NL63冠状病毒木瓜样蛋白酶去泛素化酶活性和对宿主抗病毒天然免疫反应调节作用

引起人类呼吸道感染的冠状病毒已多达5种．冠状病毒与宿主相互作用决定了其致病性和免疫特性．冠状病毒感染后宿主会立即启动抗病毒天然免疫反应,而人类冠状病毒往往会编码特定蛋白逃逸或抑制宿主的天然免疫反应．NL63冠状病毒是一种新型人类冠状病毒,其非结构蛋白nsp3编码2个木瓜样蛋白酶(PLP)核心结构域PLP1和PLP2．前期研究发现,人类冠状病毒PLP2是一种病毒编码的去泛素化酶(DUB),但是对其DUB特性和功能还不清楚．研究发现,NL63冠状病毒PLP1和PLP2两个核心结构域中只有PLP2具有DUB活性,而且,PLP2的DUB活性对K48和K63连接的多聚泛素化修饰不表现明显特异性．同时,蛋白酶活性催化位点C1678和H1836突变后对其DUB活性有明显抑制作用,而蛋白酶活性催化位点D1849突变后对DUB活性无影响．其次,PLP2而非PLP1核心结构域能够明显抑制仙台病毒和重要信号蛋白(RIG-I、ERIS/STING/MITA)激活的干扰素表达,表明PLP2是一种冠状病毒编码的干扰素拮抗剂,而且PLP2的干扰素拮抗作用不完全依赖其蛋白酶活性．机制研究表明,PLP2能够与干扰素表达通路中的重要调节蛋白RIG-I和ERIS发生相互作用,通过对RIG-I和ERIS的去泛素化负调控宿主抗病毒天然免疫反应．此外,PLP2除利用DUB活性抑制干扰素表达外,很可能存在不依赖自身催化活性的其他组分共同抑制干扰素的产生．以上研究对阐明人类新发冠状病毒免疫和致病机理以及抗病毒药物研发具有重要参考价值．     

猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV)与抗病毒天然免疫

猪流行性腹泻病毒(porcine epidemic diarrhea virus,PEDV)是引起猪流行性腹泻病等肠道疾病的一种动物冠状病毒.PEDV与宿主系统相互作用,特别是其对宿主抗病毒天然免疫调节作用和机制是目前动物冠状病毒研究的基础科学问题之一.基于作者近几年来对人类重要冠状病毒对宿主抗病毒天然免疫系统调节作用的研究,本文对PEDV基因组与编码蛋白主要功能以及PEDV调节宿主抗病毒天然免疫反应及其可能机制的进展和现状进行了分析.与人类冠状病毒相似,PEDV编码的木瓜样蛋白酶(papain like protease,PLP)是一个多功能蛋白酶,除了蛋白酶活性外,还具有去泛素化酶(DUB)活性和宿主干扰素拮抗活性,是PEDV编码的一种新型病毒来源DUB和宿主干扰素拮抗蛋白.这些研究为阐明PEDV对宿主抗病毒天然免疫反应调节作用和其致病机制提供了重要的理论依据,为研制新型PEDV免疫防治措施提供了重要理论基础.     

SARS冠状病毒PLpro蛋白酶的结构与功能

SARS冠状病毒基因组编码2种病毒蛋白酶,即木瓜样蛋白酶（PLpro）和3C样蛋白酶(3CLpro).其中,PLpro蛋白酶结构与功能研究是近年来冠状病毒分子生物学研究的热点之一. PLpro蛋白酶参与SARS冠状病毒1a(1ab)复制酶多聚蛋白N端部分的切割加工,是SARS冠状病毒复制酶复合体(RC)形成的重要调节蛋白分子;最新研究表明,SARS冠状病毒PLpro蛋白酶是一种病毒编码的去泛素化酶（DUB）,对细胞蛋白具有明显去泛素化作用;而且对泛素(Ub)和泛素样分子ISG15均具有活性. PLpro蛋白酶对宿主抗病毒天然免疫反应具有负调节作用,是SARS冠状病毒的一种重要干扰素拮抗分子.PLpro蛋白酶是一种多功能病毒蛋白酶.本文结合作者课题组研究工作,对SARS冠状病毒PLpro蛋白酶结构和功能研究最新进展进行综述.     

