Membrane pore formation and ion selectivity of the Ebola virus delta peptide

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 5578-5585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudramani Pokhrel ◽  
Elumalai Pavadai ◽  
Bernard S. Gerstman ◽  
Prem P. Chapagain
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Pore Formation ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Ion Selectivity ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Pore

The Ebola virus delta peptide homo-oligomerizes in the host cell membrane to form amphipathic pores that alter the membrane properties.

Modulation of host cell membrane nano-environment by mycobacterial glycolipids: Involvement of PI(4,5)P2 signaling lipid?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjari Mishra ◽  
Shobhna Kapoor
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Effector Molecules

Virulence-associated glycolipids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) act as effector molecules during infection—in addition to proteins. Upon insertion, they alter host cell membrane properties modifying host functions to impact Mtb survival...

scholarly journals Mechanisms of phosphatidylserine influence on viral production: a computational model of Ebola virus matrix protein assembly

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Liu ◽  
Ethan J Pappas ◽  
Monica L Husby ◽  
Robert V Stahelin ◽  
Elsje Pienaar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Matrix Assembly ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Western Africa

Ebola virus (EBOV) infections continue to pose a global public health threat, with high mortality rates and sporadic outbreaks in Central and Western Africa. A quantitative understanding of the key processes driving EBOV assembly and budding could provide valuable insights to inform drug development. Here we used a computational model to evaluate EBOV matrix assembly. Our model focused on the assembly kinetics of VP40, the matrix protein in EBOV, and its interaction with phosphatidylserine (PS) in the host cell membrane. Human cells transfected with VP40-expressing plasmids are capable of producing virus-like particles (VLPs) that closely resemble EBOV virions. We used data from this in vitro VP40 system to calibrate our computational model. PS levels in the host cell membrane had been shown to affect VP40 dynamics as well as VLP production through recruiting VP40 dimers to plasma membrane inner leaflet. Our computational results indicated that PS may have direct influence on VP40 filament growth and affect multiple steps in the assembly and budding of VP40 VLPs. We also proposed that the assembly of VP40 filaments may follow the nucleation-elongation theory where initialization and oligomerization of VP40 are two separate and distinct steps in the assembly process. This work illustrated how computational and experimental approaches can be combined to allow for additional analysis and hypothesis generation. Our findings advanced understanding of the molecular process of EBOV assembly and budding processes and may help the development of new EBOV treatments targeting VP40 matrix assembly.

scholarly journals Exaptation of Retroviral Syncytin for Development of Syncytialized Placenta, Its Limited Homology to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Arguments against Disturbing Narrative in the Context of COVID-19 Vaccination

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Kloc ◽  
Ahmed Uosef ◽  
Jacek Z. Kubiak ◽  
Rafik M. Ghobrial
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Envelope Glycoprotein ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Mammalian Evolution ◽  
Trophoblast Cells ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Uterine Endometrium

Human placenta formation relies on the interaction between fused trophoblast cells of the embryo with uterine endometrium. The fusion between trophoblast cells, first into cytotrophoblast and then into syncytiotrophoblast, is facilitated by the fusogenic protein syncytin. Syncytin derives from an envelope glycoprotein (ENV) of retroviral origin. In exogenous retroviruses, the envelope glycoproteins coded by env genes allow fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane and entry of the virus into a host cell. During mammalian evolution, the env genes have been repeatedly, and independently, captured by various mammalian species to facilitate the formation of the placenta. Such a shift in the function of a gene, or a trait, for a different purpose during evolution is called an exaptation (co-option). We discuss the structure and origin of the placenta, the fusogenic and non-fusogenic functions of syncytin, and the mechanism of cell fusion. We also comment on an alleged danger of the COVID-19 vaccine based on the presupposed similarity between syncytin and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

scholarly journals Intracellular host cell membrane remodelling induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in vitro

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucio Ayres Caldas ◽  
Fabiana Avila Carneiro ◽  
Fabio Luis Monteiro ◽  
Ingrid Augusto ◽  
Luiza Mendonça Higa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Host Cell Membrane

scholarly journals The Photorhabdus asymbiotica virulence cassettes deliver protein effectors directly into target eukaryotic cells

