Marcus Picard-Maureau

Publications of Marcus Picard-Maureau

• Murine cytomegalovirus m142 and m143 are both required to block protein kinase R-mediated shutdown of protein synthesis.

  Authors: Ralitsa S Valchanova, Marcus Picard-Maureau, Matthias Budt, Wolfram Brune

  Journal of virology. 11/2006; 80(20):10181-90.

  Cytomegaloviruses carry the US22 family of genes, which have common sequence motifs but diverse functions. Only two of the 12 US22 family genes of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) are essential forCytomegaloviruses carry the US22 family of genes, which have common sequence motifs but diverse functions. Only two of the 12 US22 family genes of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) are essential for virus replication, but their functions have remained unknown. In the present study, we deleted the essential US22 family genes, m142 and m143, from the MCMV genome and propagated the mutant viruses on complementing cells. The m142 and the m143 deletion mutants were both unable to replicate in noncomplementing cells at low and high multiplicities of infection. In cells infected with the deletion mutants, viral immediate-early and early proteins were expressed, but viral DNA replication and synthesis of the late-gene product glycoprotein B were inhibited, even though mRNAs of late genes were present. Global protein synthesis was impaired in these cells, which correlated with phosphorylation of the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase R (PKR) and its target protein, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha, suggesting that m142 and m143 are necessary to block the PKR-mediated shutdown of protein synthesis. Replication of the m142 and m143 knockout mutants was partially restored by expression of the human cytomegalovirus TRS1 gene, a known double-stranded-RNA-binding protein that inhibits PKR activation. These results indicate that m142 and m143 are both required for inhibition of the PKR-mediated host antiviral response.

  Download

• Analysis and function of prototype foamy virus envelope N glycosylation.

  Authors: Daniel Lüftenegger, Marcus Picard-Maureau, Nicole Stanke, Axel Rethwilm, Dirk Lindemann

  Journal of virology. 07/2005; 79(12):7664-72.

  The prototype foamy virus (PFV) glycoprotein, which is essential for PFV particle release, displays a highly unusual biosynthesis, resulting in posttranslational cleavage of the precursor proteinThe prototype foamy virus (PFV) glycoprotein, which is essential for PFV particle release, displays a highly unusual biosynthesis, resulting in posttranslational cleavage of the precursor protein into three particle-associated subunits, i.e., leader peptide (LP), surface (SU), and transmembrane (TM). Glycosidase digestion of metabolically labeled PFV particles revealed the presence of N-linked carbohydrates on all subunits. The differential sensitivity to specific glycosidases indicated that all oligosaccharides on LP and TM are of the high-mannose or hybrid type, whereas most of those attached to SU, which contribute to about 50% of its molecular weight, are of the complex type. Individual inactivation of all 15 potential N-glycosylation sites in PFV Env demonstrated that 14 are used, i.e., 1 out of 2 in LP, 10 in SU, and 3 in TM. Analysis of the individual altered glycoproteins revealed defects in intracellular processing, support of particle release, and infectivity for three mutants, having the evolutionarily conserved glycosylation sites N8 in SU or N13 and N15 in the cysteine-rich central "sheets-and-loops" region of TM inactivated. Examination of alternative mutants with mutations affecting glycosylation or surrounding sequences at these sites indicated that inhibition of glycosylation at N8 and N13 most likely is responsible for the observed replication defects, whereas for N15 surrounding sequences seem to contribute to a temperature-sensitive phenotype. Taken together these data demonstrate that PFV Env and in particular the SU subunit are heavily N glycosylated and suggest that although most carbohydrates are dispensable individually, some evolutionarily conserved sites are important for normal Env function of FV isolates from different species.

• Foamy virus integration.

  Authors: Thomas Juretzek, Teresa Holm, Kathleen Gärtner, Sylvia Kanzler, Dirk Lindemann, Ottmar Herchenröder, Marcus Picard-Maureau, Matthias Rammling, Martin Heinkelein, Axel Rethwilm

  Journal of virology. 04/2004; 78(5):2472-7.

  It had been suggested that during integration of spumaretroviruses (foamy viruses) the right (U5) end of the cDNA is processed, while the left (U3) remains uncleaved. We confirmed this hypothesis byIt had been suggested that during integration of spumaretroviruses (foamy viruses) the right (U5) end of the cDNA is processed, while the left (U3) remains uncleaved. We confirmed this hypothesis by sequencing two-long terminal repeat (LTR) circle junctions of unintegrated DNA. Based on an infectious foamy virus molecular clone, a set of constructs harboring mutations at the 5' end of the U3 region in the 3' LTR was analyzed for particle export, reverse transcription, and replication. Following transient transfection some mutants were severely impaired in generating infectious virus, while others replicated almost like the wild type. The replication competence of the mutants was unrelated to the cleavability of the newly created U3 end. This became obvious with two mutants both belonging to the high-titer type. One mutant containing a dinucleotide artificially transferred from the right to the left end was trimmed upon integration, while another one with an unrelated dinucleotide in that place was not. The latter construct in particular showed that the canonical TG motif at the beginning of the provirus is not essential for foamy virus integration.

