鼠冠状病毒核衣壳蛋白电荷非均一性与其磷酸化的相关性

核衣壳(nucleocapsid, N)蛋白是病毒必不可少的结构蛋白,具有保护病毒基因组和调控病毒复制进程的重要作用。作为冠状病毒的经典模型,鼠肝炎病毒(mouse hepatitis virus, MHV) N蛋白的磷酸化调控病毒RNA复制转录和装配已有报道。本研究发现MHV-A59感染鼠neuro-2a细胞后期表达的N蛋白呈现明显的电荷不均一性,其中只有小部分发生磷酸化并被装配至病毒颗粒中;等电聚焦电泳显示N蛋白的电荷呈连续分布。用蛋白脂酰化抑制剂2-溴棕榈酸(2-BP)和蛋白酶体抑制剂MG-132处理后显示病毒复制水平不但与N蛋白电负性相关,而且与细胞的PKCα S657磷酸化和内质网蛋白水平相关。结果提示磷酸化修饰与鼠冠状病毒N蛋白电荷不均一性及稳定性密切相关。     

结构域B在鼠冠状病毒S蛋白的抗原性及膜融合中的作用

棘突(spike, S)蛋白是冠状病毒表面必不可少的跨膜糖蛋白,在病毒进入宿主细胞时具有结合受体和诱导膜融合的双重作用。大部分冠状病毒S蛋白的受体结合域位于S1-CTD(即相对应的结构域B),而经典的乙型冠状病毒模型鼠肝炎病毒(mouse hepatitis virus, MHV)的受体mCEACAM1a与S1-NTD(即相对应的结构域A)结合,其结构域B的作用仍未完全清楚。本研究通过构建结构域B和S2膜融合元件的缺失突变体,并使其在鼠神经母细胞瘤细胞系Neuro-2a内成功表达,证实了结构域B对病毒S蛋白导致的细胞-细胞间膜融合是必需的。用不同方法处理的病毒颗粒作为抗原免疫小鼠,所获得的多克隆抗体进一步显示,结构域B不但是S蛋白的主要抗原决定簇,而且能诱导中和抗体明显抑制病毒感染和S蛋白介导的膜融合作用。此结果为阐述不同冠状病毒的致病性与感染性差异提供了新思路。     

发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒核衣壳蛋白优势线性B细胞抗原决定簇的预测与确定

为了确定发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒(Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus,SFTSV)核衣壳蛋白(N蛋白)的优势线性B细胞抗原决定簇位点,本文根据线性B细胞抗原表位拥有较强的抗原性、亲水性以及表面性等特点,运用生物信息学软件分析SFTSV N蛋白的氨基酸序列,预测潜在的线性B细胞抗原决定簇位点。根据已解析的SFTSV N蛋白晶体结构,使用PyMOL软件分析预测出的线性B细胞抗原决定簇位点的柔性及其在整个SFTSV N蛋白中的分布情况。人工合成相应多肽片段并以其为抗原,与SFTSV临床感染者的血清反应,采用多肽-酶联免疫吸附检测法检验多肽片段的免疫原性。结果共预测出六个可能的线性B细胞抗原决定簇位点,即A(40-KKLKETGGDDWVKDTK-55)、B(71-ASGKMSNSGSKRL-83)、C(94-ERAETRL-100)、D(135-LKVENYPP-142)、E(157-GVSEATT-163)和F(184-KMRGASKTEVYNSFRDP-200),均位于N蛋白表面且含有柔性较大的loop区。相应的六段人工合成多肽都与SFTSV临床病例血清呈阳性反应,确定它们均为优势线性B细胞抗原决定簇位点,其各自检测结果与商品化N蛋白抗体检测试剂盒相应检测结果进行线性回归分析表明呈正相关。综合运用上述多种方法,本研究成功地预测并确定了SFTSV N蛋白的线性B细胞抗原决定簇位点,为该病毒抗原特异性的分子基础研究以及相关疾病的诊断和治疗奠定了基础。     

SARS冠状病毒NS融合蛋白的重组表达纯化与免疫学性质分析(英文)

