The kinesin KIF4 mediates HBV/HDV entry through the regulation of surface NTCP localization and can be targeted by RXR agonists in vitro

PLoS Pathog. 2022 Mar 21;18(3):e1009983. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009983. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Intracellular transport via microtubule-based dynein and kinesin family motors plays a key role in viral reproduction and transmission. We show here that Kinesin Family Member 4 (KIF4) plays an important role in HBV/HDV infection. We intended to explore host factors impacting the HBV life cycle that can be therapeutically addressed using siRNA library transfection and HBV/NLuc (HBV/NL) reporter virus infection in HepG2-hNTCP cells. KIF4 silencing resulted in a 3-fold reduction in luciferase activity following HBV/NL infection. KIF4 knockdown suppressed both HBV and HDV infection. Transient KIF4 depletion reduced surface and raised intracellular NTCP (HBV/HDV entry receptor) levels, according to both cellular fractionation and immunofluorescence analysis (IF). Overexpression of wild-type KIF4 but not ATPase-null KIF4 mutant regained the surface localization of NTCP and significantly restored HBV permissiveness in these cells. IF revealed KIF4 and NTCP colocalization across microtubule filaments, and a co-immunoprecipitation study revealed that KIF4 interacts with NTCP. KIF4 expression is regulated by FOXM1. Interestingly, we discovered that RXR agonists (Bexarotene, and Alitretinoin) down-regulated KIF4 expression via FOXM1-mediated suppression, resulting in a substantial decrease in HBV-Pre-S1 protein attachment to HepG2-hNTCP cell surface and subsequent HBV infection in both HepG2-hNTCP and primary human hepatocyte (PXB) (Bexarotene, IC50 1.89 ± 0.98 μM) cultures. Overall, our findings show that human KIF4 is a critical regulator of NTCP surface transport and localization, which is required for NTCP to function as a receptor for HBV/HDV entry. Furthermore, small molecules that suppress or alleviate KIF4 expression would be potential antiviral candidates targeting HBV and HDV entry.

MeSH terms

  • Family
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepatitis B virus* / physiology
  • Hepatitis Delta Virus* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Kinesins* / genetics
  • Organic Anion Transporters, Sodium-Dependent* / genetics
  • Organic Anion Transporters, Sodium-Dependent* / metabolism
  • Retinoid X Receptors / agonists
  • Symporters* / genetics
  • Symporters* / metabolism
  • Virus Internalization*

Substances

  • Organic Anion Transporters, Sodium-Dependent
  • Retinoid X Receptors
  • Symporters
  • sodium-bile acid cotransporter
  • KIF4A protein, human
  • Kinesins

Grants and funding

The study is supported by grants from the Research Program on Hepatitis from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) (21fk0310104j0905, 21fk0310109j0405 to HHA; 21fk0310103j0305 to TW, and 20fk0310109h0004 to KC) and by grant from the Japan Society for the promotion of Science (Grant in Aid for Scientific Research (19K07586) to HHA); SAG was the recipient of the Egyptian Japanese Education Partnership-3 (EJEP-3) PhD scholarship provided by the Egyptian Cultural affairs and Missions Sector, Higher Ministry of Education, Egypt, URL: https://cdm.edu.eg/cdm/ejep-2/ejep. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.