Maturation of hepatitis C virus core protein by signal peptide peptidase is required for virus production

Targett-Adams, P., Hope, G., Boulant, S. and McLauchlan, J. (2008) Maturation of hepatitis C virus core protein by signal peptide peptidase is required for virus production. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 283(24), pp. 16850-16859. (doi: 10.1074/jbc.M802273200) (PMID:18424431)

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Abstract

Complete maturation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein requires coordinate cleavage by signal peptidase and an intramembrane protease, signal peptide peptidase. We show that reducing the intracellular levels of signal peptide peptidase lowers the titer of infectious virus released from cells, indicating that it plays an important role in virus production. Proteolysis by the enzyme at a signal peptide between core and the E1 glycoprotein is needed to permit targeting of core to lipid droplets. From mutagenesis studies, introducing mutations into the core-E1 signal peptide delayed the appearance of signal peptide peptidase-processed core until between 48 and 72 h after the beginning of the infectious cycle. Accumulation of mature core at these times coincided with its localization to lipid droplets and a rise in titer of infectious HCV. Therefore, processing of core by signal peptide peptidase is a critical event in the virus life cycle. To study the stage in virus production that may be blocked by interfering with intramembrane cleavage of core, we examined the distribution of viral RNA in cells harboring the core-E1 signal peptide mutant. Results revealed that colocalization of core with HCV RNA required processing of the protein by signal peptide peptidase. Our findings provide new insights into the sequence requirements for proteolysis by signal peptide peptidase. Moreover, they offer compelling evidence for a function for an intramembrane protease to facilitate the association of core with viral genomes, thereby creating putative sites for assembly of nascent virus particles.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hope, Dr Graham and McLauchlan, Professor John
Authors: Targett-Adams, P., Hope, G., Boulant, S., and McLauchlan, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Journal of Biological Chemistry
Journal Abbr.:J Biol Chem.
ISSN:0021-9258
ISSN (Online):1083-351X
Published Online:18 April 2008

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
656341Virus-host interactions in hepatitis C virus infectionJohn MclauchlanMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12014/1MVLS III - CENTRE FOR VIRUS RESEARCH