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E Wimmer

Publications and source records attributed to E Wimmer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Mouse neuropathogenic poliovirus strains cause damage in the central nervous system distinct from poliomyelitis.

Poliomyelitis as a consequence of poliovirus infection is observed only in primates. Despite a host range restricted to primates, experimental infection of rodents with certain genetically well defined poliovirus strains produces neurological disease. The outcome of infection of mice with mouse-adapted poliovirus strains has been described previously mainly in terms of paralysis and death, and it was generally assumed that these strains produce the same disease syndromes in normal mice and in mice transgenic for the human poliovirus receptor (hPVR-tg mice). We report a comparison of the clinical course and the histopathological features of neurological disease resulting from intracerebral virus inoculation in normal mice with those of murine poliomyelitis in hPVR-tg mice. The consistent pattern of clinical deficits in poliomyelitic transgenic mice contrasted with highly variable neurologic disease that developed in mice infected with different mouse-adapted polioviruses. Histopathological analysis showed a diffuse encephalomyelitis induced by specific poliovirus serotype 2 isolates in normal mice, that affected neuronal cell populations without discrimination, whereas in hPVR-tg animals, damage was restricted to spinal motor neurons. Mouse neurovirulent strains of poliovirus type 2 differed from mouse neurovirulent poliovirus type 1 derivatives in their ability to induce CNS lesions. Our findings indicate that the characteristic clinical appearance and highly specific histopathological features of poliomyelitis are mediated by the hPVR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Isolation of escape mutants of a hybrid poliovirus with the aid of insert-specific polyclonal antibodies.

We constructed a hybrid type 1/type 3 poliovirus comprising the BC-loop of capsid protein VP1 of PV3/Finland/60212/84 and the rest derived from PV1/Mahoney, and cultured the virus in the presence of diluted rabbit antiserum to PV3/Finland/60212/84. Several strains isolated under this selection showed point mutations in the inserted type 3 poliovirus sequence but only in one case in the flanking PV1/Mahoney-derived RNA. These results indicate that, with the use of recombinant cDNA technology, it may be possible to study molecular interactions of defined regions of virus capsid proteins with neutralizing polyclonal antibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of picornavirus 2A(pro) proteins: separation of proteinase from translation and replication functions.

The poliovirus (PV) genome was manipulated by replacing its 2A-encoding sequence with the corresponding sequence of coxsackie B4 virus (CBV4) or human rhinovirus type 2 (HRV2). In vitro translation of the resulting chimeric PV genomes revealed a normal cis-cleavage activity for both heterologous 2A(pro) proteinases in the chimeric PV polyproteins. However, only the genome containing the 2A-encoding sequence of CBV4 (PV/CBV4-2A) yielded viable virus in transfected cells, producing a mixture of large and small plaques on HeLa cell monolayers. The large-plaque variants were found to contain single-amino-acid mutations at a specific site near the C terminus of the CBV4 2A(pro) protein. When the same single-amino-acid mutations were directly introduced into the parental PV/CBV4-2A genome, chimeric viruses with a large-plaque phenotype and a wild-type PV-like growth pattern were obtained upon transfection, an observation demonstrating that these point mutations alone had a drastic effect on the growth of the PV/CBV4 chimeric virus. On the other hand, the chimeric genome containing the 2A-encoding sequence of HRV2 (PV/HRV2-2A) produced a null phenotype in transfected HeLa cells, although low-level replication of this chimeric genome was evident. We conclude that only 2A(pro) of the more closely related enterovirus CBV4 is able to functionally substitute for that of PV in vivo, and a subtle genetic modification of the CBV4 2A(pro) protein results in a drastic improvement in the growth of the chimeric PV/CBV4-2A virus. In addition, this chimeric cDNA approach enabled us to dissect multiple biological functions encoded by the 2A(pro) proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction between the 5'-terminal cloverleaf and 3AB/3CDpro of poliovirus is essential for RNA replication.

