Human DDX56 protein interacts with influenza A virus NS1 protein and stimulates the virus replication

Influenza A viruses (IAV) are enveloped viruses carrying a single-stranded negative-sense RNA genome. Detection of host proteins having a relationship with IAV and revealing of the role of these proteins in the viral replication are of great importance in keeping IAV infections under control. Consequently, the importance of human DDX56, which is determined to be associated with a viral NS1 with a yeast two-hybrid assay, was investigated for IAV replication. The viral replication in knocked down cells for the DDX56 gene was evaluated. The NS1 was co-precipitated with the DDX56 protein in lysates of cells transiently expressing DDX56 and NS1 or infected with the viruses, showing that NS1 and DDX56 interact in mammalian cells. Viral NS1 showed a tendency to co-localize with DDX56 in the cells, transiently expressing both of these proteins, which supports the IP and two-hybrid assays results. The data obtained with in silico predictions supported the in vitro protein interaction results. The viral replication was significantly reduced in the DDX56-knockdown cells comparing with that in the control cells. In conclusion, human DDX56 protein interacts with the IAV NS1 protein in both yeast and mammalian cells and has a positive regulatory effect on IAV replication. However, the mechanism of DDX56 on IAV replication requires further elucidation.     

A new member of the sorting nexin family interacts with the C-terminus of P-selectin

P-selectin is a cell adhesion molecule found in platelets and endothelial cells mediating binding of leukocytes. It is stored in secretory granules and expressed at the plasma membrane after cell activation. After rapid internalisation P-selectin recycles or is degraded. The 35 amino acid cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin contains signals for sorting into secretory granules, for endocytosis and for delivery to lysosomes. To investigate protein-protein interactions, we performed two-hybrid screening using the cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin as bait. KIAA0064 was identified as a putative intracellular P-selectin binding protein. Because the protein contains a phox homology (PX) domain in the N-terminus which is a characteristic feature of the sorting nexin (SNX) family, it was named SNX17. The PX domain is not required for binding of P-selectin in the two-hybrid system. Expression of a fusion protein between SNX17 and green fluorescent protein demonstrated localisation of SNX17 in the cytosol and to membranes.     

Human annexin A6 interacts with influenza a virus protein M2 and negatively modulates infection

The influenza A virus M2 ion channel protein has the longest cytoplasmic tail (CT) among the three viral envelope proteins and is well conserved between different viral strains. It is accessible to the host cellular machinery after fusion with the endosomal membrane and during the trafficking, assembly, and budding processes. We hypothesized that identification of host cellular interactants of M2 CT could help us to better understand the molecular mechanisms regulating the M2-dependent stages of the virus life cycle. Using yeast two-hybrid screening with M2 CT as bait, a novel interaction with the human annexin A6 (AnxA6) protein was identified, and their physical interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation assay and a colocalization study of virus-infected human cells. We found that small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of AnxA6 expression significantly increased virus production, while its overexpression could reduce the titer of virus progeny, suggesting a negative regulatory role for AnxA6 during influenza A virus infection. Further characterization revealed that AnxA6 depletion or overexpression had no effect on the early stages of the virus life cycle or on viral RNA replication but impaired the release of progeny virus, as suggested by delayed or defective budding events observed at the plasma membrane of virus-infected cells by transmission electron microscopy. Collectively, this work identifies AnxA6 as a novel cellular regulator that targets and impairs the virus budding and release stages of the influenza A virus life cycle.     

