Human sapovirus propagation in human cell lines supplemented with bile acids.

Human sapoviruses (HuSaVs) cause acute gastroenteritis similar to human noroviruses. Although HuSaVs were discovered four decades ago, no HuSaV has been grown in vitro, which has significantly impeded the understanding of viral biology and the development of antiviral strategies. In this study, we identified two susceptible human cell lines, that originated from testis and duodenum, that support HuSaV replication and found that replication requires bile acids. HuSaVs replicated more efficiently in the duodenum cell line, and viral RNA levels increased up to ∼6 log10-fold. We also detected double-stranded RNA, viral nonstructural and structural proteins in the cell cultures, and intact HuSaV particles. We confirmed the infectivity of progeny viruses released into the cell culture supernatants by passaging. These results indicate the successful growth of HuSaVs in vitro. Additionally, we determined the minimum infectious dose and tested the sensitivities of HuSaV GI.1 and GII.3 to heat and ultraviolet treatments. This system is inexpensive, scalable, and reproducible in different laboratories, and can be used to investigate mechanisms of HuSaV replication and to evaluate antivirals and/or disinfection methods for HuSaVs.

Polymerase chain reaction primer sets for the detection of genetically diverse human sapoviruses.

Sapoviruses are increasingly being recognized as pathogens associated with gastroenteritis in humans. Human sapoviruses are currently assigned to 18 genotypes (GI.1-7, GII.1-8, GIV.1, and GV.1-2) based on the sequence of the region encoding the major structural protein. In this study, we evaluated 11 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using published and newly designed/modified primers and showed that four PCR assays with different primer combinations amplified all of the tested human sapovirus genotypes using either synthetic DNA or cDNA prepared from human sapovirus-positive fecal specimens. These assays can be used as improved broadly reactive screening tests or as tools for molecular characterization of human sapoviruses.

Broadly reactive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of human sapovirus genotypes.

Sapoviruses are associated with acute gastroenteritis. Human sapoviruses are classified into four distinct genogroups (GI, GII, GIV, and GV) based on their capsid gene sequences. A TaqMan probe-based real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay that detects the representative strains of these four genogroups is widely used for screening fecal specimens, shellfish, and environmental water samples. However, since the development of this test, more genetically diverse sapovirus strains have been reported, which are not detectable by the previously established assays. In this study, we report the development of a broader-range sapovirus real-time RT-PCR assay. The assay can detect 2.5 × 107 and 2.5 × 10 1 copies of sapovirus and therefore is as sensitive as the previous test. Analysis using clinical stool specimens or synthetic DNA revealed that the new system detected strains representative of all the 18 human sapovirus genotypes: GI.1-7, GII.1-8, GIV.1, and GV.1, 2. No cross-reactivity was observed against other representative common enteric viruses (norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, and adenovirus). This new assay will be useful as an improved, broadly reactive, and specific screening tool for human sapoviruses.

NRF3-POMP-20S Proteasome Assembly Axis Promotes Cancer Development via Ubiquitin-Independent Proteolysis of p53 and Retinoblastoma Protein.

Proteasomes are essential protease complexes that maintain cellular homeostasis, and aberrant proteasomal activity supports cancer development. The regulatory mechanisms and biological function of the ubiquitin-26S proteasome have been studied extensively, while those of the ubiquitin-independent 20S proteasome system remain obscure. Here, we show that the cap 'n' collar (CNC) family transcription factor NRF3 specifically enhances 20S proteasome assembly in cancer cells and that 20S proteasomes contribute to colorectal cancer development through ubiquitin-independent proteolysis of the tumor suppressor p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) proteins. The NRF3 gene is highly expressed in many cancer tissues and cell lines and is important for cancer cell growth. In cancer cells, NRF3 upregulates the assembly of the 20S proteasome by directly inducing the gene expression of the 20S proteasome maturation protein POMP. Interestingly, NRF3 knockdown not only increases p53 and Rb protein levels but also increases p53 activities for tumor suppression, including cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, protein stability and cell viability assays using two distinct proteasome inhibitor anticancer drugs, the 20S proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 inhibitor TAK-243, show that the upregulation of the NRF3-POMP axis leads to ubiquitin-independent proteolysis of p53 and Rb and to impaired sensitivity to bortezomib but not TAK-243. More importantly, the NRF3-POMP axis supports tumorigenesis and metastasis, with higher NRF3/POMP expression levels correlating with poor prognoses in patients with colorectal or rectal adenocarcinoma. These results suggest that the NRF3-POMP-20S proteasome assembly axis is significant for cancer development via ubiquitin-independent proteolysis of tumor suppressor proteins.

First Identification of Human Adenovirus 57 (HAdV-57) in Japan.

