Carsten Lambert

Clathrin- and Caveolin-Independent Entry of Human Papillomavirus Type 16—Involvement of Tetraspanin-Enriched Microdomains (TEMs)

Background Infectious entry of human papillomaviruses into their host cells is an important step in the viral life cycle. For cell binding these viruses use proteoglycans as initial attachment sites. Subsequent transfer to a secondary receptor molecule seems to be involved in virus uptake. Depending on the papillomavirus subtype, it has been reported that entry occurs by clathrin- or caveolin-mediated mechanisms. Regarding human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16), the primary etiologic agent for development of cervical cancer, clathrin-mediated endocytosis was described as infectious entry pathway. Methodology/Principal Findings Using immunofluorescence and infection studies we show in contrast to published data that infectious entry of HPV16 occurs in a clathrin- and caveolin-independent manner. Inhibition of clathrin- and caveolin/raft-dependent endocytic pathways by dominant-negative mutants and siRNA-mediated knockdown, as well as inhibition of dynamin function, did not impair infection. Rather, we provide evidence for involvement of tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs) in HPV16 endocytosis. Following cell attachment, HPV16 particles colocalized with the tetraspanins CD63 and CD151 on the cell surface. Notably, tetraspanin-specific antibodies and siRNA inhibited HPV16 cell entry and infection, confirming the importance of TEMs for infectious endocytosis of HPV16. Conclusions/Significance Tetraspanins fulfill various roles in the life cycle of a number of important viral pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, their involvement in endocytosis of viral particles has not been proven. Our data indicate TEMs as a novel clathrin- and caveolin-independent invasion route for viral pathogens and especially HPV16.

Hepatitis B Virus Maturation Is Sensitive to Functional Inhibition of ESCRT-III, Vps4, and γ2-Adaptin

ABSTRACT Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus that presumably buds at intracellular membranes of infected cells. HBV budding involves two endocytic host proteins, the ubiquitin-interacting adaptor γ2-adaptin and the Nedd4 ubiquitin ligase. Here, we demonstrate that HBV release also requires the cellular machinery that generates internal vesicles of multivesicular bodies (MVBs). In order to perturb the MVB machinery in HBV-replicating liver cells, we used ectopic expression of dominant-negative mutants of different MVB components, like the ESCRT-III complex-forming CHMP proteins and the Vps4 ATPases. Upon coexpression of mutated CHMP3, CHMP4B, or CHMP4C forms, as well as of ATPase-defective Vps4A or Vps4B mutants, HBV assembly and egress were potently blocked. Each of the MVB inhibitors arrested virus particle maturation by entrapping the viral core and large and small envelope proteins in detergent-insoluble membrane structures that closely resembled aberrant endosomal class E compartments. In contrast, HBV subvirus particle release was not affected by MVB inhibitors, hinting at different export routes used by viral and subviral particles. To further define the role γ2-adaptin plays in HBV formation, we examined the effects of its overexpression in virus-replicating cells. Intriguingly, excess γ2-adaptin blocked HBV production in a manner similar to the actions of CHMP and Vps4 mutants. Moreover, overexpressed γ2-adaptin perturbed the endosomal morphology and diminished the budding of a retroviral Gag protein, implying that it may act as a principal inhibitor of the MVB sorting pathway. Together, these results demonstrate that HBV exploits the MVB machinery with the aid of γ2-adaptin.

Identification of a Dynein Interacting Domain in the Papillomavirus Minor Capsid Protein L2

ABSTRACT Papillomaviruses enter cells via endocytosis (H. C. Selinka et al., Virology 299:279-287, 2002). After egress from endosomes, the minor capsid protein L2 accompanies the viral DNA to the nucleus and subsequently to the subnuclear promyelocytic leukemia protein bodies (P. M. Day et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101:14252-14257, 2004), suggesting that this protein may be involved in the intracytoplasmic transport of the viral genome. We now demonstrate that the L2 protein is able to interact with the microtubule network via the motor protein dynein. L2 protein was found attached to microtubules after uncoating of incoming human papillomavirus pseudovirions. Based on immunofluorescence and coimmunoprecipitation analyses, the L2 region interacting with dynein is mapped to the C-terminal 40 amino acids. Mutations within this region abrogating the L2/dynein interaction strongly reduce the infectivity of pseudoviruses, indicating that this interaction mediates the minus-end-directed transport of the viral genome along microtubules towards the nucleus.

