Genotype-Specific Complementation of Hepatitis Delta Virus RNA Replication by Hepatitis Delta Antigen

Characterizations of genetic variations among hepatitis delta virus (HDV) isolates have focused principally on phylogenetic analysis of sequences, which vary by 30 to 40% among three genotypes and about 10 to 15% among isolates of the same genotype. The significance of the sequence differences has been unclear but could be responsible for pathogenic variations associated with the different genotypes. Studies of the mechanisms of HDV replication have been limited to cDNA clones from HDV genotype I, which is the most common. To perform a comparative analysis of HDV RNA replication in genotypes I and III, we have obtained a full-length cDNA clone from an HDV genotype III isolate. In transfected Huh-7 cells, the functional roles of the two forms of the viral protein, hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg), in HDV RNA replication are similar for both genotypes I and III; the short form is required for RNA replication, while the long form inhibits replication. For both genotypes, HDAg was able to support replication of RNAs of the same genotype that were mutated so as to be defective for HDAg production. Surprisingly, however, neither genotype I nor genotype III HDAg was able to support replication of such mutated RNAs of the other genotype. The inability of genotype III HDAg to support replication of genotype I RNA could have been due to a weak interaction between the RNA and HDAg. The clear genotype-specific activity of HDAg in supporting HDV RNA replication confirms the original categorization of HDV sequences in three genotypes and further suggests that these should be referred to as types (i.e., HDV-I and HDV-III) rather than genotypes.     

Hepatitis Delta Antigen Mediates the Nuclear Import of Hepatitis Delta Virus RNA

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA replicates in the nuclei of virus-infected cells. The mechanism of nuclear import of HDV RNA is so far unknown. Using a fluorescein-labeled HDV RNA introduced into partially permeabilized HeLa cells, we found that HDV RNA accumulated only in the cytoplasm. However, in the presence of hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg), which is the only protein encoded by HDV RNA, the HDV RNA was translocated into the nucleus, suggesting that nuclear import of HDV RNA is mediated by HDAg. Deletion of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) or RNA-binding motifs of HDAg resulted in the failure of nuclear import of HDV RNA, indicating that both the NLS and an RNA-binding motif of HDAg are required for the RNA-transporting activity of HDAg. Surprisingly, any one of the three previously identified RNA-binding motifs was sufficient to confer the RNA-transporting activity. We have further shown that HDAg, via its NLS, interacts with karyopherin α2 in vitro, suggesting that nuclear import of the HDAg-HDV RNA complex is mediated by the karyopherin α2β heterodimer. The nuclear import of HDV RNA may be the first biological function of HDAg in the HDV life cycle.     

Template-Dependent Initiation of Sindbis Virus RNA Replication In Vitro

Recent insights into the early events in Sindbis virus RNA replication suggest a requirement for either the P123 or P23 polyprotein, as well as mature nsP4, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, for initiation of minus-strand RNA synthesis. Based on this observation, we have succeeded in reconstituting an in vitro system for template-dependent initiation of SIN RNA replication. Extracts were isolated from cells infected with vaccinia virus recombinants expressing various SIN proteins and assayed by the addition of exogenous template RNAs. Extracts from cells expressing P123_C>S, a protease-defective P123 polyprotein, and nsP4 synthesized a genome-length minus-sense RNA product. Replicase activity was dependent upon addition of exogenous RNA and was specific for alphavirus plus-strand RNA templates. RNA synthesis was also obtained by coexpression of nsP1, P23_C>S, and nsP4. However, extracts from cells expressing nsP4 and P123, a cleavage-competent P123 polyprotein, had much less replicase activity. In addition, a P123 polyprotein containing a mutation in the nsP2 protease which increased the efficiency of processing exhibited very little, if any, replicase activity. These results provide further evidence that processing of the polyprotein inactivates the minus-strand initiation complex. Finally, RNA synthesis was detected when soluble nsP4 was added to a membrane fraction containing P123_C>S, thus providing a functional assay for purification of the nsP4 RNA polymerase.     

