Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase regulates hepatitis C virus replication

Sci Rep. 2016 Jul 29:6:30846. doi: 10.1038/srep30846.

Abstract

During replication, hepatitis C virus (HCV) utilizes macromolecules produced by its host cell. This process requires host cellular metabolic reprogramming to favor elevated levels of aerobic glycolysis. Therefore, we evaluated whether pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), a mitochondrial enzyme that promotes aerobic glycolysis, can regulate HCV replication. Levels of c-Myc, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), PDK1, PDK3, glucokinase, and serine biosynthetic enzymes were compared between HCV-infected and uninfected human liver and Huh-7.5 cells infected with or without HCV. Protein and mRNA expression of c-Myc, HIF-1α, and glycolytic enzymes were significantly higher in HCV-infected human liver and hepatocytes than in uninfected controls. This increase was accompanied by upregulation of serine biosynthetic enzymes, suggesting cellular metabolism was altered toward facilitated nucleotide synthesis essential for HCV replication. JQ1, a c-Myc inhibitor, and dichloroacetate (DCA), a PDK inhibitor, decreased the expression of glycolytic and serine synthetic enzymes in HCV-infected hepatocytes, resulting in suppressed viral replication. Furthermore, when co-administered with IFN-α or ribavirin, DCA further inhibited viral replication. In summary, HCV reprograms host cell metabolism to favor glycolysis and serine biosynthesis; this is mediated, at least in part, by increased PDK activity, which provides a surplus of nucleotide precursors. Therefore, blocking PDK activity might have therapeutic benefits against HCV replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Azepines / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Dichloroacetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Glucokinase / metabolism
  • Glycolysis
  • Hepacivirus / physiology*
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / virology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Interferon-alpha / pharmacology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / virology
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase
  • RNA Interference
  • Ribavirin / pharmacology
  • Triazoles / pharmacology
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / physiology*

Substances

  • (+)-JQ1 compound
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Azepines
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Interferon-alpha
  • PDK1 protein, human
  • PDK3 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase
  • Triazoles
  • Ribavirin
  • Dichloroacetic Acid
  • Glucokinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases