scholarly journals Significant Differences in Cell–Cell Fusion and Viral Entry between Strains Revealed by Scanning Mutagenesis of the C-Heptad Repeat of HIV gp41

Biochemistry ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 52 (20) ◽  
pp. 3552-3563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Diaz-Aguilar ◽  
Karen DeWispelaere ◽  
Hyun Ah Yi ◽  
Amy Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Cell Cell ◽  
Hiv Gp41

scholarly journals Inhibition of Coronavirus Entry In Vitro and Ex Vivo by a Lipid-Conjugated Peptide Derived from the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein HRC Domain

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor K. Outlaw ◽  
Francesca T. Bovier ◽  
Megan C. Mears ◽  
Maria N. Cajimat ◽  
Yun Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Supportive Therapy ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Cell Monolayers ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Human Airway ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has erupted into a global pandemic that has led to tens of millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. The development of therapeutics to treat infection or as prophylactics to halt viral transmission and spread is urgently needed. SARS-CoV-2 relies on structural rearrangements within a spike (S) glycoprotein to mediate fusion of the viral and host cell membranes. Here, we describe the development of a lipopeptide that is derived from the C-terminal heptad repeat (HRC) domain of SARS-CoV-2 S that potently inhibits infection by SARS-CoV-2. The lipopeptide inhibits cell-cell fusion mediated by SARS-CoV-2 S and blocks infection by live SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cell monolayers more effectively than previously described lipopeptides. The SARS-CoV-2 lipopeptide exhibits broad-spectrum activity by inhibiting cell-cell fusion mediated by SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and blocking infection by live MERS-CoV in cell monolayers. We also show that the SARS-CoV-2 HRC-derived lipopeptide potently blocks the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in human airway epithelial (HAE) cultures, an ex vivo model designed to mimic respiratory viral propagation in humans. While viral spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection was widespread in untreated airways, those treated with SARS-CoV-2 HRC lipopeptide showed no detectable evidence of viral spread. These data provide a framework for the development of peptide therapeutics for the treatment of or prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 as well as other coronaviruses. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, continues to spread globally, placing strain on health care systems and resulting in rapidly increasing numbers of cases and mortalities. Despite the growing need for medical intervention, no FDA-approved vaccines are yet available, and treatment has been limited to supportive therapy for the alleviation of symptoms. Entry inhibitors could fill the important role of preventing initial infection and preventing spread. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a lipopeptide that is derived from the HRC domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein that potently inhibits fusion mediated by SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein and blocks infection by live SARS-CoV-2 in both cell monolayers (in vitro) and human airway tissues (ex vivo). Our results highlight the SARS-CoV-2 HRC-derived lipopeptide as a promising therapeutic candidate for SARS-CoV-2 infections.

scholarly journals Using Antibodies and Mutants To Localize the Presumptive gH/gL Binding Site on Herpes Simplex Virus gD

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doina Atanasiu ◽  
Wan Ting Saw ◽  
Eric Lazear ◽  
J. Charles Whitbeck ◽  
Tina M. Cairns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Epitope Mapping ◽  
Virus Entry ◽  
Cellular Receptor ◽  
Functional Sites ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACTHSV virus-cell and cell-cell fusion requires multiple interactions between four essential virion envelope glycoproteins, gD, gB, gH, and gL, and between gD and a cellular receptor, nectin-1 or herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM). Current models suggest that binding of gD to receptors induces a conformational change that leads to activation of gH/gL and consequent triggering of the prefusion form of gB to promote membrane fusion. Since protein-protein interactions guide each step of fusion, identifying the sites of interaction may lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets that block this process. We have previously identified two “faces” on gD: one for receptor binding and the other for its presumed interaction with gH/gL. We previously separated the gD monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) into five competition communities. MAbs from two communities (MC2 and MC5) neutralize virus infection and block cell-cell fusion but do not block receptor binding, suggesting that they block binding of gD to gH/gL. Using a combination of classical epitope mapping of gD mutants with fusion and entry assays, we identified two residues (R67 and P54) on the presumed gH/gL interaction face of gD that allowed for fusion and viral entry but were no longer sensitive to inhibition by MC2 or MC5, yet both were blocked by other MAbs. As neutralizing antibodies interfere with essential steps in the fusion pathway, our studies strongly suggest that these key residues block the interaction of gD with gH/gL.IMPORTANCEVirus entry and cell-cell fusion mediated by HSV require gD, gH/gL, gB, and a gD receptor. Neutralizing antibodies directed against any of these proteins bind to residues within key functional sites and interfere with an essential step in the fusion pathway. Thus, the epitopes of these MAbs identify critical, functional sites on their target proteins. Unlike many anti-gD MAbs, which block binding of gD to a cellular receptor, two, MC2 and MC5, block a separate, downstream step in the fusion pathway which is presumed to be the activation of the modulator of fusion, gH/gL. By combining epitope mapping of a panel of gD mutants with fusion and virus entry assays, we have identified residues that are critical in the binding and function of these two MAbs. This new information helps to define the site of the presumptive interaction of gD with gH/gL, of which we have limited knowledge.

