scholarly journals Human APOBEC3G prevents emergence of infectious endogenous retrovirus in mice

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca S. Treger ◽  
Maria Tokuyama ◽  
Huiping Dong ◽  
Susan R. Ross ◽  
Yong Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Cytidine Deaminases ◽  
Endogenous Loci ◽  
Human Apobec3g

AbstractEndogenous retroviruses (ERV) are found throughout vertebrate genomes and failure to silence their activation can have deleterious consequences on the host. Introduction of mutations that subsequently prevent transcription of ERV loci is therefore an indispensable cell-intrinsic defense mechanism that maintains the integrity of the host genome. Abundant in vitro and in silico evidence have revealed that APOBEC3 cytidine-deaminases, including human APOBEC3G (hA3G) can potently restrict retrotransposition; yet in vivo data demonstrating such activity is lacking, particularly since no replication competent human ERV has been identified. In mice deficient for Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), transcribed ERV loci can recombine and generate infectious ERV. In this study, we show that mice deficient in the only copy of Apobec3 in the genome did not have spontaneous reactivation of ERVs, nor elevated ERV reactivation when crossed to Tlr7-/- mice. In contrast, expression of a human APOBEC3G transgene abrogated emergence of infectious ERV in the Tlr7-/- background. No ERV RNA was detected in the plasma of hA3G+Apobec3-/-Tlr7-/- mice, and infectious ERV virions could not be amplified through co-culture with permissive cells. These data reveal that hA3G can potently restrict active ERV in vivo, and suggest that the expansion of the APOBEC3 locus in primates has helped restrict ERV reactivation in the human genome.ImportanceAlthough APOBEC3 proteins are known to be important antiviral restriction factors in both mice and humans, their roles in the restriction of endogenous retroviruses (ERV) have been limited to in vitro studies. Here, we report that human APOBEC3G expressed as a transgene in mice prevents the emergence of infectious ERV from endogenous loci. This study reveals that APOBEC3G can powerfully restrict active retrotransposons in vivo and demonstrates how ectopic expression of human factors in transgenic mouse models can be used to investigate host mechanisms that inhibit retrotransposons and reinforce genomic integrity.

scholarly journals Human APOBEC3G Prevents Emergence of Infectious Endogenous Retrovirus in Mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca S. Treger ◽  
Maria Tokuyama ◽  
Huiping Dong ◽  
Karen Salas-Briceno ◽  
Susan R. Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
Cytidine Deaminases ◽  
Endogenous Loci ◽  
Human Apobec3g

ABSTRACT Endogenous retroviruses (ERV) are found throughout vertebrate genomes, and failure to silence their activation can have deleterious consequences on the host. Mutation and subsequent disruption of ERV loci is therefore an indispensable component of the cell-intrinsic defenses that maintain the integrity of the host genome. Abundant in vitro and in silico evidence have revealed that APOBEC3 cytidine-deaminases, including human APOBEC3G (hA3G), can potently restrict retrotransposition; yet, in vivo data demonstrating such activity is lacking, since no replication-competent human ERV have been identified. In mice deficient for Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), transcribed ERV loci can recombine and generate infectious ERV. In this study, we show that ectopic expression of hA3G can prevent the emergence of replication-competent, infectious ERV in Tlr7−/− mice. Mice encode one copy of Apobec3 in their genome. ERV reactivation in Tlr7−/− mice was comparable in the presence or absence of Apobec3. In contrast, expression of a human APOBEC3G transgene abrogated emergence of infectious ERV in the Tlr7−/− background. No ERV RNA was detected in the plasma of hA3G+ Apobec3−/− Tlr7−/− mice, and infectious ERV virions could not be amplified through coculture with permissive cells. These data reveal that hA3G can potently restrict active ERV in vivo and suggest that expansion of the APOBEC3 locus in primates may have helped to provide for the continued restraint of ERV in the human genome. IMPORTANCE Although APOBEC3 proteins are known to be important antiviral restriction factors in both mice and humans, their roles in the restriction of endogenous retroviruses (ERV) have been limited to in vitro studies. Here, we report that human APOBEC3G expressed as a transgene in mice prevents the emergence of infectious ERV from endogenous loci. This study reveals that APOBEC3G can powerfully restrict active retrotransposons in vivo and demonstrates how transgenic mice can be used to investigate host mechanisms that inhibit retrotransposons and reinforce genomic integrity.

