NDRG1 facilitates lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus by maintaining the stability of the KSHV helicase

PLoS Pathog. 2021 Jun 2;17(6):e1009645. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009645. eCollection 2021 Jun.

Abstract

The presumed DNA helicase encoded by ORF44 of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) plays a crucial role in unwinding viral double-stranded DNA and initiating DNA replication during lytic reactivation. However, the regulatory mechanism of KSHV ORF44 has not been fully elucidated. In a previous study, we identified that N-Myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1), a host scaffold protein, facilitates viral genome replication by interacting with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the latent viral protein latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) during viral latency. In the present study, we further demonstrated that NDRG1 can interact with KSHV ORF44 during viral lytic replication. We also found that the mRNA and protein levels of NDRG1 were significantly increased by KSHV ORF50-encoded replication and transcription activator (RTA). Remarkably, knockdown of NDRG1 greatly decreased the protein level of ORF44 and impaired viral lytic replication. Interestingly, NDRG1 enhanced the stability of ORF44 and inhibited its ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation by reducing the polyubiquitination of the lysine residues at positions 79 and 368 in ORF44. In summary, NDRG1 is a novel binding partner of ORF44 and facilitates viral lytic replication by maintaining the stability of ORF44. This study provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying KSHV lytic replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / metabolism*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virus Replication / physiology*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 protein
  • ORF45 protein, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the grants from Natural Science Foundation of China (81930060) and Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2016YFA0502100) to KL. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.