Morphology of the Nucleoprotein Component of Rabies Virus

The intracytoplasmic ground substance, or matrix, associated with the development of rabies virus and the nucleocapsid of the virus were investigated. The filaments of the matrix were identified as virus-specific by means of ferritin-labeled antibodies. In thin sections, the diameter was 15 nm and the strands seemed to be incorporated into virions during morphogenesis of the virus. The nucleocapsid was isolated from purified virus preparations and was studied in negative contrast. The rabies nucleocapsid appeared as a single-stranded helix with a diameter of 16 nm and a periodicity of 7.5 nm; its length was in excess of 1 mum.     

用狂犬病毒核蛋白基因小干扰RNA库抑制狂犬病毒复制和感染的研究

采用RNase Ⅲ消化长片段双链RNA的方法,制备了狂犬病毒N基因、P基因和G基因小干扰RNA库(siRNA Cocktail).将siRNA转染BSR和MNA细胞单层后,采用直接免疫荧光法观察发现,N基因siRNA Cocktail 能够对RV的复制和感染产生明显和稳定的抑制作用,并且通过RT-PCR在转录水平探测到mRNA产量的降低;而P基因或G基因siRNA Cocktail对RV的复制和感染不产生或仅产生弱的抑制作用.这一结果为RNA干扰在RV研究中靶基因的选择及进一步的应用提供了依据.     

用狂犬病毒核蛋白基因小干扰RNA库抑制狂犬病毒复制和感染的研究

采用RNaseⅢ消化长片段双链RNA的方法,制备了狂犬病毒N基因、P基因和G基因小干扰RNA库(siRNACocktail)。将siRNA转染BSR和MNA细胞单层后,采用直接免疫荧光法观察发现,N基因siRNACocktail能够对RV的复制和感染产生明显和稳定的抑制作用,并且通过RT-PCR在转录水平探测到mRNA产量的降低;而P基因或G基因siRNACocktail对RV的复制和感染不产生或仅产生弱的抑制作用。这一结果为RNA干扰在RV研究中靶基因的选择及进一步的应用提供了依据。     

狂犬病毒核蛋白(NP)的纯化及其免疫原性的研究

对重组痘苗病毒和重组杆状病毒表达的狂犬病毒NP及原代地鼠肾细胞培养的狂犬病毒核衣壳蛋白（RNP）,先经Sepharose CL 4B分子筛柱初步提纯,再以抗狂犬病毒NP McAB 2C12-Sepharose 4B亲和层析柱纯化分离,经ELISA,SDS-PAGE电泳和Western-Blot分析证实,获得了高纯度和免疫反应性的NP和RNP。以相同剂量的纯化蛋白免疫小鼠,RNP和两种重组NP均可诱生特异的抗NP抗体,三种蛋白间无明显差异;狂犬病毒CVS株攻击保护实验结果显示,三种蛋白免疫的小鼠存活率约为50%;两种重组NP的免疫反应性和免疫原性与天然狂犬病毒RNP相似。     

狂犬病毒核蛋白（NP）的纯化及其免疫原性的研究

对重组痘苗毒和重杆状病毒表达的狂犬病毒NP及原代地鼠肾细胞培养的狂犬病毒核衣壳蛋白（RNP）、先经Sepharose CL 4B分子筛柱初步提纯,再经抗狂犬病毒NP McAB 2C12-S-epharose 4B亲和层析柱纯化分离,经ELISA、SDS－PAGE电泳和Western-Blot分析证实,获得了高纯度和免疫反应性的NP和RNP。以相同剂量的纯化蛋白免疫小鼠,RNP和两种重组NP均可诱生特异的抗NP抗体,三种蛋白间无明显差异;狂犬病毒CVS株攻击保护实验结果显示,三种蛋白免疫的小鼠存活率约为50％;两种重组NP的免疫反应性和免疫原性与天然狂犬病毒RNP相似。     

Linear and Conformation-Dependent Antigenic Sites on the Nucleoprotein of Rabies Virus

A set of 29 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the rabies virus nucleoprotein (N protein) was prepared and used to analyze the topography of antigenic sites. At least four partially overlapping antigenic sites were delineated on the N protein of rabies virus by competitive binding assays. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody tests using MAbs with a series of rabies and rabies-related viruses showed that epitopes shared by various fixed and street strains of rabies virus were mainly localized at antigenic sites II and III, while epitopes representing the genus-specific antigen of Lyssavirus were widely presented at sites I, III and IV. All but one of seven MAbs specific for antigenic sites I, IV and bridge site (I and II) reacted with the antigen that had been denatured by sodium dodecyl sulfate or 2-mercaptoethanol, as well as with the denatured N protein in Western blotting assays. However, none of the MAbs against antigenic sites II and III reacted with the denatured antigen. These data indicate that antigenic sites I and IV, and sites II and III on the N protein of rabies virus are composed of linear and conformation-dependent epitopes, respectively.     