A role for sorting nexin 2 in epidermal growth factor receptor down-regulation: evidence for distinct functions of sorting nexin 1 and 2 in protein trafficking

Sorting nexin 1 (SNX1) and SNX2, homologues of the yeast vacuolar protein-sorting (Vps)5p, contain a phospholipid-binding motif termed the phox homology (PX) domain and a carboxyl terminal coiled-coil region. A role for SNX1 in trafficking of cell surface receptors from endosomes to lysosomes has been proposed; however, the function of SNX2 remains unknown. Toward understanding the function of SNX2, we first examined the distribution of endogenous protein in HeLa cells. We show that SNX2 resides primarily in early endosomes, whereas SNX1 is found partially in early endosomes and in tubulovesicular-like structures distributed throughout the cytoplasm. We also demonstrate that SNX1 interacts with the mammalian retromer complex through its amino terminal domain, whereas SNX2 does not. Moreover, activated endogenous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) colocalizes markedly with SNX2-positive endosomes, but minimally with SNX1-containing vesicles. To assess SNX2 function, we examined the effect of a PX domain-mutated SNX2 that is defective in vesicle localization on EGFR trafficking. Mutant SNX2 markedly inhibited agonist-induced EGFR degradation, whereas internalization remained intact. In contrast, SNX1 PX domain mutants failed to effect EGFR degradation, whereas a SNX1 deletion mutant significantly inhibited receptor down-regulation. Interestingly, knockdown of SNX1 and SNX2 expression by RNA interference failed to alter agonist-induced EGFR down-regulation. Together, these findings suggest that both SNX1 and SNX2 are involved in regulating lysosomal sorting of internalized EGFR, but neither protein is essential for this process. These studies are the first to demonstrate a function for SNX2 in protein trafficking.     

Influenza virus polymerase basic protein 1 interacts with influenza virus polymerase basic protein 2 at multiple sites.

Three polymerase proteins of influenza type A virus interact with each other to form the active polymerase complex. Polymerase basic protein 1 (PB1) can interact with PB2 in the presence or absence of polymerase acidic protein. In this study, we investigated the domains of PB1 involved in complex formation with PB2 in vivo, using coexpression and coimmunoprecipitation of the PB1-PB2 complex with monospecific antibodies. Results show that PB1 possesses at least two regions which can interact independently and form stable complexes with PB2. Both of these regions are located at the NH2 terminus of PB1; the COOH-terminal half of PB1 is not involved in interacting with PB2. Deletion analysis further demonstrated that the interacting regions of PB1 encompass amino acids (aa) 48 to 145 and aa 251 to 321. Linker insertions throughout the PB1 sequences did not affect complex formation with PB2. Deletion and linker-insertion mutants of PB1 were tested for polymerase activity in vivo. For this analysis, we developed a simplified assay for viral polymerase activity that uses a reporter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene containing the 5' and 3' ends of influenza viral promoter and nontranslating regions (minus sense) of the NS gene joined to a hepatitis delta virus ribozyme at its 3' end. This assay demonstrated that all deletion mutants of PB1 exhibited either background or greatly reduced polymerase activity irrespective of the ability to interact with PB2 and that all linker-insertion mutants except one at the extreme COOH end (L-746) of PB1 were also negative for viral polymerase activity. These results show that compared with complex formation of PB1 with PB2, the polymerase activity of PB1 was extremely sensitive to structural perturbation.     

A kinetoplastid BRCA2 interacts with DNA replication protein CDC45

The gene BRCA2, first identified as a breast cancer susceptibility locus in humans, encodes a protein involved in DNA repair in mammalian cells and mutations in this gene confer increased risk of breast cancer. Here we report a functional characterisation of a Trypanosoma brucei BRCA2 (TbBRCA2) orthologue and show that the protein interacts directly with TbRAD51. A further protein-protein interaction screen using TbBRCA2 identified other interacting proteins, including a trypanosome orthologue of CDC45 which is involved in initiation and progression of the replication fork complex during DNA synthesis. Deletion of the TbBRCA2 gene retards cell cycle progression during S-phase as judged by increased incorporation of BrdU and an increased percentage of cells with one nucleus and two kinetoplasts. These results provide insights into the potential role played by BRCA2 in DNA replication and reveal a novel interaction that couples replication and recombination in maintaining integrity of the genome.     