A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) affects 3% of the world’s population and causes serious liver ailments including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV is an enveloped RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae. Current treatment is not fully effective and causes adverse side effects. There is no HCV vaccine available. Thus, continued effort is required for developing a vaccine and better therapy. An HCV cell culture system is critical for studying various stages of HCV growth including viral entry, genome replication, packaging, and egress. In the current procedure presented, we used a wild-type intragenotype 2a chimeric virus, FNX-HCV, and a recombinant FNX-Rluc virus carrying a Renilla luciferase reporter gene to study the virus replication. A human hepatoma cell line (Huh-7 based) was used for transfection of in vitro transcribed HCV genomic RNAs. Cell-free culture supernatants, protein lysates and total RNA were harvested at various time points post-transfection to assess HCV growth. HCV genome replication status was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and visualizing the presence of HCV double-stranded RNA. The HCV protein expression was verified by Western blot and immunofluorescence assays using antibodies specific for HCV NS3 and NS5A proteins. HCV RNA transfected cells released infectious particles into culture supernatant and the viral titer was measured. Luciferase assays were utilized to assess the replication level and infectivity of reporter HCV. In conclusion, we present various virological assays for characterizing different stages of the HCV replication cycle.     

Hepatitis C Virus Core-Derived Peptides Inhibit Genotype 1b Viral Genome Replication via Interaction with DDX3X

The protein DDX3X is a DEAD-box RNA helicase that is essential for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle. The HCV core protein has been shown to bind to DDX3X both in vitro and in vivo. However, the specific interactions between these two proteins and the functional importance of these interactions for the HCV viral life cycle remain unclear. We show that amino acids 16–36 near the N-terminus of the HCV core protein interact specifically with DDX3X both in vitro and in vivo. Replication of HCV replicon NNeo/C-5B RNA (genotype 1b) is significantly suppressed in HuH-7-derived cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to HCV core protein residues 16–36, but not by GFP fusions to core protein residues 16–35 or 16–34. Notably, the inhibition of HCV replication due to expression of the GFP fusion to HCV core protein residues 16–36 can be reversed by overexpression of DDX3X. These results suggest that the protein interface on DDX3X that binds the HCV core protein is important for replicon maintenance. However, infection of HuH-7 cells by HCV viruses of genotype 2a (JFH1) was not affected by expression of the GFP fusion protein. These results suggest that the role of DDX3X in HCV infection involves aspects of the viral life cycle that vary in importance between HCV genotypes.     

pRNA介导的RNA干扰抑制HBV表达和复制的研究

为了研究由pRNA携带的siRNA(HBVsi18-42)所介导的RNAi过程能有效地抑制HBV的基因表达和病毒复制,我们利用细胞模型和高压注射小鼠模型评价HBVsi18-42对HBV复制和基因表达的抑制作用.通过Western印迹检测细胞内的HBsAg含量,用ELISA检测细胞培养上清和小鼠血清中的HBsAg水平,采用Southern印迹检测HBV的复制中间体,通过免疫组织化学检测肝组织切片中HBcAg的表达情况.试验结果显示,HBVsi18-42能以剂量依赖的方式在293T细胞中抑制HBsAg的表达以及在HepG2细胞中下调病毒HBsAg和HBeAg的表达和病毒复制中间体的水平.在小鼠模型中,注射后的3d内HBVsi18-42使小鼠血清中HBsAg的水平分别下降了98.98%、77.07%和60.73%,免疫组织化学检测显示,在注射后的第3天小鼠肝组织内HBcAg阳性细胞数减少了79.1%.初步结果显示HBVsi18-42无论是在细胞或是在小鼠模型中都能下调HBV的复制和基因的表达.本研究为我们下一步实现由pRNA介导的靶向RNAi及基因治疗提供了理论和技术支持.     

