Structural basis for the interaction of human herpesvirus 6B tetrameric glycoprotein complex with the cellular receptor, human CD134

PLoS Pathog. 2020 Jul 17;16(7):e1008648. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008648. eCollection 2020 Jul.

Abstract

A unique glycoprotein is expressed on the virus envelope of human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B): the complex gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 (hereafter referred to as the HHV-6B tetramer). This tetramer recognizes a host receptor expressed on activated T cells: human CD134 (hCD134). This interaction is essential for HHV-6B entry into the susceptible cells and is a determinant for HHV-6B cell tropism. The structural mechanisms underlying this unique interaction were unknown. Herein we solved the interactions between the HHV-6B tetramer and the receptor by using their neutralizing antibodies in molecular and structural analyses. A surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed fast dissociation/association between the tetramer and hCD134, although the affinity was high (KD = 18 nM) and comparable to those for the neutralizing antibodies (anti-gQ1: 17 nM, anti-gH: 2.7 nM). A competition assay demonstrated that the anti-gQ1 antibody competed with hCD134 in the HHV-6B tetramer binding whereas the anti-gH antibody did not, indicating the direct interaction of gQ1 and hCD134. A single-particle analysis by negative-staining electron microscopy revealed the tetramer's elongated shape with a gH/gL part and extra density corresponding to gQ1/gQ2. The anti-gQ1 antibody bound to the tip of the extra density, and anti-gH antibody bound to the putative gH/gL part. These results highlight the interaction of gQ1/gQ2 in the HHV-6B tetramer with hCD134, and they demonstrate common features among viral ligands of the betaherpesvirus subfamily from a macroscopic viewpoint.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Receptors, OX40 / metabolism*
  • Roseolovirus Infections / metabolism*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, OX40
  • TNFRSF4 protein, human
  • Viral Envelope Proteins

Grants and funding

Y.M. was supported by Acceleration Transformative research for Medical innovation (ACT-MS) from Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) under Grant Number JP17im0210601, https://www.amed.go.jp/. M.N. was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) under Grant Number JP19K06512, https://www.jsps.go.jp/; Hyogo Science and Technology Association, http://hyogosta.jp/; and Takeda Science Foundation, https://www.takeda-sci.or.jp/. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.