• Foamy virus envelope glycoprotein-mediated entry involves a pH-dependent fusion process.

  Authors: Marcus Picard-Maureau, Gergely Jarmy, Angelika Berg, Axel Rethwilm, Dirk Lindemann

  Journal of virology. 05/2003; 77(8):4722-30.

  In general, enveloped viruses use two different entry strategies and are classified accordingly into pH-dependent and pH-independent viruses. Different members of the retrovirus family use one or theIn general, enveloped viruses use two different entry strategies and are classified accordingly into pH-dependent and pH-independent viruses. Different members of the retrovirus family use one or the other strategy. Little is known about the uptake of foamy viruses (FV), a special group of retroviruses, into the target cells. In this study, we examined the pH dependence of FV entry by analyzing FV envelope glycoprotein (Env)-mediated infection of target cells with murine leukemia virus or FV vector pseudotypes in the presence of various lysosomotropic agents. Similar to vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G (VSV-G)-mediated uptake, FV Env-mediated entry was inhibited by various lysosomotropic agents, suggesting a pH-dependent endocytic pathway. However, in contrast to its effect on VSV-G pseudotypes, chloroquine failed to reduce the infectivity of FV Env pseudotypes, implying that the pathway is different from that of VSV-G. Glycoproteins of various other FV species showed inhibition profiles similar to that of the prototype FV (PFV) Env. Analysis of the pH dependence of the FV Env-mediated fusion process in a cell-to-cell fusion assay revealed an induction of syncytium formation by a short exposure to acidic pH, peaking around pH 5.5. Interestingly, of all FV Env species analyzed, only the PFV Env had a significant fusion activity at neutral pH. Taken together, these data suggest a pH-dependent endocytic pathway for infection of target cells by FV.

• Molekulare Analyse der Penetration von Foamyviren und Konstruktion und Charakterisierung von Adenovirus-Foamyvirus Hybridvektoren