抗病毒天然免疫通路中IRF-3调控新机制

干扰素调节因子-3(interferon regulatory factor-3,IRF-3)是IRF家族中重要 转录因子之一,在调控干扰素(interferon, IFN)基因表达和抗病毒天然免疫反应中具有重要作 用. 最新发现的MITA (mediator of IRF-3 activation, 又称STING/ERIS)蛋白是宿主抗病 毒天然免疫反应中的一种重要调节分子. 病毒侵染时,MITA与IRF-3相互作用,特异性激活 IRF-3,并募集TANK结合激酶1（TANK binding kinase 1, TBK1）与IFN通路中的线粒体抗 病毒信号蛋白MAVS(mitochondrial anti-viral signaling protein)形成复合物,且MITA可 被TBK1磷酸化,诱导Ⅰ型IFN及IFN刺激基因(interferon stimulate genes, ISG)的表达 ,诱发抗病毒天然免疫反应. 同时还发现,泛素连接酶RNF5（ring finger protein 5）可对MITA 发生泛素化修饰从而抑制其对IRF-3活化,实现对宿主抗病毒天然免疫反应负调节作用. 本 室研究发现,严重性急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒(severe acute respiratory syndrome co ronavirus, SARS-CoV）和人类新型冠状病毒（human coronavirus NL63, HCoV-NL63）的 木瓜样蛋白酶（papain-like protease, PLP）利用其特有的去泛素化酶（deubiquitinase, DUB）活性,通过宿主细胞泛素-蛋白酶体信号系统对IRF-3的泛素化等翻译后修饰进行调节 ,从而成为该种病毒逃逸机体抗病毒防御系统主要手段之一.     

猪流行性腹泻病毒与宿主抗病毒天然免疫抑制

猪流行性腹泻病毒(porcine epidemic diarrhea virus,PEDV)能引起猪腹泻等肠道疾病,属于α属冠状病毒,它的爆发给很多国家养猪业造成了严重的经济损失。2010年以来,PEDV感染在中国出现大规模爆发,一种突变型PEDV也于2013年在美国出现并迅速传播。 RNA病毒能够通过Toll样受体通路3（TLR3）和RIG-I样受体通路（RLR）诱导I型干扰素的产生。但以往的研究表明,PEDV感染能抑制I型干扰素的合成。近年来有关PEDV调节宿主天然免疫应答的研究取得了很大进展。PEDV主要通过编码作为干扰素拮抗剂的病毒蛋白以及隐藏病毒自身病原相关分子模式（PAMP）等两种方式逃逸宿主天然免疫应答。目前已报道,PEDV非结构蛋白1可通过降解CBP阻碍干扰素调节因子3(IRF-3)组装成增强子复合体;木瓜蛋白酶样蛋白酶可通过其去泛素化酶活性阻断天然免疫信号通路传递;3C样蛋白酶可通过剪切NEMO发挥干扰素拮抗剂活性;核衣壳蛋白通过结合TBK1抑制I型干扰素产生。PEDV也可通过合成加帽酶隐藏其病原相关分子dsRNA来避免激活天然免疫通路。PEDV抗病毒天然免疫机制阐明为研究PEDV感染免疫和致病机制提供了重要的理论依据,为研发抗PEDV新型疫苗和药物提供了基础。     

