Mechanism of Enhanced Immature Dengue Virus Attachment to Endosomal Membrane Induced by prM Antibody

Structure. 2019 Feb 5;27(2):253-267.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2018.10.009. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Abstract

Dengue virus (DENV) particles are released from cells in different maturation states. Fully immature DENV (immDENV) is generally non-infectious, but can become infectious when complexed with anti-precursor membrane (prM) protein antibodies. It is unknown how anti-prM antibody-coated particles can undergo membrane fusion since the prM caps the envelope (E) protein fusion loop. Here, we determined cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) maps of the immDENV:anti-prM complex at different pH values, mimicking the extracellular (pH 8.0) or endosomal (pH 5.0) environments. At pH 5.0, there are two structural classes with fewer antibodies bound than at pH 8.0. These classes may represent different maturation states. Molecular simulations, together with the measured high-affinity pr:antibody interaction (versus the weak pr:E interaction) and also the low pH cryo-EM structures, suggest how antibody:pr complex can dislodge from the E protein at low pH. This exposes the E protein fusion loop enhancing virus interaction with endosomes.

Keywords: cryo-EM; dengue virus; enhancement of infection; human antibody; immature dengue virus; maturation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Viral / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Dengue Virus / chemistry
  • Dengue Virus / immunology
  • Dengue Virus / physiology*
  • Endosomes / chemistry
  • Endosomes / immunology
  • Endosomes / virology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • THP-1 Cells
  • Viral Proteins / immunology*
  • Virus Attachment

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Viral Proteins
  • prM protein, Dengue virus type 3