刺突蛋白(S)和核心蛋白(N)是SARS冠状病毒的主要结构蛋白.在病毒细胞受体结合和病毒包装过程起重要作用.重组融合表达这2种蛋白具有较高的诊断学价值.对SARS病毒N蛋白和S蛋白氨基酸序列进行计算机分析,选择含有优势抗原表位的N蛋白1～227位氨基酸片段和S蛋白450～650位氨基酸片段,采用序列重叠延伸策略(sequenceoverlappingextension,SOE)构建编码N1227LinkerS450650新型融合蛋白的基因片段,导入原核表达载体,实现融合蛋白在大肠杆菌的高效表达.利用组氨酸标签亲和层析的方法纯化,获得高纯度的融合蛋白.对该融合蛋白的结构特征模拟分析的结果显示,其免疫化学性质均无显著改变.采用ELISA和Western印迹方法对其识别SARS冠状病毒特异性抗体的能力进行初步鉴定,显示该融合蛋白具有较好的抗原性和特异性,可有效特异性地检测恢复期SARS病人血清中抗SARS冠状病毒结构蛋白的抗体,可以作为SARS冠状病毒感染的辅助诊断手段.     

SARS 冠状病毒 S 蛋白受体结合结构域的表达及其表位作图

严重急性呼吸综合征 (SARS) 是一种新出现的人类传染病,该病的病原是 SARS 冠状病毒 (SARS-CoV). S 蛋白是 SARS 冠状病毒的一种主要结构蛋白,它在病毒与宿主细胞受体结合以及诱导机体产生中和抗体中起重要作用 . 研究表明 S 蛋白与受体结合的核心区域为第 318 ~ 510 氨基酸残基的片段 . 首先克隆并用 pGEX-6p-1 载体融合表达了该受体结合结构域,并且通过蛋白质印迹分析表明,该受体结合结构域融合蛋白能被 SARS 康复患者血清和 S 蛋白特异的单克隆抗体所识别 . 为了对这一区域进行抗原表位作图,进一步设计了一套 23 个覆盖受体结合结构域的长 16 个氨基酸残基的部分重叠短肽,并进行了 GST 融合表达 . 用免疫动物血清和单克隆抗体 D3D1 对 23 个融合蛋白进行蛋白质印迹和 ELISA 免疫反应性分析,结果鉴定出两个抗原表位 SRBD3(F334PSVYAWERKKISNCV349) 和表位 D3D1 (K447LRPFERDI455). 其结果对进一步分析 S 蛋白结构与功能以及诊断试剂和基因工程疫苗的研究有一定意义 .     

传染性法氏囊病病毒五个抗原表位短肽的鉴定与序列分析

以5株传染性法氏囊病病毒(Infectious bursal disease virus,IBDV)单克隆抗体HNF1、HNF7、B34、2B1和2G8作为筛选分子,对噬菌体展示12肽库进行3轮"吸附-洗脱-扩增"淘洗,从每株单克隆抗体筛选到的噬菌斑中随机挑取12个单克隆蓝色噬菌斑,合计60个,用间接ELISA检测,A值大于1.00;用竞争抑制ELISA分析,单克隆抗体和IBDV抗原均能竞争抑制筛选12肽与固相包被单克隆抗体的反应,抑制率大于40%,表明在该12肽内含有IBDV抗原表位。选取35个单克隆噬菌斑,测定噬菌体gIII部分基因的核苷酸序列,确定了这5个含有不同IBDV抗原表位12肽的核苷酸和氨基酸序列。进一步将其与GenBank中IBDV基因组编码蛋白的氨基酸序列进行比较,发现2B1筛选肽有4个连续氨基酸残基Leu-Ala-Ser-Pro与IBDV基因组A片段编码多聚蛋白的第536-599氨基酸残基一致,推测2B1为线性表位;而HNF1、HNF7、B34和2G8筛选肽均没找到有3个以上连续氨基酸残基与IBDV蛋白序列相同之处,推测可能是构象依赖性表位。     

