Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jean-Marie Bourhis, Filip Yabukarski, Guillaume Communie, Robert Schneider, Valentina A. Volchkova, Mickael Freneat, Francine C. Gerard, Corinne Ducournau, Caroline Mas, Nicolas Tarbouriech, Malene Ringkjobing Jensen, Viktor E. Volchkov, Martin Blackledge, Marc Jamin
Summary: The study investigated the interactions between the phosphoprotein (P) and the nucleoprotein (N) in the Paramyxoviridae's transcription/replication complex. The structural properties of the C-terminal X domain (P-XD) of Nipah (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) P protein were characterized. The experiments demonstrated that NiV P-XD adopted different conformations in solution, formed dimers, and played a possible role in viral replication.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simon Jenni, Joshua A. Horwitz, Louis-Marie Bloyet, Sean P. J. Whelan, Stephen C. Harrison
Summary: In this study, the structure of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was determined using cryogenic electron microscopy. The researchers also investigated the mechanism of self-assembly of the virus. These findings provide valuable insights into the biology of VSV and its related viruses.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Xiaofei Dong, Xue Wang, Mengjia Xie, Wei Wu, Zhongzhou Chen
Summary: Human parainfluenza virus 3 (HPIV3) causes annual epidemics of respiratory diseases, especially in newborns and infants. The core components consist of just three viral proteins: nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), and RNA polymerase (L). The study revealed the structure of unassembled HPIV3 N-0 in complex with the N-terminal portion of the P, showing that P mainly binds to the C-terminal domain of N-0 by hydrophobic interaction and interferes with the formation of N-RNA oligomers, which could be a potential target for drug development.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Chongyang Wang, Liuyuan Duan, Ting Wang, Wenbin Wang, Yu Han, Ruochen Hu, Qili Hou, Haijin Liu, Juan Wang, Xinglong Wang, Sa Xiao, Ruyi Dang, Junru Wang, Gaiping Zhang, Zengqi Yang
Summary: In this study, the formation of inclusion bodies (IBs) containing newly synthesized viral RNA in Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection was investigated. The IBs observed by electron microscopy were not membrane-bound and showed properties consistent with liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). The nucleoprotein (NP) and phosphoprotein (P) were found to be sufficient to generate IB-like puncta, with specific domains of NP and the C terminus of P playing important roles in this process.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Hortense Decool, Lorene Gonnin, Irina Gutsche, Christina Sizun, Jean-Francois Eleouet, Marie Galloux
Summary: Pneumoviruses, including pathogenic human and animal viruses such as hRSV and hMPV, are major causes of severe respiratory illnesses in young children and vulnerable populations. Transcription and replication of these viruses rely on specific cytoplasmic inclusions and interactions between viral polymerase and cofactors. Recent structural studies on viral proteins aim to aid in the development of new antivirals against these viruses.
Article
Virology
Reem Abu Rass, Talia Kustin, Rachel Zamostiano, Nechama Smorodinsky, Daniella Ben Meir, Daniel Feder, Nischay Mishra, W. Ian Lipkin, Avi Eldar, Marcelo Ehrlich, Adi Stern, Eran Bacharach
Summary: Tilapia is a significant source of protein, especially in developing countries. The emergence of Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) poses a threat to global tilapia aquaculture and jeopardizes the food security of millions of people. This study utilized bioinformatics and experimental approaches to predict and confirm the functionality of TiLV's protein 4 as the nucleoprotein, essential for viral RNA replication. These findings are important for understanding emerging pathogens and the potential for zoonotic transmission.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Hortense Decool, Benjamin Bardiaux, Luis Checa Ruano, Olivier Sperandio, Jenna Fix, Irina Gutsche, Charles-Adrien Richard, Monika Bajorek, Jean-Francois Eleouet, Marie Galloux
Summary: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes severe respiratory diseases, but the molecular mechanisms involved in viral replication are not fully understood. In this study, researchers investigated the interaction between two major viral proteins involved in HMPV RNA synthesis, and characterized their domains of interaction. They also identified a potential target on the surface of the N protein for the design of antiviral compounds.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Orlando Bonito Scudero, Veronica Feijoli Santiago, Giuseppe Palmisano, Fernando Moreira Simabuco, Armando Morais Ventura
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between the M2-2 protein from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and cellular proteins. Proteomic analysis reveals that M2-2 is involved in the regulation of translation, protein folding, and mRNA splicing. The study also shows that M2-2 inhibits translation and stress granule assembly, and is targeted for proteasome degradation. These findings suggest that M2-2 has additional functions to contribute to successful RSV infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christophe Cardone, Claire-Marie Caseau, Benjamin Bardiaux, Aurelien Thureaux, Marie Galloux, Monika Bajorek, Jean-Francois Eleouet, Marc Litaudon, Francois Bontems, Christina Sizun
Summary: The phosphoprotein P of Mononegavirales plays an essential role in recruiting the viral RNA polymerase L to the ribonucleocapsid. It often contains high levels of disorder, with the only well-defined structure being small oligomerization domains. Studies on the respiratory syncytial virus phosphoprotein have shown diverse structural and dynamic properties, particularly in the P-OD and P-C alpha regions which are important for binding to the viral RNA polymerase L.
