Prashant J. Desai

We have used synthetic biology recombination methods in yeast to build herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genomes from multiple fragments. The genomes were built using transformation-associated recombination (TAR) in yeast, by virtue of overlapping sequences between the different fragments. This study demonstrates the successful assembly of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome. We used as the model genome, the Akata Burkitt’s lymphoma genome, specifically the BX1 genome which encodes a neomycin selectable marker and a GFP expression cassette in the BXLF1 region. The 171.3 kb genome was first deconstructed into 11 fragments in silico , each having 80 bp overlapping sequence between the fragments. The 11 fragments (TAR 1 to TAR 11) were cloned using TAR in yeast, analyzed by restriction enzyme analyses and Nanopore sequencing to validate the cloned fragment. The EBV genome was built in two stages: TAR fragments 1 to 6 and TAR fragments 7 to 11 were assembled to generate two half-genomes. The whole genome (TAR 1-11) was then assembled by joining TAR 1-6 with TAR 7-11. Complete EBV genomes were examined by PCR assays and restriction enzyme analyses and then transfected into HEK-293 cells to generate virus producer cell lines. The HEK-293 cell clones were tested for virus production following lytic induction using baculovirus transduction of Zta, Rta and glycoprotein B ( BALF4 ). The supernatants from these induced cells were harvested and used to infect Raji cells. This analysis revealed a significant number of cells displaying strong GFP fluorescence indicative of infectious virus. We used this supernatant virus to infect primary B cells and were able to derive lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) indicative of the ability of this virus to transform B cells. We tested this method for engineering different mutations. Two mutations were made, one in Zta and the other in the small capsid protein ( BFRF3 ). Mutations were engineered in the TAR plasmid in which the genes reside and after sequence validation, assembled into the TAR 1-6 half genome and then the TAR 1-11 genome, which was used to generate HEK-293 cell clones. For the ΔZta cell lines, we could detect virus in the supernatants only if baculovirus expressing Zta in trans was included, this ΔZta EBV virus could transform B cells. The small capsid protein (BFRF3) decorates the capsid shell and is required for capsid assembly in a self-assembly system. When the HEK-293 cell clones were induced using co-expression of Zta, Rta and gB, no virus was detected in the culture supernatants. However, if we provided BFRF3 in trans using baculovirus expressing this protein, virus was detected in the supernatants. This provides the first report of the essential role of the small capsid protein in EBV-infected cells.

Previously, we had developed synthetic genomics methods to assemble an infectious clone of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) strain KOS. To do this, the genome was assembled from 11 separate cloned fragments in yeast using transformation-associated recombination. Using this method, we generated null mutations in five tegument protein-coding genes as well as different combinations of these mutants. The single-locus mutants were all able to plaque on Vero cells. However, one multi-locus combination, ∆UL16/UL21, proved lethal for virus replication in non-permissive cells. The proteins encoded by the genes UL16 and UL21 are of interest because they are known to physically interact and are constituents of the tegument structure. Furthermore, their roles in HSV-1-infected cells are unclear. Both are dispensable for HSV-1 replication; however, in HSV-2, their mutation results in nuclear retention of assembled capsids and has activities that impact nuclear membrane integrity as well as activities of proteins that function in nuclear egress. We thus characterized these HSV-1 viruses that carry the single and double mutants. What we found was that the single mutants could replicate within cells and spread from infected to uninfected cells, albeit at significantly reduced levels. However, the double mutant (∆16/21) could not produce infectious progeny in a 24 h growth cycle and could not spread from cell to cell. Confocal microscopy of VP16-Venus expressed by these viruses as well as immunofluorescence assays for glycoprotein B showed perturbation of the nuclear membrane, which was pronounced in ∆21 and ∆16/21 infected cells. All the mutants assembled DNA-filled capsids as judged by ultrastructural analyses and sedimentation studies. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of numerous mature viruses in WT-infected cells but fewer such particles in the ∆16- and ∆21-infected cells. What we discovered is that in cells where both pUL16 and pUL21 are absent, cytoplasmic capsids were evident, but mature enveloped particles were not detected. The capsid particles isolated from all the single- and multi-locus mutant-infected cells showed significantly lower levels of incorporation of both VP16 and pUL37 when compared to the WT capsids. This reduced incorporation may be related to the loss of the integrity of the architecture of the nuclear membrane. Interestingly, the incorporation of pUL16 was not affected by the absence of pUL21 and vice versa, as judged by immunoblots. These data now show that of the tegument proteins, like the essential pUL36, pUL37 and VP16, the complex of pUL16 and pUL21 should be considered as important mediators of maturation and cell-to-cell spread of the particle.