埃博拉病毒NP蛋白的单克隆抗体制备及抗原肽的定位

埃博拉病毒(Ebola virus,EBOV)是一种能导致人类及脊椎动物出血热的致死性病毒,对公共卫生具有较严重的危害。EBOV的NP蛋白在病毒复制中具有重要作用,也是诊断该病重要的靶蛋白。文中原核表达重组扎伊尔型EBOV的NP蛋白,重组蛋白免疫bal/c小鼠,制备了一株小鼠抗EBOV-NP的单克隆抗体。利用Western blotting方法,该抗体能特异识别真核表达和原核表达的重组EBOV-NP,并能同莱斯顿型(RestonEbola virus,REBOV)、科特迪瓦型(Cote-d’Ivoire Ebola virus,CIEBOV)和本迪布焦型(Bundibugyo Ebola virus,BEBOV)埃博拉病毒产生交叉反应,而不与苏丹型(the Sudan Ebola virus,SEBOV)和马堡型(the Marburgvirus,MARV)埃博拉病毒产生反应。利用突变PCR和Western blotting方法,定位了该抗体识别的抗原决定簇序列,该序列(PPLESD)位于EBOV-NP蛋白的C端583-588aa。生物信息学研究表明,该序列在已经公布的ZEBOV、CIEBOV、BEBOV共16个型和REBOV的4个型中高度保守。研究结果为建立以上各型埃博拉病毒的检测方法提供了工具,也为研究埃博拉病毒复制及致病机理提供了基础。     

传染性法氏囊病病毒五个抗原表位短肽的鉴定与序列分析

以5株传染性法氏囊病病毒(Infectious bursal disease virus,IBDV)单克隆抗体HNF1、HNF7、B34、2B1和2G8作为筛选分子,对噬菌体展示12肽库进行3轮"吸附-洗脱-扩增"淘洗,从每株单克隆抗体筛选到的噬菌斑中随机挑取12个单克隆蓝色噬菌斑,合计60个,用间接ELISA检测,A值大于1.00;用竞争抑制ELISA分析,单克隆抗体和IBDV抗原均能竞争抑制筛选12肽与固相包被单克隆抗体的反应,抑制率大于40%,表明在该12肽内含有IBDV抗原表位.选取35个单克隆噬菌斑,测定噬菌体gⅢ部分基因的核苷酸序列,确定了这5个含有不同IBDV抗原表位12肽的核苷酸和氨基酸序列.进一步将其与GenBank中IBDV基因组编码蛋白的氨基酸序列进行比较,发现2B1筛选肽有4个连续氨基酸残基Leu-Ala-Ser-Pro与IBDV基因组A片段编码多聚蛋白的第536-599氨基酸残基一致,推测2B1为线性表位;而HNF1、HNF7、B34和2G8筛选肽均没找到有3个以上连续氨基酸残基与IBDV蛋白序列相同之处,推测可能是构象依赖性表位.     

非洲猪瘟病毒p35蛋白作为诊断抗原的抗原性比较

为了筛选出酶联免疫吸附测定(Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)反应性最佳的非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)诊断抗原,通过建立ELISA方法,以杆状病毒昆虫细胞表达系统表达的ASFV p30蛋白诊断抗原为参照,首次探讨原核表达系统表...     

建兰花叶病毒单克隆抗体的制备及检测应用

用建兰花叶病毒(Cymbidium mosaic virus,CymMV)免疫的BALB/C鼠脾细胞与SP2/0鼠骨髓瘤细胞融合,经筛选克隆,获得3株能稳定传代并分泌抗CymMV单克隆抗体(McAb)的杂交瘤细胞(2C6、5B7和12G9),分别制备它们的单抗腹水。其中5B7和12G92株单克隆抗体腹水间接ELISA效价达10-6,3株单抗的抗体类型及亚类均为IgG1,轻链均为κ链。利用单克隆抗体建立了抗原包被间接ELISA(ACP-ELISA)检测CymMV的方法。蝴蝶兰病叶作1∶10240倍稀释、提纯CymMV病毒浓度为4.87ng/mL(每孔的病毒绝对量为0.487ng)时,该方法仍能检测到病毒。利用ACP-ELISA方法检测了田间样品,发现CymMV在兰花上发病很普遍。     

Immunological cross-reactions and interactions between the Drosophila melanogaster ref(2)P protein and sigma rhabdovirus proteins.

The ref(2)P gene is one of the Drosophila melanogaster genes involved in the inhibition of sigma rhabdovirus multiplication. The partial restriction of viral replication varies according to the ref(2)P alleles and virus strains and involves intracellular interactions between parasite and host products. We identified the protein encoded by the ref(2)P gene and produced polyclonal antibodies directed against the whole ref(2)P protein obtained from a recombinant baculovirus and against a part of the protein expressed as a fusion protein. These antibodies were used to study the interactions with sigma virus proteins by different immunoprecipitation techniques. We showed that the native ref(2)P protein shared conformation-dependent common epitopes with the viral structural genome-associated N protein. Furthermore, the cellular protein was found to be associated in complexes with the viral P protein required for RNA polymerase activity. The significance of these observations in the control of sigma virus multiplication by its host is discussed.     

Efficient induction of nuclear aggresomes by specific single missense mutations in the DNA-binding domain of a viral AP-1 homolog

Nuclear aggresomes induced by proteins containing an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tract are pathologic hallmarks of certain neurodegenerative diseases. Some GFP fusion proteins lacking a polyQ tract may also induce nuclear aggresomes in cultured cells. Here we identify single missense mutations within the basic DNA recognition region of Bam HI Z E B virus replication activator (ZEBRA), an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded basic zipper protein without a polyQ tract, that efficiently induced the formation of nuclear aggresomes. Wild-type (WT) ZEBRA was diffusely distributed within the nucleus. Four non-DNA-binding mutants, Z(R179E), Z(R183E), Z(R190E), and Z(K178D) localized to the periphery of large intranuclear spheres, to discrete nuclear aggregates, and to the cytoplasm. Other non-DNA-binding mutants, Z(N182K), Z(N182E), and Z(S186E), did not exhibit this phenotype. The interior of the spheres contained promyelocytic leukemia and HSP70 proteins. ZEBRA mutants directly induced the nuclear aggresome pathway in cells with and without EBV. Specific cellular proteins (SC35 and HDAC6) and viral proteins (WT ZEBRA, Rta, and BMLF1) but not other cellular or viral proteins were recruited to nuclear aggresomes. Co-transfection of WT ZEBRA with aggresome-inducing mutants Z(R183E) and Z(R179E) inhibited late lytic viral protein expression and lytic viral DNA amplification. This is the first reported instance in which nuclear aggresomes are induced by single missense mutations in a viral or cellular protein. We discuss conformational changes in the mutant viral AP-1 proteins that may lead to formation of nuclear aggresomes.     

Assembly of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus RNA packaging signal into virus-like particles is nucleocapsid dependent

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was recently identified as the etiology of SARS. The virus particle consists of four structural proteins: spike (S), small envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N). Recognition of a specific sequence, termed the packaging signal (PS), by a virus N protein is often the first step in the assembly of viral RNA, but the molecular mechanisms involved in the assembly of SARS-CoV RNA are not clear. In this study, Vero E6 cells were cotransfected with plasmids encoding the four structural proteins of SARS-CoV. This generated virus-like particles (VLPs) of SARS-CoV that can be partially purified on a discontinuous sucrose gradient from the culture medium. The VLPs bearing all four of the structural proteins have a density of about 1.132 g/cm(3). Western blot analysis of the culture medium from transfection experiments revealed that both E and M expressed alone could be released in sedimentable particles and that E and M proteins are likely to form VLPs when they are coexpressed. To examine the assembly of the viral genomic RNA, a plasmid representing the GFP-PS580 cDNA fragment encompassing the viral genomic RNA from nucleotides 19715 to 20294 inserted into the 3' noncoding region of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was constructed and applied to the cotransfection experiments with the four structural proteins. The SARS-CoV VLPs thus produced were designated VLP(GFP-PS580). Expression of GFP was detected in Vero E6 cells infected with the VLP(GFP-PS580), indicating that GFP-PS580 RNA can be assembled into the VLPs. Nevertheless, when Vero E6 cells were infected with VLPs produced in the absence of the viral N protein, no green fluorescence was visualized. These results indicate that N protein has an essential role in the packaging of SARS-CoV RNA. A filter binding assay and competition analysis further demonstrated that the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the SARS-CoV N protein each contain a binding activity specific to the viral RNA. Deletions that presumably disrupt the structure of the N-terminal domain diminished its RNA-binding activity. The GFP-PS-containing SARS-CoV VLPs are powerful tools for investigating the tissue tropism and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV.     

