Inhibition of HCV replication by oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 4 (ORP4) through interaction with HCV NS5B and alteration of lipid droplet formation.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA replication involves complex interactions among the 3'x RNA element within the HCV 3' untranslated region, viral and host proteins. However, many of the host proteins remain unknown. In this study, we devised an RNA affinity chromatography /2D/MASS proteomics strategy and identified nine putative 3' X-associated host proteins; among them is oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 4 (ORP4), a cytoplasmic receptor for oxysterols. We determined the relationship between ORP4 expression and HCV replication. A very low level of constitutive ORP4 expression was detected in hepatocytes. Ectopically expressed ORP4 was detected in the endoplasmic reticulum and inhibited luciferase reporter gene expression in HCV subgenomic replicon cells and HCV core expression in JFH-1-infected cells. Expression of ORP4S, an ORP4 variant that lacked the N-terminal pleckstrin-homology domain but contained the C-terminal oxysterol-binding domain also inhibited HCV replication, pointing to an important role of the oxysterol-binding domain in ORP4-mediated inhibition of HCV replication. ORP4 was found to associate with HCV NS5B and its expression led to inhibition of the NS5B activity. ORP4 expression had little effect on intracellular lipid synthesis and secretion, but it induced lipid droplet formation in the context of HCV replication. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ORP4 is a negative regulator of HCV replication, likely via interaction with HCV NS5B in the replication complex and regulation of intracellular lipid homeostasis. This work supports the important role of lipids and their metabolism in HCV replication and pathogenesis.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America ; Center for AIDS Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America ; University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States of America.
In-Woo
IW
Park
Jean
J
Ndjomou
Yahong
Y
Wen
Ziqing
Z
Liu
Neale D
ND
Ridgway
C Cheng
CC
Kao
Johnny J
JJ
He
D002460:Cell Line; D015870:Gene Expression; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011485:Protein Binding; D021381:Protein Transport; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014779:Virus Replication; D000098825:Oxysterol Binding Proteins; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
D008055:Lipids; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D000098825:Oxysterol Binding Proteins; C087036:NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase