RNA-binding proteins that inhibit RNA virus infection

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Feb 27;104(9):3129-34. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0611617104. Epub 2007 Feb 20.

Abstract

Arrays of >5,000 Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins were screened to identify proteins that can preferentially bind a small RNA hairpin that contains a clamped adenine motif (CAM). A CAM is required for the replication of Brome Mosaic Virus (BMV), a plant-infecting RNA virus that can replicate in S. cerevisiae. Several hits were selected for further characterization in Nicotiana benthamiana. Pseudouridine Synthase 4 (Pus4) and the Actin Patch Protein 1 (App1) modestly reduced BMV genomic plus-strand RNA accumulation, but dramatically inhibited BMV systemic spread in plants. Pus4 also prevented the encapsidation of a BMV RNA in plants and the reassembly of BMV virions in vitro. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using proteome arrays to identify specific RNA-binding proteins for antiviral activities. Furthermore, the effects of Pus4 suggest that the CAM-containing RNA motif provides a regulatory link between RNA replication and encapsidation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs / genetics
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Bromovirus / genetics*
  • Bromovirus / physiology
  • Intramolecular Transferases / genetics
  • Intramolecular Transferases / metabolism
  • Intramolecular Transferases / pharmacology*
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Microfilament Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Nicotiana / virology
  • Protein Array Analysis
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Virus Assembly / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Microfilament Proteins
  • RNA, Viral
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • APP1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Intramolecular Transferases
  • tRNA-pseudouridine synthase I