Non-specific immunoprecipitation of rotavirus Vp6 protein with Staphylococcus aureus

The specificity of Staphylococcus aureus and protein A-Sepharose (PA-S) were compared in the radioimmunoprecipitation assay for the characterization of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against rotavirus proteins. Five mAbs directed against bovine rotavirus Q17 proteins Vp6 and Vp7 and one mAb directed against human rotavirus protein Vp4 were used in this study. mAbs directed against other viruses, NS-1 culture supernatant and ascitic fluid, were used as control reagents. A non-specific immunoprecipitation of the viral protein Vp6 was always found with S. aureus, but not with PA-S. mAb 74 reacted with rotavirus antigens in ELISA and in indirect immunofluorescence assay but did not immunoprecipitate a viral protein with PA-S. This mAb immunoprecipitated the viral protein Vp6 when S. aureus reagent was used. This false positive reaction was always present and could lead to confusing results in the analysis and characterization of mAbs against rotavirus.     

Development of a humanized antibody with high therapeutic potential against dengue virus type 2

Background

Dengue virus (DENV) is a significant public health threat in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. A therapeutic antibody against the viral envelope (E) protein represents a promising immunotherapy for disease control.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We generated seventeen novel mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with high reactivity against E protein of dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2). The mAbs were further dissected using recombinant E protein domain I-II (E-DI-II) and III (E-DIII) of DENV-2. Using plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) and mouse protection assay with lethal doses of DENV-2, we identified four serotype-specific mAbs that had high neutralizing activity against DENV-2 infection. Of the four, E-DIII targeting mAb DB32-6 was the strongest neutralizing mAb against diverse DENV-2 strains. Using phage display and virus-like particles (VLPs) we found that residue K310 in the E-DIII A-strand was key to mAb DB32-6 binding E-DIII. We successfully converted DB32-6 to a humanized version that retained potency for the neutralization of DENV-2 and did not enhance the viral infection. The DB32-6 showed therapeutic efficacy against mortality induced by different strains of DENV-2 in two mouse models even in post-exposure trials.

Conclusions/Significance

We used novel epitope mapping strategies, by combining phage display with VLPs, to identify the important A-strand epitopes with strong neutralizing activity. This study introduced potential therapeutic antibodies that might be capable of providing broad protection against diverse DENV-2 infections without enhancing activity in humans.     

Structural difference recognized by a monoclonal antibody #404-11 between the rabies virus nucleocapsid (NC) produced in virus infected cells and the NC-like structures produced in the nucleoprotein (N) cDNA-transfected cells

We investigated structural changes in the rabies virus (HEP-Flury strain) nucleocapsid (NC) during the virus replication, for which we used two anti-nucleoprotein (N) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), #404-11 (specific for a conformation-dependently exposed linear epitope) and #1-7-11 (specific for a conformational epitope which is exposed after the nucleocapsid formation). Both mAbs recognized the N protein of the viral NC, but not of the RNA-free N-P complex. The 1-7-11 and 404-11 epitopes could be mapped to the N-terminal and the C-terminal regions of N protein, respectively. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that treatment of the NC either with the alkaline phosphatase or sodium deoxycholate (DOC) resulted in dissociation of most P proteins from the NC and in the reduced reactivity to mAb #404-11, but not to mAb #1-7-11. NC-like structures produced in the N cDNA-transfected cells displayed strong reactivity to mAb #1-7-11; however, reactivity to mAb #404-11 was very weak. And, coexpression with viral phosphoprotein (P) resulted in little increase in reactivity to mAb #404-11 of the NC-like structures, while the reactivity was significantly increased by cotransfection with P and the viral minigenome whose 3'- and 5'-end structures were derived from the viral genome. From these results, we assume that, although the 404-11 epitope is a linear one, the epitope-containing region is exposed only when N proteins encapsidate properly the viral RNA in collaboration with the P protein. Further, exposure of the 404-11 epitope region might be function-related, and be regulated by association and dissociation of the P protein.     

