Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Doddy Irawan Setyo Utomo, Sabar Pambudi, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease, poses a significant global public health challenge. Researchers have successfully produced dengue virus-like particles using silkworms, which share similar epitopes with the natural dengue virus and elicit a stronger immune response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Priscilla L. S. Boon, Ana S. Martins, Xin Ni Lim, Francisco J. Enguita, Nuno C. Santos, Peter J. Bond, Yue Wan, Ivo C. Martins, Roland G. Huber
Summary: Dengue virus is a significant health risk in tropical and subtropical regions. The structure of the packaged genome in complex with C proteins remains elusive. This study investigates the interactions of C proteins with viral RNA and shows their role in coordinating key interactions for proper packaging of viral RNA.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Szu-Chia Hsieh, Wen-Yang Tsai, Jih-Jin Tsai, Mars Stone, Graham Simmons, Michael P. Busch, Marion Lanteri, Susan L. Stramer, Angel Balmaseda, Eva Harris, Wei-Kung Wang
Summary: The study highlights the need for better serological tests to distinguish past ZIKV, DENV, and other flavivirus infections, and improve vaccine strategies in endemic regions where interactions between these viruses are critical.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sutha Sangiambut, Natcha Promphet, Suwipa Chaiyaloom, Chunya Puttikhunt, Panisadee Avirutnan, Watchara Kasinrerk, Nopporn Sittisombut, Prida Malasit
Summary: The capsid protein (C) of dengue virus plays a crucial role in viral infectivity and oligomerization, with mutations affecting both infectious virus production and C oligomerization. The internal hydrophobic residues in the alpha 3 helix of C appear to modulate C oligomerization during particle formation. The study suggests that increased C oligomerization may impair DENV replication at the cell entry step, impacting viral infectivity.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Mafalda A. Farelo, Despoina Korrou-Karava, Katrina F. Brooks, Tiffany A. Russell, Kevin Maringer, Peter U. Mayerhofer
Summary: Flaviviruses such as dengue virus and Zika virus use the host protein PEX19 to downregulate peroxisomes, which results in reduced interferon production. However, unlike cellular peroxisomal membrane proteins, the viral proteins do not localize to peroxisomes. Furthermore, the presence of viral proteins leads to impaired peroxisomal biogenesis through a PEX19-independent mechanism. This challenges the current understanding of how flaviviruses manipulate peroxisomal abundance and suggests an unknown role of peroxisomes in viral biology.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dwaipayan Chaudhuri, Satyabrata Majumder, Joyeeta Datta, Kalyan Giri
Summary: This study focuses on utilizing conventional nanobodies for Dengue virus, which can potentially serve as therapeutics and diagnostic tools due to their high specificity and delivery capabilities.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liliane O. Ortlieb, Icaro P. Caruso, Nathane C. Mebus-Antunes, Andrea T. Da Poian, Elaine da C. Petronilho, Jose Daniel Figueroa-Villar, Claudia J. Nascimento, Fabio C. L. Almeida
Summary: A study synthesised and screened 18 aromatic derivatives of guanylhydrazones and oximes aromatic for their ability to bind to dengue virus capsid protein. Results showed that five compounds were able to bind to a specific region of the capsid protein, inhibiting the virus infectivity.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yaoxing Wu, Tao Zhou, Jiajia Hu, Yishan Liu, Shouheng Jin, Jianfeng Wu, Xiangdong Guan, Jun Cui
Summary: This study revealed the mechanism of autophagic degradation of dengue virus capsid protein and the role of p62 in this process. The association between p62 and viral capsid protein was dependent on the ubiquitin-binding domain of p62, and poly-ubiquitin conjugated at lysine 76 of capsid protein served as a recognition signal. p62 deficiency led to enhanced dengue virus replication.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Guntur Fibriansah, Elisa X. Y. Lim, Jan K. Marzinek, Thiam-Seng Ng, Joanne L. Tan, Roland G. Huber, Xin-Ni Lim, Valerie S. Y. Chew, Victor A. Kostyuchenko, Jian Shi, Ganesh S. Anand, Peter J. Bond, James E. Crowe, Shee-Mei Lok
Summary: Dengue virus has four serotypes (DENV1-4) with different strains within each serotype. The virus can exhibit smooth or bumpy surface morphologies at 37 degrees C, depending on the strain. High-affinity therapeutic antibodies are able to neutralize diverse morphologies of dengue virus.