Tetraspanin CD151 Mediates Papillomavirus Type 16 Endocytosis

ABSTRACT Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is the primary etiologic agent for cervical cancer. The infectious entry of HPV16 into cells occurs via a so-far poorly characterized clathrin- and caveolin-independent endocytic pathway, which involves tetraspanin proteins and actin. In this study, we investigated the specific role of the tetraspanin CD151 in the early steps of HPV16 infection. We show that surface-bound HPV16 moves together with CD151 within the plane of the membrane before they cointernalize into endosomes. Depletion of endogenous CD151 did not affect binding of viral particles to cells but resulted in reduction of HPV16 endocytosis. HPV16 uptake is dependent on the C-terminal cytoplasmic region of CD151 but does not require its tyrosine-based sorting motif. Reexpression of the wild-type CD151 but not mutants affecting integrin functions restored virus internalization in CD151-depleted cells. Accordingly, short interfering RNA (siRNA) gene knockdown experiments confirmed that CD151-associated integrins (i.e., α3β1 and α6β1/4) are involved in HPV16 infection. Furthermore, palmitoylation-deficient CD151 did not support HPV16 cell entry. These data show that complex formation of CD151 with laminin-binding integrins and integration of the complex into tetraspanin-enriched microdomains are critical for HPV16 endocytosis.

Identification of the dynein light chains required for human papillomavirus infection

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a family of small non‐enveloped DNA viruses. Some genital HPV types, including HPV type 16 (HPV16), are the causative agent for the development of cancer at the site of infection. HPVs encode two capsid proteins, L1 and L2. After endocytic cell entry and egress from endosomes, L2 accompanies the viral DNA to the nucleus where replication is initiated. For cytoplasmic transport, L2 interacts with the microtubule network via the motor protein complex dynein. We have performed yeast two‐hybrid screening and identified the dynein light chain DYNLT1 (previously called Tctex1) as interaction partner of HPV16 L2. Using co‐immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence colocalization studies we confirmed the L2–DYNLT1 interaction in mammalian cells. Further studies revealed that DYNLT3, the second member of the Tctex‐light chain family, also interacts with L2 in vitro and in vivo, whereas other constituents of the dynein complex were not found to associate with L2. Depletion of DYNLT1 and DYNLT3 by specific siRNAs or cytosolic delivery of light chain‐specific antibodies inhibited infection of HPV16. Therefore, this work identified two host cell proteins involved in HPV16 infection that are most likely required for transport purposes towards the nucleus.

Nuclear Translocation of Papillomavirus Minor Capsid Protein L2 Requires Hsc70

ABSTRACT Minor capsid protein L2 of papillomaviruses plays an essential role in virus assembly by recruiting viral components to PML bodies, the proposed sites of virus morphogenesis. We demonstrate here that the function of L2 in virus assembly requires the chaperone Hsc70. Hsc70 was found dispersed in naturally infected keratinocytes and cultured cells. A dramatic relocation of Hsc70 from the cytoplasm to PML bodies was induced in these cells by L2 expression. Hsc70-L2 complex formation was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. The complex was modulated by the cochaperones Hip and Bag-1, which stabilize and destabilize Hsc70-substrate complexes, respectively. Cytoplasmic depletion of Hsc70 caused retention of wild-type and N-terminally truncated L2, but not of C-terminally truncated L2, in the cytoplasm. This retention was partially reversed by overexpression of Hsc70 fused to green fluorescent protein but not by ATPase-negative Hsc70. Hsc70 associated with L1-L2 virus-like particles (VLPs) but not with VLPs composed either of L1 alone or of L1 and C-terminally truncated L2. Moreover, displacement of Hsc70 from L1-L2 VLPs by encapsidation of DNA, generating pseudovirions, was found. These data indicate that Hsc70 transiently associates with viral capsids during the integration of L2, possibly via the L2 C terminus. Completion of virus assembly results in displacement of Hsc70 from virions.

