounded by novel cytosolic vesicles that contain p33 and appear to be derived from evaginations of the peroxisomal boundary membrane. Concomitant with these changes in peroxisomes, p33 and resident peroxisomal membrane proteins are relocalized to the peroxisomal endoplasmic reticulum (pER) subdomain. This sorting of p33 is disrupted by the coexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of ADP-ribosylation factor1, implicating coatomer in vesicle formation at peroxisomes. Mutational analysis of p33 revealed that its intracellular sorting is also mediated by several targeting signals, including three peroxisomal targeting elements that function cooperatively, plus a pER targeting signal resembling an Arg-based motif responsible for vesicle-mediated retrieval of escaped ER membrane proteins from the Golgi. These results provide insight into virus-induced intracellular rearrangements and reveal a peroxisome-to-pER sorting pathway, raising new mechanistic questions regarding the biogenesis of peroxisomes in plants.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1↗

Polyadenylation of the mRNA of hepatitis delta virus is dependent on the structure of the nascent RNA and regulated by the small or large delta antigen.

During the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA replication, synthesis of either the mRNA for the delta antigen (HDAg) or the full-length antigenomic RNA is determined by selective usage of the potent poly(A) signal on the antigenome. To elucidate the regulatory mechanism, HDV cDNA cotransfection system was used to examine the potential effect of the secondary structure of the nascent RNA and that of the HDAg on HDV polyadenylation in transfected cells. We found that when the nascent RNA species could fold itself to form the rodlike structure, the HDV polyadenylation was suppressed 3 to 5 fold by the HDAg. In addition, we observed that the small and the large HDAg exerted a similar suppressive effect on the HDV polyadenylation, though they played different roles in HDV replication. We concluded that the HDV polyadenylation could be regulated by the structure of the nascent antigenomic RNA and by either the small or large HDAg.

Antigens, Viral↗

Inhibition of Sendai virus genome replication due to promoter-increased selectivity: a possible role for the accessory C proteins.

The role of the negative-stranded virus accessory C proteins is difficult to assess because they appear sometimes as nonessential and thereby of no function. On the other hand, when a function is found, as in the case of Sendai virus, it represents an enigma, in that the C proteins inhibit replication under conditions where the infection follows an exponential course. Furthermore, this inhibitory function is exerted differentially: in contrast to the replication of internal deletion defective interfering (DI) RNAs, that of copy-back DI RNAs appears to escape inhibition, under certain experimental conditions (in vivo assay). In a reexamination of the C effect by the reverse genetics approach, it was found that copy-back RNA replication is inhibited by C in vivo as well, under conditions where the ratio of C to copy-back template is increased. This effect can be reversed by an increase in P but not L protein. The "rule of six" was differentially observed in the presence or absence of C. Finally, a difference in the ability of the replicating complex to tolerate promoter modifications in RNA synthesis initiation was shown to occur in the presence or the absence of C as well. We propose that C acts by increasing the selectivity of the replicating complex for the promoter cis-acting elements governing its activity. The inhibitory effect of C becomes the price to pay for this increased selectivity.

DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases↗

Complete nucleotide sequence of a cell culture-adapted variant of hepatitis A virus: comparison with wild-type virus with restricted capacity for in vitro replication.

To determine the molecular changes associated with adaptation of hepatitis A virus (HAV) to growth in cell culture, the genome of a cell culture-adapted variant of HM175 strain HAV (p16 HM175, 16th in vitro passage level) was molecularly cloned and the complete nucleotide sequence of the virus was determined. Compared with wild-type virus, p16 HM175 replicates efficiently in monkey kidney (BS-C-1) cells (approximately 58 RNA-containing particles per one infectious unit, compared with 2.4 x 10(5) for wild-type HM175). The nucleotide sequence of p16 HM175 revealed a total of 19 mutations from the wild-type genome, including 5 mutations in the 5' nontranslated region, 1 mutation in the 3' nontranslated region, and 13 mutations predicting 8 changes in the amino acid sequences of HAV proteins. Only one amino acid substitution occurred among the capsid proteins (VP2), while others involved proteins 2A, 2B, 2C, VPg, and 3Dpol. When the sequence of p16 virus was compared with that reported previously for an independently isolated, cell culture-adapted variant of HM175 virus (J.I. Cohen et al., (1987). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 2497-2501), there were three identical mutations in nontranslated regions of the RNA, and four mutations involving identical amino acids in proteins VP2, 2B, and 3Dpol. The distribution of these mutations within the genome suggests that changes in RNA replication may be of primary importance in adaptation of the virus to growth in vitro. These data are thus helpful in understanding the molecular basis of adaptation of HAV to cell culture and, since attenuation frequently accompanies adaptation of virus to growth in cell culture, may be of benefit in planning for attenuated vaccine development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A new aspect of the RNA bacteriophages translation control mechanism.

The polarity effect of the coat protein gene of the ribonucleic acid of RNA bacteriophages on the polymerase gene translation will be taken as the basis of the polymerase translation control mechanism. A further condition for this mechanism discussed in this work is the dependence of the phage RNA replication on host cell translation factors. The ribosome binding sites of the phage RNA play a decisive role to realize the control mechanism coding for definite ribosome binding probabilities. The relation between them quantifies the reached polymerase concentration in the early phase of the development of the RNA bacteriophage system in the infected cell.

Bacteriophages↗

Defective interfering RNAs of Japanese encephalitis virus found in mosquito cells and correlation with persistent infection.

Defective interfering (DI) RNAs are deletion mutants of viral genomes that are known in many cases to contribute to persistent infection and modification of viral pathogenesis. Cell type also plays a critical role in the establishment of viral persistence. In this study we have identified for the first time the generation of DI RNAs of Japanese encephalitis virus in C6/36 mosquito cells. A persistent infection was established by replacing growth medium on surviving cells and continued cell passaging. Persistent infection was demonstrated by a continual release of infectious virus, fluorescent antibody staining, and Northern analysis. A population of DI RNAs of approximately 8.2-9.7 kb, not detectable in acutely infected cells, became apparent in the persistently infected cells by 25 days postinfection. Sequence analyses revealed a population of DI RNAs that contained in-frame deletions of 1.3-2.8 kb covering the region of the E gene and some flanking C or prM and NS1 gene sequences. Transcripts from one cDNA clone of a DI RNA replicated in uninfected mosquito cells as demonstrated by RT-PCR. DI RNA-containing virions in supernatant fluids from persistently infected mosquito cells could be used to establish persistent infection in BHK-21 cells. The correlation of DI RNA presence with cell survival suggests that DI RNAs are contributing mechanistically to the establishment of persistent infection in both the mosquito and mammalian cells.

Animals↗