pRNA介导的RNA干扰抑制HBV表达和复制的研究

为了研究由pRNA携带的siRNA(HBVsi18-42)所介导的RNAi过程能有效地抑制HBV的基因表达和病毒复制,我们利用细胞模型和高压注射小鼠模型评价HBVsi18-42对HBV复制和基因表达的抑制作用。通过Western印迹检测细胞内的HBsAg含量,用ELISA检测细胞培养上清和小鼠血清中的HBsAg水平,采用Southern印迹检测HBV的复制中间体,通过免疫组织化学检测肝组织切片中HBcAg的表达情况。试验结果显示,HBVsi18-42能以剂量依赖的方式在293T细胞中抑制HBsAg的表达以及在HepG2细胞中下调病毒HBsAg和HBeAg的表达和病毒复制中间体的水平。在小鼠模型中,注射后的3d内HBVsi18-42使小鼠血清中HBsAg的水平分别下降了98.98%、77.07%和60.73%,免疫组织化学检测显示,在注射后的第3天小鼠肝组织内HBcAg阳性细胞数减少了79.1%。初步结果显示HBVsi18-42无论是在细胞或是在小鼠模型中都能下调HBV的复制和基因的表达。本研究为我们下一步实现由pRNA介导的靶向RNAi及基因治疗提供了理论和技术支持。     

Efficient Hepatitis Delta Virus RNA Replication in Avian Cells Requires a Permissive Factor(s) from Mammalian Cells

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a highly pathogenic human RNA virus whose genome is structurally related to those of plant viroids. Although its spread from cell to cell requires helper functions supplied by hepatitis B virus (HBV), intracellular HDV RNA replication can proceed in the absence of HBV proteins. As HDV encodes no RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, the identity of the (presumably cellular) enzyme responsible for this reaction remains unknown. Here we show that, in contrast to mammalian cells, avian cells do not support efficient HDV RNA replication and that this defect cannot be rescued by provision of HDV gene products in trans. Contrary to earlier assertions, this defect is not due to enhanced apoptosis triggered in avian cells by HDV. Fusion of avian cells to mammalian cells rescues HDV replication in avian nuclei, indicating that the nonpermissive phenotype of avian cells is not due to the presence of dominantly acting inhibitors of replication. Rather, avian cells lack one or more essential permissive factors present in mammalian cells. These results set the stage for the identification of such factors and also explain the failure of earlier efforts to transmit HDV infection to avian hosts harboring indigenous hepadnaviruses.     

Involvement of Creatine Kinase B in Hepatitis C Virus Genome Replication through Interaction with the Viral NS4A Protein

Persistent infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver diseases. The aim of this study was to identify host cell factor(s) participating in the HCV replication complex (RC) and to clarify the regulatory mechanisms of viral genome replication dependent on the host-derived factor(s) identified. By comparative proteome analysis of RC-rich membrane fractions and subsequent gene silencing mediated by RNA interference, we identified several candidates for RC components involved in HCV replication. We found that one of these candidates, creatine kinase B (CKB), a key ATP-generating enzyme that regulates ATP in subcellular compartments of nonmuscle cells, is important for efficient replication of the HCV genome and propagation of infectious virus. CKB interacts with HCV NS4A protein and forms a complex with NS3-4A, which possesses multiple enzyme activities. CKB upregulates both NS3-4A-mediated unwinding of RNA and DNA in vitro and replicase activity in permeabilized HCV replicating cells. Our results support a model in which recruitment of CKB to the HCV RC compartment, which has high and fluctuating energy demands, through its interaction with NS4A is important for efficient replication of the viral genome. The CKB-NS4A association is a potential target for the development of a new type of antiviral therapeutic strategy.Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a significant global healthcare burden, and current estimates suggest that a minimum of 3% of the world''s population is chronically infected (4, 19). The virus is responsible for many cases of severe chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (4, 16, 19). HCV is a positive-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae. Its ∼9.6-kb genome is translated into a single polypeptide of about 3,000 amino acids (aa), in which the nonstructural (NS) proteins NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B reside in the C-terminal half region (6, 34, 44). NS4A, a small 7-kDa protein, functions as a cofactor for NS3 to enhance NS3 enzyme activities such as serine protease and helicase activities. The hydrophobic N-terminal region of NS4A, which is predicted to form a transmembrane α-helix, is responsible for membrane anchorage of the NS3-4A complex (8, 44, 50), and the central region of NS4A is important for the interaction with NS3 (10, 44). A recent study demonstrated the involvement of the C terminus of NS4A in the regulation of NS5A hyperphosphorylation and viral replication (28).The development of HCV replicon technology several years ago accelerated research on viral RNA replication (7, 44). Furthermore, a robust cell culture system for propagation of infectious HCV particles was developed using a viral genome of HCV genotype 2a, JFH-1 strain, enabling us to study every process in the viral life cycle (27, 47, 54). RNA derived from genotype 1a, HCV H77, containing cell-culture adaptive mutations, also produces infectious viruses (52). Using these systems, it has been reported that the HCV genome replicates in a distinct, subcellular replication complex (RC) compartment, which includes NS3-5B and the viral RNA (2, 14, 33). The RC forms in a distinct compartment with high concentrations of viral and cellular components located on detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) structures, possibly a lipid-raft structure (2, 41), which may protect the RC from external proteases and nucleases. Almost all processes in viral replication are dependent on the host cell''s machinery and involve intimate interaction between viral and host proteins. However, the functional roles of host factors interacting with the HCV RC in viral genome replication remain ambiguous.To gain a better understanding of cellular factors that are components of the HCV RC and that function as regulators of viral replication, a comparative proteomic analysis of DRM fractions from HCV replicon and parental cells and subsequent RNA interference (RNAi) silencing of selected genes were performed. We identified creatine kinase B (CKB) as a key factor for the HCV genome replication. CKB catalyzes the reversible transfer of the phosphate group of phosphocreatine (pCr) to ADP to yield ATP and creatine and is known to play important roles in local delivery and cellular compartmentalization of ATP (48, 51). The findings obtained here suggest that recruitment of CKB to the HCV RC, through CKB interaction with NS4A, is essential for maintenance or enhancement of viral replicase activity.     

