scholarly journals Rescue of Infectious Sindbis Virus by Yeast Spheroplast-Mammalian Cell Fusion

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 603
Author(s):  
Lin Ding ◽  
David M. Brown ◽  
John I. Glass
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Positive Sense ◽  
Cdna Construct

Sindbis virus (SINV), a positive-sense single stranded RNA virus that causes mild symptoms in humans, is transmitted by mosquito bites. SINV reverse genetics have many implications, not only in understanding alphavirus transmission, replication cycle, and virus-host interactions, but also in biotechnology and biomedical applications. The rescue of SINV infectious particles is usually achieved by transfecting susceptible cells (BHK-21) with SINV-infectious mRNA genomes generated from cDNA constructed via in vitro translation (IVT). That procedure is time consuming, costly, and relies heavily on reagent quality. Here, we constructed a novel infectious SINV cDNA construct that expresses its genomic RNA in yeast cells controlled by galactose induction. Using spheroplasts made from this yeast, we established a robust polyethylene glycol-mediated yeast: BHK-21 fusion protocol to rescue infectious SINV particles. Our approach is timesaving and utilizes common lab reagents for SINV rescue. It could be a useful tool for the rescue of large single strand RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.

Isolation of the SUP45 omnipotent suppressor gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and characterization of its gene product

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-822
Author(s):  
H J Himmelfarb ◽  
E Maicas ◽  
J D Friesen
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Ribosomal Protein ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Nonsense Suppression ◽  
Synthesis Rate

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUP45+ gene has been isolated from a genomic clone library by genetic complementation of paromomycin sensitivity, which is a property of a mutant strain carrying the sup45-2 allele. This plasmid complements all phenotypes associated with the sup45-2 mutation, including nonsense suppression, temperature sensitivity, osmotic sensitivity, and paromomycin sensitivity. Genetic mapping with a URA3+-marked derivative of the complementing plasmid that was integrated into the chromosome by homologous recombination demonstrated that the complementing fragment contained the SUP45+ gene and not an unlinked suppressor. The SUP45+ gene is present as a single copy in the haploid genome and is essential for viability. In vitro translation of the hybrid-selected SUP45+ transcript yielded a protein of Mr = 54,000, which is larger than any known ribosomal protein. RNA blot hybridization analysis showed that the steady-state level of the SUP45+ transcript is less than 10% of that for ribosomal protein L3 or rp59 transcripts. When yeast cells are subjected to a mild heat shock, the synthesis rate of the SUP45+ transcript was transiently reduced, approximately in parallel with ribosomal protein transcripts. Our data suggest that the SUP45+ gene does not encode a ribosomal protein. We speculate that it codes for a translation-related function whose precise nature is not yet known.

scholarly journals Activation of CXCL-8 Transcription by Hepatitis E Virus ORF-1 via AP-1

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhubing Li ◽  
Lu Chen ◽  
Qiang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Promoter Activity ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Positive Sense ◽  
Binding Sequence

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small nonenveloped single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus and is one of the major causes for acute hepatitis worldwide. CXCL-8 is a small multifunctional proinflammatory chemokine. It was reported recently that HEV infection significantly upregulates CXCL-8 gene expression. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of HEV-induced CXCL-8 transcriptional activation. Using CXCL-8 promoter reporters of different lengths ranging from −1400 to −173, we showed that −173 promoter has the highest promoter activity in the presence of HEV genomic RNA, indicating that the −173 promoter contains sequences responsible for CXCL-8 activation by HEV. Ectopic expression of the ORF-1 protein can upregulate the −173 CXCL-8 promoter activity. In contrast, expression of the ORF-2 protein suppresses the CXCL-8 promoter activity and expression of the ORF-3 protein has no effect on the CXCL-8 promoter activity. We further showed that AP-1 is required for CXCL-8 activation because neither HEV genomic RNA nor the ORF-1 protein can upregulate the −173 CXCL-8 promoter in the absence of the AP-1 binding sequence. Taken together, our results showed that HEV and HEV ORF-1 protein activate the CXCL-8 promoter via AP-1. This novel function of HEV ORF-1 protein should contribute to our understanding of HEV-host interactions and HEV-associated pathogenesis.

scholarly journals A Synthetic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Strain Confers Unprecedented Levels of Heterologous Protection

