Abstract
Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an arthropod-borne rhabdovirus and causes bovine ephemeral fever of cattle and water buffalo in worldwide. Previous studies have demonstrated that infection with BEFV leads to induction of host cellular apoptosis. However, the role of apoptosis in viral replication and the interaction between viral genes and host genes involved in the process of BEFV-induced apoptosis remains unclear. Herein we investigated the interaction between viral non-structural protein α3 and cellular heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) in the BEFV-induced apoptosis and its role in virus replication. Overexpression of α3 gene activated caspase 3 and consequently cleaved PARP, ultimately lead to apoptosis. Moreover, virus titer of BHK-21 cells infected with BEFV and then treated respectively by the pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) and apoptosis inducer (CCCP) was determined, the results showed that apoptosis promoted viral replication. In addition, knockdown of hnRNP K gene promoted BEFV replication, whereas overexpression of hnRNP K gene had the opposite effects. More importantly, overexpression of hnRNP K inhibited virus-induced apoptosis. Subsequently, it was found that hnRNP K suppressed BEFV replication via degrading viral α3 gene and further inhibited apoptosis induced by α3 gene. Finally, the expression of hnRNP K protein was significantly down-regulated upon BEFV infection, and degradation of hnRNP K protein in BHK-21 cells infected with BEFV was mediated by viral activation of caspase 3. Taken together, these results suggest that apoptosis takes a pivotal role in BEFV replication, and interaction between viral α3 gene and host hnRNP K gene in BEFV-induced apoptosis facilitates BEFV replication.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.