The self-interaction of a nodavirus replicase is enhanced by mitochondrial membrane lipids

PLoS One. 2014 Feb 25;9(2):e89628. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089628. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

RNA replication of positive-strand (+)RNA viruses requires the protein-protein interactions among viral replicases and the association of viral replicases with intracellular membranes. Protein A from Wuhan nodavirus (WhNV), which closely associate with mitochondrial membranes, is the sole replicase required for viral RNA replication. Here, we studied the direct effects of mitochondrial membrane lipids (MMLs) on WhNV protein A activity in vitro. Our investigations revealed the self-interaction of WhNV protein A is accomplished via two different patterns (i.e., homotypic and heterotypic self-interactions via different interfaces). MMLs stimulated the protein A self-interaction, and this stimulation exhibited selectivity for specific phospholipids. Moreover, we found that specific phospholipids differently favor the two self-interaction patterns. Furthermore, manipulating specific phospholipid metabolism affected protein A self-interaction and the activity of protein A to replicate RNA in cells. Taken together, our findings reveal the direct effects of membrane lipids on a nodaviral RNA replicase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Membrane Lipids / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / metabolism*
  • Nodaviridae / physiology*
  • Phospholipids / physiology
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication / physiology

Substances

  • Membrane Lipids
  • Phospholipids
  • Viral Proteins
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2014CB542603), the National Natural Science Foundation of China grants No. 31270190 (to XZ), No. 81201292 (to XZ) and No. 31270189 (to YH), and the Chinese 111 Project grant No. B06018. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.