人星状病毒Ⅰ型非结构蛋白nsP1a及其C末端蛋白nsP1a/4的原核表达及鉴定

人星状病毒(Human Astrovirus,HastV)是导致婴幼儿腹泻的重要病原体。HastV非结构蛋白nsP1a及C末端蛋白nsP1a/4含有各种保守的功能结构域,在星状病毒的复制、转录,病毒与宿主的相互作用中起重要作用。为获得nsP1a及其nsP1a/4蛋白,为后续蛋白相关研究提供平台,本研究在E.coli系统中进行人星状病毒非结构蛋白nsP1a及nsP1a/4蛋白的表达并对表达产物进行鉴定。首先将nsP1a及nsP1a/4基因克隆入原核表达载体PGEX-4T-1,构建nsP1a及nsP1a/4蛋白融合表达质粒;在E.coli BL21(DE3)中进行IPTG诱导表达,摸索两种融合蛋白表达的最优条件并对表达蛋白进行免疫印迹鉴定。结果表明nsP1a蛋白在30℃,1mM IPTG诱导12h时,蛋白表达量达到最高;nsP1a/4蛋白在20℃,0.5mM IPTG诱导8h时,蛋白表达量达到最高。Western blot结果显示两种融合蛋白既可与nsP1a蛋白免疫血清发生特异性反应,也可被GST标签抗体所识别。本研究成功利用原核系统表达并鉴定了人星状病毒非结构蛋白nsP1a及其C末端蛋白nsP1a/4,为进一步研究星状病毒非结构蛋白的功能及病毒的致病机制奠定基础。     

Sindbis病毒的繁殖与宿主细胞BHK—21的凋亡

详细报道了Sindbis病毒诱导BHK-21细胞凋亡的过程,病毒感染6h后即可观测到核染色质的断裂,病毒感染12h后染色质可见明显的凝集,感染后24h DNA电泳出现明显的DNA“阶梯”(DNA ladder)。电镜观察更清楚地显示了凋亡小体形成的某些细节:在染色质凝集处核外膜突起,最后与细胞核分离形成凋亡小体。在此基础上将一段病毒非结构蛋白nsP2基因克隆到真核表达载体pMAMneo中,并得到瞬间表达,在其中一些细胞中出现DNA断裂这一细胞凋亡的基本特征,通过对nsP2氨基酸序列的分析,结合以前的实验结果推测nsP2可能与诱导细胞凋亡直接相关。     

人星状病毒非结构蛋白C末端nsP1a/4蛋白6种删除突变体的构建与表达分析

星状病毒(Human astrovirus,HAstV)是通过引起小肠上皮细胞凋亡从而导致婴幼儿腹泻的重要病原体。课题组前期研究表明HAstV非结构蛋白nsP1aC末端蛋白nsP1a/4是诱导凋亡的主要功能性蛋白,可能含有与凋亡相关的重要结构域。为了探索nsP1a/4蛋白中的凋亡结构域,本研究采用绿色荧光蛋白真核表达载体,根据nsP1a/4蛋白功能性结构域的位置,选择不同的删除位点,构建nsP1a/4蛋白及不同结构域删除的nsP1a/4蛋白突变体,并将其转染BHK21细胞,在转染的24～72h检测重组蛋白在细胞内的表达并进行初步分析。结果显示,24h后荧光显微镜下可观察到融合nsP1a/4蛋白和其突变体的绿色荧光。Western blot分析结果显示7种融合蛋白均能在体外细胞中高效表达,72h表达量明显高于48h。这些结果表明我们构建的nsP1a/4蛋白及其删除突变体可在BHK21细胞中表达,可用于HAstV非结构蛋白nsP1a/4的凋亡结构域研究,从而为进一步研究HAstV分子致病机制提供研究平台。     