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (23) ◽  
pp. 12070-12083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiep L. X. Vu ◽  
Fangrui Ma ◽  
William W. Laegreid ◽  
Asit K. Pattnaik ◽  
David Steffen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽  
Full Genome ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Prrsv Strain ◽  
Heterologous Protection

ABSTRACTCurrent vaccines do not provide sufficient levels of protection against divergent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains circulating in the field, mainly due to the substantial variation of the viral genome. We describe here a novel approach to generate a PRRSV vaccine candidate that could confer unprecedented levels of heterologous protection against divergent PRRSV isolates. By using a set of 59 nonredundant, full-genome sequences of type 2 PRRSVs, a consensus genome (designated PRRSV-CON) was generated by aligning these 59 PRRSV full-genome sequences, followed by selecting the most common nucleotide found at each position of the alignment. Next, the synthetic PRRSV-CON strain was generated through the use of reverse genetics. PRRSV-CON replicates as efficiently as our prototype PRRSV strain FL12, bothin vitroandin vivo. Importantly, when inoculated into pigs, PRRSV-CON confers significantly broader levels of heterologous protection than does wild-type PRRSV. Collectively, our data demonstrate that PRRSV-CON can serve as an excellent candidate for the development of a broadly protective PRRSV vaccine.IMPORTANCEThe extraordinary genetic variation of RNA viruses poses a monumental challenge for the development of broadly protective vaccines against these viruses. To minimize the genetic dissimilarity between vaccine immunogens and contemporary circulating viruses, computational strategies have been developed for the generation of artificial immunogen sequences (so-called “centralized” sequences) that have equal genetic distances to the circulating viruses. Thus far, the generation of centralized vaccine immunogens has been carried out at the level of individual viral proteins. We expand this concept to PRRSV, a highly variable RNA virus, by creating a synthetic PRRSV strain based on a centralized PRRSV genome sequence. This study provides the first example of centralizing the whole genome of an RNA virus to improve vaccine coverage. This concept may be significant for the development of vaccines against genetically variable viruses that require active viral replication in order to achieve complete immune protection.

scholarly journals Determination of dsRNA interactome upon Sindbis virus infection in human cells identifies SFPQ as a critical proviral factor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Girardi ◽  
Mélanie Messmer ◽  
Paula Lopez ◽  
Aurélie Fender ◽  
Johana Chicher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Replication ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Viral Dsrna ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Dsrna Binding ◽  
Dsrna Binding Protein

AbstractViruses are obligate intracellular parasites, which depend on the host cellular machineries to replicate their genome and complete their infectious cycle. Long double stranded (ds)RNA is a common viral by-product originating during RNA virus replication and is universally sensed as a danger signal to trigger the antiviral response. As a result, viruses hide dsRNA intermediates into viral replication factories and have evolved strategies to hijack cellular proteins for their benefit. The characterization of the host factors associated to viral dsRNA and involved in viral replication remains a major challenge to develop new antiviral drugs against RNA viruses. Here, we performed anti-dsRNA immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to fully characterize the dsRNA interactome in Sindbis virus (SINV) infected human HCT116 cells. Among the validated factors, we characterized SFPQ (Splicing factor, proline-glutamine rich) as a new dsRNA-associated factor upon SINV infection. We proved that SFPQ is able to directly bind to dsRNAs in vitro, that its association to dsRNA is independent of single-stranded (ss)RNA flanking regions in vivo and that it is able to bind to the viral genome upon infection. Furthermore, we showed that both knock-down and knock-out of SFPQ reduce SINV infection in human HCT116 and SK-N-BE(2) cells, suggesting that SFPQ could enhance viral replication. Overall, this study not only represents a resource to further study SINV dsRNA-associated factors upon infection but also identifies SFPQ as a new proviral dsRNA binding protein.

scholarly journals Characterization of a component of the yeast secretion machinery: identification of the SEC18 gene product.

