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Structure of the herpes simplex virus capsid: effects of extraction with guanidine hydrochloride and partial reconstitution of extracted capsids.

Viral B capsids were purified from cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 and extracted in vitro with 2.0 M guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel analyses demonstrated that extraction resulted in the removal of greater than 95% of capsid proteins VP22a and VP26 while there was only minimal (less than 10%) loss of VP5 (the major capsid protein), VP19, and VP23. Electron microscopic analysis of extracted capsids revealed that the pentons and the material found inside the cavity of B capsids (primarily VP22a) were removed nearly quantitatively, but extracted capsids remained otherwise structurally intact. Few, if any, hexons were lost; the capsid diameter was not greatly affected; and its icosahedral symmetry was still clearly evident. The results demonstrate that neither VP19 nor VP23 could constitute the capsid pentons. Like the hexons, the pentons are most likely composed of VP5. When B capsids were treated with 2.0 M GuHCl and then dialyzed to remove GuHCl, two bands of viral material were separated by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation. The more rapidly migrating of the two consisted of capsids which lacked pentons and VP22a but had a full complement of VP26. Thus, VP26 must have reassociated with extracted capsids during dialysis. The more slowly migrating band consisted of torus-shaped structures approximately 60 nm in diameter which were composed entirely of VP22a. These latter structures closely resembled torus-shaped condensates often seen in the cavity of native B capsids. The results suggest a similarity between herpes simplex virus type 1 B capsids and procapsids of Salmonella bacteriophage P22. Both contain an internal protein (VP22a in the case of HSV-1 B capsids and gp8 or "scaffolding" protein in phage P22) that can be extracted in vitro with GuHCl and that is absent from mature virions.

Animals

Conformational changes of a viral capsid protein. Thermodynamic rationale for proteolytic regulation of bacteriophage T4 capsid expansion, co-operativity, and super-stabilization by soc binding.

We have used differential scanning calorimetry in conjunction with cryo-electron microscopy to investigate the conformational transitions undergone by the maturing capsid of phage T4. Its precursor shell is composed primarily of gp23 (521 residues): cleavage of gp23 to gp23* (residues 66 to 521) facilitates a concerted conformational change in which the particle expands substantially, and is greatly stabilized. We have now characterized the intermediate states of capsid maturation; namely, the cleaved/unexpanded, state, which denatures at tm = 60 degrees C, and the uncleaved/expanded state, for which tm = 70 degrees C. When compared with the precursor uncleaved/unexpanded state (tm = 65 degrees C), and the mature cleaved/expanded state (tm = 83 degrees C, if complete cleavage precedes expansion), it follows that expansion of the cleaved precursor (delta tm approximately +23 degrees C) is the major stabilizing event in capsid maturation. These observations also suggest an advantage conferred by capsid protein cleavage (some other phage capsids expand without cleavage): if the gp23-delta domains (residues 1 to 65) are not removed by proteolysis, they impede formation of the stablest possible bonding arrangement when expansion occurs, most likely by becoming trapped at the interface between neighboring subunits or capsomers. Icosahedral capsids denature at essentially the same temperatures as tubular polymorphic variants (polyheads) for the same state of the surface lattice. However, the thermal transitions of capsids are considerably sharper, i.e. more co-operative, than those of polyheads, which we attribute to capsids being closed, not open-ended. In both cases, binding of the accessory protein soc around the threefold sites on the outer surface of the expanded surface lattice results in a substantial further stabilization (delta tm = +5 degrees C). The interfaces between capsomers appear to be relatively weak points that are reinforced by clamp-like binding of soc. These results imply that the "triplex" proteins of other viruses (their structural counterparts of soc) are likely also to be involved in capsid stabilization. Cryo-electron microscopy was used to make conclusive interpretations of endotherms in terms of denaturation events. These data also revealed that the cleaved/unexpanded capsid has an angular polyhedral morphology and has a pronounced relief on its outer surface. Moreover, it is 14% smaller in linear dimensions than the cleaved/expanded capsid, and its shell is commensurately thicker.

