common and distinct capsid and surface protein requirements for secretion of complete and genome-free hepatitis B virions

Xiaojun Ning, Laurie Luckenbaugh, Kuancheng Liu, Volker Bruss, Camille Sureau, Jianming Hu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

During the morphogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV), an enveloped virus, two types of virions are secreted: (i) a minor population of complete virions containing a mature nucleocapsid with the characteristic, partially double-stranded, relaxed circular DNA genome and (ii) a major population containing an empty capsid with no DNA or RNA (empty virions). Secretion of both types of virions requires interactions between the HBV capsid or core protein (HBc) and the viral surface or envelope proteins. We have studied the requirements from both HBc and envelope proteins for empty virion secretion in comparison with those for secretion of complete virions. Substitutions within the N-terminal domain of HBc that block secretion of DNA-containing virions reduced but did not prevent secretion of empty virions. The HBc C-terminal domain was not essential for empty virion secretion. Among the three viral envelope proteins, the smallest, S, alone was sufficient for empty virion secretion at a basal level. The largest protein, L, essential for complete virion secretion, was not required but could stimulate empty virion secretion. Also, substitutions in L that eliminated secretion of complete virions reduced but did not eliminate empty virion secretion. S mutations that blocked secretion of the hepatitis D virus (HDV), an HBV satellite, did not block secretion of either empty or complete HBV virions. Together, these results indicate that both common and distinct signals on empty capsids and mature nucleocapsids interact with the S and L proteins during the formation of complete and empty virions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere00272-18
JournalJournal of virology
Volume92
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Insect Science
  • Virology

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