scholarly journals Characterization of Endogenous Retroviruses in Sheep

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (20) ◽  
pp. 11268-11273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolai Klymiuk ◽  
Mathias Müller ◽  
Gottfried Brem ◽  
Bernhard Aigner
Keyword(s):  
Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Pregnant Sheep ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences have been found in all mammals. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed ERV activation and cross-species infection in several species. Sheep (Ovis aries) are used for various biotechnological purposes; however, they have not yet been comprehensively screened for ERV sequences. Therefore, the aim of the study was to classify the ERV sequences in the ovine genome (OERV) by analyzing the retroviral pro-pol sequences. Three OERV β families and nine OERV γ families were revealed. Novel open reading frames (ORF) in the amplified proviral fragment were found in one OERV β family and two OERV γ families. Hybrid OERV produced by putative recombination events were not detected. Quantitative analysis of the OERV sequences in the ovine genome revealed no relevant variations in the endogenous retroviral loads of different breeds. Expression analysis of different tissues from fetal and pregnant sheep detected mRNA from both gammaretrovirus families, showing ORF fragments. Thus, the release of retroviruses from sheep cells cannot be excluded.

scholarly journals Detection and Characterization of Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus in Porcine Plasma and Porcine Factor VIII

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 4551-4557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Takefman ◽  
Susan Wong ◽  
Thomas Maudru ◽  
Keith Peden ◽  
Carolyn A. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Factor Viii ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Infectious Virus ◽  
Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Pig Genome

ABSTRACT The pig genome contains porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) capable of infecting human cells. Detection of infectious retrovirus in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells and endothelial cells suggested to us that pig plasma is likely to contain PERV. Both PERV env sequences and viral reverse transcriptase (RT) activity were detected in all plasma samples isolated from four NIH minipigs. To detect infectious virus from plasma, we performed a culture assay using three cell lines of feline, swine, and human origin that had previously been shown to be permissive for PERV. Infectious virus was successfully cultured from all four NIH minipig plasmas on the swine cell line ST-IOWA. Using RT-PCR with env-specific primers, we could detect expression of PERV class C envelope in the supernatant of ST-IOWA cells that had been exposed to each pig plasma. We next examined a pig plasma derivative, Hyate:C (porcine factor VIII), and found evidence of PERV particles, since all six lots examined were positive for PERV RNA and RT activity. However, infectious virus could not be detected in clinical lots of Hyate:C, suggesting that the manufacturing process might reduce the load of infectious virus to levels below detectable limits of the assay. Detection of infectious virus in porcine plasma confirms and extends the previous findings that certain porcine cells express PERV when manipulated in vitro and clearly demonstrates that there are porcine cells that express infectious PERV constitutively in vivo.

scholarly journals Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Induce Cell Death in Human HepaRG Cells in a Structure-Dependent Manner

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Josephin Glück ◽  
Julia Waizenegger ◽  
Albert Braeuning ◽  
Stefanie Hessel-Pras
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Hepatoma Cell ◽  
Hepatoma Cell Line ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Hepatoma Cell

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a group of secondary metabolites produced in various plant species as a defense mechanism against herbivores. PAs consist of a necine base, which is esterified with one or two necine acids. Humans are exposed to PAs by consumption of contaminated food. PA intoxication in humans causes acute and chronic hepatotoxicity. It is considered that enzymatic PA toxification in hepatocytes is structure-dependent. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the induction of PA-induced cell death associated with apoptosis activation. Therefore, 22 structurally different PAs were analyzed concerning the disturbance of cell viability in the metabolically competent human hepatoma cell line HepaRG. The chosen PAs represent the main necine base structures and the different esterification types. Open-chained and cyclic heliotridine- and retronecine-type diesters induced strong cytotoxic effects, while treatment of HepaRG with monoesters did not affect cell viability. For more detailed investigation of apoptosis induction, comprising caspase activation and gene expression analysis, 14 PA representatives were selected. The proapoptotic effects were in line with the potency observed in cell viability studies. In vitro data point towards a strong structure–activity relationship whose effectiveness needs to be investigated in vivo and can then be the basis for a structure-associated risk assessment.

scholarly journals Human Keratinocytes Adopt Neuronal Fates After In Utero Transplantation in the Developing Rat Brain

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 096368972097821
Author(s):  
Andrea Tenorio-Mina ◽  
Daniel Cortés ◽  
Joel Esquivel-Estudillo ◽  
Adolfo López-Ornelas ◽  
Alejandro Cabrera-Wrooman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Neural Induction ◽  
Human Keratinocytes ◽  
Differentiation Potential ◽  
Neuronal Proteins ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Human skin contains keratinocytes in the epidermis. Such cells share their ectodermal origin with the central nervous system (CNS). Recent studies have demonstrated that terminally differentiated somatic cells can adopt a pluripotent state, or can directly convert its phenotype to neurons, after ectopic expression of transcription factors. In this article we tested the hypothesis that human keratinocytes can adopt neural fates after culturing them in suspension with a neural medium. Initially, keratinocytes expressed Keratins and Vimentin. After neural induction, transcriptional upregulation of NESTIN, SOX2, VIMENTIN, SOX1, and MUSASHI1 was observed, concomitant with significant increases in NESTIN detected by immunostaining. However, in vitro differentiation did not yield the expression of neuronal or astrocytic markers. We tested the differentiation potential of control and neural-induced keratinocytes by grafting them in the developing CNS of rats, through ultrasound-guided injection. For this purpose, keratinocytes were transduced with lentivirus that contained the coding sequence of green fluorescent protein. Cell sorting was employed to select cells with high fluorescence. Unexpectedly, 4 days after grafting these cells in the ventricles, both control and neural-induced cells expressed green fluorescent protein together with the neuronal proteins βIII-Tubulin and Microtubule-Associated Protein 2. These results support the notion that in vivo environment provides appropriate signals to evaluate the neuronal differentiation potential of keratinocytes or other non-neural cell populations.