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Vlisidou ◽  
Alexia Hapeshi ◽  
Joseph RJ Healey ◽  
Katie Smart ◽  
Guowei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Host Cell Membrane ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Insect Pathogen ◽  
Protein Toxins ◽  
Delivery Mechanism

Photorhabdus is a highly effective insect pathogen and symbiont of insecticidal nematodes. To exert its potent insecticidal effects, it elaborates a myriad of toxins and small molecule effectors. Among these, the Photorhabdus Virulence Cassettes (PVCs) represent an elegant self-contained delivery mechanism for diverse protein toxins. Importantly, these self-contained nanosyringes overcome host cell membrane barriers, and act independently, at a distance from the bacteria itself. In this study, we demonstrate that Pnf, a PVC needle complex associated toxin, is a Rho-GTPase, which acts via deamidation and transglutamination to disrupt the cytoskeleton. TEM and Western blots have shown a physical association between Pnf and its cognate PVC delivery mechanism. We demonstrate that for Pnf to exert its effect, translocation across the cell membrane is absolutely essential.

scholarly journals Membrane and luminal proteins reach the apicoplast by different trafficking pathways in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Chaudhari ◽  
Vishakha Dey ◽  
Aishwarya Narayan ◽  
Shobhona Sharma ◽  
Swati Patankar
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Acyl Carrier Protein ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Host Cell Membrane

The secretory pathway in Plasmodium falciparum has evolved to transport proteins to the host cell membrane and to an endosymbiotic organelle, the apicoplast. The latter can occur via the ER or the ER-Golgi route. Here, we study these three routes using proteins Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1), Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP) and glutathione peroxidase-like thioredoxin peroxidase (PfTPxGl) and inhibitors of vesicular transport. As expected, the G protein dependent vesicular fusion inhibitor AlF4- and microtubule destabilizing drug vinblastine block the trafficking of PfEMP-1, a protein secreted to the host cell membrane. However, while both PfTPxGl and ACP are targeted to the apicoplast, only ACP trafficking remains unaffected by these treatments. This implies that G-protein dependent vesicles do not play a role in classical apicoplast protein targeting. Unlike the soluble protein ACP, we show that PfTPxGl is localized to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. Thus, the parasite apicoplast acquires proteins via two different pathways: first, the vesicular trafficking pathway appears to handle not only secretory proteins, but an apicoplast membrane protein, PfTPxGl. Second, trafficking of apicoplast luminal proteins appear to be independent of G-protein coupled vesicles.

scholarly journals Membrane and luminal proteins reach the apicoplast by different trafficking pathways in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Chaudhari ◽  
Vishakha Dey ◽  
Aishwarya Narayan ◽  
Shobhona Sharma ◽  
Swati Patankar
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Protein Targeting ◽  
Acyl Carrier Protein ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Host Cell Membrane

The secretory pathway in Plasmodium falciparum has evolved to transport proteins to the host cell membrane and to an endosymbiotic organelle, the apicoplast. The latter can occur via the ER or the ER-Golgi route. Here, we study these three routes using proteins Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1), Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP) and glutathione peroxidase-like thioredoxin peroxidase (PfTPxGl) and inhibitors of vesicular transport. As expected, the G protein dependent vesicular fusion inhibitor AlF4- and microtubule destabilizing drug vinblastine block the trafficking of PfEMP-1, a protein secreted to the host cell membrane. However, while both PfTPxGl and ACP are targeted to the apicoplast, only ACP trafficking remains unaffected by these treatments. This implies that G-protein dependent vesicles do not play a role in classical apicoplast protein targeting. Unlike the soluble protein ACP, we show that PfTPxGl is localized to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. Thus, the parasite apicoplast acquires proteins via two different pathways: first, the vesicular trafficking pathway appears to handle not only secretory proteins, but an apicoplast membrane protein, PfTPxGl. Second, trafficking of apicoplast luminal proteins appear to be independent of G-protein coupled vesicles.

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