Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Wenshi Wang, Florian A. Lempp, Franziska Schlund, Lisa Walter, Charlotte C. Decker, Zhenfeng Zhang, Yi Ni, Stephan Urban
Summary: Research has shown that HDVs from different genotypes replicate with varying efficacies. Variations in HDV genomes and HBV envelope proteins are major determinants of HDV egress and entry efficacy.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Mu, Birke Andrea Tews, Christine Luttermann, Gregor Meyers
Summary: This study identified the crucial interactions between the E1 and E2 proteins of pestiviruses, including the key role of specific sites in forming heterodimers. Additionally, it was found that the retention signal of E1 is essential for the intracellular localization of the heterodimer, with the covalent linkage between E1 and E2 playing a vital role in this process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tao Hu, Zhen Wu, Shaoxiong Wu, Mingshu Wang, Renyong Jia, Dekang Zhu, Mafeng Liu, Xinxin Zhao, Qiao Yang, Ying Wu, Shaqiu Zhang, Juan Huang, Sai Mao, Xumin Ou, Qun Gao, Di Sun, Yunya Liu, Ling Zhang, YanLing Yu, Shun Chen, Anchun Cheng
Summary: The loop regions of the TMUV E domain III play a critical role in virus entry and assembly process, with mutations affecting viral proliferation and infectivity. Specifically, mutations in loops II-IV disrupted virion assembly while overall, loops I-IV were found to be important for virus binding and entry.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Lenka Stejskal, Mphatso D. Kalemera, Charlotte B. Lewis, Machaela Palor, Lucas Walker, Tina Daviter, William D. Lees, David S. Moss, Myrto Kremyda-Vlachou, Zisis Kozlakidis, Giulia Gallo, Dalan Bailey, William Rosenberg, Christopher J. R. Illingworth, Adrian J. Shepherd, Joe Grove
Summary: This study reveals that the hypervariable region-1 (HVR-1) of the fusion proteins E1E2 in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) has an autoinhibitory function that controls the activity of the proteins. The mechanism is turned off by host receptor interactions, allowing virus entry. Mutations or deletion of HVR-1 results in enhanced virus entry but increased sensitivity to neutralising antibodies.
Article
Virology
Thomas Fricke, Sarah Schlagowski, Shanchuan Liu, Xiaoliang Yang, Uwe Fiebig, Artur Kaul, Armin Ensser, Alexander S. Hahn
Summary: Foamy viruses (FVs) have different envelope (env) gene sequences in different species, but there is no significant difference in cell tropism. However, there may be significant differences in fitness among different env genes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lauren E. Williamson, Kristen M. Reeder, Kevin Bailey, Minh H. Tran, Vicky Roy, Mallorie E. Fouch, Nurgun Kose, Andrew Trivette, Rachel S. Nargi, Emma S. Winkler, Arthur S. Kim, Christopher Gainza, Jessica Rodriguez, Erica Armstrong, Rachel E. Sutton, Joseph Reidy, Robert H. Carnahan, W. Hayes McDonald, Clara T. Schoeder, William B. Klimstra, Edgar Davidson, Benjamin J. Doranz, Galit Alter, Jens Meiler, Kevin L. Schey, Justin G. Julander, Michael S. Diamond, James E. Jr Jr Crowe
Summary: Antibody responses to alphavirus E1 proteins are influenced by the exposure of epitopes on the glycoprotein and their presentation on the cell surface. Therapeutic efficacy in vivo corresponds with virus egress inhibition potency in vitro, and treatment does not require Fc-mediated effector functions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johnathan D. Guest, Ruixue Wang, Khadija H. Elkholy, Andrezza Chagas, Kinlin L. Chao, Thomas E. Cleveland, Young Chang Kim, Zhen-Yong Keck, Alexander Marin, Abdul S. Yunus, Roy A. Mariuzza, Alexander K. Andrianov, Eric A. Toth, Steven K. H. Foung, Brian G. Pierce, Thomas R. Fuerst
Summary: The variability of HCV poses a challenge for vaccine development, but a soluble form of E1E2 has been designed to elicit neutralizing antibodies in vivo and potentially optimize E1E2-based antigen production for future studies.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Xiao Ma, Zhenghong Yuan, Zhigang Yi
Summary: This study revealed the key residues of the E protein involved in the entry and egress of Zika virus. The results showed that DIII-mediated E trimerization is essential for viral egress, while key residues in DII participate in virus entry.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ruixue Wang, Saori Suzuki, Johnathan D. Guest, Brigitte Heller, Maricar Almeda, Alexander K. Andrianov, Alexander Marin, Roy A. Mariuzza, Zhen-Yong Keck, Steven K. H. Foung, Abdul S. Yunus, Brian G. Pierce, Eric A. Toth, Alexander Ploss, Thomas R. Fuerst