On the basis of sequence alignments and secondary structure comparisons of the first 100 nucleotides of enterovirus and rhinovirus RNAs, chimeric constructs in which this region of poliovirus type 1 Mahoney [PV1(M)] is replaced with that of human rhinovirus type 2 (HRV2) or HRV14 have been engineered. These chimeric constructs contain the internal ribosomal entry site of either poliovirus or encephalomyocarditis virus. Independent of the internal ribosomal entry site elements, only the constructs containing either the PV1(M) or HRV2 cloverleaf sequences yielded viable viruses. The secondary structures of all three cloverleaves are quite similar. However, highly purified polioviral proteins 3CDpro and 3AB together bound to the PV1(M) and HRV2 cloverleaves, albeit with different affinities, whereas the HRV14 homolog did not interact with these proteins to any appreciable extent. These results support a mechanism of poliovirus genomic replication in which the formation of a complex between the cloverleaf structure and the 3CDpro/3AB proteins of poliovirus plays an essential role.

3C Viral Proteases↗

Construction and genetic analysis of dicistronic polioviruses containing open reading frames for epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120.

On the basis of previous studies of dicistronic (dc) polioviruses that carried two internal ribosomal entry sites (L. Alexander, H.-H. Lu, and E. Wimmer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:1406-1410, 1994; A. Molla, S. K. Jang, A. V. Paul, Q. Reuer, and E. Wimmer, Nature [London] 356:255-257, 1992), we have constructed a variety of dc polioviruses which express foreign genetic elements that were inserted either between two internal ribosomal entry site elements upstream of the poliovirus open reading frame (pPNENPO derivatives) or upstream of the open reading frame for the poliovirus proteinase 2Apro (pDI-E2A derivatives). Surprisingly, the addition of an N-terminal secretory pathway signal sequence to the open reading frame of the inserted foreign sequences (specifying either truncated versions of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 [HIV-1] gp120 or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) resulted in a null phenotype, whereas removal of the signal sequence led to the production of viable viruses. Constructs that carried a foreign gene with a signal sequence were negative in RNA synthesis, an observation that suggested a very early block in viral replication. The insertion of transmembrane sequences downstream of the leader sequence did not reverse the replication block. Studies of dc polioviruses that encoded the truncated versions of HIV-1 gp120 showed an increase in genetic stability that correlated with a decrease in the size of the insert. A dc construct that contained a minigene encoding the principal neutralization determinant of HIV-1 produced a stable virus that retained the foreign sequence through multiple passages in cultured cells. These data indicate that dc polioviruses have potential as vaccines for the expression of small foreign epitopes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular dissection of the multifunctional poliovirus RNA-binding protein 3AB.

Genome replication of poliovirus, as yet unsolved, involves numerous viral polypeptides that arise from proteolysis of the viral polyprotein. One of these proteins is 3AB, an RNA-binding protein with multiple functions, that serves also as the precursor for the genome-linked protein VPg (= 3B). Eight clustered charged amino acid-to-alanine mutants in the 3AB coding region of poliovirus were constructed and analyzed, together with three additional single-amino acid exchange mutants in VPg, for viral phenotypes. All mutants expressed severe inhibition in RNA synthesis, but none were temperature sensitive (ts). The 3AB polypeptides of mutants with a lethal phenotype were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified to near homogeneity, and studied with respect to four functions: (1) ribonucleoprotein complex formation with 3CDpro and the 5'-terminal cloverleaf of the poliovirus genome; (2) binding to the genomic and negative-sense RNA; (3) stimulation of 3CDpro cleavage; and (4) stimulation of RNA polymerase activity of 3Dpol. The results have allowed mapping of domains important for RNA binding and the formation of certain protein-protein complexes, and correlation of these processes with essential steps in viral genome replication.

3C Viral Proteases↗

Studies with poliovirus polymerase 3Dpol. Stimulation of poly(U) synthesis in vitro by purified poliovirus protein 3AB.

