Reinhild Prange

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.

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.

Host factors involved in hepatitis B virus maturation, assembly, and egress

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver disease. Due to the tiny size of its genome, HBV depends on the critical interplay between viral and host factors for the generation of new viral particles from infected cells. Recent work has illuminated a multiplicity of spatially and temporally coordinated virus-host interactions that accompany HBV particle genesis. These interactions include the requirement of cellular chaperones for the maturation of the three viral envelope proteins, the cellular factors involved in dynamic modification, maturation, and intracellular trafficking of the nucleocapsids, and the host components of the multivesicular body (MVB) pathway enabling virion budding at intracellular compartments. Beside infectious virions, HBV produces at least two other types of particles, subviral empty envelope particles and subviral naked capsid particles, likely as a result of the engagement of different host factors by the viral structural proteins. Accordingly, HBV exploits distinct cellular pathways to release its particle types. Here, I review recent progress in these areas of the cell biology of HBV genesis.

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.

Hepatitis B Virus Large Envelope Protein Interacts with γ2-Adaptin, a Clathrin Adaptor-Related Protein

ABSTRACT For the outcome of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the viral L envelope protein with its pre-S domain performs pivotal functions by mediating attachment of HBV to liver cells, envelopment of viral capsids, release of (sub)viral particles, regulation of supercoiled DNA amplification, and transcriptional transactivation. To assess its multiple functions and host-protein assistance involved, we initiated a two-hybrid screen using the L-specific pre-S1 domain as bait. With this approach, we have identified γ2-adaptin, a putative member of the clathrin adaptor proteins responsible for protein sorting and trafficking, as a specific binding partner of L protein. Evidence for a physical interaction between L protein and γ2-adaptin was also demonstrated by affinity chromatography and coimmunoprecipitation, and the binding sites were mapped to the L-specific pre-S1 domain and the γ2-adaptin-specific ear domain. The specificity of the interaction was further sustained by the failure of γ1-adaptin, a closely related γ2-adaptin homologue, to associate with L protein. Analysis of an L mutant protein indicates that the L–γ2-adaptin interaction strictly depends on the pre-S1 domain of transmembrane L protein oriented to the cytosol and thus appears to occur in the cytosolic environment. Interestingly, coexpression of the two interacting partners in transfected cells resulted in recruitment of γ2-adaptin by L protein onto cis-Golgi-like structures, strongly indicating that the association is physiologically relevant. Together, the results suggest a role for γ2-adaptin in L-mediated processes of viral biogenesis and/or pathogenesis, such as facilitating and guiding HBV assembly.

Alix regulates egress of hepatitis B virus naked capsid particles in an ESCRT-independent manner

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus that exploits the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) pathway for budding. In addition to infectious particles, HBV‐replicating cells release non‐enveloped (nucleo)capsids, but their functional implication and pathways of release are unclear. Here, we focused on the molecular mechanisms and found that the sole expression of the HBV core protein is sufficient for capsid release. Unexpectedly, released capsids are devoid of a detectable membrane bilayer, implicating a non‐vesicular exocytosis process. Unlike virions, naked capsid budding does not require the ESCRT machinery. Rather, we identified Alix, a multifunctional protein with key roles in membrane biology, as a regulator of capsid budding. Ectopic overexpression of Alix enhanced capsid egress, while its depletion inhibited capsid release. Notably, the loss of Alix did not impair HBV production, furthermore indicating that virions and capsids use diverse export routes. By mapping of Alix domains responsible for its capsid release‐mediating activity, its Bro1 domain was found to be required and sufficient. Alix binds to core via its Bro1 domain and retained its activity even if its ESCRT‐III binding site is disrupted. Together, the boomerang‐shaped Bro1 domain of Alix appears to escort capsids without ESCRT.

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.

Properties of modified hepatitis B virus surface antigen particles carrying preS epitopes

The current hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines contain the small (S) and middle (M) viral envelope proteins in particulate form but lack the large (L) protein. Although these particles elicit protective immunity to HBV, inclusion of the immunogenic preS1 region of the L protein may enhance their efficacy. To present preS1-derived epitopes on secretable subviral particles we rearranged the HBV envelope ORF by fusing part or all of the preS1 region to either the N or C terminus of the S protein. Fusion of the first 42 residues of preS1 to either site allowed efficient secretion of the modified particles and rendered the linked sequence accessible at the surface of the particle. Conversely, fusion of preS1 sequences to the C terminus of the M protein completely blocked secretion. This block to secretion could be rescued by provision of a heterologous N-terminal signal sequence. All these particles displayed preS1, preS2 and S protein antigenicity. In mice, each construct elicited high titres of preS1-specific antibodies which recognized the authentic L protein. Particles composed of the modified M protein also induced a preS2-specific response. Unexpectedly, however, neither particle elicited S protein-specific antibodies. Nonetheless, the genetic approach employed here represents a strategy to incorporate preS1-derived epitopes both in high density and in highly immunogenic form into their authentic carrier matrix.

Posttranslational N-glycosylation of the hepatitis B virus large envelope protein

BackgroundThe addition of N-linked glycans to proteins is normally a cotranslational process that occurs during translocation of the nascent protein to the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we report on an exception to this rule occurring on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) large L envelope protein that is a subject to co-plus posttranslational N-glycosylation.ResultsBy using an improved detection system, we identified so far unrecognized, novel isoforms of L. Based on mutational analyses, the use of N-glycosylation inhibitors, and pulse-chase studies, we showed that these isoforms are due to posttranslational N-glycan addition to the asparagines 4 and 112 within the preS domain of L. While an inhibition of N-glycosylation and glycan trimming profoundly blocked virus assembly and release, the posttranslational N-glycosylation of L itself was found to be dispensable for HBV morphogenesis.ConclusionThese data together with previous results implicate that the N-glycosylation requirements of virion release are due to functional inhibition of cell glycoproteins engaged by HBV.

Duck Hepatitis B Virus Requires Cholesterol for Endosomal Escape during Virus Entry

ABSTRACT The identity and functionality of biological membranes are determined by cooperative interaction between their lipid and protein constituents. Cholesterol is an important structural lipid that modulates fluidity of biological membranes favoring the formation of detergent-resistant microdomains. In the present study, we evaluated the functional role of cholesterol and lipid rafts for entry of hepatitis B viruses into hepatocytes. We show that the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) attaches predominantly to detergent-soluble domains on the plasma membrane. Cholesterol depletion from host membranes and thus disruption of rafts does not affect DHBV infection. In contrast, depletion of cholesterol from the envelope of both DHBV and human HBV strongly reduces virus infectivity. Cholesterol depletion increases the density of viral particles and leads to changes in the ultrastructural appearance of the virus envelope. However, the dual topology of the viral envelope protein L is not significantly impaired. Infectivity and density of viral particles are partially restored upon cholesterol replenishment. Binding and entry of cholesterol-deficient DHBV into hepatocytes are not significantly impaired, in contrast to their release from endosomes. We therefore conclude that viral but not host cholesterol is required for endosomal escape of DHBV.