Proteoglycans Act as Cellular Hepatitis Delta Virus Attachment Receptors

The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a small, defective RNA virus that requires the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its life cycle. Worldwide more than 15 million people are co-infected with HBV and HDV. Although much effort has been made, the early steps of the HBV/HDV entry process, including hepatocyte attachment and receptor interaction are still not fully understood. Numerous possible cellular HBV/HDV binding partners have been described over the last years; however, so far only heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been functionally confirmed as cell-associated HBV attachment factors. Recently, it has been suggested that ionotrophic purinergic receptors (P2XR) participate as receptors in HBV/HDV entry. Using the HBV/HDV susceptible HepaRG cell line and primary human hepatocytes (PHH), we here demonstrate that HDV entry into hepatocytes depends on the interaction with the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains of cellular heparan sulfate proteoglycans. We furthermore provide evidence that P2XR are not involved in HBV/HDV entry and that effects observed with inhibitors for these receptors are a consequence of their negative charge. HDV infection was abrogated by soluble GAGs and other highly sulfated compounds. Enzymatic removal of defined carbohydrate structures from the cell surface using heparinase III or the obstruction of GAG synthesis by sodium chlorate inhibited HDV infection of HepaRG cells. Highly sulfated P2XR antagonists blocked HBV/HDV infection of HepaRG cells and PHH. In contrast, no effect on HBV/HDV infection was found when uncharged P2XR antagonists or agonists were applied. In summary, HDV infection, comparable to HBV infection, requires binding to the carbohydrate side chains of hepatocyte-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans as attachment receptors, while P2XR are not actively involved.     

Electrostatic Regulation of Genome Packaging in Human Hepatitis B Virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a contagious human pathogen causing liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. An essential step during HBV replication is packaging of a pregenomic (pg) RNA within the capsid of core antigens (HBcAgs) that each contains a flexible C-terminal tail rich in arginine residues. Mutagenesis experiments suggest that pgRNA encapsidation hinges on its strong electrostatic interaction with oppositely charged C-terminal tails of the HBcAgs, and that the net charge of the capsid and C-terminal tails determines the genome size and nucleocapsid stability. Here, we elucidate the biophysical basis for electrostatic regulation of pgRNA packaging in HBV by using a coarse-grained molecular model that explicitly accounts for all nonspecific interactions among key components within the nucleocapsid. We find that for mutants with variant C-terminal length, an optimal genome size minimizes an appropriately defined thermodynamic free energy. The thermodynamic driving force of RNA packaging arises from a combination of electrostatic interactions and molecular excluded-volume effects. The theoretical predictions of the RNA length and nucleocapsid internal structure are in good agreement with available experiments for the wild-type HBV and mutants with truncated HBcAg C-termini.