Review
Virology
Louis-Marie Bloyet
Summary: Viruses of the Paramyxoviridae family utilize a common and complex molecular machinery for transcribing and replicating their genomes. The nucleocapsid, consisting of viral nucleoproteins, serves as the template for the polymerase complex during transcription and replication processes.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yaqi Xue, Xiangxiang Shi, Dengmei Feng, Yunhong Wang
Summary: This study successfully designed a halogen-bonded system to enhance the replication of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and improve the binding affinity between the virus and host cells.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR GRAPHICS & MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tahmineh Jalali, Mostafa Salehi-Vaziri, Mohammad Hassan Pouriayevali, Seyed Latif Mousavi Gargari
Summary: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is an acute viral zoonotic disease that requires rapid diagnosis for effective patient management. Aptamers, specifically Apt33, have been successfully used in ELASA tests to detect CCHF NP with high specificity and sensitivity, showing potential as a rapid diagnostic tool for CCHF virus infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rosana Wing-Shan Poon, Brian Pui-Chun Chan, Wan-Mui Chan, Carol Ho-Yan Fong, Xiaojuan Zhang, Lu Lu, Lin-Lei Chen, Joy-Yan Lam, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Samson S. Y. Wong, Kin-Hang Kok, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Kelvin Kai-Wang To
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has caused a major wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong from January to May 2022. A seroprevalence study found that although most individuals had been vaccinated or infected after the fifth wave, children and older adults remained the most vulnerable groups. Targeted public health measures should be implemented to mitigate the healthcare consequences of future waves.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Aartjan J. W. te Velthuis, Jonathan M. Grimes, Ervin Fodor
Summary: RNA viruses, including important human and animal pathogens, have genomes consisting of single or multiple RNA segments. Replication and transcription are performed by RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, and recent high-resolution studies have provided insights into the structures of these enzymes and their roles in viral transcription and replication, offering potential targets for antiviral drug design.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Hong Shan, Xin Su, Tianhao Li, Yuqi Qin, Na Zhang, Liuyan Yang, Linsha Ma, Yun Bai, Lei Qi, Yunhui Liu, Qing-Tao Shen
Summary: The study describes high-resolution structures of the Nucleoprotein in two different oligomeric states and four different higher-order helical structures. The structural rearrangements required to transition between the different helical assemblies obtained are highlighted, providing a basis for the structural plasticity among different MuV nucleocapsids.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannah T. Baddock, Sanja Brolih, Yuliana Yosaatmadja, Malitha Ratnaweera, Marcin Bielinski, Lonnie P. Swift, Abimael Cruz-Migoni, Haitian Fan, Jeremy R. Keown, Alexander P. Walker, Garrett M. Morris, Jonathan M. Grimes, Ervin Fodor, Christopher J. Schofield, Opher Gileadi, Peter J. McHugh
Summary: The nsp14-nsp10 complex of SARS-CoV-2 has been found to possess RNase activity and is capable of digesting various RNA structures. Its activity is enhanced by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex nsp12-7-8. Inhibitors of nsp14-nsp10, including ebselen and raltegravir, have been identified and may have potential use in the treatment of COVID-19.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Kuan-Ying A. Huang, Daming Zhou, Tiong Kit Tan, Charles Chen, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Yuguang Zhao, Helen M. Ginn, Ling Qin, Pramila Rijal, Lisa Schimanski, Robert Donat, Adam Harding, Javier Gilbert-Jaramillo, William James, Julia A. Tree, Karen Buttigieg, Miles Carroll, Sue Charlton, Chia-En Lien, Meei-Yun Lin, Cheng-Pin Chen, Shu-Hsing Cheng, Xiaorui Chen, Tzou-Yien Lin, Elizabeth E. Fry, Jingshan Ren, Che Ma, Alain R. Townsend, David Stuart