USP18介导的蛋白质去ISG化及其在结核病等传染病中的作用

干扰素诱导基因15 (interferon-stimulated gene 15,isg15)的表达受Ⅰ型干扰素诱导,该基因编码的蛋白ISG15可以分别通过E1、E2和E3酶的作用共价修饰靶蛋白,此过程被称为ISG化(ISGylation)。宿主蛋白的ISG化广泛参与天然免疫例如宿主的抗病毒过程。泛素特异性蛋白酶18 (ubiquitin-specific protease 18,USP18)作为一种去泛素化酶(deubiquitinase,DUB)可以去除靶蛋白偶联的ISG15,并通过抑制Ⅰ型干扰素信号通路来抑制宿主的免疫应答。ISG15介导的ISG化和USP18介导的去ISG化(deISGylation)建立的动态平衡对结核病的发生、发展和转归有重要影响。此外,同ISG15一样,USP18也广泛参与病毒感染和宿主细胞抗病毒反应,多种先天性免疫疾病和免疫信号通路都受到USP18的调节。本文综述了ISG15和USP18相关的研究进展,重点介绍了ISG15介导的ISGylation和USP18介导的去ISG化在结核病及其他重要疾病中的调控作用,以期为靶向宿主蛋白的结核病等重要疾病防治提供...     

猪流行性腹泻病毒通过病毒蛋白酶激活Caspase-3诱导细胞凋亡

冠状病毒是一大类能够引起呼吸系统疾病,从而威胁人类健康的病毒．目前,对冠状病毒诱导细胞凋亡及其机制研究甚少.本研究以动物冠状病毒 猪流行性腹泻病毒(PEDV) 为模型探讨冠状病毒诱导细胞凋亡效应及其可能作用机制. 通过流式细胞术检测发现感染PEDV病毒后细胞凋亡率明显升高,且PEDV诱导细胞凋亡呈时间和剂量依赖性(P<0.05或P<0.01);进一步研究发现,冠状病毒木瓜样蛋白酶（PLP）在病毒引起凋亡过程中起重要作用.实验发现,转染PEDV-PLP质粒后,caspase-3活化体表达水平明显升高. 提示冠状病毒PLP蛋白酶通过激活caspase-3在病毒诱导细胞凋亡过程中起着关键作用. 以上结果为研究人类冠状病毒PLP蛋白功能及其通过细胞凋亡调节宿主抗病毒天然免疫机制提供重要基础.     

冠状病毒PLpro蛋白酶对泛素样分子的DUB活性

SARS冠状病毒基因组中非结构基因nsp3编码的木瓜样蛋白酶 (PLpro) 在病毒基因组复制及逃避宿主天然免疫中发挥重要作用,是研发抗病毒药物的重要靶标．SARS冠状病毒PLpro是一种病毒编码的去泛素化酶 (DUB)．为深入研究SARS冠状病毒 PLpro对泛素样分子 (ubiquitin-like protein,UBL) 的DUB特性,本研究构建缺失 PLpro N末端泛素样结构域 (Ubl) 和下游跨膜结构域 (TM) 的PLpro构建体（constructs）,并构建3种缺失蛋白酶催化活性的突变体,检测PLpro对泛素样分子干扰素刺激基因15 (ISG15)及SUMO-1的作用．实验结果表明,PLpro和PLpro-TM 在细胞内具有很强的去ISG(DeISGylation) 活性;缺失PLpro N末端泛素样结构域(Ubl) 对PLpro 的去ISG15 活性没有影响;对PLpro蛋白酶活性位点C1651 和 H1812 突变后,PLpro-TM的去ISG15活性消失,而对D1826位点突变后不影响此活性．PLpro 不具有去SUMO (DeSUMOylation)活性,而PLpro-TM具有一定的去SUMO活性;PLpro催化活性相关的3个关键氨基酸残基 Cys-His-Asp突变后对去SUMO活性有一定的影响．研究结果提示,SARS PLpro除了具有DUB的活性,还具有体内去ISG活性和去SUMO活性;PLpro蛋白酶活性与其去ISG活性之间有一定相关性;PLpro去SUMO-1 活性具有TM 依赖性．SARS冠状病毒PLpro 对泛素样分子作用特性的研究为阐明病毒逃避宿主天然免疫机制和开发新型抗病毒药物提供重要的理论依据．     