The synthesis in vitro of poly(U) on a poly(A) template with oligo(dT)15 primer by poliovirus RNA polymerase 3Dpol (280 ng/ml) is strongly stimulated (50-100 fold) by the addition of purified poliovirus polypeptide 3AB. The synthesis of product continues linearly with time for up to 90 min. The reaction with 3Dpol alone can be reactivated and similarly enhanced by the addition of 3AB at 30 min of incubation. Optimal stimulation is achieved under conditions where the concentration of 3Dpol and of template is low, when the molar ratio of 3AB to 3Dpol is about 100:1 and that of 3AB to poly(A) is about 25:1. In the presence of 3AB, the yield of product made by 3Dpol is much increased but its size is unchanged. From a number of basic proteins and peptides tested, a few were found which also exhibited limited enhancement of polymerase activity. The stimulatory effect of 3AB is probably related to its ability to bind both the template-primer, poly(A).oligo(dT)15, and 3Dpol (Molla, A., Harris, K. S., Paul, A. V., Shin, S. H., Mugavero, J., and Wimmer, E. J. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 27015-27020). RNA synthesis on purified poliovirus RNA with oligo(dT)15 primer is enhanced by 3AB about 5-10 fold, and this reaction is highly sensitive to detergent.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A conserved AUG triplet in the 5' nontranslated region of poliovirus can function as an initiation codon in vitro and in vivo.

Poliovirus translation is initiated at AUG743, 154 nt downstream of a conserved heptanucleotide CUUAUGG at the 3' border of the internal ribosome entry site. AUG586 is part of this motif and is normally not an initiation codon, but was activated following alteration of its context from CUUAUGG to ACCAUGG. Initiation at AUG586 was efficient and yielded a 7.2-kDa polypeptide translated in an open reading frame that overlapped AUG743 by 38 nt, but the presence of this activated codon reduced initiation at AUG743 by only 50%. Growth of a mutant poliovirus W1-5NC-1 containing the CUU-->ACC substitutions was impaired and was not alleviated by a termination codon placed four triplets downstream of AUG586 in the virus W1-5NC-2. The virus W1-5NC-6 contained the substitution U584A and had a similar sp phenotype; the phenotype of W1-5NC-1 is thus probably due to substitution within the conserved CUUAUGG motif per se rather than to activation of AUG586. A sp mutant virus W1-5NC-3 was derived from W1-5NC-1 by deletion of nt 588-745, indicating that AUG586 could initiate translation in vivo. These observations indicate that although AUG586 can be activated by upstream substitutions, it is nevertheless readily bypassed by ribosomes in mRNAs containing wt downstream elements, resulting in initiation at AUG743.

Base Sequence↗

Interaction of poliovirus polypeptide 3CDpro with the 5' and 3' termini of the poliovirus genome. Identification of viral and cellular cofactors needed for efficient binding.

Poliovirus proteinase 3CDpro by itself is not an RNA-binding protein. Two cellular proteins have been purified from HeLa cells (p50 and p36) which interact with purified 3CDpro but only p36-3CDpro bind to the 5'-terminal 110 nucleotides of polioviral RNA genome, an RNA segment whose secondary structure resembles a cloverleaf. The identity of these factors was determined by microsequencing tryptic digests of the purified proteins. Host protein p50 is the eukaryotic elongation factor EF-1 alpha, and p36 an N-terminal fragment thereof. p36, referred to as host factor, did not appear to interact with purified 3Cpro or 3Dpol. Significantly, the formation of a 3CDpro-cloverleaf complex was also observed in the presence of purified poliovirus polypeptide 3AB, the precursor of VPg. 3AB by itself does not stably bind to the cloverleaf. Competition experiments have demonstrated that the RNA-protein interactions are specific for the full-length cloverleaf. UV cross-linking studies were employed to examine the protein components of the cloverleaf ribonucleoproteins. RNA footprinting was used to determine the site on the cloverleaf where the viral and cellular factors bind. Finally, we have discovered that 3AB-3CDpro also interacts with the 3'-terminal sequence of poliovirus RNA. In contrast to the 5'-terminal cloverleaf, the 3'-terminal RNA can bind 3AB in the absence of other proteins. A model for initiation of poliovirus RNA synthesis is presented.

3C Viral Proteases↗

Stimulation of poliovirus proteinase 3Cpro-related proteolysis by the genome-linked protein VPg and its precursor 3AB.