人星状病毒非结构蛋白基因nsP1a/1真核表达载体构建及其

目的 将人星状病毒非结构蛋白nsP1 a./1基因连接到真核表达载体上,转染人胚肾上皮细胞48 h后检测其表达.方法 设计特异性引物PCR扩增人星状病毒非结构蛋白nsP1 a/1片段,分别插入真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)和pEGFP-N2载体,构建重组表达质粒pcDNA3.1(+)-nsP1a/1-His和pEGFP-N2-nsP1a/1.在转染试剂PEI的介导下将重组表达质粒分别转染293T细胞,转染48 h后分别在荧光显微镜下观察EGFP的表达以及通过Western blot检测nsP1a/1基因的表达.结果 重组表达质粒pcDNA3.1(+)-nsP1a/1-His和pEGFP-N2-nsP1a/1构建成功;转染pEGFP-N2-nsP1a/1后48 h能够在荧光显微镜蓝色激发光下观察到较强的黄绿色荧光;转染pcDNA3.1(+)-nsP1a/1-His后48 h收集细胞进行Western blot检测,能够检测到nsP1a/1-His融合报告基因的表达.结论 成功构建了人星状病毒非结构蛋白nsP1a/1基因真核表达质粒,并在人胚肾上皮细胞293T细胞获得表达,为进一步深入研究nsP1a/1在人星状病毒抵御宿主细胞抗病毒天然免疫中是否发挥作用奠定了基础.     

Nuclear localization of Sindbis virus nonstructural protein nsP2

In early infection, approximately 10% of nonstructural protein nsP2 of Sindbis virus was transported into the nuclei of virus-infected BHK-21 cells. Nuclear asP2 was dominantly associated with nuclear matrix. During the course of infection, increasing amounts of nsP2 accumulated in the nuclear fraction. A prominent accumulation of nuclear nsP2 occurred early in infection, from 1 h to 3 h postinfection. Meanwhile. a weak NTPase activity was found to be associated with the immunocomplexed nsP2. Nuclear localization of nsP2 and its possible role were diseussed in relation to the inhibition of host macromolecular synthesis.     

TT病毒ORF2在Cos7细胞中的表达及蛋白质定位

应用PCR方法从含有1TrVirusORF2的质粒pET-His-TTV2中扩增出606bp的蛋白质编码区,并将其克隆到真核表达载体pEGFP．NI中以表达成GFP—VP2融合蛋白。构建出的重组质粒pEGFPTFV2经过酶切分析和PCR鉴定。用脂质体介导法将pEGFPTTV2质粒DNA转染Cos7细胞,通过RT-PCR分析,证实细胞中存在ORF2基因的转录产物。用共聚焦显微镜结合PI染色技术研究1TTV P2蛋白在细胞中的分布情况。结果表明,1TrVVP2分布在细胞质中和细胞核膜内侧。因此推测VP2作为一种非结构蛋白,功能可能是参与病毒DNA的复制或转录。     

SINDBIS病毒对宿主细胞基因表达的影响

Sindbis病毒(SBV)的感染能迅速地抑制宿主细胞的基因表达(mRNA合成与蛋白质合成),但细胞rRNA的合成水平与正常细胞接近.同时SBV还诱导产生一种细胞特异的核基质结合蛋白P105.用放线菌素D处理细胞,导致感染细胞中病毒结构蛋白的合成量及有感染力的子代病毒产量明显下降.实验结果不仅显示了SBV对宿主细胞基因表达的复杂调控关系,而且还表明SBV的非结构蛋白nsP2和衣壳蛋白C可能直接参与这一过程.     

nsP2-726Pro定点诱变对辛德毕斯病毒XJ-160复制子载体特性的影响

为观察nsP2-726Pro定点诱变对辛德毕斯病毒(Sindbis virus,SINV)XJ-160复制子载体特性的影响,以XJ-160病毒复制子载体pBRepXJ为分子基础,利用定点诱变方法分别构建突变载体pBRep-726L、pBRep-726S、pBRep-726V和pBRep-726A。将新霉素抗性基因(Neomycinr,Neor)克隆到pBRepXJ和各突变载体中,通过细胞培养方法观察nsP2-726Pro定点诱变对载体致细胞病变作用(Cytopathic effect,CPE)的影响;并将增强型绿色荧光蛋白(Enhanced green-fluorescent protein,EGFP)和海肾萤光素酶(Renilla Luciferase,R.luc)报告基因分别插入到各载体中,定性与定量检测定点诱变对复制子载体自主复制能力的影响。实验结果表明,突变载体pBRep-726V和pBRep-726A在BHK-21细胞中的自主复制能力高于pBRepXJ,所诱发的细胞病变进程更快。替换突变nsP2-726Pro→Leu的引入使载体在保持包装能力的同时,完全丧失在细胞上引起CPE的能力。而pBRep-726S则具有中间表型。提示nsP2-726Pro定点诱变在影响XJ-160复制子载体自主复制能力的同时,也改变了CPE的进程。这将为研究辛德毕斯病毒基因组结构与功能的关系及构建非细胞病变的甲病毒载体奠定基础。     