Summary: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global disease burden that requires a preventive vaccine. The study found that a vaccine based on sE1E2.LZ can induce broadly neutralizing antibodies, indicating its potential as a promising vaccine candidate for further development.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wang Xu, Shou-Wen Du, Le-Tian Li, Xiao-Shuang Shi, Jia-Min Wang, Ti-Yuan Li, Ning-Yi Jin, Chang Li
Summary: The study found that IFITM3 can promote NiV G and F protein-mediated virus entry into MDCK cells, and IFITM3 directly interacts with the F1 subunit of NiV F protein.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashish Kumar, Tiana C. Rohe, Elizabeth J. Elrod, Abdul G. Khan, Altaira D. Dearborn, Ryan Kissinger, Arash Grakoui, Joseph Marcotrigiano
Summary: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) uses a hybrid entry mechanism involving the release of an internal loop from envelope glycoprotein E2 upon exposure to low pH. The amino terminal region of E2 is found to be critical for interaction with the host membrane, suggesting its importance in the HCV entry mechanism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Kamilla Toon, Mphatso D. Kalemera, Machaela Palor, Nicola J. Rose, Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Joe Grove, Giada Mattiuzzo
Summary: Due to increased and broadened screening efforts, the number of viral species in the Hepacivirus genus has rapidly expanded. Genetic features of hepaciviruses suggest they have adapted and evolved to hijack host proteins for efficient liver propagation. A study on GB virus B (GBV-B) found that claudin-1 is an essential entry factor, shared with hepatitis C virus (HCV), but with distinct mechanisms of entry. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of hepacivirus entry can inform the design of new vaccines and treatments targeting the first stage of HCV infection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Cormac J. Lucas, Bennett J. Davenport, Kathryn S. Carpentier, Alex N. Tinega, Thomas E. Morrison
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that two highly conserved phenylalanine residues in the alphavirus E1 glycoprotein are critical for fusion of viral and host cell membranes and viral entry into target cells.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Jing Zhang, Quan Yuan, Yongxiang Wang, Yuzhou Wang, Wenqing Yuan, Ningshao Xia, Yumei Wen, Jisu Li, Shuping Tong
Summary: This study discovered that mutations or nonsense mutations can cause the conversion of L protein in hepatitis B virus to P-L fusion protein. This variant form of L protein can be expressed at an extremely high level and further investigation is needed to understand its underlying mechanism and functional significance.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Beatrice Sarah Berneck, Alexandra Rockstroh, Luisa Barzon, Alessandro Sinigaglia, Caterina Vocale, Maria Paola Landini, Holger F. Rabenau, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, Sebastian Ulbert
Summary: Due to climate change and the expansion of mosquito vectors, flaviviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are becoming endemic in more countries. The serological diagnosis and differentiation between WNV and USUV infections have been challenging due to cross-reacting antibodies. This study developed an improved diagnostic technology that can differentiate antibodies produced during WNV and USUV infections, potentially aiding in the diagnosis of closely related flavivirus infections.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Chunyan Yi, Jing Xia, Lan He, Zhiyang Ling, Xuesong Wang, Yu Yan, Jiangjun Wang, Xinhao Zhao, Weiguo Fan, Xiaoyu Sun, Ronghua Zhang, Sheng Ye, Rongguang Zhang, Yongfen Xu, Liyan Ma, Yaguang Zhang, Honglin Zhou, Zhong Huang, Junqi Niu, Gang Long, Junxia Lu, Jin Zhong, Bing Sun
Summary: The study aims to induce broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that bind to the viral envelope glycoproteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The 8D6 antibody generated in this study shows broadly neutralizing activity by targeting a conserved epitope on the E2 protein. Reconstruction of the 8D6 inferred germline (iGL) demonstrated potential binding affinity and neutralization activity.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Hebang Yao, Hongmin Cai, Tingting Li, Bingjie Zhou, Wenming Qin, Dimitri Lavillette, Dianfan Li
Summary: A high-affinity synthetic nanobody, SR31, was identified and characterized as a fusion partner to improve the potency of RBM antibodies. Crystallographic studies showed that SR31 binds to RBD at a conserved and 'greasy' site, increasing the affinity and neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus when fused to other neutralizing nanobodies.