Purified recombinant poliovirus polypeptide 3AB interacts with 3CDpro and 3Dpol as shown by coimmunoprecipitation with anti-3Dpol antibodies. A consequence of this interaction is an accelerated autoprocessing of 3CDpro to produce 3Cpro and 3Dpol. The activation of 3Dpol polymerase activity by cleavage of 3CDpro, a polypeptide that has no polymerase activity, can be shown by template- and primer-dependent poly(U) synthesis. Anti-VPg antibodies (VPg = 3B) added to HeLa translation extracts programmed with poliovirion RNA inhibit cleavage of 3CDpro whereas addition of purified 3AB or VPg to these translation reactions increases 3CDpro processing. 3AB stimulates also 3Cpro-related proteolysis of 2BC, a poliovirus-specific, nonstructural processing intermediate. In contrast, 3CDpro-specific cleavage of the structural precursor P1 is inhibited by the addition of 3AB as shown by a decrease in the production of VP0 and VP3. These data shed new light on a phenomenon in the regulation of expression of poliovirus genetic information: whereas the proteinase 3CDpro is needed for processing of the capsid precursor, the cleavage product of this relatively stable precursor is required for RNA replication.

3C Viral Proteases↗

Interaction of poliovirus with its cell surface binding site.

The interaction of poliovirus with its cellular binding sites was characterized by using a receptor-excess silicon oil partition assay. Poliovirus type 1 Mahoney [PV1(M)] binding to HeLa cells fits a theoretical simple bimolecular noncooperative binding curve with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.3 x 10(7) cells.ml-1 at 4 degrees, or 2.1 x 10(-10) M, assuming 3000 virus binding sites/cell. The association rate of complex formation was measured to be 3.6 x 10(-9) ml.cell-1.min-1 (7.2 x 10(8) M-1.min-1) and the dissociation rate calculated to be 1.5 x 10(-1) min-1, giving the complex a half-life of 4.5 min. The equilibrium dissociation constant, association rate, and dissociation rate were also measured for the binding of the attenuated poliovirus type 3 Sabin strain [PV3(S)] to HeLa cells. PV3(S) bound HeLa cells with a Kd of 3.3 x 10(7) cells.ml-1 (1.6 x 10(-10) M), an association rate of 4.1 x 10(-9) ml.cell-1.min-1 (8.2 x 10(8) M-1.min-1), and a dissociation rate calculated to be 1.4 x 10(-1) min-1, giving the complex a half-life of 5.1 min. Thus the virulent and avirulent strains of poliovirus bind HeLa cells with nearly identical binding constants and rate constants. Equilibrium binding constants for PV1(M) to various other cell types varied from a high affinity of 4.1 x 10(6) cells.ml-1 for JA-1 cells to a low affinity of 7 x 10(7) cells.ml-1 for NGP cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Molecular characterization of the cellular receptor for poliovirus.

The expression of the human poliovirus receptor (hPVR) in several cultured cell lines was studied with the use of different antibodies directed against hPVR proteins. Immunoprecipitations of metabolically labeled cell lysates revealed that membrane-bound glycoforms of hPVR proteins have a molecular weight of about 80 kDa. By applying inhibitors of the glycosylation pathway (deoxymannojirimycin and swainsonine) we were able to monitor the modification of the hPVR glycoproteins when passing through the processing pathway. We show that a 67-kDa hPVR protein identified earlier (using a vaccinia virus expression system) is an intermediate glycoform probably located in the endoplasmic reticulum or cis-Golgi. Further modification of this glycoform is blocked by vaccinia virus infection or by the inhibitor deoxymannojirimycin. We, therefore, conclude that the 80-kDa glycoforms identified here are the fully processed hPVR isoforms. Surface iodination confirms that only the 80-kDa glycoforms are expressed on the cell surface. Treatment with various deglycosylating enzymes (N-Glycanase, O-Glycanase, Endo-H, and neuraminidase) demonstrates that the hPVR proteins bear sialylated complex-type oligosaccharides. Deglycosylation of the hPVR proteins also reveals the presence of both hPVR membrane-bound forms in cultured cells. Their relative expression levels, with respect to each other, vary considerably. The distribution of these hPVR isoforms in tissues may help explain the natural function of the hPVR proteins.

Animals↗

Biochemical studies on poliovirus polypeptide 2C: evidence for ATPase activity.

Poliovirus 2C is a nonstructural polypeptide proposed to function in viral RNA replication. Poliovirus 2C is a member of a rapidly expanding family of proteins containing a consensus for nucleotide binding (NTP-B). Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved residues in the consensus A and B sites have suggested a functional role for the NTP-B motif in viral RNA replication and proliferation of poliovirus. We have expressed wildtype 2C and a 2C mutant, carrying a single amino acid exchange in the NTP-B motif A (Lys135Gln) using the baculovirus system. Both wildtype and mutant proteins are membrane associated. Following membrane solubilization, we have purified wildtype and mutant proteins to near homogeneity using conventional chromatography. We present biochemical evidence that wildtype 2C copurifies with an ATPase activity that is absent in the mutant preparation.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Studies of a putative amphipathic helix in the N-terminus of poliovirus protein 2C.

Poliovirus protein 2C contains near its N-terminus a putative amphipathic helix which is well conserved among picornaviruses. Three mutants were constructed within this region by site-directed mutagenesis. In the first mutant (pT7XL2-2C-N1) two glutamic acids were replaced with valines at the boundary of the charged and uncharged faces of the helix. The second mutant (pT7XL2-2C-N2) contains an isoleucine to lysine change in the hydrophobic half; in the third mutant (pT7XL2-2C-N3) two lysines were replaced with threonines in the hydrophilic half of the helix. Upon transfection of HeLa cells with RNA transcripts made from these plasmids only pT7XL2-2C-N1 yielded viable virus (W1-2C-N1) which had a small-plaque phenotype. A large-plaque revertant of this virus, W1-2C-N1R, was found to contain the original glutamic acid at one of the mutated sites (E19). There is no detectable minus-stranded RNA synthesis following transfection of HeLa cells with transcript RNAs of the other two plasmids, pT7XL2-2C-N2 and -N3. In vitro translation of these two mutant RNA transcripts in HeLa extracts revealed processing abnormalities in the P2/P3 region of the polyprotein. This leads to a nearly complete absence of 2C and 3AB, which might be the primary cause of defective viral RNA synthesis. The putative amphipathic helix was found to overlap a consensus binding site for double-stranded RNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Polioviruses containing picornavirus type 1 and/or type 2 internal ribosomal entry site elements: genetic hybrids and the expression of a foreign gene.

A picornavirus hybrid genome was constructed in which the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) of encephalomyocarditis virus was inserted between the 5' non-translated region and the open reading frame of poliovirus (PV), type 1 (Mahoney). Upon transfection into HeLa cells, the hybrid RNA replicated and yielded a derivative of PV (W1-PNENPO). The PV IRES could be removed from pPNENPO, which resulted in a hybrid picornavirus (W1-P108ENPO) in which the translation of the PV open reading frame normally promoted by the type 1 IRES of PV was promoted by the type 2 IRES of encephalomyocarditis virus. This result indicates that these elements are not likely to contain cis-acting elements necessary for PV replication or encapsidation. A foreign gene (bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, CAT) was inserted into pPNENPO cDNA between the PV and encephalomyocarditis virus IRES elements. The dicistronic RNA replicated in HeLa cells and yielded a derivative of PV (W1-DICAT) with a genome 17% longer than that of wild-type PV. CAT assays and immunoblot analyses showed that the viral RNA efficiently expressed the foreign gene in cell culture. The CAT activity diminished somewhat with each passage of the dicistronic virus, an observation which suggested that the inserted gene had a deleterious effect on viral replication. However, even after five virus passages, a significant quantity of the foreign gene was still expressed. Insertion of the open reading frame of luciferase (67 kDa) resulted in an RNA species that replicated and expressed luciferase for up to 20 hr after transfection. However, this elongated RNA was not encapsidated.

Base Sequence↗

Properties of purified recombinant poliovirus protein 3aB as substrate for viral proteinases and as co-factor for RNA polymerase 3Dpol.

