Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) methylcytosine dioxygenase-dependent viral DNA demethylation mediates in vivo hepatitis B virus (HBV) biosynthesis.

Liver-specific ten-eleven translocation (Tet) methylcytosine dioxygenases 2 and 3 (Tet2 plus Tet3)-deficient hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice fail to support viral biosynthesis. The levels of viral transcription and replication intermediates are dramatically reduced. Hepatitis B core antigen is only observed in a very limited number of pericentral hepatocytes in a pattern that is similar to glutamate-ammonia ligase (Glul), a ß-catenin target gene. HBV transcript abundance in adult Tet-deficient mice resembles that observed in wild-type neonatal mice. Furthermore, the RNA levels of several ß-catenin target genes including Glul, Lhpp, Notun, Oat, Slc1a2, and Tbx3 in Tet-deficient mice were also similar to that observed in wild-type neonatal mice. As HBV transcription is regulated by ß-catenin, these findings support the suggestion that neonatal Tet deficiency might limit ß-catenin target gene expression, limiting viral biosynthesis. Additionally, HBV transgene DNA displays increased 5-methylcytosine (5mC) frequency at CpG sequences consistent with neonatal Tet deficiency being responsible for decreased developmental viral DNA demethylation mediated by 5mC oxidation to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, a process that might be responsible for the reduction in cellular ß-catenin target gene expression and viral transcription and replication.IMPORTANCEChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes significant worldwide morbidity and mortality. There are no curative therapies available to resolve chronic HBV infections, and the small viral genome limits molecular targets for drug development. An alternative approach to drug development is to target cellular genes essential for HBV biosynthesis. In the liver, ten-eleven translocation (Tet) genes encode cellular enzymes that are not essential for postnatal mouse development but represent essential activities for viral DNA demethylation and transcription. Consequently, Tet inhibitors may potentially be developed into therapeutic agents capable of inducing and/or maintaining HBV covalently closed circular DNA methylation, resulting in transcriptional silencing and the resolution of chronic viral infection.

Disassembly of the TRIM23-TBK1 Complex by the Us11 Protein of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Impairs Autophagy.

The Us11 protein encoded by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) functions to impair autophagy; however, the molecular mechanisms of this inhibition remain to be fully established. Here, we report that the Us11 protein targets tripartite motif protein 23 (TRIM23), which is a key regulator of autophagy-mediated antiviral defense mediated by TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). In virus-infected cells, the Us11 protein drastically reduces the formation of autophagosomes mediated by TRIM23 or TBK1. This autophagy-inhibitory effect is attributable to the binding of the Us11 protein to the ARF domain in TRIM23. Furthermore, such interaction spatially excludes TBK1 from the TRIM23 complex that also contains heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). When stably expressed alone in host cells, the Us11 protein recapitulates the observed phenotypes seen in cells infected with the US11-expressing or wild-type virus. Consistent with this, expression of the Us11 protein promotes HSV-1 growth, while expression of TRIM23 restricts HSV-1 replication in the absence of US11. Together, these results suggest that disruption of the TRIM23-TBK1 complex by the Us11 protein inhibits autophagy-mediated restriction of HSV-1 infection.IMPORTANCE Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process that restricts certain intracellular pathogens, including HSV-1. Although HSV-1 is well known to inhibit autophagy, little is known about the precise molecular mechanisms of autophagy inhibition. We demonstrate that the Us11 protein of HSV-1 spatially disrupts the TRIM23-TBK1 complex, which subsequently suppresses autophagy and autophagy-mediated virus restriction. Thus, expression of the Us11 protein facilitates HSV-1 replication. These data unveil new insight into viral escape from autophagy-mediated host restriction mechanisms.

Distinct phenotypic spectra of hepatocellular carcinoma in liver-specific tumor suppressor-deficient hepatitis B virus transgenic mice.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mouse model was used to interrogate the origins of HCC heterogeneity. HBV biosynthesis was used as a marker of liver tumor heterogeneity. Principal component and correlation analysis of HBV and cellular transcript levels demonstrated major differences within and between the gene expression profiles of Apc-deficient, Apc-deficient Pten-deficient, and Pten-deficient HCC. Hence, both oncogenic stimuli and zonal hepatocyte properties determine heterogeneous HCC phenotypes. Additionally, Apc-deficient HCC display decreased expression of Apob, Otc and Tet2 relative to Pten-deficient HCC and control liver tissue suggesting their gene products may represent markers of Apc-deficient HCC. A subset of human HCC with mutations in the ß-catenin gene (CTNNB1) displayed a gene expression profile similar to that observed in the mouse Apc-deficient HCC indicating this model of liver cancer may be useful for interrogating the molecular properties of these tumors and their potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.