Identification of a plum pox virus CI-interacting protein from chloroplast that has a negative effect in virus infection

The cylindrical inclusion (CI) protein of potyviruses is involved in virus replication and cell-to-cell movement. These two processes should rely on multiple plant-virus interactions; however, little is known about the host factors that are involved in, or that may interfere with, CI functions. By using a yeast two-hybrid system, the CI protein from Plum pox virus (PPV) was found to interact with the photosystem I PSI-K protein, the product of the gene psaK, of Nicotiana benthamiana. Coexpression of PPV CI was shown to cause a decrease in the accumulation level of PSI-K transiently expressed in N. benthamiana leaves. To test the biological relevance of this interaction, we have analyzed the infection of PPV in N. benthamiana plants in which psaK gene expression has been silenced by RNA interference, as well as in Arabidopsis thaliana psaK knockout plants. Our results show that downregulation of the psaK gene leads to higher PPV accumulation, suggesting a role for the CI-PSI-K interaction in PPV infection.     

Cyclophilin A interacts with influenza A virus M1 protein and impairs the early stage of the viral replication

Influenza A virus matrix protein (M1) is the most abundant conservative protein that regulates the replication, assembly and budding of the viral particles upon infection. Several host cell factors have been determined to interact with M1 possibly in regulating influenza virus replication. By yeast two-hybrid screening, the isomerase cyclophilin A (CypA) was identified to interact with the M1 protein. CypA specifically interacted with M1 both in vitro and in vivo . The mutagenesis results showed CypA bound to the functional middle (M) domain of M1. The depletion of endogenous CypA by RNA interference resulted in the increase of influenza virus infectivity while overexpression of CypA caused decreasing the infectivity in affected cells. The immunofluorescence assays indicated that overexpressed CypA deduced the infectivity and inhibited the translocation of M1 protein into the nucleus while did not affect nucleoprotein entering the nucleus. Further studies indicated that overexpression of CypA significantly increased M1 self-association. Western blot with purified virions confirmed that CypA was encapsidated within the virus particle. These results together indicated that CypA interacted with the M1 protein and affected the early stage of the viral replication.     

PR48, a novel regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 2A, interacts with Cdc6 and modulates DNA replication in human cells

Initiation of DNA replication in eukaryotes is dependent on the activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), but specific phosphoprotein substrates pertinent to this requirement have not been identified. A novel regulatory subunit of PP2A, termed PR48, was identified by a yeast two-hybrid screen of a human placental cDNA library, using human Cdc6, an essential component of prereplicative complexes, as bait. PR48 binds specifically to an amino-terminal segment of Cdc6 and forms functional holoenzyme complexes with A and C subunits of PP2A. PR48 localizes to the nucleus of mammalian cells, and its forced overexpression perturbs cell cycle progression, causing a G(1) arrest. These results suggest that dephosphorylation of Cdc6 by PP2A, mediated by a specific interaction with PR48, is a regulatory event controlling initiation of DNA replication in mammalian cells.     

A novel sorting nexin modulates endocytic trafficking and alpha-secretase cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein

Ectodomain shedding of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by the two proteases alpha- and beta-secretase is a key regulatory event in the generation of the Alzheimer disease amyloid beta peptide (Abeta). beta-Secretase catalyzes the first step in Abeta generation, whereas alpha-secretase cleaves within the Abeta domain, prevents Abeta generation, and generates a secreted form of APP with neuroprotective properties. At present, little is known about the cellular mechanisms that control APP alpha-secretase cleavage and Abeta generation. To explore the contributory pathways, we carried out an expression cloning screen. We identified a novel member of the sorting nexin (SNX) family of endosomal trafficking proteins, called SNX33, as a new activator of APP alpha-secretase cleavage. SNX33 is a homolog of SNX9 and was found to be a ubiquitously expressed phosphoprotein. Exogenous expression of SNX33 in cultured cells increased APP alpha-secretase cleavage 4-fold but surprisingly had little effect on beta-secretase cleavage. This effect was similar to the expression of the dominant negative dynamin-1 mutant K44A. SNX33 bound the endocytic GTPase dynamin and reduced the rate of APP endocytosis in a dynamin-dependent manner. This led to an increase of APP at the plasma membrane, where alpha-secretase cleavage mostly occurs. In summary, our study identifies SNX33 as a new endocytic protein, which modulates APP endocytosis and APP alpha-secretase cleavage, and demonstrates that the rate of APP endocytosis is a major control factor for APP alpha-secretase cleavage.     