  Authors: Marcus Picard-Maureau

  In dieser Arbeit wurde zum einen die Penetration von Foamyviren (FV) unter besonderer Berücksichtung des FV Hüllglykoproteins (Env) untersucht, zum anderen wurden Adenovirus-Foamyvirus (Ad-FV)In dieser Arbeit wurde zum einen die Penetration von Foamyviren (FV) unter besonderer Berücksichtung des FV Hüllglykoproteins (Env) untersucht, zum anderen wurden Adenovirus-Foamyvirus (Ad-FV) Hybridvektoren zur Kombination der Vorteile beider Vektorsysteme konstruiert und analysiert. Das Ziel war die Herstellung von Ad-FV Vektoren mit hohen Titern, die stabil in das Genom des Wirts integrieren. Über die Penetration von FV ist bisher wenig bekannt. Umhüllte Viren können entweder durch direkte Fusion der viralen Hülle mit der Zellmembran oder durch rezep-torvermittelte Endocytose, oft mit einem pH-abhängigen Fusionsschritt der viralen Membran mit der Membran intrazellulärer Kompartimente, in Zielzellen gelangen. In dieser Studie wurde die Abhängigkeit der FV Env vermittelten Infektion verschie-dener FV Spezies von lysosomotropen Agenzien mit MuLV oder Prototyp FV (PFV) Pseudotypen analysiert. Ähnlich wie bei Vesikuläres Stomatitis Virus Glykoprotein (VSV-G) Pseudotypen wurde die FV Env vermittelte Infektion von fast allen Agen-zien, die den endosomalen pH anheben, inhibiert. Allerdings hatte Chloroquin keine inhibitorische Wirkung auf die FV Env vermittelte Infektion im Gegensatz zu der VSV-G katalysierten, was auf einen unter-schiedlichen Penetrationsmechanismus schließen lässt. Eine Analyse der pH-Abhängigkeit der FV Env Fusionsaktivität in einem Zell-Fusionsassay zeigte eine Induktion der Fusionsaktivität mit einer maximalen Stärke bei pH 5,5. Nur bei PFV Env wurde eine basale Fusionsaktivität bei neutralem pH detektiert. Die relativ schnelle Induktion der Fusionsaktivität in saurem Milieu weist auf eine Konformationsänderung des Hüllglykoproteins zur Transformation in einen fusionsaktiven Status hin. Aufgrund dieser Daten kann man von einem endocytotischen, pH-abhängigen Penetrationsmechanismus von FV ausgehen. Zur Kombination der Vorteile von Adenoviren und FV wurde ein Ad-FV Hybridvektorsystem konstruiert um eine effizientes Werkzeug zum stabilen Gentransfer zu schaffen. Das System besteht aus adenoviralen Hochkapazitäts- (HC-Ad) Vektoren auf Adenovirus 5 Basis, die eine selbst-inaktivierende PFV Vektor Kassette unter Kontrolle eines humanen Cytomegalovirus- (hCMV) Promotors oder des reversen Tet Transaktivator Systems (Tet) enthalten. In alle Vektoren ist eine Verstärktes Grün Fluoreszierendes Protein (EGFP) Expressionskassette als Markergen integriert. Es wurden sowohl FV Vektoren, die nach der Primärinfektion über einen intrazellulären Transduktionsmechanismus stabil integrieren, als auch solche, die über einen Se-kundärzyklus mit Hilfe extrazellulärer Partikel stabil transduzieren können, hergestellt. Die Ad-FV Vektoren konnten mit zu herkömmlichen HC-Ad Vektoren vergleich-baren Titern bis zu 1010 iU/ml produziert werden. In Ad-FV infizierten Zellen war die erwartete FV Proteinexpression und ihre Induzierbarkeit bei Ad-FVTet Vektoren nachweisbar. Mit diesen Vektorsystemen infizierte Zellen zeigten eine signifikant höhere persistierende Transgenexpression im Vergleich zu mit HC-Ad oder Kontroll- Ad-FV Vektoren ohne ein funktionales FV pol ORF infizierten Zellen. Eine Southern Blot Analyse von Ad-FVTet infizierten Einzelzellklonen mit persistierender EGFP Expression belegte eine stabile Integration der FV Vektor Kassette. In dieser Arbeit konnten Ad-FV Vektoren mit hohem Titer hergestellt werden, die eine, auch im Vergleich mit bisher publizierten Ad-Retrovirus Systemen, stark erhöhte Effizienz des persistenten Transgentransfers durch stabile Integration zeigten. In this study, both, the analysis of the penetration mechanism of Foamy Viruses (FV), focusing on the FV envelope glycoprotein (Env), and the construction and analysis of Adenovirus (Ad)-FV hybrid vectors for efficient prolonged transgene expression, was addressed. Little is known about the uptake of foamy viruses, a subfamily of retroviruses, into target cells. In general enveloped viruses use two different entry strategies, an endocytotic entry pathway, mostly involving a pH-dependent fusion process, and a pH-independent fusion process at the cell membrane. In this study, we examined the pH dependence of FV entry by analyzing FV Env mediated infectivity of target cells in the presence of weak bases, vacuolar ATPase inhibitors and carboxylic ionophores using Murine Leukemia Virus (MuLV) or FV vector pseudotypes. Similiar to Vesicular Stomatitis Virus glycoprotein G (VSV-G) mediated uptake, FV Env mediated entry was inhibited by most agents used. However, in contrast to VSV-G pseudotypes, chloroquine failed to reduce the infectivity of FV Env pseudotypes, implying that the pathway is different from that of VSV-G. Various glycoproteins from other FV species showed a similiar inhibition pattern as the prototype FV (PFV). Analysis of the pH-dependence of the FV mediated fusion process in a cell-to-cell fusion assay revealed an induction of syncitia formation by a short exposure to acidic pH, peaking around pH 5.5. The very short time period of exposure to low pH neccessary for the induction of fusion activity implies a conformational change of FV Env at low pH to transform to a fusogenic state. Interestingly, of all FV Env species analyzed only the PFV Env had a significant fusion activity a neutral pH. Taken together, these data suggest a pH-dependent endocytotic pathway of infection of target cells by FV. In this work, an adenoviral/foamyviral (Ad-FV) hybrid vector system was developed to exploit the favourable features of the two parental viral species for efficient and stable gene transfer. The system consists of high capacity (HC-Ad) Adenovirus 5 vectors containing self-inactivating PFV vector cassettes under control of a human cytomegalovirus- (hCMV) promotor or the reverse Tet transactivator system (Tet). The PFV Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) transfer vectors encoded by this vector cassettes could either transduce target cells by an intracellular retrotransposition step or by an additional secondary cycle with extracellular paticles. The Ad-FV vectors could be produced with titers up to 1010 iU/ml, comparable to conventional Ad vectors. We were able to demonstrate the predicted pattern of PFV protein expression in Ad-FV vector infected cells and the induction of PFV protein expression in Ad-FVTet infected cells. Long-term analysis of cells infected by the chimeric vec-tors showed a significantly higher amount of persistent transgene expressing cells when compared to cells infected by a control vector containing a non-functional FV pol ORF or by a conventional HC-Ad vector. Southern blot analysis of persistently transgene expressing cells indicated stable integration of the PFV vector genome in cells infected by Ad-FVTet vectors. In summary, our results demonstrate the production of high titer Ad-FV hybrid vectors mediating, even compared to other published Ad-Retrovirus systems, prolonged transgene expression by stable integration.