scholarly journals Functional Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Envelope Proteins, Using a Cell-Cell Fusion Assay

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1817-1825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariko Kobayashi ◽  
Michael C. Bennett ◽  
Theodore Bercot ◽  
Ila R. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Envelope Proteins ◽  
Virus Envelope ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope proteins mediate the entry of virus into cells by binding to cellular receptors, resulting in fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane and permitting the viral genome to enter the cytoplasm. We report the development of a robust and reproducible cell-cell fusion assay using envelope proteins from commonly occurring genotypes of HCV. The assay scored HCV envelope protein-mediated fusion by the production of fluorescent green syncytia and allowed us to elucidate many aspects of HCV fusion, including the pH of fusion, cell types that permit viral entry, and the conformation of envelope proteins essential for fusion. We found that fusion could be specifically inhibited by anti-HCV antibodies and by at least one peptide. We also generated a number of insertional mutations in the envelope proteins and tested nine of these using the fusion assay. We demonstrate that this fusion assay is a powerful tool for understanding the mechanism of HCV-mediated fusion, elucidating mutant function, and testing antiviral agents.

scholarly journals Polybasic KKR Motif in the Cytoplasmic Tail of Nipah Virus Fusion Protein Modulates Membrane Fusion by Inside-Out Signaling

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 4520-4532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector C. Aguilar ◽  
Kenneth A. Matreyek ◽  
Daniel Y. Choi ◽  
Claire Marie Filone ◽  
Sophia Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Cytoplasmic Tail ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation ◽  
Virus Fusion ◽  
Inside Out ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT The cytoplasmic tails of the envelope proteins from multiple viruses are known to contain determinants that affect their fusogenic capacities. Here we report that specific residues in the cytoplasmic tail of the Nipah virus fusion protein (NiV-F) modulate its fusogenic activity. Truncation of the cytoplasmic tail of NiV-F greatly inhibited cell-cell fusion. Deletion and alanine scan analysis identified a tribasic KKR motif in the membrane-adjacent region as important for modulating cell-cell fusion. The K1A mutation increased fusion 5.5-fold, while the K2A and R3A mutations decreased fusion 3- to 5-fold. These results were corroborated in a reverse-pseudotyped viral entry assay, where receptor-pseudotyped reporter virus was used to infect cells expressing wild-type or mutant NiV envelope glycoproteins. Differential monoclonal antibody binding data indicated that hyper- or hypofusogenic mutations in the KKR motif affected the ectodomain conformation of NiV-F, which in turn resulted in faster or slower six-helix bundle formation, respectively. However, we also present evidence that the hypofusogenic phenotypes of the K2A and R3A mutants were effected via distinct mechanisms. Interestingly, the K2A mutant was also markedly excluded from lipid rafts, where ∼20% of wild-type F and the other mutants can be found. Finally, we found a strong negative correlation between the relative fusogenic capacities of these cytoplasmic-tail mutants and the avidities of NiV-F and NiV-G interactions (P = 0.007, r 2 = 0.82). In toto, our data suggest that inside-out signaling by specific residues in the cytoplasmic tail of NiV-F can modulate its fusogenicity by multiple distinct mechanisms.