Neutralization tests have been routinely used for the identification of human adenovirus C species (HAdV-C) in Japan until 2007. The aim of this study was to clarify the serological cross-reactivity of antiserum that has been used exclusively in Japan and to describe the first identification of HAdV type 57 (HAdV-57) in Japan. Anti-HAdV serum to HAdV-1, 2, 5, and 6 was quantitatively evaluated for cross-reactivity to the HAdV-57 isolates. Anti-HAdV-6 serum neutralized HAdV-57 with a concentration that was 32 to 64-fold higher than what was necessary to neutralize homologous HAdV-6. HAdV-1, 2, and 5 strains were not neutralized by anti HAdV-6 serum. Furthermore, 28 HAdV-6 strains isolated from 6,476 clinical samples were re-examined for HAdVs detected in the Shimane Prefecture of Japan from 2005 to 2014. These 28 strains were re-examined by PCR-sequencing techniques using the penton, hexon, and fiber regions. 3 isolates were determined to be HAdV-57. These data show that HAdV-57 had already invaded Japan as early as 2005, and that HAdV-57 strains were misidentified as HAdV-6.

First Complete Genome Sequences of Human Sapovirus Strains Classified as GI.3, GI.4, GI.6, GI.7, and GII.7.

We report here the first complete genome sequences of genotype GI.3, GI.4, GI.6, GI.7, and GII.7 sapovirus strains, detected from fecal samples of acute gastroenteritis patients. Complete or nearly complete genome sequences of all 18 genotypes of human sapoviruses are now available for phylogenetic analysis and primer design.

Effects of site-directed mutagenesis of the surface residues Gln128 and Gln225 of thermolysin on its catalytic activity.

Thermolysin is remarkably activated and stabilized by neutral salts with varying degrees depending on salt species, and particular surface residues are thought to be especially important in its activity and stability [Inouye, K. (1992) J. Biochem. 112, 335-340; Inouye, K. et al. (1998) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1388, 209-214]. In this study, we examined the mutational effects of the surface residues of thermolysin. Gln128 and Gln225 were selected as the residues to be mutated because they are located on the surface loop and close to but not in the active site (23.5 and 15.8 A far from the active site zinc ion, respectively) and fully solvent accessible. Nine single mutants [Q128K (Gln128 is replaced with Lys), Q128E, Q128A, Q225K, Q225R, Q225E, Q225D, Q225A and Q225V] were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis. Mutational changes in catalytic activity were found only in the mutant thermolysins having a hydrophobic residue at the position 225 (Q225A and Q225V). In the hydrolysis of a neutral substrate N-[3-(2-furyl)acryloyl]-glycyl-l-leucine amide (FAGLA), the alkaline pK(a) value of Q225A is 8.48 +/- 0.04, being higher by 0.42 +/- 0.07 units than that of the wild-type thermolysin. The k(cat)/K(m) value of the wild-type enzyme is enhanced 14 times with 4 M NaCl, and those of Q225A and Q225V are enhanced 10 and 19 times, respectively. In the hydrolysis of a negatively charged substrate N-carbobenzoxy-l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester (ZDFM), unlike FAGLA, the initial velocities of Q225A and Q225V decreased to 30 and 50% of that of the wild-type enzyme, respectively. Their thermal stability is similar to that of the wild-type enzyme. These findings indicate that even a single mutation at the thermolysin surface induces changes in the electrostatic environment in the active site and affects the activity. Thus, site-directed mutagenesis of surface residues of thermolysin, including apparently thermodynamically unfavorable introduction of hydrophobic residues, should be explored to improve its activity and stability.

Molecular Epidemiology of Rubella Virus Strains Detected Around the Time of the 2012-2013 Epidemic in Japan.

A nationwide rubella epidemic occurred from 2012 to 2013 in Japan, resulting in around 17,000 rubella cases and the birth of 45 infants with congenital rubella syndrome. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize the rubella viruses (RVs) circulating around the time of the epidemic in Japan. In total, 221 RV strains detected from 14 prefectures in Japan between 2010 and 2014 were sequenced in the 739 nucleotide-window region within the E1 gene. The virus strains were chronologically and geographically characterized into groups based on phylogenetic analysis. Among the 221 strains analyzed, 192 (87%), 26 (12%), and 3 (1%) strains were classified into genotypes 2B, 1E, and 1J, respectively. The majority (n = 184) of the genotype 2B strains belonged to lineage 2B-L1 and shared nucleotide homology with the strains detected in Southeast and East Asian countries. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that at least six distinct clusters of RV strains (clusters 1-6) induced outbreaks in Japan between 2010 and 2014. Among them, strains from clusters 3, 4, and 6 circulated almost simultaneously during 2012-2013. The cluster 3 strains circulated locally, whereas strains from cluster 4 spread nationwide. The findings suggest that RVs were introduced into Japan many times from neighboring countries. The 2012-2013 epidemic was a complex of outbreaks induced by at least three clusters of RV strains.