scholarly journals Differential effect of anesthetics on mucociliary clearance in vivo in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle S. Feldman ◽  
Eunwon Kim ◽  
Michael J. Czachowski ◽  
Yijen Wu ◽  
Cecilia W. Lo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mucociliary Clearance ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Ciliary Beat Frequency ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Sulfur Colloid ◽  
Ct System

AbstractRespiratory mucociliary clearance (MCC) is a key defense mechanism that functions to entrap and transport inhaled pollutants, particulates, and pathogens away from the lungs. Previous work has identified a number of anesthetics to have cilia depressive effects in vitro. Wild-type C57BL/6 J mice received intra-tracheal installation of 99mTc-Sulfur colloid, and were imaged using a dual-modality SPECT/CT system at 0 and 6 h to measure baseline MCC (n = 8). Mice were challenged for one hour with inhalational 1.5% isoflurane, or intraperitoneal ketamine (100 mg/kg)/xylazine (20 mg/kg), ketamine (0.5 mg/kg)/dexmedetomidine (50 mg/kg), fentanyl (0.2 mg/kg)/1.5% isoflurane, propofol (120 mg/Kg), or fentanyl/midazolam/dexmedetomidine (0.025 mg/kg/2.5 mg/kg/0.25 mg/kg) prior to MCC assessment. The baseline MCC was 6.4%, and was significantly reduced to 3.7% (p = 0.04) and 3.0% (p = 0.01) by ketamine/xylazine and ketamine/dexmedetomidine challenge respectively. Importantly, combinations of drugs containing fentanyl, and propofol in isolation did not significantly depress MCC. Although no change in cilia length or percent ciliation was expected, we tried to correlate ex-vivo tracheal cilia ciliary beat frequency and cilia-generated flow velocities with MCC and found no correlation. Our results indicate that anesthetics containing ketamine (ketamine/xylazine and ketamine/dexmedetomidine) significantly depress MCC, while combinations containing fentanyl (fentanyl/isoflurane, fentanyl/midazolam/dexmedetomidine) and propofol do not. Our method for assessing MCC is reproducible and has utility for studying the effects of other drug combinations.

scholarly journals Two Drosophila Innexins Are Expressed in Overlapping Domains and Cooperate to Form Gap-Junction Channels

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2459-2470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy A. Stebbings ◽  
Martin G. Todman ◽  
Pauline Phelan ◽  
Jonathan P. Bacon ◽  
Jane A. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Electrophysiological Properties ◽  
Gap Junction Channels ◽  
Overlapping Domains ◽  
In Vitro Data

Members of the innexin protein family are structural components of invertebrate gap junctions and are analogous to vertebrate connexins. Here we investigate two Drosophila innexin genes,Dm-inx2 and Dm-inx3 and show that they are expressed in overlapping domains throughout embryogenesis, most notably in epidermal cells bordering each segment. We also explore the gap-junction–forming capabilities of the encoded proteins. In pairedXenopus oocytes, the injection of Dm-inx2mRNA results in the formation of voltage-sensitive channels in only ∼ 40% of cell pairs. In contrast, Dm-Inx3 never forms channels. Crucially, when both mRNAs are coexpressed, functional channels are formed reliably, and the electrophysiological properties of these channels distinguish them from those formed by Dm-Inx2 alone. We relate these in vitro data to in vivo studies. Ectopic expression ofDm-inx2 in vivo has limited effects on the viability ofDrosophila, and animals ectopically expressingDm-inx3 are unaffected. However, ectopic expression of both transcripts together severely reduces viability, presumably because of the formation of inappropriate gap junctions. We conclude that Dm-Inx2 and Dm-Inx3, which are expressed in overlapping domains during embryogenesis, can form oligomeric gap-junction channels.

scholarly journals The ectopic expression of Arabidopsis glucosyltransferase UGT74D1 affects leaf positioning through modulating indole-3-acetic acid homeostasis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanghui Jin ◽  
Bingkai Hou ◽  
Guizhi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Leaf Angle ◽  
Kinase Substrate ◽  
Auxin Distribution ◽  
Leaf Tissues ◽  
Photosynthesis Efficiency ◽  
Indole 3 Acetic Acid