Emerging theme: cellular PDZ proteins as common targets of pathogenic viruses

More than a decade ago, three viral oncoproteins, adenovirus type 9 E4-ORF1, human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 Tax, and high-risk human papillomavirus E6, were found to encode a related carboxyl-terminal PDZ domain-binding motif (PBM) that mediates interactions with a select group of cellular PDZ proteins. Recent studies have shown that many other viruses also encode PBM-containing proteins that bind to cellular PDZ proteins. Interestingly, these recently recognized viruses include not only some with oncogenic potential (hepatitis B virus, rhesus papillomavirus, cottontail rabbit papillomavirus) but also many without this potential (influenza virus, Dengue virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, rabies virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, human immunodeficiency virus). Examination of the cellular PDZ proteins that are targets of viral PBMs reveals that the viral proteins often interact with the same or similar types of PDZ proteins, most notably Dlg1 and other members of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein family, as well as Scribble. In addition, cellular PDZ protein targets of viral PBMs commonly control tight junction formation, cell polarity establishment, and apoptosis. These findings reveal a new theme in virology wherein many different virus families encode proteins that bind and perturb the function of cellular PDZ proteins. The inhibition or perturbation of the function of cellular PDZ proteins appears to be a widely used strategy for viruses to enhance their replication, disseminate in the host, and transmit to new hosts.     

Adenovirus E1a interferes with expression of vaccinia viral genes

The 12S and 13S cDNAs of the oncogene E1a encoded by the early region of adenovirus 12 (Ad12) were overexpressed using the T7/encephalomyocarditis (EMC)/vaccinia hybrid expression system. The E1a proteins were stable for at least 12 h in monkey epithelial BSC1 cells. The E1a proteins were recognized by a rabbit polyclonal antibody and displayed phosphorylation patterns similar to those displayed by the E1a proteins expressed in Ad12-transformed cells. Expression of E1a proteins by recombinant vaccinia virus led to inhibition of vaccinia viral protein synthesis which was observed as soon as 6 h after infection. This suppression was mediated by both the 12S and the 13S products of Ad12E1a and to a somewhat lesser extent by the 13S product of Ad2E1a. The inhibition of vaccinia virus gene expression resulted in enhanced survival of vaccinia virus-infected cells. These results suggest that the proteins encoded by the E1a sequester a viral or a cellular product(s) that is essential for the expression of vaccinia virus-encoded genes.     

Mapping of a region of dengue virus type-2 glycoprotein required for binding by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody.

Envelope glycoprotein E of flaviviruses is exposed at the surface of the virion, and is responsible for eliciting a neutralizing antibody (Ab) response, as well as protective immunity in the host. In this report, we describe a method for the fine mapping of a linear sequence of the E protein of dengue virus type-2 (DEN-2), recognized by a type-specific and neutralizing monoclonal Ab (mAb), 3H5. First, an Escherichia coli expression vector containing a heat-inducible lambda pL promoter was used to synthesize several truncated, and near-full length E polypeptides. Reactivities of these polypeptides with polyclonal mouse hyperimmune sera, as well as the 3H5 mAb revealed the location of the 3H5-binding site to be within a region of 166 amino acids (aa) between aa 255 and 422. For fine mapping, a series of targeted deletions were made inframe within this region using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The hydrophilicity pattern of this region was used as a guide to systematically delete the regions encoding the various groups of surface aa residues within the context of a near-full-length E polypeptide by using PCR. The 3H5-binding site was thus precisely mapped to a region encoding 12 aa (between aa 386 and 397). A synthetic peptide containing this sequence was able to bind to the 3H5 mAb specifically, as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, we show that rabbit Abs raised against the synthetic peptide of 12 aa were able to bind to the authentic E protein, and to neutralize DEN-2 virus in a plaque reduction assay.