线粒体抗病毒信号蛋白(MAVS)在宿主天然免疫信号通路中的调节作用

线粒体抗病毒信号蛋白(MAVS)作为一种接头蛋白在调节宿主天然免疫信号通路过程中扮演重要角色．Toll样受体(TLR)和RIG-Ⅰ样受体(RLR)等细胞模式识别受体识别入侵的病原体并将信号传递给MAVS,MAVS通过刺激下游的TBK1复合体和IKK复合体分别活化NF-κB和IRF3等信号通路,进而激活干扰素α／β表达,诱发细胞内抗感染天然免疫反应．MAVS除定位线粒体外,也可定位于过氧化物酶体上．MAVS在细胞内的不同定位决定了其在早期快速和持续性抗病毒天然免疫中的不同调节机制．MAVS只有同时定位在过氧化物酶体和线粒体上才可诱导干扰素刺激基因(ISG)快速且稳定地表达．本文通过对MAVS的发现、结构、细胞定位及其在天然免疫信号通路中的调控机制等最新进展进行综述,以期揭示MAVS蛋白在细胞内天然免疫信号通路中的重要调节作用,为研究病毒逃逸宿主天然免疫的机制和研究新型抗病毒免疫治疗策略提供新思路．     

MERS冠状病毒3C样蛋白酶是一种新的细胞自噬诱导蛋白

冠状病毒（Coronavirus, CoV）3C样蛋白酶（3CLpro）在冠状病毒复制过程中起重要作用,是一种重要的潜在抗病毒药物候选靶标。细胞自噬是宿主重要抗病毒防御机制之一,但目前冠状病毒诱导细胞自噬及其机制还不很清楚。本研究以人类新发高致病性冠状病毒 --中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒（MERS CoV）为研究对象,探讨人类冠状病毒感染与细胞自噬的关系。通过免疫荧光法检测发现,MERS 3CLpro引起细胞内eGFP-LC3B绿色荧光点状聚集,同时MERS 3CLpro诱导自噬标志蛋白微管相关蛋白1-轻链3基 (LC3-II)表达增多,表明MERS 3CLpro可激活细胞自噬。进一步研究发现,MERS 3CLpro诱导细胞自噬体形成而阻断或抑制自噬溶酶体形成,即MERS 3CLpro诱导不完全细胞自噬效应,而且MERS 3CLpro诱导细胞自噬具有时间依赖性且不依赖于其蛋白酶催化活性。此外发现SARS CoV和NL63 CoV等其它人类冠状病毒3CLpro也具有诱导细胞自噬效应,表明3CLpro诱导细胞自噬可能是人类冠状病毒所具有的一种普遍生物学特性。本研究首次发现冠状病毒蛋白酶3CLpro能诱导宿主细胞自噬,是一种新型冠状病毒来源的宿主细胞自噬诱导蛋白,这一发现拓展了对人类冠状病毒蛋白酶功能的新认识,为研究冠状病毒与宿主抗病毒天然免疫以及以病毒蛋白酶为靶标的抗病毒药物研究提供了理论基础。     

The recent evolution of human L1 retrotransposons

L1 elements are the most successful retrotransposons in mammals and are responsible for at least 30% of human DNA. Far from being indolent genomic parasites, L1 elements have evolved and amplified rapidly during human evolution. Indeed during just the last 25 million years (MY) five distinct L1 families have emerged and generated tens of thousands of copies. The most recently evolved human specific L1 family is currently active and L1 copies have been accumulating in the human genome at about the same rate per generation as the currently active L1 families in Old World rats and mice. At times during the last 25 MY L1 activity constituted a significant enough genetic load to be subject to negative selection. During these same times, and in apparent response to the host, L1 underwent adaptive evolution. Understanding the molecular basis for these evolutionary changes should help illuminate one of the least understood but most important aspects of L1 biology, namely the extent and nature of the interaction between L1 and its host.     