肽类生长因子对游离细胞核中拓扑异构酶活性的影响

将表皮生长因子及神经生长因子分别作用于分离所得的鼠胚成纤维细胞及其转化细胞的细胞核。结果表明表皮生长因子可以提高游离细胞核中ＤＮＡ拓扑异构酶的活性,但神经生长因子无此作用。     

FHL2通过相互作用抑制Id2的功能活性

分化抑制蛋白2（Id2）通过抑制碱性螺旋-环-螺旋（bHLH）类转录因子的功能活性调控多种组织细胞的分化发育,并参与人类多种肿瘤的发生与进展.Id2相互作用蛋白可能调控其翻译后的功能活性．本研究以HLH结构域缺失的Id2作为诱饵蛋白,采用酵母双杂交方法对MCF-7 cDNA文库进行筛选,识别了1个新的Id2相互作用蛋白FHL2 (属于LIM蛋白家族的一员),哺乳动物双杂交实验系统验证了Id2与FHL2之间的相互作用,同时证实,该作用不依赖于Id2中的HLH结构域;GST-pulldown、免疫共沉淀方法,进一步证实FHL2/Id2之间的相互作用;免疫荧光共定位实验结果证实,FHL2/Id2相互作用主要发生在细胞核内;共转染实验结果发现,FHL2通过相互作用阻抑了Id2对bHLH类转录因子E47的功能抑制活性．总之,本研究识别了1个新的Id2相互作用蛋白FHL2,通过直接的相互作用,FHL2抑制了Id2的功能活性,FHL2可能参与调控Id2介导的细胞分化与发育过程,并可能参与肿瘤的发生与进展．     

Nuclear import and export of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus nonstructural protein 2

Many RNA viruses, which replicate predominantly in the cytoplasm, have nuclear components that contribute to their life cycle or pathogenesis. We investigated the intracellular localization of the multifunctional nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) in mammalian cells infected with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), an important, naturally emerging zoonotic alphavirus. VEE nsP2 localizes to both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of mammalian cells in the context of infection and also when expressed alone. Through the analysis of a series of enhanced green fluorescent protein fusions, a segment of nsP2 that completely localizes to the nucleus of mammalian cells was identified. Within this region, mutation of the putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) PGKMV diminished, but did not obliterate, the ability of the protein to localize to the nucleus, suggesting that this sequence contributes to the nuclear localization of VEE nsP2. Furthermore, VEE nsP2 specifically interacted with the nuclear import protein karyopherin-alpha1 but not with karyopherin-alpha2, -3, or -4, suggesting that karyopherin-alpha1 transports nsP2 to the nucleus during infection. Additionally, a novel nuclear export signal (NES) was identified, which included residues L526 and L528 of VEE nsP2. Leptomycin B treatment resulted in nuclear accumulation of nsP2, demonstrating that nuclear export of nsP2 is mediated via the CRM1 nuclear export pathway. Disruption of either the NLS or the NES in nsP2 compromised essential viral functions. Taken together, these results establish the bidirectional transport of nsP2 across the nuclear membrane, suggesting that a critical function of nsP2 during infection involves its shuttling between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.     

Nuclear localization of Semliki Forest virus-specific nonstructural protein nsP2.

About 50% of Semliki Forest virus-specific nonstructural protein nsP2 is associated with the nuclear fraction in virus-infected BHK cells. Transport into the nucleus must be specific, since only trace amounts of nsP3 and nsP4 and about 13% of nsP1, all derived from the same polyprotein, were found in the nucleus. Subfractionation of [35S]methionine-labeled Semliki Forest virus-infected cells showed that 80 to 90% of the nuclear nsP2 was associated with the nuclear matrix. Indirect immunofluorescence, with anti-nsP2 antiserum, showed the most intensive staining of structures which by Nomarski optics appeared to be nucleoli. In the presence of 1 to 5 micrograms of dactinomycin per ml the nuclei were stained evenly and no nucleoli could be found. Transport of nsP2 into the nucleus occurred early in infection and was fairly rapid. A cDNA encoding the complete nsP2 was isolated by the polymerase chain reaction technique and ligated into a simian virus 40 expression vector derivative. When BHK cells were transfected with this pSV-NS2 vector by the lipofection procedure, nsP2 was expressed in about 1 to 5% of the cells, as shown by indirect immunofluorescence. In positively transfected cells the immunofluorescence stain was most intensive in the nucleoli. Thus, Semliki Forest virus-specific nsP2 must have information which directs it into the nuclear matrix and, more specifically, into the nucleoli.     