Chaperone action in the posttranslational topological reorientation of the hepatitis B virus large envelope protein: Implications for translocational regulation

The large L envelope protein of the hepatitis B virus utilizes a new folding pathway to acquire a dual transmembrane topology in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The process involves cotranslational membrane integration and subsequent posttranslational translocation of its preS subdomain into the ER. Here, we demonstrate that the conformational and functional heterogeneity of L depends on the action of molecular chaperones. Using coimmunoprecipitation, we observed specific interactions between L and the cytosolic Hsc70, in conjunction with Hsp40, and between L and the ER-resident BiP in mammalian cells. Complex formation between L and Hsc70 was abolished when preS translocation was artificially switched to a cotranslational mode, implicating Hsc70 to act as a preS holding and folding catalyst that controls partial preS posttranslocation. The functional role of Hsc70 in L topogenesis was confirmed through modulation of its in vivo activity by overexpressing its co-chaperones Hip and Bag-1. Overexpression of the Hsc70-stimulating molecule Hip led to increased entrapping of preS on the cytosolic ER face and hence to a decrease in preS posttranslocation, whereas the negative regulator Bag-1 had the opposite effects. Furthermore, Hip-mediated Hsc70 activation impaired virus production in hepatitis B virus-replicating hepatoma cells, likely due to the improper topological reorientation of L. Together, these results indicate that translocational regulation of protein topology by chaperones provides a means of generating structural and functional diversity. They also hint to the dynamic nature of the mammalian ER translocation machinery in handling co- and posttranslational substrates.

γ2-Adaptin, a Novel Ubiquitin-interacting Adaptor, and Nedd4 Ubiquitin Ligase Control Hepatitis B Virus Maturation

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) budding from infected cells is a tightly regulated process that requires both core and envelope structures. Here we report that HBV uses cellular γ2-adaptin and Nedd4, possibly in conjunction with ubiquitin, to coordinate its assembly and release. In search of interaction partners of the viral L envelope protein, we previously discovered γ2-adaptin, a putative endosomal sorting and trafficking adaptor of the adaptor protein complex family. We now demonstrate that the viral core interacts with the same γ2-adaptor and that disruption of the HBV/γ2-adaptin interactions inhibits virus production. Mutational analyses revealed a hitherto unknown ubiquitin-binding activity of γ2-adaptin, specified by a ubiquitin-interacting motif, which contributes to its interaction with core. For core, the lysine residue at position 96, a potential target for ubiquitination, was identified to be essential for both γ2-adaptin-recognition and virus production. The participation of the cellular ubiquitin system in HBV assembly was further suggested by our finding that core interacts with the endosomal ubiquitin ligase Nedd4, partly via its late domain-like PPAY sequence. Overexpression of a catalytically inactive Nedd4 mutant diminished HBV egress, indicating that protein ubiquitination is functionally involved in virus production. Additional evidence for a link of HBV assembly to the endosomal machinery was provided by immunolabeling studies that demonstrated colocalization of core and L with γ2-adaptin in compartments positive for the late endosomal marker CD63. Together, these data indicate that an enveloped DNA virus exploits a new ubiquitin receptor together with endosomal pathway functions for egress from hepatocytes.

Mammalian BiP controls posttranslational ER translocation of the hepatitis B virus large envelope protein

The hepatitis B virus L protein forms a dual topology in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via a process involving cotranslational membrane integration and subsequent posttranslational translocation of its preS subdomain. Here, we show that preS posttranslocation depends on the action of the ER chaperone BiP. To modulate the in vivo BiP activity, we designed an approach based on overexpressing its positive and negative regulators, ER‐localized DnaJ‐domain containing protein 4 (ERdj4) and BiP‐associated protein (BAP), respectively. The feasibility of this approach was confirmed by demonstrating that BAP, but not ERdj4, destabilizes the L/BiP complex. Overexpressing BAP or ERdj4 inhibits preS posttranslocation as does the reduction of ATP levels. These results hint to a new role of BiP in guiding posttranslational polypeptide import into the mammalian ER.

Polyethylenimine Is a Strong Inhibitor of Human Papillomavirus and Cytomegalovirus Infection

ABSTRACT Polyethylenimines are cationic polymers with potential as delivery vectors in gene therapy and with proven antimicrobial activity. However, the antiviral activity of polyethylenimines has not been addressed in detail thus far. We have studied the inhibitory effects of a linear 25-kDa polyethylenimine on infections with human papillomaviruses and human cytomegaloviruses. Preincubation of cells with polyethylenimine blocked primary attachment of both viruses to cells, resulting in a significant reduction of infection. In addition, the dissemination of human cytomegalovirus in culture cells was efficiently reduced by recurrent administration of polyethylenimine. Polyethylenimine concentrations required for inhibition of human papillomavirus and cytomegalovirus did not cause any cytotoxic effects. Polyethylenimines and their derivatives may thus be attractive molecules for the development of antiviral microbicides.