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) attachment to epithelial cells: exploiting the host cell cytoskeleton from the outside

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), a leading cause of human infantile diarrhoea, is the prototype for a family of intestinal bacterial pathogens that induce attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions on host cells. A/E lesions are characterized by localized effacement of the brush border of enterocytes, intimate bacterial attachment and pedestal formation beneath the adherent bacteria. As a result of some recent breakthrough discoveries, EPEC has now emerged as a fascinating paradigm for the study of host–pathogen interactions and cytoskeletal rearrangements that occur at the host cell membrane. EPEC uses a type III secretion machinery to attach to epithelial cells, translocating its own receptor for intimate attachment, Tir, into the host cell, which then binds to intimin on the bacterial surface. Studies of EPEC-induced cytoskeletal rearrangements have begun to provide clues as to the mechanisms used by this pathogen to subvert the host cell cytoskeleton and signalling pathways. These findings have unravelled new ways by which pathogenic bacteria exploit host processes from the cell surface and have shed new light on how EPEC might cause diarrhoea.     

MicroRNAs and human retroviruses

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that control a multitude of critical processes in mammalian cells. Increasing evidence has emerged that host miRNAs serve in animal cells to restrict viral infections. In turn, many viruses encode RNA silencing suppressors (RSS) which are employed to moderate the potency of the cell's miRNA selection against viral replication. Some viruses also encode viral miRNAs. In this review, we summarize findings from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) that illustrate examples of host cell miRNAs that target the viruses, of RSS encoded by viruses, and of host cell miRNA profile changes that are seen in infected cells. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: MicroRNAs in viral gene regulation.     

A proposed feedback loop of sexually transmitted diseases and sexual behavior: the Red Queen's Dilemma

(Micro)organisms, such as bacteria, which cause sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in humans are presented with an interesting ecological challenge. These microorganisms need humans to have sexual contact with each other in order for the microorganisms to spread to other hosts as well as to have subsequent generations of descendants. However, diseases tend to lower the sex drive and to render the host less sexually attractive. It is argued that, over time, selective advantages sculpted organisms which cause STDs to be minimally symptomatic and to indirectly increase the number of sexual partners of the host. Neisseria gonorrhoeae which cause the STD gonorrhea are used as a prototype for these putative sexual dynamics. As a counter to the (micro)organisms' biological adaptations, human cultural innovations emerged and became integrated into the various traditions of social structures.     

To flush or not to flush … that is a question

The human gut microflora has drawn a lot of attention as a potent therapeutic tool for many decades. More recently, efforts have been developed to devise efficient ways of complementing or replacing deficient intestinal microflora associated with intestinal diseases that are resistant to conventional medical treatments. Aside from the medical and industrial applications that emerged from the use of gut microbiota, the complex constitution of this ecosystem raises fascinating questions regarding host-cell communication and host response mechanisms to the ever changing environment. This brief comment also points to questions raised by some unexpected applications that have recently emerged from this field.     

'Small' talk: Opa proteins as mediators of Neisseria-host-cell communication

Opa proteins are variable outer membrane proteins of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis that mediate tight interaction of these pathogens with human cells. They have emerged as a paradigm of a bacterial toolbox allowing recognition of different host receptors and orchestrating the cell type tropism displayed by pathogenic Neisseriae. Recent work has highlighted the molecular basis of Opa-protein-host-receptor interaction and has shed new light on the functional consequences of this interaction with regard to bacterial attachment, invasion, and responses elicited in particular host cells.     