Allosteric Regulation

Isolation of human cytomegalovirus intranuclear capsids, characterization of their protein constituents, and demonstration that the B-capsid assembly protein is also abundant in noninfectious enveloped particles.

Two types of intranuclear capsids have been recovered from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV, strain AD169)-infected cells. By analogy with strain Colburn (simian CMV) particles, these have been designated as A- and B-capsids. Both types of capsids are composed of proteins with molecular weights of 153,000 (major capsid protein), 34,000 (minor capsid protein), 28,000, and 11,000 (smallest capsid protein). In addition to these species, B-capsids contain a 36,000-molecular-weight (36K) protein which has been designated as the HCMV "assembly protein," based on its similarities to counterparts in strain Colburn CMV (i.e., 37K protein) and herpes simplex virus (i.e., VP22a/p40/NC-3/ICP35e). Peptide comparisons established that the assembly protein of HCMV B-capsids and the 36K protein that distinguishes HCMV noninfectious enveloped particles from virions are the same, providing direct evidence that noninfectious enveloped particles are enveloped B-capsids.

Capsid

Nucleotide sequence of the capsid protein gene of two serotypes of San Miguel sea lion virus: identification of conserved and non-conserved amino acid sequences among calicivirus capsid proteins.

The San Miguel sea lion viruses, members of the calicivirus family, are closely related to the vesicular disease of swine viruses which can cause severe disease in swine. In order to begin the molecular characterization of these viruses, the nucleotide sequence of the capsid protein gene of two San Miguel sea lion viruses (SMSV), serotypes 1 and 4, was determined. The coding sequences for the capsid precursor protein were located within the 3' terminal 2620 bases of the genomic RNAs of both viruses. The encoded capsid precursor proteins were 79,500 and 77,634 Da for SMSV 1 and SMSV 4, respectively. The SMSV 1 protein was 47.7% and SMSV 4 was 48.6% homologous to the feline calicivirus (FCV) capsid precursor protein while the two SMSV capsid precursors were 73% homologous to each other. Six distinct regions within the capsid precursors (denoted as regions A-F) were identified based on amino acid sequence alignment analysis of the two SMSV serotypes with FCV and the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) capsid protein. Three regions showed similarity among all four viruses (regions B, D and F) and one region showed a very high degree of homology between the SMSV serotypes but only limited similarity with FCV (region A). RHDV contained only a truncated region A. A fifth region, consisting of approximately 100 residues, was not conserved among any of the viruses (region E) and, in SMSV, may contain the serotype-specific determinants. Another small region (region C) contained between 15 and 27 amino acids and showed little sequence conservation. Region B showed the highest degree of conservation among the four viruses and contained the residues which had homology to the picornavirus VP3 structural protein. An open reading frame, found in the 3' terminal 514 bases of the SMSV genomes, encoded small proteins (12,575 and 12,522 Da, respectively for SMSV 1 and SMSV 4) of which 32% of the conserved amino acids were basic residues, implying a possible nucleic acid-binding function.

Amino Acid Sequence

The structure of the adenovirus capsid. III. Hexon packing determined from electron micrographs of capsid fragments.

The orientation and relative positions of all 240 hexons in the icosahedral outer capsid of adenovirus have been determined. Two types of capsid fragments, obtained after selective disruption of the virion, were analyzed using electron microscopy and image-processing techniques. Planar inverted groups-of-nine, arising from the central region of the capsid facet, were minimally stained to reveal the morphology of restricted regions of their component hexons. Images shown to be related by correspondence analysis were averaged and features of the individual hexon molecule, known from an X-ray crystallographic investigation, were used in their interpretation. The study confirms earlier observations that the hexons in the group-of-nine are distributed on a p3 net, shows that the hexons form a close-packed array using the pseudo-hexagonal shape of the hexon base, and provides their relative positions. Twenty interlocking groups-of-nine account for 180 of the 240 hexons present in the viral capsid. The orientation of the remaining 60 peripentonal hexons was obtained from a rotationally averaged image of a quarter-capsid, a novel viral fragment comprising five complete facets. Each peripentonal hexon forms planar asymmetric interactions with two neighbors in an adjacent group-of-nine so that it lies on an extension of the p3 net. The complete facet thus consists of 12 hexons arranged on a planar p3 net, with a shape that permits interlocking of hexons at the capsid edge. The relative positions of the hexons have been determined to within 5 A using the molecular model, and indicate that the pseudo-hexagonal basal regions are close-packed in a manner that maximizes the hexon-hexon contacts. The results confirm the model proposed earlier for the arrangement of hexons within the adenovirus capsid (Burnett, 1985), and show the power of the inter-disciplinary approach.

