Structural study of the C-terminal domain of non-structural protein 1 from Japanese encephalitis virus

Poonsiri, Thanalai, Wright, Gareth SA ORCID: 0000-0002-3756-9634, Diamond, Michael S, Turtle, Lance ORCID: 0000-0002-0778-1693, Solomon, Tom ORCID: 0000-0001-7266-6547 and Antonyuk, Svetlana V ORCID: 0000-0002-2779-9946 (2018) Structural study of the C-terminal domain of non-structural protein 1 from Japanese encephalitis virus. Journal of Virology, 92 (7). e01868-e01817.

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Abstract

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-transmitted Flavivirus that is closely related to other emerging viral pathogens including dengue, West Nile (WNV) and Zika viruses. JEV infection can result in meningitis and encephalitis, which in severe cases cause permanent brain damage and death. JEV occurs predominantly in rural areas throughout Southeast Asia, the Pacific islands and the Far East, causing around 68,000 cases worldwide each year. In this study, we present a 2.1 Å resolution crystal structure of the C-terminal β-ladder domain of JEV non-structural protein 1 (NS1-C). The surface charge distribution of JEV NS1-C is similar to WNV and ZIKV but differs form DENV. Analysis of the JEV NS1-C structure, with in silico molecular dynamics simulation and experimental solution small angle X-ray scattering, indicates extensive loop flexibility on the exterior of the protein. This, together with the surface charge distribution, indicates flexibility influences the protein-protein interactions that govern pathogenicity. These factors also affect the interaction of NS1 with the monoclonal antibody, 22NS1, which is protective against West Nile virus infection. Liposome and heparin binding assays indicate that only the N-terminal region of NS1 mediates interaction with membranes, and that sulfate binding sites common to NS1 structures are not glycosaminoglycan binding interfaces. This study highlights several differences between flavivirus NS1 proteins and contributes to our understanding of their structure-pathogenic function relationships.IMPORTANCE JEV is a major cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Despite extensive vaccination, epidemics still occur. Non-structural protein 1 (NS1) plays a role in viral replication and, because it is secreted, it can exhibit a wide range of interations with host proteins. NS1 sequence and protein folds are conserved within the Flavivirus genus, but variations in NS1 protein-protein interactions among viruses likely contribute to differences in pathogenesis. Here, we compared characteristics of the the C-terminal β-ladder domain of NS1 between flaviviruses including surface charge, loop flexibility, epitope cross-reactivity, membrane adherence, and glycosaminoglycan binding. These structural features are central to NS1 functionality and may provide insight into the development of diagnostic tests and therapeutics.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Japanese encephalitis virus, protein crystallography, neutralizing antibodies, nonstructural protein 1, protein structure-function
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	22 Feb 2018 10:49
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 06:39
DOI:	10.1128/jvi.01868-17
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3018295