Previously, we had developed synthetic genomics methods to assemble an infectious clone of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1). To do this, the genome was assembled from 11 separate cloned fragments in yeast using transformation associated recombination. The eleven fragments or “parts” spanned the 152 kb genome and recombination was achieved because of the overlapping homologous sequences between each fragment. To demonstrate the robustness of this genome assembly method for reverse genetics, we engineered different mutations that were located in distant loci on the genome and built a collection of HSV-1 genomes that contained single and different combination of mutations in 5 conserved HSV-1 genes. The five genes: UL7, UL11, UL16, UL21 and UL51 encode virion structural proteins and have varied functions in the infected cell. Each is dispensable for virus replication in cell culture, however, combinatorial analysis of deletions in the five genes revealed “synthetic-lethality” of some of the genetic mutations. Thus, it was discovered that any virus that carried a UL21 mutation in addition to the other gene was unable to replicate in Vero cells. Replication was restored in a complementing cell line that provided pUL21 in trans. One particular combination (UL16-UL21) was of interest because the proteins encoded by these genes are known to physically interact and are constituents of the tegument structure. Furthermore, their roles in HSV-1 infected cells are unclear. Both are dispensable for HSV-1 replication, however, in HSV-2 their mutation results in nuclear retention of assembled capsids. We thus characterized these viruses that carry the single and double mutant. What we discovered is that in cells where both pUL16 and pUL21 are absent, cytoplasmic capsids were evident but did not mature into enveloped particles. The capsid particles isolated from these cells showed significantly lower levels of incorporation of both VP16 and pUL37 when compared to the wild-type capsids. These data now show that of the tegument proteins, like the essential pUL36, pUL37 and VP16; the complex of pUL16 and pUL21 should be considered as important mediators of cytoplasmic maturation of the particle.

Background: Antiviral therapies that target herpesviruses are clinically important. Nelfinavir is a protease inhibitor that targets the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aspartyl protease. Previous studies demonstrated that this drug could also inhibit Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) production. Our laboratory demonstrated nelfinavir can effectively inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication. For HSV-1 we were able to determine that virus capsids were assembled and exited the nucleus but did not mature in the cytoplasm indicating the drug inhibited secondary envelopment of virions. Methods: For KSHV, we recently derived a tractable cell culture system that allowed us to analyze the virus replication cycle in greater detail. We used this system to further define the stage at which nelfinavir inhibits KSHV replication. Results: We discovered that nelfinavir inhibits KSHV extracellular virus production. This was seen when the drug was incubated with the cells for 3 days and when we pulsed the cells with the drug for 1–5 min. When KSHV infected cells exposed to the drug were examined using ultrastructural methods there was an absence of mature capsids in the nucleus indicating a defect in capsid assembly. Because nelfinavir influences the integrated stress response (ISR), we examined the expression of viral proteins in the presence of the drug. We observed that the expression of many were significantly changed in the presence of drug. The accumulation of the capsid triplex protein, ORF26, was markedly reduced. This is an essential protein required for herpesvirus capsid assembly. Conclusions: Our studies confirm that nelfinavir inhibits KSHV virion production by disrupting virus assembly and maturation. This is likely because of the effect of nelfinavir on the ISR and thus protein synthesis and accumulation of the essential triplex capsid protein, ORF26. Of interest is that inhibition requires only a short exposure to drug. The source of infectious virus in saliva has not been defined in detail but may well be lymphocytes or other cells in the oral mucosa. Thus, it might be that a “swish and spit” exposure rather than systemic administration would prevent virion production.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause severe respiratory disease in humans. The new SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of the current global pandemic termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has resulted in many millions of deaths world-wide. The virus is a member of the Betacoronavirus family, its genome is a positive strand RNA molecule that encodes for many genes which are required for virus genome replication as well as for structural proteins that are required for virion assembly and maturation. A key determinant of this virus is the Spike (S) protein embedded in the virion membrane and mediates attachment of the virus to the receptor (ACE2). This protein also is required for cell-cell fusion (syncytia) that is an important pathogenic determinant. We have developed a pseudotyped herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) recombinant virus expressing S protein in the virion envelop. This virus has also been modified to express a Venus fluorescent protein fusion to VP16, a virion protein of HSV-1. The virus expressing Spike can enter cells and generates large multi-nucleated syncytia which are evident by the Venus fluorescence. The HSV-1 recombinant virus is genetically stable and virus amplification can be easily done by infecting cells. This recombinant virus provides a reproducible platform for Spike function analysis and thus adds to the repertoire of pseudotyped viruses expressing Spike. Impact Statement The isolation of a pseudotyped herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) virus using the Spike protein is new and innovative. This virus can be used to study entry and fusion events mediated by the S protein as well as test antibodies for their ability to neutralize this particle. In addition, these virions can be used for screening antibody specificity using the S protein displayed in its natural membrane bound conformation.