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 4098-4109 ◽  
Author(s):  
K A Eakle ◽  
M Bernstein ◽  
S D Emr
Keyword(s):  
Golgi Complex ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Secretory Protein ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Cell Fractionation ◽  
Significant Similarity

SEC18 gene function is required for secretory protein transport between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi complex. We cloned the SEC18 gene by complementation of the sec18-1 mutation. Gene disruption has shown that SEC18 is essential for yeast cell growth. Sequence analysis of the gene revealed a 2,271-base-pair open reading frame which could code for a protein of 83.9 kilodaltons. The predicted protein sequence showed no significant similarity to other known protein sequences. In vitro transcription and translation of SEC18 led to the synthesis of two proteins of approximately 84 and 82 kilodaltons. Antisera raised against a Sec18-beta-galactosidase fusion protein also detected two proteins (collectively referred to as Sec18p) in extracts of 35S-labeled yeast cells identical in size to those seen by in vitro translation. Mapping of the 5' end of the SEC18 mRNA revealed only one major start site for transcription, which indicates that the multiple forms of Sec18p do not arise from mRNAs with different 5' ends. Results of pulse-chase experiments indicated that the two forms of Sec18p are not the result of posttranslational processing. We suggest that translation initiating at different in-frame AUG start codons is likely to account for the presence of two forms of Sec18p. Hydrophobicity analysis indicated that the proteins were hydrophilic in nature and lacked any region that would be predicted to serve as a signal sequence or transmembrane anchor. Although potential sites for N-linked glycosylation were present in the Sec18p sequence, the sizes of the in vivo SEC18 gene products were unaffected by the drug tunicamycin, indicating that Sec18p does not enter the secretory pathway. These results suggest that Sec18p resides in the cell cytoplasm. While preliminary cell fractionation studies showed that Sec18p is not associated with the ER or Golgi complex, association with a 100,000 x g pellet fraction was observed. This suggests that Sec18p may bind transiently to small vesicles such as those presumed to participate in secretory protein transport between ER and the Golgi complex.

scholarly journals Purification of the Cucumber Necrosis Virus Replicase from Yeast Cells: Role of Coexpressed Viral RNA in Stimulation of Replicase Activity

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (15) ◽  
pp. 8254-8263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zivile Panaviene ◽  
Tadas Panavas ◽  
Saulius Serva ◽  
Peter D. Nagy
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Replicase Complex ◽  
Internal Initiation ◽  
The Stability

ABSTRACT Purified recombinant viral replicases are useful for studying the mechanism of viral RNA replication in vitro. In this work, we obtained a highly active template-dependent replicase complex for Cucumber necrosis tombusvirus (CNV), which is a plus-stranded RNA virus, from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The recombinant CNV replicase showed properties similar to those of the plant-derived CNV replicase (P. D. Nagy and J. Pogany, Virology 276:279-288, 2000), including the ability (i) to initiate cRNA synthesis de novo on both plus- and minus-stranded templates, (ii) to generate replicase products that are shorter than full length by internal initiation, and (iii) to perform primer extension from the 3′ end of the template. We also found that isolation of functional replicase required the coexpression of the CNV p92 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the auxiliary p33 protein in yeast. Moreover, coexpression of a viral RNA template with the replicase proteins in yeast increased the activity of the purified CNV replicase by 40-fold, suggesting that the viral RNA might promote the assembly of the replicase complex and/or that the RNA increases the stability of the replicase. In summary, this paper reports the first purified recombinant tombusvirus replicase showing high activity and template dependence, a finding that will greatly facilitate future studies on RNA replication in vitro.

scholarly journals Noncapped Alphavirus Genomic RNAs and Their Role during Infection

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (11) ◽  
pp. 6080-6092 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Sokoloski ◽  
K. C. Haist ◽  
T. E. Morrison ◽  
S. Mukhopadhyay ◽  
R. W. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Concerted Effort ◽  
Genomic Rnas ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Molecular Determinant ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Positive Sense

ABSTRACTAlphaviruses are enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses that exhibit a wide host range consisting of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Previously we have reported that the infectivity of Sindbis virus (SINV), the model alphavirus, was largely a function of the cell line producing the viral particles. Mammalian-cell-derived SINV particles, on average, exhibit a higher particle-to-PFU ratio than mosquito cell-derived SINV particles. Nevertheless, the outcome of nonproductive infection, the molecular traits that determine particle infectivity and the biological importance of noninfectious particles were, prior to this study, unknown. Here, we report that the incoming genomic RNAs of noninfectious SINV particles undergo rapid degradation following infection. Moreover, these studies have led to the identification of the absence of the 5′ cap structure as a primary molecular determinant of particle infectivity. We show that the genomic RNAs of alphaviruses are not universally 5′ capped, with a significant number of noncapped genomic RNA produced early in infection. The production of noncapped viral genomic RNAs is important to the establishment and maintenance of alphaviral infection.IMPORTANCEThis report is of importance to the field of virology for three reasons. First, these studies demonstrate that noncapped Sindbis virus particles are produced as a result of viral RNA synthesis. Second, this report is, to our knowledge, the first instance of the direct measurement of the half-life of an incoming genomic RNA from a positive-sense RNA virus. Third, these studies indicate that alphaviral infection is likely a concerted effort of infectious and noninfectious viral particles.

scholarly journals Isolation of the SUP45 omnipotent suppressor gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and characterization of its gene product.

