Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) ›› 2024, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (5): 1286-1296.doi: 10.13481/j.1671-587X.20240512

• Research in basic medicine • Previous Articles    

Expression and localization of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus nonstructural protein and screening and analysis of host-interacting proteins

Like LUO1,Ziwen CHENG1,Kuo CHENG1,Yonggang LI1,Dawei WANG2,Baoling YANG1()   

  1. 1.Department of Pathogen Biology,School of Basic Medical Sciences,Jinzhou Medical University,Jinzhou 121000,China
    2.Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine,School of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine,Jinzhou Medical University,Jinzhou 121000,China
  • Received:2023-11-06 Online:2024-09-28 Published:2024-10-28
  • Contact: Baoling YANG E-mail:baolingyang0304@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To screen the host interaction proteins of the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) nonstructural protein (NSs) by immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry analysis, to discuss the functions, subcellular localization, and biological pathways of these interaction proteins, and to provide the basis for clarifying the replication and pathogenic mechanism of SFTSV. Methods The eukaryotic expression vectors pSFTSV-NSs-Flag (experimental group) and Flag-CMV-3 (negative group) were transfected into the human embryonic kidney 293T cells, and contorl group (no treatment) was set up. The lysates of the cells in various groups were collected, and the expression and localization of SFTSV NSs in the host cells were verified by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting methods. The protein lysates were treated with protein A/G and immunoprecipitation was used to enrich host proteins binding to NSs. The captured interaction proteins were initially analyzed by silver staining and Coomassie brilliant blue staining to observe the differential protein bands in various groups; liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to obtain the information of protein sequences; the reliable proteins were retained and searched by UniProt database;Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, IPR, eukaryotic orthologous groups (KOGs) functional annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis, subcellular localization, and transcription factor (TF) functional annotation were used to determine the subcellular structure, gene functions, and biological processes of the interaction proteins. Results The immunofluorescence results showed that the SFTSV NSs expressed a single specific band at relative molecular mass 33 000 and was localized in the cytoplasm in a granular inclusion body-like manner. The silver staining and Coomassie brilliant blue staining results showed there were significant differential protein bands between experimental group and negative group. The mass spectrometry results identified 46 potential interaction proteins. The GO functional enrichment analysis, KOGs functional annotation, and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the biological pathways related to viral translation, cellular metabolism, and protein transport were enriched with a considerable number of proteins. Eight annotated proteins had intermediate filament domains. The highest percentage of subcellular localization was cytoplasmic proteins, consistent with the NSs localization site. The TF functional annotation analysis results showed one protein from the NF-Y family. Conclusion The interaction proteins play roles in assisting the proper protein folding, participating in the cribosome translation, and forming the cytoskeleton, which may be involved in antiviral replication. These proteins can be used as candidate proteins for further study on the replication mechanism of SFTSV.

Key words: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Non-structural protein, Protein- protein interaction, Immunoprecipitation, Mass-spectrometric technique

CLC Number: 

  • R373.3