Peptide Interactions Stabilize and Restructure Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6 To Interact with p53

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E6 (16E6) binds the E3 ubiquitin ligase E6AP and p53, thereby targeting degradation of p53 (M. Scheffner, B. A. Werness, J. M. Huibregtse, A. J. Levine, and P. M. Howley, Cell 63:1129–1136, 1990). Here we show that minimal 16E6-binding LXXLL peptides reshape 16E6 to confer p53 interaction and stabilize 16E6 in vivo but that degradation of p53 by 16E6 requires E6AP expression. These experiments establish a general mechanism for how papillomavirus E6 binding to LXXLL peptides reshapes E6 to then act as an adapter molecule.     

Papillomavirus E6 PDZ Interactions Can Be Replaced by Repression of p53 To Promote Episomal Human Papillomavirus Genome Maintenance

Cancer-associated human papillomaviruses (HPVs) express E6 oncoproteins that target the degradation of p53 and have a carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand that is required for stable episomal maintenance of the HPV genome. We find that the E6 PDZ ligand can be deleted and the HPV genome stably maintained if cellular p53 is inactivated. This indicates that the E6-PDZ interaction promotes HPV genome maintenance at least in part by neutralization of an activity that can arise from residual undegraded p53.     

Cellular Localization and Characterization of Cytosolic Binding Partners for Gla Domain-containing Proteins PRRG4 and PRRG2

The genes encoding a family of proteins termed proline-rich γ-carboxyglutamic acid (PRRG) proteins were identified and characterized more than a decade ago, but their functions remain unknown. These novel membrane proteins have an extracellular γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) protein domain and cytosolic WW binding motifs. We screened WW domain arrays for cytosolic binding partners for PRRG4 and identified novel protein-protein interactions for the protein. We also uncovered a new WW binding motif in PRRG4 that is essential for these newly found protein-protein interactions. Several of the PRRG-interacting proteins we identified are essential for a variety of physiologic processes. Our findings indicate possible novel and previously unidentified functions for PRRG proteins.     

The ING4 Binding with p53 and Induced p53 Acetylation were Attenuated by Human Papillomavirus 16 E6

High risk subtype HPV16 early oncoprotein E6 contributes host cell immortalization and transformation through interacting with a number of cellular factors. ING4 is one member of the inhibitor of growth (ING) family of type II tumor suppressors and it has been shown to be involved in regulating p53 function. However, the effect and mechanism of HPV16 E6 on ING4 function remain elusive. In this study, we report HPV16 E6 combines with ING4 in vivo and in vitro. The ING4 induced p53 acetylation and its combining with p53 were attenuated by HPV16 E6 independent of p53 degradation. The enhancing function of ING4 on p53 mediated apoptosis was diminished when HPV16 E6 existed. These findings reveal that ING4 may be a common target of oncogenic viruses for driving host cell carcinogenesis.     

Host Tissue and Glycan Binding Specificities of Avian Viral Attachment Proteins Using Novel Avian Tissue Microarrays

The initial interaction between viral attachment proteins and the host cell is a critical determinant for the susceptibility of a host for a particular virus. To increase our understanding of avian pathogens and the susceptibility of poultry species, we developed novel avian tissue microarrays (TMAs). Tissue binding profiles of avian viral attachment proteins were studied by performing histochemistry on multi-species TMA, comprising of selected tissues from ten avian species, and single-species TMAs, grouping organ systems of each species together. The attachment pattern of the hemagglutinin protein was in line with the reported tropism of influenza virus H5N1, confirming the validity of TMAs in profiling the initial virus-host interaction. The previously believed chicken-specific coronavirus (CoV) M41 spike (S1) protein displayed a broad attachment pattern to respiratory tissues of various avian species, albeit with lower affinity than hemagglutinin, suggesting that other avian species might be susceptible for chicken CoV. When comparing tissue-specific binding patterns of various avian coronaviral S1 proteins on the single-species TMAs, chicken and partridge CoV S1 had predominant affinity for the trachea, while pigeon CoV S1 showed marked preference for lung of their respective hosts. Binding of all coronaviral S1 proteins was dependent on sialic acids; however, while chicken CoV S1 preferred sialic acids type I lactosamine (Gal(1-3)GlcNAc) over type II (Gal(1-4)GlcNAc), the fine glycan specificities of pigeon and partridge CoVs were different, as chicken CoV S1-specific sialylglycopolymers could not block their binding to tissues. Taken together, TMAs provide a novel platform in the field of infectious diseases to allow identification of binding specificities of viral attachment proteins and are helpful to gain insight into the susceptibility of host and organ for avian pathogens.     

Direct Transfer of Viral and Cellular Proteins from Varicella-Zoster Virus-Infected Non-Neuronal Cells to Human Axons

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), the alphaherpesvirus that causes varicella upon primary infection and Herpes zoster (shingles) following reactivation in latently infected neurons, is known to be fusogenic. It forms polynuclear syncytia in culture, in varicella skin lesions and in infected fetal human ganglia xenografted to mice. After axonal infection using VZV expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in compartmentalized microfluidic cultures there is diffuse filling of axons with GFP as well as punctate fluorescence corresponding to capsids. Use of viruses with fluorescent fusions to VZV proteins reveals that both proteins encoded by VZV genes and those of the infecting cell are transferred in bulk from infecting non-neuronal cells to axons. Similar transfer of protein to axons was observed following cell associated HSV1 infection. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments provide evidence that this transfer is by diffusion of proteins from the infecting cells into axons. Time-lapse movies and immunocytochemical experiments in co-cultures demonstrate that non-neuronal cells fuse with neuronal somata and proteins from both cell types are present in the syncytia formed. The fusogenic nature of VZV therefore may enable not only conventional entry of virions and capsids into axonal endings in the skin by classical entry mechanisms, but also by cytoplasmic fusion that permits viral protein transfer to neurons in bulk.     