Background Antiviral therapies that target herpesviruses are clinically important. Nelfinavir is a protease inhibitor that targets the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections aspartyl protease. Previous studies demonstrated that this drug could also inhibit Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) production. Our laboratory demonstrated nelfinavir can effectively inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication. For HSV-1 we were able to determine that virus capsids were assembled and exited the nucleus but did not mature in the cytoplasm indicating the drug inhibited secondary envelopment of virions. Methods For KSHV, we recently derived a tractable cell culture system that allowed us to analyze the virus replication cycle in detail. We used this system to further define the stage at which nelfinavir inhibits KSHV replication. Results We discovered that nelfinavir inhibits KSHV extracellular virus production. This was seen when the drug was incubated with the cells for 3 days and when we pulsed the cells with the drug for 1–5 minutes. When KSHV infected cells exposed to the drug were examined using ultrastructural methods there was an absence of mature capsids in the nucleus indicating a defect in capsid assembly. Because nelfinavir influences the integrated stress response (ISR), we examined the expression of viral proteins in the presence of the drug. We observed that the expression of many were significantly changed in the presence of drug. The accumulation of the capsid triplex protein ORF26 was markedly reduced. This is an essential protein required for herpesvirus capsid assembly. Conclusions Our studies confirm that nelfinavir inhibits KSHV virion production by disrupting virus assembly and maturation. Of interest is that inhibition requires only a short exposure to drug. The source of infectious virus in saliva has not been defined in detail but may well be lymphocytes or other cells in the oral mucosa. Thus, it might be that a “swish and spit” exposure rather than systemic administration would prevent virion production.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) UL37 gene encodes for a multifunctional component of the virion tegument, which is necessary for secondary envelopment in the cytoplasm of infected cells, for motility of the viral particle, and for the first steps in the initiation of virus infection. This 120 kDa protein has several known viral interacting partners, including pUL36, gK/pUL20, pUS10, and VP26, and cellular interacting proteins which include TRAF6, RIG-I, and dystonin. These interactions are likely important for the functions of pUL37 at both early and late stages of infection. We employed a genetic approach to determine essential domains and amino acid residues of pUL37 and their associated functions in cellular localization and virion morphogenesis. Using marker-rescue/marker-transfer methods, we generated a library of GFP-tagged pUL37 mutations in the HSV-1 strain KOS genome. Through viral growth and ultra-structural analysis, we discovered that the C-terminus is essential for replication. The N-terminal 480 amino acids are dispensable for replication in cell culture, although serve some non-essential function as viral titers are reduced in the presence of this truncation. Furthermore, the C-terminal 133 amino acids are important in so much that their absence leads to a lethal phenotype. We further probed the carboxy terminal half of pUL37 by alanine scanning mutagenesis of conserved residues among alphaherpesviruses. Mutant viruses were screened for the inability to form plaques—or greatly reduced plaque size—on Vero cells, of which 22 mutations were chosen for additional analysis. Viruses discovered to have the greatest reduction in viral titers on Vero cells were examined by electron microscopy (EM) and by confocal light microscopy for pUL37–EGFP cellular localization. This genetic approach identified both essential and non-essential domains and residues of the HSV-1 UL37 gene product. The mutations identified in this study are recognized as significant candidates for further analysis of the pUL37 function and may unveil previously undiscovered roles and interactions of this essential tegument gene.

Human G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) respond to various ligands and stimuli. However, GPCRs rely on membrane for proper folding, making their biochemical properties difficult to study. By displaying GPCRs in viral envelopes, we fabricated a Virion Display (VirD) array containing 315 non-olfactory human GPCRs for functional characterization. Using this array, we found that 10 of 20 anti-GPCR mAbs were ultra-specific. We further demonstrated that those failed in the mAb assays could recognize their canonical ligands, suggesting proper folding. Next, using two peptide ligands on the VirD-GPCR array, we identified expected interactions and novel interactions. Finally, we screened the array with group B Streptococcus, a major cause of neonatal meningitis, and demonstrated that inhibition of a newly identified target, CysLTR1, reduced bacterial penetration both in vitro and in vivo. We believe that the VirD-GPCR array holds great potential for high-throughput screening for small molecule drugs, affinity reagents, and ligand deorphanization.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise the largest membrane protein family in humans and can respond to a wide variety of ligands and stimuli. Like other multi-pass membrane proteins, the biochemical properties of GPCRs are notoriously difficult to study because they must be embedded in lipid bilayers to maintain their native conformation and function. To enable an unbiased, high-throughput platform to profile biochemical activities of GPCRs in native conformation, we individually displayed 315 human non-odorant GPCRs (>85% coverage) in the envelope of human herpes simplex virus-1 and immobilized on glass to form a high-content Vir ion D isplay (VirD) array. Using this array, we found that 50% of the tested commercial anti-GPCR antibodies (mAbs) is ultra-specific, and that the vast majority of those VirD-GPCRs, which failed to be recognized by the commercial mAbs, could bind to their canonical ligands, indicating that they were folded correctly. Next, we used the VirD-GPCR arrays to examine binding specificity of two known peptide ligands and recovered expected interactions, as well as new off-target interactions, three of which were confirmed with real-time kinetics measurements. Finally, we explored the possibility of discovering novel pathogen targets by probing VirD-GPCR arrays with live group B Streptococcus (GBS), a common Gram-positive bacterium causing neonatal meningitis. Using cell invasion assays and a mouse model of hematogenous meningitis, we showed that inhibition of one of the five newly identified GPCRs, CysLTR1, greatly reduced GBS penetration in brain-derived endothelial cells and in mouse brains. Therefore, our work demonstrated that the VirD-GPCR array holds great potential for high-throughput, unbiased screening for small molecule drugs, affinity reagents, and deorphanization.