title: Sequestration of free tubulin molecules by the viral protein NSP2 induces microtubule depolymerization during rotavirus infection.
abstract: Microtubules, components of the cell cytoskeleton, play a central role in cellular trafficking. Here we show that rotavirus infection leads to a remodeling of the microtubule network together with the formation of tubulin granules. While most microtubules surrounding the nucleus depolymerize, others appear packed at the cell periphery. In microtubule depolymerization areas, tubulin granules are observed; they colocalize with viroplasms, viral compartments formed by interactions between rotavirus proteins NSP2 and NSP5. With purified proteins, we show that tubulin directly interacts in vitro with NSP2 but not with NSP5. The binding of NSP2 to tubulin is independent of its phosphatase activity. The comparison of three-dimensional (3-D) reconstructions of NSP2 octamers alone or associated with tubulin reveals electron densities in the positively charged grooves of NSP2 that we attribute to tubulin. Site-directed mutagenesis of NSP2 and competition assays between RNA and tubulin for NSP2 binding confirm that tubulin binds to these charged grooves of NSP2. Although the tubulin position within NSP2 grooves cannot be precisely determined, the tubulin C-terminal H12 alpha-helix could be involved in the interaction. NSP2 overexpression and rotavirus infection produce similar effects on the microtubule network. NSP2 depolymerizes microtubules and leads to tubulin granule formation. Our results demonstrate that tubulin is a viroplasm component and reveal an original mechanism. Tubulin sequestration by NSP2 induces microtubule depolymerization. This depolymerization probably reroutes the cell machinery by inhibiting trafficking and functions potentially involved in defenses to viral infections.
authors.affiliation: Virologie Moléculaire et Structurale, CNRS UMR 2472, INRA UMR 1157, IFR 115, Avenue de la Terrasse, Gif sur Yvette, France. davy.martin@vms.cnrs-gif.fr
authors.forename: Davy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Mariela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lepault
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poncet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002460:Cell Line; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008958:Models, Molecular; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D015739:Nocodazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000378:metabolism*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; C079234:NS35 protein, rotavirus; D017239:Paclitaxel; D015739:Nocodazole