Functional Mapping of Bluetongue Virus Proteins and Their Interactions with Host Proteins During Virus Replication

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus which is transmitted by blood-feeding gnats to wild and domestic ruminants, causing high morbidity and often high mortality. Partly due to this BTV has been in the forefront of molecular studies for last three decades and now represents one of the best understood viruses at the molecular and structural levels. BTV, like the other members of the Reoviridae family is a complex non-enveloped virus with seven structural proteins and a RNA genome consisting of 10 dsRNA segments of different sizes. In virus infected cells, three other virus encoded nonstructural proteins are synthesized. Significant recent advances have been made in understanding the structure–function relationships of BTV proteins and their interactions during virus assembly. By combining structural and molecular data it has been possible to make progress on the fundamental mechanisms used by the virus to invade, replicate in, and escape from, susceptible host cells. Data obtained from studies over a number of years have defined the key players in BTV entry, replication, assembly and egress. Specifically, it has been possible to determine the complex nature of the virion through three dimensional structure reconstructions; atomic structure of proteins and the internal capsid; the definition of the virus encoded enzymes required for RNA replication; the ordered assembly of the capsid shell and the protein sequestration required for it; and the role of three NS proteins in virus replication, assembly and release. Overall, this review demonstrates that the integration of structural, biochemical and molecular data is necessary to fully understand the assembly and replication of this complex RNA virus.     

云南省人乳头状瘤病毒16型E6/E7基因的变异分析

研究人乳头状瘤病毒16型E6和E7基因在云南省的变异情况。采集获得2 000例妇科门诊样品,提取DNA,以MY09/MY11为外引物,GP5+/GP6+为内引物,采用nest-PCR法对样品HPV-DNA高变区L1区的相应基因进行扩增、测序和分型,筛选得到20例HPV-16型病毒DNA,对其进行E6和E7基因特异性扩增,测序。结果显示20例HPV-16型E6基因中有10例在178位核苷酸发生碱基突变,突变频率为50%,E7基因中有10例在647位核苷酸发生碱基突变,突变频率为50%。进化树分析结果表明在云南省流行的HPV-16型中主要为亚洲变异型,没有发现非洲1型,非洲2型。     

辽宁省地区人乳头瘤病毒33型基因多态性分析

研究人乳头瘤病毒（Human papillomavirus,HPV）33型E6和E7基因在辽宁省地区的基因多态性分布情况,增加对HPV33基因多态性地理分布情况的了解,为HPV33的诊断,靶向药和疫苗的研发提供理论依据。使用巢式PCR扩增方法对从已确诊HPV33阳性患者宫颈细胞提取的DNA样本进行E6和E7基因的扩增并测序,随后应用MegaX软件将所得测序结果与参考序列比对确定突变位点并进行系统发育树的构建。应用PAML4.9软件中的Codeml程序找出突变中的正向选择位点。分别应用ABC Pred server,ProPred-I server和ProPred server寻找理想的B细胞免疫表位,人类白细胞抗原（Human leukocyte antigen,HLA）I类结合表位和人类白细胞抗原（HLA）II类结合表位。共得到HPV33E6和E7序列各136个。与HPV33参考序列（M12732.1）进行比对后,E6基因中观测到17个单核苷酸突变,同义突变7个,非同义突变10个。E7基因中观测到9个单核苷酸突变,其中同义突变3个,非同义突变6个。系统发育分析显示HPV33E6和E7...     

人乳头瘤病毒58型E6E7融合蛋白的原核表达、纯化及鉴定

目的:构建pET-42a(+)-HPV58E6E7原核表达质粒,诱导表达人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)58型E6E7融合蛋白。方法:采用PCR方法扩增出HPV58 E6E7融合基因的全长序列,利用DNA重组技术将其定向插入原核表达载体pET-42a(+)中,构建pET-42a(+)-HPV58E6E7原核表达质粒,用限制性内切酶酶切和核酸序列检测对重组质粒进行鉴定;将其转入宿主菌大肠杆菌BL21进行诱导以表达HPV58E6E7融合蛋白,并用谷胱甘肽琼脂糖树脂纯化回收HPV58E6E7融合蛋白,用SDS-PAGE及Western印迹鉴定表达蛋白的相对分子质量及抗原性。结果:PCR、限制性内切酶酶切和核酸序列检测证实重组质粒中插入的目的基因大小、方向正确;HPV58E6E7融合蛋白得到高效原核表达及纯化,表达蛋白的分子大小正确,抗原性良好。结论:pET-42a(+)-HPV58E6E7原核表达质粒构建成功,HPV58E6E7融合蛋白得到高效表达及有效纯化,为检测HPV58型治疗性疫苗的免疫效果提供了抗原。