Article
Cell Biology
Ian N. Boys, Alex G. Johnson, Meghan R. Quinlan, Philip J. Kranzusch, Nels C. Elde
Summary: Viruses can acquire host genes through horizontal transfer and use them to manipulate host biology during infections. In this study, structural homology modeling was used to compare vaccinia virus proteins with metazoan proteomes. The researchers identified a homolog of gasdermins, proteins involved in cell death, as well as a fusion protein combining a Bcl-2-related fold with a pyrin domain. These findings highlight the power of structural homology screens in uncovering unique protein combinations captured by viruses from host genes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Junda Zhu, Xintao Gao, Yijing Li, Zihui Zhang, Shijie Xie, Shuning Ren, Yarui Li, Hua Li, Kang Niu, Shufang Fu, Yining Deng, Yinu Li, Bernard Moss, Wenxue Wu, Chen Peng
Summary: This study reveals the detailed mechanism by which FAM111A inhibits poxviruses and provides explanations for the immune evasive function of vaccinia virus SPI-1.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Xiao-Yong Zhan, Gao-Feng Zha, Yulong He
Summary: The ongoing outbreak of human monkeypox (hMPX) in 2022 is a serious global threat. Understanding the evolution of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) at the gene level may provide insights into the unique aspects of the current outbreak, including human-to-human transmission. Analysis of MPXV coding genes revealed that while most genes were subjected to negative selection, there were a few genes that showed evidence of positive Darwinian selection, which may play a crucial role in viral adaptation, virulence, and transmission.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Balazs Kakuk, Akos Dormo, Zsolt Csabai, Gabor Kemenesi, Jiri Holoubek, Daniel Ruzek, Istvan Prazsak, Virag eva Dani, Bela Denes, Gabor Torma, Ferenc Jakab, Gabor E. Toth, Fanni V. Foldes, Brigitta Zana, Zsofia Lanszki, Akos Harangozo, Adam Fulop, Gabor Gulyas, Mate Mizik, Andras Attila Kiss, Dora Tombacz, Zsolt Boldogkoi
Summary: The recent Monkeypox outbreak highlighted the importance of studying the basic biology of orthopoxviruses. However, there has been no investigation into the transcriptome of the causative agent using either short-read or long-read sequencing approaches. This Oxford Nanopore long-read RNA-Sequencing dataset fills this gap and allows for the comprehensive characterization of the monkeypox virus transcriptomic architecture and the potential annotation of novel host transcripts. Additionally, this study will provide insights into gene expression changes in both the virus and host cells during infection, leading to a deeper understanding of the alterations caused by viral infection at the transcriptome level.
Review
Virology
Natalia Ingrid Oliveira Silva, Jaqueline Silva de Oliveira, Erna Geessien Kroon, Giliane de Souza Trindade, Betania Paiva Drumond
Summary: The global spread of zoonotic poxviruses poses a significant threat to human and animal health, with potential outbreaks and viral dissemination to new regions. Current epidemiological understanding of the geographical distribution and host ranges of poxviruses, particularly orthopoxviruses with epidemic potential, highlights the need for enhanced monitoring and preventive measures to curb further spread of these viruses.
Article
Virology
Joe Holley, Rebecca P. Sumner, Sian Lant, Paolo Ribeca, David Ulaeto, Carlos Maluquer de Motes
Summary: The study shows that vaccinia virus regulates the production and maturation of different types of virions through the expression of the viral protein A26. A26 ensures sufficient viral dissemination and provides virions with enhanced environmental stability. This virus-regulated mechanism represents a novel level of complexity in mammalian viruses with significant impacts on evolution, adaptation, and transmission.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tao-Tao Chen, Yanling Lin, Shijun Zhang, Shuxin Liu, Lei Song, Wenhong Zhong, Zhao-Qing Luo, Aidong Han
Summary: The intracellular bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila hijacks host vesicular transport factor p115 to localize its effector protein LegA15 in host lipid droplets (LDs) and causes fragmentation of host Golgi apparatus. LegA15 is an atypical GTPase that modulates host LD homeostasis through its GTPase activity.
Review
Microbiology
Fenghao Peng, Naijing Hu, Yingjun Liu, Cong Xing, Longlong Luo, Xinying Li, Jing Wang, Guojiang Chen, He Xiao, Chenghua Liu, Beifen Shen, Jiannan Feng, Chunxia Qiao
Summary: Smallpox is an infectious disease caused by the variola virus, with a high mortality rate. Although smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, the potential threat of bioterrorism has led to resumed research on the treatment and prevention of smallpox.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Haley E. Adcox, Amanda L. Hatke, Shelby E. Andersen, Sarika Gupta, Nathan B. Otto, Mary M. Weber, Richard T. Marconi, Jason A. Carlyon
Summary: Orientia tsutsugamushi is an intracellular pathogen causing scrub typhus, with Ank13 being a key effector that enters the nucleus using RaDAR nuclear import mechanism. Ank13 dysregulates the expression of over 2,000 host genes, particularly those involved in transcriptional control and the inflammatory response, through a combination of nucleotropism and F-box-dependent mechanisms. This effector plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of scrub typhus by reprogramming host cell transcription.