Exonuclease Domain of the Lassa Virus Nucleoprotein Is Critical To Avoid RIG-I Signaling and To Inhibit the Innate Immune Response

Lassa virus (LASV), which causes a viral hemorrhagic fever, inhibits the innate immune response. The exonuclease (ExoN) domain of its nucleoprotein (NP) is implicated in the suppression of retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signaling. We show here that a LASV in which ExoN function has been abolished strongly activates innate immunity and that this effect is dependent on RIG-I signaling. These results highlight the key role of NP ExoN function in the immune evasion that occurs during LASV infection.     

Induction of Selenoprotein P mRNA during Hepatitis C Virus Infection Inhibits RIG-I-Mediated Antiviral Immunity

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Activation of Stress Response Pathways Promotes Formation of Antiviral Granules and Restricts Virus Replication

The formation of protein-RNA granules is a part of both natural cellular function (P-bodies and nuclear HNRNPs) and the response to cellular stress (stress granules and ND10 bodies). To better understand the role of stress-induced granules in viral infection, we have studied the ability of cells to restrict poxvirus replication through the formation of antiviral granules (AVGs). Of cells infected with a wild-type poxvirus, a small number spontaneously formed AVGs. In these AVG-positive cells, viral gene expression was inhibited. The addition of compounds that altered RNA helicase activity, induced oxidative stress, or stimulated translation initiation factor phosphorylation significantly increased the number of AVG-positive cells. When AVGs formed, both viral translation and titers were decreased even when host translation persisted. Treatment with the antiviral compound isatin β-thiosemicarbazone (IBT), a compound that was used to treat smallpox infections, induced AVGs, suggesting a role for these structures in the pharmacological inhibition of poxvirus replication. These findings provide evidence that AVGs are an innate host response that can be exogenously stimulated to combat virus infection. Since small molecules are able to stimulate AVG formation, it is a potential target for new antiviral development.     

A Novel Antiviral Target Structure Involved in the RNA Binding,Dimerization, and Nuclear Export Functions of the Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein

Developing antiviral therapies for influenza A virus (IAV) infection is an ongoing process because of the rapid rate of antigenic mutation and the emergence of drug-resistant viruses. The ideal strategy is to develop drugs that target well-conserved, functionally restricted, and unique surface structures without affecting host cell function. We recently identified the antiviral compound, RK424, by screening a library of 50,000 compounds using cell-based infection assays. RK424 showed potent antiviral activity against many different subtypes of IAV in vitro and partially protected mice from a lethal dose of A/WSN/1933 (H1N1) virus in vivo. Here, we show that RK424 inhibits viral ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNP) activity, causing the viral nucleoprotein (NP) to accumulate in the cell nucleus. In silico docking analysis revealed that RK424 bound to a small pocket in the viral NP. This pocket was surrounded by three functionally important domains: the RNA binding groove, the NP dimer interface, and nuclear export signal (NES) 3, indicating that it may be involved in the RNA binding, oligomerization, and nuclear export functions of NP. The accuracy of this binding model was confirmed in a NP-RK424 binding assay incorporating photo-cross-linked RK424 affinity beads and in a plaque assay evaluating the structure-activity relationship of RK424. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and pull-down assays showed that RK424 inhibited both the NP-RNA and NP-NP interactions, whereas size exclusion chromatography showed that RK424 disrupted viral RNA-induced NP oligomerization. In addition, in vitro nuclear export assays confirmed that RK424 inhibited nuclear export of NP. The amino acid residues comprising the NP pocket play a crucial role in viral replication and are highly conserved in more than 7,000 NP sequences from avian, human, and swine influenza viruses. Furthermore, we found that the NP pocket has a surface structure different from that of the pocket in host molecules. Taken together, these results describe a promising new approach to developing influenza virus drugs that target a novel pocket structure within NP.     

Monoclonal Antibody #5-2-26 Recognizes the Phosphatase-Sensitive Epitope of Rabies Virus Nucleoprotein

We prepared monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the rabies virus N protein, among which one antibody (MAb 5-2-26) was shown to lack reactivity with the phosphatase-treated N protein. The MAb was able to recognize the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-denatured N protein. The MAb did not recognize the N-protein analogues produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli), indicating that the N-gene products were not normally processed in E. coli after translation. On the other hand, the MAb reacted normally with N-gene products produced in COS-7 cells, but not with those produced in the presence of K-252a (a protein kinase inhibitor of a broad spectrum). The MAb displayed weak cross-reactivity with the Triton-insoluble network structures composed of several components, while another phosphoprotein (M1) of the virus was not recognized at all. These results suggest that MAb 5-2-26 preferentially recognizes a phosphatase-sensitive linear epitope of N protein, which may enable further investigations to be conducted on the mechanism of N-protein phosphorylation and its role(s) in virus replication.     