scholarly journals A Conserved Region in the F2 Subunit of Paramyxovirus Fusion Proteins Is Involved In Fusion Regulation

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (15) ◽  
pp. 8303-8314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda E. Gardner ◽  
Rebecca E. Dutch
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
Hendra Virus ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
F Protein ◽  
Conserved Region ◽  
Heptad Repeats ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT Paramyxoviruses utilize both an attachment protein and a fusion (F) protein to drive virus-cell and cell-cell fusion. F exists functionally as a trimer of two disulfide-linked subunits: F1 and F2. Alignment and analysis of a set of paramyxovirus F protein sequences identified three conserved blocks (CB): one in the fusion peptide/heptad repeat A domain, known to play important roles in fusion promotion, one in the region between the heptad repeats of F1 (CBF1) (A. E. Gardner, K. L. Martin, and R. E. Dutch, Biochemistry 46:5094-5105, 2007), and one in the F2 subunit (CBF2). To analyze the functions of CBF2, alanine substitutions at conserved positions were created in both the simian virus 5 (SV5) and Hendra virus F proteins. A number of the CBF2 mutations resulted in folding and expression defects. However, the CBF2 mutants that were properly expressed and trafficked had altered fusion promotion activity. The Hendra virus CBF2 Y79A and P89A mutants showed significantly decreased levels of fusion, whereas the SV5 CBF2 I49A mutant exhibited greatly increased cell-cell fusion relative to that for wild-type F. Additional substitutions at SV5 F I49 suggest that both side chain volume and hydrophobicity at this position are important in the folding of the metastable, prefusion state and the subsequent triggering of membrane fusion. The recently published prefusogenic structure of parainfluenza virus 5/SV5 F (H. S. Yin et al., Nature 439:38-44, 2006) places CBF2 in direct contact with heptad repeat A. Our data therefore indicate that this conserved region plays a critical role in stabilizing the prefusion state, likely through interactions with heptad repeat A, and in triggering membrane fusion.

scholarly journals Roles of Cholesterol in Early and Late Steps of the Nipah Virus Membrane Fusion Cascade

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik M. Contreras ◽  
Gunner P. Johnston ◽  
David W. Buchholz ◽  
Victoria Ortega ◽  
I. Abrrey Monreal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Fusion Pore ◽  
Membrane Cholesterol ◽  
Enveloped Viruses ◽  
Cell Cell

Cholesterol has been implicated in various viral life cycle steps for different enveloped viruses, including viral entry into host cells, cell-cell fusion, and viral budding from infected cells. Enveloped viruses acquire their membranes from their host cells. Though cholesterol has been associated with binding and entry of various enveloped viruses into cells, cholesterol’s exact function in the viral-cell membrane fusion process remains largely elusive, particularly for the paramyxoviruses. Further, paramyxoviral fusion occurs at the host cell membrane and is essential for both virus entry (virus-cell fusion) and syncytia formation (cell-cell fusion), central to viral pathogenicity. Nipah virus (NiV) is a deadly member of the Paramyxoviridae family, which also includes Hendra, measles, mumps, human parainfluenza, and various veterinary viruses. The zoonotic NiV causes severe encephalitis, vasculopathy, and respiratory symptoms, leading to a high mortality rate in humans. We used NiV as a model to study the role of membrane cholesterol in paramyxoviral membrane fusion. We used a combination of methyl-beta cyclodextrin (MβCD), lovastatin, and cholesterol to deplete or enrich cell membrane cholesterol outside cytotoxic concentrations. We found that the levels of cellular membrane cholesterol directly correlated with the levels of cell-cell fusion induced. These phenotypes were paralleled using NiV/vesicular stomatitis virus (NiV/VSV) pseudotyped viral infection assays. Remarkably, our mechanistic studies revealed that cholesterol reduces an early F-triggering step but enhances a late fusion pore formation step in the NiV membrane fusion cascade. Thus, our results expand our mechanistic understanding of the paramyxoviral/henipaviral entry and cell-cell fusion processes. IMPORTANCE Cholesterol has been implicated in various steps of the viral life cycle for different enveloped viruses. Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic enveloped virus in the Henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family, capable of causing a high mortality rate in humans and high morbidity in domestic and agriculturally important animals. The role of cholesterol for NiV or the henipaviruses is unknown. Here we show that the levels of cholesterol influence the levels of NiV-induced cell-cell membrane fusion during syncytia formation, and virus-cell membrane fusion during viral entry. Further, the specific role of cholesterol in membrane fusion is not well defined for the paramyxoviruses. We show that the levels of cholesterol affect an early F-triggering step and a late fusion pore formation step during the membrane fusion cascade. Thus, our results expand our mechanistic understanding of the viral entry and cell-cell fusion processes, which may aid the development of antivirals.

