Document Type

Article (Restricted)

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Abstract

Apoptosis was detected in Vero cell cultures expressing transfected dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) genes. Approximately 17(.)5 and 51(.)5 of cells expressing NS3 serine protease and NS2B-NS3(185) serine protease precursor protein NS2B-NS3(185)(pro) genes, respectively, were apoptotic. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in cell cultures expressing NS2B-NS3(185)(pro). NS2B-NS3(185)(pro) was detected as NS2B-NS3(185)(pro)-EGFP fusion protein in cytoplasmic vesicular structures in the apoptotic cells. Site-directed mutagenesis which replaced His 51 with Ala within the protease catalytic triad significantly reduced the ability of the expressed NS3 and NS2B-NS3(185)(pro) to induce apoptosis. Results from the present study showed that DENV-2-encoded NS3 serine protease induces apoptosis, which is enhanced in cells expressing its precursor, NS2B-NS3(185)(pro). These findings suggest the importance of NS2B as a cofactor to NS3 protease-induced apoptosis.

Keywords

Amino Acid Sequence Animals *Apoptosis Cercopithecus aethiops Dengue Virus/*pathogenicity Green Fluorescent Proteins Humans Luminescent Proteins/genetics/metabolism Mice Molecular Sequence Data Protein Precursors/*metabolism RNA Helicases Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics/metabolism Serine Endopeptidases Vero Cells Viral Nonstructural Proteins/chemistry/*metabolism

Publication Title

Journal of General Virology

ISSN

0022-1317

Divisions

fac_med

Volume

84

Additional Information

Shafee, N AbuBakar, S Part 8

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