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
H J Himmelfarb ◽  
E Maicas ◽  
J D Friesen
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Ribosomal Protein ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Nonsense Suppression ◽  
Synthesis Rate

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUP45+ gene has been isolated from a genomic clone library by genetic complementation of paromomycin sensitivity, which is a property of a mutant strain carrying the sup45-2 allele. This plasmid complements all phenotypes associated with the sup45-2 mutation, including nonsense suppression, temperature sensitivity, osmotic sensitivity, and paromomycin sensitivity. Genetic mapping with a URA3+-marked derivative of the complementing plasmid that was integrated into the chromosome by homologous recombination demonstrated that the complementing fragment contained the SUP45+ gene and not an unlinked suppressor. The SUP45+ gene is present as a single copy in the haploid genome and is essential for viability. In vitro translation of the hybrid-selected SUP45+ transcript yielded a protein of Mr = 54,000, which is larger than any known ribosomal protein. RNA blot hybridization analysis showed that the steady-state level of the SUP45+ transcript is less than 10% of that for ribosomal protein L3 or rp59 transcripts. When yeast cells are subjected to a mild heat shock, the synthesis rate of the SUP45+ transcript was transiently reduced, approximately in parallel with ribosomal protein transcripts. Our data suggest that the SUP45+ gene does not encode a ribosomal protein. We speculate that it codes for a translation-related function whose precise nature is not yet known.

scholarly journals Facile Method for Delivering Chikungunya Viral Replicons Into Mosquitoes and Mammalian Cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Chung Lin ◽  
Der-Jiang Chiao ◽  
Chang-Chi Lin ◽  
Szu-Cheng Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Egfp Expression ◽  
Delivery Methods ◽  
Antiviral Compound ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Efficient Delivery ◽  
Egfp Reporter

Abstract Reverse genetics is an important tool in the elucidation of viral replication and the development of countermeasures; however, these methods are impeded by laborious and inefficient replicon delivery methods. This paper demonstrates the use of a baculovirus to facilitate the efficient delivery of autonomous CHIKV replicons into mosquito and mammalian cells in vitro as well as adult mosquitoes in vivo. The efficacy of this approach was verified via co-localization among an eGFP reporter, nsP1, and dsRNA as well as through the inhibition of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) null mutation (DDAA) in nsP4, or the treatment of a known antiviral compound (6-azauridine). We also investigated the correlation between CHIKV replicon-launched eGFP expression and the effectiveness of CHIKV replicon variants in inducing IFN-β expression in human cell lines. This delivery method based on a single vector is applicable to mosquito and mammalian cells in seeking to decipher the mechanisms underlying CHIKV replication, elucidate virus–host interactions, and develop antivirals. This study presents an effective alternative to overcome many of the technological issues related to the study and utilization of autonomous arbovirus replicons.

scholarly journals Development and characterization of infectious clones of two strains of Usutu virus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Bates ◽  
Christina Chuong ◽  
Seth A. Hawks ◽  
Pallavi Rai ◽  
Rebecca M. Salgado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Insect Cells ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Infectious Clone ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Infection Transmission ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Infectious Clones ◽  
Positive Sense

AbstractUsutu virus (USUV; genus Flavivirus; family Flaviviridae) is a mosquito-borne, positive-sense RNA virus that is currently causing significant die-offs in numerous bird species throughout Europe and has caused infections in humans. Currently, there are no molecular clones for USUV, hence, hindering studies on the pathogenesis and transmission of USUV. In this report, we demonstrate the development and characterization of infectious clones for two modern strains of USUV isolated from Europe and Africa. We show that the infectious clone-derived viruses replicated similarly to the parental strains in both mammalian and insect cells. Additionally, we observed similar levels of replication and pathogenesis in two mouse models. This reverse genetics system will aid the scientific community in studying and developing USUV infection, transmission, diagnostics, and vaccines.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document