AbstractLeaf angle is an important agronomic trait affecting photosynthesis efficiency and crop yield. Although the mechanisms involved in the leaf angle control are intensively studied in monocots, factors contribute to the leaf angle in dicots are largely unknown. In this article, we explored the physiological roles of an Arabidopsis glucosyltransferase, UGT74D1, which have been proved to be indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) glucosyltransferase in vitro. We found that UGT74D1 possessed the enzymatic activity toward IAA glucosylation in vivo and its expression was induced by auxins. The ectopically expressed UGT74D1 obviously reduced the leaf angle with an altered IAA level, auxin distribution and cell size in leaf tissues. The expression of several key genes involved in the leaf shaping and leaf positioning, including PHYTOCHROME KINASE SUBSTRATE (PKS) genes and TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, and PCF (TCP) genes, were dramatically changed by ectopic expression of UGT74D1. In addition, clear transcription changes of YUCCA genes and other auxin related genes can be observed in overexpression lines. Taken together, our data indicate that glucosyltransferase UGT74D1 could affect leaf positioning through modulating auxin homeostasis and regulating transcription of PKS and TCP genes, suggesting a potential new role of UGT74D1 in regulation of leaf angle in dicot Arabidopsis.

scholarly journals Hypermethylation of DHRS3 as a Novel Tumor Suppressor Involved in Tumor Growth and Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sha Sumei ◽  
Kong Xiangyun ◽  
Chen Fenrong ◽  
Sun Xueguang ◽  
Hu Sijun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Survival Times

Background/AimsThe role of DHRS3 in human cancer remains unclear. Our study explored the role of DHRS3 in gastric cancer (GC) and its clinicopathological significance and associated mechanisms.MaterialsBisulfite-assisted genomic sequencing PCR and a Mass-Array system were used to evaluate and quantify the methylation levels of the promoter. The expression levels and biological function of DHRS3 was examined by both in vitro and in vivo assays. A two-way hierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify the methylation profiles, and the correlation between the methylation status of the DHRS3 promoter and the clinicopathological characteristics of GC were then assessed.ResultsThe DHRS3 promoter was hypermethylated in GC samples, while the mRNA and protein levels of DHRS3 were significantly downregulated. Ectopic expression of DHRS3 in GC cells inhibited cell proliferation and migration in vitro, decreased tumor growth in vivo. DHRS3 methylation was correlated with histological type and poor differentiation of tumors. GC patients with high degrees of CpG 9.10 methylation had shorter survival times than those with lower methylation.ConclusionDHRS3 was hypermethylated and downregulated in GC patients. Reduced expression of DHRS3 is implicated in gastric carcinogenesis, which suggests DHRS3 is a tumor suppressor.

scholarly journals A non-enveloped arbovirus released in lysosome-derived extracellular vesicles induces super-infection exclusion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Labadie ◽  
Polly Roy
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Free Virus ◽  
Enveloped Viruses ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Enveloped Virus ◽  
Super Infection

AbstractRecent developments on extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing multiple virus particles challenge the rigid definition of non-enveloped viruses. However, how non-enveloped viruses hijack cell machinery to promote non-lytic release in EVs, and their functional roles, remain to be clarified. Here we used Bluetongue virus (BTV) as a model of a non-enveloped arthropod-borne virus and observed that the majority of viruses are released in EVs, both in vitro and in the blood of infected animals. Based on the cellular proteins detected in these EVs, and use of inhibitors targeting the cellular degradation process, we demonstrated that these extracellular vesicles are derived from secretory lysosomes, in which the acidic pH is neutralized upon the infection. Moreover, we report that secreted EVs are more efficient than free-viruses for initiating infections, but that they trigger super-infection exclusion that only free-viruses can overcome.Author summaryRecent discoveries of non-enveloped virus secreted in EVs opened the door to new developments in our understanding of the transmission and pathogenicity of these viruses. In particular, how these viruses hijack the host cellular secretion machinery, and the role of these EVs compared with free-virus particles remained to be explored. Here, we tackled these two aspects, by studying BTV, an emerging arthropod-borne virus causing epidemics worldwide. We showed that this virus is mainly released in EVs, in vivo and in the blood of infected animals, and that inhibition of the cell degradation machinery decreases the release of infectious EVs, but not free-virus particles. We found that BTV must neutralize the pH of lysosomes, which are important organelles of the cell degradation machinery, for efficient virus release in EVs. Our results highlight unique features for a virus released in EVs, explaining how BTV transits in lysosomes without being degraded. Interestingly, we observed that EVs are more infectious than free-virus particles, but only free-viruses are able to overcome the super-infection exclusion, which is a common cellular defense mechanism. In conclusion, our study stresses the dual role played by both forms, free and vesicular, in the virus life cycle.

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