Catherine Transy

A genomic approach of the hepatitis C virus generates a protein interaction map

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes severe liver disease, including liver cancer. A vaccine preventing HCV infection has not yet been developed, and, given the increasing number of infected people, this virus is now considered a major public-health problem. The HCV genome is a plus-stranded RNA that encodes a single polyprotein processed into at least 10 mature polypeptides. So far, only the interaction between the protease NS3 and its cofactor, NS4A, which is involved in the processing of the non-structural region, has been extensively studied. Our work was aimed at constructing a protein interaction map of HCV. A classical two-hybrid system failed to detect any interactions between mature HCV polypeptides, suggesting incorrect folding, expression or targetting of these proteins. We therefore developed a two-hybrid strategy, based on exhaustive screens of a random genomic HCV library. Using this method, we found known interactions, such as the capsid homodimer and the protease dimer, NS3-NS4A, as well as several novel interactions such as NS4A-NS2. Thus, our results are consistent with the idea that the use of a random genomic HCV library allows the selection of correctly folded viral protein fragments. Interacting domains of the viral polyprotein are identified, opening the possibility of developing specific anti-viral agents, based on their ability to modulate these interactions.

The proapoptotic effect of hepatitis B virus HBx protein correlates with its transactivation activity in stably transfected cell lines

The role of hepatitis B virus HBx protein in the carcinogenesis associated with chronic viral infection remains ill-defined. Indeed, pleiotropic effects have been ascribed to HBx: in addition to its well-documented ability to indirectly stimulate transcription, the protein has been reported to affect cell growth, signal transduction, DNA repair and apoptosis. In this work, we generated Chang (CCL-13)-derived cell lines constitutively expressing wild type or mutant HBx, as a model of HBx-host cell interaction closer to the chronic infection setting, than the classically used transient expression systems. We document the potentiation by HBx of the apoptotic cell death pathway in the recipient cells. This effect is unlikely to rely on p53 activity since the protein is functionally inactivated in CCL-13. In addition, anti-oxidants and cyclosporin A failed to reduce the apoptotic response back to the normal level, suggesting that production of reactive oxygen species and calcineurin activation are not directly involved in the proapoptotic effect of HBx. In contrast, our data show that transactivation and stimulation of apoptosis are tightly linked HBx activities. Finally, expression of transactivation-active protein did not result in detectable change in the pattern of MAP kinases phosphorylation nor did it affect the ability of the host cell to repair in vitro irradiated plasmid DNA.

Expression of class I genes in the major histocompatibility complex: identification of eight distinct mRNAs in DBA/2 mouse liver

The mouse H-2 multigene family includes the genes coding for the major transplantation antigens and for genes located in the Qa-TIa region. We have studied a collection of class I cDNA clones made from liver mRNA of DBA/2 mice (H-2d haplotype) and found that at least six distinct class I genes are transcribed, including three genes of the Qa-TIa region. Two of these six genes each yield two distinct mRNAs, resulting from alternate splicing. Altogether, liver cells may express at least eight distinct class I polypeptides, of which three might be secreted, while one may be a new presumptive nonpolymorphic surface antigen.

Correct binding of viral X protein to UVDDB-p127 cellular protein is critical for efficient infection by hepatitis B viruses

A fully effective treatment of chronic human hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still missing and HBV remains the first etiological agent of liver cancer. Although the viral regulatory X protein is essential for infection, its mode of action remains obscure, due the lack of an in vitro infection system. In the accompanying study, we showed the functional importance of interaction between X and the host protein UVDDB-p127, in the transactivation and apoptotic properties of the viral protein. Here, we addressed the biological role of X-UVDDB interaction in the infectious process using a genetic approach in the woodchuck virus closely related to HBV. We show that (i) mutations in X, which markedly affect UVDDB-binding, also abolished productive infection in woodchucks, (ii) in the few cases where mutant viruses led to infection, compensatory mutations had occurred in the X gene of the viral progeny, which restored correct UVDDB-binding. We conclude that efficient viral replication in vivo requires proper X-UVDDB interaction. The interaction may thus provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of hepatitis B.

The RARα-PLZF chimera associated with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia has retained a sequence-specific DNA-binding domain

In most cases, Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) is associated with t(15;17) translocation which juxtaposes sequences from PML and retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) genes. The generated PML-RARα fusion interferes with wild type RARα-mediated transcription and disrupts subnuclear compartments, known as PML bodies. Both defects are corrected by all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy which induces differentiation of leukemic cells and clinical remission. In a rare APL syndrome associated with t(11;17), fusion of the RARα gene with the PLZF gene, encoding a Zinc-finger protein produces two reciprocal RARα chimeras. Although PLZF-RARα and PML-RARα are similar in their apparent dominant negative effects, t(11;17)-associated APL is refractory to ATRA therapy. In a yeast two-hybrid genetic screening, we isolated clones encoding the GAL4 transactivation domain fused to various parts of PLZF. Using these autonomously transactivating hybrids, similar in structure to the RARα-PLZF fusion, we mapped the DNA-binding domain of PLZF to the last five Zinc-fingers, a region retained in RARα-PLZF chimera and characterized a specific PLZF target sequence. Our data support the hypothesis that RARα-PLZF chimera is not an inert product of reciprocal translocation and may thus contribute to ATRA unresponsiveness of t(11;17)-associated APL.

