Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein is relocated to the cytoplasm and is required during dengue virus infection in Vero cells

J Gen Virol. 2009 Dec;90(Pt 12):2893-2901. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.013433-0. Epub 2009 Aug 19.

Abstract

The 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the dengue virus (DENV) genome contain several sequences required for translation, replication and cyclization processes. This region also binds cellular proteins such as La, polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB), Y box-binding protein 1, poly(A)-binding protein and the translation initiation factor eEF-1 alpha. PTB is a cellular protein that interacts with the regulatory sequences of positive-strand RNA viruses such as several picornaviruses and hepatitis C virus. In the present report, it was demonstrated that PTB translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm during DENV infection. At 48 h post-infection, PTB, as well as the DENV proteins NS1 and NS3, were found to co-localize with the endoplasmic reticulum marker calnexin. Silencing of PTB expression inhibited virus translation and replication, whilst overexpression of PTB augmented these processes. Thus, these results provide evidence that, during infection, PTB moves from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and plays an important role in the DENV replicative cycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • Dengue Virus / genetics
  • Dengue Virus / pathogenicity*
  • Dengue Virus / physiology
  • Humans
  • Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein / genetics
  • Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein