The Ebola virus VP24 protein prevents hnRNP C1/C2 binding to karyopherin α1 and partially alters its nuclear import

J Infect Dis. 2011 Nov;204 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S904-10. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir323.

Abstract

The Ebola virus (EBOV) protein VP24 inhibits type I and II interferon (IFN) signaling by binding to NPI-1 subfamily karyopherin α (KPNA) nuclear import proteins, preventing their interaction with tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT1 (phospho-STAT1). This inhibits phospho-STAT1 nuclear import. A biochemical screen now identifies heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein complex C1/C2 (hnRNP C1/C2) nuclear import as an additional target of VP24. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate that hnRNP C1/C2 interacts with multiple KPNA family members, including KPNA1. Interaction with hnRNP C1/C2 occurs through the same KPNA1 C-terminal region (amino acids 424-457) that binds VP24 and phospho-STAT1. The ability of hnRNP C1/C2 to bind KPNA1 is diminished in the presence of VP24, and cells transiently expressing VP24 redistribute hnRNP C1/C2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. These data further define the mechanism of hnRNP C1/C2 nuclear import and demonstrate that the impact of EBOV VP24 on nuclear import extends beyond STAT1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Ebolavirus / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group C / genetics
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group C / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Rabbits
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*
  • alpha Karyopherins / genetics
  • alpha Karyopherins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group C
  • KPNA1 protein, human
  • VP24 protein, Ebola virus
  • Viral Proteins
  • alpha Karyopherins