Nonstructural protein NS17 of grass carp reovirus Honghu strain promotes virus infection by mediating cell-cell fusion and apoptosis

Yanlin Dai; Yiqun Li; Xi Hu; Nan Jiang; Wenzhi Liu; Yan Meng; Yong Zhou; Chen Xu; Mingyang Xue; Yuding Fan

doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199150

Nonstructural protein NS17 of grass carp reovirus Honghu strain promotes virus infection by mediating cell-cell fusion and apoptosis

Virus Res. 2023 Sep:334:199150. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199150. Epub 2023 Jun 16.

Authors

Yanlin Dai¹, Yiqun Li², Xi Hu¹, Nan Jiang³, Wenzhi Liu³, Yan Meng³, Yong Zhou³, Chen Xu³, Mingyang Xue³, Yuding Fan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
² Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China. Electronic address: liyq@yfi.ac.cn.
³ Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China.
⁴ Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China. Electronic address: fanyd@yfi.ac.cn.

Abstract

Fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) proteins can promote cell fusion, alter membrane permeability and trigger apoptosis to promote virus proliferation in orthoreoviruses. However, it is unknown whether FAST proteins perform these functions in aquareoviruses (AqRVs). Non-structural protein 17 (NS17) carried by grass carp reovirus Honghu strain (GCRV-HH196) belongs to the FAST protein family, and we preliminarily explored its relevance to virus infection. NS17 has similar domains to FAST protein NS16 of GCRV-873, comprising a transmembrane domain, a polybasic cluster, a hydrophobic patch and a polyproline motif. It was observed in the cytoplasm and the cell membrane. Overexpression of NS17 enhanced the efficiency of cell-cell fusion induced by GCRV-HH196 and promoted virus replication. Overexpression of NS17 also led to DNA fragmentation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and it triggered apoptosis. The findings illuminate the functions of NS17 in GCRV infection, and provide a reference for the development of novel antiviral strategies.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Aquareovirus; Cell-cell fusion; GCRV-HH196; Grass carp reovirus Honghu strain; NS17.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Apoptosis
Carps*
Cell Fusion
Fish Diseases*
Orthoreovirus*
Reoviridae Infections* / genetics
Reoviridae* / genetics
Reoviridae* / metabolism
Virus Diseases*