Adenoviridae

The maturation-dependent conformational change of phage T4 capsid involves the translocation of specific epitopes between the inner and the outer capsid surfaces.

After polymerization of the phage T4 prohead is complete, its capsid expands by approximately 16%, is greatly stabilized, and acquires the capacity to bind accessory proteins. These effects are manifestations of a large-scale, irreversible, conformational change undergone by the major capsid protein, gp23 (521 residues) which is cleaved to gp23* (residues 66-521) during this maturation process. In order to explore its structural basis, we have performed immunoelectron microscopy with antibodies raised against synthetic peptides that correspond to precisely defined segments of the amino acid sequence of gp23. These antibodies were used to label purified polyheads (tubular polymorphic variants of the normal icosahedral capsid), in experiments designed to impose constraints on the possible foldings of the gp23/gp23* polypeptide chains in their successive conformational states. Peptide 1 (residues 48-57), part of the gp23-delta domain that is excised when gp23 is converted to gp23*, resides on the inner surface of the precursor surface lattice, but--if not proteolyzed--is found on the outer surface of the mature surface lattice. Peptide 2 (residues 65-73), immediately distal to the cleavage site, is located on the inside of the precursor surface lattice, and remains there subsequent to expansion. Peptide 3 (residues 139-146) is translocated in the opposite direction from peptide 1, i.e., from the outer to the inner surface upon expansion; moreover, expansion greatly increases the polyheads' affinity for these antibodies. Peptide 5 (residues 301-308) is located on the inside in both the precursor and the mature states. Taking into account data from other sources, these observations imply that the conformational change that underlies capsid expansion involves a radical reorganization of the proteins' structure, in which at least three distinct epitopes, situated in widely differing parts of the polypeptide chain, are translocated from one side to the other. Moreover, the amino-terminal portion of gp23/gp23*, around the cleavage site, is particularly affected.

Amino Acid Sequence

Role of the major capsid protein in herpes simplex virus type-1 capsid assembly.

Two herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants with defects in the gene for the major capsid protein, ICP5, were examined for their effects on virion capsid assembly. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that both mutants were able to synthesize wild-type (WT) levels of ICP5 at the nonpermissive temperature. However, the 53 kD capsid protein disappeared concomitant with the appearance of a new, 51 kD species. These results, taken together with ultrastructural and immunological analyses indicate that the processing and assembly of capsid proteins, DNA packaging and thermal stability of HSV-1 virions are dependent upon functional ICP5.

Animals

Antigenic and structural relatedness among non-capsid and capsid polypeptides of polioviruses belonging to different serotypes.

Antibodies were raised by immunization of Macaca fascicularis monkeys with extracts of M. fascicularis kidney cells separately infected with one of the three poliovirus serotypes. Preparations of antibodies were shown to be strictly type-specific in the neutralization test but formed immune complexes adsorbable on Staphylococcus aureus, Cowan I strain cells, with heterotypic as well as homotypic virus-specific polypeptides present in extracts from the virus-infected cells. The presence of intertypic antigenic determinants was demonstrated by this technique on both the non-capsid and capsid poliovirus polypeptides. Structural variations of poliovirus polypeptides were studied by analysing products of their partial proteolysis. Non-capsid polypeptides encoded in the central portion of the virus genome (polypeptides 5b and X) as well as in the 3'-terminal region (NCVP2 and NCVP4) were found to be highly conserved, whereas capsid polypeptides VP1, VP2, and VP3, which are encoded in the 5'-terminal region of the virus RNA, displayed a much greater variability.