Summary: The study reveals that representative antibodies targeting non-overlapping epitopes are effective against wild type virus and emerging variants. The neutralization is associated with the inhibition of viral RBD binding to ACE2. Structural analysis shows that these antibodies have unique features while sharing some similarities with previously reported neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rungtiwa Nutalai, Daming Zhou, Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Helen M. Ginn, Piyada Supasa, Chang Liu, Jiandong Huo, Alexander J. Mentzer, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Aiste Dijokaite-Guraliuc, Donal Skelly, Thomas G. Ritter, Ali Amini, Sagida Bibi, Sandra Adele, Sile Ann Johnson, Bede Constantinides, Hermione Webster, Nigel Temperton, Paul Klenerman, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna J. Dunachie, Derrick Crook, Andrew J. Pollard, Teresa Lambe, Philip Goulder, Neil G. Paterson, Mark A. Williams, David R. Hall, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Elizabeth E. Fry, Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: This study compares the neutralization of Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 and finds that differences in neutralization mostly arise from variations in residues bordering the ACE2 binding site. Analysis of monoclonal antibodies isolated from vaccinated individuals shows that they can effectively neutralize early pandemic strains and exhibit broad reactivity with variants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aekkachai Tuekprakhon, Rungtiwa Nutalai, Aiste Dijokaite-Guraliuc, Daming Zhou, Helen M. Ginn, Muneeswaran Selvaraj, Chang Liu, Alexander J. Mentzer, Piyada Supasa, Helen M. E. Duyvesteyn, Raksha Das, Donal Skelly, Thomas G. Ritter, Ali Amini, Sagida Bibi, Sandra Adele, Sile Ann Johnson, Bede Constantinides, Hermione Webster, Nigel Temperton, Paul Klenerman, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna J. Dunachie, Derrick Crook, Andrew J. Pollard, Teresa Lambe, Philip Goulder, Neil G. Paterson, Mark A. Williams, David R. Hall, Elizabeth E. Fry, Jiandong Huo, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Jingshan Ren, David Stuart, Gavin R. Screaton
Summary: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread globally and has evolved into different sublineages, with BA.4 and BA.5 dominating in South Africa. These sublineages show reduced neutralization by vaccine and naturally immune serum, indicating the possibility of repeat Omicron infections.
Article
Microbiology
Kamal L. Nahas, Viv Connor, Katharina M. Scherer, Clemens F. Kaminski, Maria Harkiolaki, Colin M. Crump, Stephen C. Graham
Summary: Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection causes morphological changes in cellular compartments, as well as specific organelles. These changes can be captured using soft X-ray tomography, which reveals the significant impact of HSV-1 infection on the morphology of cellular compartments.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Heather M. Callaway, Dawid Zyla, Florence Larrous, Guilherme Dias de Melo, Kathryn M. Hastie, Ruben Diaz Avalos, Alyssa Agarwal, Davide Corti, Herve Bourhy, Erica Ollmann Saphire
Summary: This study reports the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the rabies virus glycoprotein (RABV-G) and the discovery of a neutralizing antibody called RVA122. RVA122 binds to RABV-G and stabilizes the virus in its prefusion state, which may have implications for improving rabies vaccines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomasz H. Benedyk, Viv Connor, Eve R. Caroe, Maria Shamin, Dmitri I. Svergun, Janet E. Deane, Cy M. Jeffries, Colin M. Crump, Stephen C. Graham
Summary: Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) alters cellular membrane lipid composition during infection. This study demonstrates that a virus-encoded protein, pUL21, promotes the conversion of ceramide (Cer) to sphingomyelin (SM) by activating CERT. The study also reveals the importance of specific protein-protein interactions in HSV-1 mediated sphingolipid metabolism.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Iain M. Hay, Katie E. Mulholland, Tiffany Lai, Stephen C. Graham, Hayley J. Sharpe, Janet E. Deane
Summary: The research demonstrates that PTPRK selectively dephosphorylates substrates by binding to Afadin, indicating that PTP substrate specificity can be determined by protein-protein interactions. This phosphorylation-independent interaction, mediated through binding to a non-catalytic domain, highlights the potential function of receptor PTPs as intracellular scaffolds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iain M. Hay, Maria Shamin, Eve R. Caroe, Ahmed S. A. Mohanned, Dmitri I. Svergun, Cy M. Jeffries, Stephen C. Graham, Hayley J. Sharpe, Janet E. Deane