Evidence of MAPK–JNK1/2 activation by hepatitis E virus ORF3 protein in cultured hepatoma cells

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has recently emerged to cause chronic infection in some immunosuppressed individuals, including extrahepatic manifestations in acute and chronic patients. Mammalian MAPK–JNK1/2 is expressed in hepatocytes, which is known to be involved in anti-apoptotic signaling pathway for the establishment of persistent infection. Though in vitro modulation of cellular MAPK–ERK cascade by HEV-ORF3 protein is suggested to have a role in host pathobiology, activation of the JNK module has not been studied so far. In this report, we have shown for the first time, evidence of MAPK–JNK1/2 activation by HEV-ORF3, using viral replicon as well as expression vector in human hepatoma cells. Phospho-ELISA based relative quantitaion has demonstrated ~54% and ~66% phosphorylation of JNK1/2 in replicon-RNA and ORF3-vector DNA transfected cells, respectively. Our finding however, suggests further molecular studies to validate a role of JNK1/2 in HEV pathogenesis.     

Effects of host on functional response of offspring in two populations of Trissolcus grandis on the sunn pest

Trissolcus grandis Thompson is the most important egg parasitoid of Eurygaster integriceps Put. in Iran. It can be reared on some alternative hosts such as eggs of Podisus maculiventris (Say). In this study, the functional response of female wasps that emerged from the factitious host, P. maculiventris, has been compared with that of females that emerged from the primary host, E. integriceps. In both wasp groups, at 23 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 15.00 : 9.00 hours (L : D) photoperiod, a type III functional response was observed. Parameters of Holling's disk equation for both populations were estimated and compared with an equation with indicator variable. Estimated handling time for females that emerged from Eurygaster and Podisus eggs are 0.62 and 0.77 h and parameter b, which describes the change in attack rate with host density in a type III functional response, was 0.004 and 0.005, respectively. The results indicated that the functional responses of the two populations differed in handling time. Longer handling time in wasps that emerged from factitious host showed that the wasps have lower quality in comparison with the wasps that emerged from primary host. This may be the first evidence of the effect of host on functional response of offspring and a promising result for use of functional response in quality testing.     

Quantitative Description of Glycan-Receptor Binding of Influenza A Virus H7 Hemagglutinin

In the context of recently emerged novel influenza strains through reassortment, avian influenza subtypes such as H5N1, H7N7, H7N2, H7N3 and H9N2 pose a constant threat in terms of their adaptation to the human host. Among these subtypes, it was recently demonstrated that mutations in H5 and H9 hemagglutinin (HA) in the context of lab-generated reassorted viruses conferred aerosol transmissibility in ferrets (a property shared by human adapted viruses). We previously demonstrated that the quantitative binding affinity of HA to α2→6 sialylated glycans (human receptors) is one of the important factors governing human adaptation of HA. Although the H7 subtype has infected humans causing varied clinical outcomes from mild conjunctivitis to severe respiratory illnesses, it is not clear where the HA of these subtypes stand in regard to human adaptation since its binding affinity to glycan receptors has not yet been quantified. In this study, we have quantitatively characterized the glycan receptor-binding specificity of HAs from representative strains of Eurasian (H7N7) and North American (H7N2) lineages that have caused human infection. Furthermore, we have demonstrated for the first time that two specific mutations; Gln226→Leu and Gly228→Ser in glycan receptor-binding site of H7 HA substantially increase its binding affinity to human receptor. Our findings contribute to a framework for monitoring the evolution of H7 HA to be able to adapt to human host.     

Phylogenetic host specificity and understanding parasite sharing in primates

Understanding how parasites are transmitted to new species is of great importance for human health, agriculture and conservation. However, it is still unclear why some parasites are shared by many species, while others have only one host. Using a new measure of ‘phylogenetic host specificity’, we find that most primate parasites with more than one host are phylogenetic generalists, infecting less closely related primates than expected. Evolutionary models suggest that phylogenetic host generalism is driven by a mixture of host–parasite cospeciation and lower rates of parasite extinction. We also show that phylogenetic relatedness is important in most analyses, but fails to fully explain patterns of parasite sharing among primates. Host ecology and geographical distribution emerged as key additional factors that influence contacts among hosts to facilitate sharing. Greater understanding of these factors is therefore crucial to improve our ability to predict future infectious disease risks.