Influenza A virus neuraminidase protein interacts with Hsp90, to stabilize itself and enhance cell survival

Neuraminidase protein (NA) of influenza A virus (IAV) is popularly known for its sialidase function to assist in the release of progeny virus. However, involvement of NA in other stages of the IAV life cycle also indicates its multifunctional nature and necessity to interact with other host proteins. Here, we report a host protein—heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), as a novel interacting partner of IAV NA. A classical yeast two-hybrid screen was conducted to identify a new host interacting partner for NA and the interaction was further validated by coimmunoprecipitation from cells, transiently expressing both proteins and also from IAV-infected cells. Confocal imaging showed that both proteins colocalized in the cytoplasm in transfected host cells. Interestingly, increased levels of NA in the presence of Hsp90 was observed, which tends to decrease if adenosine triphosphatase activity of Hsp90 is inhibited using 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG). This establishes viral NA as a client protein of host chaperone Hsp90 contributing toward NA's stability via the NA-Hsp90 interaction. This is the first report showing the interaction of NA with Hsp90 and its role in stabilizing viral NA thus preventing it from degradation. Enhanced cell survival in the presence of this interaction was also observed, thus suggesting the requirement of stable viral NA, post-IAV infection, for efficient virus production in infected mammalian cells.     

Nucleolar protein B23 interacts with Japanese encephalitis virus core protein and participates in viral replication

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) core protein is detected not only in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleoli of infected cells. We previously showed that a mutant JEV lacking the nucleolar localization of the core protein impaired viral replication in mammalian cells. In this study, we identified a nucleolar phosphoprotein B23 as a protein binding with the core protein of JEV but not with that of dengue virus. The region binding with JEV core protein was mapped to amino acid residues 38 to 77 of B23. Upon JEV infection, some fraction of B23 was translocated from the nucleoli to the cytoplasm, and cytoplasmic B23 was colocalized with the core protein of wild-type JEV but not with that of the mutant JEV. Furthermore, overexpression of dominant negatives of B23 reduced JEV replication. These results suggest that B23 plays an important role in the intracellular localization of the core protein and replication of JEV.     

Aph2, a protein with a zf-DHHC motif,interacts with c-Abl and has pro-apoptotic activity

c-Abl is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in DNA damage-induced cell death and in growth factor receptor signaling. To further understand the function and regulation of c-Abl, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed to identify c-Abl-interacting proteins. Here we report the identification of Abl-philin 2 (Aph2), encoding a novel protein with a unique cysteine-rich motif (zf-DHHC) and a 53-amino acid stretch sharing homology with the creatine kinase family. The zf-DHHC domain is highly conserved from yeast to human. Two proteins containing this motif, Akr1p and Erf2p, have been characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, both implicated in signaling pathways. Deletion analysis by two-hybrid assays revealed that the N-terminal portion of Aph2 interacts with the C terminus of c-Abl. Aph2 was demonstrated to interact with c-Abl by co-immunoprecipitation assays. Aph2 is expressed in most tissues tested and is localized in the cytoplasm, mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The sequences required for ER location reside in the N terminus and the zf-DHHC motif of Aph2. It has been reported that a portion of c-Abl is localized in the ER. We demonstrate here that Aph2 and c-Abl are co-localized in the ER region. Overexpression of Aph2 leads to apoptosis as justified by TUNEL assays, and the induction of apoptosis requires the N terminus. Co-expression of c-Abl and Aph2 had a synergistic effect on apoptosis induction and led to a decreased expression of both proteins, suggesting either that these two proteins are mutually down-regulated or that cells expressing both c-Abl and Aph2 rapidly disappeared from the culture. These results suggest that Aph2 may be involved in ER stress-induced apoptosis in which c-Abl plays an important role.     