Antigens, Viral

Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) Capsid Chimeras with Enhanced Infectivity Reveal a Core Element in the AAV Genome Critical for both Cell Transduction and Capsid Assembly.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) have attracted significant attention in the field of gene and cell therapy due to highly effective delivery of therapeutic genes into human cells. The ability to generate recombinant AAV vectors compromised of unique or substituted protein sequences has led to the development of capsid variants with improved therapeutic properties. Seeking novel AAV vectors capable of enhanced transduction for therapeutic applications, we have developed a series of unique capsid variants termed AAV X-Vivo (AAV-XV) derived from chimeras of AAV12 VP1/2 sequences and the VP3 sequence of AAV6. These AAV variants showed enhanced infection of human primary T cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and neuronal cell lines over wildtype parental viruses, and superiority over AAV6 for genomic integration of DNA sequences by AAV alone or in combination with CRISPR gene editing. AAV-XV variants demonstrate transduction efficiency equivalent to AAV6 at multiplicities of infection 2 logs lower, enabling T cell engineering at low AAV doses. The protein coding sequence of these novel AAV chimeras revealed disruptions within the assembly-activating protein (AAP) which likely accounted for observed lower virus yield. A series of genome alterations, reverting the AAP sequence back to wildtype AAV6, had a negative impact on the enhanced transduction seen with AAV-VX, indicating overlapping functions within this sequence for both viral assembly and effective T cell transduction. Our findings show these AAV-XV variants are highly efficient at cell transduction at low dose and demonstrates the importance of the AAP coding region in both viral particle assembly and cell infection.IMPORTANCE A major hurdle to the therapeutic potential of AAV in gene therapy lies in achieving clinically meaningful AAV doses, and secondarily, ability to manufacture commercially viable titers of AAV to support this. By virtue of neutralizing antibodies against AAV that impede patient repeat-dosing, the dose of AAV for in vivo gene delivery has been high, which has resulted in unfortunate recent safety concerns and deaths in patients given higher-dose AAV gene therapy. We have generated new AAV variants possessing unique combinations of capsid proteins for gene and cell therapy applications termed AAV-XV, which have high levels of cell transduction and gene delivery at lower MOI. Furthermore, we demonstrate a novel finding, and an important consideration for recombinant AAV design, that a region of the AAV genome encoding the capsid viral protein and AAP is critical for both virus yield and the enhancement of infection/transduction.

Journal Article

Nuclear assembly of polyomavirus capsids in insect cells expressing the major capsid protein VP1.

Polyomavirus normally assembles in the nucleus of infected mouse cells. Sf9 insect cells expressing the polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1 were examined by electron microscopy. Capsidlike particles of apparently uniform size were found in the nucleus. Immunogold electron microscopy demonstrated abundant VP1 in the cytoplasm which was not assembled into any recognizable higher-order structure. Cytoplasmic VP1 assembled after the cells were treated with the calcium ionophore ionomycin. Purified VP1 aggregates were shown by negative staining and cryoelectron microscopy to consist predominantly of particles similar to the empty T = 7 viral capsid. Thus, polyomavirus VP1 can assemble in vivo into capsids independent of other viral proteins or DNA. Nuclear assembly may result from increased available calcium in this subcellular compartment.

Animals

Similarity between the picornavirus VP3 capsid polypeptide and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae virus capsid polypeptide.

We have compared the sequence of the capsid polypeptide of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae double-stranded RNA virus, ScV, with those of the picornaviruses. A central region of 245 amino acids in the ScV capsid polypeptide of 680 amino acids has significant similarity to the picornavirus VP3. This similarity is more extensive than that already noted for the alphavirus capsid polypeptide and the picornavirus VP3 (Fuller, S.D. and Argos, P, EMBO J. 6, 1099, 1987). Together with the similarity between the ScV RNA polymerase and the picornavirus RNA polymerases, this result implies an evolutionary relationship between a simple double-stranded RNA virus of fungi and the small plus strand RNA animal viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence

Cell-free translation of foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA into identifiable non-capsid and capsid proteins.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (a member of the picornavirus group) RNA could be translated effectively in an S-30 extract from Ehrlich ascites tumour cells. This translation was inhibited by aurintricarboxylic acid, cycloheximide, puromycin and RNase. Cell-free products of translation were identified by disc gel electrophoresis and immunoprecipitation with specific antisera. Gel electrophoresis of the products without prior immunoprecipitation suggested the synthesis of some of the non-capsid proteins and capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3 of the virus. Immunoprecipitations with antisera against whole virus and VP3 indicated the synthesis of VP3 and of at least two additional peptides of 100 000 and 56 000 daltons containing antigenic sites of VP3. Gel electrophoresis after immunoprecipitation with antiserum against virus infection-associated antigen indicated the synthesis of a different 56 000-dalton protein appearing to resemble non-capsid protein NCVP5. The amount of foot-and-mouth disease virus and VP3-specific peptides in the virus RNA-directed products were measured by immunoprecipitation.

Animals

Organization of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid gene: mapping of a minor spliced mRNA coding for virus capsid protein 1.

We have mapped a minor spliced transcript with mRNA properties which is derived from the capsid gene promoter (P40) of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) genome. By S1 nuclease mapping as well as primer extension analysis this mRNA was found to occur by splicing at the same donor site (nucleotide, NT 1907) but at an alternative acceptor site when compared to the major, 2.3-kb spliced P40 transcript which encodes two of the three AAV capsid proteins, namely VP2 and VP3. This minor acceptor site is located at NT 2200, i.e., 27 NT upstream of the acceptor site used to generate the VP2/VP3 mRNA. We have also sequenced the AAV genome in this region and have found one important error in the sequence published by A. Srivastava, E. Lusby, and K.I. Berns (1983, J. Virol., 45, 555-564): residue at NT 2429 has to be deleted from the reported sequence. This correction of the sequence reveals that the open reading frame (ORF) which encodes all three capsid proteins extends from NT 2203 to NT 4321. Furthermore, this entire ORF is contained in the minor but not in the major spliced P40 transcript. We provide evidence that the largest AAV structural protein VP1 is translated from this hitherto undetected spliced transcript by initiation at its first AUG (NT 2203) and termination at NT 4321. The calculated molecular weight of this VP1 polypeptide is 78,247 Da.

Base Sequence

Electrophoretic analysis of capsid and non-capsid polypeptides of echovirus 12, and selective inhibtion of the formation of virus particles by actinomycin D.

Electrophoretic analysis of purified echovirus virus particles yielded four polypeptides of mol. wt. 37000, 30000, 25000 and 7600. The 75S empty capsids of echovirus 12 lack the 25000 and 7600 mol. wt. polypeptides, and possess polypeptides of 41000 mol. wt. A total of 14 virus-induced polypeptide species was found in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Actinomycin D reduced the synthesis of virus, virus RNA, and virus polypeptides and also reduced the proportion of virus particles to empty capsids in the virus yields.

Amino Acids

The pseudorabies virus homology of the herpes simplex virus UL21 gene product is a capsid protein which is involved in capsid maturation.

We mutagenized, mapped, and sequenced the pseudorabies virus (PRV) homology of gene UL21 of herpes simplex virus type 1. A polyclonal mouse antiserum against the protein encoded by the UL21 homolog was generated and used to monitor the expression and subcellular localization of the UL21-encoded protein. We found that the protein is identical to a previously detected PRV capsid protein. We analyzed viable PRV strains encoding mutant UL21 homologys, truncated by insertion of an oligonucleotide that contains stop codons in all reading frames. In two PRV mutants carrying the oligonucleotide at two sites within the gene, processing of newly replicated viral DNA was impaired. In addition, we show that one of the UL21 mutants has strongly reduced virulence for mice.

Amino Acid Sequence

Sequence conservation of the outer capsid protein, VP5, of bluetongue virus, a contrasting feature to the outer capsid protein VP2.

The complete nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone representing the segment 5 RNA of bluetongue virus (BTV) United States serotype 13 was determined. The comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of the encoded protein (VP5) with the sequences of VP5 from two BTV United States serotypes, 10 and 2, and two isolates of BTV serotype 1 (Australian and South African), revealed that the protein is highly conserved among the different serotypes despite their geographical separation.

Amino Acid Sequence