Summary: Type IIB receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases mediate cell adhesion and signaling through their extracellular and cytoplasmic domains, respectively. The crystal structure of PTPRK has revealed an intermembrane adhesion mode consistent with other family members. Comparison with PTPRM structure suggests that conformational differences between the domains may contribute to homophilic specificity. Analysis of the full-length PTPRM and PTPRK proteins using small-angle X-ray scattering reveals rigid extended conformations and one residue difference at the interaction interface that affects dimer formation.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Natalia S. S. Barbosa, Juan O. O. Concha, Luis L. P. daSilva, Colin M. M. Crump, Stephen C. C. Graham
Summary: Oropouche virus causes a debilitating illness called Oropouche fever, which is common in South America. The virus has the ability to reassort its genome and has caused multiple epidemics in the region over the last 50 years, posing a significant threat to public health. The study investigates the cellular determinants and mechanisms involved in Oropouche virus replication and secretion.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Lena Feige, Tatsuya Kozaki, Guilherme Dias de Melo, Vincent Guillemot, Florence Larrous, Florent Ginhoux, Herve Bourhy
Summary: This study compares the susceptibilities and immune responses of different central nervous system (CNS) cell types to infection with two strains of rabies virus. The results show that the virus can infect human stem cell-derived neurons and astrocytes, but not human iPSC-derived microglia. Additionally, different cell types have different antiviral immune responses to the infection. This study provides new insights into the tropism of rabies virus and the interplay of CNS cell types during infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antoine Gedeon, Gouzel Karimova, Nour Ayoub, Julien Dairou, Quentin Giai Gianetto, Sophie Vichier-Guerre, Pierre-Olivier Vidalain, Daniel Ladant, Helene Munier-Lehmann
Summary: In this study, the protein-protein interactions network among the enzymes involved in de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis in Escherichia coli was characterized using a bacterial two-hybrid approach. The results showed a dense network of interactions connecting most enzymes, with PurK as one of the central hubs. Mutations in PurK disrupted multiple interactions in the network, leading to changes in purine nucleotide pools and bacterial fitness. These findings indicate that bacterial de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis enzymes can form a supramolecular complex, and proper interactions within this complex are crucial for bacterial fitness.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jack D. Whitehead, Jonathan M. Grimes, Jeremy R. Keown
Summary: Bornaviruses are RNA viruses that infect a wide range of hosts including mammals, reptiles, and birds. This study presents the structure of the oligomerization domain of the phosphoprotein, which is an important component of the bornavirus replication complex. The findings provide valuable insights into the assembly process of the phosphoprotein and its role in viral replication.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Flora Carnet, Laure Perrin-Cocon, Romain Paillot, Vincent Lotteau, Stephane Pronost, Pierre-Olivier Vidalain
Summary: Vaccination is a widely used strategy to protect horses against pathogens, but current equine vaccines have limitations in providing long-term and effective protection. This review provides an inventory of approved adjuvants for equine vaccines worldwide, including aluminium salts, emulsions, polymers, saponins, and ISCOMs. Additionally, it discusses veterinary adjuvants used in other species and evaluated in horses, as well as new adjuvants in development. The objective is to help professionals understand the composition of equine vaccines and provide researchers with potential adjuvants for developing new vaccines.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sophie R. Shyfrin, Marion Ferren, Laure Perrin-Cocon, Maxime Espi, Xavier Charmetant, Manon Brailly, Didier Decimo, Mathieu Iampietro, Lola Canus, Branka Horvat, Vincent Lotteau, Pierre-Olivier Vidalain, Olivier Thaunat, Cyrille Mathieu
Summary: Kidney pathology is commonly observed in COVID-19 patients, but the early events in renal infection have not been well studied due to a lack of suitable models. In this study, we developed hamster organotypic kidney cultures (OKCs) to investigate the early stages of direct renal infection. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 replicated in hamster OKCs, initially targeting endothelial cells and later spreading to proximal tubules. Our model provides new insights into the kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 kidney infection and can be used as a powerful tool for studying kidney infection by other pathogens and testing the renal toxicity of drugs.
JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING
(2022)