Headless henipaviral receptor binding glycoproteins reveal key post-receptor binding contributions of the globular head and head/stalk interface in fusion promotion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Yu Yeo ◽  
David W. Buchholz ◽  
Amandine Gamble ◽  
Mason Jager ◽  
Hector C. Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Cell Surface Expression ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Multinucleated Cells ◽  
Head Domain ◽  
Cell Cell

Cedar virus (CedV) is a nonpathogenic member of the Henipavirus (HNV) genus of emerging viruses, which includes the deadly Nipah (NiV) and Hendra (HeV) viruses. CedV forms syncytia, a hallmark of henipaviral and paramyxoviral infections and pathogenicity. However, the intrinsic fusogenic capacity of CedV relative to NiV or HeV remains unquantified. HNV entry is mediated by concerted interactions between the attachment (G) and fusion (F) glycoproteins. Upon receptor binding by the HNV G head domain, a fusion-activating G stalk region is exposed and triggers F to undergo a conformational cascade that leads to viral entry or cell-cell fusion. Here, we first demonstrated quantitatively that CedV is inherently significantly less fusogenic than NiV at equivalent G and F cell surface expression levels. We then generated and tested six headless CedV G mutants of distinct stalk C-terminal lengths, surprisingly revealing highly hyperfusogenic cell-cell fusion phenotypes 3 to 4-fold greater than wild-type CedV levels. Additionally, similarly to NiV, a headless HeV G mutant yielded a less pronounced hyperfusogenic phenotype compared to wild-type HeV. Further, coimmunoprecipitation and cell-cell fusion assays revealed heterotypic NiV/CedV functional G/F bidentate interactions, as well as evidence of HNV G head domain involvement beyond receptor binding or G stalk exposure. All evidence points to the G head/stalk junction being key to modulating HNV fusogenicity, supporting the notion that head domains play several distinct and central roles in modulating stalk domain fusion promotion. Further, this study exemplifies how CedV may help elucidate important mechanistic underpinnings of HNV entry and pathogenicity. IMPORTANCE The Henipavirus genus in the Paramyxoviridae family includes the zoonotic Nipah (NiV) and Hendra (HeV) viruses. NiV and HeV infections often cause fatal encephalitis and pneumonia, but no vaccines or therapeutics are currently approved for human use. Upon viral entry, Henipavirus infections yield the formation of multinucleated cells (syncytia). Viral entry and cell-cell fusion are mediated by the attachment (G) and fusion (F) glycoproteins. Cedar virus (CedV), a nonpathogenic henipavirus, may be a useful tool to gain knowledge on henipaviral pathogenicity. Here, using homotypic and heterotypic full-length and headless CedV, NiV, and HeV G/F combinations, we discovered that CedV G/F are significantly less fusogenic than NiV or HeV G/F, and that the G head/stalk junction is key to modulating cell-cell fusion, refining the mechanism of henipaviral membrane fusion events. Our study exemplifies how CedV may be a useful tool to elucidate broader mechanistic understanding for the important henipaviruses.

scholarly journals Contribution of N-linked glycans on HSV-2 gB to cell–cell fusion and viral entry