双表达狂犬病毒基因的非复制型痘苗病毒改建及免疫效果

为减少重组病毒非必需外源基因,进一步提高非复制重组痘苗病毒狂犬病疫苗的安全性,本研究改建不含报道基因LacZ的双表达狂犬病毒aG株G、N的非复制重组痘苗病毒VTKRGΔCKRN。采用G418-neo富集、蓝白斑及免疫蚀斑筛选等方法,以表达狂犬病毒糖蛋白(RG)基因的非复制重组痘苗病毒VTKRG△CKlacZ作为亲本株,利用同源重组原理,删除C与K片断间lacZ,并将狂犬病毒核蛋白(RN)基因插入C-K片段间。经核酸及蛋白水平检测表明VTKRGΔCKRN能同时稳定有效地表达狂犬病毒G和N,并具有非复制病毒生长特性。重组病毒裸鼠毒力实验表明VTKRG△CKRN较复制型重组痘苗病毒VTKRG病毒毒力显著减弱。VTKRGΔCKRN免疫小鼠可诱生较高有效中和抗体,并能保护小鼠免于致死剂量狂犬病毒攻击。以1.6×106PFU较低免疫剂量、仅一次免疫狗可保护狗经致死量中国狂犬病毒街毒株SBD株攻击后存活,诱生具有保护性中和抗体。非复制狂犬-痘苗重组病毒VTKRGΔCKRN免疫效果好、更具安全性。     

双表达狂犬病毒基因的非复制型痘苗病毒改建及免疫效果

为减少重组病毒非必需外源基因,进一步提高非复制重组痘苗病毒狂犬病疫苗的安全性,本研究改建不含报道基因LacZ的双表达狂犬病毒Ag株G、N的非复制重组痘苗病毒VTKRG△CKRN.采用G418-neo富集、蓝白斑及免疫蚀斑筛选等方法,以表达狂犬病毒糖蛋白(RG)基因的非复制重组痘苗病毒VTKRG△CKlacZ作为亲本株,利用同源重组原理,删除C与K片断间lacZ,并将狂犬病毒核蛋白(RN)基因插入C-K片段间.经核酸及蛋白水平检测表明VTKRG△CKRN能同时稳定有效地表达狂犬病毒G和N,并具有非复制病毒生长特性.重组病毒裸鼠毒力实验表明VTKRG△CKRN较复制型重组痘苗病毒VTKRG病毒毒力显著减弱.VTKRG△CKRN免疫小鼠可诱生较高有效中和抗体,并能保护小鼠免于致死剂量狂犬病毒攻击.以1.6×106PFU较低免疫剂量、仅一次免疫狗可保护狗经致死量中国狂犬病毒街毒株SBD株攻击后存活,诱生具有保护性中和抗体.非复制狂犬-痘苗重组病毒VTKRG△CKRN免疫效果好、更具安全性.     

Isolation and Identification of a Novel Rabies Virus Lineage in China with Natural Recombinant Nucleoprotein Gene

Rabies virus (RABV) causes severe neurological disease and death. As an important mechanism for generating genetic diversity in viruses, homologous recombination can lead to the emergence of novel virus strains with increased virulence and changed host tropism. However, it is still unclear whether recombination plays a role in the evolution of RABV. In this study, we isolated and sequenced four circulating RABV strains in China. Phylogenetic analyses identified a novel lineage of hybrid origin that comprises two different strains, J and CQ92. Analyses revealed that the virus 3′ untranslated region (UTR) and part of the N gene (approximate 500 nt in length) were likely derived from Chinese lineage I while the other part of the genomic sequence was homologous to Chinese lineage II. Our findings reveal that homologous recombination can occur naturally in the field and shape the genetic structure of RABV populations.     

白细胞介素-2和狂犬病毒N蛋白基因重组与表达

研究白细胞介素－２ 与狂犬病毒Ｎ蛋白基因工程产物的免疫活性。采用生物工程技术,结果显示经基因扩增分别获得４００ｂｐ 和１４００ｂｐ 的ＩＬ－２ 和狂犬病毒Ｎ蛋白基因片段,构建了表达载体ＰＬＹ－４ＩＮ,于工程菌中转化后。得到５６ＫＤ重组蛋白产物,该产物具有ＩＬ－２活性,可诱导小鼠抵抗狂犬病毒攻击。