Article
Virology
Michelle Felicia Lee, Mohd Ishtiaq Anasir, Chit Laa Poh
Summary: Dengue infections pose a critical threat to public health worldwide, and there is an urgent need to develop effective antivirals. Peptides designed to target the DENV envelope protein show promise as antiviral candidates. Among the twelve peptides designed, four exhibited potent inhibitory effects against multiple DENV serotypes. Peptide 3 demonstrated the best overall antiviral activity, while peptide 5F showed particular efficacy against DENV-4 during post-infection treatment.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alejandra Rojas, Adriana Moreira Soares, Laura Patricia Mendoza, Maria Eugenia Acosta, Laura Aria, Malvina Paez, Lilian Herebia, Maria Asuncion Vallejos, Yvalena de Guillen, Victor Hugo Aquino
Summary: This study analyzed the molecular epidemiology of DENV-1 and DENV-2 isolated in Paraguay in 2011, finding strong evidence that DENV-1 was introduced into Paraguay from Argentina, while DENV-2 was likely from Brazil, replacing previous virus lineages. Molecular epidemiology studies are important in understanding the dynamics of DENV spread and implementing early containment measures to reduce the risk of explosive epidemics caused by this virus.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Scott B. Biering, Eva Harris
Summary: The compound JNJ-A07 shows promising activity against the dengue virus in mouse models, offering hope for a treatment for this prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in humans.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Iris Seitz, Sharon Saarinen, Esa-Pekka Kumpula, Donna McNeale, Eduardo Anaya-Plaza, Vili Lampinen, Vesa P. Hytoenen, Frank Sainsbury, Jeroen J. L. M. Cornelissen, Veikko Linko, Juha T. Huiskonen, Mauri A. Kostiainen
Summary: DNA and RNA origami nanostructures can be used to control the size, shape, and topology of virus capsids, while also protecting encapsulated origami structures from degradation.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thais C. Neves-Martins, Nathane C. Mebus-Antunes, Carlos H. G. Neto, Glauce M. Barbosa, Fabio C. L. Almeida, Icaro P. Caruso, Andrea T. Da Poian
Summary: The researchers designed a mutant of the dengue virus capsid protein (DENVC) by replacing a positively charged spot with a cysteine residue, resulting in the self-assembly of capsid-like particles (CLP) in solution without nucleic acids.
Review
Microbiology
Jisang Park, Ju Kim, Yong-Suk Jang
Summary: Dengue virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes dengue fever, and its cases have significantly increased in the past two decades. Currently, there is only one available vaccine with age restrictions. Researchers are actively working on developing effective vaccines and understanding the viral antigen configuration.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jirayu Boonyakida, Doddy Irawan Setyo Utomo, Fahmida Nasrin Soma, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: This study successfully expressed recombinant VP1 of norovirus in silkworms, resulting in the formation of highly purified NoV-LPs. The purified VLPs were shown to be structurally correct, biologically functional, and exhibited potential applications in a vaccine platform. Furthermore, the silkworm-based expression system is known for its robustness, scalability, and cost-effectiveness compared to insect cell systems.
PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Doddy Irawan Setyo Utomo, Sabar Pambudi, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease, poses a significant global public health challenge. Researchers have successfully produced dengue virus-like particles using silkworms, which share similar epitopes with the natural dengue virus and elicit a stronger immune response.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ojodomo J. Achadu, Njemuwa Nwaji, Dongkyu Lee, Jaebeom Lee, Eser M. Akinoglu, Michael Giersig, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: The novel hierarchically porous 3D magnetic molybdenum trioxide-polydopamine-gold functionalized nanosphere (3D mag-MoO3-PDA@Au NS) shows great potential for pathogen detection, overcoming challenges in Raman signal stability and reproducibility, and achieving ultrasensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatsuya Kato, Tatsuki Kakuta, Ami Yonezuka, Tomofumi Sekiguchi, Yuki Machida, Jian Xu, Tohru Suzuki, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: In this study, silkworm larvae were used to express VP6 and VP7 proteins of porcine rotavirus A. The results showed that VP6 had a higher expression level and formed larger nanoparticles compared to VP7. This indicates the potential use of VP6 in vaccine development against porcine rotavirus, with silkworm larvae as a promising production host.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatsuya Kato, Konomi Nishimura, Sadahiko Misu, Kazuho Ikeo, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: The gene expression changes of Cordyceps militaris in silkworm larvae were analyzed using RNA-seq, revealing that C. militaris utilizes peptides and amino acids as nutrients for in vivo growth. Moreover, the expression of a gene cluster involved in the degradation of phenolic substrates was found to be crucial for the in vivo growth of C. militaris and entomopathogenic fungi.
ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Muzajjad Gozal Goffar, Vipin Kumar Deo, Tatsuya Kato, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: Rous sarcoma virus-like particles (RSV-LPs) displaying hemagglutinins of H1N1 and H5N1 were successfully produced, and silkworm larvae were found to be a promising tool for the production of bivalent enveloped VLPs for vaccine platforms.
PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jirayu Boonyakida, Indra Memdi Khoris, Fahmida Nasrin, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: This study aimed to develop a modular display platform for protein decoration on norovirus-like particles (NoV-LPs) by combining the NoVLP scaffold with the SpyTag/SpyCatcher bioconjugation system. Results showed that adding an extension linker increased the conjugation efficiency and level of protein decoration on the NoV-LPs. This study provides a strategy for enhancing the conjugation efficiency of NoV-LP and demonstrates the platform's utility for developing vaccines or functional nanoparticles.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Akhilesh Babu Ganganboina, Indra Memdi Khoris, Akinori Konno, Tian-Cheng Li, Akihiro Okamoto, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: This article describes the design and construction of a visible light-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) device based on a CdSe-Co3O4@TiO2 nanoflower. The device demonstrated ultrasensitive detection of viruses including hepatitis E virus (HEV), HEV-like particles (HEV-LPs), and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in complex lysate solution. The enhanced photocurrent response of the PEC device can be attributed to the CdSe quantum dot sensitization effect and strong visible light absorption, improving system stability and energy conversion efficiency. The device achieved considerable sensitivity, good specificity, and acceptable stability, indicating its potential for affordable and portable biosensing capabilities.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fahmida Nasrin, Indra Memdi Khoris, Ankan Dutta Chowdhury, Sjakurrizal El Muttaqein, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: To prevent viral diseases, the development of a disposable, rapid, and convenient biosensor with high sensitivity and reliability is highly desired. In this study, a practical impedimetric biosensor has been created on a disposable electrode for the detection of two mosquito-borne viruses. The biosensor fabrication involves the formation of a conductive film, physical binding of gold nanoparticles-polyaniline, and biofunctionalization. The disposable electrode has been designed to detect Chikungunya virus and Zika virus separately with a wide linear range and low detection limits.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tatsuya Kato, Mai Kano, Ami Yokomori, Junya Azegami, Hesham A. El Enshasy, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: The mitochondrial membrane potential of the riboflavin-overproducing Ashbya gossypii mutant was decreased compared to the wild type strain, resulting in increased reactive oxygen species. It was discovered that flavoproteins and branched-chain amino acids play crucial roles in riboflavin production.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jian Xu, Tomofumi Sekiguchi, Jirayu Boonyakida, Tatsuya Kato, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: Significant progress has been made in decorating virus-like particles (VLPs) with functional molecules, such as antigens or nucleic acids. This study focuses on the expression and engineering of the capsid protein VP2 of canine parvovirus for VLP display in the silkworm-expression system. The results show that the VP2 variant with a specific insertion of SpyTag at the L2 region significantly enhances VLP display, while the variant with SpyTag at the Lx region fails to form VLPs. Further verification is needed to assess its capacity for displaying desired antigens and inducing immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marina Ikegaya, Enoch Y. Park, Takatsugu Miyazaki
Summary: Glycoside hydrolase family 31 (GH31) contains a-glycoside hydrolases with different substrate specificities involved in various physiological functions. This study characterized two a-galactosidases, BsGH31_19 and FpGH31_19, and found that they showed high substrate specificity against a-(1?4)-linkages in a-(1?4)-galactobiose and globotriose, unlike other reported GH31 a-galactosidases PsGal31A and MYORG. Structural analyses revealed differences in amino acid residues and dimer interfaces between BsGH31_19 and FpGH31_19 compared to PsGal31A and MYORG, providing insights into the molecular diversity and evolutionary relationships of GH31 a-galactosidases and other a-galactosidase families.
Review
Immunology
Doddy Irawan Setyo Utomo, Hamizah Suhaimi, Nor Azila Muhammad Azami, Fazren Azmi, Mohd Cairul Iqbal Mohd Amin, Jian Xu
Summary: Efforts have been made to develop attenuated and subunit vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 using diverse virus-like particles (VLPs) as carriers for antigen display. Genetic or chemical methods can incorporate antigens or antigenic domains from SARS-CoV-2 into VLPs, allowing the screening of safer and more effective vaccine candidates. This review provides insights into the future development of SARS-CoV-2 VLP vaccines by summarizing the latest updates and perspectives on antigen display platforms.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Sjaikhurrizal El Muttaqien, Indra Memdi Khoris, Sabar Pambudi, Enoch Y. Y. Park
Summary: In the past few decades, nanomaterials have been explored in the sensing research field. However, less attention has been given to their application in biosensors for pathogenic virus detection. This review focuses on 3D nanospheres, a type of nanostructured material, and their extensive use in various sensing techniques. Signal amplification strategies using different types of nanospheres are discussed, along with challenges related to toxicity and commercialization in the development of nanosphere-based biosensors.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ojodomo J. Achadu, Gideon L. Elizur, ThankGod E. Boye, Enoch Y. Park
Summary: Surface passivation strategies for functional carbon-based nanoparticles can provide unprecedented performance and tunable optical properties. In this study, highly fluorescent agar-derived and oxalate-functionalized carbon dots were synthesized using a hydrothermal protocol. These carbon dots exhibited switchable fluorescence properties, enabling the development of a sensitive nanosensor for ferric ion detection. The practical application of this nanosensor for real-time quantitative monitoring of Fe(iii) was demonstrated.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)