A nuclear export signal in the matrix protein of Influenza A virus is required for efficient virus replication

The influenza A virus matrix 1 protein (M1) shuttles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus during the viral life cycle and plays an important role in the replication, assembly, and budding of viruses. Here, a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) was identified specifically for the nuclear export of the M1 protein. The predicted NES, designated the Flu-A-M1 NES, is highly conserved among all sequences from the influenza A virus subtype, but no similar NES motifs are found in the M1 sequences of influenza B or C viruses. The biological function of the Flu-A-M1 NES was demonstrated by its ability to translocate an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-NES fusion protein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in transfected cells, compared to the even nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution of EGFP. The translocation of EGFP-NES from the nucleus to the cytoplasm was not inhibited by leptomycin B. NES mutations in M1 caused a nuclear retention of the protein and an increased nuclear accumulation of NEP during transfection. Indeed, as shown by rescued recombinant viruses, the mutation of the NES impaired the nuclear export of M1 and significantly reduced the virus titer compared to titers of wild-type viruses. The NES-defective M1 protein was retained in the nucleus during infection, accompanied by a lowered efficiency of the nuclear export of viral RNPs (vRNPs). In conclusion, M1 nuclear export was specifically dependent on the Flu-A-M1 NES and critical for influenza A virus replication.     

Vaccinia virus A56/K2 fusion regulatory protein interacts with the A16 and G9 subunits of the entry fusion complex

Deletion of the A56R or K2L gene of vaccinia virus (VACV) results in the spontaneous fusion of infected cells to form large multinucleated syncytia. A56 and K2 polypeptides bind to one another (A56/K2) and together are required for interaction with the VACV entry fusion complex (EFC); this association has been proposed to prevent the fusion of infected cells. At least eight viral polypeptides comprise the EFC, but no information has been available regarding their interactions either with each other or with A56/K2. Utilizing a panel of recombinant VACVs designed to repress expression of individual EFC subunits, we demonstrated that A56/K2 interacted with two polypeptides: A16 and G9. Both A16 and G9 were required for the efficient binding of each to A56/K2, suggesting that the two polypeptides interact with each other within the EFC. Such an interaction was established by the copurification of A16 and G9 from infected cells under conditions in which a stable EFC complex failed to assemble and from detergent-treated lysates of uninfected cells that coexpressed A16 and G9. A recombinant VACV that expressed G9 modified with an N-terminal epitope tag induced the formation of syncytia, suggesting partial interference with the functional interaction of A56/K2 with the EFC during infection. These data suggest that A16 and G9 are physically associated within the EFC and that their interaction with A56/K2 suppresses spontaneous syncytium formation and possibly "fuse-back" superinfection of cells.     

A Highlights from MBoC Selection: The alternate AP-1 adaptor subunit Apm2 interacts with the Mil1 regulatory protein and confers differential cargo sorting

Heterotetrameric adaptor protein complexes are important mediators of cargo protein sorting in clathrin-coated vesicles. The cell type–specific expression of alternate μ chains creates distinct forms of AP-1 with altered cargo sorting, but how these subunits confer differential function is unclear. Whereas some studies suggest the μ subunits specify localization to different cellular compartments, others find that the two forms of AP-1 are present in the same vesicle but recognize different cargo. Yeast have two forms of AP-1, which differ only in the μ chain. Here we show that the variant μ chain Apm2 confers distinct cargo-sorting functions. Loss of Apm2, but not of Apm1, increases cell surface levels of the v-SNARE Snc1. However, Apm2 is unable to replace Apm1 in sorting Chs3, which requires a dileucine motif recognized by the γ/σ subunits common to both complexes. Apm2 and Apm1 colocalize at Golgi/early endosomes, suggesting that they do not associate with distinct compartments. We identified a novel, conserved regulatory protein that is required for Apm2-dependent sorting events. Mil1 is a predicted lipase that binds Apm2 but not Apm1 and contributes to its membrane recruitment. Interactions with specific regulatory factors may provide a general mechanism to diversify the functional repertoire of clathrin adaptor complexes.