Tahan, S. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2019

Entry by multiple picornaviruses is dependent on a pathway that includes TNK2, WASL and NCK1

Comprehensive knowledge of the host factors required for picornavirus infection would facilitate antiviral development. Here we demonstrate roles for three human genes, TNK2, WASL, and NCK1, in infection by multiple picornaviruses. CRISPR deletion of TNK2, WASL or NCK1 reduced encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), poliovirus and enterovirus D68 infection, and chemical inhibitors of TNK2 and WASL decreased EMCV infection. Reduced EMCV lethality was observed in mice lacking TNK2. TNK2, WASL and NCK1 were important in early stages of the viral lifecycle, and genetic epistasis analysis demonstrated that the three genes function in a common pathway. Mechanistically, reduced internalization of EMCV was observed in TNK2 deficient cells demonstrating that TNK2 functions in EMCV entry. Domain analysis of WASL demonstrated that its actin nucleation activity was necessary to facilitate viral infection. Together, these data support a model wherein TNK2, WASL, and NCK1 comprise a pathway critical for multiple picornaviruses.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Noda-like RNA viruses infecting Caenorhabditis nematodes: sympatry, diversity and reassortment

Three RNA viruses related to nodaviruses were previously described to naturally infect the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and its relative C. briggsae. Here we report on a collection of over 50 viral variants from wild-caught Caenorhabditis. We describe the discovery of a new related virus, the M[e]lnik virus, infecting C. briggsae, which similarly infects intestinal cells. In France, a frequent pattern of co-infection of C. briggsae by the Santeuil virus and Le Blanc virus was observed at the level of an individual nematode and even a single cell. We do not find evidence of reassortment between the RNA1 and RNA2 molecules of Santeuil and Le Blanc viruses. However, by studying patterns of evolution of each virus, reassortments of RNA1 and RNA2 among variants of each virus were identified. We develop assays to test the relative potency and competitive ability of the viral variants and detect an interaction between host genotype and Santeuil virus genotype, such that the result of the competition depends on the host strain.\n\nImportanceThe roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans is a laboratory model organism in biology. We study natural populations of this small animal and its relative C. briggsae and the viruses that infect them. We previously discovered three RNA viruses related to nodaviruses and here describe a fourth one, called the Melnik virus. These viruses have a genome composed of two RNA molecules. We find that two viruses may infect the same animal and the same cell. The two RNA molecules may be exchanged between variants of a given viral species. We study the diversity of each viral species and devise an assay of their competitive ability. Using this assay, we show that the outcome of the competition also depends on the host.

microbiology↗