Article
Microbiology
Xiaohui Ju, Yunkai Zhu, Yuyan Wang, Jingrui Li, Jiaxing Zhang, Mingli Gong, Wenlin Ren, Sai Li, Jin Zhong, Linqi Zhang, Qiangfeng Cliff Zhang, Rong Zhang, Qiang Ding
Summary: A BSL-2 cell culture system for production of replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 virus-like-particles was developed. This system allows for the complete viral life cycle to be achieved and enhances biosafety measures. High-throughput antiviral screening was conducted, leading to the discovery of new drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Article
Immunology
Zhenliang He, Sichao Ye, Yifan Xing, Yaming Jiu, Jin Zhong
Summary: UNC93B1 acts as a trafficking chaperone for endosomal Toll-like receptors, while also playing a distinct role in cytosolic DNA-triggered cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Deficiency of UNC93B1 enhances innate immune responses to cytosolic DNA stimulation and DNA virus infection. UNC93B1 negatively regulates STING-mediated signaling responses by controlling the protein level of STING and its interaction with STING.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tianyu Gan, Dihan Zhou, Yi Huang, Shuqi Xiao, Ziyue Ma, Xiaoyou Hu, Yimin Tong, Huimin Yan, Jin Zhong
Summary: By establishing a new EBOV reverse genetics system, the process of studying viral replication can be simplified, allowing for the continuous propagation and infection of subviral particles in cell populations, providing a new tool for EBOV research.
Review
Virology
Steve Leumi, Mohamed El Kassas, Jin Zhong
Summary: Genotype 4 (GT4) accounts for 13% of global hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, predominantly in the Middle East and Africa, with recent spread to Europe. Understanding of the molecular features and appropriate therapeutics for HCV-GT4 is limited, requiring more basic research to develop research tools and better therapeutics.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Yong Yang, Jinkai Zang, Shiqi Xu, Xueyang Zhang, Sule Yuan, Haikun Wang, Dimitri Lavillette, Chao Zhang, Zhong Huang
Summary: This study compared the immunogenicity of different antigens derived from the prototype strain and found that RBD and S-trimer vaccines induced long-lasting, high-titer broadly neutralizing antibodies in mice compared to the S1 vaccine. The RBD immune sera remained effective against multiple variants, while the S-trimer immune sera showed consistent neutralization potency against the prototype strain and all three variants tested. These findings support the continued use of currently approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in regions where variant viruses circulate.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shi Yu, Xu Zheng, Bingjie Zhou, Juan Li, Mengdan Chen, Rong Deng, Gary Wong, Dimitri Lavillette, Guangxun Meng
Summary: By studying a cell-cell fusion system and a pseudoviral infection model, it was found that the engagement between spike protein and ACE2 leads to the generation of S2' fragments. Mutations at the R815 site prevent subsequent cell fusion and infection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuqiang Zhang, Yunpeng Dai, Jiaxin Wang, Yan Xu, Zhe Li, Jinfeng Lu, Yongfen Xu, Jin Zhong, Shou-Wei Ding, Yang Li
Summary: The entry of virus-derived small-interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) into the bloodstream through extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a mechanism for systemic antiviral RNA interference (RNAi) in mice. Vaccination with a live-attenuated virus deficient in RNAi suppression induces the production of stable vsiRNAs that confer protective immunity against virus infection.
Article
Microbiology
Wenlin Ren, Xiaohui Ju, Mingli Gong, Jun Lan, Yanying Yu, Quanxin Long, Devin J. Kenney, Aoife K. O'Connell, Yu Zhang, Jin Zhong, Guocai Zhong, Florian Douam, Xinquan Wang, Ailong Huang, Rong Zhang, Qiang Ding
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.617.1 (Kappa), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.618, recently identified in India, have shown increased transmissibility and evasive immune properties. These variants exhibit enhanced binding affinity with ACE2 orthologs in mice, marmosets, and koalas, while still using human ACE2 with no or slightly increased efficiency. The P681R mutation in these variants facilitates spike cleavage and viral entry. Additionally, the mutations E484Q, T478K, Delta 145-146, or E484K reduce their sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies but they remain sensitive to entry inhibitors like ACE2-Ig decoy receptor. These findings highlight the rapid spread of these variants and suggest the potential use of ACE2-Ig as a broad-spectrum antiviral strategy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fanfan Zhao, Yongfen Xu, Na Liu, Dawei Lv, Yujie Chen, Zhi Liu, Xia Jin, Mingbing Xiao, Dimitri Lavillette, Jin Zhong, Ralf Bartenschlager, Gang Long
Summary: This study developed a rigorous method to study extracellular vesicles (EVs) from Zika virus (ZIKV)-infected cells. The EVs did not transmit infection, but displayed abundant E proteins which have an antigenic landscape similar to that of virions. These results suggest that modulation of E protein release via virions and EVs may present a new approach to regulating flavivirus-host interactions.
Article
Virology
Chaolun Liu, Mingzhe Guo, Lin Han, Jie Lu, Xiaogang Xiang, Qing Xie, Janin Nouhin, Veasna Duong, Yimin Tong, Jin Zhong
Summary: Despite the development of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a challenge to human public health. This study shows that a novel GT-6a HCV replicon can easily develop resistance to sofosbuvir (SOF), calling for attention to potential drug resistance in HCV GT-6a patients during DAAs therapies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Yifan Xing, Ran Chen, Feng Li, Bin Xu, Lin Han, Chaolun Liu, Yimin Tong, Yaming Jiu, Jin Zhong, Guo-Chun Zhou
Summary: In this study, a novel anti-HCV agent called HXL-10 was identified through screening using the HCV infection cell culture system. HXL-10 demonstrated potent antiviral activity with low cytotoxicity and high specificity. Mechanistic studies showed that HXL-10 might inhibit HCV assembly by targeting host functions. This research provides a new approach for developing antiviral drugs targeting host functions involved in HCV infection.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Caroline Mwaliko, Raphael Nyaruaba, Lu Zhao, Evans Atoni, Samuel Karungu, Matilu Mwau, Dimitri Lavillette, Han Xia, Zhiming Yuan
Summary: Zika virus (ZIKV) infections pose serious global public health concerns, prompting increased research on antivirals and vaccines against the virus. Despite ongoing efforts, no specific vaccines or drugs have been approved for ZIKV, with some undergoing clinical trials. Developing antivirals and vaccines remains a key focus in combating this virus.
PATHOGENS AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bertrand Boson, Vincent Legros, Bingjie Zhou, Eglantine Siret, Cyrille Mathieu, Francois-Loic Cosset, Dimitri Lavillette, Solene Denolly
Summary: This study reveals that E and M proteins play crucial roles in regulating the intracellular trafficking and processing of S protein, as well as inducing specific maturation of N-glycosylation. These findings provide insights into the assembly mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