Article
Biology
Sarah M. Fixsen, Kelsey R. Cone, Stephen A. Goldstein, Thomas A. Sasani, Aaron R. Quinlan, Stefan Rothenburg, Nels C. Elde
Summary: Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major source of genetic variation, with many viruses acquiring crucial genes through gene transfer from hosts. This study reveals the central role of Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1 retrotransposition in HGT to virus genomes, allowing rapid duplication of captured host genes to enhance virus adaptation.
Article
Immunology
Yuri Kim, Jianyang Wang, Emily G. Clemens, Dennis J. Grab, J. Stephen Dumler
Summary: AnkA, an effector protein of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is injected into host cells and modifies the nuclear epigenome to promote bacterial fitness and propagation. This study identified the pathways involved in AnkA nuclear localization and highlighted the importance of importin-beta-dependent pathway.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simon Verdonck, Josephine Nemegeer, Peter Vandenabeele, Jonathan Maelfait
Summary: Cell death, including necroptosis and pyroptosis, is an important part of the antiviral immune response, eliminating virus-infected cells and promoting immune development through the release of inflammatory mediators. Viruses employ evasion mechanisms to suppress these cell death pathways and antagonize host immunity.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Thaddaeus Mutugi Nthiga, Birendra Kumar Shrestha, Jack-Ansgar Bruun, Kenneth Bowitz Larsen, Trond Lamark, Terje Johansen
Summary: The Golgi complex plays a crucial role in the processing and trafficking of proteins and lipids, with its turnover regulated to meet cellular demands. This study uncovers a mechanism where CALCOCO1 interacts with ZDHHC17 to facilitate Golgi degradation through autophagy, influencing Golgi size and morphology during starvation.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Sian Lant, Carlos Maluquer de Motes
Summary: This review highlights the crucial role of the ubiquitin system in regulating cellular functions and combating viral infections, as well as the strategies utilized by viruses to manipulate this system. Understanding the interactions between the ubiquitin system and viruses can lead to the discovery of new antiviral treatments and insights into viral pathogenesis and host responses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arpit Gupta, Chuqi Lu, Feng Wang, Tsui-Fen Chou, Shu-ou Shan
Summary: Researchers have discovered that molecular chaperones with engineerable protein scaffolds can delay protein aggregation associated with age-linked diseases. They found that a plant chaperone called cpSRP43 can delay the aggregation of various proteins, including amyloid beta peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease and alpha-synuclein associated with Parkinson's disease. This work provides an example of using non-native protein scaffold molecular chaperones to develop strategies against amyloid protein aggregation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiangzhi Meng, Brian Krumm, Yongchao Li, Junpeng Deng, Yan Xiang
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2015)
Article
Microbiology
Michael H. Matho, Andrew Schlossman, Xiangzhi Meng, Mohammed Rafii-El-Idrissi Benhnia, Thomas Kaever, Mark Buller, Konstantin Doronin, Scott Parker, Bjoern Peters, Shane Crotty, Yan Xiang, Dirk M. Zajonc
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Brian Krumm, Xiangzhi Meng, Yan Xiang, Junpeng Deng
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2015)
Article
Virology
Thomas Kaever, Michael H. Matho, Xiangzhi Meng, Lindsay Crickard, Andrew Schlossman, Yan Xiang, Shane Crotty, Bjoern Peters, Dirk M. Zajonc
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael H. Matho, Andrew Schlossman, Iuliia M. Gilchuk, Greg Miller, Zbigniew Mikulski, Matthias Hupfer, Jing Wang, Aruna Bitra, Xiangzhi Meng, Yan Xiang, Tom Kaever, Tzanko Doukov, Klaus Ley, Shane Crotty, Bjoern Peters, Linda C. Hsieh-Wilson, James E. Crowe, Dirk M. Zajonc
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2018)
Article
Virology
Xiangzhi Meng, Lloyd Rose, Yue Han, Junpeng Deng, Yan Xiang
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea S. Weisberg, Liliana Maruri-Avidal, Himani Bisht, Bryan T. Hansen, Cindi L. Schwartz, Elizabeth R. Fischer, Xiangzhi Meng, Yan Xiang, Bernard Moss
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prabhat Kumar Pathak, Shuxia Peng, Xiangzhi Meng, Yue Han, Bing Zhang, Fushun Zhang, Yan Xiang, Junpeng Deng
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2018)
Article
Virology
Xiangzhi Meng, Thomas Kaever, Bo Yan, Paula Traktman, Dirk M. Zajonc, Bjoern Peters, Shane Crotty, Yan Xiang
Article
Microbiology
Xiangzhi Meng, Fushun Zhang, Bo Yan, Chuanping Si, Hiroaki Honda, Akiko Nagamachi, Lu-Zhe Sun, Yan Xiang
Article
Virology
Swapna Kolli, Xiangzhi Meng, Xiang Wu, Djoshkun Shengjuler, Craig E. Cameron, Yan Xiang, Junpeng Deng
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2015)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brian Krumm, Xiangzhi Meng, Yan Xiang, Junpeng Deng
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2017)
Article
Virology
Fushun Zhang, Xiangzhi Meng, Michael B. Townsend, Panayampalli Subbian Satheshkumar, Yan Xiang
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2019)
Article
Virology
Xiangzhi Meng, Yan Xiang
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marina Zaitseva, Antonia Thomas, Clement A. Meseda, Charles Y. K. Cheung, Claudia G. Diaz, Yan Xiang, Shane Crotty, Hana Golding
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2017)