Dengue virus NS4B interacts with NS3 and dissociates it from single-stranded RNA

J Gen Virol. 2006 Sep;87(Pt 9):2605-2614. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.81844-0.

Abstract

Dengue virus, a member of the family Flaviviridae of positive-strand RNA viruses, has seven non-structural proteins: NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B and NS5. Except for enzymic activities contained within NS3 and NS5, the roles of the other proteins in virus replication and pathogenesis are not well defined. In this study, a physical interaction between NS4B and the helicase domain of NS3 was identified by using a yeast two-hybrid assay. This interaction was further confirmed by biochemical pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays, both with purified proteins and with dengue virus-infected cell lysates. NS4B co-localized with NS3 in the perinuclear region of infected human cells. Furthermore, NS4B dissociated NS3 from single-stranded RNA and consequently enhanced the helicase activity of NS3 in an in vitro unwinding assay. These results suggest that NS4B modulates dengue virus replication via its interaction with NS3.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cricetinae
  • Dengue Virus / genetics
  • Dengue Virus / pathogenicity
  • Dengue Virus / physiology*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Helicases / genetics
  • RNA Helicases / physiology
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / physiology
  • Subcellular Fractions / virology
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / physiology*
  • Virulence
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • NS3 protein, flavivirus
  • NS4B protein, flavivirus
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • RNA Helicases