Turnover of hepatitis B virus X protein is regulated by damaged DNA-binding complex

ABSTRACT Mammalian hepatitis B viruses encode an essential regulatory protein, termed X, which may also be implicated in liver cancer development associated with chronic infection. X protein, also referred to as HBx in human virus and WHx in woodchuck virus, has been reported to bind to a number of cellular proteins, including the DDB1 subunit of the damaged DNA-binding (DDB) complex. Our previous work provided genetic evidence for the importance of WHx-DDB1 interaction in both the activity of the X protein and establishment of viral infection in woodchucks. In the present study, a direct action of DDB1 on the X protein is documented. Physical interaction between the two proteins leads to an increase in X protein stability. This effect results from protection of the viral protein from proteasome-mediated degradation. Protection of WHx is overcome in the presence DDB2, the second subunit of the DDB heterodimer. In keeping with observations reported for HBx, DDB2 was found to directly bind to WHx. Nonetheless, the counteracting effect of DDB2 on X stabilization requires DDB2-DDB1 interaction. Taken together, these findings substantiate the physical and functional connection between the X protein and the DDB1-DDB2 heterodimer, leading to the regulation of the pool of the viral protein.

UVDDB p127-binding modulates activities and intracellular distribution of hepatitis B virus X protein

Mammalian hepatitis B viruses encode a unique regulatory protein termed X, which is essential for infection and likely plays a role in the carcinogenic process associated with hepadnaviral infection. Among the numerous properties ascribed to X protein, two have been widely documented: promiscuous transcriptional transactivation and proapoptosis. However, full understanding of the mechanisms underlying these activities requires the identification of the genuine X partners among the multiple X-binding host proteins. Here we show that (i) mutations in X protein, which markedly alter affinity for the host protein UVDDBp127, inactivate both transactivation and proapoptosis; (ii) ectopic fusion of a functional UVDDB-binding domain to a deficient binding X mutant restored its activity; (iii) in contrast to the loss-of-binding mutants, a mutant with a strong gain-of-binding exerted trans-dominant negative effects on wt X activity and localized in the nucleus and (iv) increase in intracellular UVDDB concentration enhanced both wt X-mediated transactivation and apoptosis. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence for a common upstream step in X mode of action, consisting of its productive interaction with UVDDB, via a structurally and functionally autonomous module. In addition, they underscore a nuclear location step of the viral protein that depends on its ability to bind UVDDB.

Tissue-specific expression of the mouse Q10 H-2 class-I gene during embryogenesis

We have studied the pattern of expression of the Q10 gene, a H-2 class-I gene located in the major histocompatibility complex which encodes a soluble class-I molecule, in the mid-gestation mouse embryo, and compared it to those of two other class-I genes, namely Kd and 37, the latter gene located in the thymus leukemia region. We found that the steady-state amount of these different mRNAs gradually increased from day 13 to day 18. By comparison with the level of expression of these genes in adult liver, the increase during gestation was fairly more marked for Q10 mRNA than for the others. Furthermore, we found that the Q10 gene is transiently expressed in the endoderm layer of the visceral yolk sac and in the fetal heart. Expression in the latter tissue decreases abruptly while increasing in the liver. It has been proposed that the Q10 protein is involved in immune tolerance. However, the time course of expression of Q10 mRNA and its tissue distribution during embryogenesis suggest that the Q10 protein could play a role in the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells.

Alternative splicing in the mouse H-2Kd gene is not necessary for the classical Kd antigen function.

The mouse H-2Kd gene gives rise to several transcripts by alternative splicing. In addition to encoding the known Kd antigen, it could thus encode at least one minor hypothetical Kd-like molecule, with a distinct NH2 terminus. The existence of this “24” product can be inferred from a cDNA clone which was previously isolated. We have engineered both this cDNA and its canonical counterpart into a eukaryotic expression vector. After transfer of these constructs into mouse fibroblasts, we obtained cells expressing either one of the transcripts, but not both. In cytotoxicity tests, we found no expression of the “24” product on the cell surface, nor did we obtain any clue concerning its function. In contrast, cells which express Kd antigen, but none of the possible Kd-like molecules produced by alternative splicing, were functional in all aspects examined. We conclude that alternative splicing does not contribute to the known function of the Kd antigen.

Infection of WHV/c-myc transgenic mice with Moloney murine leukaemia virus and proviral insertion near the syndecan-4 gene in an early liver tumour.

The capacity of Moloney murine leukaemia virus (MoMLV) to infect neonatal hepatocytes and to accelerate liver carcinogenesis was examined in a transgenic mouse model. WHV/c-myc mice which are highly susceptible to the development of liver tumours were infected with MoMLV shortly after birth, when expression of the murine ecotropic retroviral receptor gene was still detectable in the neonatal liver. All MoMLV-infected transgenic mice and non-transgenic littermates succumbed to T-cell lymphomas within 2-9 months; during this period of time, three infected transgenic animals developed primary hepatocellular carcinomas. Remarkably, one of these liver tumours arose significantly faster than tumours from uninfected WHV/c-myc controls, and it harboured a unique MoMLV provirus. The provirus integration site was located 5.5 kb upstream of the first exon of the syndecan-4 gene, which encodes a heparan sulphate proteoglycan implicated in growth factor activation and protein kinase C distribution in focal adhesions. Our data provide evidence for clonal MoMLV provirus integration in a hepatocellular carcinoma, and indicate that parenchymal liver cells may be susceptible to MoMLV infection following neonatal inoculation.