The poliovirus-specific polypeptide 3AB (B = VPg) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to near homogeneity. Corresponding to its known association with membranes in poliovirus-infected HeLa cells, 3AB expressed in E. coli was also membrane-associated, and it could be solubilized only in detergent-containing buffers. In soluble form, 3AB was resistant to digestion with the virus-specific proteinases 3Cpro and 3CDpro. However, it was cleaved by these enzymes to 3A and VPg when bound to the bacterial membranes, an observation suggesting that 3AB may deliver the genome-linked protein VPg to the membrane-associated poliovirus replication complex. The specific activity of 3CDpro in processing 3AB was significantly higher than that of 3Cpro. Soluble 3AB was found to stimulate nearly 100-fold poly (A)-dependent, primer-dependent poly(U) synthesis, catalyzed by purified poliovirus RNA polymerase 3Dpol. We propose that 3AB has a dual function in poliovirus genome replication: as a precursor for VPg, and as a co-factor for 3Dpol.

3C Viral Proteases↗

The poliovirus receptor: identification of domains and amino acid residues critical for virus binding.

The N-terminal domain 1 of the human poliovirus receptor (hPVR), a three-domain, immunoglobulin-like molecule, was previously shown to be necessary and sufficient to confer poliovirus (PV) susceptibility to mouse cells. However, studies with truncated versions of hPVR suggested that the C-terminal hPVR domains may contribute to receptor function. We describe sets of hybrid receptors, constructed between hPVR and hICAM-1 (human intercellular adhesion molecule-1) that were tested in mouse cells for hPVR functionally. Whereas the context in which hPVR is expressed is of minor importance, all three domains of hPVR are required to reach wild-type function. Single and multiple amino acid exchanges were introduced into the first hPVR domain in order to localize regions that were involved in virus-receptor interactions. The mutations were analyzed for their ability to bind PV1 (Mahoney) or monoclonal antibodies as well as their ability to support viral replication in either the hPVR alpha or hybrid hPVR-hICAM-1 receptor context. When placed into a model of the V domain of hPVR, the effect of the mutations indicated that the C'C"D as well as the DE region harbored amino acids that contacted the PV1(M) surface in the process of receptor-virus complex formation. The binding of the virus to the receptor and subsequent uptake into the cells were linked; no hPVR mutants were observed that bound the virus but blocked infection. N-glycosylation of the four sites in domains 1 and 2 is not required for hPVR function, but glycosylation in domain 1 has a greater effect on receptor function than that of domain 2.

Animals↗

IRES-controlled protein synthesis and genome replication of poliovirus.

Initiation of translation of the single-stranded genomic RNAs of picornaviruses such as poliovirus (PV) and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is cap-independent and controlled by a long segment within the 5' non-translated region (5'NTR), termed internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). Cellular RNA-binding proteins have been identified that are involved in IRES function in trans. One of these proteins (p57) has been found to be identical to the polypyrimidine tract binding protein (pPTB), a nuclear protein implicated in various processes involving pre-mRNA. Anti-pPTB antibodies inhibit picornavirus mRNA, but not globin mRNA translation, in vitro. Proof for the 5'-independent initiation of translation in vivo was obtained by inserting the EMCV IRES into the ORF of PV thereby constructing a dicistronic, viable poliovirus with the genotype [PV] 5'NTR-P1-[EMCV] IRES-[PV] P2-P3-3'NTR. Dicistronic polioviruses were also constructed that served as novel expression vectors where a foreign gene has been inserted into the PV genome. Incubation of poliovirus RNA in a HeLa cell-free extract leads to the synthesis and processing of viral proteins, viral RNA replication followed by formation of infectious virions. Cell-free synthesis of PV has nullified the dictum that no virus can multiply in a cell-free medium. The genome replication of poliovirus and the mechanism of recombination in poliovirus replication is still not fully understood. Biochemical evidence has been obtained that the conserved NTP-binding motif in PV protein 2C is essential for RNA replication and virus propagation. Finally by using genetic studies we found that during viral RNA synthesis a poliovirus containing two tandemly arranged VPgs (3A-VPg1-VPg2-3Cpro) led to the removal of the 3C-proximal VPg copy.

Carrier Proteins↗