Virology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 483 ◽  
pp. 72-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukun Luo ◽  
Kai Hu ◽  
Siyi He ◽  
Ping Wang ◽  
Mudan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Cell Cell

scholarly journals Nipah Virus Attachment Glycoprotein Stalk C-Terminal Region Links Receptor Binding to Fusion Triggering

2014 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 1838-1850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Liu ◽  
Birgit Bradel-Tretheway ◽  
Abrrey I. Monreal ◽  
Jonel P. Saludes ◽  
Xiaonan Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACTMembrane fusion is essential for paramyxovirus entry into target cells and for the cell-cell fusion (syncytia) that results from many paramyxoviral infections. The concerted efforts of two membrane-integral viral proteins, the attachment (HN, H, or G) and fusion (F) glycoproteins, mediate membrane fusion. The emergent Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic and deadly zoonotic paramyxovirus. We recently reported that upon cell receptor ephrinB2 or ephrinB3 binding, at least two conformational changes occur in the NiV-G head, followed by one in the NiV-G stalk, that subsequently result in F triggering and F execution of membrane fusion. However, the domains and residues in NiV-G that trigger F and the specific events that link receptor binding to F triggering are unknown. In the present study, we identified a NiV-G stalk C-terminal region (amino acids 159 to 163) that is important for multiple G functions, including G tetramerization, conformational integrity, G-F interactions, receptor-induced conformational changes in G, and F triggering. On the basis of these results, we propose that this NiV-G region serves as an important structural and functional linker between the NiV-G head and the rest of the stalk and is critical in propagating the F-triggering signal via specific conformational changes that open a concealed F-triggering domain(s) in the G stalk. These findings broaden our understanding of the mechanism(s) of receptor-induced paramyxovirus F triggering during viral entry and cell-cell fusion.IMPORTANCEThe emergent deadly viruses Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus belong to theHenipavirusgenus in theParamyxoviridaefamily. NiV infections target endothelial cells and neurons and, in humans, result in 40 to 75% mortality rates. The broad tropism of the henipaviruses and the unavailability of therapeutics threaten the health of humans and livestock. Viral entry into host cells is the first step of henipavirus infections, which ultimately cause syncytium formation. After attaching to the host cell receptor, henipaviruses enter the target cell via direct viral-cell membrane fusion mediated by two membrane glycoproteins: the attachment protein (G) and the fusion protein (F). In this study, we identified and characterized a region in the NiV-G stalk C-terminal domain that links receptor binding to fusion triggering via several important glycoprotein functions. These findings advance our understanding of the membrane fusion-triggering mechanism(s) of the henipaviruses and the paramyxoviruses.

scholarly journals Influence of N-glycosylation on Expression and Function of Pseudorabies Virus Glycoprotein gB

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Melina Vallbracht ◽  
Barbara G. Klupp ◽  
Thomas C. Mettenleiter
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Pseudorabies Virus ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Glycosylation Sites ◽  
Functional Relevance ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cell Cell

Envelope glycoprotein (g)B is conserved throughout the Herpesviridae and mediates fusion of the viral envelope with cellular membranes for infectious entry and spread. Like all viral envelope fusion proteins, gB is modified by asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation. Glycans can contribute to protein function, intracellular transport, trafficking, structure and immune evasion. gB of the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV) contains six consensus sites for N-linked glycosylation, but their functional relevance is unknown. Here, we investigated the occupancy and functional relevance of N-glycosylation sites in PrV gB. To this end, all predicted N-glycosylation sites were inactivated either singly or in combination by the introduction of conservative mutations (N➔Q). The resulting proteins were tested for expression, fusion activity in cell–cell fusion assays and complementation of a gB-deficient PrV mutant. Our results indicate that all six sites are indeed modified. However, while glycosylation at most sites was dispensable for gB expression and fusogenicity, inactivation of N154 and N700 affected gB processing by furin cleavage and surface localization. Although all single mutants were functional in cell–cell fusion and viral entry, simultaneous inactivation of all six N-glycosylation sites severely impaired fusion activity and viral entry, suggesting a critical role of N-glycans for maintaining gB structure and function.

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