Ribosomal protein S6 associates with alphavirus nonstructural protein 2 and mediates expression from alphavirus messages

Although alphaviruses dramatically alter cellular function within hours of infection, interactions between alphaviruses and specific host cellular proteins are poorly understood. Although the alphavirus nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) is an essential component of the viral replication complex, it also has critical auxiliary functions that determine the outcome of infection in the host. To gain a better understanding of nsP2 function, we sought to identify cellular proteins with which Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus nsP2 interacted. We demonstrate here that nsP2 associates with ribosomal protein S6 (RpS6) and that nsP2 is present in the ribosome-containing fractions of a polysome gradient, suggesting that nsP2 associates with RpS6 in the context of the whole ribosome. This result was noteworthy, since viral replicase proteins have seldom been described in direct association with components of the ribosome. The association of RpS6 with nsP2 was detected throughout the course of infection, and neither the synthesis of the viral structural proteins nor the presence of the other nonstructural proteins was required for RpS6 interaction with nsP2. nsP1 also was associated with RpS6, but other nonstructural proteins were not. RpS6 phosphorylation was dramatically diminished within hours after infection with alphaviruses. Furthermore, a reduction in the level of RpS6 protein expression led to diminished expression from alphavirus subgenomic messages, whereas no dramatic diminution in cellular translation was observed. Taken together, these data suggest that alphaviruses alter the ribosome during infection and that this alteration may contribute to differential translation of host and viral messages.     

Glutathionylation of chikungunya nsP2 protein affects protease activity

BackgroundChikungunya fever is an emerging disease caused by the chikungunya virus and is now being spread worldwide by the mosquito Aedes albopictus. The infection can cause a persistent severe joint pain and recent reports link high levels of viremia to neuropathologies and fatalities. The viral protein nsP2 is a multifunctional enzyme that plays several critical roles in virus replication. Virus infection induces oxidative stress in host cells which the virus utilizes to aid viral propagation. Cellular oxidative stress also triggers glutathionylation which is a post-translational protein modification that can modulate physiological roles of affected proteins.MethodsThe nsP2 protease is necessary for processing of the virus nonstructural polyprotein generated during replication. We use the recombinant nsP2 protein to measure protease activity before and after glutathionylation. Mass spectrometry allowed the identification of the glutathione-modified cysteines. Using immunoblots, we show that the glutathionylation of nsP2 occurs in virus-infected cells.ResultsWe show that in virus-infected cells, the chikungunya nsP2 can be glutathionylated and we show this modification can impact on the protease activity. We also identify 6 cysteine residues that are glutathionylated of the 20 cysteines in the protein.ConclusionsThe virus-induced oxidative stress causes modification of viral proteins which appears to modulate virus protein function.General significanceViruses generate oxidative stress to regulate and hijack host cell systems and this environment also appears to modulate virus protein function. This may be a general target for intervention in viral pathogenesis.     

Full length and protease domain activity of chikungunya virus nsP2 differ from other alphavirus nsP2 proteases in recognition of small peptide substrates

Alphavirus nsP2 proteins are multifunctional and essential for viral replication. The protease role of nsP2 is critical for virus replication as only the virus protease activity is used for processing of the viral non-structural polypeptide. Chikungunya virus is an emerging disease problem that is becoming a world-wide health issue. We have generated purified recombinant chikungunya virus nsP2 proteins, both full length and a truncated protease domain from the C-terminus of the nsP2 protein. Enzyme characterization shows that the protease domain alone has different properties compared with the full length nsP2 protease. We also show chikungunya nsP2 protease possesses different substrate specificity to the canonical alphavirus nsP2 polyprotein cleavage specificity. Moreover, the chikungunya nsP2 also appears to differ from other alphavirus nsP2 in its distinctive ability to recognize small peptide substrates.